the way you look at me when you think i'm not looking

[quatrain]

[ He Ming is pushy, and knowing that does not deter him at all from putting his charms to use. If they don't work, they don't, but since they usually do, clearly he is the best kind of company. He spends a about an hour in the public canteen chatting up a giant Teklon who ends up buying him a drink that makes his eyes water.

They part ways after exchanging comms info. He Ming's unit is still in the public hangar, being refueled, so he starts setting his attentions on another lonely-looking soul he can set himself upon. ]

Hello, did you say my name just now?

[ He Ming slides onto the stool next to the stranger a little too hard and has to stop himself by banging his elbow on the bar. ]

Because I'm here.

Comments

[quasaar]

[ trying to find ways out of the solar system without raising any suspicion was a lot more difficult than Ras initially thought it was going to be. that isn't to say that he thought it was going to be easy, just-- maybe not so effort for so little pay back. sure, he was also trying to keep his head down and out of sight which made things a lot more difficult on him, but-- still. it seemed like every time he took half a step forward, he then had to take three steps back.

which is why he is currently being as inconspicuous as possible in a bar while he tries to keep his ears open for possible ways out. there aren't many (there are a lot of leers and less than favourable quips though) and Ras is starting to think that maybe he should just steal a damned ship when he sees a familiar face.

well, he thinks it's a familiar face. pretty sure he knows that face.

not that he is given time to really think about it before he is sliding into the stool next to Ras hard, all smiles and loose limbs and--]

No, no I don't think I did. You know auditory hallucinations are a sign you should stop drinking.

[quatrain]

I don't have auditory hallucinations!

[ All the voices he hears are real, thank you very much. He Ming settles properly on his seat, one leg extended and swinging near the floor. Now that he's closer, he does think he recognizes this bar patron. But from where? ]

So I can keep drinking. And I could buy you a drink, if you like.

[ Processing, processing... oh, now he remembers. ]

We met in Eta Carinae, right? What are you doing here? On assignment or something?

[quasaar]

[ see this look? see it? it doesn't believe you at all. you clearly heard someone say your name and it was not Ras. as far as he is concerned that any voices that are heard in ones head and in ones head alone are Not Okay. with a roll of his eyes, Ras tries to brush off-- well everything.]

No drink, thanks, you should just--

[ the sound of his home system turns Ras white. of fucking course this loudmouth idiot would recognize him in some way. of course. thank fuck he didn't yell too loudly, still.

Ras is right next to him with a hand over his mouth in a heartbeat, eyes wide and maybe he looks a little terrifed.

just a little.]

Shut up! Fuck.

[quatrain]

[ He Ming doesn't even jolt at the sudden hand on his mouth, though he widens his eyes and stops talking. Seems like he's struck a nerve, oops.

Slowly, he grasps the guy's wrist and tries to tug it away from his face. ]

Sorry... am I talking too loud?

[ Like that's the problem. ]

[quasaar]

Yes!

[ the word is hissed, but Ras isn't looking at him. his eyes are darting around, worried and wild, clearly more terrified of someone looking over here than anything else. he just-- needs to get out of this damn system without anyone recognizing him. he is so close.

getting caught now because someone was loud was not what he wanted. ]

You don't know me, never seen me.

[ pleading. Ras looks like he is pleading as he says that.]

[quatrain]

[ He Ming pulls his lower lip into his mouth, widens his eyes some more, and finally pulls back so he can talk, more quietly this time. ]

I only kind of know who you are.

[ But with the panic coming off of the guy, He Ming is starting to figure out who he is, and that he's running. ]

I'll keep it down. But tell me what's going on. You're already being suspicious!

[quasaar]

[ thank the stars you aren't a complete idiot. Ras is still glaring though, eyes darting around again just to make sure that no one was paying attention. as far as he can tell, no one is, but--

deflating a little Ras leans against the bar and gives He Ming a flat look.]

Well pretend you don't know me at all, please.

[ if that sounds a little strained, a little stilted, it might be because it is a word that does not often come out of his mouth. not when he was a prince, or when he was in the military. but it is necessary now, and he doesn't mean to be a petty brat about things.

most of the time.

there is another beat of silence where Ras just seems to stare at He Ming, calculating. trying to remember what he could of the other, if this was a mistake. finally:] Do you have your own ship?

[quatrain]

[ But pretending that he doesn't know him at all would amount to lying, and He Ming never lies. Well, unless he has to.

Staying quiet doesn't count as lying, though. He Ming makes a show of closing his mouth until the guy continues and asks him another question. ]

Kind of. I have a unit. It's from the NK-Gamma system, and they're not really common here.

[ He pauses, running his tongue over his teeth. ]

Do you have a ship? Are you interested?

[quasaar]

[ it's not flat out lying, more like feigned ignorance or something. Ras just-- needs to get out of this star system, then as long as He Ming doesn't yell about how he is the second prince to all high heavens, nothing matters. Ras watches him as he closes his mouth, shoulders sagging just a little.

but ship, that-- that is important.]

Don't have a ship, hence why I'm here. You have a.. unit?

[furrowing his brows, Ras tries to think about the units he has seen, before:]

Oh, shit. You pilot one of those?

[ okay there is a teeny tiny bit of awe and jealousy mixed into his tone there despite everything. piloting was something Ras knew how to do, but it wasn't his forte. even then, he has seen the units and damn if they were not the thing of engineering dreams.]

[quatrain]

[ Those slouching shoulder makes He Ming bite the inside of his mouth. He resists the urge, barely, to reach out and shake/squeeze him. ]

The Holtech specialty.

[ He Ming gazes at him for a longer moment. He can feel the fizzle of a spark off his eyes. But it's not quite enough. He leans forward, weight taking him closer. ]

Wanna see it?

[quasaar]

[ please don't do that, Ras isn't sure how he would deal with someone seemingly sympathizing with him on any level right now. he just needs to flee, needs to get out.

and maybe be a little distracted.

look, even when what amounts to running for his life, Ras can't say no to that. the interest in his gaze is honest, bright, as he blinks a few times as if ascertaining the truth of that offer.]

Would you mind? Those units are-- well I'm sure you knowhow amazing they are.

[quatrain]

I've got no plans.

[ And even if he did, this is interesting. This guy is interesting, so guarded that He Ming knows he has to work a little harder than usual to see into him. Taking him into the unit will help. ]

I'll pay for our drinks, and then let's go out to the hangar.

[ Then He Ming does touch him, reaching out to grasp his shoulder and squeeze once before peeling away. ]