/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]

[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. ]