driftfleet | Heron Mingle

[ They're all a bunch of social misfits on the Heron, so none of them can really judge. ]

Like you said, little steps.

As long as those steps mean something.

[ He sips his tea. ] It doesn't hurt to have something in mind, Winter.

Anything happening here is something. I'm not stagnant like back home.

[ Not exactly stagnant, but one ice. Waiting for a miracle cure for the shit inside his head. A new arm. He didn't have the answers on his own, so now he waits for someone else to come up with something.

Not like here. ]

[ Dryly. ] Stagnant and being frozen are very different things.

But you've given most of your time to the ship. Why not something for yourself? Like having a date, perhaps.

It's my job to look after the ship. [ Hell, it even gives him purpose. ]

I don't think I'm the dating type. [ Not anymore, anyway. ]

I think you've taken the job and made it your life.

[ And he hesitates visibly. ] Which . . . is a dangerous pitfall. It's not a bad thing, but it does rule you. The ship won't always be there. Some day, the journey will end.

[ Like the school. Charles would like to believe it'll go on, in the hearts of his students but he is well aware of his own finality. ]

And there is no type. As far as I know, you do it or you don't.

I do some things for myself. [ Though over the past few months, he's been doing them less and less as problems have arisen. Only having one arm hasn't helped with the stress-relieving hobby, either. ]

[ He knows he won't always be in this place, he does. But until that time comes, he's got a job to do. ]

[ He shrugs. ] Don't think too many people would be interested. I'm not a lot of people's cup of tea.

Oh? Name one. Five, if you're feeling adventurous.

[ And that last statement is baffling. ]

Are you . . . sure about that?

I read. Sometimes I opt for a bath because I feel like it? I knit.

[ There, three is the middle ground. ]

I haven't been looking, but I can assume.

Ah . . . well I don't believe that's quite true. Besides, it doesn't have to be a big thing. Spending time with others is just as fulfilling.

I don't mind spending time with others. [ Especially if they don't ask too many questions or don't expect a whole lot of conversation. ]

Who do you like to spend time with? I'm curious.

You. Wrath is nice to spend time with. Misty, sometimes.

Steve. [ Most of the time. ]

Who's Misty?

She's on the Windrose. I met her not long after I got here.

[ She must have been here for some time then. ]

That's nice. I confess, I don't get out as much as I used to.

It's alright. She uses the Interfaith Center a lot. Or the Meditation Room. I think you'd like her.

[ A very brief pause. ] She's special, too.

Everyone's a little special, Winter.

[ But he smiles fondly. ] All right. In what sense?

You remember the glitch a while ago on the Iskaulit? Me, suddenly having new powers I didn't know what to do with?

[ He knows he can trust Charles more than anyone telling him just where they came from. ]

Those were hers.

[ His expression brightens. ]

Were they? Fascinating. I haven't met that many telekinetics. It's good to know there are others.

You should talk to her. I think she'd take to you.

[ He sounds repetitive, but Misty is really great. Wonderful, even. She tried befriending him when he wasn't particularly forthcoming with friendship. They drifted apart after his glitch, but things are starting to get better finally. ]

[ He falters there because Charles hasn't been great at approaching people and he knows why, but perhaps . . . that is something to work on. After all, it would be hypocritical to encourage Winter to move forward when he's struggling. ]

I'll see what I can do.

[ Pot, meet kettle. They're both bad at this, but all that matters is the attempt. ]

You should spend time with people, too. Can't be too good for you spending time with just us.

[ A raised eyebrow. ]

[ He chuckles, reaching out to touch Winter's hand lightly. ]

You're the best kind of people.

[ He offers Charles one of those small smiles, patting his hand lightly with the cool metal of his left. ]

Thanks.

[ He knows you care, Charles, and he loves you for it. ]

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