world hopping: locked to [personal profile] athelstanthescribe

[soldier_blade]

Outside Sonya's door, the Georgian summer heat would've struck them both in the face, as she said. The summer heat would've gone on until late October, and certainly would've been different than either Denmark, England or even millliways. A look up showed that the humidity was close to bringing in rain: sonya didn't think it would make the heat any better.

"This way." The buildings around them were basic, three-story and red brick. The barracks were nothing if not utilitarian, but they were nothing to look at unless they were home. Everywhere one looked, there were people in various army dress and the occasional civilian. Sonya deliberately put him as military though because only family of personnel or civilian occupations were allowed on base outside of Sunday, and blending in was easier than asking questions.

Every so often an enlisted would salute them. Sonya returned the gesture as they headed to her jeep. The bar itself was just some blocks away from the area, but she didn't want to put him through the strain.

"Inside,' She opened the door for him. "Normally it's within walking distances, better safe than sorry." Also, air-conditioning.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"That was cruel of him", Athelstan says quietly. "And uncalled for."

[soldier_blade]

Sonya let out a snort. "Teenage boy, they're hardly models of empathy and reason."

Laurie nodded. "One of the reasons I chose not to teach high schoolers. I'd have grey hair before my time."

She could see the base up ahead, only a little disappointed that their drive was cut short. "So, Laurie..there a reason you haven't kept in contact with me the past few years?"

"Yes, there is...you know how hard it is to find a mailing address overseas. Especially for Spec. Ops, and don't get me started on the cost of a phonecall."

Sonya was tempted to roll her eyes, but what she said was true on both accounts. "Point taken. I'll drive you over to charlie's, you can use his phone to contact the PX station and they'll direct you to where he'll be."

Much as Laurie was capable of it, Sonya wasn't about to have her walk around aimlessly in this weather.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Are we not taking her home?" Athelstan asks, surprised. "I thought you lived here, Laurie?"

[soldier_blade]

ooc: *flails*

"I do, but if someone's willing to pay..." She looked at Sonya, who kept her eyes on the road. "I wouldn't say no to surprising him on the base either. We can get a ride home from one of the guys and still call a pick up for the car."

"Only because I consider you a friend." That's all she was going to say. "Though, I'm impressed you're able to drive at all."

Laurie grinned. "I know some people. They custom made a car where it's one hand on the wheel and lever by the breaks to switch gears."

[athelstanthescribe]

[ooc: sorry, I thought she lived with her husband on base...]

"People can do wonders", Athelstan agrees. "But it's still quite impressive."

[soldier_blade]

ooc: Let's go with them having a house near base *doesn't recall with enlisted men*

"It was either that or hitching rides when Cole's away." She gave her husband's name. "I prefer having some other means of independence."

Sonya couldn't argue with that. Much as her mom raised herself and her brother on her own, there was no way she could've done so without the help from neighbors and family..they couldn't have done it without family.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Driving for yourself must be safer than hitching rides, as well", Athelstan says with a nod.

[soldier_blade]

"Depends if you know the person or not." She'd hitched a ride with them after all. "Lot of the people I live around with are usually willing to give me a ride, it's just a hassle finding someone who's able to take the time."

The base was up a head. Sonya made a mental note to trade contact information with Laurie: she couldn't believe she missed talking with her this much.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Many telephone calls?" he guesses. "So easier, at least."

[soldier_blade]

"Not a lot, but either way I prefer being able to drive either way."

The sign showing the entrance of the base was up a head, the buildings even more of a giveaway. "Well, you're close by now, so there's that taken care of."

She looked at Athelstan. "Might as well get you back soon too, unless you want to spend a little longer around here."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Is there anything more you'd like to show me?"

[soldier_blade]

"Not right now." She would've elaborated, but not without revealing the implications of milliways. "Just let me know next time you're in the area and we'll catch up."

She chose to ignore the knowing look Laurie was giving them. "Now that you're in the states, we can exchange numbers, cool?"

"Deal." Sonya pulled into the base after signalling one of the guards. Inwardly, she wondered just how good of a job he was doing when he was reading a paper.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods to them both.

"Gladly. It's been nice to meet you, Laurie."

[soldier_blade]

"You too, Athelstan." She smiled as Sonya pulled up into the parking lot of Charlie's.

"You have a pad and paper on you?" Sonya parked the and reached for the glove compartment, pulling out a pan and paper and writing her number and email on it, as well as some money. "There you go."

Her friend did the same, holding the pad stead with her leg and tearing it off one handed. "And for you-thanks for the funds. I wasn't entirely serious about that."

"I was. Later.." She watched her get out of the jeep and tail it out from the rain into the tavern.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I like your friend", Athelstan decides with a smile, watching her go. "But now she's gone - what happened to her arm?"

[soldier_blade]

Sonya was glad he waited till she was gone before mentioning it. The accident was a long while ago, but even so it wasn't something she liked bringing up unless she did so first.

"Car accident when she was six years old. They tell you not to stick your hand out the window-living proof right there. She has a prosthetic arm too, but she sometimes finds it too much of a bother. Course, when we first met at the academy, her introduce was scaring the crap out of me with it."

She started the car and headed towards the living quarters.

[athelstanthescribe]

"She was accepted into the academy after the accident happened?" he asks, surprised. "I thought it must have happened in her training."

[soldier_blade]

Sonya shook her head, suppressing the urge to laugh. "No, training here's not the tough."

"She's lacking an arm, but she's not stupid-she couldn't have been to get into here. All it meant was she couldn't participate during some of the phys ed classes."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Those such as climbing?" Athelstan guesses. "She could learn to adjust her balance, but not build the strength of her arm that much."

[soldier_blade]

Sonya tried to think back. "She used her legs, and her remaining arm's strong enough." This time she did laugh. "She wouldn't be able to enlist, it's true, but her parents felt a military school would get her serious about a career. Kinda noticed that she has her moments."

She still did, but she'd toned down a little.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And now she's a teacher", he says with a smile.

[soldier_blade]

"We exchanged phonecalls during her first two years teaching. She's made it a habit of pranking her class with her lack of an arm, said it shows them who's in charge."

Sonya's not certain if that was from her own initiative or from the academy. "Halloween especially, that was her habit even when we were students."

She pulled up to living quarters, where she recalled the Door being.

[athelstanthescribe]

"They're probably fascinated by it. Young children usually are, with no judgment."

They're the only ones in Wessex who don't make him panicky.

[soldier_blade]

"They're fascinated and grossed out by it." She answered, parking the car. "Mostly fascinated, and she doesn't mind that they ask questions either because, you're right, they don't judge."

Kids were curious and they did like to poke, but unlike grown ups, there was nothing to be beyond curiosity.

She parked the car, looking around to make sure they could get inside without raising much attention. "Should be clear."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Good." He smiles. "Will you come back in with me?"