driftfleet | (no subject)

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.

I haven't talked to him yet. I wonder if Kate knows him? Or Vision, maybe.

Kate might? Some of these parallel worlds have all the groups I've heard of, and then there's ones like mine where it's just the one.

That's infinite Earths, for you. Just the tiniest thing can change everything.

I try not to think about it too hard. I mean, some things line up, but for the most part it's been pretty different.

I agree. Sometimes you just meet people who have the same name.

Mm. Otherwise you get into expectations and that's - messy.

And we certainly can't have that.

Is it weird if I ask you how Raven's doing? I still haven't met her.

Exactly.

[he blinks in surprise] Ah - no, it's not that weird. I think she's still getting used to being here, but she's doing alright. She - uh, she transferred to my ship not too long ago.

Man, that's the party ship, isn't it? Let me know when you have a giant sleepover.

It feels like it's starting to get there. [he laughs a little] If it happens you'll be the first to know.

. . . if it isn't too weird, I can introduce you to Raven the next time we're all there. I think you two would get along, and . . . she really should start talking to people who aren't me or her brother.

I'd love that. It wouldn't be weird at all, from my side of things.

Who's her brother?

Ah - good. Then I definitely will.

Charles is.

Oh, really? That's cool they're both here, then.

It's . . . yeah. It's a really good thing for them.

Does it complicate things for you?

[he wrinkles his nose]

No, not really. I mean, I can't exactly go to him for advice anymore, but aside from that it isn't complicated.