[ Showcase #2 - July Flame - Backdated to the 4th - 75% Droned]

[viridian_knight]

[ A; Action | Morning ]

[Hal's luck has run out. Escaping with a partial droning, he nevertheless doesn't notice anything is amiss until he's breakfasted and on his way out the door to work. Strewn across the work bench in the garage are quite a number of Silver Age Green Lantern comic books - no doubt his son's work, the little scamp. It's

Comments

A - Good Morning, Neighbor! (50%) [Also a placeholder - AFK until later]

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa Cho is standing on her front porch, holding the morning paper and staring confusedly down the street. ]

[ A smile and a wave for the neighbor as he heads out in full uniform. Okay, so watching guys in uniform are a calming experience in any world... wait, that's not quite right. ]

[viridian_knight]

Hi, Ilsa! How's your Independence Day? [He can't say he's unused to wearing a uniform, one of many young men who proudly enlisted to serve his country during the war. Being in the Navy was one of his greatest accomplishments - he was on the USS Missouri when the Japanese surrendered.

...then why does he keep thinking of planes? Jet aircraft, fighter planes and not a body of water in sight, not unless spring rains flooded the desert lake. He served on a battleship, not a carrier, part of the fire suppression team.]

[ooeeooahah]

Oh, fine so far!

[ Her smile has a worried edge to it, but it's not that strong. ]

As sharp as that uniform looks, I can't help but think it's the wrong shade of blue...

[ Now that worried edge gets sharper... ]

But - the uniforms have always been navy blue...

[viridian_knight]

That's great!

[But then...]

Pardon?

[Hal looks down at himself, confused. It's a little dressy for summer, right, and also an important, patriotic holiday. He straightens his tie, checks to make sure his name badge is polished and the cuffs of his short sleeved dress shirt aren't turned up. Nope. Just as neat as the wife ironed them. It won't make a lick of difference once he's in turnout pants and coat on a job with a hose in hand, but he has to set the example.

Navy blue though...why does he remember another, different uniform? Not his Naval service uniform, but something related? A shade up and more modernized, with different bars, different insignias, a different rank, a different service...]

[ooeeooahah]

[ She tentatively reaches out to the rank tabs. ]

You ...

[ Small shake of her head and she smiles, withdrawing her hand. ]

You're part of the color guard presentation this afternoon?

[viridian_knight]

[Lieutenant? No, that wasn't right... Her touch seems to pull him from his reverie, and Hal smiles lightly.]

Not this year. I figured it was time to give some of the new blood a chance.

[ooeeooahah]

Besides showing them how to turn out for it?

I do hope this year is an easy one for both your crew and the emergency room.

[ Oh, that was definitely a flash of a fearful expression just then, but then it was replaced with a sunny smile. ]

I shouldn't keep you, then! Don't want to set a bad example by being late.

[viridian_knight]

[Hal's smile is cheery, sensibly modest.]

Now, they do just fine, most of the time. Maybe some extra help on occasion.

Thank you, Ilsa, I'll be sure to pass that onto the boys. We've got everything well in hand today. [Could he seriously be channeling Ward Cleaver anymore right now?]

[He laughs, a sound that seems frayed on the edges.]

When you're right, you're right. Give my regards to the rest of the family?

[ooeeooahah]

[ She raises her hand, awkwardly waving, before curling her hand closed against her shoulder, with an awkward and embarrassed look. ]

Yes, I will.