driftfleet | In like a Tourist, out like a lamb

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.

[ well, she doesn't think he's overstepped. she flops over so her arms are layered on the table in front of her and her head is facing one side, resting on them. she sounds sad, and tired ]

I don't know, Winn. It's not just the powers thing. That sucks, but it's nothing I haven't done before.

I just— [ she stops herself, trying to figure out how to put her thoughts into words. or not cry. you know, either ]

I don't want to lose everyone I know again. It's hard being away.

I know.

[ he kneels down by her side, so their faces are leveled, his hand continuing to gently rub her shoulder, trying to offer her what comfort he can. he doesn't have as much to get back to, with her here, but having his world - the comfortable life he's built for himself ripped away again, and so soon after having to deal with all the resurfacing memories that came with his father? is hard on him too. he may not have a loving family waiting back home (or at least, not a love he wants nor a family he wants to see), but he understands. ]

But you won't. We'll get you back, Kara, I promise. There's a library I'm gonna check out - might have something we can use. And maybe there's an astrophysicist on board that could help us too - we're not giving up. Until we can get back home, to everyone...you got me.

[ she leans over to hug him. is it awkwardly positioned? sure. does it potentially complicate whatever they have going on? definitely. does she care? not even a little. she just needs a hug from her friend. ]

[ for once? he's not thinking about any of it either. he just wants to be there for his best friend - and maybe he really needs a hug too. he hugs back, trying to convey all the reassurance he lacks the words for. ]

[ she stays that way for a bit. he can't see her expression, but when she talks, her tone is lighter ]

You have to be relieved you don't have to worry about me crushing your bones for once.

I donno - bone density in space isn't all that great, far as I can remember -

[ he smiles a little, even though she can't see it. truth is, he never really worried too much about it. kara's too good to really hurt him, after all. ]

Better not get too excited about it.

[ pulls out of the hug, sitting back ]

I think the fact that we have normal gravity here helps.

[ guess he'll stand back up then - or on second thought - grab a seat. kneeling isn't exactly the most comfortable of positions, after all, and now that she's not as upset - it kind of feels unbelievably awkward. he does not need to be thinking about what people usually do in this position. ]

Wonder if it's normal for everyone - different earths, different planets, can't all of it be the same gravity. Guess we lacked out.

I didn't really think about it, but yeah, you're right.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject