gotta get down for a mingle

[redactions]

Who: The crew of the SS Heron and visitors.
Broadcast: nope.
Action: Aboard the SS Heron.
When: After returning to the ship.

[ finally back on the right ship, except the corridors are all mysteriously cold and the ship seems smaller. Thanks, Atroma. New crew, visitors, starters in comments ]

Comments

[redactions]

[ 'Old friend' is a little less sad than saying 'only friend'. ]

You did?

[ Because he hadn't seen or heard her around the ship, which means she either left or just didn't come to see him. That's unusual. He frowns. ]

[ Well if there was a real problem he trusts her to talk to him about it eventually. ]

Well. Don't s'pose you've got any warm things? For the other crew. I don't really feel the cold.

[touchofrogue]

[Honesty is important between people you care about.

She ran a hand through her hair and exhaled, appreciative of his willingness to drop it but guessing it would eat at him if she didn't give. She didn't like telling tales. It wasn't really any of his business. But...]

Can't think of anythin' off-hand. I'll look into it.

[...yeah, she wasn't going to do this to him. Rogue gave him a small smile.] You're bein' real good 'bout lettin' it drop, Jim, don't think I don't see it. But if it's gonna eat at ya, then I'd rather just tell ya. Let me know.

[redactions]

It won't, [ and that's a promise. ] everybody's grown-up here. You're both stubborn — don't think I don't suspect what mighta happened. You're just two of my favourite people and you're gonna be spendin' a lotta time here with me. You can't fix it, you let me know.

[touchofrogue]

[...man, she really loved him. Rogue's face reflected her surprise, then softened for a telling moment before her lips quirked into a wry expression and she ventured to tease:] Oh, I'm gonna be spendin' a lotta time here with you, huh? What makes ya so sure?

[redactions]

Somethin' about my presence bein' intoxicating...

[touchofrogue]

[Rogue mock whistles and tugs at her collar.] I think we need a 'lil more air in here. Someone's ego's takin' up all the oxygen.

[redactions]

[ He laughs. ]

Yeah, yeah, don't let me get away with nothin'.

[touchofrogue]

Well, I wouldn't want ya think I was comin' around 'cause you were gettin' me drunk. [Dramatic hand to chest.] What kinda girl do ya take me for?

[redactions]

A real special one.

[ Earnest, with a boyish smile, not a trace of mischief. ]

[touchofrogue]

[Pfff. She almost laughs, but schools her expression.]

Maybe you're the one that's drunk.

[Shaking her head at him.]

[redactions]

Maybe.

[ He winks. ]

[touchofrogue]

[Pfff. Rogue shakes her head at him.

...and she wonders - he said he had a good idea of what he thought had happened. What was it that he thought? She certainly would not have thought of her and Steve clashing in the way they had - they hadn't, in Luceti. She'd even rather liked him for a while. But... well, time and people changed. She knew better than anyone not to assume.]

In that case, I'd better have some of what you've got.

[redactions]

As much as you want, darlin', free country.

​[ He gestures, and pulls out a chair for her to sit down. ]

[touchofrogue]

[What, he actually is drinking? Okaaay.

She does take a seat when he pulls one out though, curious to see what he's got here.]

See, a less generous person than myself would start up a whole argument 'bout whether or not it's a country at all here, let alone a free one.

[redactions]

Then I'm lucky you're in a generous mood.

​[ Since they got the kitchen upgraded he's really enjoying the dispensary, okay. A glass of clear liquid gets handed to Rogue, and he takes one for himself. It's not alcoholic. Jim swore off that except socially. Or is trying to, anyway. ]

You know, I coulda said this is a military dictatorship and I'm in charge here, seein' as it is my ship.

[touchofrogue]

Ya could... [although the question of my in a place like this was dubious, and part of the problem when it wad demonstrated that so few things actually belonged to them, actually remained in their control. Instead of pointing this out, however, she took the glass he handed to her and gave him a small smile.] but then I'd be forced by the Hero Code ta lead a revolution. It's just one of those reflexive responses ta the word 'dictatorship.'

[redactions]

Hero Code?

There's such a thing now? In the modern world?

[touchofrogue]

As opposed ta the pre-modern world?

[She took a sip of her drink. C'mon, Jim. You know being a hero is always hard.]

[redactions]

We called it good manners.

[touchofrogue]

[A quick, sharp grin.]

Leadin' a revolution?

[redactions]

[ Mirroring her expression, ]

Doing the right thing.

[touchofrogue]

[Oh, just that easy, huh?

Shaking her head.] No wonder your generation despairs of mine. We barely know what that is anymore. An' y'all just called it good manners.

[redactions]

​[ He laughs. ]

Don't you go doin' that. My Ma raised me right. The world we've got now, it's messy, darlin', it ain't always clear who the bullies are or what we have to do. It used to be. My War was the last.

[touchofrogue]

[She leans forward a little, resting her elbows loosely on her knees as she gives him an alert, direct look.]

Was it? [Because, yes, Nazis are evil with a capital E, but there is much she can think of when it comes to World War II which is not... as clear cut. Hard choices for the sake of freedom, that was how she thought of it still. She doesn't want to take any comfort away from him, but there's something about that which rings so strongly of... of... clinging to an ideal past that she just... she can't help address it.] Do ya really think it was clear?

[redactions]

Yes.

[ It was him or the other guy. That clarity hasn't changed. ]

War's a messy business, don't get me wrong. We'd have a hell lot more talk about mine if there were cameras and journalists the way there were in Vietnam, or Iraq... but sometimes there's folks who make it that way — easy to choose your side. That's what I'm sayin'.