In like a Tourist, out like a lamb

[takingkarabusiness]

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! ]

Comments

[winn]

Who wouldn't be?

[passingthrough]

Mmm, I don't know. Am I lucky to have you? [She leans in, voice softening.] I'd have to have you first to know for sure.

[Did she achieve desired fluster?]

[winn]

[ huston, we have fluster!

his cheeks turn slightly red - though not nearly as bad as before, for which he is endlessly grateful. ]

You could always - take a test drive?

[ it is basically impossible for him to tell if she's poking fun at him or not. ]

[passingthrough]

[She smiles, not backing away or moving forward.] What'd you have in mind?

[She can't exactly remember the goal here herself.]

[winn]

Uh --

[ this is the part where a dude with a hidden camera jumps out, isn't it? after what happened the last time he kissed a girl, he's not exactly jumping forward either - but the urge sure is a thing. ]

-- driver's choice?

[ his mind may be a little busy trying to locate runaway braincells. ]

[passingthrough]

[She could kiss him.

She thinks about kissing him.

She absolutely would have kissed him back if he'd initiated.

But she doesn't kiss him.

It was probably the cardigan that stopped her just in time. Just a familiar piece of clothing reminding her just enough of the person she's been missing from the prison. The one who broke her heart. The reason she feels so lonely and would like to get lost in a kiss right about now. It makes her think just enough which makes her think too much.

She likes Winn and Kara and would rather not mess that up by getting in the middle of whatever is going on between them. So, self control wins for now. Kissing loses.

She shifts back and offers a small smile.]

I think working on the fake sun generator sounds like a plan.

[winn]

[ if you were looking for the opportune moment - that was it, his mind berates him. where were you a second ago?, he berates back.

but maybe it's for the best. maybe he read the situation wrong, and even if he didn't - no, he's just. going to take a breath and get his heart rate back to normal, offering a smile in return. ]

And with some planning, it'll be a real one someday!

[ because right now, it really only sounds like a plan. he doesn't have the specs for the sun nor any idea where to get them, he doesn't know what equipment he needs and worst of all - there's no google. ]

[passingthrough]

That's the best kind of plan. [She's feeling a little embarrassed by whatever that was or wasn't and is feeling like an exit would be a good choice before that self control lets up.] I should probably be heading back to my ship. It could need piloting or something.

We'll talk when we get to another station or planet or whatever, right? Since we'll need parts.

[winn]

Oh you're - leaving already?

[ he'll try not to look too much like a sad puppy, but kare knew what she was talking about when she compared him to one ]

Alright -- yeah, definitely. [ he nods ] I'll call you, or you'll call me, or, [ he laughs awkwardly ] I don't know what that last or is standing for.

[passingthrough]

[That note of disappointment almost changes her mind.] There should just always be one more or just in case or... [Smiling at him as she takes a step back toward the door.]

[winn]

Yeah, yeah - exactly. So just in case - or.

[ he returns the smile ]

Um, can I - walk you to your shuttle?

[ it just feels weird, saying goodbye like that, so suddenly. did he do something wrong? strike that, he did something wrong. ]

[passingthrough]

Sure. I could use the company. [Even if the company is specifically what she's fleeing right now. It's not because she doesn't like being around him or because he did anything wrong.]

[winn]

[ he follows her to the door then ]

I strive for usefulness!

[ he smiles ]

[passingthrough]

You're more than that.

[winn]

[ his smile turns more sincere, he's touched. ]

Don't worry, I won't let it get to my head.

[passingthrough]

Maybe you should. You seem like a good person, Winn.

[winn]

[ for a second, he's not really sure how to answer that. it's something that he really...needs to hear, needs to be reminded of by someone other than himself, reminded that he's doing ok - he's not turning into a homicidal maniac, not yet. ]

...thank you. You too, Kitty.

[passingthrough]

[It's something she likes hearing too. Not that he knows her past, but there's blood on her hands and just because it wasn't innocent doesn't make it easy.] Thanks. [Looking him in the eyes.]

[The walk is over almost as quickly as it started as she reaches her shuttle and turns to face him.] Looks like we found it.

[winn]

Guess so -- have a safe trip. It's been -- really great seeing you in person.

[passingthrough]

Thanks. You're not so bad yourself. [She just stands there for another awkward moment before stepping forward and kissing his cheek and then quickly turning and getting into the shuttle without looking back. Maybe she does that with everyone she knows.]

[winn]

[ either way, he's gonna stand there - hand to his cheek - kind of cursing himself for not going for that kiss.

maybe she does that with everyone, but he did it with kara when he tried to express his feelings without, you know, expressing his feelings.

he'll stand there and watch the shuttle take off, waving a little before reminding himself that she's probably looking the other way, winn!, and turning back on his tracks, to find something to do with himself. ]