realityshifted | ✘ o7 ;; the triumphant return.

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red vs blue (d1) york

✘ o7 ;; the triumphant return.

[ everything had been. well. it had been something. while he really would have liked to think that things were beginning to calm down back on the mother of invention, it's really only just started, and now –

it's … funny, what you forget when you don't see a place for a while. things you don't think about, things you don't think to think about until they hit you like a proverbial ton of bricks. a smack to the back of the head that brings it all back full-force. a tidal wave.

when he finds himself on the plane again, it's the same as it ever was; the moment he steps foot across that threshold, it all comes rushing back at him, from his first trip to the beach with no water to being stabbed through the eyes because of a stupid joke, from being knocked on his ass by an alien-wash to being chased by a giant orange thing.

there's more, there's so much more, and it's come back to him in spades – all of which ends up giving him something of a raging freaking headache just for how much there is, and still, he doesn't think it'll stop anytime soon.

damn … teach me to stay away too long, huh? wonder what i've missed.

and there's another lingering thought, one that pushes and pulls and will not relent – one that involves finding a certain someone, the simple thought of which has something catching in the middle of his chest, and as he goes looking in any of the places he thinks she might be ( he can't be blamed for checking the bath house first, after all, that's where all the bonding had started, hadn't it? ) he has a feeling that she might be the one to come find him, just because she always does.

where are you, 'nara?

and thus, this would be york's triumphant return to the astral plane – wandering about as he had the very first time.

some things really don't change. ]

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[ man … he hadn't thought it would feel this good to be back in this place. sure, he'd gone through a hell of a lot since first showing up here, but the friends he's made in all that time – he'll never not want to come back to them, given half the chance. ] I don't think it's that. I think it's just 'cause I'm that important.

[ … york.

he shifts, shrugs. he'd only come here to find jacqli, so … ] I only came here looking for Jacqli … so catching up with another pretty lady seems like a nice compromise.

[ oh, right … do you even know her as jacqli? this is going to be interesting. ]

[she feels the same, but it's also hard watching people leave, and the longer she's here, the more that happens--but then, once in a blue moon, someone who was gone returns. that's not a gift horse she's going to look in the mouth] Oh, obviously! Couldn't get on without you, Agent Montana. [she's smirking as she leads the way out of the room]

[she gives him a curious look at that, though] Jacqli? [it takes her only a second of thought to put it together. the Greater Manchester Police didn't hire her for her looks, after all--not to mention Miwa made it clear that she was only giving an alias] Black hair, song magic? You'd better not spend much time with me if she doesn't know you're back yet! I wouldn't want to be responsible for the consequences.

[ he follows, and it almost feels like they're back to normal – because they've never been able to go too long without teasing each other. it's just how they roll, isn't it?

… and here we go with agent montana. he's starting to think that's one of her favorites. though admittedly, he wouldn't be too put-out if she kept calling him bermuda. ] Thought not. I'm never wrong about that kinda thing.

[ he nods – and it doesn't surprise him in the slightest that she has to deduce who he means by a physical description. he doesn't know that jacqli isn't her real name, nor is what menzies calls her – but given how cryptic she can be even on a good day, the fact that she gives out aliases doesn't come as any real surprise. ] Song magic indeed. She fixed this damn thing up for me. [ and here is a dismissive wave in the direction of his left eye. ] She knows I'm here, though. We've already … talked.

[ more like sapped at each other, but. you know. potato, potahto. ]

[she chuckles. it really would be too strange if they weren't teasing each other]

She fixed your eye? [Menzies' surprise at that is clear. though she of all people knows about the incredible power that Jacqli has (not to mention the fact that she was the recipient of a sort of mystical healing once herself), it just...isn't something that she imagined. not that she wouldn't think Jacqli would want to do that, but so far she'd only heard of her magic being used for offensive reasons. she shakes her head, giving an impressed whistle] Wow. [unable to help her curiosity, she asks:] Mind if I take a look?

Oh, you 'ave, 'ave you? [she's smirking again] In that case, I'm really surprised you're 'eading to the bar with me. [because it's not like she knows about you two or anything]

[she heads across the Plane, the bar already visible not far from them]

Yeah, you remember that whole grenade business, right? [ he distinctly remembers you asking him why he would keep a busted helmet, too, while you both drank yourselves silly at the bar after the whole thing had happened. he waves a hand dismissively, like it really isn't a big deal, even though jacqli had been the one to leave him with more sight in that eye than he otherwise would have had had she left it alone.

but he shrugs, spreading his arms. ] It's not completely like it was, I still have to wear glasses when I'm doing mission reports and all that crap, but … it's a hell of a lot better than it otherwise would've been. Take a look, sure.

[ he remembers the look on jacqli's face when she'd seen him for the first time after his accident. unreadable as always, but with the hint of an undertone that spoke of something deeper she was feeling, and when she'd asked if she could try to heal him … how would he have been able to say no to such a thing?

and he still remembers the thrum of her song magic sliding through him, tangible, odd, and even though he never would have believed such a thing even existed, he would never be so thankful for anything else in his life. or that the one giving it had cared enough to give it in the first place.

they head for the bar, and he chuckles. ] I doubt she'll let me very far out of her sight for a while … whether she admits it to anybody else or not. She didn't think she was ever gonna see me again.

[ and he hadn't expected to hear that from her, either, but there you go. ]

'ow could I forget! [she would like to take this opportunity to point out that he might have drank himself silly, but she did no such thing. still, considering that getting a drink was the only thing she could do for him at the time, she's very glad to hear that he was able to get help on the Plane]

[she stops, leaning forward and up as she tries to get a good look at his eye. even after all this time, she remembers how cloudy it looked after the injury--but that's not what she sees now. she relaxes, starting forward again, but she's shaking her head in amazement as she goes] She really did do something about it, didn't she? Leave it to Miwa.

[they've just reached their destination, and she's pushing open the door when he makes that comment. a wry smile crosses her face, and she holds the door for him] Yeah, well, she wouldn't be the only one, Agent Atlantis. So did this place let you go, or did you just get busy back 'ome?

[considering she's seen Agent Washington in the meantime, she has a feeling it's not the latter, but she still has to ask]

[ considering there hadn't been a damn thing they'd been able to do for him back home? he was glad to get help where he could – and it turned out to be in a tiny package that was far more intimidating that he would ever willingly admit.

he stops just long enough to let her have a look, following once again when she starts back up and huffing out a small laugh at the new name. ] Is that what she wants you to call her? I guess to be fair, I've got a nickname for her, myself … but I get the feelin' not even Jacqli is her real name.

[ … agent atlantis. dear god in heaven, menzies, he's missed you. ( he can say that, now that all of his memories are beginning to come back. you can miss someone in the span of a couple of minutes after having forgotten them for who knows how long, right? of course you can!

once inside, he's already rooting around behind the bar to find something suitable for them both, mumbling to himself as he goes. ] Not the only one, huh? You gonna keep a short leash on me, too?

[ rummage, rummage … mumble. ] I didn't think this place ever really let go of people, but yeah. I – [ forgot about absolutely everything that happened here and everyone i'd ever met and now that i remember it all again, i feel guilty for forgetting. ] I just couldn't come here anymore. And now I can again. Talk about givin' a guy whiplash.

What, you've got two names for her? [she's smirking as she says it because look who's talking about multiple names for someone--and she knows that's what he must be thinking. but she chuckles at his comment] I don't know, you seem like the top candidate for 'aving the real one, if anybody does. She did make it clear Miwa Togasaki was an alias from the start, so "Jacqli" could be real. But with her, I can see why you'd think otherwise. [she shrugs. she has a feeling neither of them will know the real answer any time soon--not from Jacqli]

[as York heads to the bar, she has a seat, letting him rummage in peace. after all, if she doesn't like his choice, she can always make her own. also, this is easier--because she's constantly annoyed at how the current state of her hands gets in her way. she taps her gloved hands on the counter as she waits, her nails still giving muted clacks through the thin fabric. when he mentions a short leash, she snorts] Somehow I don't think I'll need to. But that doesn't mean I knew you'd come floating back out of the triangle, Agent Bermuda.

[but she shakes her head, disagreeing with the idea that no one ever really leaves the Plane] I don't know. Some people 'ave been gone for a long time now. [there might be a bit of wistfulness in her tone. but, smirking, she adds:] And I'd think the whiplash might be on our end instead of yours. You're so important, after all! We just couldn't deal with the void. [she missed you, too, York. can you tell?]

Can't remember just when I gave it to her, but Inara's the first name to come to mind when I saw her. [ ~~so he might have watched firefly when he was a kid, someone sue him.~~ he keeps right on grinning, and as they near the bar, he lets out a small laugh. ] I'm sure it wouldn't have stuck if she hadn't liked it, but I've never heard anything to the contrary so I assume she doesn't mind it too much. [ a beat. ] Maybe one of these days she'll tell me her real name … but even if she doesn't, it's just a name. Doesn't change who she is. Hell, she's the only one here that knows my real name.

[ yup. that's how important she is. though at this point, with as much time as he's spent here and the people he's met, he would tell anyone that wanted to know – even if he's gotten used to going by a codename. that's just the importance of it all.

as menzies sits, he takes a few moments to pull out a couple of bottles, trying to find what he'd had the last time he'd been here on his own – which, admittedly, had been after the grenade incident and he doesn't remember much about anything that happened after that, but it doesn't mean he can't try, anyway. selections made, he heads back in her direction, not even bothering trying to find glasses. ( because he ain't classy enough for that, and this is something of a homecoming, so who cares! ) ]

You know, I think of all the names you've come up for me since I first got here, I like Bermuda the best. That one actually makes sense, given the circumstance. [ he winks, cracks open a bottle and takes an experimental sip.

hm. fruity. not bad, could definitely be worse. ] Really? Come to think of it, before I stopped being able to come here, I noticed some people missing. [ like morgana. but that was forever ago.

but when he sees that smirk, his tone is back to joking. yeah, he can definitely tell. ] Keep talking like that, and I might get a complex. You don't want that. [ no one can deal with an inflated york ego on a good day. ]

Inara, huh? [being the sci-fi buff that she is, Menzies has also seen Firefly, but with York being from the future and all, she doesn't assume it's a reference, so she doesn't say anything more. and then York surprises her] She knows your real name? [she can't help the interest in her tone. that's one piece of information that North hasn't shown the least inclination to share] It is serious, then. [she's smirking. she figures York's worked out by now that she knows about them, so poking fun seems like the right thing to do]

[she accepts the bottle gratefully, but she fumbles to open it, her nails and the slippery fabric of the gloves getting in the way. with a sigh, she removes one, revealing a hand with surprisingly long nails--and not neat ones, either. not only can she not cut them, but she hasn't been able to file or shape them, either. she talks as she fusses with the bottle] None of the others, really? [her tone is one of mock surprise] I don't know--I still think Agent Ireland's got a ring to it. But if Agent Bermuda's what you prefer, I'll keep it in mind. [the caps comes off then, and she slips the glove back on before she takes a drink. tasting the fruity flavour, she chuckles] Besides, looks like you even found us something from the Caribbean!

[her expression sobers a bit at that statement, though] Yeah. I'd say quite a few 'ave gone since I've been 'ere, but sometimes it's 'ard to tell. [she's fairly certain in plently cases, though. Satoshi, Tsuna, Ikki, Conan, Morgana, two Doctors, Christopher--even Gabriel. and many more people she didn't know as well but whose absences she still noticed] So I wouldn't look a gift 'orse in the mouth. But still, good point. [she's smirking again. dryly, she adds:] I suppose I'll just 'ave to keep my natural awe in check!

Just the first thing that came to mind. [ he waves a hand dismissively, the fact that it's been so long since he's thought about the name he'd given her catching up with him. she could have asked about the reference and he would have explained, but since it doesn't come, he doesn't bother. a name is just a name, after all, and all that matters is the person it's given to – and whether it's jacqli or inara or miwa, she's still the same person on the inside.

but yep, it is serious. considering their little heart to heart in the bath house after that whole … thing where no one remembered who they were, it just seemed … appropriate, somehow. and he will never be above sharing things about himself when there's a feeling that it might come in handy.

he would offer to help her with the bottle – because jeez, those nails – but she takes care of it herself, and he leans back in his seat a bit to watch the proceedings with a fair amount of amusement. ] Ireland's got a nice ring to it, too, I gotta admit – the heritage is pretty interesting, too, from what I've learned about it. Any culture that condones drinking at any hour of the day, I can get behind. [ york, honestly.

and then – ] If you wanted to know my real name, I could tell you. I think we're close enough for that, aren't we? [ and then he'd have one up on north, regardless of whether he knows it or not – and that's just kind of amusing, in and of itself.

… oh, christopher. he doesn't know he's gone, as well as some of the others – and there's something about that that would make him feel a little more amenable to being on the plane at any given time. he still won't be telling any jokes anytime soon, just to be safe. ]

Your natural awe, huh? Might not be a bad thing. Can't go around looking perpetually surprised …

[ boy shut up. ]

See, I knew it fit! [she takes another drink from the bottle, amused right back at him. and yes, they are impressive nails, aren't they? her bun is unraveling somewhat, revealing that her hair is also quite long, but she's only going to bring up the Plane effect if it seems pertinent]

[the offer surprises her, too] Well, that's up to you. I mean, you know what this place is like. I'd tell you I won't share, but there are no guarantees here. [she shrugs; she can't hide the fact that she's interested, but she doesn't want to put any pressure on him. still, she adds:] But I don't think it's as dangerous as North thinks it is. After all, it's not like we're regularly 'eading over to your world. [and she leaves it at that, letting York make his own decision]

[and yes, she does call North by his actual codename. and she's asked his real name before--though admittedly she was nine when that happened, so it doesn't entirely count]

[at his comment about awe, she just snorts. she'll never condone it, of course, but she's starting to understand how his bad jokes might have gotten him killed]

[ he just … peers at her for a moment. he's long become accustomed to the fact that time stands still in your own reality when you're on the plane, so unless she's lost the knack for her usual care in her appearance as he's come to know it, something's happened in his absence.

and since he's nosy, he might just have to ask about it. ] You miss a manicure appointment, there? [ he gestures to the gloveless hand with no amount of precedence, just dives right in as he takes another sip from the bottle himself. ] Or did i miss something else while I was gone?

[ he hums a small note, one of either contemplation or agreement, one can't be too sure – and he shrugs. only from speaking to south does he know that the north that comes here isn't their north – and while he's since looked past it, she hasn't, and it only hurts her the longer they spent time together here. but … that isn't entirely the point here, is it? ] Some of the freelancers, they wanna keep the names like they're the ones they'd been given when they were born. Me? I was James before I was York, but I'll answer to both. [ and there you go, menzies. the ball has been dropped~

and hey. that joke was still amazing. christopher just never could understand his sense of humor, and … well …

hush. ]

[she snorts] Not exactly. [glancing at him, she considers how to tell him about her invincibility. an idea has occurred to her, but can she get away with being that mischievous? since it's York, she decides she probably can] 'ave you got a knife or anything sharp on you I can borrow?

[she shakes her head, expression thoughtful] No, I think it's more he's afraid of people knowing 'is real identity--in your world, I mean. But! I take it you're not that worried about it. James, huh? [she grins, though she's still a little surprised he's so willing to share. it makes her wonder why the two of them feel so differently about it] Well, I'll keep it in mind, but I think Bermuda will do for now. Don't you? [she smiles sweetly at him. if he thought giving her his real name was going to reduce the teasing, he's going to be proven very wrong]

[ can you get away with being mischievous?

do birds fly?

do fish swim?

does he still hate grenades?

the answer to all of the above, of course, is absolutely. ] Sharp? Uh … lemme see. [ digging around in his pockets for a small moment, he does actually find his pocket knife, which is surprising because he hadn't realized he'd been carrying it with him. ( ah well, better here than on his nightstand back on the mother of invention. damn thing gets lost so much easier when it isn't on his person.

he holds it out to her. ] He's always been a cautious guy, long as I've known him. [ one would think that's part of the reason he's a sniper – better to take someone out from a distance than get up close and personal. ( though, if you ask him, he prefers the latter. more fun that way. )

giving her his real name had been only what he meant for it to be – a show of trust between friends – and if the teasing ever stopped, he would think something was wrong. no worries there. ]

Bermuda's fine until you think of something better. 'Cause I know you will. [ just when he'd started taking a liking to montana, too … ah, they're all pretty good, honestly. ]

Cheers. [she takes off her gloves before she takes the pocket knife. and, without any further warning, she opens the blade and nonchalantly slashes it across the back of her opposite hand. it glances harmlessly off the skin, as if she'd just run it across a stone] That's what's going on. [she holds up her hand to show him that there's not a scratch on it]

[at that comment about North, she smiles rather fondly, chuckling a little] That's an apt description. [and at his comment about names...well, naturally she smirks] You'll 'ave to wait and see.

[ he's about to take another drink from the bottle at that cheers but the second he sees the blade go for the back of her hand he's trying to reach across the table to stop her – very nearly knocking over the bottle in the process. ] Woman, have you lost your mind –

[ … oh. the blade doesn't even leave a mark. ( and it's sharp … so. that's definitely something. ) york sits there, blinking slowly as though trying to make sense of what he's just seen, and he just shakes his head. ] This place just keeps getting weirder and weirder. Man.

[ oh, and he senses that fondness, you. you're adorable. ] … You really like him, don't you?

[ ohoho, look who's turning it back around! ]

[she smirks a little at his reaction. but, her demonstration done, she folds the blade back in and offers it back to him. she snorts] "Weird" is one word for it. It's been nearly a month now. Blades, energy weapons, guns--nothing makes a scratch. [not that she tested all of these things on purpose, of course] Definitely not the worst I've 'ad from this place, but a haircut would be nice about now. [she sweeps a few loose strands back out of her face]

[she smiles, not even hesitating with her answer, though it's accompanied by a casual shrug] Well, I wouldn't be dating 'im if I didn't. [very perceptive, York! not that she minds him knowing, obviously]

[ he'll just be taking that blade back from you, young lady. you are not to be trusted with anything sharp in the near future. ( and if he has to follow you around to make sure that doesn't happen, he'll freaking do it. ) his eyes are still a bit wide, expression still a bit awed, but he takes it with the proverbial grain of salt and keeps right on going. ] Just one of the Plane's tricks, then? Like always? [ at least it's something small. and there could definitely be worse things.

though he does imagine you might want to be able to cut your nails. that looks downright uncomfortable.

wait. dating? ] Dating? He hasn't said a word about you, back on the ship – [ waaait a second, york. back up. remember your conversation with south? and how the north that comes here isn't the same one as back in your reality?

that would be why. keep up with the rest of the class, kiddo. he stops himself, looking both sheepish and a bit annoyed with himself at the same time. ] I mean. Forget I said that. [ long story. ] Dating, though … gotta say, I'm impressed you managed to convince him to stop being so damn serious long enough to enjoy himself outside of work. How long?

[come on, York, it's not like it was going to do anything! she's a grown woman, you know]

[but she nods at his question] Like always, yeah. I think I know where it came from, but...well, it's a bit of a story. [she waves a dismissive hand. she'll only explain if he really wants to know] Only question is 'ow long it's gonna last. There might be something I 'ave to do to get rid of it, but whatever it is, I 'aven't come across it yet.

[oh, he has no idea. that and shaving! shaving would be really nice. she's just grateful it's not summer]

[she is about to interject that North on his ship wouldn't have said anything because yes, she knows all about that. but then York seems to realise his own mistake, so lets it go. she chuckles in amusement at his comment, though] I don't know, it seems like it's something he's been thinking about for a while. [because it was definitely North's fault that this relationship became official rather than just the two of them enjoying each other's company] And this place doesn't make it easy to tell exactly but...probably about two months.

[ yes, and you're still eating all of your meals with a spoon from here on out. deal with it. ~~nanny york to the rescue?~~

he won't pry if she really doesn't want to go into it – he'll trust that it's a long story, because usually, anything that happens here on the plane is – and they're moving right along. ] Eesh … hope you figure it out soon, if that's the case. If not, I know you're patient. You can wait it out.

[ grin!

it's good that he manages to catch himself before he takes that sentence any further, because it only would have made him look like an idiot. he's still getting all of his memories back from things that happened here, and though they're coming back to him pretty quickly, there are nuances and smaller things that have escaped the major data re-transfer. don't worry. he'll catch up to himself eventually. ] That little rascal … [ yes, he just said that. he's proud of the guy, no lie. and he's happy for you two! ]

Well, congratulations are in order, then! [ he picks up the bottle, takes a large swig from it and offers it to her. ] To new relationships!

[she wouldn't mind sharing, particularly now that he knows about North, but she wasn't kidding about the long story]

[she snorts] Well, thanks for the vote of confidence. At least it's not anything dangerous. [did you catch that joke? being invincible isn't dangerous? yeah, it wasn't one of her best, but she'll probably make up for it next time]

[she snorts at that assessment. she can only imagine the conversation he and North are going to have later. but she accepts the bottle, grinning] I didn't think yours was that new. But congratulations all the same--to new relationships! [she lifts the bottle to him and takes a drink before passing it back over]

[ well, if she gets particularly bored one of these days and they have nothing else to talk about, she's welcome to bring it up. he'll listen. might even pop some popcorn. who knows?

… did you really just – wow, you're picking up his sense of humor, aren't you? been around him too long, though he'll deny that even if he'll take every bit of responsibility for that joke. he's proud of you! and it earns her a groaning laugh. ] Not anything dangerous … what am I gonna do with you?

[ keep you, probably. latch onto you like an octopus. something like that.

he really is going to have to find north later, make sure he knows the good news – and simultaneously congratulate him on it. maybe they can celebrate, or something equally ridiculous. he knows the guy doesn't really drink, or get out all that much, but he could extend the offer just the same. it'd be nice, right? ]

Y'know … all things considered, this is the best kind of homecoming I think I could have had.

[ because believe it or not? this place is like a second home to him at this point. ]

[she'll look forward to that! ...maybe. then again, it might not be worth the teasing she's sure to endure. but she'll just have to wait and see how it goes when that day comes. after all, York does seem surprisingly excited about her and North, so that's a good sign at least]

[by the way, York, there's no need to worry because she is never going to associate her jokes with your sense of humour. so she just smirks back at you nonchalantly without saying a word]

[North would definitely be happy about that offer! but for now, York's comment catches her by surprise. she chuckles] What, me and North? I thought you'd be more excited about seeing Mi--Jacqli again. [she gives him a teasing grin before she takes another drink] Still, it's certainly not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

[ you never know if you don't try, right? he's just glad for the both of them, because even though the north he knows here isn't the north from his own reality, they're still, in essence, the same person. ( whether south deigns to accept that or not, though he understands that it's different when it's your brother and not just your friend. )

and any north deserves to be happy in his book.

he laughs! because everything about this coming-back-to-the-plane thing has been good. regaining his memories from this place, seeing the faces that he hadn't even had time to miss until he'd come back – there's nothing to complain about. ( and he thinks that is a blessing in its own right, when taking into consideration just what can happen in this place. ]

I mean all of it, really. Seeing all of you again, getting all of this good news … it's weird, but it feels good to be back here. Does that make any sense at all?

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