Warren? Hello, I'm Vala. Before we get into specifics, [LIKE WHY HE IS MISSING FINGERS OH GOD] I'd like to know how long you're planning to stick around.
[She just smiled a little, chin up. They'd agreed not to tell, after all. Vala let him guide her in, walking slowly enough to keep his hand at her back.] I was an indentured servant, I hated my mother, and the consistency of jello disturbs me.
[Neal wasn't certain that he liked this game as much as he had thought he would. Vala was a good liar and now it bothered him not knowing which were which; still, he would consider it a personal loss if he ended the game before she did, and Neal didn't really do losing unless it was necessary and intentional.
As they progressed to the line for their food, the inmate finally let his hand drop away from her back, still remaining beside her. His attention on her never wavered; he was doting, without being creepy.] I've never worked the same job for more than two years, my favorite hair color for women is red, and I really hope you can lie better than that.
[Of course, the last one was a lie, but he said it in that joking tone that suggested he could tell every lie that she'd spoken.]
[Vala pursed her lips as she settled into line ahead of him, leaning against the wall as she looked up at him.] I was going to use that one, but I wouldn't want to look like I'm mimicking you. [A smirk tugged the corner of her mouth.]
I've been to several different planets, I spent some time as a nun, and I don't find you attractive in the slightest.
[He tilted his head and offered her a mischievous grin.] They say mimicking is the sincerest form of flattery.
I traveled a lot myself; it's good to see other cultures. [He stated as absolute truth, because he was determined that she was not a nun and she did find him attractive. After another smile, he leaned in a little bit to grant them an intimacy that was difficult to achieve in public places.] Why don't we up the stakes? Two truths, one lie.
Something tells me you don't need to be flattered. [Vala smirked as he leaned in, making a show of biting the corner of her lower lip at his suggestion.] Oh my, Nick. Getting awfully personal, aren't you?
[She lifted her chin, looking down at him thoughtfully with pursed lips.] All right. You go first.
Everyone needs to be flattered now and then. [He replied honestly, still leaning in toward her. His volume dropped in response to their lessened distance, still perfectly audible to the woman to whom he was speaking.] Are you afraid of getting personal?
[When she consented, another token smile appeared on his lips.] I've kissed a stranger on a street in Italy, I've stolen over a dozen cars in my lifetime, and I think you want to kiss me.
On the contrary, [she said, mouth curving upwards as she leaned in closer.] I love getting personal.
[She pursed her lips, wondering how the FBI agent had stolen cars. Vala wanted that one to be true.] I wouldn't want you comparing me to a stranger in Italy. [But she leaned closer again, before sliding back to move up the line.]
I love science, I think you think you're very suave, and I have very few issues with public displays of affection. [Or lust, really.]
[He was impressed by how smooth she was, but it only made him more worried about the kind of skills in the art of deception that she had. Neal also knew that flirting was one thing, but sleeping together took away all the mystery and he wasn't interested in a girlfriend; he still planned on getting back to Kate. But that was no reason he couldn't have fun and make friends.
In response to her remark about comparisons, he only gave a light shrug. After all, it was part of the game not to reveal the truth from the lies, but Neal suspected Vala would be better than the woman he had kissed in Budapest.]
I prefer my intimacy to remain intimate. [He stated as if it was a response on its own, then continued.] I love Saturday morning cartoons and I once sliced open my thumb carving my name into a tree.
[Vala pursed her lips, reaching for a plate as they got closer.] I adore Saturday morning cartoons, I think baboons are disgusting, and I was married, once.
[The latter she only offered to see if she could say it without wrinkling her nose at the thought. It was a success; she was very proud of herself.]
[Neal picked up his own plate as they continued down the line, giving her a little more space now as he offered the same wide smiles to the inmates serving the food as he had to her upon their meeting at first. That one was a little harder to pick out and he wondered if she really was the type to be married.]
I was a boy scout, I've flown a plane, and I've traveled to over twenty different countries.
[Neal followed suit as before, laughing a little at her latest trio. She certainly got points for creativity. He stepped around her in the line as they arrived at the drink selection, taking the lead. Once they were finished, he waited for her and then began navigating the dining hall to find them a place to sit that was relatively isolated.]
I've also sacrificed my hairdryer in order to save my friends.. [He purred.] ..I don't like guns, and I once had a pet dog named 'Titan'.
We clearly have a lot in common, [she said, following him with a smile in the corners of her mouth. Once they found a table, she sat down and started picking through her meal.]
Earth vegetables are incredibly odd, I think cranberries are the ninja of fruit, and I'll have to disagree with you on guns.
[Neal paid little attention to his food, only sneaking a bite between either of them speaking and keeping his eyes on hers the majority of the time.]
You seem to have strong opinions on food. [He teased, since it seemed most of her clues included some food preference or dislike.] Were you a chef?
[There was a short pause as he thought some more.] The FBI was the last place I thought I would end up, I don't like much dried fruit, and I always wanted a pet rat as a kid.
[Neal's smile persisted. It was becoming more and more difficult to remember everything and to endeavor to discern the truth from the lies. It wasn't as if this game was actually helping them to get to know each other. Not really.]
I'm running out of ideas. [He lied.] Why don't you tell me more about the Barge, if you still aren't interested in talking about yourself?
[She was taking that as an outright win, and grinned across the table at him, if briefly.] I suppose it's interesting, there's usually something happening. [She paused] Though the way most tell it, it's something awful. Apparently the Admiral never tells anyone that part.
[Neal didn't mind letting people win, because he wasn't losing if he chose how it ended.] How about something a little more intimate? I already got the brochure and the run down beyond that. It seems like hardly anyone is fond of this place, yet I know there's at least sixty people here.
Closer to a hundred, I think, [she said with a shrug, tapping one finger against her jaw idly.] And it seems like it's fairly normal for inmates to just disappear. My first one was only around a few days. She kept calling me Andrea.
Where do they go? Do wardens disappear as well? [Neal didn't know that the latter question would be answered for him not many days after this conversation. He still wore a hint of a smile, always a part of his expression.]
The name Andrea is a more modern alternate for Alexander. Maybe she considered you a conqueror.
[Vala shrugged, leaning back in her chair again.] I don't really know. She never came back. And I haven't exactly been keeping tabs on everyone. [She just. Hasn't cared that much. She pouted at the idea of Miranda thinking of her as a conqueror.]
I doubt that very much. [The pout faded into a smile.] Do you think I'm a conqueror, Nick?
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As they progressed to the line for their food, the inmate finally let his hand drop away from her back, still remaining beside her. His attention on her never wavered; he was doting, without being creepy.] I've never worked the same job for more than two years, my favorite hair color for women is red, and I really hope you can lie better than that.
[Of course, the last one was a lie, but he said it in that joking tone that suggested he could tell every lie that she'd spoken.]
I've been to several different planets, I spent some time as a nun, and I don't find you attractive in the slightest.
I traveled a lot myself; it's good to see other cultures. [He stated as absolute truth, because he was determined that she was not a nun and she did find him attractive. After another smile, he leaned in a little bit to grant them an intimacy that was difficult to achieve in public places.] Why don't we up the stakes? Two truths, one lie.
[She lifted her chin, looking down at him thoughtfully with pursed lips.] All right. You go first.
[When she consented, another token smile appeared on his lips.] I've kissed a stranger on a street in Italy, I've stolen over a dozen cars in my lifetime, and I think you want to kiss me.
[She pursed her lips, wondering how the FBI agent had stolen cars. Vala wanted that one to be true.] I wouldn't want you comparing me to a stranger in Italy. [But she leaned closer again, before sliding back to move up the line.]
I love science, I think you think you're very suave, and I have very few issues with public displays of affection. [Or lust, really.]
In response to her remark about comparisons, he only gave a light shrug. After all, it was part of the game not to reveal the truth from the lies, but Neal suspected Vala would be better than the woman he had kissed in Budapest.]
I prefer my intimacy to remain intimate. [He stated as if it was a response on its own, then continued.] I love Saturday morning cartoons and I once sliced open my thumb carving my name into a tree.
[The latter she only offered to see if she could say it without wrinkling her nose at the thought. It was a success; she was very proud of herself.]
I was a boy scout, I've flown a plane, and I've traveled to over twenty different countries.
I've never been to New York City, I love carrots, and I had to sacrifice my hair dryer in order to save my friends.
I've also sacrificed my hairdryer in order to save my friends.. [He purred.] ..I don't like guns, and I once had a pet dog named 'Titan'.
Earth vegetables are incredibly odd, I think cranberries are the ninja of fruit, and I'll have to disagree with you on guns.
You seem to have strong opinions on food. [He teased, since it seemed most of her clues included some food preference or dislike.] Were you a chef?
[There was a short pause as he thought some more.] The FBI was the last place I thought I would end up, I don't like much dried fruit, and I always wanted a pet rat as a kid.
I was a chef, I worked for a secret government organization, and I once lost my memory.
I'm running out of ideas. [He lied.] Why don't you tell me more about the Barge, if you still aren't interested in talking about yourself?
The name Andrea is a more modern alternate for Alexander. Maybe she considered you a conqueror.
I doubt that very much. [The pout faded into a smile.] Do you think I'm a conqueror, Nick?