/insert rose petals here

[incousinswithyou]

Who: Haruka, Michiru, and you!!
Broadcast: Two fleet-wide videos
Action: On the Marsiva
When: Now

01.

...in the reaches of space? How ironic.

[ This network station appears to have switched on of its own accord. That or the two people standing next to it wanted to only broadcast part of their conversation. And just their torsos. And hands. The taller person is making a fist. ]

That’s not the word I would use to describe it. [ The shorter one places a hand over that fist. ] They can look after each other.

...I suppose. [ Their fingers intertwine. The taller person’s thumb strokes the side of their companion’s hand. They chuckle. ] Space won’t be so cold. If you’re there.

[ That’s a quiet laugh, and the other one is leaning in and up.

...Better interrupt this sappiness before somebody gets diabetes and/or they magically pretend it didn’t happen on tape. ]

02.

[ Later this same day, from this same broadcast station, another message comes through. This time, there’s a pair of faces on display: a blond “man” and a green-haired lady. Both are way more attractive than they have any right to be. Especially when smiling. ]

Hello. I’m Kaioh Michiru. [ This is not the face of a person who was caught being all PDA on camera. ] If anybody can tell us what this place is, we would be most appreciative.

Tenoh Haruka. [ The blond sticks a hand into “his” pocket. ] Don’t take all day now. We’re busy.

[ And that’s a wink. Nothing to see here. Nothing amiss. ]

Comments

[incousinswithyou]

It's hardly an advertisement if we're already here.

[she wouldn't say this line of thought is exactly conducive to finding out what's going on, but it's an easy sort of banter. She certainly doesn't seem like she wants to move out of this hug.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Point taken. And since they're already here, that means whoever's running the show is strong enough to affect their Solar System.

Which makes what happens next pretty obvious, doesn't it? Haruka's shoulders go back, though her arms stay around her partner. ] I swear I'll thrust a wedge into their machinations.

[ Yup. It's time to STAND UP STRAIGHT AND SPOUT NONSENSE. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[and she's glancing backwards and up. There you go. Have a small smile.]

Oh? Wasn't that already a given?

[actsmagnificent]

[ Well, that smile's enough for Haruka to be able to crack a grin too, so. There's something. ] They'll slip up sometime. What'd they teach you?

[ If they're stuck with the implants, they might as well abuse them. ]

[incousinswithyou]

Hmm. [she closes her eyes, trying to figure out what's different.

Apparently, it's subtle enough that it takes a moment.]

Music therapy. [and art.

Michiru doesn't sound confused very often, but this time, she's certainly at the verge of that expressing that particular emotion.]

[actsmagnificent]

That's different. [ If one could buy and sell sarcasm, there'd be an explanation for where all of Haruka and Michiru's money comes from. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[she exhales.]

That's not a word I would use either.

[all that trouble with an implant for this?]

What about you?

[actsmagnificent]

[ There's a beat, since Haruka's aware what she's about to say is going to sound like a joke. In other circumstances she might even enjoy this. ] I could have figured out how to pilot, anyway.

[incousinswithyou]

[...and that's a quiet chuckle.]

Mm. Perhaps you won't even need a license this time.

[actsmagnificent]

Would you really care? [ And where's she going to go, anyway? This "Atroma" wouldn't have given her the ability to fly them home.

Still, it's a start. ]

[incousinswithyou]

I could. [only when it's funny.

There's some measure of autonomy then, even if it is just a bone to placate them.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Indeed. ] Sounds like someone doesn't want to go cruising.

[ If you thought she was going to do anything else with her time to distract their captors.... ]

[incousinswithyou]

And here I thought somebody was complaining about how cold space is.

[space et al]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka just grins. This isn't insurmountable. It's baffling, but ultimately, this "Atroma"'s purpose doesn't matter. Stopping them does.

She smooths back Michiru's hair, careful to avoid the implant. ] We'll improvise.

[incousinswithyou]

[that shouldn't be reassuring, but between the two of them...]

Yes. [they can handle anything.

And she's shifting. Hands on your shoulders, tiptoes, and well. If it doesn't seem like anybody's around, that would be a light kiss.

Think of the children.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka doesn't believe the children exist.

It's a light kiss, but she makes it last. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[they test the theory and get rebranded as cousins the month after.

Heh. Have a fond look when it ends, even if she doesn't have to say anything. They'll get through this, together.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ She knows your type, Michelle.

Haruka smiles back too. Time to pretend to be unassuming, innocent, completely flawless classy ladies, then? ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Well-dressed, athletic, and rugged?

Of course. What else would they be?]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Amazingly Magnificent Athletes Riding Aircraft

Just another day. ]