SS GOLDSTONE MARCH MINGLE

[throwsdown]

Who: SS Goldstone crew and visitors
Broadcast: N/A
Action: On the newly smooshed Goldstone!
When: Month of March



[Well, we're all here together, aren't we? Let's mingle for March while we're at it.]

Comments

[spacebro]

Yes. I mean, all of the references and pop culture are different. The customs, the holidays, the foods, and the fashions. There's overlap too, but it all feels very different at first and then when it's less overwhelming you see the similarities too.

[ahappylie]

Tell me about your planet then. I'd like to learn about it, if you have time between teaching me this "pinball" thing.

[spacebro]

Oh... There isn't really much to tell. [Feeling awkward about his planet of origin largely because the longer he's away the more he realizes it was a bad place and just how complicit he was in that. He knew it at the time, but it's just getting more and more real and true as he's experienced other places, even the fleet.] It was ruled by a queen and king and people liked to have a good time there.

[ahappylie]

Was everyone very affluent then? It seems that you can't have an entire planet where the only purpose is to "have a good time."

[Since he remembers Mon-El's version of a "good time" involved a bar and a lot of alcohol, not much of which Okita imbibed, but still.]

[spacebro]

Um... No, not everyone. But some things were easier to get than others. [His parents usually kept people entertained.]

[ahappylie]

Oh.

[He can't quite imagine what that would look like coming from a country that had strict stratification of the people. But he wonders if everyone is happy with the arrangement if not everyone is rich.]

I suppose if that is the culture of your homeland, then perhaps people were used to finding the entertainment that suited their rank.

[spacebro]

I think so. And entertainment was easier to have access to. But we're a long way from there! [Trying to redirect the conversation without really having anywhere to redirect it to.]

[ahappylie]

[See, the thing about Okita Souji is that he is VERY perceptive about things. He knows that this topic is making Mon-El uncomfortable, but he also knows that he needs to learn about his shipmates if he's ever going to trust them. A little pushing so he understands is okay, right?]

Mm, yes, but we all carry parts of our homes with us wherever we go. [Case in point, the fact that Okita is continually lying to everyone in the Fleet.] For better or worse, we're representatives of our homelands here.

[spacebro]

It's...for worse. [Definitely for worse. And there is a key ingredient he's still keeping from Kara just hanging over his head.]

[ahappylie]

...?

[Now that's an odd statement. Okita stops and looks up at Mon-El, tilting his head.]

Is home that terrible to you?

[spacebro]

[He laughs awkwardly after a moment.] No, no. I mean, it's just the usual stuff. Nothing to worry about. Look at your face. Taking me so seriously. [Yep, nothing to see here.]

[ahappylie]

If you don't wish to talk about it, we don't have to.

[Buuuut he knows something's up now, Mon-El. Don't expect he'll just let it go forever.]

But if it is something that bothers you, it's best to get it out in the open eventually. Secrets can weigh you down in ways you don't expect.

[Says the expert in lies.]

[spacebro]

[It almost feels like you didn't believe his extremely clever ruse. Hurtful.]

People keep saying that. [Seriously, secrets are coming up all the time.] Come on, let's just have a little fun.

[ahappylie]

[We can pretend he believed it about 13% - how about that?]

They say it because it's true, you know~

[He smiles and shrugs a little though because if Mon-El wants to keep his secrets, he can. Okita isn't going to go prying into them just yet.]

But it would be a little hypocritical of me to chide you, so let's just learn this 'pinball' thing for today. Next time I'll learn all your skeletons in the closet, hm?

[spacebro]

That sounds...strange and morbid? I'm assuming it's an earth saying? [His closet just has clothes mostly.] But it's a deal.

[ahappylie]

[He laughs.]

Yes, it's an Earth saying. It means all the dark secrets you want to hide.

[Then he holds out his hand, pinky finger extended.]

Promise?

[spacebro]

[He tilts his head before extending his pinky finger in the same manner. He doesn't know what they're doing.] Yes, I promise? [Wait, does he? That sounds like a bad idea.]

[ahappylie]

[Aaaaaaand trapped.

Okita wraps his pinky around Mon-El's, gives it a squeeze, then lets go.]

O~kay! If you break your promise, you have to drink a thousand needles now.

[spacebro]

[Wow, guy.]

Just to be up front with you I don't think the needle drinking is going to be a thing even if it gets broken. I mean, even if I wanted to I think a dozen in or so I wouldn't be able to do more anyway.

[ahappylie]

[He snickers]

It's a figure of speech. When you break a promise, it's a terrible thing, so the punishment of losing someone's trust is like drinking a thousand needles.

Although, even getting a dozen or so in is fairly impressive!

[spacebro]

Let's hope I never do anything that impressive.

[ahappylie]

I also hope you don't have to do anything like that. I'd prefer it if you kept your promise.

[spacebro]

[He just smiles and nods. Guess they'll have to see how it pans out!]