driftfleet | (no subject)

Yeah, those are harmless.

We could probably melt down the wax and use it for something else? I wouldn't want to use this as-is.

or maybe we COULD throw them out the airlock

for science.

i've never seen what happens when you throw stuff out the airlock and it might as well be awful candles.

If you want to test things out "for science," I've got some stuff in my lab.

I wasn't entirely serious about the airlock. We could accidentally hit another ship with these things, and that would be worse than the candles.

Thank you, but trust me, you probably don't want me in the science lab. I might end up blowing something up, and then where would we be?

Would someone else on another ship want them, maybe?

With a failed science grade, probably. Has anyone ever showed you how to safely use all the lab equipment? Even back home?

Maybe. I'll shoot a couple of texts and see. If you like any of it, it's all yours.

I'm only in 8th grade, so I know some things. I bet the science labs here are full of all kinds of fancy stuff, though. Way beyond my level.

I'll come take a look. Not that I don't trust your judgment, but maybe it'll be fun for the novelty...?

8th grade???

[Atroma kidnapped a kid. As if getting the rest of them weren't bad enough!!]

Okay, I'm going to bring you up to speed. Make sure that your science education doesn't suffer just because you're in the middle of outer space. Don't worry about buying anything. I'll provide it, as long as you show up.

You're also younger than me. [By a lot.] It's possible you might actually enjoy some of them.

yeah. I'm 13.

I hadn't thought about continuing school here, but I think it would be a good idea. I have no idea how long I'm gonna be stuck here and I'd hate to be left behind, you know? so it could be fun.

I appreciate the offer. Believe me. especially 'cause we're still pretty much strangers at this point which is 100% my fault since i kinda hid in my room a lot.

Then I'm DEFINITELY bringing you up to speed. Starting tomorrow. I'm better at biology and chemistry than physics, but I'll see what I can do.

Are you free right now? If so, drop by the cargo bay. We can unwrap some of these together.

i can't promise i'll be very good but i'll do my best. and hey, it's not like we're on a set schedule, right? so i can take my time.

i'll be right there!

[And soon enough, there are some tentative footsteps approaching the cargo bay. Tina... is wringing her hands a little bit, because she's nervous and feels embarrassed that she'd tried to hide for so long.]

Hello?

Of course. Slow and steady wins the race. :)

[When he hears her voice, Stefan sets a candle he'd been holding back into the crate and gives her a friendly wave. He's not exactly in any rush, judging from the small piles surrounding both him and the crate.]

Hey! Tina! I'm over here. Hang on.

[Or maybe he should come over? He'll do that, actually, closing the distance between them.]

[Tina waves back and also starts to walk toward Stefan, then stops, goes back to wringing her hands, before words come out of her in a rush-]

Hi... uhm... I'm sorry I haven't exactly been the most friendly person so far, I just really miss my family and I hoped that if I was boring that Atroma would send me home but I guess I'm here for the long haul and anyway I feel like I should apologize. [She stops to take a breath and shuts up before she rambles further.]

Oh, um - [He blinks back surprise, stuffing his hands in his pockets.] You really don't have to.

[God, she's so young. Stefan hadn't gotten a chance to see her up close and personal - and now he just wonders what was going through Atroma's head(s).]

If anything, I'm sorry I didn't check up on you sooner. Family aside, how've you been settling in?

Edited 2017-03-02 01:53 (UTC)

[Tina relaxes a little at that, glad that she'd gotten that off her chest, and lets her hands fall to her sides.]

I actually kinda like it on this ship... it's nice. All the people have been nice to me, too. And I'm better than I thought I would be cooking with that protein stuff in the kitchen, so I feel like I'm earning my keep. So I guess I'm okay, considering.

You know, uh... you don't have to "earn your keep."

[The idea makes him uneasy. Sure, he knows she could be a talented cook, but he also knows that he and Kirito could continue kitchen duty as usual. He definitely wouldn't mind, either.]

I'd even prefer if you didn't. Do whatever makes you happy - and not because you have to. Unless uh, you actually like cooking.

Well, I grew up helping in my dad's restaurant, so it's not a big deal to me. ... in fact, I'm kinda used to either being at school or working all day, most days. That's not to say I never have any fun or relaxation, but after a certain point, I do get a little bored. And since I don't exactly have school here, I'd like to have SOMETHING to do.

[Headtilt. She worked in her dad's.... restaurant...

Note to future self: ask her dad just what the hell he was thinking.]

Only if you're sure. It can get pretty boring out here, but I never want you doing anything because you "have to." That's not how we roll on the Paisley.

I'm sure. [She sounds firm about that.] I wouldn't really feel right if I didn't contribute in some way. It just wouldn't seem... fair to the rest of you, I guess.

In that case... welcome aboard.

[Stefan relaxes, his smile growing more genuine. While he'll keep an eye, just in case, he won't object to her doing her duty either.]

Kirito and I keep meat and diary in the freezer in the cargo bay. If you ever need more, just tell me and I'll stock up on extra.

[And Tina relaxes, as well- from her expression and her body language, it's obvious that a lot of her nervousness has dissipated.]

Okay, good to know. And thank you... I feel like I lucked out and got the best crew in the Fleet.

[He leans in, all conspiratorial-like:] You wanna know a secret? I feel that way about each and every one of you.

So even if you just wanna hang out, you know where to find me.

[Tina flushes a little at that.]

Okay. I promise I won't hide any more. I'm... I'm glad to feel like I'm part of the crew here. Making friends. I thought it would be hard without my siblings around, but as long as I have confidence in myself, I can do it.

Exactly. You've got us now, so don't hesitate to call on any of us if you need or want to hang out.

[Note to future self: also make sure Theon's never alone with Tina. That could potentially turn messy.]

So... help me pick out a tin and we'll see what it smells like?

I must be the luckiest girl in the Fleet.

[She nods, squinting at the crate.]

Let's do this.

You got it.

[He laughs, reaching into the crate and pulling out the first candle he finds. Whatever it is, it certainly won't smell great – but if it's the price to pay for befriending a new crewmates, he'd do it all over again. /scene?]