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Who: Starstruck crew and visitors
Broadcast: None
Action: The SS ~~Trainwreck~~ Starstruck
When: August

[It might be accurate to say that the crew of the Starstruck had spent the majority of the month prior avoiding each other, or people in general, but as we leave the hand holding planet perhaps the crew can get back to normal.

Whatever that means...]

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[ There's an uncertainty that comes with Lauralae meets new people, and she shifts and moves back, trying to make sure she has room to escape if she needs to. She's not afraid, however, and she relaxes, the puppy moving forward a little with his wagging tail, all fur and tiny little paws that shift on wobbly legs. It would be distractingly adorable if Lauralae wasn't entirely focussed upon the new woman, stepping back quietly before she nods her head. ]

His name is Lazarus.

[Wanda smiles down at the pup.]

Hello there, Lazarus.

[A bit of an unusual name, but Wanda's certainly not going to judge a pet owner's choice of name. Not when Vision has "Officer Snuggles" patrolling the Windrose with him.]

[Wanda begins to bend down to pet the little wolf but stop shorts. She looks up at Lauralae, remembering her manners.]

Is it all right?

[ The pup wiggles at the greeting, but turns to look at Lauralae before he does anything else. It's obvious that he trusts her, and she nods her head once - and it's all he needs before he goes bounding over to Wanda, all legs and excitement. ]

It is fine. He won't harm you.

[ Not unless Lauralae told him that he should, at least, and she doesn't intend to do anything like that anytime soon. ]

He must learn to become used to other people.

[Wanda smiles broadly. She's always been a sucker for cute animals. She kneels down as he bounds over to her, petting him as he comes to say hi, and giving him a scratch behind the ear.]

What a handsome boy you are.

[She then looks up at Lauralae.]

I'm sorry. We haven't formally met yet. I'm Wanda.

[She offers up a hand to shake.]

[ Lauralae keeps her eye on the puppy as an attentive mother would, careful and sure, and her gaze flickers over him even as Wanda speaks. She takes a moment to lift her head up, to watch, but then she hesitates.

Well, Lazarus is handsome. She cannot deny that. ]

I am Lauralae.

[ Pausing, she stares at the other woman's hand before she frowns. ]

I cannot shake your hand.

[Wanda looks at her hand a moment, confused and even looking a little offended. This was a first, having a handshake rejected like this. However, Wanda has been in the fleet long enough now to understand that many other cultures exist out there, and so perhaps hand-shaking was simply not in Lauralae's. So, she tries to salvage the situation, but simply returning her hand to scratching behind the Wolf's ears as she slowly stands up.]

Handshaking is not a customary greeting where you come from, I take it?

[ She hesitates for a moment before she swallows, looking down at her hands. They're covered in thin gloves and, if Wanda looks closely, she'll see that the gloves are practically see through - it's Lauralae's hands that are pure black. ]

I am... Not comfortable with touching others. I cannot feel it, and my hands often ache once it is done.

[ Glancing back, she waits, almost anxious. ]

It is no fault of yours.

[Wanda follows Lauralae's eyes down to her hands. She realizes that the black coloring is not a part of the gloves' design, but that they were the girl's actual hands. Wanda stares at them for a moment, looking concerned. However, she realizes what she's doing and looks back up at Lauralae--though the look of concern lingers.]

It is all right.

[She waves her hand, signalling for Lauralae not to feel in any way guilty.]

But- [She glances down once more at Lauralae's hands.] you are okay? You are not hurt?

Edited 2016-08-10 22:36 (UTC)

[ Once, she might have felt an extreme level of discomfort, sharing the obviousness of her hands with a stranger, but... She is learning to be more at ease, to offer it without shame. Tilting her head up, she frowns, watching Wanda for a moment before she settles, shaking her head and trying to appear more comfortable than she is. ]

I am well enough.

[ There's no point lying; she knows that she will suffer, there's no hiding it. ]

Do not fear.

[Wanda watches Lauralae's face, reading her expressions to try and better understand the story behind her hands. Though, if there's one thing that Wanda can understand, it's wanting to keep some painful memories to yourself and a few close others. So she will not press it any further. Instead, she gives her a sympathetic smile and nod of her head.]

If you ever need anything, everyone on this ship-- we look out for each other. Don't hesitate to ask.

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