time for some spring-mingling!

[mucked]

Who: Starstruck crew and guests!
Broadcast: N/A
Action: Aboard the Starstruck
When: All of April

[ oi, crew! we've got some upgraded bathrooms this time 'round, so enjoy your extra hot water! and a comfier tub! and some privacy curtains in the changing area, thank goodness. everyone please remind max to actually use the curtains, of course. (right after you remind him to shower!)

mingle away, starstruckers! don't forget you can still toy around with some of the rumours! ]

Comments

[proweird]

[ Elena hasn't been quite as obsessive, but she has been anxious to see Stefan, to affirm that he is alive and well. She writes letters to Caroline in her journal about the late-night texting, about how surreal it is, despite everything they've gone through, to know that she could be seeing Stefan again, Stefan who died as a human in her world. She writes about how she misses him and she knows Caroline does as well, how she wishes that Caroline could be here beside her to see him. She also writes to Bonnie about her unplanned adventure, knowing that Bonnie is travelling as well (though probably not in space). It fills up the time, but doesn't make her any less anxious about seeing Stefan.

Stefan did promise he would rush over as soon as she was shuffled, but she hadn't expected him to drop everything (hoped, not expected). She watches the shuttles land in the cargo bay, twisting her hands and trying to remember she is not a seventeen year old girl anymore. She is a young woman and a doctor; somehow, Stefan always makes her feel like a teenager--a little giddy, a little buzzy and so very alive.

She doesn't know it's his shuttle, but she watches it land, that excitement bubbling up in her when she sees him get out of the shuttle. Of course, he looks just the way he did before; in truth, he looks healthier, younger. He'd been so sick at the end and she is so glad to see him looking this way. She only hesitates a moment when he says 'hey', smiling at him, a smile that is filled with all the nerves she feels, but also with her happiness at seeing him here. That all melts away when he embraces her and twirls her around, nudging a laugh out of her as she buries her face against his shoulder, her arms tight around his neck. ] It's a good promise to keep.

[She has to lift her head, tilt it back ever so slightly so she can look at him. He is a little older (somehow--how) than he had been the last time he was a vampire in Mystic Falls. ] Hey.

[stefanged]

[ Just like that, he feels seventeen again. As if they're still high schoolers, with only exams and college entrance tests to worry about, and not the young adults stranded in the middle of the universe. Stefan doesn't let go, even as he peers down at her and gives her a warm, relieved smile in return. He's certainly taller than when she last saw him (finishing puberty will do that to a guy), but otherwise? He sure hopes he feels the same. ]

I missed you. [ He feels like he's said it before, but he really, really doesn't care as he reaches out to brush back some of her hair. ] Did you get a chance to settle in yet, or uh - am I part of your welcoming party?

[ Either way, he's brought presents in his messenger bag, and he's certainly eager to present them when he's got a moment. ]

[proweird]

[ It's not necessarily a bad thing, is it? She thinks there are worse things than making each other feel like they're teenagers again. Elena is perfectly alright with Stefan hanging on. She's certainly not unwinding her arms from his neck. Even now, she's having a hard time believing that he's real. She'd seen him die; she'd gone to his funeral and yet he's solid and real here. His admission of missing her makes her smile softly, tears springing to her eyes. ]

I missed you too. So much, Stefan. [ For so long. She'd never gotten over missing her parents and Jenna. She doesn't ever expect to get over missing Stefan either, except here, here where he's alive. Her head tilts slightly into his touch, eyes closing in a slow blink. ] I've located my room, but I haven't unpacked. [ sort of settled. He really didn't have to bring presents, but she'll gush over them all the same. ]

[stefanged]

[ He can only imagine how long it must've been. Even now, Stefan had always taken comfort in the knowledge that she was in Mystic Falls. While he can't say he wishes the Fleet on anyone, he's also selfishly grateful that it brought them back together. ]

Let me help you get everything squared away. [ He brightens, not pulling away just yet, ] I'm biased towards my ship, of course, but the Starstruck's got good people. No matter what you choose, you're gonna fit in just fine.

[proweird]

[ Right now, Elena is glad to be here as well. She'll probably change her mind eventually; she'll miss her friends, her house, her home, but right now, she's very grateful to be here with Stefan. ]

You don't have to do that, but I will let you sit and talk to me while I get things squared away. [ Totally okay that he doesn't pull away; in fact, she's glad of it. ] Mmmm, well it's possible you could talk me into a transfer.

[stefanged]

As much as I would love for you to transfer, you're in very capable hands. [ He trusts Peggy with his (immortal) life, after all. Trusting her with Elena, in turn, is a natural extension of a years-long friendship. He couldn't have asked them to shuffle her onto a better ship, save his own. ] Stick it out for a couple of weeks, see what you think.

[ Reluctantly, he pulls away, only to hold onto her hand and intertwine his fingers in hers. ]

If - and only if - you decide you'd rather be with me, then we'll process the paperwork.

[proweird]

[ She nods a little. She likes Peggy too, and really his plan is what she's mostly decided on already.

Their hands fit together so naturally, fingers twining just like breathing. She's forgotten this, how easy this is with Stefan. It's comforting, especially right now.]

Something to talk about later then. I met Peggy earlier and I like her.

[stefanged]

She's incredible. [ He laughs, unable to hide the awe on his face as he turns towards the corridor that leads to the rest of the ship. As one of their more frequent visitors, he knows the layout like the back of his hand. ] You couldn't have asked for a better captain - and I should know. One of my best friends was the captain before her.

[ He grows quiet for a second, thinking back to Yosuke. It's been a while since he's thought of a departed friend, but it doesn't hurt as much as it used to. ]

Anyway, show me where you're staying?

[proweird]

[ His obvious awe of Peggy makes her smile. She's beginning to realize that Stefan has friends here and that's a big deal. She feels like she's missed so much, but at the same time it's wonderful to see him making a happy life here. Her brow furrows as he goes quiet. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that he'd lost that friend one way or another. She squeezes his hand.]

Right this way. [ She takes a step in front of him, leading him toward her room. She looks over her shoulder at him, smiling. In that moment, she could be sixteen again, leading him into her bedroom for the first time. Of course, circumstances are entirely different now, she reminds herself. They're friends now and there's nothing romantic or sexual about this. They're friends.

It doesn't take long to get to her room. She pushes the door open and steps inside, turning to face him once he's crossed the threshold as well.] Home sweet home, I guess.

[stefanged]

[ As he's invited in, Stefan draws a breath and crosses the threshold. The room is typical of a fully-upgraded one, with a desk and end-table and even a closet for every passenger. It's a far cry from the communal bunks they once shared. Stefan can't quite help the grin as he takes his shoes off at the door.

It's an old habit of Alesci's: leave the shoes (and dirt) behind, just in case your potential hosts aren't a fan. Stefan can't remember if Salvatore ever did it, but hey. First time for everything. ]

Give it some time, and I'm sure it'll feel like it too.

[ He reaches for the swivel chair and takes a seat, if only so he can finally pull out his presents from his messenger bag. It's nothing special, he has to tell himself, but - he has a medium-sized paper bag that he hands over. ]

Here. It wouldn't be a proper housewarming without a gift.

[ Upon opening it, she'll find: one pink arrow tea mug, one jar of alien honey from a previous planet + tea-stirrer, one box of lemon teabags, one box of herbal teabags, three scented candles ("Chai Latte," "The Written Word," and "Love Potion,") + a box of matches, and finally, one oversized, bright red "Share a Soda with Salvation" t-shirt. Stefan knows it won't make up for starting from scratch, but every little bit helps. ]