co_pilot | (no subject)

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The next leg of their tour is the European section - there aren't as many cities that were directly affected by the kaiju here, though the people seem no less effusive in their enthusiasm. Mako is at an equal disadvantage when it comes to the talk shows - her languages are better, perhaps, than Raleigh's, but she doesn't possess complete fluency in this particular part of the world.

The interviews are fairly easy to get through, though they always manage to end up fielding some question about the two of them.

("Mr. Becket, Ms. Mori, can you talk to me about the status of your relationship?")

Too many shared glances, too many moments alone; people don't want to talk about the losses of the past. They want gossip, sensational news. It's enough to make her want to scream, or tear her hair out in frustration.

She settles for the next best thing - the exercise room of the hotel they're staying in is empty at night, and there's enough space for her to wind through the movements that calm her.

She doesn't need to watch her form in the mirrors around the room; she merely closes her eyes, focuses on her breathing - and lets the stress slip away.

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She doesn't need to watch her form because her form very rarely ever falters. It's a thing Raleigh notices. Even when she deviates from anything, you get the idea that she is changing it up for a reason - you're just not aware of what it is.

"Knock knock."

Rule number whatever: Don't sneak up on people.

She swivels around slowly, her breathing measured, eyes blinking open to bring the room back into focus.

"Can't sleep?"

Raleigh shakes his hand around his temple. "I think I've got a time-zone issue still."

("Mr. Becket, Ms. Mori, can you talk to me about the status of your relationship?")

"When my eyes close I see teleprompters."

She smiles, hands falling to rest at her sides as she straightens her body. Her shoulders are more relaxed, not as tensed as before.

(And here she'd almost considered indulging in some of the spa services the hotel has to offer. Including a massage.)

"And when they open?"

"Hotel-beige walls. Kind of boring. So I decided to come and find you. Hope you don't mind."

Raleigh isn't actually too interested in exercising, even though he is dressed for it. (Wasn't going to wander around in his pajamas.)

Most of the time, her pajamas and exercise gear are almost indistinguishable.

She crosses the room to him, bare feet silent on the mats.

"Was there something you wanted to do?"

"I might get on the treadmill in a little while, but right now?" Just a shrug as response.

("Ms. Mori and I are Jaeger pilots, and Drift-compatible. That is the status.")

"Do you remember what's on the docket for tomorrow?"

She glances off to the side, recalling.

"Oh. Well, we get to meet the committee originally responsible for decommissioning the Jaeger program," she says, with a small hint of annoyance.

"Oh. Goody."

Raleigh's hint of annoyance is much larger in scope.

"I suppose it wouldn't be good PR for me to punch one."

"So I would not be allowed to hold one down while you did?"

Her lips quirk into a grin.

"It would make for awesome TV."

Rsleigh sits down on the mat, crossing his legs and patting the space next to him.

"Better ratings."

She settles into the spot closest with her legs crossed similarly, back straight.

"How many times do you think they are going to ask what it's like to be in the Drift?"

"About as many times as they're going to ask if we're etchi suru."

In her brief temper flare, the phrase slips out through slightly gritted teeth.

"My slang sucks, but I understood that. I'm impressed."

She leans forward, bracing her forearms on her thighs, and hides her face with both hands, masking the smile beneath.

"Hey now. Don't pretend like that's a bad thing," he remarks while pulling gingerly at a lock of Mako's hair.

"Do you want me to start making up stories when we have to talk to strangers? I can tell them I'm your new indentured servant."

She playfully swats his hand away, lifting her head.

"We could make a game out of it. Tell them a different story each time."

"It would at least be diverting."

("But Mr. Becket - there are no more Jaegers. Will you and Ms. Mori even work together again after this?")

"When's the last time you had a date?"

"And drive the press crazy. They would hate to have anything less than the truth."

Her head jerks up at the question.

"A what?"

"Well that's an answer."

"I suppose it would've been obvious," she answers, glancing at her hands.

What about Mako is obvious?

"Maybe they keep asking you that stuff because you have admirers."

"I think more people would be disappointed if you were spoken for."

Raleigh's head falls back against the wall.

"You're only saying that because of that crazy woman in Tahiti. How many times did she ask to marry me? 7? 8?"