cuddlecity | Gamora | MCU

Entry tags:

Gamora | MCU | OTA

CHARACTERS: Gamora & YOU!
LOCATIONS: best friends rescue, b-sides, shooting range, good times, etc
WARNINGS: none yet
SUMMARY: catch-all for gamora and anyone that wants to meet/speak to her

Gamora was becoming more comfortable with life in Cadelle even if not everyone was particularly comfortable with her. She was still the only one that she was aware of that didn't look immediately Terran and was clearly from somewhere else. It's why she valued the friendships she had.

And the dog that Baby kept at B-Sides just had her thinking more and more about getting her own pet. For a couple of weeks she was one of those annoying people that kept visiting Best Friends Rescue and looking like she wanted to adopt a pet of some variety, but never quite able to decide what. A dog reminded her of Quill (it was a compliment, wasn't it?). A cat seemed more independent like her. They didn't offer up raccoons like Rocket, or little baby trees like Groot. Nothing was like Drax. Not that she should have been trying to recreate her crew with animals.

She had finally discovered the gun range as well, though the guns here seemed primitive compared to the weapons she was used to wielding. It also seemed safer to practice under a controlled environment rather than her apartment or anywhere else.

And then there were nights when sitting around reading up on Earth's history wasn't going to cut it, and she ventured out to the pubs and clubs, but her personal favourite was Good Times where they played the music she had decided was her favourite - nothing new, all the classics - and she could disguise her like of dancing by wearing roller skates and getting as lost in a crowd as a green-skinned alien could.

[ as always feel free to write your own starter with where you want to run into gamora, or hit me up

kindofabigdeal or pm. ]

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A game?

[ Gamora stood from where she'd been finishing up a display of CDs, head tilted as she admired her handiwork. So maybe she still didn't quite get the appeal of Taylor Swift, but it seemed popular with some of the citizens. The Fleetwood Mac t-shirt that she wore still spoke of her musical allegiance being to the period of artists that Quill had introduced her to. Though between Magnus and Baby she couldn't exactly say she wasn't getting a full education.

She also appreciated the fact that her co-worker didn't always need to talk, but now he had chosen to break the companionable silence, she gave a nod to her display before turning to face him and give Baby her full attention. ]

What kind of game?

[ Pulling out from the back room, Baby strolled through the main space until he got to the till, jumping up to sit on the counter next to it, feet swishing but never banging against the wood panel. He leans in, elbows on his knees, and smiles. ]

Two truths and a lie. You ever played it? Self-explanatory. You tell to truths about yourself, and a lie, and I have to guess which one is the lie. You game?

[ Gamora shifted to lean back against one of the displays, legs crossed at the annkles as she tried not to also cross her arms and seem completely closed off to the idea.

She wasn't. She just tended to be careful about what people learned about her. Though Baby was a lot like Magnus in that Gamora knew he wasn't a threat. He was just pleasant to be around - in that not talkative way. ]

You would also tell two truths and a lie? So we'd take turns?

[ She went quiet again, before finally giving a nod. ]

Yes, I'm game. I have an adopted sister. I have cybernetic enhancements. I can cook.

Yeah, we take turns.

[ He was also quite wary about what people knew about him. Even here, where he knew it would not have an impact on his reality back home. He was just scared of what people would think if they knew what he really was.

He gave her a critical look, pursing his lips. ]

You don't look like you've got any robot parts.

Is there a winner? Or do we just stop when we've had enough?

[ Or a truth that's too personal gets revealed and one of them no doubt walks off. There were plenty of secrets for her to perhaps reveal, but it seemed harder to speak them in a city like this.

She couldn't help the smile that automatically happened at his response. ]

I'll take the compliment, but it's true.

[ He shrugs. He thinks it might be a drinking game, back home, but it's not like he was invited to many house parties when he was at school. ]

I think we just stop when we want. So... you can't cook? Because if you can't I can teach you some easy stuff, if you want. Have you ever had meatloaf?

[ He rubs his hands over his thighs, thinking of what to say. ]

Okay, my turn. I was in the foster care system for a while. I knew how to drive before I knew how to read. I collect iPods.

What's a meatloaf? [ It rang a bell, but she had a feeling it was because of some CDs she'd been putting away earlier. An album to do with bats. ] But no, I can't cook. I've spent my life on ships. There's not always good kitchens, or food options.

[ Gamora was quiet as she considered him and his possible truths. He had at least made sure she knew what an iPod was by now. It was like Quill's Zune from Yondu. ]

Why would you need more than one iPod? Is that the lie?

[ Great singer. Not what he meant. ] Meatloaf is this dish that's like - meat, in a loaf. It's the kind of thing you've got to try out for yourself, though. I'll bring you some, we can make it a lunch.

[ He smiles. There's a part of him that feels in a pink and glittery mood, right now. ]

Because each iPod contains different music, different playlists. It's like taking a look into people's inner selves. And no, it's not the lie. I have over 60 iPods, spanning all generations.

[ It didn't sound particularly appetising to Gamora but then she wasn't the last to judge something on appearance. ] Thank you, I'd appreciate that. I would cook you something in return. I don't know that s'mores would keep long enough.

[ Gamora gave a small shake of her head, her smile slightly crooked. It almost sounded like the kind of reason Peter would have used had he been able to steal such things. ]

Sixty? That's a lot of iPods for you to listen to, Baby. Have you ever not liked someone's... inner self? Is the foster care thing a lie?

S'mores would keep long enough because I'd eat them before they have a chance to go bad.

[ He grins, childlike and amused. ]

It is a lot, yeah. I've started my collection a while ago, so I've had time to grow it.

[ Aka, steal them for all these cars he's also stolen. But he doesn't need to say that.

He thinks of Bats. He's pretty sure he's the only person Baby has ever truly hated. ]

I've always found things to like. Someone's music collection is rarely very homogeneous, and there are always gems to find there. Just like we all have secrets.

[ He shakes his head. ]

No, not a lie. I was in foster care for a couple years before Joe adopted me.

Then I can make s'mores. Kara showed me how.

[ The grin was infectious and Gamora found herself giving in with a slight shake of her head. What was it about Terrans and s'mores and it bringing out their inner child? ]

No wonder you know so much about music. I feel as if at the moment I keep liking the same era of music. Maybe not the same bands.

[ It probably shouldn't have been a surprise since it was the era that Quill had introduced her to. It was always going to hold particular sway over her. ]

So the driving is the lie. When did you learn to drive?

Another thing I can help you with, if you want. This place has everything, it'll be easier to have you listen to more stuff. You might always go back to your favorites, though. Like, me? I tend to gravitate back towards Motown on the regular.

[ He smiles. ]

I started driving when I was around 10, but wouldn't say I properly knew how to until I was 13. [ Which is when his life went straight to crime. ]

I learned to read when I was 4.

Motown? [ That was one that Gamora had definitely not listened to yet. She huffed out a laugh before pointing in the direction of one particular set of racks. ] As long as it's nothing like electronica. I can't stand the idea of listening to more of that.

[ Which was her way of accepting his offer. She wanted all the help she could get when it came to music. Magnus fostered her love of the earlier decades of rock with stories of the musicians. Baby would obviously be helpful when it came to everything else. ]

That still seems very early, but then Quill was flying his ship from around the same age. [ And he had also gone straight into a life of crime after being picked up by Yondu and the Ravagers. ]

[ Jumping off the counter, Baby went around it to the stereo system set up for the shop, going through the cds lined up next to it until he found what he was looking for. A few minutes later, a song started playlist, Baby immediately dancing along to it. ]

Motown comes in a number of ranges, but it's all mostly associated with soul music.

[ He continues dancing to the song, feet shuffling on the hardwood floors of the shop, as he gives Gamora a bug smile. ]

It is very young - where I'm from, you usually start learning at 16.

[ if she's so inclined, she should join in him on the dancing, really. Meanwhile: ] Do you want to give me another set of truths and a lie?

Oh! I know this one! [ Gamora's grin was wide and full of pure happiness as she heard the Jackson 5. ] I didn't realise they were motown.

[ She started to sway to it a little bit, her grin not diminishing as she pictured baby Groot also dancing. She missed her friends dearly, but this song brought happy memories. ]

So you must enjoy it.

[ Gamora had seen cars, even understood them to a point. But mostly she had no urge to drive.

She continued to sway, eventually moving into a proper dance. It wasn't as if she needed to hide it from Baby. Most of the time it was just the two of them in the store. ]

I've been to prison. I know of a talking duck. Peter's dad is David Hasselhoff.

[ He nods, sliding on the floor along with the music, enjoying himself in a moment of peace and quiet in the store. ]

Yeah, I do. It's my thing. I'm really, really good at it. You've ever drive?

[ At the next three, Baby squints, looking straight at Gamora. She has the best poker face he's seen in a long time, and that's saying something, considering he's been working with criminals for years.

Process of elimination. ]

Okay, as much as the duck thing seems unbelievable, David Hasselhoff is even less believable. Sorry, I call shenanigans on this one.

[ Baby was no slouch either, she certainly hadn't guessed his first lie very well.

She came over to him and took his hand to spin around, also choosing to take advantage of the fact that it was just the two of them in the store. ]

Only ships, I've never seen a car like the ones you drive.

[ And then she paused for a moment before smiling. ]

I'm guessing you have the benefit of knowing who that is. You are correct, David Hasselhoff was not his father. A celestial was... a god, of sorts.

[ Baby gives a little fistbump of triumph as she admits he's correct, looking up at the ceiling. ]

I guess I do have that advantage. Also, if you ever want to learn how to drive, I've been told I'm a pretty good teacher.

[ He twirls with the music, stopping on a beat, before considering what he's going to say. ]

Okay, my turn, let's see... I have tinnitus, I can speak in American Sign Language, and I really hate cinnamon.

I might take you up on it. If I'm here for a while, I certainly have the time to learn.

[ Gamora was still catching up on what something Terran things were she let out a frustrated noise before giving a shake of head. ]

What's tinnitus, and sign language?

Yeah, and honestly, it's easy. The hard part is learning to anticipate other people on the road, but that comes with practice.

[ Baby steps closer to Gamora, and then signs:

tinnitus is a problem with my ears, before he grins ad lets out a chuckle. ]

Sorry, I gave myself away here. Sign language is what it says on the tin - a language made of signs that people who have issues with spoken language use. As for tinnitus, it's this hearing condition. It's like a buzzing in your ears, all the time.

Oh, then it's like anything in life. You always have to try and anticipate what someone else is going to do.

[ She watched closely, the movement of his hands completely lost on her, but she could understand the use of the signing in context.

And then she smiled a little. ]

I guess so, but I had to ask. It's very clever to use hands to speak. Most I know would just have some kind of implant, or upgrade. It seems strange that you would have buzzing in your ears but listen to so much music... Is that the lie?

Guess so, yeah. If you're used to piloting anyway, I can't imagine it'll require different reflexes.

[ His smile turns crooked. ]

We have some technology, back home, for implants to help people hear, but it's very expensive. Easier to learn ASL when you're like my foster dad, and a bit broke, with no health insurance.

[ Shrug. ]

And no, that's a truth. I listen to music to drown out the buzzing. If I let it take over, it can paralyze me, sometimes. It's the only thing I'll hear, and it drives me a little crazy. So I listen to music, and it gives me a beat that I live to.

I'm assuming that there won't be asteroid fields to navigate on the road.

[ It was a kind of joke. Gamora couldn't really help it. The difference between driving on a road and piloting a ship still seemed somewhat significant to her. ]

Just when I think I have you figured out. You're quite a special person, Baby.

[ She never would have guessed about the buzzing. She certainly had thought his obsession over music was purely emotional, but she was wrong, and she was happy to be wrong. ]

I don't think there's anyone quite like you.

[ Baby grins crookedly in answer. He takes that it's a joke, at least. ]

Just other people. They can be hard to predict, though.

[ He can't help looking away when she says he's special, unique, his smile turning a little embarrassed. He's not exactly used to compliments - he prefers to dish them out, when it's not about his driving. Driving is the one thing he knows he's exceptional at, and compliments about it has just become background noise. But everything else...

Still weird to hear. ]

I don't know about that...

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Gamora | MCU | OTA

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