[o] [SE] longneck, ice cold beer never broke my heart

Iskra

BREATHE IT IN, IT'S JUST SNOW, WE'RE JUST FALLING
WE WON'T ALWAYS FREE FALL BACK TO NOTHING

"Damn," he snapped his fingers with the word, a streak of disappointment there before it dissolved as she laughed. The sound wrapped delightfully around his head, falling in place alongside the warm hum of liquor. "I'll hold you to that," he fired back, grinning so wide his eyes echoed it. Having a friend of his own in town was a great addition to his social circle, which thus far had comprised mainly of Goose and Deimos when at Halo, and neither had too much to say.

He could see her settle down for another story, of sorts, so he leaned back in on his elbows, tracing each word as it parted her lips. She spoke clearly, and he could see the beat of her knowledge in the choice way she selected certain words. More than that though, an excitement entered her voice, a different kind than had been there in the retelling of her story. This was her, fascinated and fastidious, detailed and devoted. It was nice to see someone so, alive.

Having slumped back down to doze as they had chatted, Goose perked up at his name. He shuffled back to a sit, huffing softly to get their attention as he yawned. "Yeah, but Goose is a lot smarter than a viper," Iskra argued, not at all bored by her fascinating explanations and the implications of them. Hardly studious, he was not opposed to learning, or at least, standing up for Goose. "Nonononono," Iskra interjected as she caught herself, embarrassment blooming. He'd hate for her to feel that way on his behalf, especially when he wasn't bothered in the slightest. He reached over the table, gesturing with his words, animated with the dismay of robbing her of any of her joy. "Don't stop, I know you had more to say, let's hear it!"

I'M JUST STARTING TO LEARN
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CHASING GHOSTS