April System Mingle

[thespaceopera]

Who: Everyone!
Broadcast: Possibly!
Action: April System
When: Month of April!


[Welcome to the Belt, a huge asteroid belt that's been terraformed for life. Here you can explore the different asteroids, become a rock star, race on some ATVs, enjoy not being underwater.

In other words, it's a mingle! Get in everyone!

> System Info ]

Comments

B

[padadin]

[Shiro has gotten some money to eat on a decent restaurant, but he's decided to get some clothes first. Dressed more comfortably now, he checks out the planet at a more relaxing pace, coming across a strange tune... and a familiar voice.

A familiar voice that doesn't sound very happy right now. It's not hard for a man of Shiro's size to make his way through the crowd, reaching her side and putting his human hand on her shoulder.]

She said she isn't playing for you. [He tells the crowd before looking down at her with a soft expression.] Need a way out?

B

[continuousgroaning]

[Tina's groaning uncertainly when Shiro approaches, but she stops, looking up at him gratefully.]

Please? I kinda spaced out for a minute and suddenly people were handing me money. I think they might think I'm a beggar or something...

[padadin]

I think they thought you were making music. Come on. [He puts his human arm on her shoulders.] Stay close to me.

[And once again, he easily makes his way through the crowd, keeping tina close this time and giving A Look to those that try to ask for "music" again.]

[continuousgroaning]

[And Tina hugs her drink cup and her takeout bag close to her, doing as he says.]

I was getting something to eat, and was reminded of when Gene and Louise and I would stand outside our restaurant. Gene would play his keyboard, Louise and I would accompany him on straws. We never really seemed to drum up any business with it, though, so I'm kinda surprised it worked.

[padadin]

[She's obviously upset, judging by the way she hugs her cup, so even when they lose the crowd, Shiro keeps a hand on her shoulder for support.]

These people probably have different tastes on music than Earth. Maybe for them you're a rock star. [He's trying to make her feel better, okay. Still...] But you should be more careful about spacing out in unknown places, Tina.

[continuousgroaning]

[Tina smiles up at him, though she looks a little flushed, from nervousness and embarrassment.]

I think they'll listen to anything, as long as it sounds like music. But you're right... especially when I'm still getting the lay of the land. I usually stick close to the Paisley...

[padadin]

[He smiles back and squeezes her shoulder. It's alright, she's safe now!]

I wouldn't be surprised - but it means you earned that money, no beggar stuff. And there's nothing wrong with wanting to explore a bit, you just need to pay attention. If it makes you feel any better, you can also ask someone in the crew to make you company. Or me. We got to stick together.

[continuousgroaning]

[She nods, but is quiet for a moment as she thinks about that.]

... Thanks for looking out for me. [I'm sure you have better things to do, she wants to add, but she doesn't, knowing that would probably come across as ungrateful and just a little pathetic. She wants to look cool in front of Shiro, she realizes- cooler than she actually is, because she admires him and maybe crushes on him a tiny bit, fears rejection if she looks like TOO big a loser. But she keeps all those thoughts to herself, and gives a nervous laugh.] I have so many people here who will do that, now that you mention it. So I should take advantage of it, right? I don't have to be alone.

[padadin]

You're welcome. We're all stuck together in this situation, we should look out for each other.

[He doesn't expect her to be "cool". Or wise, or anything like that. She's a kid - he just wants her to be careful, if possible. An approving nod at that idea.]

That's right, you don't have to be alone. You have a crew, and you have friends. You should rely on them.

[continuousgroaning]

Still, I'm glad you think that way.

[She gives a small smile at that, blushes and looks away. She's still mentally wrestling with those thoughts, and before she can talk herself out of it, she blurts out-]

I should stop worrying so much about this, but I- I just want people to like me, that's all. I like my crew and I like my friends, and... I don't want them to think any less of me. Or like I'm a burden or something. ... stupid, right?

[padadin]

[Smile for her too!] I value team work and watching over my crew.

[Ok, so technically Tina isn't Blameless crew. But The Fleet is a bit like a huge crew in Shiro's eyes, and that's enough.

I don't want them to think any less of me. He feels that. Not in the same "teenager trying to fit in" way that she does, but boy, does he feel it. Because that's something he fears all the time - what would they think if they learned about what he had to during his time with the Galra?

This isn't the right time to think about that though. He isn't going to drop all his crazy shit on this poor girl. But he does squeeze her shoulder again.]

Tina, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be liked. A true friend accepts you like you are - they would never think you're a burden or want you to change. [This is getting too preachy, kinda depressing and hypocritical as fuck.] So unless you hide an evil personality inside you, I promise you: you're just fine.

[continuousgroaning]

It's a good thing to value.

[She smiles up at him at the shoulder squeeze, and she has to laugh at the quip about the evil personality.]

I'm not sure I have an evil bone in my body. Every time I try to be mean, I end up regretting it because it's so not like me. ... but I understand. My crew likes me and looks out for me so far, and I appreciate that, I do. It's just that it's... different back home. I have some friends, and I'll always have my family, but a lot of people my age think I'm weird and don't really try to include me. So I have this nagging fear at the back of my mind that people are going to reject me that I haven't been able to get rid of.

[padadin]

[Oh no, poor thing. Shiro stops walking when he hears that to crouch in front of her with a very determined face.]

If someone doesn't accept you for you are, then it's their loss. You don't have to do special things to be liked, alright? [He ruffles her hair.] You're a good girl, Tina.