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]

I remember going to the beach when I was really young- with my family during the summer. Sandcastles, maybe. Probably not a good idea now, though.

[ Kaitie, you might have to be the sandmen builder and he can appraise it from afar or fetch pails of water.

He stops at his favorite spot, just before the tide so they don't get wet sitting in the sand. ]

[flickerflash]

Why isn't it a good idea now?

[She has to ask. Katie tilts her head with a frown.] Can you not make them if your arm's metal?

[reconstitution]

I probably shouldn't get sand stuck in it right now.

[flickerflash]

[Hmm. She gives him a studious look, mulling things over, then offers a tentative smile.]

If you try not to get too much stuck, I bet I could get it out for you.

[reconstitution]

I guess I can't really argue with that, can I?

[ Instead, he's going to eat his pie before sandcastles are a thing. ]

[flickerflash]

[She outright grins, but hey. He has the right idea. She plonks herself down next to him to munch on the pie she has, basking in the warm breeze. She doesn't get to see the ocean often, despite what she says.]

Why is your arm metal, anyway? Did you have an accident?

[reconstitution]

[ The ocean is a rare treat for all of them, so they're excused for being a little selfish in taking advantage of it.

Ah.. He wondered when it would come up. People ask eventually, and he can't really fault a kid for being curious. ]

I fell off a train.

[flickerflash]

[Katie flinches, giving a small hiss of sympathy. That sounds painful as hell.]

Was the train going too fast, or didn't the doors shut? I think they should have seatbelts, you know. [Which she would then promptly ignore, but Katie doesn't have an issue with falling.]

[reconstitution]

It was going very fast. I was trying to help a friend and I slipped.

[ Katie definitely doesn't need to know the why around it, nor what came after. Because 'it was ripped off somewhere between the train and the ground in a fall that should have resulted in death' might be a little much. ]

[flickerflash]

[She doesn't need to know more about the details-- he can keep his secrets. But her brow furrows.]

Did you get to help your friend?

[reconstitution]

I did, yeah. He was okay, at least. Even if he was a little sad about it.

[ Probably an understatement, but everything's fine. ]

[flickerflash]

Is losing your arm better than him not being okay?

[reconstitution]

Yeah, I think so.

[flickerflash]

[She smiles at that.] I'm glad. Did he make you a new silver arm as a thank you?

[Sorry, Winter.]

[reconstitution]

[ He falters briefly, giving Katie a pained smile. ] That would have been nice if he had.

Someone else made me this arm. They weren't as nice about it.

[flickerflash]

[O-oh. Her smile fades, brow furrowing.]

Did you have to do pay for it? Or do something you didn't like?

[reconstitution]

I had to do a lot of things I didn't like after I got it.

[ Sorry to crush your fantasy of friendship and whimsy, Katie. ]

[flickerflash]

[Well, to be fair, she's now considering the scope of debts and burdens that come with unsavory people, which she's also had experience with. So she's quiet a moment.]

Do you still have to do them?

[reconstitution]

No, I don't. Especially here.

[ Small mercies for Floot life. ]

[flickerflash]

[Have a relieved smile. She'd totally try and mess someone up for you if the answer was yes. But. Let's change the subject back.]

Do you want to build a sandcastle?

[it doesn't have to be a sandcastle]

[reconstitution]

Do you think we can make a good one?

[flickerflash]

I think we could make an excellent one. I have lots of experience!

[Well, how much different could it be to snow...]

[reconstitution]

Well, you'll have to remind me how. It's been a long time.

Do we need to find shells for decoration?

[flickerflash]

Oh, shells! That's a good idea. Do you know how to dig for shells with your toes? That way you don't have to get your arm near any sand at all!

[She's taking her shoes off.]

[reconstitution]

If I didn't, I'm sure you'd show me.

[ Well, this is happening, so he starts working his boots off, too. ]