driftfleet | Let's go sunning

[Whatever solemnity Diamond had managed to affect in Atroma's last broadcast, it's all gone now. After the little jingle announces her presence, her voice rings out from every speaker with bright exuberance.]

Good morning, dear passengers! It looks like you're all enjoying summer as much as we are, hmm? All that beautiful weather, and... goodness... your summer outfits have kept us all talking. Ratings have been quite good.

[A sigh that definitely sounds on the dreamy, pleased side of things.]

As far as the Shuffle goes, it seems that faces are coming and going at a lazy summertime pace. We've lost one captain this week, but Captain Terran is taking over the helm.

And since there is nothing else to report-- [Because why would she comment on any of the serious topics going on] --it's time for a little fan mail! With children all home from school, summer is our busiest time for letters.

[To prove that there is a letter to read, the sound of unfolding paper crinkles somewhere very close to the microphone.]

"Dear Drift Fleet, I love the show! My favorite ships are the Bishop and the Golden! I hope someone from those crews win at the end. I wanted to know, if the ships were people, what would each one be like? Which ones would get along and which ones would fight? Who would have crushes on each other?"

--Goodness! What a fascinating question. This sounds like one for you to answer, dear passengers. Please, tell us your thoughts!

Remember, the worlds are watching!

[And with that, the signal goes quiet, but the line is left open. Sounds like they're waiting for a response.]

ooc: → here

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nopony said anything about,,. boot licking. But it doesn't hurt to be congenieal.

[Well, that's not right. He friwns a little.]

I like you, you haven't tried to murder me and you haven't punched anyone on the ship that I know of. I wouldn't say those are the actions of somepony that's inherently unlikeable.

[Belth blinks once, twice, and then he pinkens more. His ears pin flat against his hair and he looks away.]

No! I am totally, completely unlikable. I am incredibly poor and I have all of one set of robes and I read all day because people are loud and noisy, and I do not have-- I have only one friend because everyone at home is terrible and I dislike them greatly.

[HARRUMPH.

... Can you see where he's embarrassed, though.]

[This...is horribly familiar, and for the briefest fractions of a second, Cheese's smile fades. He collects himself, the moment he realises it has, putting the smile back on, but it's not quite the same as before.]

That doesn't mean you're unlikable, or that you don't deserve anypony to think of you as a friend, or even just to want to make your day a little better. Everypony deserves that, no matter if they're rich or poor or if they like to be the life of the party or just wanna be a wallflower. Everypony deserves to be treated well.

...And none of that stuff makes me like you any less.

[In fact, it makes him like Belth more. Just adds to his determination to make the guy's life a little better. Maybe if somepony had reached out to him sooner, his foalhood might have been fractionally less miserable.]

[Aside from the... everypony part, the message rings fairly true.

Everyone deserves to be treated well.

It feels like it's the other half of how Hiro treated Belthazar when they started out. Like something he's known all along, but didn't really acknowledge. How could he, when everyone ignored his presence or shoved him aside? How could he, when he was spat on and called girly and all sorts of names just for being outside?

He sucks in a sharp breath. Of course, the first thing he reaches for is anger because he's still not well-socialized. It's a defensive reaction more than anything else.]

You can't just say things like that. It's--

[And then he hiccups. It's awful. The tears come, but he's quick to grab his hood and pull it right over his own face.]

Oh, no.

[Oh nooo, no crying. That's the opposite of what he wants. Cheese's ears flatten a little, and he shifts from hoof to hoof. He absolutely needs to make Belth feel better, now. Making others happy was what he existed to do, after all, completely and absolutely.]

Hey, it's..ok.

Listen. How about we go do something? I found a great spot on one of the islands, it's got this tidal pool full of really weird fish and stuff.

[He's not... unhappy, exactly. It's weird. He feels strange all over, like he wants to eat and throw up at the same time. It's not a very eloquent feeling. But unhappiness is sort of his state of being and now he is mad at himself for crying. Oh well.]

I'm fine. I'm fine I'm fine I'm fine!

[He rubs at his face furiously.]

I'm not-- I'm not used to people being nice. People aren't nice where I am from. Not unless they are trying to swindle you out of something.

[He sniffles miserably.]

... Can you show me the tide pool?

[Cheese knows that kind of fine, Cheese has been that kind of fine. Still, he keeps smiling. It's a gentle kind of smile, almost apologetic. ]

No swindling here, I promise. This is what I do. Making others happy. It's my place in the world.

[Quite literally. ]

Sure! I can meet you outside the ship if you like.

[Belth needs a moment. He doesn't believe people like Cheese exist, but they keep happening. It's truly a test of how pessimistic he can be. His voice is very quiet when he finally responds.]

Okay.

[He's definitely going to wash his face before he goes out anywhere. Ugh.]

Okey dokey, see you soon!

[As promised, Cheese will be sitting outside the ship, waiting patiently. HE'S GONNA MAKE BELTH FEEL SO HAPPY. ]

[Belth shows up after he's settled down some. Sorry to make you wait, Cheese. He's ready to go digging around in tidepools, and has even shed his outer robe for the occasion. Shit's too hot. Granted, he still has long sleeves under it, but this way his robes from Kirian won't get dirty.

He also bears a small gift in his hands-- something that smells a bit like a grilled cheese sandwich wrapped in paper to keep it fresh. It only took like five minutes to make. He looks down at his feet, shy, and then he holds it out.]

I... I brought you something. Toasted and fried honey-oat wheat bread with melted emmental and cheddar.

... It's a cheese sandwich.

[Cheese doesn't seem to have been bothered by the wait. His creepy rubber chicken is sitting on the ground next to him, so he was probably having a deep, philosophical conversation with it. He stands as Belth appears, but sure wasn't expecting a gift. After all, he does this for other people's happiness, that's his payment. ]

Oh, wow, thanks!

[He's certainly not going to turn it away, though. He'll reach up to take it in his mouth, before sitting on his haunches to awkwardly open it, resting it between his hooves. The unicorns have it so easy. He takes a bite, titling his head considerately. ]

That's really good! You're an A-plus sandwich maker, buddy!

[HUZZAH, THAT'S NOT TOO WEIRD. It's not cannibalism, right... right. That's why he didn't put meat on it.]

I do consider myself something of a chef. [He tries to sound confident, but it falls flat.]

I was worried that you would say you do not like cheese sandwiches, and then this would be... awkward.

[Totally not cannibalism. He'll grin, nodding enthusiastically. ]

I absolutely love them, and this!

[Chew chew, swallow, and it's gone. ]

Is the best best cheese sandwich I've ever tasted.

[He lets out a little sigh of relief. Thank the Light.]

... Thank you. [It's small and he's avoiding eye contact but, you know, it's a step.]

[Cheese recognises the body language and it tugs at his heart. His smile softens a tad. ]

So, how about we go see that tidal pool?

Let's go sunning

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