driftfleet | 04

Who: Winn and you!
Broadcast: y!
Action: on the Tourist!
When: August 2nd

[ some of you may have noticed that winn has been uncharacteristically quiet for the past...16 days. he's not really sure how to address the elephant in the room - he knows these two weeks and change have been hard on the people he loves but for him it's like no time has passed and the dissonance is hard to bridge.

it's a good thing he has a not at all unhealthy coping mechanism set in place. ]

You know, if we're entertainment on a reality show, the least they can do is give us like a recap - you know your basic [ in a tv announcer impression ] here's what you missed on the Fleet - or - last week, on the young and the Drifting - [ he rubs the back of his head before shaking it ] Well, maybe talking about the 'least they can do' isn't such a great plan...first order of business - what'd I miss? Second order of business - if you or anyone you know has ever fallen into an unexplained sleep here or at any other kidnappy world - I'd appreciate it if you'd answer a couple questions, they're a text attachment at the bottom. Sorry if it's been done before, I'll gladly take a link to any previous research as well as fresh data. Third order of business -- hi. [ he gives the camera a little wave and a nervous chuckle ] Um. Yeah, I'm, I'm fine, I should've opened with that but if you know me the order isn't really gonna surprise you that much and if you don't you're probably really confused right now and looking for the off button - it's to your right, right on top, there you go.

That's it, I guess....good morning, Drifters - don't forget to drink your coffee! Winn out -

[ except he's not all the way out. hank and cisco each get the following message to their personal numbers ]

I need to discuss something in person. My place? [ he can't really leave kitty yet ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ it was a nightmare, hank! he was a worried, anxious wreck! ]

I left him in his mom's office playing video games with an adult present to go get pizza, I get back and puff -- [ gesturing wildly in front of him ] no kid. And the worst part's I would've done the same thing his age so I can't say it's a freak kid.

[ shaking his head again ]

Teenagers are a whole other kind of scary. They can be mean.

[ long story short - kids of all ages are terrifying, says the guy with two close teenage friends. ]

How - how in the heck did he manage that if he was being watched? [kids are like tiny ninjas]

Oh, they can be. But it isn't all that bad most of the time. We didn't have any that were overly mean.

We were at work, James was trying to be Ms. Grant, and the kid was supposed to be old enough to be trusted with going to the bathroom alone, so he probably just said that's where he was going and kept walking.

[ he shakes his head. he doesn't blame james for it, but he still feels guilty about it himself. and a little betrayed, he really thought they were bonding! see, clearly he's just useless with kids. ]

That's good cuz overly mean plus superpowers equals uh oh.

Geez . . . I'll keep that in mind if we ever get younger students.

[oh Winn surely an opportunity will pop up where you can redeem yourself. Just wait until someone deages!]

Hah, you have no idea. Alex wasn't - overly mean but he liked to pick on me sometimes. Worse, he was around my age.

[ no way, he doesn't want the responsibility it's too stressful! he doesn't even have video games or tv to entertain them with here! ]

Moderately mean is mean enough when it's relentless.

He wasn't relentless so much as he had really good timing. [and by that he means terrible timing]

[ he knows what you mean, hank. ]

That's even worse. You can't make yourself feel better by properly hating the guy, either.

I can make myself feel better knowing that I could beat him in a proper fight.

[he's mostly joking.

Except for where he probably could]

But - no, I couldn't hate him. He's a good guy, even if he could be a jerk.

See I never had that - what's that feel like? Knowing you can kick your bullies' ass but choose not to cuz you're the better man - that's gotta be a good feeling.

[ and without it he honestly can't be sure that he's the better man. there are some kids in his childhood he definitely would've fought against hard. ]

Eh. [he shrugs a shoulder] I wouldn't call Alex a bully - I had it worse when I was in school. And even then, if given the opportunity, it isn't worth the hassle.

Spoken like a guy with options, or not that bad bullies.

[ he takes another drink ]

[he reaches over to grab the bottle to refill his own glass]

No, they were pretty bad. [and immediately takes a drink] I didn't hide my mutation out of embarrassment, after all.

[ he taps the faded scar on his chin - just a white stripe where no hair ever grows, that makes him feel self conscious when he goes too long without shaving ]

Looks like nothing, right, just a scratch. There's a piece of my jaw bone missing under it. [ bitterly. stepping away from buzzed and into drunk territory now. he takes another drink. ]

[he leans forward to see it better, then winces in sympathy. Okay no, his bullies weren't that bad]

A bully did that? Hell.

I'm not sure I'd be the better man with your powers.

I wouldn't blame you. [he faintly shakes his head, sitting back]

I don't know if it'd be different if I had these powers when I was a kid.

Probably, a lot less self control when your grasp of consequences isn't fully formed.

[dryly] I'd probably get into trouble for throwing someone. That seems to be my go-to when I do get angry.

That'd be pretty awesome though -

I won't lie and say it isn't satisfying on some level.

It gotta be hella satisfying! Come on, you're like - revenge of the nerd.

[what even is "hella"]

I - guess? [squint] Is that a reference to something?

If it is, I wouldn't know cuz the Atroma is always playing with my head. [ nodding, before frowning slightly and tilting his head ] Why are they called that? What do you think Atroma means?

As far as I know, it isn't a word that exists in English - or Latin, if I remember my Latin right. I'm sure it means something, but I have no idea.

[nothing that would be polite or a serious answer, anyway]

Everything means something. [ he nods. ]

Maybe it means, like - [ sticking his tongue out and making a derogatory sound. ]

(no subject)

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