When We're Rollin Through the Wild Wild West

[geonomy]

Who: Everyone! EVERYONE!
Broadcast: IF YOU WANNA
Action: Everywhere! EVERYWHERE!
When: Mid-September - Mid-October

[How's your ship doing, pardners? Is it still pretty damaged? Is it glitching out hardcore? Well, there is one place to land to take care of all that, and that's on a dusty old moon in front of a planet that no one wants to go to. On this moon, you'll find a civilization that looks a lot like one's stepped into a wild west movie, hardened cowpolk and mutant horses and all. Will you become a vigilante, hunting bounties and stopping gangs from doing their dirty work? Will you go exploring planetside, with a cowboy hat and a stalk of wheat in your mouth to complete the look? Good luck with that; there is no wheat. This town ain't big enough for all you flooters, but make it so! For the ratings!

In other words, it's a planet mingle! Get 'er done!]

[September Planet info here]

Comments

C!

[catamite]

[Nel's been in and out of the Blue Fish infirmary since their big talk, but has been appearing less and less in the more recent weeks. he's restless and distracted on a good day, so he practically disappears when there is finally solid ground to get his feet on.

but when the things he's really been antsy about start to wear him down, and he remembers that there's a potential solution coming up... he finally finds his way back.

with the Blue Fish parked on the planet today, it's easy to do. he just strolls on in from outside when someone happens to open the hatch.

he's dusty. and he's not wearing shoes. for whatever reason.]

[dancingmd]

[Beverly's not normally one for nicknames but:]

Nel, honey, where are your shoes? Remember, you have to have them on when you come in here?

[catamite]

Oh...

[he stops and looks down at his feet, like he's just noticing now that he's forgotten to put anything on them.]

It's really hot outside. My feet were getting sweaty...

[and he kind of... hangs around right where he's at--now unsure of what to do.]

[dancingmd]

[Beverly sighs, sets down the things she was working on, and washes her hands before coming over to where Nel is hovering near the doorway. Smiling, she holds out a hand for him to take.]

Come on, we'll go talk in the kitchen.

[catamite]

[he's old enough to be technically be considered an adult, and goodness knows that he's had the sort of experiences that would qualify him outright... but he looks far younger than he really is in moments like these.

he doesn't hesitate to take her hand like a child, and follow along.]

[dancingmd]

[She gives his hand a tiny affectionate squeeze before they head towards the kitchen. Keeping her tone light and curious, she attempts to figure out where he's been lately.]

I haven't seen you in a few days. What have you been up to?

[Not that she really expects a direct answer. It's worth trying at least.]

[catamite]

Oh, you know...

[a straight answer? not without far more effort and specifics than that, of course.]

Just checking out stuff on the moon. Seeing what's there.

[dancingmd]

Mmm... discover anything interesting?

[catamite]

Some stuff. Like... oh man, have you seen the horse things?? Their stripes are really cool.

[he's going for the small-talkiest of answers, apparently. as far from serious topics as he can get.]

On another planet, people used these big ones with horns, but I like these ones better.

[dancingmd]

[Small-talk is acceptable, for now.]

I did see them.

[From a nice, safe distance.]

I don't know that I would want to ride one, though. To tell you the truth, horses scare me a little bit.

[catamite]

I know, right? They're so big...

And were you there for the giant bird-things, months ago? Those were even scarier... They said that they could kill people just by kicking them.

[dancingmd]

[Hahaha.... oh god, no she was not here for giant bird things or the entire fleet would probably know about her fear of heights by now.]

Did people try to ride them?!

[She can't hide the mild look of horror on her face right now.]

[catamite]

[finally, someone who can commiserate with him on this. he nods, his eyes getting huge.]

Oh yeah! They even raced them! It was insane.

[dancingmd]

Well, I'm glad I wasn't here for that at least!

[They've reached the kitchen, so Beverly releases Nel's hand.]

Please, take a seat, and I'll make us some tea.

[catamite]

Yeah, it was scary.

[he plops down in a chair, and immediately pulls his feet up onto the edge of the seat, wrapping his arms around his knees. as bubbly as he seems right now, his nerves are too gnawed for things like sitting properly, or sitting still. he's fidgeting right away--picking at his fingers and the cloth covering his knees.]

Hey, do you guys still have your cats? ...Weren't there cats on this ship?

[dancingmd]

Oh, Slay and Alicia?

[Beverly fills a kettle and puts it on the stove to boil before turning around.]

They should be around here somewhere. You could try calling them if you like. Can't promise it'll work though.

[catamite]

That's their names? I've only seen them, like... from down the hall.

[and he looks around like he's considering calling them, maybe hoping that they're already somewhere nearby... but ultimately ends up too shy to go through with it. he chickens out, and shrugs.]

I don't think animals like me very much.

[dancingmd]

Oh, I'm sure that's not true. You just have to give them some time to get to know you.

[A beat.]

Well, maybe not Slay. But Alicia is very cuddly once he gets used to you.

[catamite]

...He?

Isn't Alicia... a girl's name?

[he's hesitant about it, though. it's not like 'Alicia' is a common name where he's from.]

[dancingmd]

Normally, yes, but in this case it's a boy's name.

[She shrugs.]

I didn't name them. Hawke did. Or maybe Ludger.

[catamite]

You're lucky you guys have cats. We just have a fish...

[and he kind of pauses to think about something, glancing off to the side as it dawns on him.]

...I hope somebody's been feeding it.

[dancingmd]

[... Nel.]

When's the last time you saw it?

[Surely Ino's been feeding the poor thing. That is, if she knows about its existence.]

[catamite]

...The fish?

[he looks confused as to why she might be asking.]

[dancingmd]

Yes, the fish. Do you know if it's still, you know...

[She drifts off, not really wanting to finish that sentence.]

[catamite]

I don't know... I haven't really been home a lot, so...

[and he doesn't want to think about it either! so he just... shrugs it off.]

...It's probably fine.