driftfleet | A Rose by any other name...!

Suddenly, the SS Three Twins and the SS Windrose begin to move on their own... slowly, calmly, they drift to into the same direction, away from the other ships of the fleet. Slowly, they move until they side by side.

Over the two ships' intercom, an old song begins to play. And that is all the warning there is before the engines engage -- full speed ahead.

Like a pair of rockets, the ships torpedo forward. As they move, they start circling around each other, like a synchronized dance. They move with incredible grace and skill, far more masterfully than the average pilot augment. Except, each time that they pass each other, they clearly get closer to one another.

And closer...

And closer...

No matter what buttons the crews press, no matter how much they might panic, nothing is going to stop the inevitable. On the final pass, it becomes clear there's not enough room between them to avoid a collision. Any impact alarms on the bridge are blaring at full blast. Any other ships watching will not have time to attempt any sort of interception.

CRASH!!

As if to shield spectators' eyes from the horrors of ships colliding in space, there's a blinding light upon impact -- and once it gradually fades, the results can be clearly seen by all: There is no wreckage. Nothing is broken. But where there were once two ships... now there's only one.

One ship that is looks completely new, but yet is reminiscent of both the SS Three Twins and the SS Windrose.

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On the bridge, the crews of the SS Three Twins and the SS Windrose arrive, along with the usual pop! of Atroma confetti and ridiculous jingle music upon a successful shuffle. Sitting in the captain's chair is a round cake, just large enough for everyone to have one slice. There's a single candle, and the following message scribbled on top in yellow icing:

"Congratulations - SS Twin Roses!
Happy Fusion!"

... What, did you think you were going to die? Sorry about that.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ it has been pretty long for them, and they do have a new room to break in, but after a few moments of indulgence he steps back. he won't be able to relax until he sees for himself that the ship isn't about to fall apart. ]

I should check out the systems.

Right. Duty. Inspection. Figuring things out. Totally not being distracted by Winn kisses.

Maybe a little distraction. [ he kisses her again. ] And some of breaking in this room later?

[Okay, that gets a smile.] Yes please. [She kisses him back. It feels more like home again already with him here and in the confines of her room and maybe it'll be nice to have more people around again. Things were getting thin.] You drive a hard bargain. I accept.

[ it still feels a little awkward for him, like he knows the things to say and the expressions to make but he's not wholly there, but he tries all the same. ]

Help me find the engine room? Ma tools better be where I left them.

[She'd be surprised if he was all the way back, but she hopes he's not pushing himself too hard too. She doesn't want to make it worse, but she's thankful to have him. Just knowing she's not alone and has support is a great thing even if she's capable of handling it on her own.] Here's hoping. [She slides her hand into his.] Let's check the engines. [Leading him out.]

Did you know anyone on the Three Twins other than Ravi?

I don't think so, no. You?

[ he hopes there's no one they should be worrying about here, that's the last thing they need right now.

(well no the last thing they need is the same happening to the tourist with one of the troubling ships, because kitty can handle herself. he can't). ]

I've talked to Anders a few times. He seems like a good guy. I've talked to Vash twice. [Oh yeah, maybe she should say something about this in case he brings it up.] We kind of went on a date once before you were here, but in the least meaningful way possible.

[ well, this is just peachy! so a guy kitty went out on a date with is now her shipmate. a guy he knows nothing about. is it christmas already? ]

What's that mean?

It means he made a mass invitation to all women in the fleet to go out to dinner with him and he'd pay and I was new and broke and missed real food and opportunistic? I vaguely remember mocking him during the dinner. Not my finest moment. [She does feel bad about agreeing to the whole thing now and treating him that way even if she did think inviting everyone out was a little gross at the time. Looking back it might have just been lonely.]

There was no touching of any kind. [Said for Winn's sake, but also true as far as she remembers. Certainly nothing meaningful.]

I forgot he was even still in the fleet until Ravi mentioned him during the battle.

Real food is hard to resist.

[ no, really, he's pretty sure he would've done the same. well, minus the mocking. and he'd probably pay back once he came into money if it didn't turn into a thing, or at least offer to repay the favor. mostly the same? ]

[The bulk of her reaction at the time was just the mass date invite as if women were interchangeable. Paying him back still hasn't really entered her mind, but now that they're on the same ship, he'll get the benefits of her stocking up the kitchen like everyone else.] Especially coming from the prison where the food was really plentiful and good because virtual. [She gives Winn's hand a squeeze. They're good, right?]

[ he squeezes it right back. he's not happy, but they're good. ]

So, have you talked to him since? [ are things awkward, or did he forget about her too? he finds that hard to believe, kitty is unforgettable. ]

Just once recently. I was talking to Nami on the network about previous attacks on the fleet and he interjected and was actually knowledgeable and helpful which surprised me. Ravi said he's in a coma now. [She hasn't seen that he woke up with the fusion yet. But no, their last talk wasn't really awkward except that it made her feel worse about their first encounter. They both just dealt with the matter at hand.]

[ he nods, taking it in. he's not going to really know how he feels until he meets the guy but...at least it doesn't sound too bad. ]

So this is gonna be weird to wake up to - [ he really hopes that never happens to him - go to sleep with the tourist crew and wake up in a whole other ship. ]

Probably. But it was also a weird thing to be awake for. [She's glad he seems to be taking it in stride. [She leans in to kiss his cheek.] I'm glad you're here. Making my waking hours less weird. Or just as weird, but better.

[ there's only so much freaking out a man can do in any given time. he's been angsting about margaery for day, then worried for his girlfriend and friend's safety when their ships collided. he can't take any more. ]

Of course I'm here. [ he brings her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss into it. ] Where else would I be?

You mean other than taking up permanent residence in my heart by being the sweetest and best guy ever? Can't imagine. [Leaning in for a proper kiss.]

[ he smiles and kisses back. ]

That's still technically here.

Always. Now let's go inspect our ship. [Because anything that's hers is at least a little his too.]

A Rose by any other name...!

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