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

[reconstitution]

[ It's not even Charles that has the hair on the back of his neck raising. Not being at one hundred percent is one of his biggest issues. The vulnerability that follows. He trusts so few people to be near him, and the people that he will allow into his head is at a solid one.

The locals here are friendly and embracing, having no problem with touch, while the other planets, while welcoming, weren't as tactile. If the only thing Winter can have here is a bit of knowledge about them, then he'll take it.

There's no peace of mind here for him like there is for Charles. Perhaps he is reading too much into things, but if he can't be sure, then Winter at least wants to be alert. ]

[ Lightly, ] It's one of the best planets I've seen.

[axiomed]

[ He shoots Winter a grateful smile, oddly vulnerable. ]

Truly?

[reconstitution]

It is. Not my favorite one, but only for selfish reasons.

[ The dusty moon will always be his favorite, he thinks. ]

[axiomed]

Selfish reasons are no different from normal ones, you know. We may try to justify it, but we can't help thinking selfishly at times. I can certainly admit that my fondness for this place is entirely selfish.

[reconstitution]

I have to admit, the beach is nice and the food is good.

[ Hello, change of direction. ]

[axiomed]

[ He chuckles. bemused. ]

I'll have to take your word for it. Sand and I do not get along anymore.

[reconstitution]

I could try taking a picture for you.

[ Try being the key word, but he'd try if Charles wanted to see. ]

[axiomed]

I appreciate the thought, Winter, but I'll be fine. I'm not missing much.

[ He's not even sure how he'd feel, being on a beach again since Cuba. ]

[reconstitution]

Alright.

[ He nods. ]

[axiomed]

Do you have any plans while you're here?

[reconstitution]

I don't think so, no.

[axiomed]

Maybe you should consider it. There's plenty to do here, with or without the locals. And there might not be another opportunity.

Even spend it with the people you care about.

[reconstitution]

Maybe. I'll let them enjoy themselves a bit, first.

[ Because lord knows he's a downer. ]

[axiomed]

I'm sure they'd enjoy spending time with you as well. I certainly do.

[reconstitution]

Most of them are still recovering.

[ So he's just.. going to let them do that before he steps in. ]

[axiomed]

All the more reason to let them see a familiar face.

[reconstitution]

Do you think so? Wouldn't you want space?

[axiomed]

I can't speak for everyone but . . . [ He hesitates, rubbing his knees. ]

When I was injured, I kept wondering if the people I cared about, no matter what had taken place, would come through the door. And I think it can be reassuring to know that, no matter how bad it gets, people are always willing to come -- come back.

[reconstitution]

I guess I don't know a damn thing about coming back.

[ Is there even a right way to do it? Does a simple apology work, or does he have to earn it?

Wrath had been accepting of his company, even though he's damn sure he doesn't deserve her kindness. Fuck, he doesn't even deserve what Charles offers, either. ]

[axiomed]

Do you want to, though?

[reconstitution]

I think I do.

[axiomed]

Then that's enough to start with. You have to want to come back in order for it to work. Otherwise . . . it never does.

[reconstitution]

I don't really have anyone else.

[ He doesn't really want to give them up, but if they'd be happier that way, he wouldn't deny them that. ]

[axiomed]

[ He folds his hands on top of his lap. ]

You have Wrath. Me. Ms. Carter. I've yet to meet Mr. Rogers but I assume his feelings are no different.

[ He breathes out. ] Maybe we're not meant to have the people around us. Maybe we're meant to live on the fringes. I can't say.

[ Maybe all Charles is meant for is the school and the dream and chasing after family and love would always end in heartbreak. ]

But come back when you can. Leave if you need to. The door is always open. It may seem unfair, but the truth is . . . life is like that. When you need to find yourself, you can't do it with the people you love. You have to do it by yourself.

That doesn't mean you've lost anyone.

[reconstitution]

[ When he was younger, maybe, he deserved all the people that he had around him. After so long being a nameless weapon, it must have shifted. Now, he doesn't know what to do with the people he has got. They all have a place in the world, and he belongs in the dark corners.

So long as he can watch the ones he take care of from the sidelines enjoy their lives, he's.. okay with it.

Even though he's entitled to be a person here, it's not a safe bet, anymore. The glitches are proof enough of that.

He's been searching for himself this past year. Who even knows if he'll manage to find what he's looking for. Until he does, alone is how he works best. ]

They might not understand it like you do.

[ Everyone, maybe save for Wrath, knows who they are. They have history they can recall. They don't have to figure out who they are or what they stand for- or even try to muddle through emotions that still feel new and confusing or unwanted. ]