driftfleet | In like a Tourist, out like a lamb

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In like a Tourist, out like a lamb

Who: Tourists and visitors!
Broadcast: nah
Action: S.S. Tourist
When: March!

[ What are you up to this month, Tourists? Living up to your ship name on the station? Well, share your spoils with the rest of the crew! Or maybe you've been engaging in ahem illicit pursuits? We promise not to tell! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You're kind of rubbing salt in the wound.

_{[ Siiiiiip his coffee, waiting for you to get it, Kara. ]}

[ she gets there after a moment, blowing it off ]

He's a grown up. He can deal with it, and I'm sure he'd prefer that over the vast of abyss of space.

I'm sure he can, but you just said that he's already having a tough time dealing with his new surroundings. And while yes, I do agree he needs to accept that you don't like him, banishing him to your office seems a bit harsh. It's just another slap in the face in a harsh situation.

Lay down rules, but I think he'll pull through better knowing he ranks a bit higher than your office couch.

_{[ A pause as he considers something. ]}

Have you not told him you don't want to be anything other than friends?

Yeah. There was... a complicated situation, and he kissed me. And I didn't really react very gracefully to it.

[ looking out the window ]

_{[ Ah. Well, that explained some things. ]}

Well, maybe this is a good time for you to talk that out. Especially if you've invited him to stay on this ship, office or no office. It'll just make things awkward and uncomfortable for you both otherwise, won't it?

It's just probably not a good time.

_{[ He gives her a long look. He's the expert at not doing
relationships, Kara. He has scattered at the word 'love' before or even
when there's a hint someone might even remotely be moving in - like a
toothbrush in his apartment that's not his. He can tell when someone is
simply putting it off because they don't want to talk about it, not because
there's not a good time. There's never a good time for that talk. ]}

Well, he's your friend.

When's he coming over? If he finds the couch uncomfortable, he can bunk with me if he wants. Half the time I'm not in that bed anyways. Someone should use it.

How does that not end in you two ganging up on me? You'd probably get along too well.

[ she's kidding and also deflecting ]

Really, you think I would betray you? I'm a little hurt, Kara.

_{[ He pressed his hand to his chest in mock affront. ]}

But I think he'd have it easier on a real bed. And it would let him be closer, but not in your space, right? So it's good for both of you.

Jim, I appreciate the advice. It's just complicated right now. I'm just relieved he's talking to me at all, and there are few other issues at hand.

[ she sounds tired and wistful ]

_{[ He makes a soft sound, but he gets the message. He honestly thinks
it would be easier on them both if they talked it out, because from the way
she was acting he rather thought some things were in the air, the ground
shaky and not in a good way. A stressful situation like this might not make
it better, but at the end of the day it was her problem to handle, and she
was a big girl. She could handle it her way. He just hoped it worked out
for her, and soon. Seeing her tired was a sad thing. He much preferred her
bubbly.}

So he shifted and patted the open space he'd made for her to come and properly join him to view the stars he had been contemplating. ]

Sometimes when I'm sitting here I make up my own constellations, you know. Not nearly as creative as the Greeks, I'm sure, but it's fun.

_{[ He pointed to a cluster and drew his finger in a line connecting
them all. ]}

I call that one Motorcycle Major.

[ that draws a smile from her, mostly for the ridiculous name but somewhat out of gratitude for the topic change ]

Really? That's the best you got?

I think it looks more like a duck.

I never said I was good at this, just that I like it.

_{[ He titled his head a the cluster. ]}

Mallard Major? That does roll off the tongue better.

And that one— [ points to another cluster nearby ] —can be Mallard Minor.

You realize this means we have to make up back stories for them now too, don't you? A constellation always has a story to go with it.

What a terrifying prospect. Did you have a story worked up for the motorcycle constellation?

Not just as of yet, but I was working on it. Something grand and epic.

[ she sips her drink and smiles ]

To reflect the storyteller, I'm sure.

Not everyone makes stories about constellations, you know.

I know, but it makes them more interesting if you do, don't you think? Plus, it helps to keep me busy.

I have a feeling it's hard to keep you busy. You seem like someone who wants to be doing something all the time.

Guilty as charged. I'm not very good at standing still, I've found.

Then you're doing remarkably well so far. [ an actual vote of confidence ]

I can be the same way, especially if something's not right.

Well, I was down in the gym a bit earlier, so that's the only reason I'm not pacing right about now.

_{[ Another sip of his drink, licking his lips as he considered the
stars again. ]}

Guess that means you're up a lot of nights since this whole situation is messed up.

Yeah, somewhat. I've been trying to figure out how to help this, but everything feels like a dead end.

I can't say I've had much better luck. Any idea I've had carries to great a risk, or just isn't possible at the moment.

In like a Tourist, out like a lamb

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