driftfleet | (no subject)

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.

[ she squeezes his hand briefly before letting it go and sitting back ]

I've been kind of childish about some things, here. It didn't really hit me until I started realizing that a few of my friends didn't trust me to keep them safe in case something serious happened. That's not how I want to be.

[he thinks her reactions were completely warranted, but - then again, he was harder on himself than anyone else]

I might be a little biased, but I don't think you're like that. [Kara was an incredibly good person to Hank, and one he felt would do what she had to in order to keep people safe] But I know what you mean. I've been . . . bad about some things here, too. [he gives her a brief, wry smile] As you already know.

I think we're really alike in some ways. Sometimes it's hard to feel like anyone takes me seriously. I'm relatively young, I come off as clumsy, or a ditz. Which, yes, can happen, but is also part of my cover, you know? I like to see the best in people. When was it decided that that would be a weakness? I find only strength in caring. It makes me better at what I do.

It shouldn't be considered a weakness, and I honestly don't know why it's become one - so what if you come off that way? It's what's behind that which really matters. Anyone who talks to you for more than five minutes will know that you're a very caring person, Kara. And you genuinely mean well.

[and a bit wryly] I've been having a similar problem lately, too. But I only look young - and it's been working against me, here.

Unfortunately, "meaning well" doesn't always impart a sense of competence.

You do look really young. But how has it been working against you?

Unfortunately not. But like I said - five minutes with you and they should realize that you're a lot more than just what they see at first. If they don't? Then it's their loss.

[a huff] I'm starting to wish I didn't. It's mostly just - people don't believe me when I tell them I'm in my thirties. Someone actually asked Erik if I was telling the truth.

[ she pulls a face on his behalf ]

You'd think people would understand that stranger things have happened by now.

To be entirely fair to the other person, he knows us in his world and the version of me he knows plays poker with him. That's how it came up.

But at this point I'm wondering why it's even a concern. People look younger than they are all the time.

Perhaps the fact that they know you in another form influences it. But that's obnoxious. Maybe they think they're being funny?

Well, he called all of us babyfaces, so - it's really up for debate.

Who was it, anyway. Someone new from your world show up? Or. A parallel world.

Ben Grimm? He's from a parallel world, I think. He mentioned the Avengers and the group he's part of, neither of which exist in my world.