for gipsy_danger

[danger_prone]

It wasn't the quiet of the last time he'd managed to visit her.  Instead of the slow lull of a midnight crew on standby it was the full fledged action of jaeger crews in full prep.  Instead of being in his own loose casual clothes Raleigh was in full drive suit.  And this time he wasn't going to hear Gipsy Danger's soft beeps and whirs.  This time he was going to hear her voice.

He pulled in a deep breath as they plugged him in and shut his eyes.  It had been along time.  Five years.  He found he was a strange mixture of eager and nervous.  An exhale through his teeth and he nodded.  No more running away.  It was time.

Mako was due to join them in their link this time.  Trail run, a prep for her, first time.  He remembered the nerves and the excitement and gave her an encouraging smile, last minute words of advice.  He was going in first though.  These weren't three linked consciouses familiar with the feel of each other.  It was two.  He and Gipsy.  First their link - and then they'd guide Mako in once they were stable.  He was glad for it.  There were things he wanted to share with just Gipsy right now.  Mako could have those parts of him later as well but first - first he wanted Gispy all to himself.  He wanted time for just them.  Mako would join them soon enough.

So he shut his eyes again and his chin dipped just the smallest bit, the habitual way it always did just before he took the Drift.  The countdown was a steady reassuring sound in his ear and he has the insanest urge to smooth down the hair inside his helmet, like a boy coming home after he'd ignored his mother's calls or a nervous guy on his first date.  The crooked smile, quick, touched his lips just as the familiar hole in the center of his forehead seemed to open and he found himself sucked in and pulled under. 

Welcome to the Drift.

Comments

[danger_prone]

He's fuming. It's not something he does as often as he used to, loss and maturity have cut down on the things that set him off these days but - he's certainly fuming now. Mako is his Drift partner. She belongs with him and Gipsy. He doesn't really care if she went rabbit chasing her first time in. He understands how dangerous it was, how bad things could have gone and he knows neither him nor Gipsy would have ever forgiven themselves if there had been damaged but - dammit! No one got hurt and he feels as if Staker was just looking for the excuse to pull Mako from the program. He knows why too - and he understands. He does.

It doesn't mean he doesn't consider Mako his partner and that he's not going to fight for her spot there whether she will or not.

He knows Gipsy though and so he does his best to push that anger (and frustration) to the side as he steps into her pod. His hand lifts to brush along the structure as he walks over to Yancy's side... his side. They didn't have time to talk after Mako and - he's worried. Gipsy had promised to take care of them and he doesn't want her feeling guilty for something neither of them could stop. Sometimes things just happened and you had to accept that. He's learned.

"Hey, Gipsy," his voice is soft and gentle and he strokes one of the control pads as he shifts over to take his spot to hook them in together. It's much faster these days. This Shatterdome doesn't have the manpower or money for all the extras of five years ago. He doesn't give the signal he's ready to plug in just yet though. Sometimes - it seems best to talk first. Reaching up he touches the back brace that links them.

"How're you doing?"

[gipsy_danger]

Gipsy greets him immediately upon feeling his presence with a quiet little beep of acknowledgement; Raleigh’s the kind of person that she can sense coming from a mile away. She knows why he’s here – and she’s glad that he came.

Gipsy knows that technically, it’s not anyone’s fault but she cannot help but feel partially responsible for it. Gipsy hates that she has such a lack of control sometimes; she’s essentially helpless without her pilots to control her, and that is frustrating when one or both is in trouble. She only has her mind, and even then, sometimes there’s nothing that she can do.

She gives a soft, sad little chirp when he asks her how she’s doing. She’s…okay, not pleased with herself – but okay.

[danger_prone]

He leaves his hand on the panel he's resting it on. He's here to drift with her and him being in his armor shows it but first -

"Me too, Gipsy. Me too."

He's getting better at accepting when things are out of his control. His natural tendency is to try to fix everything, to put his all behind something... He's learned to chose his battles and then, when he's sure, to throw himself completely into them. What happened in the Drift today wasn't their fault. It wasn't even Mako's fault. Sometimes things just happened. Part of trying to fix everything was the guilt when you couldn't. Raleigh had learned about guilt though and what it could do to someone. To him. He wasn't going to take that path ever again. Gipsy knows... but she's straight forward with her emotions. They're pure. Raleigh wants to do everything in his power to make sure they're safe to stay that way.

Which is why he gives her something else to think about - outside of his own Drift emotions.

"Stacker's taken her off the program."

[gipsy_danger]

Gipsy is good at accepting things that aren’t in her control – she has to be. Nearly everything about her existence remains in the hands of someone else – Gipsy Danger has very, very limited control over everything about herself. It can be infuriating at times – like now, when she cannot speak outside of the Drift – but she simply accepts it, because otherwise, what else is she to do?

She makes a startled noise – a whirr, a groan, an annoyed click – of the program? But that’s not fair. It isn’t right. She needs another chance, it was her first Drift, and those are rarely smooth.

so very sorry for the wait. Don't ever let your vagus nerve get pinched. I'll be slow for a while

[danger_prone]

He huffs out a breath through his nose and finally settles back into the rest, shifting for the hook up. Every sound she's made is his own echo but he doesn't have words. Lips tightly closed he lets her deal with that thought - and does his best to tamp down his own anger and frustration - as the countdown to the Drift sounds. The only way he knows is to show her. Then they can both sort through Stacker's response and Mako's own words. The stubborn anger isn't entirely gone but it's subdued when the pull between his eyes starts and he snaps into the Drift.

And now I am back in the country! I hope you are feeling better :c

[gipsy_danger]

She practically jerks him into it once she feels the connection start to stabilize and she’s chittering angrily in his ear, metaphorical arms immediately wrapping around him and pulling him in.

Over the years, Gipsy Danger has been privy to Yancy and Raleigh Becket’s innermost thoughts, desires, memories, hopes and dreams. She knows them better than she knows herself and along the way, she’s picked up traits from each, personality quirks, catch phrases and the like.

It shouldn’t be surprising that the first thing she says is;

This is bullshit.

welcome back! hope you had fun (ps - I'll get to Chuck soon :D0

[danger_prone]

It's the first thing he hears once he's stabilized in the Drift even if the emotions behind it were already rolling around him and he snorts. That sounds familiar.

He's not about to argue that point.

Mako is theirs. She belongs with him and Gipsy. The handshake was strong, Mako made the third part of their triad and they were whole. It's something to fight for - but

she won't.

And it shakes him because it puts him directly against the idea that his own ideals aren't hers. That... his might not be right no matter how strong they feel or how sure he is that they are. But Mako... and Stacker...

Everything in him says 'fight'.

It is.

It growls out of him - but even as it does he opens his mind and pulls the memory - all of it - back out for Gipsy. Memories are clearer, easier to remember, more detailed in the Drift, but he doesn't think he was going to forget it too soon anyway. It's the 'stay' command on a hunting dog that can smell the chase. Stacker's wrong.

But how is he supposed to deal with a direct order from the Marshall that he knows he -they- have to obey.

I did! And then I turned around and went to a convention |D I AM BACK FOR GOOD NOW THO

[gipsy_danger]

Gipsy filters through the memory again, relives it with him, watches Mako's reactions, the way that she made Gipsy react to her fear, overriding all of the safety protocols installed by Tendo and upgraded by Gipsy herself.

It is strong, with us. Do not lose hope.

Gipsy knows that Stacker is a force to be reckoned with, that he is absolute, and the ultimate say so in what goes and what does not. The respect that Mako has for him is strong and she can understand why the girl does not wish to go against his wishes.

Mako is right. It is not about 'obedience'.

But one doesn't have to be disrespectful in order to get a point across. There is a way -- they just have to find it.

Are you alright?

a con? that's awesome! Was it dragoncon?

[danger_prone]

Another snort from him, even in the Drift he can do those, and then he shakes his head, mentally at least.

Don't know. I'm okay but - it's wrong. They're both wrong. And we don't have time to play around

There's the impatience in him, tamped down by five years of watching from the sidelines - of not being there. But more - this is end game. He can feel it. He thinks everyone can. Life is narrowed down to a matter of days at this point and - Mako worked. She felt right. He doesn't want to start all over again with someone else - especially not when Mako was right. She'd fit the two of them like the missing piece of a puzzle. She belonged with them.

and more... he liked her. He wasn't even going to try to guess what that meant at this point in time but - she felt good, she matched him, kept him on his toes and somehow soothed him too. Made him feel comfortable again... like he belonged. He knew. He belonged with Gipsy but - out there, in the crowds, she made him feel like he was finally home there too.

He didn't want anyone else. Not for him. Not for Gipsy. Because Gipsy deserved the best and they all knew that was Mako. That he could trust Gipsy to Mako's care. Being stumped in that area didn't sit right with him and his first instinct was the fight to set it right.

Except he couldn't. He knew it now. That didn't mean it didn't frustrate him, ticking under his skin.

Who else is Stacker going to try to set us up with this late in the game? He's being too hard on her. He knows she belongs with us.

It's a mental push to stop the anger but he makes it. It's not fair - but he already knows that's the way life is. Either they'll go out together or they won't. There's no time to play around with replacements.

He hopes.

There's a mental sigh and he forces himself to stop chasing things around in his head about it.

You're right. It's - been a long time since I let myself hope for anything. But I know you're right.

yup! It was such a blast |D

[gipsy_danger]

He is being too hard, yes. But Raleigh, we have seen her memories. She is his, as much as you are mine. It is hard to explain how it feels, every time I must let you out of the Drift.

For a twenty-five story jaeger, Gipsy Danger can be very selfish and possessive, not unlike a lover or a parent.

But I must, and he will realize this.

It had just...taken Gipsy to run through the memory again, to witness it from Mako's point of view to understand that. Mako's awe of Stacker was unparalleled, and by moving through the rest of Mako's memories that had been in the Drift, Gipsy knew that their relationship was a close one.

He will not set you up with anyone else. Have faith, Raleigh Becket. You just have to make him see.

so awesome. I couldn't go this year so I hope you had enough fun for both of us!

[danger_prone]

She soothes him. She always does. And he takes a long inhale and lets it out slowly, if not losing it entirely, at least letting it settle inside him.

She's always been the voice of reason and he exhales again, shorter and more completely.

He never realized it was hard on her to let him go... but he knows he should have. While he misses her presence when he's outside the Drift and being with her is the only place that really feels like home... he goes out into the world when he leaves her. She's.... left alone. He's sure Tendo and the mechanics are helpful but - in the Drift his hand still automatically lifts to rest on one of her displays for a long minute.

Then he nods.

Couldn't do it without you, Gipsy. You're right.

A soft huff of affectionate amusement.

You're going to be good for her. All right. I'll have faith.

And I'll see if there's a way to make Stacker see that doesn't involve touching him.

oh man I had an amazing time. so many awesome costumes

[gipsy_danger]

Loneliness is a thing that Gipsy Danger is very used to. She sat in Oblivion Bay for several years, alone, with only construction workers and the occasional scavenger to observe. No one to talk to, no one to vent her frustrations, her fears, he wants to.

It is still like that, when Raleigh is not in the Drift with her.

Of course I am right. Her tone barely betrays what she feels; smugness overlays the bone gnawing apprehension she feels, because it seems as if their conversation is beginning to come to a close.

You should trust your Jaeger more often. And please, don't ever touch Stacker again. I would like to see you retain all of your limbs.

so envious. I know it's about panel and actors etc but I always go for the costumes. you cosplay?

[danger_prone]

He lets out a little grunt that's both his laughter and his acknowledgement. If anyone has, Gipsy's certainly earned the right to smugness after all her time dealing with the Becket brothers and now stuck with him alone next to Mako's much politer ways. He feels the apprehension though and know there's really no way around it. At some point everyone has to say goodbye even if it's only temporary. He'll be back, she knows that now but...

I need all my limbs to pilot. The Marshall would probably just hurt me in unimaginable ways that wouldn't cripple me

His hand hasn't left her console and his fingers moves across it now.

wish I could sleep in here. Wonder what dreams would be like in the Drift

i do too XD and yep! i did merida, katniss, rose tyler, and luna lovegood this year

[gipsy_danger]

Gipsy does her best to dial back her frustration. He doesn't need a frustrated jaeger adding to his problems.

That is entirely likely. It would not be pleasant.

Strange as it may be, his touch is certainly something that she can feel. She is hyper-aware of her pilots at all times, though when they are connected, when they are in the Drift -- she is even more so.

I wish you could, too. I imagine they would be rather surreal. Or, he would end up with Gipsy's dreams - her own creations, the things that she comes up with to give her something to do, in her spare time. Landscapes pieced together from the memories of Yancy, Raleigh and now Mako -- and things that she has come up with, herself.

I can show you, if you like.

awesome choices. In some perfect land somewhere we'd have to cosplay and con together :)

[danger_prone]

The surprise flickers through him, not because he doubts Gipsy can dream but - he'd never even thought along those lines. The reaction is a great deal like a little boy's and the grin he gives in response it not too far from that either.

They're just wasting time now but - since no one else can see into the Drift, it's not like anyone can tell them to wrap it up.

The pleased anticipation is there clear to read from Raleigh.

That would be awesome

i would be down with this no lie 8}

[gipsy_danger]

They are - or at least, Gipsy is - simply wasting time now, but Gipsy is of the mind that Raleigh is not able to do this nearly enough and he has been gone for far too long and they have some much needed catching up to do.

I will show you what it is like when Jaegers have too much idle time.

Instead of the interior of the conn-pod being in front of him now, there's a flash of white and now he's standing by a lake with water that shimmers with rainbow perfection and a sky so blue that it hurts to look at. The sun is high above and it shines down and sends playful, glittering patterns dancing across the top of the water.

Large rocks - perfect for sitting, really - occasionally dot the surrounding areas of the lake and in front of one stands a raven haired avatar who is skipping rocks across the water.

We take images from countless memories and recreate what we think of as perfection, she says, though some of us take less creative license than others. I would not ask to see Cherno paradise, for example.

It's mostly snow and bright blue kaiju blood. Cherno Alpha is hard as nails in different ways than Gipsy herself.

Not all of us choose to create avatars, but some do. Do you remember Romeo Blue? He had one.

if you ever hit up a Florida con, just say the word XD

[danger_prone]

do robots dream of electric sheep?

Age old question and Raleigh can't help the smile as it's answered. Not that he doubted. The smile grows as he looks at what she's created around him and there's no small bit of awe in it either. This... this is his Gipsy's paradise. He turns his head, trying to take it all in, soak it into his soul too and only after that does he focus on the woman skipping stones, smile going a bit crooked. It's exactly the first thing he would have done with a lake like that -

He did? and then ...that's you?

I'm actually in Florida so that's pretty likely |D

[gipsy_danger]

Gipsy laughs around him, because yes -- she's aware of that that references.

In a way.

She urges him forward, presses unseen hands against his back to nudge him towards the woman.

She's part of me, part of you. Part of Yancy, and Mako as well. Pieces and glimpses of faces I have seen in your memories, merged together in something not...tangible, but representable. You, my pilots, make up what I think you would call a soul.

Or at least...some form of conscious being. Without you, I am only a machine.

that's awesome! if you run with the Tampa or Orlando crowd we might have already met!

[danger_prone]

He moves as she directs him, more than happy to explore what his Gipsy calls her heaven, curious about her avatar as he approaches, mulling over her words in his head.

You have a soul, Gipsy. One that's all your own. If I helped you find it - I'm honored. The word comes out deep and heart deep. She humbles him sometimes with all that she thinks he is, and all she knows he isn't and loves anyway.

Even without me, you're never just a machine. Love you, Gipsy.

it is entirely possible, though I'm in Jax |D also sorry for my slow wow

[gipsy_danger]

You did.

She looks at him like he's hung the moon -- her wayward pilot, her prodigal son. He'll have to leave her soon, something she truly regrets, but in the meantime, she wants to show him everything that she has to offer.

The avatar keeps skipping rocks, tosses them in one after another, though as he draws close, she'll pause and turn. She is familiar yet entirely foreign at the same time and a smile pulls at her lips -- she knows him, better than anyone.