driftfleet | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Everyone!
Broadcast: Sure!
Action: Everywhere!
When: Until the end of the month!

[hey droot flooters! how are those new augment glitches going? how's your crew? what fresh trouble have you been getting into? how are those jobs paying off? whether you're in your ship, on one of the moons, stuck on Marsiva, or hiding out on one of the waystations in-between, your audience wants to know what you're up to!

note: there are an unusual number of shoes on sale in the shops today. the ones on Abeo are pretty ugly.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The dream world leaves him like a sweet memory. He longs for it with every beat of his heart, a wistful smile drifting in and out of his expression. Reluctantly, he leans back, his breath catching on a chuckle caused by Robin's words.]

All right? Robin, that was-[He gestures vaguely, searching for the word. Amazing wouldn't cut it. No words could.]-indescribable! [The word bursts out of him in an explosion of breath. He rocks forward, his smile popping the seams of his face. He wants to take his hand, grip his arm, yell in his face but not even those things could properly describe his emotions.] What you just showed me-Goddess, do you know how long I've dreamed of that? I've had years, decades! To ponder what it looked like. And you-you had me walk in it. I could feel it, Robin! [He laughs.] Goddess, how did you even do that?

[He scoots closer, eager for an explanation. Tell him, tell him, tell him.]

[Robin rocks backwards, away from Mattias, but it's only so that his sunbright laughing doesn't spill out all over the other's enthusiastic face. his shoulders hunch up with it a little. how silly of him; he wasn't expecting much of anything, he wasn't looking forward at all. here he is, clutching at his chest because of how a distant and foreign joy feels like it's going to come tearing its way through his ribs.

he's a sucker for flattery. he got the rise he wanted. it was easy, it was stupid. but he's happy that Mattias is happy.]

It's something my brothers and sisters and I could do... It's a quick way to share memory and thought. I figured, out of everyone, you might like it best...

[...he rubs the back of his neck. he's getting a little gushy about it himself. he really aught to move them along before he starts blushing or something.]

...And I was sad you hadn't gotten to see it, on one of the worlds we passed a couple of months ago.

[No, Mattias isn't letting this go. Literally. He's holding onto Robin's fingertips, unable to help himself. Contact is a necessity, an anchor with which to tie himself to reality. Remind himself that the world he experienced and the world he's living in are different entities, different planes and he had been in both.]

I doubt even reality could compare to that. Robin, you and your siblings-it's a gift. What you can do is beautiful. Thank you. Thank you for sharing it with me.

[Enthusiasm threatens to drive him closer but he catches himself just in time, pulling back, remembering himself. With a soft chuckle he slips Robin's hands free, wetting his bottom lip.] I've forgotten myself. I'm sorry. To have touched you without consent-[Laughing again, he leans back, running a hand through his hair.] I fear I'm still reeling.

[...Tek would be giving him such a dirty look if he knew, but he reaches forward to take Mattias' hands instead.]

I don't mind. I'll show you again sometime, if we don't find the real thing first.

["a gift", he said. how few people would agree with him--exactly the reason why Robin picked him to begin with. even if it's cheap, he likes being adored, appreciated. especially after everything that's happened lately, how loathsome he's felt. with a wide grin, he speaks honestly:]

Let's be friends, Mattias. We can travel these worlds together, if you'd like.

[Friends. A single word manages to beat him breathless, send a thousand canaries flittering in his chest. The world feels lighter around him, the colors collaborating in shared vibrance. A laugh bubbles out and it surprises him enough to do it some more, ducking his head.]

Friends. Yes. I think I'd enjoy that very much. [They're words muttered on a breath that escapes him in a sigh, said more to himself than Robin. Experimentally, he squeezes Robin's hand, laughing at the mere sensation.] Yes.

[With an unbeatable smile he raises his gaze.] I can't think of anyone I'd rather see them with.

[he looks up at him... and laughs. what else can he do? his fragile human frame isn't meant to swell with this much delight. or maybe he's just not used to being this happy about something. either way, it feels like there's too much of something when his fingers are squeezed, and he keeps on holding the other's hands.]

Where do you want to go, then? Want to stay here for a while, explore the park? There's also food to eat, more shops, anything-- [or, what he meant to say.] Ah, everything.

[He can't control his face. It's triggered by a switch, lines creasing upwards in inconsistent motions, teeth showing in brief flashes. Embarrassed, his eyes retreat to their joined hands. The sight doesn't help.]

Everything sounds good. [He laughs shyly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. Never daring to break what little contact they shared.] No, food would probably be best. I can't remember the last time I ate.

Then come on.

[he gets up, but takes a firmer hold of his hand. he tries to pull him up, pull him along, as if they were kids. maybe that's what it feels like. happier days. nostalgia.]

If you want really good food, we'll have to take a trip to Abeo. They're boring in almost every other regard, but it's worth a visit, at the very least... For now, I know a little cafe that overlooks the river, we'll go there. Oh-- [he points!] Don't forget your bags.

Oh! [He pulls back in order to grab them, nearly missing the handle of one. Clothes threaten to spill out before he rights it, laughing. Allowing himself to be pulled along. To go with the tide. He forgot how easy it could be.]

You tease me with good food and a new world and then take me to a normal cafe! I'm not sure if that's rude or cruel, Robin. [But he's still laughing and, truth be told, a waterfront cafe sounds delightful.] Not that I'd ever turn down a view of the water but I dare say you owe me a second date.

[ah. that's-]-In a platonic sense, of course.

Oh.

[he smirks back at him. still holding his hand. honestly, Mattias, that was almost smooth of you.]

I'd hate to offend, truly--so I have no choice but to agree with you.

[platonic or not.]

Really?

[He wasn't expecting him to agree and he clears his throat to tone down the enthusiasm.] Then it's as I thought. You're certainly a gentleman of the highest order.

[Goddess, what is he even saying. He doesn't even know but it's worth it if it earns him that sidelong smirk again.]

[he outright cackles at the compliment. Mattias doesn't have to worry--that smirk isn't going anywhere for a while.]

I am certainly not, but I certainly wish more people would say that anyway.

[His own smile lurches wider at that cackle.]

If no one else is telling you, then I'll just have to tell you in excess. [He waves a hand, jogging to catch up to Robin.] To make up for them, of course.

All right, all right. You're laying it on a little thick, Nightjar.

[it's precious how he tries, though. Robin doesn't seem to mind, at the very least.]

[His smile falters, his footsteps lagging ever so slightly.] Can't blame me for trying.

[But a weak smile is the last thing he'll give, too ashamed to initiate conversation for the rest of the trip.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only