snowblindrpg | [log] Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue~ [open to whoever is in 34 on day 98]

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[log] Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue~ [open to whoever is in 34 on day 98]

Characters: Kunsel and Peggy
Location Building 34
Date: Day 98, evening
Summary: Kunsel encounters Peggy in the hot shower house. Steamy times ensue.
Warnings: Despite the pun, probably none.

[As anxious as Kunsel is to reunite with the rest of his group, he doesn't think he can make it clear across the snowfield heading south and find shelter soon enough with the way the weather's been. Fortunately, both the map and his own past experience tell him that there's a closer and fairly appealing option at hand. There's a house to the east.

A house with a working shower with hot water.

Kunsel has no idea if there's anyone in there tonight, especially after the way everyone's been scattered, but even if there is, surely they can work something out. Spirits lifting with the promise that gets closer with every step, the SOLDIER trudges on through the snow.

A house rises in the snowy landscape, barely visible at first, then another behind it - and that's the one Kunsel's aiming for. Despite the cold biting his face, trying to claw its way through his coat and blanket, he picks his pace up. Almost there, almost there. At the door, he awkwardly juggles his make-shift bags, then knocks once. Just in case.

He only waits a moment before letting himself in, though. It's too cold - and much too close to curfew - to linger outside for long.]

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[It didn't take Peggy very long to find the house in which she and Steve talked about meeting up. Crossing the snowfields was the hardest part of the day - she is incredibly thankful for her uniform these days, and not having been sent to Norfinbury in her civilians clothes, especially after a day of trudging in the snow.

The first thing Peggy does upon getting to the house not long before curfew, is to find the bathroom. Well, first she checks the house for anybody else, but she is alone, the house as quiet as it can probably be. So, bathroom it is. Shower it is.

She's getting undressed when she hears it. The knock on the door. Then, a few seconds later, the door opening and closing. Sighing, Peggy pulls back on her blazer and her coat - she knows it can't be Steve, and she doesn't really fancy being interrupted. Maybe this person hasn't showered in, like, months, instead of her mere days.]

Someone here?

[She exits the bathroom, closing her coat around herself, the meat mallet that Steve gave her in hand. She's not going to go down without a fight, if necessary.]

[There'd been no one in the one intact bedroom in the house when Kunsel stepped inside, so once he'd closed the door, he'd started setting down his things - only to tense when a woman's voice calls out. Not someone he recognizes immediately either. His hand drops to the hilt of his butcher knife - not drawing it, but ready just in case.

He turns just in time to see Peggy emerge from the bathroom. Behind his helmet visor, he lifts an eyebrow as he gives her a quick, assessing look. At a glance, she doesn't seem like much of a threat. Petite and several inches shorter than him, dressed in olive drab.

But Kunsel's known women smaller than her, and knows just how deadly they can be, and the way Peggy's holding that meat mallet tells him more than enough to be wary. He holds up his other hand, trying to indicate peaceful intentions.]

I'm Kain. Sorry, I didn't know anyone else would be here.

Hi, Kain, I'm Peggy. [He's wearing a helmet, which Peggy finds mildly disconcerting, but she tries not to show it as she offers her hand for him to shake. She doesn't know him, hasn't seen him on her tablet, but Peggy can't remember his name being mentioned by Steve as someone to keep an eye out for.]

I was about to use the hot shower, but if you need it more than me, it'd be fine. I've only been here a few days, I can deal with another night without a shower.

[She relaxes her grip on the meat mallet, not wanting to look like she's trying to threaten him.] Sorry about this - I've been told to be careful.

[It's not just the relaxed grip on the mallet or the hand she's offering him. It's her tone, the subtle shift in her stance, and the way the tension relaxes in her muscles - just a little - that register in the close attention that Kunsel's paying to her, signalling that she's trying to stand down. However dangerous she is, she's not trying to be right now. That's enough to let Kunsel relax a little, too, and smile ruefully even as he takes her hand and gives it a carefully firm shake. Careful because it's habit to be, even after months without enhancements.]

It's fine. You should be careful. Not everyone here is necessarily a friend.

[He lets go, eyes glancing toward the bathroom door.]

Well, I'd by lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to a hot shower, but it's not like I haven't bathed. [Just... cold water pulled from a toilet tank and a sponge don't make for a thing anyone enjoys.] I might have a way to make it so we can both have a turn in there, though. I've been thinking about it since the last time I was here.

Should I be worried about you? [Peggy smiles; if only because she doesn't need to be. His hand's not as cold as she expected, considering he's been outside for most of the day probably, but it's nice, it feels real.]

Steve - [Damnit, she's doing it again, mentioning him without thought, even though she's talking to a complete stranger. But then, why should she hide that she knows him? Surely everybody knows Steve, in Norfinbury. And there are no powers to hide, no precautions to take. She's worrying for no reason, once again.] - he told me there's ten minutes of hot water. Maybe we could share - I'm used to very quick showers.

[It helps that Kunsel has the benefit of gloves, ShinRa standard issue and suitable for the worst of weather. He's lost count of the number of time he's been grateful that he got pulled here when he was in full uniform instead of more casual clothes.

Even so, there's something comforting about gripping her hand, too. There really is something to be said for physical confirmation that you're not alone.]

Maybe? [He counters her question with a light voice, almost teasing.] But probably not. Especially not if you're a friend of Steve.

He wasn't kidding about the time limit, by the way. [Kunsel can attest to that from experience.] But I think I have a better solution. That's a master bathroom. The shower has a tub with a drain. Stop up the drain while the first person showers and the next person gets a bath.

[Peggy smiles, raising an eyebrow. Another time where it's apparently good, to have Steve on her side. Even if she wishes that he was right here.

She likes to think he's running through the snow to get to her faster. Pointlessly clichéd and romantic, maybe, but she likes the thought.]

Steve and I are - yes, friends. We know each other well. [Hopefully, her tone doesn't betray her silly thoughts.] Are you a friend of his? He's told me about a few...unsavoury people, but your name didn't come up in his list, so. I doubt you'll be clubbed with a meat mallet tonight. [She smiles again. It's half teasing.]

The second person has to not mind about bathing in the shower dregs of the first person, but they get until the water cools instead of just ten minutes. Interesting...

[Kunsel tilts his head. Something about the way she phrases that, or maybe her tone...]

You know him well, huh? Are you from his world?

[A smile of his own lifts the corners of his mouth up.]

Sheesh, I'd hope not to be on his unsavory people list after how I've helped him out. We've met a few times, talked a few more, bonded over military backgrounds. [He shrugs casually, not about to get into the details when he doesn't know how much Peggy already knows.]

As for the shower, I'm not picky. Either way is still an improvement over not bathing, so you can have first pick.

[Peggy runs a hand through her hair, attempting to tame it slightly while trying to find her words.]

Hm, yes, we are. We fought together, in the war. I supervised his training, so...you can say I know him well. [She still gets flashbacks of Steve emerging from the vita rays machine, transformed and - incredible, now outside as well as inside. It makes her flush a tiny bit, scratching her throat.] So, you're military too, huh?

[She nods gratefully.] Then I will take the first shift then, if that's okay!

Supervised? Does that mean you taught him? Or was it more observational and verbal supervision?

[Female fighters aren't as common as male fighters where he's from, but he's hardly one to discount that possibility.]

Anyway, yeah, I'm military, too. Special division. The rank doesn't quite translate into regular military terms too well, but it's something like a cross between a specialized soldier and a situational officer.

[He smiles, nodding his agreement with her choice.]

Just give me a heads up before you turn the water on so I can put tape on the drain. You need any shampoo? Soap? Conditioner?

It was observational, mainly. Kind of a privileged position in the army for a woman, but I had some sway over a very specific project that heavily involved Steve. Later on we worked together to wipe out as many Hydra cells as we could.

[She's not surprised that he's a soldier. There's the posture, the seriousness, even the helmet. It looks so familiar to Peggy, like so many men she's worked with in the past. It's kinda reassuring, in a strange way.]

To be honest, I could probably make the most of a shower right now. I feel pretty grimy!

"Privileged"?

[Kunsel echoes the word oddly.]

I assume you earned that position. Why would your gender make it a privilege?

[Taking the hint for what it is, he scans his packs for the one he wants, then drops to one knee next to it. Speaking of his helmet... As much as he tells people he can still see just fine despite the visor - and while normally that's true - it's another story in the dimming light in a building after sundown. He pulls the helmet off and sets it aside, though he doesn't look up to meet Peggy's eyes after that. Instead, he focuses on finding his packing tape and plastic wrap. That should do to make a water-tight seal.]

You and me both. [He laughs ruefully.] Give me just a minute, alright?

I did earn it, but I would never have been offered it had it not been for friends in high places. [Oh, Michael. Peggy misses her brother dearly, every day of her life. She is so thankful for everything he's done to give her the life she knew, deep down in hr heart, she wanted.]

My gender is most definitely a hindering, in the world I live in. A sad thing that is, but. I know my value.

[Nodding, Peggy lets Kain do his thing, getting the shower ready for them to share the water. She'll take th quickest shower she knows how to, to avoid for him to have to bathe in all of her dirty water, and still have plenty to fill the bath. Time is not a luxury she has, right now.]

I see.

[Kunsel's frown doesn't disappear, but... Well. There's not much he can do about gender discrimination in another world.]

I'm glad you know your worth. I learned a long time ago that gender doesn't make a difference in how capable someone can be.

[And with that parting comment, he disappears for a minute to work on taping up the drain. He soon emerges again, and when he does the frown is gone.]

There. That should do it. You need a towel? Or anything?

You'd think men would understand this, but it's nice to see that it's not the same everywhere. [She smiles, very pleased to see that what Mr. Beckett said is for now being proven true.

Peggy's trying very hard not to give Kain too much of a once-over, now that his helmet is off. He's young - but then again, so is she, and they both look weathered by the things they've seen. He's so formal - in a perfectly polite and helpful way, but it makes Peggy wonder if it's a cultural trait, or just a Kain thing.]

I have a towel, thank you very much. It should do me just fine, even if it will take a while to dry. I've also got toiletries, thanks to Steve. The man is a hoarder. [She grins, gesturing at her already full backpack and her meat mallet. She's been showered with things since Steve found her, she really has no reason to complain.]

[Probably more of a Kunsel thing, but if she ever asked, he'd attribute it to SOLDIER honor and training.

He has to bark a laugh at that comment about Steve, though.]

I think this place turns us all into hoarders. You should have seen my backpack a few days ago. Not that it's all that much better right now, but I did have to get rid of a few things. It's just hard to let things go when you think there might be a use for them later.

[He shakes his head ruefully, mostly at himself, then gestures toward the bathroom behind him.]

Go ahead and take your shower. We can keep talking when we're both done.

Yeah, well - when you know a war, you learn how to hoard. [It's all true - so often you end up with pointless little things, just because it's possible it could be useful at some point. Peggy completely understands the feeling.]

Okay, thank you - I won't be long.

[Peggy makes her way to the bathroom, getting herself situated again once she's alone in the small room. She undresses quickly, not turning the water on just yet, but wraps herself in the towel that she has, trying vainly to keep some warmth to herself. She has to jump under the spray right away once it's hot, though - the air is way, way too cold to be naked, she could feel her toes freezing off.

It's a blessed feeling, a hot shower. It warms her up to her bones, even as she keeps it as quick as she can, washing efficiently, precise movements learned from a long time in the army. The water pools around her ankles, her calves, gathering up, and she's glad to find it's not too dirty, either, which is a relief.

Afterwards, it's a battle against herself to get dry, shivering like mad as she pulls on her undergarments - which she wishes she could wash, so badly - and the rest of her clothes, still a little damp. She keeps the towel wrapped around her hair when she's done, concerned that it would be what leads to illness - her hair being wet for too long, but she doesn't have much of a choice. She will make do. She always does.

Finally, after a maximum of fifteen minutes and an actual shower time of maybe five, Peggy emerges from the bathroom, closing the door behind her to keep the warm air trapped in.]

Thank you for letting me go first. All yours, Kain.

[Kunsel's not deaf. He could hear exactly how long that shower was going. The corner of his mouth crooks up when she looks at him, and he tilts his head in gratitude. She didn't have to do that, after all. He would have been fine with just the dregs in the tub.

Still, he's not one to look a gift chocobo in the mouth.]

Thanks. I'll be back out soon.

[He'd already collected his own toiletries while waiting, so it's just a matter of disappearing into the bathroom with them and closing the door behind him. With the water cooling with every passing second, he doesn't waste any time stripping down and jumping in.

The first five minutes are nothing but bliss. The hot water feels better than anything he's ever felt before - not counting the last shower he had. For the first time in what feels like an eternity he's warm. Not just part of him, but all over as he sinks into the water in the tub. Even after the running hot water turns to cold - which this time he caught within a bare second of the shift - there's still warmth to enjoy as he finishes cleaning up, soothing sore muscles and easing tension he hadn't even realized had built up.

For all that it's tempting to linger, though, common sense tells him it's not a good idea to sit in the cooling water for too long. Not if he wants to dry off while the air in the bathroom is at least slightly warm. With great reluctance, he finally gets out and uses his own towel to dry himself off before getting dressed again, resisting the urge to shiver the whole time.

It's a much cleaner Kunsel who comes back out maybe twenty or so minutes after he left. Despite the return to the cold, there's a real smile on his face.]

Gaia, I feel so much better.

[While she was absorbed in reading information about the town on her tablet, Peggy still looks up when Kain emerges from the bathroom, looking refreshed and much happier, livelier. She smiles.]

It's funny how, even during the war, I guess I took showering as granted. Now I only get very brisk splashing of melted snow or toilet water.

What a place to live in.

Heh. You thought of the toilets, too?

[His smile turns rueful before he shakes it off, moving towards his things to put away his toiletries.]

Showering didn't always happen in the last war I was in. At least, not when I was deployed out in the field. I'm sure you understand.

[Deep in enemy territory, it just wasn't always possible.

Though at least Wutai hadn't been this cold.]

Anyway...

[He hesitates, staring down at the zipper of his backpack, then grimaces before forcing himself to look up. They're going to have to deal with this eventually. Might as well get it out of the way now. Bright blue eyes deliberately meet hers, trying to convey that he means this seriously.]

We should talk about sleeping arrangements.

[He leaves it at that, giving her the chance to make the ground rules first.]

Oh. [Oh. She is a bit surprised by the sudden change in conversation, if only because she didn't think about it at all. She's never had to think about it - she's only had Steve to worry about, in her previous few days here.]

Well...what usually happens? You have to pardon me, I have only shared shelter with Steve, and it's been...easy...for us to share. I don't know how it is when sharing with near-strangers.

[Peggy, for all her stiff-upper-lip-ness by way of being English, is also an extremely practical woman. And, thing is, in such a place where heating seems to not exist, sharing a bed might be the most practical solution, especially considering there is no other comfortable place to sleep in this house. So if he tells her body heat is the most valuable form of heating around these parts, she'll take it. As long as there's no inappropriate touching, she's all in when it comes to survival.]

Edited 2016-04-03 16:19 (UTC)

[Her tentative openness to possibilities helps some of the awkwardness fade just a little. Maybe he should have expected such practicality from someone else in the military, but it never pays to assume. Not about something like this. Some people can be really prickly about the privacy and personal space, after all.

Sitting back on his haunches, he offers a shrug in response.]

It depends on the people, I guess. The people I was with before had no problem with sharing a bed for warmth. If it's something you're not comfortable with, though, I could sleep on the floor.

[It wouldn't be comfortable, and it would be cold, but that's something he doesn't need to state. At least he has his own blanket.]

[Peggy immediately frowns]

No, no, that will not do. It's way too cold to sleep on the floor, you'll catch your death.

[And there she goes, fussing.]

Sharing will be fine. I'm sure we both can be perfectly appropriate! [Peggy grins, going to air out the comforter a little in anticipation for the night.] Which side do you prefer?

[He gives her a look, mouth quirked up a bit, but judiciously doesn't call her out on the fact that they've both likely had to sleep cold and alone in less comfortable conditions than this. If she's willing, then he really shouldn't protest.

Instead, he turns his look into something more measured, something that takes in her slight figure and the distance from the bed to the door, that weighs the effectiveness of a meat mallet versus a knife, and makes his decision.]

Thanks. I'll take the side closer to the door, if you don't mind.

[Even if she can take care of herself - which seems likely, if she's military - it seems more prudent to put him closer to the door.

It seems a little crass to promise to keep his hands to himself, so he'll just let that promise stand unspoken in the air. It should be implied in his acceptance of her offer anyway.]

I have an extra blanket, too. We should be fairly warm tonight.

So very prepared - I'm guessing you've been here a while?

[Peggy can hardly bear thinking about it, about the length of time some of these people have had to live in Norfinbury, with the cold, the monsters, the strange shadowy figures in the snow, the isolation. She looks down at her hands, chipping off some more nail polish off her fingertips where it's flaking.]

Do you have - friends, here? Someone special to you, maybe? I can't even imagine - being alone here. It must be awful.

A little over two months.

[Not the longest that some people have been here, but a long time nonetheless. Longer, sometimes, it feels like. Sometimes more like years, especially during the times when he's been more worn down.

Thank goodness for his friends.]

My best friend's here, and a couple other people from my world. I've made other friends here, too, so it's not so bad.

What about you? Anyone else besides Steve?

No. Nobody else besides Steve.

[She can't think of anyone she'd want to have around here more, anyway. Of course, getting Dum Dum or Gabe or any of the guys would be great; they're used to the conditions and they're willing to do anything, fearless as they are, but. Steve is the one who matters.]

But it's fine. I'm sure I'll make myself some more friends on the way of getting us out of here!

That's a good way to think.

[The only way to think, if they don't want to lose hope. Kunsel smiles to reflect his thoughts.

That smile is tempered by the shiver that runs through his frame, though. Even as thoroughly as he'd tried to towel off before emerging from the bathroom, there's still just enough dampness clinging to his skin and his hair to make it easy for the cold to leach the warmth from his body. Not dawdling anymore, Kunsel collects his patchwork quilt from his things and spreads it over the comforter on the bed.]

I'm not ready to sleep yet, so I hope you don't mind if I text in bed for a while.

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[log] Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue~ [open to whoever is in 34 on day 98]

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