Wonderducks: The Monthly Mingle

[jamminshield]

Who: The crew of the Wonderduck and any visitors!
Broadcast: Nope
Action: S.S. Wonderduck
When: After this shuffle! And throughout the month?!

[Look Wonderducks, you have a new crewmate! And lost some others! And maybe other things happened?! Hooray!]

Comments

[jamminshield]

[It takes a moment for Steven to adjust to what's happened, upon arrival. Then he looks up dramatically.]

I'm on a spaceship! [He declares that dramatically, then he raises his arms in a cheer.]

[Then he looks around in search of signs of life. Being a personnel augment, there is also an office with his name on it now.]

Hello? Anybody here? I'm not an alien attacker, I'm your new crew member, Steven! Let's fly a spaceship together!

[forsometimenow]

[Jennifer was momentarily stunned to find a small child on the ship, but she soon recovered.

It was a shame that Atroma felt the need to add children to the cast, but here she was.]

Hi there, Steven, I'm Jennifer. Do you know how to fly spaceships?

[jamminshield]

[Don't worry, he's a very brave child. And he'll greet her with an enthusiastic smile.]

Hi Jennifer, nice to meet you! [He rubs at his hair nervously.]

Well, I don't know how to fly them all by myself... but I wanna do what I can to help! We're like a team now, right?

[forsometimenow]

Exactly- everyone's got a role to play. Do you know what your augment is? Maybe it'll help you learn how to fly the ship.

[jamminshield]

Yep! I guess you could say that...

[He folds his arms and tries to give off a 'cool' pose.]

...this time? It's personnel. [Then he breaks his attempt at a character to cheer instead.] I'm a civilian!

[forsometimenow]

[Jennifer had to laugh, but it was kind.]

Well, that means you get an office all to yourself- and you get to represent our ship and our crew to everyone else. It's an important job.

[jamminshield]

Whoa... That does sounds really important! I never thought I'd get my own office already!

And now I have to get to know you really really well, too... if I'm gonna represent everyone, I have to do it right!

[forsometimenow]

[She smiled.]

Well, for starters, I'm the ship's doctor- so we have a medbay. Have you had much of a chance to look around yet? I can show you around if not.

[jamminshield]

Ooh! Does that mean I call you Doctor Jennifer? [He's practically bobbing on his feet excitedly.]

I didn't get to see anything yet. Soooo I'd really really appreciate the tour. I wanna see everything!

[forsometimenow]

Jennifer's fine- or Dr. Keller when I'm actually being a doctor, if you'd like. [She motioned for him to follow.] I'm sure you've heard everything by now- that we're on TV and all?

[jamminshield]

You got it, Jennifer! [He follows along like an eager duckling.] Yep, I heard the whole tv thing. It's so weird to imagine, but I guess it's true!

[forsometimenow]

Yeah... I'd like to say you get used to it, but you often remember the audience is there. Sometimes they'll send you presents.

[As they reached the kitchen, she motioned toward things as she spoke.]

We're pretty well-off as far as upgrades go, but as far as food... it mostly comes in cube form. It's the only thing that won't spoil on longer space journeys.

[jamminshield]

Oooh, I like presents!

[But he looks a bit unsure as he looks around the kitchen.]

Cube... form? [He blinks.] ...Is it still tasty?

Visiting!!

[stickupherforehead]

[as soon as she finds out where Steven has gone, she is totally here, knocking at the doors. Sort of. She's already inside, in any case.]

Steven?

[jamminshield]

[Suddenly, the door to Steven's office bursts open, and the kid is dashing right at Pearl to hug her immediately, a light in his eyes.]

Pearl!! You made it!

[stickupherforehead]

[and she's laughing, getting down on a knee and holding out her arms wide for a hug]

Of course! I said I would, didn't I?

[jamminshield]

[Aw, Pearl. He gives her a big old squeeze. They may have been in contact, but he really missed being able to see her in person.]

You did. And I didn't doubt you! But- but it's still real nice to see you again!

[stickupherforehead]

Me too. [it's weird, not have her family around. Even Amethyst.

Have a giant squeeze back! And then she's pulling back a little to look you over, because of course she would. She's still got her hands on your shoulders though.]

Are you alright? Do you like it here? How are you adapting to space? How are your crewmates?

[jamminshield]

[He'll keep his arms around her for the most part, but he will back himself up a little just to help Pearl with her lookover. It's like a practiced gesture. At least he looks no worse for the wear.]

I'm alright! Especially now that you're here, Pearl! Space is really cool to look at, but it's not the same as watching tv. And, um, I'm still getting to know them all but they all seem really cool and friendly so far! It's pretty great!

[stickupherforehead]

[at least she looks satisfied and maybe even manages to relax a fraction.]

Most television shows are gross misrepresentations of space anyway. [and because she WILL ask this:] Do you want me to stay with you?

[he's growing up, though, and at least moving between ships isn't exactly difficult.]

[jamminshield]

[Aw, mildly relaxed Pearl! That's one of his favorites.]

Um... It's up to you! I don't wanna make you leave your crew while you're making friends with them. And, the people here seem really nice!

We can still talk a lot even if we're not on the ship... right?

[It does sound a little scary to live without any of the Crystal Gems. But he does like the people here, and he kind of does like having some space to himself. It's probably part of becoming a big boy, he thinks. Living without Gems or even Master of Ceremonies Bear Bear to watch over him.]

[stickupherforehead]

[she's not exactly sure about the 'friends' part, but at least most of the humans are tolerable.]

I think you'll be fine. [it's easier to let go because she's literally right there and nothing has seemed to be too dangerous yet] However, I expect hugs, visits, and planet-side explorations.

[...she's going to stick to him like a limpet after the nebula/attack thing, though]

[jamminshield]

[He'll keep repeating the friends part until it becomes true!!

But now he strokes at his chin, very obviously putting up some kind of businessman-like act.]

Hmmmm! Have your people talk to my people, and we'll work out the business deal.

[Then his excited smile breaks character, and he reverts to his usual posture.]

But yes can we please please PLEASE have all of those things!

[He will appreciate that after the scary attack!!]

[stickupherforehead]

[she laughs and places her hand on his hair. She doesn't ruffle it since that would be the opposite of neatness, but it's affectionate nonetheless.]

I believe you're supposed to hold out just a bit longer, Steven.

[jamminshield]

[He chuckles bashfully in response to the latest attack on his hair. He puts only a token effort into trying to duck out of it; it feels like old times, after all.]

Sorry, I guess I'm just not cut out for the business world after all! Or maybe I just need to become Tigher Millionaire again...