driftfleet | 05

Who: Winn and you
Broadcast: yes!
Action: Tourist!
When: now?

[ today, winn is coming to you live from the tourist's cargo hold. clearing his throat, he offers the camera a little smile ]

Sup, Fleeters, Winn Schott here, hope space is treating you well today. I got three things to run by you today, I'll try to be quick.

So one, I got - [ he moves the camera away from his face to focus on a box of 10 bears, on the large side. they have been dyed, and colorful patches have been sewn decoratively all over their torsos and arms. when he got them, they were covered by straightjackets, so this is his fix ] these. If anyone wants one, you're welcome to them. [ unless you're a tourist crew member. they will have magically run out if one of you tries to get one. he doesn't care if you can see them, they're not staying on this goddamn ship, ok. ] If any are left over I'm gonna leave them in Discovery One on the Iskaulit for public use in case anyone turns tiny.

[ he turns the camera back to him ]

Two - for those of you who don't know, Cisco and I have been running lectures, concerts, and whatever else people have been willing to volunteer their time for on the Iskaulit, and we're running low now. If you've lectured before and you wanna go again - you're more than welcome to, if you're a newcomer - likewise. Just drop me or Cisco a line with your name, topic, title if you have one, and availability if you actually have a schedule to keep - and we'll add you to the roster.

Three - Hank - don't let it be said I don't pay my debts.

[ turning on the karaoke machine he built with cisco, he proceeds to offer the network his rendition of the dire strait's walk of life. once he's done singing, a little flushed and embarrassed because last time he did this it was with cisco this is so much more terrifying on his own!! he gives the camera a little nod and signs off. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No kidding. From what I've heard, most countries are still in the same place. It's one or two minor differences: in mine? LA and Las Vegas aren't in great shape.

[And since he's been asked why often enough:] There was an alien invasion. They're rebuilding, but it's gonna take time. A lot of time.

[ a joke about that being the original state of those cities is just at the tip of his tongue.

he's pretty glad he's waited patiently for him to finish. ]

..what kinda aliens? What year are you from? [ he's pretty sure they're not from the same earth because there's no way supergirl and superman would let two cities be destroyed, but still it's possible. there are definite alien problems where he's from. ]

[No one's ever asked him what kind. Stefan blinks back surprise.]

Um, [insert a species name Stefan would know but that was never given out-of-universe. It's not Kryptonian; if anything, it literally translates to "Invader."] 2015. May 2015, if you need a specific month.

Edited 2016-10-11 04:35 (UTC)

[ get used to questions that no one's ever asked you before, stefan, winn's brain is a weird place. ]

Okay, yeah, we're definitely not from the same earth, cuz when I was last there it was February of 2016, and I've definitely never heard that name before - I'd remember. That is, unless this augment thing made me forget, but why would it make me forget and leave it for you? That's just -- lazy.

[ shaking his head. ]

Do you have superheroes where you're from?

[Thank God. Stefan sighs of relief.] Good. I'm kinda hoping I'll be the only one who remembers that.

Technically? We call them "Pretty Cure." News calls them "teenagers with attitude," but they're not wrong.

Pretty Cure?

[ he frowns at that ]

Okay whoever named them should be banned from naming. What're they like? What can they do? How many are there?

Probably, but they're teenagers. Anything sounds cool to them.

[He pauses, having to actually think about that one... It's been a while.]

Seven? Eight? Cure Winter was their leader. They haven't been active since the invasion - no one has, really. Super strength, flashy lights, uh... crazy jumping? I didn't really know them, so I didn't keep track.

[ don't judge, winn. there was an alien invasion, cities were destroyed, lives ruined, and they apparently weren't very effective superheroes. deep breath, there you go. ]

So I take it the superheroes didn't save the day. Was it the president of the US in an F-18 Hornet?

[ winn. he's probably not living in independence day, either. ]

[He raises his eyebrows in silent judgment.]

One, that's super American-centric, and two, it was a lot of people. The Cures coordinated everyone, and we evacuated everyone before the war zones became well, actual war zones. ["We," because he stayed behind to evacuate everyone and create IDP camps, but he's not comfortable enough disclosing that right now.] Considering that we walked away with the minimum possible damage, I'd say we did okay.

It was...it was a joke.

[ silently, almost muttering to himself. well he feels chastised. like a little kicked puppy. ]

Sorry, um, I'm sure you did fantastic. Beating one alien is hard, a whole invasion is incredible.

No, uh - I'm sorry, it's still a sore spot for me.

[Obviously, given how annoyed he was. Stefan rubs his temples, avoiding looking into the camera.]

I shouldn't have taken that out on you. No one else's lived through that, and honestly, I'm kinda glad.

It was tactless of me, so let's - call it even?

[ hopeful little smile? he's been on the fleet for so long, heard so many heartbreaking tales, and he still keeps ending up with his foot in his mouth. well, hanging out with kitty isn't helping his tact any, they joke about everything. ]

Okay, I still owe you. I probably look like the farthest thing from it right now, but I'm a pretty good listener if you wanna talk about it.

Sounds good.

[Stefan returns the smile, letting out a small, nervous laugh.]

I mean, there's not much to talk about at this point, but sure. I could give you the Cliff Notes version later.

Only if you wanna. We can just hang out and work on lectures and never talk about it again if that's what you prefer.

[ he definitely has topics he'd rather no one ever touch, so he gets it. ]

Hm. Why don't we start from there and see how long it'll take to level up my social link?

[Kirito's rubbing off on him. Video game-type people are rubbing off on him. But honestly, Stefan can't say he minds, as long as it happens naturally.]

[ oh stefan, that was a decision you may regret because video games are one of winn's favorite things.

he gets one big mischievous smile. ]

You're on.

[ he'll dust out his cheat codes! ]

[He stifles a laugh, careful to muffle his voice with his free hand. This guy's priceless.]

Yeah? I'll look forward to it.

[ LAUGH AWAY stefan, he's used to it. most of the time, he doesn't even mind it. a lot of it's on purpose. ]

Just say when and where, man.

[ he's just relieved they got back to stefan laughing after that giant foot going in his mouth. ]

Sure. But in the meantime, I guess uh - good luck with everything?

[He's awkward about ending conversations, and he knows it, so he just gives Winn a wave before ending the feed.]

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