driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: two nerds and you
Broadcast: fleetwide
Action: Marsiva
When: now!

[ The audio comes on sharply, but everything is still dark as two people discuss their situation.]

Is that the camera? Can you get it to work?

I - think so? Here, push this --

I am pushing it, Hank. I thought you knew about these from that show you keep watching. Space Trek?

It's Star Trek and that isn't exactly - you know, the same thing as this.

Right. . . . Wait, I think I see something on the side.

[ And the video flickers on, the red light glowing softly. It focuses on two men. One in a wheelchair and the other right next to him, peering curiously at the camera before they step back satisfied. ]

Well, that’s over and done with. Hello to anyone who might be out there. My name is Charles Xavier and this is Hank McCoy. Apparently we’ve been kidnapped again, by an unknown force again for some mysterious reason.

[muttered:] Again. [and louder] So if anyone would be kind enough to explain exactly what's going on, we'd appreciate it. You have our thanks in advance.

But do keep it pertinent.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In my experience, you're practically a veteran. [he says it with a joking tone, but he's absolutely serious, too. Thanks, Kyriakos]

The polluted moon, you mean? I don't know . . . I've never had the opportunity to walk on the moon before - a moon anyway.

Yay for me. [Her tone is so deadpan it's hard to take it seriously.]

It's not that exciting. There's been others-- and there will be more. Here you can't even go outside without a gas mask.

That's what I've been told. [he nods, then shrugs a shoulder] I'm still getting used to being in space at all, honestly.

[A slight noise of displeasure can be heard before she replies.]

Six months, and I'm still getting used to people saying that.

[he looks apologetic]

Sorry. Space travel isn't possible where I'm from - well, not past the moon, at least. And that only happened a few years ago.

[Octavia sighs and shakes her head.]

No, don't worry about it, that's on me. Bad memories, that's all.

[She pauses, trying to remember stuff she's read.] So, you're what? From the early 70s?

Ah . . . still. [he purses his lips, but he doesn't say anything else about it]

1973, yeah. [he nods in agreement]

[Still what? She wants him to continue, but that would mean she needs to as well. Gonna take a pass on that.]

Huh, way before my time. But at least space was happening then.

[that's for the best, he'll likely apologize again]

In a matter of speaking. It was honestly happening more on television than in actuality.

[And she'd make him apologize for apologizing. A never ending cycle.]

I'd say the moon is space enough. I'm not talking about intergalactic travel like this-- just leaving Earth.

[it would be terrible]

Ah - right. But mm, it was - happening.

Is it something that was - normal for you? Where you're from originally?

[There's a flicker of something in her expression before she replies, not giving too much away.]

I was born in space, on a station orbiting the planet. Not so much travel as actually living up there.

Ah . . . [he tilts his head, curious, but he won't press] That's interesting.

[and he oh-so-subtly changes the subject] I'm sorry all of my questions are kind of personal, but - what do you do here?

That's one way of putting it.

[Octavia gives him a half smile.] Trust me, if it bothers me, I won't answer it. I'm a security officer on my ship, unless you're asking about passing the time.

I know, but I sort of have a habit of - rambling, so. [he shrugs; he knows how he is, sometimes] I meant your - augment, yeah. But knowing what there is to do outside of that helps?

I noticed, but hey, it's better than weird silences. At least this was, I've got something to go off of.

[She pauses, clearly thinking.] There's a small collection of media on your comm, stuff from different worlds. You can browse through that. A lot of people start taking up new things. There's meditation, gardening, different weapons classes. Personally, I was working on boxing and some different swordplay, but both my teachers left a bit ago. I'm still practicing on my own, but I've got an eye open for something else to try.

So essentially, people offering to teach others their skillsets. [he smiles a little bit; that sounds familiar, somewhat] That doesn't sound so bad - uh, picking up hobbies like that, I mean. Useful skills. I can't say I'm much for - that stuff, but it's good to know that kind of thing is out there.

Sort of, yeah. It's good to end up with more skills than you arrived with.

[Octavia looks at him curiously, but with a teasing smile.] Not much for what? Sharing?

No, I'd be happy to share what I know, if someone's interested. I meant the - fighting and swordplay, things like that.

Hey, those were my things. I never said that was all there is. [But it seems to be a lot of it.]

But what do you know?

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the majority, though.

But - I'm a scientist, so if someone was interested in learning about one of the sciences. I'm good with technology as well, and building things. [he shrugs, pauses, then quickly adds] I have to catch up, in a manner of speaking, but I'd planned on doing that anyway.

I think it is-- not really much else to work with.

[Octavia pauses, then shrugs. Sure, why not.] Okay, science at me.

[he blinks. And - stares. He doesn't mean to, but it's very rare that people actually tell him to do that. Usually they're telling him to shut up instead]

I - you want to learn?

[It might reach that point eventually, but not so quick.]

If I can. Who knows, I might completely suck at it.

Edited 2016-04-17 04:26 (UTC)

Or you might be brilliant at it. [he immediately counters] Don't sell yourself short before you even begin.

But - whenever you want to start, I'd be happy to teach you.

(no subject)

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