driftfleet | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Anyone who wants to hang on the Iskaulit
Broadcast: nah
Action: Iskaulit mingle, darlings
When: All day every day (at least for the month)

[We're drifting, so it's a perfect time to make use of the many fine establishments on our common ship.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

How are you doing, Hank? We haven't talked in forever. And all sorts of weird shit is happening with the people from your world, so that's gotta be tough.

It's - something, though a lot of it's settled now that we've had time to . . . adjust.

I hope so. I'm really worried about Erik and Charles. [She's actually less worried about Charles than Erik... he has his bad moments, but Charles doesn't have anywhere near the emotional constipation issues.

Snort.]

Not that anyone tells me jack shit, so I hope you're okay?

You and me both. [he won't make a secret of his worries - it's easier anyway, to worry about everyone else instead of himself. He's as bad as Charles sometimes.

He only hesitates a moment before he blows out a sigh]

I'm okay. I'm a lot better than I was. What do you mean, no one tells you jack shit?

Well, like. I still don't know what the fuck actually happened? I know some bad shit went down with Erik, because he told me about that, and I know some bad shit went down with Charles... sort of? Because you know how he is, like he never wants to come out and say the bad shit, because he's Charles. But I have no idea how the fuck any of that fits together.

Like, I know Charles said I can have a job and teach for him, but I'm not from your world or anything. I don't know if they forget, or if they just don't wanna talk about it, or both.

[Shrug.]

[he reaches up to rub at his face, nose wrinkling. Of course neither of them talked about it; he's not surprised, but he's at least explained some of what happened to his friends. Then again, all he had to say was one name and they instantly understood]

A lot of bad shit went down for both of them. It's - I'm not really surprised they don't want to discuss it in detail - not that they ever want to, but this time it's - different.

Yeah, I got that much.

I guess if it's not any of my fucking business, it's not my business. But if I'm gonna try to end up there some day.... [If it's a big deal, she'd really like to know.] I hate going into shit blind. I've had to do that too many times.

[But this isn't Hank's fault.] Sorry, Hank. Just frustrated.

I get it. [his lips quirk up, and his tone is nothing but understanding] Trust me, it's not a matter of it not being any of your business.

Okay. Though I don't know if that makes me feel better or not?

Can you kind of explain shit to me?

Yeah, I can do that. [he knows she's friends with both of them; maybe she can help them where he can't] Do you want to take a walk? Or - I can wait until you're done here.

This can wait. I'd rather get to spend time with you anyway. [Because Hank is awesome.] So let's take a walk.

Because I'm so exciting. [but he says it with a smile, joking] Through the gardens, maybe?

Of course, you're my friend. [Not a trace of irony.] Sure! I like the gardens. Reminds me a little of district two.

[joke failed, but her response makes him smile]

You're my friend too. I can't say I've gone through them very often - not . . . ah, not before, at least. But lately I have been.

The gardens are super cute. Misty and Beverly do stuff in them, so I like to check those out. And plants are really neat.

Plants are pretty neat. [his smile briefly widens] They're pretty peaceful. It's a nice place to walk through to clear your head a little.

[which he's been doing a lot lately. All things considered, it isn't surprising]

I do better clearing my head with combat exercise stuff, but that totally makes sense.

I've done that, too. [he sighs, looking a little sheepish] Sometimes it works.

When it doesn't work I go pick a fight. I used to get drunk but I can't any more. Or I go hang out with Winter.

I usually hang out with Charles, but that isn't exactly an option when it comes to this. [he shrugs a shoulder with a wry smile] But I've been managing. I'm good at that much.

Ah, yeah. Charles needs to be okay having his own feelings.

I'm glad you're doing okay, though, Hank.

Mmm. And he needs to take time for himself, too. He's bad at it.

[he huffs a little bit] I have to be.

Yeah. I just try to remind him that he's Charles the Scrublord.

[She rolls her eyes up to look at him.] Well that's a fucking stupid thing to say when we're talking shit like this about Charles. Come on, Hank.

I'm glad you do.

[he glances down at her, blinking a bit widely] What?

If you're not totally okay, it's fine. "I have to be" normally means "I'm really not but I don't think I have a choice" or "I'm not and I've been going balls to the wall so long I feel like a wimp saying I'm not."