driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: Riley Matthews & Yooou
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Huntress...?!
When: Following the shuffle

[ACTION]

[HELLO, HUNTRESS. There's a not so tiny child trying to sneak onto your ship, which might not be so easy. Given that she's in a deep purple magical girl outfit and isn't very good at darting around sneakily at all. And she might be taking the time to decorate the ship with tiny handmade cut-outs of animals and little phrases about smiling and doing your best. And just smiley faces.

So the truth is she's really bad at this hiding thing, but she's definitely going to go hide in the room that says 'RILEY MATTHEWS' on the door and pops in and out from there.]

[VIDEO]

[A little while later and after more than a little bit of uncertainty, she decides to do broadcast.]

Hi. I arrived here a few weeks ago and I haven't really said anything yet. Sorry. I wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the time to help me. And to the Paisley, too, for being really nice to me. So, thank you.

I know there's a lot of other things going on, but I thought that was important.

It's nice to meet you. I'm Riley Matthews. [She pauses briefly to let out a breath.] Or I'm Rainbow Lark. Both names are important, so I don't mind either. Whatever name you call me, I want to help. Riley and Lark would like to. I don't have magic and I'm not really good at anything, but that's not important.

At least. That's what I've been told. So the only thing I can really do is be there for people. Which isn't that helpful against weird alien things, I know, but maybe a little bit of normal is okay to.

So. Hi. Again. I'm Riley. Or Lark. And I really look forward to being able to learn from everyone. I've learned a lot recently, and I want to learn more.

...And thanks.

[Again! But she seems very awkward and shy and not sure what she's wanting to say. Maybe what little she did say was too much, or maybe it wasn't. But it's enough for her so she smiles and waves and stops it there. Because she can't fight against anything out there and she knows that, but maybe that's okay here, too.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He just gives a knowing dad smile, thinking he knows the extent of Riley's troubles. It must be scary and alone being in space like this. But now they have each other, so it can't be that bad?

He was waiting for the chance to hug, so he keeps his arms spread as she approaches.]

That's it. Bring it home! [He says that a little softly and he wraps his arms around her. Don't worry, dad's got your back here in outer space.]

[ Space was lonely, it's true, but not for the reasons it should be. It's lonely because she's gotten used to being around a group of people and while those on Paisley were nice it's not the same. It's not the same as groups that were her family or became her family. And it was scary only in the sense that it wasn't with them. She's faced scarier now, and that's probably the part that scares her most. It's the part that makes her worried that she'd see everyone again and they wouldn't like her because she's not Riley anymore. Not the one they know, anyway.

And she's not sure that Riley exists-- as much as she tries. It may have been a short time, truly, but... Well, being turned into a monster and knowing people you loved died isn't easy.

His words aren't comforting it seems to ring of a time far away and something she only just remembers enough of. But his arms are the comfort and knowing he's real. And maybe for now the scary things were all over. Maybe, maybe, maybe. That was her hope, and it wasn't something she'd given up on.

But she can't verbalize any of that, so for now she just hugs him forever. ]

[He'll keep holding onto her for as long as she needs. Something does seem different about the hug. Is it just from being in space for so long? Or maybe the gravity's different. Is this what a space hug is like?

Cory will worry, but he won't complain. He needs a hug, too, for less severe reasons. Being suddenly stuck in this strange and unfamiliar place, having someone familiar up close and in his arms is very reassuring. Eventually, he gives a little smile.]

Whoa, you've gotten better at this. My daughter, hugging like a pro! [Only a Matthews appraises hugging technique.]

Heeeey, I've always been good at hugging people.

[ It's the first time she's said anything in a few minutes and it's with it that she kind of takes a step or two back. He's real. That was important. And it didn't feel like a game. Even if part of her remembered back to the game about fears and everyone leaving. He was here, that's all that mattered right now. ]

You've just gotten worse at them.

[ It's... It's teasing at least???? ]

[Wow. He makes an offended face, but it's a sarcastic one.]

Hey... Them's fighting words, Missy.

That hug was definitely even better than usual. You know, if you've been cheating, they're gonna kick you out of the National Hugging Leagues.

I don't see how it is I'm supposed to be cheating.

...I'm not sure, either. You know how jokes get away from Daddy sometimes? Nevermind. It's good to have you on board.

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