driftfleet | (no subject)

I —oh. Ohh. Yeah, I get it.

Well - we technically have an empty room right now, if you ever want to borrow it. Just let me know.

Thank you.

Do you know José? Ramse.

[he shakes his head]

I don't think we've met, no.

Okay, well, when we have that ice cream social, I'm pulling him out of his cave and making him meet people. But we've been hanging out.

By all means, I'll make sure there's plenty for anyone who decides to stop by. [a pause, and a small smile] Hanging out like . . . we were hanging out?

Would you believe me if I said we really are just friends? Because we are. But he has a rough time sleeping sometimes, so I go and hang out until he gets some rest. I think it helps anchor him if some one else is there. These ships are pretty disorienting.

I believe you. [he isn't the type to really tease about that] That's - really nice of you, though. They are pretty disorienting, so I'm glad he has you to help him out.

He's a great person and it's also just... I like doing what I can. I don't want to lose that just because there aren't any burning buildings here.

I'd be incredibly worried if there were any burning buildings. [but he understands what she's saying and can't help but smile] But I get it. I feel that way, too.

Did I tell you about the time I accidentally-on-purpose orchestrated a reunion between my boss and her estranged son?

. . . accidentally-on-purpose. I think you mentioned it, but you didn't tell me the whole story.

Well, she kept throwing draft letters toward my head. So... I just... uncrumpled one of them and sent it for her. Without telling her.

Oh man. Did - it go well? She didn't get mad at you, did she?

After he got the letter he just showed up in her office. And of she got mad at me. She even fired me once or twice, but then decided she'd rather have dinner reservations with him. They were both pretty much at a loss for how to talk to each other, so I actually ended up going with them to mediate at one point.

It worked out pretty well... and he asked me out, so it wasn't a total loss.

[he can't help but huff, but he's smiling] This is why people should talk to you for longer than five minutes.

I'm glad it worked out for them. And that you got a date out if it at the end.

[ she smiles, appreciating the compliment ]

Thanks. Turns out dating with a secret identity is really hard, so it didn't work out, but he's a really cool person.

That . . . sounds incredibly difficult, yeah. Are the two of you still friends, at least?

We parted on good terms, but he lives in another city. Ms. Grant was irritated with me for a few days, but I think we got over it.

Ah. I'm glad for that, at least. This is the same Ms. Grant who gave you your superhero name, right?

Yes! She's my boss and the "Queen of All Media".

Of all media?

It's more an honorary title. Self-proclaimed, even. But yeah, there are a lot of branches of media. TV, internet, radio, newspaper...

I guess you don't have the New York Times in your world? Because I have a feeling they'd have something to say about your boss claiming that.

We do, but they're focused mainly on newspaper reporting. Ms. Grant has several avenues and owns TV networks and radio stations and websites.

. . . how many networks does she own?