driftfleet | In like a Tourist, out like a lamb

[ he decides to keep the doubt it! to himself. they're finally together in person, he'd rather keep the happiness going as long as possible. which. is made a little more difficult by the mention of a him, but he brushes it off. not his business, the part that matters is that it's someone kara thinks he'd get along with enough to gang up on her -- at what? ]

Ok now I have to meet him, what are we ganging up on you for? Catch me up -

Probably making fun of me. I haven't decided yet.

Do you want something to eat or drink?

[ he tilts his head, his curiosity is piqued! but the possibility of a new friend, as exciting as it may be, isn't quite as great as getting to hang out with kara at last. so he doesn't pursue the subject, not yet - it may lead to introductions and going to see people when all he really wants out of life right now is just this - kara and him and a little bubble of normality. ]

Yeah, Scotch and Thai. [ in that order. what, a man can dream, can't he! ]

[ she shoves him playfully ]

Okay, well, anything within my power to present to you?

[ he returns a playful look. he's missed this. ]

I'll just take one of whatever you like to drink around here.

Cola it is.

[ leading him toward the kitchen, which is really stripped down ]

So, how are your sea legs coming along?

Wishing they were at sea -- preferably in ankle deep water, with a ride home waiting by.

[ he could try to pretend, but they both know he wouldn't pull that off, so why bother! he leans against the wall as she gets the drink ]

Yeah, I figured as much. Hopefully we'll go somewhere more interesting soon.

Somewhere with murder mystery dinner theater.

[ he smiles ]

Preferably, with a real dinner.

[ because that? would absolutely make it fun. ]

Real Earth dinner. Something identifiable, preferably.

Wouldn't be a real dinner otherwise.

You'd be surprised what some species choose to eat for dinner.

Do I...want to know?

[ it sounds like he doesn't, but then, that just kind of makes him want to know all the more...meow. ]

No. No you don't.

[ hands him his cola. it's not coke but it's not bad ]

Thanks - [ he takes a sip, trying very hard not to imagine what goes on in alien plates - but now it's pretty much all he can think about. ]

So how are you...holding up?

[ they've been mostly talking about his difficulties in adapting, but as huge as this change is for him - in a way (even though being off of earth is way newer to him) - it feels like it should be the other way around. after all, as far as he can tell he hasn't been altered that much by the experience, and the person he would miss most is standing right in front of him. ]

Everyone's really nice here, and welcoming. I'm meeting tons of great people.

[ how's that for not answering your question, Winn ]

[ he knows this behavior pretty damn well by now, but there's no james and no alex to leave this to. then again, they're also on camera and he really doesn't want to push her into exposing things for their viewers' benefit -- but he can't really just let it go forever, can he?

leaning in closer he tries to whisper in her ear with minimal lip movement. it's probably pointless, but he's really running out of options here. ]

Is there a blindspot?

What?

[ he tries again, to speak a little more clearly but still fool the enemy ]

A camera blindspot -

[ they're on camera, right? it's a reality show, and he can't forget it, he can't relax. but even hi-tech kidnappy aliens can't account for everything! he really hopes they're not accounting for the bathroom... ]

Oh. Well. If they're going to know things, they already know them, you know?

[ ok, they're going to have to revisit that attitude when they start their proper plotting, but for now he pulls back. ]

Well if we're talking things people already know - [ god is he uncomfortable in this role ] I - I know you're not ok, Kara. As embarrassing as freaking out is -- [ and he certainly thoroughly embarrassed himself ] it beats the alternative. Nothing good ever came out of bottling things up.

[ the one and only lesson his father taught him that he vehemently intends to cling to.

ha. did he just accidentally figure out why he was chosen for a reality show? ]

[ she sits back in her chair—a little huffy—and crosses her arms. she sounds frustrated at being called out but she knows he's right. it's hard to break out of what she's trying to talk herself into, though ]

It's fine, Winn. I'm dealing with it.

You don't have to be super all the time. Especially not for me, I already know you are.

[ he offers her a small smile - half apologetic - and leans back against the wall. pushing has never been his style. as much as he hates to admit it, right now pretty much anyone else in their little group would be more useful to kara. all he can do is let her know he's here - if she wants him. ]

[ her body language is all petty frustration—not at him, but at the situation. Her voice takes on a pouty tone, as well ]

I know. It's just, what am I supposed to do here? I hate that I don't have my powers here, but I didn't have them for the first 12 years of my life, either. I can't fix this right now, so I'll live. I mean, you've managed.

[ look her words are saying one thing but her tone is just screaming dissatisfaction ]

If I'm your example, you've really got nothing.

[ managing? he had about 50 minor panic attacks in the first hour. ]

I never had powers but...my skills are kind of my superpower. And, not being able to hit a few keys and redirect the GPS to send us home is kind of killing me right now. [ he's never been much of a leader, but he's heard something about doing it by example being a good way to go about it. even though opening up like that is like pulling teeth for him. ] Living - it doesn't mean you have to have a smile on your face when you don't feel like smiling. It's ok -- to be upset it's normal, it's - sane. I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere that it's healthy, though full disclosure it might've been a Dr. Phil promo so I can't vouch for that advice.

[ gently, he reaches a hand to squeeze her shoulder, hoping he hasn't overstepped. ]

All I'm saying is, if you need to vent - I have two ears, and I'm happy to share them.

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