*Battletech: Planet's Fall

"I don't know much about romance." She retorts in a teasing yet honest way, scoffing a bit before showing him an unguarded smile. "Okay then. Let's see where the evening takes us. What else do you have planned, ay?"

"Uh huh." She took the bottle and had a good chug more. More than Alek had had. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

Mo stared at the view as she set the bottle down in her lap. She was quiet for a few moments before giving him a sideways glance. "You really see this as a date?"

"Only if you're looking to switch career to court jester." She chuckles at her own banter. At his quip she gives him a slightly hurt look. "Hey, I try to avoid causing trouble. I'd at least brown bag it." She takes a swig of her own without wiping the top. "That's good. It'd feel a bit like space if...

"Pfft, aye, I'm the queen of bloody New Avalon. Hop on." She plops down on one of the seats. Stretching each arm in turn above her head, she waits for the door to close and the ride up the mountain to start. "Town light'll be nice. Wonder what else we can see from up there, ay?" Mo smiles when it wa...

"I preferred midfield." She flashes him another smile. Monique allows herself a brief chuckle at Alek's jest. "I can walk myself back, but thanks anyway. Maybe if you had offered to tuck me in too, ay?" She chuckles more for a moment only to stand up and finish what's left of her whiskey. "See you s...

"Combat bravery's nothing. It's what we get paid for." She hadn't missed Alek's momentary change. The compliment was batted to the side as she leaned toward him to study his face. Leaning back, satisfied he had recovered, she shows some concern. "You feeling alright? Maybe time to call it a night, a...

It was a very, very long braid. Monique allowed Alek to handle it, but she had a look about her of 'don't even think of tugging it'. When he didn't she was satisfied. "Well, good. It takes an age to get it like this." She reached for the end, pointing it at him. "You're brave too."

"I like it black, but thank you for the vote of confidence Alek." Monique reached for her long braid, flicking it in front of herself and checking it out. She smiles more at Alek's next statement. "What have they called you?"

"Likewise. We look out for each other, ay? Ack." She perks up as she suddenly points at Alek's face. "You also have a few white hairs these days." She comments with a chuckle of her own. "Don't worry, they only give you a more refined appearance. If I get any I'd need to start using hair dye. Men ha...

She shakes her head. "Really doesn't, yet at the same time..." She clicks her tongue. "It really has been that long. None of us are as young as we used to be."

"I agree." She waves the comments away. "He just needs more polishing. Maybe more sanding. He'll make a good Gunny." She lifts her glass and tips it toward Alek. "Because you're a straight talker. Eric likes that. It's something all four of us have in common. Also, you could lift him up and throw hi...

"... Has he gotten to the stage he won't punch the CO in the face? He still makes me a bit nervous." She didn't share Alek's humour over it. Monique was instead frowning. "He does seem calmer these days, but... he's still a little volatile. Maybe you ought to? Steffen's too agreeable."

She shrugs her shoulders. "I think we can convince him if we get all four of us on board."

"But it's not really their business..." Monique tilts her head slightly left and right, not quite agreeing to the suggestion.

"Then we both ought to meet him. Maybe drag John and Steffen into it as well, aye. Just... hmmm. None of us are exactly the negotiating sort, eh? He'll want to be persuaded in terms of commercial benefit. You know what he's like."

"Highs and lows, aye. I hope it lasts. Makes my job easier. Yours too, ay?"

She mulls over the question for a little while. Catching his gaze, she smiles properly. "Aye, probably. If we were officers we'd be entitled to a bigger slice of it. We really need to renegotiate."

Monique nods after a long pause for consideration. "We'd like to know more about the prisoner, but I'll speak to our Commanding Officer - Eric Voelker - he's going to be busy today... we all will be, but tomorrow we can meet." She looked around at who was present. "A select group and yourself, Sher...

"There's even more for most of the officers. We should both be thankful. Fecking paperwork." She lifts her glass to him in appreciation for the top up. She waits for him to sit down before taking another sip. "Aye. Mostly helping to keep the infantry and vehicle crews in line. Our mechwarriors have ...

"If it goes well, aye."

She shifts forward to lift her glass for a bit more whiskey.

"So, what's new with you?"

This has her nodding ever so slightly. It was a nice idea. She was interested.

"That'd be braw... I'd like that. Damn. I'm busy tomorrow, as a heads up. When were you thinking?"