And On Your Left You'll See a Tourist Mingle

[takingkarabusiness]

Who: Tourists and visitors
Broadcast: nah
Action: The Tourist!
When: April!!!

[ what do you mean the month is half over? this is a mingle people! ]

Comments

[takingkarabusiness]

No super speed, got it.

[ she takes Hank's arm and pulls him out of the room rather than just tell him to come with her ]

Be right back!

[ she's completely not sure why she's reacting so strongly— it's like Kitty said, there was nothing inherently scandalous about what they were doing. but the convergence of factors just pushed it over the edge ]

[beathach]

[he's okay with being pulled, he goes more than willingly.

He only gives a brief glance over his shoulder once they're out of earshot before he glances down at Kara]

So that was - something.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ she has the good sense to look kinda mortified ]

I am so sorry. That was a really stupid move on my part.

[beathach]

What? No - no, no, you don't have to apologize. It's just - bad timing, that's all.

[really, really bad timing]

[takingkarabusiness]

I mean, Kitty's right. It's nothing we haven't seen before. It's just like. You know. Walking in on your brother.

[beathach]

[it's true, and he's done the same at the risk of getting caught.

. . . not that he's going to say that]

I get it. Also just the surprise of - walking in on anyone. [he walked in on Charles and Erik once and that was a lot worse]

[takingkarabusiness]

I just can't believe I did that. You'd think me, of all people, would remember that I have like 20 failsafes against this sort of thing.

[ huff huff ]

Not actually how I wanted you to meet Winn. But Kitty didn't try to kill you?

[beathach]

[he reaches over to pat her hand with a faintly amused noise]

That's what second impressions are for? [he certainly wasn't going to hold it against him] Kitty and I . . . talked. Now it's just. Awkward? A little, I think.

[takingkarabusiness]

Well, it fit right in to that scene?

[ she exhales. she can get over this. ]

Let's check out the kitchen. For a few minutes.

They should stock these things with alcohol, though I don't even know if I can get drunk.

[beathach]

Stocking the kitchens with alcohol sounds like a really bad idea.

[though he certainly understands why they should. He doesn't drink often, but even he'd go for one right now] Have you tried before?

[takingkarabusiness]

At home? Yes. But I'm not at full strength here, so who knows.

[beathach]

Ah. Well, it might be possible. [he's not going to encourage her to test it, though, because that - like most things - seems like a bad idea]

[takingkarabusiness]

[ they get into the kitchen and she starts gathering glasses ]

I feel like I'm screwing everything up.

[beathach]

Screwing everything up - ? How?

[is there more going on here than just them walking in on Kitty and Winn?]

[takingkarabusiness]

When I mentioned you to Winn, he took Kitty's side. Not in the strong reaction sort of way, but in the "be cautious" sort of way, because he'd rather be safe than sorry. But I'd rather believe in someone's good potential than be sorry. But I guess it felt like, I'm his best friend. He should trust me.

And it's not that I'm not excited that he and Kitty are, you know, hitting it off. He was into me, and I don't want to encourage that because I don't see him that way. But it's weird when I've known both of them longer than they've known each other.

[ how about some petty feelings for our third conversation, hank? the subtext though is that she doesn't want to be replaced ]

[beathach]

[surprisingly enough he picks up on the subtext. He tilts his head with a faint frown, because he can . . . understand, in a way. In more than one way]

I don't think it's that he doesn't trust you. I - it's more that he does, and he knows you look for the good in people, that he's worried in case it really does go wrong? [he isn't sure if that came out right, and he kind of makes a face] I mean, that's how I'd feel about it. And I've been the person saying "safe than sorry" a lot of the time.

As for the other - ah, thing, I don't really . . . I know it's cliche to say "don't worry", and it's hard not to, but - I don't think anything will change? [is what he finally offers, trying not to just outright say "they won't replace you"]

[takingkarabusiness]

Maybe. I mean, thank you.

I've been trying to stay really positive about everything, but not being at full strength is... hard. I hate it and it makes me feel useless.

[beathach]

Ah . . . but you aren't - [it's going to sound cliche again. He cuts himself off, huffing out a quiet noise] You're more than your strength, Kara. Powers or strength or - anything like that doesn't define a person.

You're having a difficult time and you're still trying to stay positive. You make the most of it - that says a lot. That's far more impressive than any power.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ she smiles, despite her mood. he's really very kind ]

Thank you, Hank. You're... really sweet.

Do you mind helping carry back the drinks? I should probably make good on my excuse.

[beathach]

[he shakes his head, smiling back]

I'm just honest.

And - no, I wouldn't mind at all. I did offer.

[takingkarabusiness]

I wouldn't have blamed you if it was just to escape the weirdness.

But I promise to knock this time.

[ she squeezes his forearm before going to get the full glasses. thanks for being a pal ]

[beathach]

I would've offered regardless.

[she's been a good friend to him so far it only makes sense. He follows after to help out]