You can check out anytime you'd like.. [Hotel Corona Mingle]

[thespaceopera]

Who: The Fleet!
Broadcast: If you want
Action: Hotel Corona or Planet Ikke
When: December 7th onward



[After the mystery and isolation of their last destination, the Marsiva seems determined to head to brighter, busier territory. After a long journey through remote, nebula-painted space, speeding along at a brisk pace for the Host ship, the Marsiva brings her Fleet to a sudden and prominent point of traffic.

It seems that the Fleet has happened upon some sort of vacation destination! Maybe Atroma thinks that the passengers deserve some rest and relaxation... or just wants to distract them with something huge and shiny.

Welcome to Hotel Corona! Feel free to enjoy yourselves and enjoy the sites! If a hotel resort isn't your thing, you can head on over to the nearby planet and explore it's icy wonders.

In order words: it's a mingle!! Everyone get in! ]

[>> Plot Post]

Comments

[uprightness]

Don't worry about it.

[ it's not an easy thing, what she's been through and he knows it might take a little longer for them to get past this. still, she's here now, he can't ask for more than that. ]

What do you make of all of this? Seems like they decided to give us a break.

[outstandingbalance]

It does seem like a breather after the last planet. Especially if anyone was bored of peace and quiet.

[A gentle huff punctuates the pause.]

Or feeling lonely after the drift.

[uprightness]

Those are a bit hard.

[ he admits. it's not a way of life they're used to lead. this amount of idleness is very rare in their line of work. it leaves gaps of time to fill and steve does his best, gathers reading materials and spends hours in front of a punching bag and there's the drawings and it's almost enough and yet.

there's always a certain uneasiness. he fears letting himself get used to it because the moment he does, that's when hell will break loose, surely.

so he's careful, sticks mostly to the professional lines of his work and to other, quieter hobbies.

she's right, however. it can get far too quiet, at times. ]

Lots of free time.

[ and it bothers him, how he can get used to it. ]</small.

[outstandingbalance]

Yeah.

[A pause, then she shifts the topic just slightly.]

So are you and Peggy having a good time with the vacation, at least? You have to have brought her over here to enjoy the view.

[Who's paying attention to your relationship again, Steve.]

[uprightness]

Funny that you should ask.

[ about him. and peggy and their good time. ]

Given what you've booked us into.

[ 'paying attention' is not the term for this. meddling seems to fit much better. super rude, by the way. ]

[outstandingbalance]

I got Peggy's message. She said you were grateful.

[Natasha isn't so sure she believes that, but so far he's not blushing. Maybe he really did enjoy himself.]

Did you see the bath?

[uprightness]

Yeah, you two share a similar sense of humor.

[ and a similar level of rudeness, too. ]

Natasha.

[ the most dry. this line of questioning, honestly. ]

Yes, I've seen. You went all out, a bit too all out.

[ :|||| ]

[outstandingbalance]

Just looking out for a friend.

[Maybe it felt like a way of moving on, and making up Steve and Peggy's effort taking care of her when she was young.]

And I guess someone likes it, because I nearly made my money back.

[uprightness]

Natasha.

[ this time, his tone is a bit scandalized. he turns to look over her shoulder, makes sure they aren't heard. what a place she chose for this conversation. ]

Nothing happened.

[ really, now. ]

[outstandingbalance]

That's a shame. I hope you at least used the room.

The rest of it will save for later.

[uprightness]

That's still a no, you realize.

[ it's not too late for it but still. the whole thing is so inappropriate.

also enticing, he'd give her that. ]

You know, I think this is what they call being over-involved.

[ their love lives is one thing, but physical intimacy? ]

[outstandingbalance]

Is it? I'd say at this point we're pretty close. I won't say best friends...

[They both have other people who they'd say fill that role, but even with Clint... Natasha and Steve's relationship is different. Not less special. She shrugs off the weight of that.]

But since Barnes isn't in exactly in any shape for it and Sam isn't here, you get me.

[Cocking her head to a wry angle, she adds:]

I probably know my way around lady's clothes better, anyway.

[uprightness]

And best friends book each other into suites filled with sex items without warning?

[ she won't say it but it seems he does. at once, while scolding her, he affirms her status in his eyes and it comes so naturally, he doesn't think twice of it. ]

I'm sure she appreciated those.

[outstandingbalance]

She ought to have. She's got the curves for them.

[Natasha can't help but smirk at the way he says "sex items."]

And it all depends on the friends. I wouldn't complain if you wanted to return the favor.

[If only for the mental image of Captain America shopping for vibrators.]

[uprightness]

Yeah, I mean -

[ WAIT HOLD ON. ABORT. ]

we're not discussing that.

[ curves. or lingerie. ]

I think I'll stick with gifts that can be opened around other people.

[ not that Natasha would mind opening those kinds of gifts around other people, either. ]

[outstandingbalance]

You mean gifts I can open around you?

[She knew you had it in you, Steve.]

Are you really going to tell me the two of you didn't have a good time staying off ship for a while? Even if you didn't play with the toys, the time alone's the real gift.

[uprightness]

I've never said that.

[ he lifts both arms. evident surrender at once. ]

We did, thank you.

[ and there is no trace of sarcasm there. inappropriateness aside, the time alone was more than appreciated. ]

Maybe next time we could try for just the time alone without the - added items.

[outstandingbalance]

Just helping a girl out.

[There's real pleasure in her smile. She wants Steve and Peggy to be happy with each other.]

You two deserved a break.

[Especially after what she put them through.]

[uprightness]

It's been a while since we had one.

[ these quieter periods seem to be few and in-between. there always seems to be something so when those times do come, Steve usually tries to make the most of them.

as honest-to-god shocked about Nat's antics, he appreciates the effort. ]

This is good. I mean, except for your other -- contributions.

[outstandingbalance]

You could show a little gratitude. I put a lot of thought into those gifts. [Some thought, at least. Even if Steve resists them, she's sure at least a few of them will be useful.

She has a lot of confidence in the lingerie.]

I'm glad you two had the opportunity. Who knows when we'll get another.

[uprightness]

You know, that's exactly what worries me.

[ A LOT OF THOUGHT, SHE SAYS. ]

[outstandingbalance]

Would you rather I not put thought into your gifts?

[No one wants a bustier that doesn't fit, Steve. Especially not Peggy.]

[uprightness]

That's a trick question and you know it.

[ JUST SAYING. ]

[outstandingbalance]

And you know better than to answer it.

[Natasha is clearly pleased with his reaction, even if Steve didn't take full use of her purchases.

It's worth it.

And it's a safe topic.]