⚛ 02: why this edition; video

[beathach]

Who: Hank and you!
Broadcast: fleetwide
Action: The Blameless
When: now!

[when the feed flips on, it focuses on a crate on the smaller side, but clearly yet another sponsor drop. Only this time, it appears to be full of brushes, of all shapes and colors and sizes. There's also a note attached on top:

"Because normal brushes are just infuriating. Keep that blue fur shiny with these purrfect alternatives!"

there's a heavy sigh from behind the camera and a mutter, just audible enough to be picked up by the microphone]

Someone thinks they're being funny.

[another sigh, and the camera turns around, focusing on a woman's face. Reluctantly, it seems, because she looks incredibly awkward and uncomfortable]

Anyway - I know some people have pets on the fleet, so if you'd like a brush for their fur, feel free to come over to the Blameless and pick one up. I certainly won't be keeping them.

[she goes to turn the feed off, then pauses]

Also, Winn? This is your fault. Get over here so I can blame you properly.

[and with that, the feed disconnects]

Comments

video

[takingkarabusiness]

Wait.



Hank?

video

[beathach]

. . . hi.

[have an awkward little wave]

[takingkarabusiness]

Hi.

What did Winn do?

[beathach]

Jinxed me somehow? [wryly] I'm being childish.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ well, maybe ]

What were you talking about?

[beathach]

Augment glitches. He asked if I'd ever experienced one.

Now I can say I have.

video

[foxpas]

May I request one?

video

[beathach]

[. . . ? Why does she look familiar]

Mm, of course. I can set one aside and you can come get it whenever you're able to.

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[foxpas]

[i have no idea, she sure doesn't recognize you at all.]

Thank you, miss. Though... I ask because I am not sure I am able to use these shuttles we have been given. It may be some time.

video

[beathach]

[. . . aha . . . ] I'm - I'm not a miss. Er. Usually.

Is it because you don't know how to? The augment should - ah, help with that, as odd as it sounds. But I can come to you, too, if you want.

video

[foxpas]

Ah, my apologies... What should I call you, then?

It is... Though I understand the augment should help, in practice, I am reluctant to try. I have little need to leave, and the risk of damage is great.

video

[beathach]

That's alright. My name's Hank.

Ah - that's understandable. I was a little reluctant at first, too. [there was more reasoning behind just that, but details]

video.

[athru]

Oh my god.

video.

[beathach]

Funny, that's what I said, too.

. . . h-hi.

video.

[athru]

I'm not surprised.

[ ... Aww. Look how cute her boy(girl?)friend is. ]

You're - well. You're really pretty.

video.

[beathach]

[gonna hide in the lab and never come out, yep]

I - uh, thanks?

video.

[athru]

[ This is the best and worst day ever. ]

Let me guess. I'll be sleeping in my room for a while?

[ Not that she looks happy about it. ]

video.

[beathach]

What?

[give it a minute] —oh. Oh, n-no, you don't have to! I - uh, I can sleep in the lab until - er, it wears off.

video.

[athru]

In the lab that you've probably locked yourself in.

[ Sigh. ]

You're really not going to let me see you until this goes away? At all?

video.

[beathach]

I'm not - I'm not locked in there yet. [Y E T] As tempting as it's been.

I'm in the cargo bay.

video.

[athru]

Yet.

[ Damnit, Hank, she loves you but sometimes... ]

So I can come and see you?

video.

[beathach]

Yet.

[LISTEN . . . listen . . . this is a new thing for him]

Yes?

. . . you know that if I locked myself in the lab I'd let you in anyway, right?

video.

[athru]

[ Raven is a little more comfortable with gender-flipping than most people, and she needs to remind herself of that. ]

Would you still let me kiss you?

video.

[beathach]

[whY ARE YOU ASKING HIM THAT ON THE NETWORK RAVEN]

Isn't that something you should be asking me in person?

video.

[athru]

[ Because her boyfriend is too damn pretty and it's distracting... ]

I'm definitely on my way now.