(no subject)

[castrationfist]

Who: Everyone
Broadcast: N/A
Action: Iskaulit
When:

[So we've been stuck on the poison moon for a couple months now, so a lot of people probably want to get away from that.

Unfortunately, the only place you really can get away from it besides your own ship is the Iskaulit. So, here's a June Iskaulit mingle!]

Comments

[stefanged]

You did your best. I don't think anyone can fault you for what happens next.

[At least, Stefan wouldn't. Also, he knows that shut-in feeling so well. Because it's his life all day every day.]

Smart move. I'm usually in the Interfaith Center for the same reason. [He manages a smile.] If it weren't for the whole faith thing, I would've stayed in my lab all day.

[beathach]

Mm, I know. And I know whatever decision they come to, it'll be theirs - not us making it for them.

[which - regardless of how it went, was important. He didn't mind helping out and doing everything he could, but in the end the decision didn't fall on the fleet - or the Atroma, for that matter.

But yes, the siren call of a nerdy shut in. Hank smiles sympathetically] I'm glad someone else understands.

[stefanged]

Exactly. That's the most important, really.

[They're only wayward travelers - how could they know the inner workings of a place, much less what the people there want? The Fleet did their part, which is all Stefan could've hoped for.]

Of course. It's not on purpose either, it's more... you know how you get wrapped up in some big discovery? And then it suddenly becomes 4 AM?
[he shakes his head] That was my life for way too long.

[beathach]

[he can't help the faint laugh] That's been my life since I started college. And it was my job for a while. Now it's just - habit. So I definitely know what you mean.

[stefanged]

Really? [If Hank didn't have Stefan's full attention before, he sure does now.] What kind of work were you doing back home? If you're okay with answering that, I mean.

[beathach]

No, I don't mind. Right now I'm a teacher - or . . . will be a teacher again. [he still isn't sure how he should explain that, but details] Before that, though, I worked as a researcher for the CIA - I went to school for genetics and biochemistry, but I was doing a lot of work with engineering and aerospace, too. One of my main projects was looking into supersonic flight.

[stefanged]

Wow.

[Holy shit. Stefan doesn't even know where to begin to ask questions, but mostly? His own experiments seem a lot lesser in comparison.]

From the CIA to teaching... that's gotta be quite the jump.

[beathach]

[all experiments are equally important, Stefan, science is science]

It - yeah, it was a jump. It wasn't planned, exactly - a friend of mine opened a school, though, and I just sort of . . . stuck around. I had to quit the CIA for . . . uh, reasons.

[stefanged]

[Personal, private reasons. Got it. Stefan's expression turns sympathetic.]

I see. I'm sure your students appreciate all you do for them - er, appreciated?

I got my degree in evolutionary biology, but I don't think it even holds a candle to what you're doing.

[beathach]

[not private so much as "I fled the CIA because I'm a mutant and they would have likely killed and/or experimented on me", and explaining that is awkward]

I - think they did? I don't have students at the moment. The school had to close for a few years - we were working on reopening it when we were brought here.

[he blinks, then can't help but grin a little] I don't know about that. Evolutionary biology is pretty impressive on its own.

[stefanged]

Ah. That would put a wrench in rebuilding...

[Stefan rubs the back of his neck.] I'd normally agree, but that's also the only biology degree Princeton offered. So it's less impressive and more 'oh, every kid gets that.'

[beathach]

Just a bit, yeah.

[he can't help but make a face] Really? Geez, I didn't know that. Things have definitely changed since I was looking at colleges.

[stefanged]

I'd believe it. Tuition rates, too - a guy saves the world and it still doesn't give him a discount.

[He could compel his way out, now that he thinks about it. New future game plan?]

[beathach]

You'd think saving the world would at least earn a scholarship.

[if Hank knew everything about the future of education he would be so annoyed]

[stefanged]

Nope, not even close.

[He laughs,] It's been a while since I've had to think about that. At least Atroma provides for everything here.

[beathach]

If it makes you feel better, saving the world for us didn't get us anything either. But we weren't exactly looking for something in return, either.

Mm, mostly everything. [they didn't provide him with the serum, but frankly, he'd worry about them messing it up on purpose]

[stefanged]

I don't think many people would, yeah.

[He's curious now, about what he means by saving the world - another alien invasion? But he'll file that one for later.]

Mostly...?

[beathach]

Mmm. It isn't something that really occurs to you.

[if only it were aliens. Aliens would have been easier, at least emotionally]

Ah - yeah. I take a serum - it's nothing serious or life-threatening, which is probably why - but for the first month I didn't have it. At worst, it made things - er, awkward.

[stefanged]

Still. I'm glad you could re-create it here. Even if your serum wasn't necessary for survival, it sure sounds important.

[Stefan involuntarily glances down at his lapis lazuli ring. He's more than grateful it came along for the ride...]

[beathach]

Some people would say otherwise. [but the tone is understanding, if a bit wry. He shrugs a shoulder] It lets me fit in, so to speak. A big, blue furry guy sort of stands out, and . . . I really hate sticking out.

[ha ha, speaking of blue]

/slides in really really late

[stefanged]

[Oh. That kinda changes things, re: the serum...]

That first month must've been rough. But you know? I hate sticking out too.

[So he smiles, baring his fangs, because hey. If Hank's comfortable enough with his secrets, Stefan can share one of his too.]

[beathach]

It was a lot better than I thought it would've been.

[he blinks and - well, that's unexpected. He doesn't look scared or anything, though, just surprised]

—huh. I can see why.

[stefanged]

Yeah. I've got pills, so I don't need to feed on anyone, but it sucks.

[He's quiet for a second as he pokes his fangs. The most intimidating vampire, right?]

... No pun intended.

[beathach]

[. . . he can't help it, he chuckles a little. Super intimidating]

I can imagine.

[stefanged]

[So intimidating, with his baby fangs that wouldn't scare a small child...

He'll retract them now.]

It's not like I go around telling people, because actual hunters live here, but... yeah. You're not the only [not fully human] one here.