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[ yo what's up, Omega. York is in a shiny brand-new suit of armor, bought right in Omega, rather than her usual clunky old Freelancer armor. It's a hell of a lot sleeker than what she used to wear, that's for sure, and she looks pretty damned pleased about it.

But not just about the armor. York's grinning for an entirely new reason today. ]

Everybody settling in all right? Good, 'cause I've got some good news for the thirsty crowd. I just got myself a new job at a bar here in Zeta District, servin' drinks. And this weekend we've got an extended happy hour special goin' on, so if you're looking for a drink, then I highly suggest hauling your ass over to The Quad. I might even slip you a free drink for the trouble.

[ She actually winks, grinning and showing teeth. She tosses her hair out of her face with a quick shake of her head. ]

'Course, if you're more interested in the home security market, I'm still available for installs and upgrades. But I figured it was time to move on up in the job market. Besides, I mix one hell of a Dirty Shirley.

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[ Arthur's usually got the bonus of a PASIV on hand when he tells this story - that, or it's someone who already suspected the device's existence. He watches York curiously. ]

No. I can fake one well enough to get hired, though.

[ He offers this with a hesitant curl of a smile. ]

[ York squints at him for a moment, peering at Arthur's face, as if she's trying to decide whether she should be mad at him for lying or not. They have known each other for a while. But eh, in the end, she decides it's not worth the effort to hold a grudge, and she likes Arthur too much, anyway. She gives him a curious look, pursing her lips. ]

So these jobs you pull, the...dream heists or whatever -- that's gotta be some pretty good money, right?

[ Arthur would't blame her if she wanted to hold a grudge. He didn't see the point in blowing his cover on Sacrosanct, not wanting to attract attention from Hypatia.

He nods after a moment. ]

A lot of money. It's not exactly blue collar crime we're talking about, here. It takes a lot of planning, and someone has to be willing to fund that.

[ She squints at him still, because for all it makes sense, she just never imagined Arthur as stupidly rich. And if he's as good as he says he is -- and she'll believe it -- he's gotta be rich. ]

Man, I was so born in the wrong universe.

[ He's not exactly rich. He saves money, but smoothing over his partner's problems - well, money paves the way, so they say, and none of the work of others comes cheap.

But he doesn't know that she's thinking that, so instead he laughs after a moment. ]

You sure? I can play around in minds, but you've got the high-tech armor.

You mean the clunky two-ton suit that I tossed in the closet the second I could get my hands on somethin' sleeker? I mean, yeah, the healing unit was pretty nice, but here's the problem with our high-tech armor -- the enhancements and all don't run half as well without an AI in there.

[ And of course, York is Delta-less. So it's not even as useful as it could be. ]

Besides, Freelancer was an experimental program. It paid okay, but it's not like most of us ever got the chance to even do anything that money. And, uh, y'know, from what I hear from my buddies in other timelines, most of us wind up dead. Your universe sounds way more fun.

[ Playing around in a dream? Come on, are you serious? Lucid dreaming. There are things York could make happen in a lucid dream that she's only...well, dreamed of. ]

Two-ton suit's a lot more impressive than something most laymen mistake for a teenager's science project.

[ Still, Arthur hears what she's saying, especially with the dying part. ]

Yeah, I kind of like you in the realm of the living. [ This gets a quiet scoff and a small smile. ] And I won't deny it's really fun. Being able to build what you want...

There are dangers, though, besides the obvious ones. [ Like your own mind turning against you. ] If you mess around in someone's mind too much, their mind catches on and tries to make you leave - easiest way to do that is to kill you.

But if you're careful you can avoid that.

[ He taps his fingers on the bar. ]

If I had one of the devices I'd show you how it works.

[ It sounds dangerous, sure, but that's part of what makes it sound so fun. York's eyebrows go up, and her whole face lights up with interest. ]

Man, that'd be a trip. I'd kill for an opportunity like that.

[ Arthur smirks. ]

Well, if I ever get a hold of a working one, I'll be the first to contact you.

Yeah? That'd really be something.

[ She laughs, though, because odds are it'll never happen. ]

Guess you must miss it, huh?

I kind of wanted to take a vacation for a little bit when I left, but now?

[ Arthur exhales quickly. ]

Yeah, I miss it. Miss the people I was working with, too.

[ He's silent a moment, then, ] Eames worked in the field, too.

[ Of course York remembers Eames. He wasn't exactly the forgettable type. Honestly, she wishes he'd stuck around, longer. She knows it'd been hard for Arthur, and York had taken a genuine liking to the guy in no time. But that was the cruel logic of...whatever this was. Being stranded in some other universe, never knowing when you're going to come and go.

There's sympathy in York's voice, and she sort of brushes her hand over Arthur's shoulder in a light pat, a gesture of solidarity. ]

Somehow, I'm not surprised. Come to think of it, he did seem awful amused about somethin' back then.

[ He looks up at the touch and then down a little, letting down a small laugh. ]

He thought my cover story wasn't any good. Business as usual. [ That Eames may not have said as much in words didn't matter, it was easy to see. ] He thought you were pretty neat.

Thanks. [ He gives her another smile, friendly. ]

[ York laughs a little, quietly, but she just shrugs. ]

I liked him, you know? It was nice havin' him around.

[ She can't say he'd be better off here, because like as not, he wouldn't, but still. York would've liked to get the chance to know him better. ]

He would have liked knowing that.

[ Arthur says it while looking at his shot, and then looks up and smiles again. ]

Can I have another? I think I need, and I've got the credits for it.

Hey, this one's on the house.

[ York gives him a small smile as she pours him another, sliding it slowly across the bar to him. She just looks at him for a moment, almost somberly, before she leans against the bar a little. ]

Look, Arthur, I know you like to do your own thing, but -- you'n me, we've seen some shit, y'know? If you ever need anything, you know where to find me.

[ She means it, too. Arthur's kept to himself for the most part, but he's been a solid friend and ally right from the start. He'd even been a big enough man to let it go when he'd expressed feelings York hadn't returned, and that in itself went a long way. And it counts for a whole hell of a lot all on its own that he came from Sacrosanct along with her and Wash. The three of them, they'd gone through things that nobody else here could dream of. It means something, that's for sure. ]

[ He takes the drink with a grateful smile, and then pauses before he drinks it, listening to her.

The truth is, that is the truth. He can't help getting close to poeple once he decides he cares about them (look at Mal, look at Dom and Ariadne), and York (and by extension Wash) are people who fall into that category now. They survived an AI, this place should be easy, comparatively. ]

Yeah, we've seen shit. [ He ducks his head in a nod. ] If I need something, you'll be the first person to know, York. Sorry it took me so long to tell you what I really did.

[ He means that, because he should have trusted her a lot sooner. ]

But it'll give you something to lord over me for a while.

Mm, a little moral superiority never hurt anybody, right?

[ She grins at him, but there's still something soft about her expression, something fond. She really is glad Arthur's here. ]

But hey, I forgive you. It's all right. I'd wanna keep my mouth closed about somethin' like that too, I think. Besides, you can make it up to me if you ever somehow get your hands on one of those devices.

You'll be the first to know.

[ He takes a quick drink before he responds, teasing. ]

Don't get too morally superior, it's not a good look on you.

You would know.

[ She's still smiling, though. ]

I'm glad you're here, man. I really am.

We gotta stick together, right? Hypatia didn't beat us, this place won't.

[ Though Hypatia was a looming danger versus the ever present one of Omega. ]

Not if we stick together.

[ She extends her hand across the counter for him. It's not a necessary gesture -- he's been there for her before, he's already proven himself more than worthy of trust, even for all his secrets -- but hey, call York sentimental. ]

I got your back, man.

I got yours, York.

[ he takes her hand, grips it and gives it a tight little shake - solidarity between the military types. He lets go and grins. ]

Getting a little mushy up here isn't it?

Hey, don't worry, I'm done.

[ She's still grinning though, like she can't help herself. Sure, she and Arthur have their differences, but he's somebody she can really trust. ]

We're gonna make it here. Somehow.

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