driftfleet | (no subject)

[ha ha . . . it's been difficult discussing family in any detail lately, but he'll try. He shifts in his chair and shuts his book so he can't use that as a distraction] Alright. Uh - let's see . . .

Eveningstar - Maya, she was one of Erik's teammates. Very . . . mm, optimistic and always concerned about everyone else but herself. Especially after - difficult competitions. She liked to tease me about being old, and bully me into doing things I wouldn't normally do. Like - running a wipeout course, if you're familiar with those. She really liked, uh - me the other way, too. "Blue and furry" sort of comes from her.

Viva was on another team, too. [a small huff] We met because our teammates were dating. She's the first one who really called me - cool, when I first got my . . . er, the other part of me back. She's . . . pretty tough. A lot braver than I could ever be, considering some of what we all went through. She had no problems cursing people out, either - I unfortunately picked up some of that from her. [any and all cursing Hank does is Viva's fault] Her sense of humor was on par with Star's - but she liked puns. She gave me her pun book when I left, actually.

Don't take this the wrong way, but they sound both adorable and hilarious. How old is Viva?

[he can't help but grin] Why would I take it the wrong way? I agree.

Viva's . . . geez, I think she's - fourteen? Fifteen? I'm not really sure.

Who knows. Better to clarify.

So, a fourteen year old girl outcurses you. That's just so cute. I bet you're great with them.

To be entirely fair, everyone outcurses me. But no one curses as much as Viva does.

[he rests his elbow on the table and his chin on his hand] More like they were great with me. [a huff] I miss them.

Understandably. But it sounds like you have plans to reunite.

One day, hopefully. I was just starting to look into that sort of thing back home.

Winn is really making a concerted effort on that front. You guys should share notes.

Ah - yeah, we talked about it a little at the masquerade.

Do you guys work together much?

Not much - not yet. I told him I was interested in doing lessons over the network, though.

[sheepishly] The last month has been a little . . . hectic. I haven't really kept up with a lot of people.

That's fair. I was just... going to ask you a favor.

Oh - of course. What is it?

To be honest, I'm not sure if you're the right person to ask. I think the two of you have some similar characteristics. But I can tell he's feeling...less than successful here. It's spurring him into his projects more, and other people are starting to notice that he's not sleeping much.

I guess I just want him to have friends besides me and Kitty to do things with that aren't focused on making stuff for me and Kitty. Does that make sense? If you can get him on some projects that aren't about getting my powers back or figuring out how to get her back to our home, I think it would help. He gets so wrapped up in feeling useful, and thinks he's failed us when he doesn't produce the results he wants in the time he wants.

I don't want to make it sound like he doesn't have friends. Of course he does. But I'm worried. It feels like he's chasing expectations that no one's actually set for him, you know?

[he sure is the right person to ask - if only because he's been there, and he knows what it does to a person, and admittedly he's felt a little bit like that here lately, too]

Haah . . . I don't know if I'm the right person either, but I know what that's like.

I owe him a few visits anyway, and - he's a friend, and a friend of yours, too, so if there's something I can do I'll try. And I mean . . . Cisco's on my ship too, and I'm sure the three of us can come up with all sorts of things to do that won't stress him out like that.

Thanks, Hank.

Can you try to be subtle about it? I don't want him to feel like he needs to hide what he's doing so he doesn't make people worry.

Of course. Is he still - uh, having issues with flying? Or can he handle a quick shuttle ride?

He's getting better. And if you ask me, I think challenging him to be brave is worth it.

It's definitely worth it.

Thanks. I know he's capable than more than he thinks he is. I think you are, too. You've managed some pretty valuable relationships for someone who's not really a people person.

Well - of course he is, he's incredibly intelligent and talented. I hope he knows that. [he blinks at her, then glances away, just a little awkwardly] I try. I'm not - good at people sometimes, but I don't like being alone, either. Not anymore.

Just don't focus on failures more than successes, okay? Because I certainly haven't adopted two little sisters.

[ easier said than done. but her earlier talk with winn reminded her of what she can do while she's here ]

[he can't help but look just a touch guilty. He knows he does a lot of that]

I'll try not to.

[ she's going to reach across the table and try to take his hand and get him to look at her ]

And for the record? Our friendship is a success.

[he blinks down at their hands, then up at Kara, surprised before he softens a little]

I'm glad it is. It's - a pretty important success to me.