driftfleet | Chapter Twelve [Video]

Entry tags:

Chapter Twelve [Video]

Who: Richard Castle and you
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Windrose, if desired
When: February 11th

[When Castle flicks on the video, he's projecting a veneer of calm... very badly, because one can hear an edge of panic in his voice.]

Ha, ha, ha! I don't mean to alarm anybody, but I bought myself one of those spiffy augment upgrades. I picked fire, because who doesn't want to be red hot, am I right? But, enhh... [He holds up his left palm, which has a small but persistent flame on the center.] I can't seem to turn it off. Does anybody here have experience with fire powers? And should it really be this powerful when I've only bought the first level...?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah... [Castle heaves a big sigh, turning to look at her.] But who's to say it's not going to happen again in the future? Especially considering everything else that's been going on lately. Back home, I could at least use a gun or headbutt someone or do enough to get away, but being the only normal person on a ship full of extraordinary people kinda sucks sometimes.

We don't know, and you have a right to be able to protect yourself. [She understands not wanting to be a liability and wanting to be able to help.] I just...really hate the augments which isn't your problem.

[She steps closer for that hug this time.] And who says you're not extraordinary?

... yeah, and I can understand that. [He returns the hug.] This might come back to bite me in the ass later, because, well, it IS Atroma tech, but I don't have a whole lot of options that aren't tied to them somehow. Unless I want to learn swordplay.

[He then lets out a small, sad laugh.]

Well, thanks for saying so. Not a whole lot of things get to me back home, but here... here, sometimes my shortcomings are pretty obvious, let's say.

[She slips back after a moment.]

Kurt could teach you. He's good with swords. [Or Makie. She was impressive.]

I'd even be happy just to learn some self-defense. I may be an old dog, but I'm perfectly willing to learn new tricks.

I could teach you that. [You might need a safety word, Castle.]

Just as long as you don't break little ol' me in two.

No, you'd be in far more pieces if I broke you.

[And that got Castle to laugh; he took a deep breath and nodded.]

Understood. And... thanks for the reality check.

[Yes, yes, very funny. True. But funny.] You too. [Because she came on pretty strong with a well meaning guy.]

You know you could have just switched to a security augment. [Less problem with trading than upgrading and adding apparently. With Wrath gone they have no weapons for the ship. He'd probably miss his robots though. Heck...she'd miss them. And it isn't like Misty is still here anymore.]

[Castle crossed his arms.]

... I'm not sure that would suit me, to be honest with you. Like we've demonstrated, I'm not a big combatant, and I feel like that would place some responsibility on me I'm not sure I'm fit to handle.

Just a thought, but I understand that. Wouldn't be comfortable switching to something where I felt like my natural skills wouldn't compliment it like........cooking. [The others all kind of fit actually.]

Exactly. I'm a man of the pen and not the sword. But it was a good thought nonetheless. And I know getting the extra knowledge would help, but it couldn't replace experience.

No. [But it would strap massive guns to the outside of the ship where they need them in case someone else attacks from space. Boarding parties they can deal with, but that? They're sitting ducks with no shields and no weapons. But the augment is a personal choice and there are some she wouldn't want even if she were inclined toward them. She hates the thing as it is anyway.]

I can work with you on the flame too. I used to teach other mutants with powers different from mine too. I don't know if it will work the same, but adapting was what we did.

I'd appreciate that. Because I wouldn't want to burn the ship down until I have more control... even though it's been localized to my palm for the time being, thankfully.

Definitely. Save burning the ship down for when you're fully controlling it.

Do you know how you triggered it?

Well, I'd been trying to heat a cup of water, you know, just to see how hot I could get it. Then the flames burst. So it was normal usage, I suppose I'd call it.

Hmm. Hazards of a new power I guess. [She doesn't know what's normal for the augment powers.] I used to fall through the floor a lot.

... oh, jeez. Oh, JEEZ. I'd be scared out of my wits if something like that happened to me.

But fire is totally fear free?

Touche. I think I'd take fire over sinking into the floor, though. Not a fan of that "stuck in a confined space" feeling.

So, you must love spaceships.

I actually think of my power the opposite way though. Nothing confines me. I can walk through any lock or door or barricade. I might see an obstacle with my eyes, but I just move right through it like it's not there. Which makes it more annoying if I can't for some reason. [Not a fear exactly, but certainly a deep and powerful frustration.]

It's not too bad on here- all the windows help. But sinking through the ground, ugh.

[He then nods.]

That's a pretty good outlook to have about it, though. Once you get the hang of using it... no door's an actual door. Unless, of course, you live on the Drift Fleet, since I can imagine they've found some way to restrict your powers here, right?

Mmm...I don't short out the Atroma electronics by passing through them. Otherwise it's been pretty much the same. Which is almost a good thing. I can phase on the ship more freely without accidentally knocking out navigation or life support.

And we're all grateful for that. Wish there was a way for you to disrupt them, though- or at least knock out these stupid augments.