driftfleet | Wonderducks: The Monthly Mingle

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Wonderducks: The Monthly Mingle

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!]

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[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!

[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.]

[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.]

[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]

[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!!]

[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.

[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...

[that sounds suspiciously like something Atroma would like. She can't tell if it's good or bad yet.]

Would you do something like that without Amethyst?

[He pauses for a moment, considering the matter in deep thought.]

Hmmm...

I think that Amethyst wants me to be able to do silly things like that even if she's not around. Sooo... I probably really should do it! For Amethyst!

[at least when Amethyst is around, Pearl can trust the other Gem to make sure Steven does get hurt. More or less.]

As long as it doesn't get too dangerous. Right, Steven?

[right??]

Right, right! Don't worry. [He makes placating motions.]

Garnet would want me to be careful, so I can't let her down either. ...And Dad would want it too, and Connie. And you! ...And Amethyst would want it too. That makes it like... [He takes a moment to count on his fingers.]

...fives times as important!

Right, good. Yes. [it's fun for them, even if she doesn't think so. She gets that part.

And speaking of...]

Steven, is there somewhere where we can talk? [relatively more privately]

Well, I doooo have my own office now! [He tugs at her hand to lead her to the room with his name at the door.]

Take a step inside, Miss Pearl.

Why, thank you. [and then she's getting serious and drawing out her spear.]

They've done something to my spear. [which, theoretically, shouldn't even be possible. Then again, the augment shouldn't be either.

...She's not exactly keen on testing if augments persist through regeneration, though.]

It wouldn't cut through the walls of the Marsiva, though it did just fine on the furniture there.

[He frowns as he looks it over.]

Whaaaaat? But your spear can cut anything!

But... um... what if the Marsiva's walls are just really really really super strong?

There isn't much on the ships that I was willing to test, [heavens forbid it works and then everybody gets sucked out into the vacuum of space] but I did some testing on the planet.

When the outcome is of little or no consequence, it works perfectly fine. Otherwise, [she presses her thumb hard against what should be the edge of the blade] it might as well be blunt.

[she shows her palm to Steven. No cuts here.]

Ohhh, okay. [He frowns as he glaces at her palm. Actually, he's pretty glad that she didn't get cut by her spear, but otherwise this account is troubling. And it sounds like she really tested it a lot. Like science!]

I... I'm sorry to hear that, Pearl. I never thought that they could mess with things this much. I... wonder if my shield will still work right, too...

I honestly have no idea, but we can test it out later. [her spear vanishes into a few motes of light] Some of the others have complained about losing weapons, but otherwise I wouldn't know.

[there's a half shrug here] I didn't tell anybody else either.

[she doesn't depend on it to fight, but it certainly doesn't help either.]

[Steven makes a motion to zip up his lips.]

Your secret's safe with me, Pearl!

[A reassuring smile.]

I don't think we need to worry too much about it. You don't need your spear to be one of the strongest people I've ever known!

It's not exactly a secret. [it's just that confiding in humans is surprisingly difficult.

But that gets you a smile in return.] Thanks, Steven. It's a good thing I've got you.

Okay, but I still won't tell everyone. [Now he makes an unzipping motion at his lips. And he goes on bashfully.]

Y-you're welcome. And I think it's a really, really great thing that I've got you! [He scurries over to hug her again.]

[and he's getting a big ole' squeeze.

Here's a grin now.] So you've got your own office, huh? That sounds important.

[He smiles proudly as he pulls back.]

Yep! I guess I'm a pretty important guy right now. I get to be a personnel. Any kind!

Are there different kinds of personnel?

[she knows a couple from her own ship, but they don't seem to do much counseling]

Um... yeah, I think so! Apparently I can be like a counselor, or a teacher, or a personal assistant... Maybe I should try them all on for size!

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Wonderducks: The Monthly Mingle

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