Just Keeping Swimming | March Planet Mingle

[thespaceopera]

Who: Everyone!
Broadcast: If you want!
Action: Anywhere on Mafik
When: The month of March



[Welcome to Mafik, the water world! Hope you brought your best swimming gear and don't have a paralyzing fear of water, because that's all that's here! So get out those wet suits and enjoy life under the sea!

In other words, it's a mingle! ]

> System Information

Comments

[experiencepoints]

[A bit too carefree there, as his words grate. Because they are, in fact, totally accurate.]

Ah, by the way, did I mention that Rhea can use fire, too?

[ahappylie]

[He laughs and shakes his head.]

No, but she's quite the match for you then. She's both cute and can use fire, too.

[experiencepoints]

Yes. And she'll use it on anyone who pisses me off too much.

[This part is just blatantly untrue, but.]

[ahappylie]

[Somehow he does not seem fazed by that. Instead, he hunches down and hugs his knees, looking up at Rhea and Nightingale. He misses his own pet and his friends so much sometimes it's hard to even think about them. Seeing Nightingale hold Rhea reminds him of how he used to hold Saizou, of sitting on porches and teasing Hijikata, of watching Tetsu get chased about in an attempt to cheer him up. It reminds him of so much it feels like his heart might give out at any moment.

So he smiles a little wider.]

I'll have to get on her good side then. What does she like to eat?

[experiencepoints]

[... huh. She seems surprised that he was totally unphased.]

Berries, nuts... Little pastries that Sparrow made. She likes sweet things.

[ahappylie]

Well, then, we have something in common. Although I think I ate the last of my candy sticks from the hotel. I'll have to find her something else.

[Her and Nightingale both, that is.

And maybe one day he'll even be able to trust everyone here enough to tell them his real name and story.

He reaches his hand up to Rhea again, palm up, to let her sniff him.]

She seems to calm you down a great deal.

[experiencepoints]

Don't feed her candy. Health is important.

[she loves her flareon and she will keep her healthy ok]

... She does. That's why I got her.

[ahappylie]

If you insist~ [He'll have to find something else then. Maybe on the water planet, maybe elsewhere. Perhaps Tempest can help him.]

But you had her at home, too? Is she special or are all of her species so good at healing?

[experiencepoints]

[She shakes her head.]

I didn't get her at home. I got her at my last interdimensional shithole. What do you mean, healing?

[ahappylie]

Ah. I mean whatever it is she is doing now - helping you calm down.

[These "interdimensional shithole" places are still very confusing to him.]

[experiencepoints]

Oh... I don't know. Nimbus was, but she was a 'Sylveon'.

[She looks down.]

Mostly Rhea's just warm and cuddly. It helps.

[ahappylie]

I see. [He smiles and then stands up, brushing his clothes off.]

It can be very helpful to have someone warm and cuddly to be with you during these times. It can be difficult being here, even with all the distractions.

[experiencepoints]

[She snorts, a bitter laugh, at that.]

You have no idea.

[ahappylie]

[Again, he's quiet for a moment, and then he smiles regardless. She's right in that he hasn't been away from home as long as she has, or seen as much horror as she likely has.

But he also likely won't survive long enough to get home regardless of whether he wins this twisted game or not.]

I suppose I don't.

So it's good that she can. [He reaches out and pets Rhea's head.]

It's important to have someone here who understands you.

[experiencepoints]

It is.

[But having Rhea back, while comforting, is also opening some old wounds. She misses her team, and having this one reminder of her team back, but none of the people... It hurts.

But if she dwells on that, she'll never stop.]

It's why I'm so grateful Opal's here.

[ahappylie]

She is your girlfriend, yes?

Did you ever figure out the living arrangements adequately?

[experiencepoints]

Yeah, that's right.

We're rooming together, so we definitely keep the captain bunk.

[ANY OTHER MEANINGS ARE FIRMLY IGNORED.]

[ahappylie]

Good. I'm glad to hear it worked out in the end.

[HE HAS MORE CLASS THAN THAT.... SOMETIMES.]

Did you notice that the rooms are slightly nicer now? I don't know when it happened.

[experiencepoints]

I... wasn't paying attention.

[by that she means she's been having water-related panic a lot and has been missing a lot of important details.]

[ahappylie]

[He laughs a little.]

It's been very hectic lately, so don't worry. Someone paid for an upgrade, I think. The beds are much softer now and perhaps the captain's room has something nicer as well.

[experiencepoints]

[don't say it. don't say it nightingale. don't you dare-]

The captain's room always has something nicer.

[goddamnit you gross gay nerd.]

[ahappylie]

[He pauses for a second and then laughs loud and clear. He's still not used to people being so open with their feelings.]

Yes, I suppose it does.

[experiencepoints]

Damn right.

[she's just. so in love? but at least being gross about natalie has helped her cheer up.]

[ahappylie]

When did you become a couple? It's so rare for me to hear such candidacy about a relationship.

[And he's a busybody and this is fascinating!!! He's glad someone is happy on this ship what with Maggie trying to rip her augment out and all the panic with the water.]

[experiencepoints]

Almost a year ago now. It's... a long story.

[She seems surprised, though.]

Why is that rare?