|
|
Post by Manisha on Nov 21, 2009 22:40:58 GMT -5
Manisha was throughly concentrated on her patrol. She'd known that he was following her mere moments after he'd stood. Right now she was alert and ready for anything. Anything except a compliment. It caught her off guard and if it weren't for the darkness she'd be extremely embarrassed. Her cheeks flamed for several minutes before she got herself under control again. They subsided swiftly enough and Manisha was able to think again.
"Thank you I suppose."
Now if the guy had been a member of her unit he'd know that Manisha almost never used qualifiers like suppose. Something either was or wasn't. Degrees of being weren't something Manisha dealt in. Therefore she could only attribute the use of the qualifier to his unexpected compliment. It was customary to make a similar remark in return wasn't it?
"You possess good features as well." |
|
|
|
Post by Jett Tsar on Nov 21, 2009 22:58:50 GMT -5
Jett was perplexed. His jaw dropped an inch and he stared at the back of her heard, suddenly allowing his mind to venture further into the depths of cool green, soft blues, and flaring reds.
"You please me." He countered, wanting to edge away from simple talk which occupied the better part of this society's vocabulary. What he said was no lie. Of course he was already aware of the fact that he was indeed ridiculously good looking...but it never hurt to hear it again. (actually in his narcissistic case it probably did)
"You aren't accustomed to this, are you?" He asked, elongating his strides to reach her side. He turned his face to Manisha--he would rather call her Lina--to grin charmingly. "The exchanging of blows in order not to suppress, but to..." he faded out, unaware of what he was trying to do by saying sweet things. Win her favor? Woo her? Make her feel better about herself? Jett didn't even know.
"Yes...well..." He chortled and looked up at the sky. "This place is too magical to waste time patrolling. Join me in going to the Orchards?" Perhaps he could change her mind about some things.
|
|
|
|
Post by Manisha on Nov 21, 2009 23:30:01 GMT -5
Manisha cleared her throat and thereby her mind. She had her duties to perform. A civilian who thought himself a...what term did the men in the unit use? Oh yes, Casanova! A civilian that thought himself a Casanova could not stand in the way of that. As she took note of a pair of civilians at the corner of the building Manisha replied.
"No I am not accustomed to the giving of compliments unless they are merited. I cannot abandon my patrol for something so frivolous. I must ensure that these civilians do not repeat the events of earlier and I must see to it that the woman they burned is properly buried."
This was her mission. Nothing excused the shirking of mission duties in favor of personal pursuits. That aside Manisha had no idea what a trip to the Orchard with such an individual would mean. She had not come to her station by going into something blind. Before she attempted any such meeting she would require much surveillance and other such intelligence before she could commit to an outing. Not to mention she would have to find some way to request free time from a superior officer. Thus the chances of such an event were rather small. |
|
|
|
Post by Jett Tsar on Nov 21, 2009 23:52:09 GMT -5
Jett nodded at her response, pleased by his correct assumptions. He frowned slightly at her mention of merits, thinking that complimenting each other did win merits. Perhaps not the type you get in the US army, but merits none the less. Aaaah, good ole merits.
"But surely you can!" Jett insisted, stepping in her path so that she would either run into him, stop and face him head on, or step around. "Nobody will notice if you aren't breathing down their necks for thirty minutes. There isn't much they could do in such a short time anyway, seeing as they are all back in their cells." He had gotten over his earlier sickness, apparently. "Come along then, Lina. I can call you Lina? It's a beautiful name. Dances off the tongue." He smiled again, this time broader than the last time. He was bent on breaking this woman's stiff back. She was like a metal pole sticking out of the ground: cold, hard, and lonely. Jett was sure that all she needed was a little heat to get her bending.
"We can bury her later. It'll take the fire that long to cool anyway. Come on." He offered his hand. . .
|
|
|
|
Post by Manisha on Nov 22, 2009 0:10:43 GMT -5
Manisha pulled up short as he stepped in front of her and began giving reasons why she could and should shirk her duties to go with him. Annoyance slid off of her cold mentality after lingering there a moment or two. Did he really think he was worth risking the death of another over? Now he was reminding her of some of the officers that visited the base every now and again. They'd thought they could break her too. They'd gone back to their home bases disappointed and generally sporting bruised nether regions.
"No."
She pronounced the single word sans emotion and stepped around him. His extended hand went ignored as she continued her patrol. Manisha wouldn't have invited him along if she'd know he would turn like this the minute he was out of sight of the body. Either he had no conception of true dedication to duty or he didn't care. Neither one raised him in her estimation. |
|
|
|
Post by Jett Tsar on Nov 22, 2009 0:27:33 GMT -5
Jett's cheeks burned as she blatantly refused. Crestfallen, he lowered his head as she passed, slowly bringing his arm to rest at his side, looking as if he were defeated.
This woman is truly as cold as she appears. Her insensitivity is no facade in which she prays to be rescued from. Everything she has said thus far has been true to her nature. He thought observantly. While your average man would have resigned to return to his cell and sleep off the rejection and awake renewed tomorrow, this woman's refusal ignited something within Jett. He was bounding after her the second she hit the five foot mark.
"No as in you think someone will notice your absence or no as in you don't want to bury her later? Because if it's the latter then I assure you I can do the work for you. I've got strong arms," And a weak stomach. That was not a necessary disclosure. "And if it's about somebody noticing you're gone then I can assure you it isn't so. I make it a habit to meet my neighbors. Someone of your...like you would have been whispered about. You're beautiful and harsh," And you've got a fiery temper that makes me hungry.
Jett caught up to her once more.
"Please Lina. Would you rather I called you Manisha? Manisha then. Please Manisha." Though he pleaded there was no trace of begging in his voice. On the contrary, he sounded like an excited puppy barking at his master. Or something.
|
|
|
|
Post by Manisha on Nov 22, 2009 0:48:19 GMT -5
For a brief moment she regretted not qualifying her statement. The depressed look on his face affected her though she hadn't a clue about how one would normally go about fixing such a thing. She ignored the pesky emotion and was rewarded a moment later when he came running after her. The peppy statements assuaged her brief regret as much as they annoyed her. Manisha repressed a sigh. She would get no peace or be able to patrol efficiently with this...person bounding after her like an overly stupid dog.
"If I accompany you will you desist these disgraceful antics?"
Manisha glanced at him. He probably was the most aesthetically pleasing of the males that had approached her in such a manner. His attitude vexed her though. Persistence was an admirable trait but in the face of stiff rejection it would have been better that he withdraw and rethink his angle of attack. Acquiring a date could not be much different than a well planned and executed mission. Gather as much data as possible before hand, make a comprehensive battle plan, and be prepared for on field tactical changes. Simple. He was obviously no strategist. Then again perhaps he was, she had acquiesced after all. |
|
|
|
Post by Jett Tsar on Nov 22, 2009 13:50:01 GMT -5
Jett's grin faded to a smoldering smirk.
"I won't." He told her flatly, frowning for a moment at the girl. There had to be a raw surface. All women had one, however much they disliked admitting it. Jett may not have known the best way to slip beneath her barriers but he sure as celery would find it. What he would do once in the position, he was unaware of. But at the moment it made for good sport.
"My antics are no more disgraceful than your impetuous dismissal of my blandishments. The courtesy of a gentleman has become a rare commodity that I would think even one as illustrious as yourself cannot afford to overlook." Jett raised his hands before him and extended his fingers as if he held a ball. "Look, just...put aside the call of duty you may have had in another life that you feel is still beckoning you in this new world for one moment and stop merely existing. Live!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Manisha on Nov 22, 2009 14:20:54 GMT -5
Manisha felt herself slow heat with anger. How dare he dismiss her way of life like that! He was the second person in as many days! A slow boiling anger began to manifest itself. At the moment it was nothing more than a minute narrowing of her eyes and an equally small downward quirk of the lips.
"Then I have no reason to accompany you. A true gentleman does not advertise himself as such. Rather he lets his words and deeds prove him worthy of that distinction. You sir are no gentleman."
Once again you would have to know Manisha to realize that he had indeed effected her. To draw such a long statement from her required a closeness that the first lieutenant did not ordinarily allow or a level of anger that Manisha did not generally feel. If his aim was to get her to open up then he was in fact meeting that aim. However at this rate it would be more likely that she would attempt to pummel him vigorously once he reached his goal rather than speak openly and peaceably with him. None of the men in her unit had reached that goal. How could he in a matter of minutes? |
|
|
|
Post by Jett Tsar on Nov 22, 2009 21:22:22 GMT -5
"Well then, I might point out that a true woman notices such things without having to be informed." Jett's voice changed to match hers. He slipped from charm to indignant in a moment's notice, heating himself. He harbored no ill will against this woman, but he was sure as hell insistent.
"Or has the army not only desensitized you, but stolen your womanhood as well?" The fool would have done well to brace himself for a blow. Unfortunately, Jett's mind didn't think that way. He blinked fast and stared hard, utterly concealed in the moment.
|
|
|
|
Post by Manisha on Nov 22, 2009 21:53:01 GMT -5
Manisha let the insults to her womanhood slide off. They were angering but she had never really cared all that much for typical stereotypes of women anyway. Instead she kept walking.
"That may well be. I care nothing for your traditional stereotypes. I referenced your lack of gentlemanly conduct merely because you felt it necessary to point it out."
By now they had come back around the building and were facing the fire again but from behind this time. It still crackled merrily, belying the task for which it had been built. By Manisha's estimate they could complete two or three more circuits of the building before it burnt down enough to gather some ash for a burial. |
|
|
|
Post by Jett Tsar on Nov 23, 2009 18:24:26 GMT -5
Jett harshly pushed out air from between clenched teeth, wringing his hands as he eyed the back of the woman's head. There were times when he would just love to wrap his fingers around that pretty little neck...
"The architect of a woman is no stereotype, it's a fact. Feign oblivion if you please. Only one soul suffers." He crossed his arms over his chest and stopped walking, focusing his gaze on the fire which had come around again. The woman's burned body was far from his mind.
I am a gentleman. Jett thought angrily, flickering a cold stare towards Manisha. One would think with those large--beautiful and doe-like--eyes she would be able to see that. But instead she sees what she wants to see; another obstacle of a man she feels she must conquer in order to accomplish her own self gain. I will not yield!
He racked his brain for something else. Anything else! Something to say or do that would tip the scale in his direction. It couldn't be too forward but at the same time it had to be firm.
Lost in thought, Jett stood there with a frumpy expression and looked hard at Manisha.
|
|
|
|
Post by Manisha on Nov 23, 2009 22:31:16 GMT -5
Manisha approached the fire slowly to inspect it. For a fire cobbled together in a haze of panic it was well built. They meant it to burn her completely and so far it had done it's job. All that was left now were the bones and some bits of flesh. Not that Manisha paid too much attention to the corpse. It left her with an emptiness where she assumed her revulsion and sadness should be. So that she didn't have to dwell too long on it Manisha started another round of the building.
Despite the earlier panic it seemed to have calmed down a good bit. That was good. It meant that they weren't likely to try it again anytime soon. That eased some of Manisha's worries for this patrol. Did she worry? Yes, worry was the one emotional response she hadn't locked away. It kept her sharp by forcing her to go over her plans multiple times to ensure that every contingency was planned for. That kept her unit in top shape.
Manisha had pretty much forgotten about Jett as she rounded the corner of the building. After his latest spout of nonsense, something about women and stereotypes, he'd remained blessedly quiet. |
|
|
|
Post by Jett Tsar on Nov 24, 2009 22:49:31 GMT -5
Indeed, Jett remained silent as he used the ground directly behind Manisha, stopping when she stopped and looking to where she looked. There wasn't much light but he could still see her shadow and assume in which direction her eyes were pointed. On dark nights like these there wasn't a lot to see.
Blessed silence. Oh how Jett loathed it. Especially when conversation was just beyond the horizon. Or at least just three feet ahead. But this woman was so intolerant and...and aggravating in that way that made you want more.
When they got back to the fire for the second time Jett let his arms fall lazily to his sides. His shoulders slumped as he stared at the flames.
"I can't go back to bed." He explained unwillingly. "I wouldn't be able to sleep."
|
|
|
|
Post by Manisha on Nov 24, 2009 23:20:09 GMT -5
Manisha turned at the statement to look at him. The slumped shoulders and loose arms would seem to suggest that he wasn't all to proud of what he'd just admitted. She studied him almost clinically as if she might be able to determine why such a thing would bother him to admit. Her own curiosity overcame her quiet.
"You seem ashamed. Why is that? And why would you not be able to sleep?"
It was entirely too blunt and someone more versed in emotions might pick it up. Manisha however was no expert on people nor was she capable with emotions. She barely possessed enough acumen to converse with people beyond yes or no answers. So she probably came off harsh, though she wouldn't know it. To look at her would reveal a face that actually held curiosity and no trace of cruelty.
People and their emotions confused her more often than not. Manisha had thought, before meeting a civilian, that everyone behaved like she and her unit did. Sure the members of her unit had lapses of judgment from time to time but they generally operated within reasonable parameters. Civilians she'd come to understand had no such parameters. They confused her more than anything else. When something confused her she'd been instructed to learn about it. That was her aim, to learn about these emotions so that she could deal with civilians more efficiently. |
|
