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[He can't see it, but... it makes her smile far too brightly.]

Well, aren't you just the charmer? I didn't know you had it in you. But I think you should take off those rose-coloured glasses before someone suspects your cynicism is all an act.

Thank you. [That awkward moment when she actually doesn't know what to say, so she just... does what a normal person would do and thanks him.] He is. [And he deserves so much better, but she's afraid if she says it out loud, it might ruin what she has with Cisco...]

Oh? Do I know this person? We really must meet.

I wouldn't be confident enough to bet on it if I were you, but there's always hope, I'm sure. ;)

Or we can just wait five, perhaps ten minutes? I'm sure I'll have something bitter and pessimistic to say about the general state of things by then.

[Because it is most certainly not an act--Rip's view of the world and the people in it are simply that: his view. There is good in Lisa, in her brother, even in Mr. Rory (albeit in somewhat limited amounts). There is even arguably good in Rip, though it might be lost in the pragmatism and large picture he has to take of things.

Hence the cynicism.

The talk of Cisco is answered simply, and Rip opts to leave it be. That Lisa chooses to restrain herself to few words is telling all on its own. Rip has seen her vulnerable, more than once now. It's far easier for her to tease him than expand on her thoughts regarding someone whom Rip suspects she holds quite dear indeed.]

As Wonderland remains in tact, I suspect you might not know her, no. [Notice also that Rip also isn't giving out the name of said person.] Nor am I in agreement that the pair of you meeting will end in anything good.

[Considering how Leonard and Mick had both leapt upon Kenzi's insinuations, how could it if Lisa were given opportunity to do the same.]

Oh, you sound quite confident indeed. [Though certainly not of Rip's chances.] Is it too much to ask that I be granted this one illusion?

[Really, Rip has experienced enough of Mick's brand of "fondness" while they were children to last him a lifetime.]

And there's the Rip I've come to know.

You realise that just makes me more curious, right? Maybe I'll just post a network question asking who agrees with me that you should be an exotic dancer with that name and see who bites. You have your work cut out for you if you're going to play keep-away with a Snart. [It's moooooostly kidding about being that persistent. Then again, maybe she will just to ruffle his feathers a bit. Keep him on his toes.]

Okay, fine. Yes, Mick has totally grown up into an entirely adult and responsible person who would never dream of noogieing you. You are completely safe.

Always happy to please.

[Oh, but the rest--dear God, the rest. Lisa isn't at all wrong with her conclusion, and Rip can immediately see the impossible situation he's been put in. Calling her bluff--if it is in fact a bluff, which it might not be--only assures Lisa will post on the network, merely to prove him wrong.

If she listens closely, Lisa might actually be able to hear his sigh from across the hall.]

Kenzi Malikov--since you threatened so politely. [Either way, Rip suspects he's rather doomed.

At least there is some measure of kindness, although Rip suspects Lisa hadn't been able to type it with a straight face.]

See? Now was that so terribly hard?

I'm sure you are. ;D [She will never NOT play-flirt with you, Rip.

She doesn't actually have to listen that closely. She just knows it's there. She'd feel bad if she were someone more empathic. But she's not, so she just finds it hilarious.]

That takes all the fun out of it.

[His suspicions would be correct in that.]

Since you asked, yes, it was very hard to type through my laughter as I formed that sentence in my head. But if it's what you needed to hear, I am happy to provide.

I suspect you and Kenzi will find a way to make up for any lack of fun once the pair of you meet.

[Particularly given that they both seem to have a talent for making everything come off as something torrid, or to assign implications that Rip certainly didn't mean to his words. At least he can mostly take it in stride by this point?

(Or perhaps he's merely helped by the fact that they are texting, and Lisa isn't there to see him hang his head for those brief moments).]

If nothing else, you were at least entertained. As for me, I'm increasingly losing hope of preserving any shred of dignity I might have yet remaining.

And the day started off so well too.

I'm sure we will if your sudden doom and gloom demeanour is anything to go by.

[Learn to not be an easy target, Rip. Maybe then they'll leave him alone... or not. But it might keep from attracting more of their type.]

Because you can't see or hear it, I'd like you to know I'm rolling my eyes at you right now. You lived on a ship with Mick and my brother. I didn't know you had any dignity left to lose.

In the effort of living up to the imaginary "redeemable qualities" you seem to see in me, let's go get a drink and medicate your dignity with some alcohol.

The conversations that resulted after Kenzi heard my name resulted in Mick deciding my ship should be renamed the “Gayrider” and converted into a cruise vessel.

[Which yes, had been by and large offered up to rile Rip—and coincidentally, by and large successful in those efforts.

A confession which might put the question of his dignity into further doubt.]

Certainly some shred of it remains somewhere—which is in no way, shape, or form intended as a challenge, Lisa. [He knows her family, and Rip’s gotten a better idea of her during the months they’ve been acquainted. Rip hardly wants to give her the “goal” of convincing him that his pride has truly been shattered beyond repair, thank you very much.]

I will, however, be happy to share a drink with you. Give me a few minutes and I’ll meet you outside of your room?

[Rip, can you hear her crack up across the hall? Gayrider... Yeah. She really needs to meet this girl.]

Well, Captain of a cruise ship might be a safer career option and you wouldn't have to change anything about your lifestyle.

Should I be concerned over the fact that you know me so well? Or is it just because of your dealings with my brother and Mick that you know to clarify what is or isn't a challenge?

[Whatever the case may be, she's still amused by it.]

Sounds like a plan.

[When Rip is finally ready, he'll step out his door to find Lisa leaning against her door, leather-clad as usual. She didn't leave her gun behind, but it was nothing to do with Rip. It was habit at this point.]

So, you're telling me if I need to hire a gay stripper for Lenny's birthday party, you're not the guy for the job? [Just a playful jab in the spirit of... being a Snart.]

[He can in fact hear her laughing, yes. It's all the more reason not to justify the commentary with a response, particularly as he is getting his coat and about to speak to her in person anyway. He doesn't need too long before he meets her in the hall. Like Lisa, Rip is similarly armed, his revolver tucked away in the holster at his side.

Considering what tends to happen in Wonderland, Rip considers it a smart habit to keep.]

I don't know if it's something to be concerned over, but I can assure you: the clarification had nothing to do with your brother or Mr. Rory.

[No, Lisa had earned that consideration all on her own, thank you very much. And if she has any doubts, her next question makes Rip stop in his tracks, his eyes wide for a moment as he stares at her, sputtering to try and figure out what to say.]

--Oh bloody hell. [Seems as good a place to start as any.] Yes. That would be entirely correct, on every count. [Rip is neither gay, a stripper, nor interested in taking his clothes off for Leonard Snart's entertainment. So glad they've gotten that cleared up.]

But just so I can be prepared, are you going to continue asking me questions along these sort of lines the whole time we're out? I'd like to know how much alcohol I might need to brace myself with.

[Please stop now, Lisa.]

[Rip's reaction was pure gold. And Lisa Snart knows gold when she sees it. So it wasn't a surprise when she is caught by a sudden and genuine bout of laughter. He'd been growing immune to her flustering charm lately, and it seems her decision to turn up the volume of it was the right way to go about ripping the rug out from under him.]

I guess I can behave myself just this once for the sake of your liver. Besides, I think that moment where your uptight, British brain stalled and had to reboot will sustain me for a while.

[The grin she offers up next is playful as she starts down the hallway past him.] And as much as it might be amusing to tell Leonard I had to carry you home after drinking you under the table, it wouldn't help to preserve your dignity any and that's what we're setting out to do.

[Well at least one of them enjoys it; Rip, for his part, scowls a bit when Lisa lets out that giddy laughter. Unfortunately for him, there’s just enough warmth in his eyes to betray the fact that he isn’t truly mad at her delight. If anything, it is good to hear her laugh so freely, when over the course of the last several days, Lisa had been forced to endure the fear and sorrow she experienced as a child.

Still. He would prefer if it weren’t entirely at his expense. For the record.]

You behaving yourself; now that I’ll have to see to believe. [She is a Snart, and back to her rightful self at that. Somehow Rip suspects this won’t be the last time she leaves him flustered before the night is out—but she does offer him at least a touch of hope. It’s generous, really.

So much that he’s a bit tempted to roll his eyes.

When she starts to walk Rip is quick to follow after, catching up to walk beside her after a few harried steps.] Right, well. Fortunately for me I’m actually good when it comes to pacing myself. [And at holding his liquor; Rip’s got a surprising tolerance given his lanky frame, but he thinks it something better left unsaid. What he doesn’t need is a Lisa Snart determined to see just what it takes to get Rip well and truly plastered, and not just for the sake of his dignity.

No one enjoys a hangover, after all.]

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