driftfleet | paisley july mingle!

[Soon after the most recent shuffle, Stefan takes to the ship's communicators for the first time. His voice's wavering, moreso than usual.]

Hey, everyone. I don't really know how to say this, but - [a breath] Alex went home. And as you know, that means that I've inherited her title. I'm - no, we're gonna miss her, but "the show must go on," right? While I couldn't have asked for a better crew [yes, even Theon], I do ask that you be patient with me these next couple of weeks.

Alex did leave things for most of us, so drop by her room later. And uh, if you have any questions or concerns, or I don't know, whatever, I'll be in the kitchen.

[this next bit's private to Anakin and Kirito:] Hey, Anakin? Kirito? If you can, drop by later. I have something I want to ask you.

[Stefan's gonna spend the rest of the day in the kitchen. For once, he's not trying to cook ma'amoul, either. Allen & Sokka have graciously gifted him with more than enough T-Rex meat, and so he's trying to cook some light dino stew. And dino-stuffed pastries.

And well, a lot of things that he normally doesn't. Hope you don't mind the smell of spices, since he's done a lot to erase the smell of meat!]

Edited 2016-07-23 19:49 (UTC)

[Sigh.]

There goes the most interesting part of the ship.

Well, the most interesting part of the ship that doesn't regularly wet itself.

I know. Compared to her, I'm practically chopped liver, but...

It looks like I'll have to play to the cameras [and indirectly, the crew] a little more.

That would depend upon your purpose, wouldn't it? [Though concrete goals are a bit questionable in this context.]

My pretty boring purpose, yeah. I'll do whatever gets me enough money for this place to run smoothly.

[A pause,] Within reason.

If your only concern is money, there are far easier ways to acquire it.

Probably. But this also seemed the most consistent.

How would you go about it? [A genuine question; he's a lot more unsure about his sudden leadership than he wants to let on.]

I am very good at numbers. [He smiles. And lying. And cheating.] And most people who play games of chance are not.

No, they're really not. [Himself included.] Should I leave all those games to you?

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[ he can't believe he slept through alex leaving. it's not as much of a shock as it would've been before, and as stefan says - the show must go on. there's a new captain on this ship and he respects the summons dutifully, even though he feels a bit trampled on.

he knocks on stefan's door. ]

It's Anakin.

[Stefan rushes to the door, answering it and stepping aside.]

Hey. [He manages a small smile, motioning for Anakin to sit beside him on the bed.] Did you see the present Alex left you?

I did. [ he smiles as he sits and rest his elbows on his knees. ] I'll be sure to make good use of the art studio. Or I know people who would be.

I'm glad to hear that.

[But he didn't really call Anakin in to reminisce. Stefan's smile is a nervous one, and his hands are shaking a little too.]

But I was also thinking... Now that I'm captain, I'll need a solid first mate. Someone who knows this ship as well as I do and then some.

Edited 2016-07-27 04:58 (UTC)

You're thinking of assigning me or Kirito as first mate.

Well. [ a shrug ] I haven't been here as long as Kirito and I don't know the ship as well as Kirito can. But I'm a pilot. I have a wealth of experience, as general of my own battalion. [ chuckling: ] And I've tried just about all the ship food that everyone here seems to hate...

Exactly. You're more than capable, if you ask me. The only reason I'm even asking both of you, versus just you, is... Well....

[He rubs the back of his neck.] In case you said no.

[ He smiles and bows his head a little in a rare show of humility. ] If that's what you want, Captain, I would be honored to be your first mate.

[!!!]

I'm glad to hear that. [Stefan beams at him, with a smile that he almost never displays for the world, let alone a friend. Rejection (much less from someone he cares about) would've been nerve-wracking.]

Though I'm gonna admit, I don't think I'll ever get used to that title.

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[Oh geez. Oh, geez. That's not great news, and he can understand all too well how Stefan's probably feeling right now. He doesn't go to Alex's room first - he'll check later, whatever she left will still be around when he's done - and instead beelines for wherever Stefan is at, knocking his knuckles on the doorframe for attention and shifting awkwardly in place once he has it.]

Hey... I'm really sorry. About Alex, I... [God, obvious, much? What else should he be sorry about? Stumbling right out of to gate.]

[Oh Kirito... Stefan had been in the middle of a diary entry, but that's forgotten the minute he sees his friend.

He rushes over, folding his arms awkwardly to prevent him from hugging Kirito (he remembered the first time).] Hey, no. You had nothing to do with that. She's gone home to a great family and a good future.

[But he manages a relieved smile.] How was your nap?

[Kirito smiles faintly; he appreciates Stefan's restraint, but he feels kind of guilty about it, too. It's times like this when someone really deserves a hug. He's not one to initiate it though, so--]

It was... it was good. Really good. I mean, it's hard being back, but... I got to see everyone back home.

[It's bittersweet, but worth the pain, even so.]

Even Asuna and - and your sister?

[Oh, that's huge. Stefan's eyes widen as he realizes exactly what that means. Forget the restraint, hugs are very much in order.

He's gonna go for it. Hope Kirito doesn't mind tight bearhugs, because Stefan doesn't quite feel like apologizing for them.]

How long were you there? Er, how long do you remember being there?

[He probably shouldn't be surprised by the hug, but somehow he always is. He's getting better at it, at least- his response is slightly less awkward, patting Stefan reassuringly on the back. It's okay, buddy, he doesn't hate it.]

It was about five months. It feels like a lot happened, but... if I were to try and summarize it, it wouldn't mean much to someone who doesn't play MMOs.

[His expression softens.]

But yeah... I saw my family again. Dad was even home for a couple of weeks, during the holidays. I got to be with Asuna, and Yui...

Sorry. [MMOs were around in 2016, but Stefan couldn't say he was interested in them.] But that sounds - that's really good.

[He pulls back long enough to get a better look at Kirito. Hm, it doesn't look like the kid's gotten any older. Or maybe he's too old to look for any lingering differences.]

Yui? I don't think you've talked about her before.

[Two years in a coma during the formative years will do that, apparently. He's probably about as tall as he'll ever get at this point, though it was only five months.]

For real? I've been slacking off, then. She's, um, my daughter.

[/casual bombshell]