JULY PLANET MINGLE

[save_the_souls]

Who: YOU. ME. EVERYONE.
Broadcast: IF YOU WANT
Action: YEAH!!!!!
When: July!

[Congratulations to the crews that did not get themselves blown up! Welcome to the Blue Planet, a planet full of charming islands and even less charming weather patterns! Are you going to take the time to enjoy the beach? Help out with the local Nunnilis population? Get caught in a storm with another person and have a rating boosting sexual tension moment? The world's your oyster!]

[Yeah in other words: ITS A MINGLE GET IN HERE]

[July Planet Info!]

Comments

[stigmaofsuccess]

[Julian's pales skin has rosied up with some time in the sun, warming to its usual healthy, olive tan.

He startles slightly at Beverly's call but relaxes soon enough, smiling at her.]

Of course. You look quite beautiful, Dr Crusher.

[dancingmd]

Why, thank you! You're looking very handsome yourself... I'd say the fresh air and sunshine is doing us both a lot of good, wouldn't you? It's no Risa, but it's still beautiful here!

[stigmaofsuccess]

It's been ages since I was able to go to Risa... I think I was still dating Leeta then, actually.

[He's just grateful for sunlight.]

It's what I miss, living on a station. No daylight. Not like this. I don't miss getting sand stuck all over me, though, I have to admit.

[dancingmd]

Oh, come on, a little sand never hurt anyone. [She wiggles her toes in the sand for emphasis.] But I know what you mean... holodecks help, but it's just not the same as real sunshine. Being here hasn't been any better... the last stop with sunshine, I almost got eaten by a plant! Not exactly what you'd call relaxing.

[stigmaofsuccess]

... eaten by a plant.

[Not unheard of, but still, not a fun experience.]

The beach and sun seems to have done you a wonder.

[dancingmd]

It's my fault... they were sentient plants and I was trying to take samples before I realized that. So I don't blame them for attacking me! At least it all worked out in the end!

[Her face darkens for the briefest of moments, barely noticeable, and she gently rubs at the spot behind her ear where the augment is implanted.]

Yes, though I think my augment has more to do with it than anything. It's strange, I know I should be angry about it, but I simply can't be angry about anything right now. I haven't felt this good in well... a long time! And it's certainly an improvement over my last gltich!

[stigmaofsuccess]

... they glitch?

[Julian's look of horror says it all. He doesn't always trust his own mind, but he trusts his control over the more irrational and the worst of the impulsive bits. And now he's hearing that he can't trust that.]

[dancingmd]

[She may not be able to feel much anger right now, but she certainly still can feel compassion and sympathy. Maybe too much. Her smile falters at the look on his face and she barely resists hugging him again. Fortunately, she didn't get the impulsive glitch alongside this one.]

Yes, they can. As a way to provoke... certain reactions from us.

[Like, you know, admitting your feelings for your captain. To Hawke. Who you thought was Picard. But Julian doesn't need to know all that.]

They never last for long though!

[stigmaofsuccess]

[Julian doesn't have a panic attack. He doesn't have a panic attack, because he can control his reactions very, very well.]

They can... can they make us do things? I've had my body hijacked before, I don't, I mean, I can't do that again.

[dancingmd]

[At this, Beverly is having a massive internal struggle and it shows on her face quite clearly, in the way her brow furrows and in how she looks away from Julian for a minute. Intellectually, she knows how she should react to this, how she normally would react – after all, nothing is wrong with her memories, of Atroma or Ronin or Locutus – but emotionally, she’s hampered by her glitch-induced relentless optimism. Turning to face him again, she very earnestly takes his hands in hers.]

Julian…I’m sorry. I’m sorry I can’t properly… I know this is frightening for you. I remember. Even before coming here, an alien entity once used me, lived off my life forces and made me do things I would have never considered doing, all to serve his purposes…

[Oh, she really doesn’t want to be thinking about distressing things right now! But she forges on.]

Just know that however long we’re both here, I’m not going to let you go through anything like that alone, alright?

[stigmaofsuccess]

It was several years ago, and he went through all the required counselling afterward, but Julian's never forgotten what was done to him, his brain slowly being over written by someone else.]

You're having trouble focusing on anything but being happy. It's all right. I'm... glad it's working in your favour, somewhat.

[He squeezes her hand tightly, looking like he might be on the verge of hugging her again, but once since meeting her feels excessive already. Maybe in a year or so...]

Thank you. It helps.

[dancingmd]

[Relieved by his understanding and happy she could still help reassure him, her smile comes back full force. And clearly, she does not have the same definition of "excessive" as Julian does, because she can no longer resist giving him a hug. A nice big one with unabashed enthusiasm. Just be glad you're not getting kissed on the cheek here too, Julian.]

I have told you how happy I am that you're here, haven't I?

[stigmaofsuccess]

[Well... since she started this hugging thing, it would be ungentlemanly not to return it and so he does, hugging her back firm and tight. He's warm from being out in the sun, but Beverly's hugs seem to have the magic power to get rid of that cold in his bones.]

Yes, you have. Though not in the last two weeks.

[dancingmd]

[Laughing, she pulls away, albeit with reluctance. The hug was a very good one: it's nice to be hugging out of happiness rather than distress or relief for once.]

Oh no! Well, I wouldn't want you to forget!

[In order to satisfy her need for more physical contact without overwhelming poor Julian, she loops her arm through one of his.]

We should do something fun today!

[stigmaofsuccess]

[And Julian lets her go, but doesn't shy back, manages something like normal.

The arm through his isn't too much to deal with. In fact, he's almost used to this.]

Fun like what? I've mostly been relaxing and enjoying some swimming and sun. There's some beautiful ecology in these waters, I imagine it gets more spectacular, the deeper you go.

[dancingmd]

[Beverly waves her free hand excitedly at him.]

Oooh that's right! The shuttles can go underwater! We should go exploring!

[stigmaofsuccess]

... yes. We should.

[Because you only live once and he wants to do something fun.]

[dancingmd]

Your shuttle or mine?

[stigmaofsuccess]

Yours. I don't know my crew very well, still.

[dancingmd]

Great!

[And lo, via the magic of television editing they are now on one of the Blue Fish's shuttles with Beverly at the helm. Hovering the ship just over the water, she looks over at Julian with a grin.]

Ready?

[stigmaofsuccess]

[Julian is very comfortable either piloting or co-piloting.]

Always, Doctor Crusher.

[dancingmd]

[With a press of a button here and the flick of a switch there, Beverly lowers the the shuttle down into the ocean. For a minute or so, their view is clouded by the turbulence in the water as they descend, but once everything clears, they'll find themselves hovering above a giant coral reef, all purples and pinks and yellows, with equally colorful fish darting in and out of the nooks and crannies. Beverly doesn't say anything right away, just tries to soak it all in, not entirely sure what to focus on first. When she finally does speak, her voice is soft and low, almost as if she's worried she might scare one of the animals away, despite the fact that there's no way they could hear her.]

Oh, it's beautiful!