Let's all hold hands and sing Kumbaya

[notzubats]

Who: Everybody! It's a planet mingle!
Broadcast: If You want!
Action: On the Holding Hands plant!
When: From June 23 until whenever we need a new mingle.

[At long last, the fleet has arrived to a new planet. This means it's time for a mingle guys! Get in! ]

Comments

[axiomed]

The ships can get . . . stressful.

[beathach]

It was fine up until a couple of certain someones almost gave me a heart attack.

[of course, there's no blame in his voice. He was feeling it before that, but the whole Winter incident definitely kicked it up a few notches after the dust had settled]

[axiomed]

[ Charles shrugs, unapologetic. He won't regret it or regret any kind of help he could offer Winter. ]

No lasting injuries is usually a good sign though.

[beathach]

[he wouldn't expect Charles to feel any differently]

I know. I'm incredibly thankful for that.

[axiomed]

. . . I am too.

[ His body has taken a lot, but now, more than ever, he's aware that he is fragile. Powerful, but still fragile. ]

[beathach]

Mm. Speaking of, how are your ribs feeling?

[axiomed]

A lot less sore. I still get a faint twinge now and then, but they seem to have healed up nicely.

[beathach]

Good.

[not that it was a real concern - he was a doctor, after all, and he'd been the one to look after him, but - sometimes logic isn't enough]

[axiomed]

[ He hesitates briefly. ]

There is . . . something else though.

[beathach]

. . . what is that?

[axiomed]

[ He drums his fingers against his armrests. The slugs stop moving. ]

I encountered something a few days ago. A dream walker.

[beathach]

A dream walker. [that was . . . new. At least for him. He'd managed to skip those particular events in Kyriakos]

Why are you a magnet for these things?

[axiomed]

A lurid fascination in telepathy, I imagine. They used to be like that in the library and Kyriakos too. I never told Erik about them though.

[ Because that would be Bad. ]

I can't speak for his intentions yet. Just . . . be careful.

[beathach]

Charles. [it's only mildly chastising. Because yes, it would be very bad]

I needed an excuse not to sleep. [he's . . . not entirely serious. But he pauses, and -] That reminds me - in all of the . . . er, chaos, that goddess left. So you don't have to worry about her anymore.

[axiomed]

No, sleeping should be fine. I can probably set up some subconscious safeguards as well. As I said, just be careful.

[ Eris was gone? That is a relief. ]

[beathach]

It was a joke, Charles. But - I would appreciate it if you did. My dreams are bad enough without someone going walking through them.

[a pause] Is this another thing we're keeping between us?

[axiomed]

For now. I don't want to start a panic.

[ And he doesn't know yet. Bill had said all the right things, but Charles isn't naive enough to believe an interdimensional entity. ]

[beathach]

Alright. Don't forget what we talked about.

[if it wasn't one thing it was another. But that's how their lives seemed to go regardless of where they were]

[axiomed]

[ He nods. ]

I haven't forgotten.

[beathach]

Good.

[he could worry just a little less]

[axiomed]

It seems that I can never provide good news.

[beathach]

You're enjoying the planet and your ribs are doing better. That counts.

[axiomed]

[ He glances at the slugs. ]

It really is a lovely place.

[beathach]

[he reaches out to pet the one on his head once again]

If you're happy, then I don't care if it comes with bad news. I'll take it.

[what a sap]

[axiomed]

[ He smiles gratefully. ]

Thank you, Hank. That means a lot to me. I'm aware I'm in the minority in . . . appreciating this place's cultural implications. Still.

[ Softer. ] Still.