text;

[nostraightlines]

Who: José Ramse and YOU
Broadcast: fleetwide text
Action: the Starstruck
When: now!

Celeste Blackwell went home. At least, I figure that's where they sent her. So much for my plan to be as boring as possible to get sent back.

...

Does anyone here know where I could get sleeping pills or anything like that?


[ Ramse can be found on the bridge of the Starstruck, staring down at the unfortunate moon. He's definitely in a mood. ]

Comments

[nostraightlines]

I know.

Tell me a story. What's the wildest thing you've done on the job? [ Wait. He glances to the hall, making sure no one's there to eavesdrop... eeehhh. He grabs the cup again and stands up, tugging on Kara's hand. ] I'm not the only one who likes to hang out in here. Come on.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ she's easily led ]

Where are we heading?

[nostraightlines]

Away from curious ears. There are a lot of them on this ship but my room's right down the hall.

[ The Starstruck has private rooms instead of bunk rooms, and that's really the only place that alien superhero stories will be safe to tell. It's tidy, the bed made and spare uniforms hanging up neatly. He's used to keeping his space clean from Project Splinter. There's medical supplies and a thermos on the little table and a cell phone on the nightstand that seems to be on somehow, a little red light glowing at the top. ]

[takingkarabusiness]

Fair enough. It gives me time to think of a story, anyway.

[ she follows easily, taking a cue from him as to where to sit, taking her shoes off if it's on his bed so she can draw her knees up again ]

Wild, huh? One time I had my shapeshifting secret governmental organization boss pretend to be Supergirl so we could be at the same place at the same time and I could keep my job?

[nostraightlines]

[ It's the bed! He knocks his boots off too, sitting cross legged leaning against the wall. ]

Your secret government organization boss is a shapeshifter. That must come in handy.

Supergirl? You didn't say that's what they called you. But didn't everyone notice that you were the same person..? Unless she wears a mask or something.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ laughs ]

I didn't tell you that? Oops. My day job boss came up with the name, which is technically a riff on my cousin's superhero identity, Superman.

With my night job boss, we try not to exploit him very much. There are some complications if he shifts too much. And you'd be surprised that people don't guess more often. As Supergirl, I don't have a mask... as Kara, I have these.

[ takes off glasses, handing them to him ]

They're lined with lead, so don't lick them. It helps me focus because it blocks my x-ray vision.

[nostraightlines]

[ Superman... like the comic book. Ah well, it's an obvious name for a superhero, it's not surprising multiple worlds would come up with it. Ramse just nods.

Why would he lick your glasses, Kara, really? He's going to put them on, though. And do the 'what do you think?' face. ]

A pair of glasses keeps people from knowing. Seriously, that's all it takes?

[takingkarabusiness]

That and letting my nerd colors shine. Who would think that the space cadet assistant is Supergirl?

Besides Ms. Grant, I mean. I think we've convinced her but it's hard to know.

[nostraightlines]

Anyone with eyes, if there are pictures of her on the news.

Who's Ms Grant?

[takingkarabusiness]

The CEO for whom I'm a personal assistant; my day-job boss.

A lot of people just don't want to know, I guess.

[nostraightlines]

Day job boss, got it.

[ He tilts his head, curious, passing her back her glasses. ] How many people do know?

[takingkarabusiness]

My sister, her mom, and my cousin, obviously. Winn—who's here—and my friend James. My cousin told him, actually. Probably more people at the DEO—my night job—than I'd like. And the world's biggest jerk, Max Lord.

[nostraightlines]

Hey, you've got a friend here?

...the world's biggest jerk knowing sounds like a really bad thing.

[takingkarabusiness]

Yeah... he figured it out on his own. So maybe you're not that far off.

And yeah, my best friend Winn. I'm really glad he's here.

[nostraightlines]

Is he dangerous?

[ There's obviously nothing he can do to protect Kara that she couldn't do herself a million times better, but the urge is there. ]

Winn. I've gotta meet this guy.

[takingkarabusiness]

Winn? Oh! You mean Max Lord.

Yeah, I think he is, but he's... complicated.

[ handwave ]

And you do have to meet Winn. He's pretty scared of space, but I'm sure he'll come out of his shell soon.

[nostraightlines]

Well, I know complicated. And being scared of space.

[takingkarabusiness]

Maybe you can help him conquer his fear? I don't know how effective my pep talks have been.

[nostraightlines]

...I could try. I don't know if I'm the best example, I still can't sleep through the night alone.

[takingkarabusiness]

Well, I mean, maybe you two could come to an arrangement with the sleeping thing...? He's currently on my couch.

[ she's kidding, she's kidding. ]

[nostraightlines]

Hmm...

[ He seems to be considering it. ]

How did you get a couch? I don't have a couch.

[takingkarabusiness]

My personnel augment got me an extra office. I lucked out, I guess.

[nostraightlines]

I think I've got somebody willing to spend the night now and then, but I'll keep your friend in mind.

[takingkarabusiness]

Let me know if you do talk to him. He really is a good guy.

[nostraightlines]

You'll be the first one to know. What ship is he on, anyway? Yours?