driftfleet | ⚝ video 001;

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Who: Sawyer and YOU
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: The Heron, if you want
When: now

So do ya'll do that every month, or did I get lucky missin' out on all the fun? [you can practically hear the air quotes around "fun"]

Anyway, call it curiosity or boredom if you want, but has anyone else done this song and dance before? I'm talkin' about the gettin' dragged to other worlds nonsense, but if any of ya'll come from a world with space travel, humor and me and tell me about that, too. I'll even give points out for someone who manages to surprise me with somethin' new.

[he pauses before he ends the video]

Hell, why not - if Oceanic Flight 815 means anything to you, come on down and let's chat.

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I definitely prefer my friends alive, so I'm glad that's a thing we've got in common! [ She's painfully aware of how unfunny she is, a string of soft half-developed laughs coming in between her words. ] I mean technically, yeah. Sort of how things turned out on my end. Most of the people I work with are men and for that reason, I typically befriend guys. Forty, fifty, sixty year old guys make me look pretty damn good in comparison.

[ But then she sees Barry's kids all grown and she remembers being that age. It doesn't necessarily make her feel bad or compare herself on a physical level so much as recall the way things had been. ]

Those are the best kind of compliments, if you ask me. [ She's looking in cabinets rather than drawers because she's not going to nudge him out of the way to get to them and who knows how things are stored here, right? But his response makes her do the tiniest little fistpump. ] Ah, my hero.

[ She's grabbing plates and stealing a knife -- god, it's probably the only one on the ship -- to cut the steak up equally (though she'll lie if he happens to notice his piece is a little bigger, it's definitely because hospital food beats mostly no food by a long shot). Plating it along with an egg each, she nearly drops it on the table before slipping into a chair. ]

It's a good thing because I wasn't going to take off my gloves.

[ She's the kind of person that cuts each piece as she eats it and since there's no toast, is dabbing the steak into the yolk. ]

[ha ha ha, he just chuckles, but makes no comments about living friends. Especially since most of those he'd even consider as such are dead] That ain't a bad thing, though somehow I ended up the opposite - all lady friends, only a few guy friends. Even with the kids - it was all girls. Must be the charm that draws 'em in.

[as she finishes with the food, he takes a seat and to patiently wait, though he does give a low whistle at what she's managed with what the ship had. At the very least, it ain't canned shit, and he'll eat it whether it's good or not. Better than nothing, and he's been there, too]

Why, the gloves attached to your hands, or you just like lookin' stylish all the time?

[ Her closest friends all died more than a decade ago. It's something she doesn't really know how to discuss nor desires to. She doesn't like talking or thinking about Wesker and his betrayal. ]

Not a bad thing, either. Kid-wise, it's all girls. Barry's got two daughters. [ Give it a year and he'll have a third, adopted on the spot. This time, she ignores the charming joke but reacts visibly with raised eyebrows and wide eyes; her grin widens minutely. ] Chris' got a younger sister, though I keep thinkin' she's younger than she is. College when we met, but now she's off on her own. My partners have always been men, but I think it's more strategic. I'm speed, they're living tanks.

[ Parker might as well have been a wall of meat. Chris was a different kind of buff and Barry was still a pretty muscular guy for his age. It had been different back in STARS, but the guys were all still comparatively much bigger than she was... and that was all of her colleagues at the time. Rebecca had only just been hired as a medic just before the group had collapsed under the hand of her superior. ]

You know, I considered saying "yes," just to see your reaction. Bet you'd feel kinda crappy if that was the case, huh. [ But she picks at the finger (or more correctly knuckle) of her fingerless gloves and removes just one. ] Just feels like I'm ready to go with 'em on.

Only got one friend who's got a kid, and it's still a little guy. No one else seems interested in being a parent. [the island people were laughable, though he did have a few passing thoughts of kids with Juliet, and even with Kate. Though now the thought was one he didn't want to dwell on long. And forget the "friends" he kept before . . . hah] Can't say I've ever really had a partner. People I worked with, sure, but that's about it. Always been a guy, though. Not a lot of lady con artists.

[he pauses, meat halfway to his mouth to regard her over his fork with a raised, interested eyebrow] You're bettin' wrong, lady. 'Least til I heard the story behind why. [he huffs a quick chuckle] I get it, I think. Can't say I've got anything like that 'cept the flannel and well - been wearing that on and off for months.

[but thank god it was that and not that stupid damned Dharma jumpsuit. Ugh]

Moira and Polly were pretty young when I first met Barry, but they're nearing adulthood, now. Bit nerve-wracking when that kind of time passes. [ They'd been so little back then. They'd all been so different in 1996, 1997, 1998... She pauses to consider his words, though. They all seem loaded. ] So, take it you're interested in parenthood, then? Not really for me, but I do make one swell aunt. Hrm, that's an interesting fact, though. Didn't know that. Not a bad thing, though. Hard to find people to trust in general. There's something to be said about ensuring your back is covered.

[ You have to assume they'll cover you, but there's a difference between trusting implicitly and trusting based on a requirement. One is more complete, one is volatile. She can count the people she really trusts on just about one hand. ]

Guess that'd be where my lie would fall apart, I'm not really good at spinning a yarn, especially if it has to be made up. [ She tells stories direct and factually, which is great when filling out paperwork but not so much when trying to entertain someone. ] Well, flannel's nice. Guess I might pick some up myself if we ever get off this ship. Otherwise this is what you'll be seeing for the undetermined future.

[ Screw jumpsuits. In theory they should be comfortable, but they aren't. She might have to wear the one provided for her at some point, but she's going to avoid it as long as possible. Her appetite still is off, but she's managing to keep all her food down; the way she eats is languid, but polite. ]

Be nice to get some comfortable pajamas, but I'm not gonna hold my breath. Just glad we've got private bunks -- which, I guess, brings up the point to knock first. I'm cool with company, just let me know what's up.

[it's loaded in the sense that he doesn't realize until she asks That Question, and he just sort of . . . distracts himself with the food on his plate as he winces] Make a great uncle, doubt I'd make a great dad. And my—[he can't say it, not as casually as this conversation intends to be]—well, can't make a kid on my own, y'know? So it ain't happening. And I hear ya on trusting people - few and far between.

[there were few people he trusted, and even fewer he trusted, and that was a a number at its all time lowest. The island had done a number on him even though he'd somehow escaped with his life]

Won't lie, it's an art that you gotta practice and craft to get it right. Ain't the greatest thing to be proud of, but I could probably sell some poor sap a bridge in Brooklyn if I really tried. [a snort, almost a laugh] It ain't bad, sure, but it ain't usually my choice of style either. If we get off the ship I'm goin' on a shopping adventure.

[what he wouldn't give for a damn decent leather jacket and some jeans that fit]

I'd assume knockin' first is common courtesy. Same with me, but I might leave the door open if'n I feel like company. Dunno yet, gotta meet the rest of the folk up here. >[it's mostly a joke, but he did tend to keep to himself often. Mostly because his personality didn't mesh well with everyone else's]

[ It doesn't go unnoticed. She figures she's now in uncharted territory and they're in for some rocky tides, the coastline littered with untouched mines. Awesome job, Jill. ]

Eh, if you ask me, it's where all the good stuff is at, anyway. You get to spoil selectively, see the kids at their best, and cart 'em off back to their parents with too much sugar in their system. [ It sounds a little like she might have some experience with doing this very thing. ] Ha, well, there are always other options if you put your mind to it.

[ But she's careful to side-step around anything further, smiling taut enough that her cheeks ache a little. Trust. That was down to what? Chris, his sister, Barry, Parker, and maybe Leon? For the most part, anyway. The word could be skewed and extended to a few others, but it was so limited. ]

Don't disagree, after all, there are people who make occupations out of hostage negotiations or treaty negotiations even if the words and ideals are already out there, the words and tone can really make a huge difference. [ Which is basically her way of saying it's not exactly her specialty. She's not terrible at it, but she's a little on the lax side and it's clear if she feels something, she's probably not going to stifle it for the sake of the other person or people involved. A "straight shooter," so to speak. ] Day one of our friendship and you've already said "shopping adventure," I don't know what else I've got to look forward to now.

[ Just the idea of him saying it is pretty funny to her. Enough that she ducks her head, tittering quietly to herself. She's starting to get toward finishing up now, slowly savoring the last few bites with a pleased expression. She limits herself, but it's obvious that she's holding herself back from cupping a cheek, almost. ]

Hey, I don't know what kind of traditions you've got where you're from. Suppose I'll do the same since I'm not usually one to deny company unless I'm too pooped to be decent company myself. [ She'd use sleep as her excuse, though, when she needed to be alone. A planet would probably be good, too. ] Well, when you become overwhelmingly popular with everyone else, I hope you'll still visit me from time-to-time.

[if we're being entirely honest, sitting down to eat and have normal conversation is territory that hasn't been charted in a while for him. But he's incredibly glad she goes further on the aunt and uncle part and not the part he couldn't get out]

I hear ya there. I'd much rather spoil and give 'em back then deal with the whole bucket of responsibility parenting calls for. [the kids would be better off, too] Oh yeah? Like what?

[he hums a little, shoving a piece of meat in his mouth and chewing before answering] More than just words and tone. It's the whole deal - expression, body language, hell, even the clothes. 'Sides, negotiators don't always deal with that stuff face-to-face. Dunno about treaties so much. [he's a pro at it, and he doesn't mind talking about it in a shop sort of way] All kinds of adventures. We're traveling through space, I'm pretty sure that qualifies as adventurin' no matter what.

[hey don't laugh, it's legit]

Beats me, I'm the kind that bucks traditions. [but he at least knows not to open a door without knocking] Ha ha, you're funny. Only thing I'll get popular at as being the fleet's local asshole. Callin' it now.

[its almost like he wants the title]

[ Jill's not the sort of person to get confrontational on a subject like that or dwell on making others (or herself) uncomfortable, so it's a relief that they both brush it aside. ]

There's this thing people do sometimes called "adoption," you know? [ Although it's likely the concept might not exist, when she really thinks about it. Still, she has a sarcastic edge to it. ] Hey, that's actually something I do know about. Don't a bit of my own fair share of it, but I'm better at -- [ She is legitimately doing finger guns right now, one eye closed as she pretends to shoot at the wall. ] -- that sort of thing. I diffuse bombs, not situations.

[ It's an interesting tidbit about her that she hasn't spoken about so far. She's actually one of the best when it came to explosive disposal, though she'd never really brag about that or any of her particular skills. ]

You're talkin' to a woman that barely clocks in at five-five who was in the army and shoots monsters for a living -- and doesn't have short spiky hair. Tradition isn't exactly my forte, either. [ If she wasn't dressed as she was, wasn't in the kind of shape she was, and put on a little make-up she might pass for normal. Maybe. ] That so? You seem pretty okay to me. Hopefully you don't take that as an invite to be a dick, kinda like the little exchange we've got going on as-is.

[ She's not shy about it, but it's still weird to admit you actually enjoy someone's company. Especially when you've only known one another a day. ]

Got a record, they wouldn't let me adopt. 'Sides, I ain't raising a brat on my own. [he's pretty sure that's how it works, at least - went to jail for shit? No kids for you. Or at least, until the record be expunged and even then, he doubts he'd bother with.

He snorts when she does the finger guns, grin returning] Diffusing situations is for calmer folk. I'm better at causin' them or distracting people during 'em. [he isn't at all surprised she's good at that stuff, though - that's the impression he's gotten so far]

I didn't know short, spiky hair was a requirement. [he says, the lying liar, he knows it's a popular trope in movies] That's 'cuz you haven't caught me at a bad time. I have my moments - there's a guy on the Fleet here who knows me, he'll tell ya how much of an ass I am.

Ah, right. That's a thing, isn't it? [ She isn't sure if that's the case, especially if you've a spouse. She doesn't touch on the second part since she doesn't know how he feels about it. If there's any kind of regrets or hurt feelings there, she doesn't want to poke and prod the wound. ] Ha, well, I can't say I'm not good at both but there are definitely people I know who are better at either of them than I am, too.

[ She is perfectly aware she's a bit of a dork, but she's not unhappy the way she is. ]

Hey, I said stereotypes, I didn't say reality. Been quite a while since I was in the army and I was the only woman in Delta Force. Had short hair back then, though. Kind of soccer mom bob. I could pull it off back then, but now... [ Well, she'd just let her hair grow and this happened. Ponytails were easier and she didn't think she looked too great with short hair, anyway. ] Hm, is that really so? If it is, I hope you know I don't shy away from calling an ass like I see it.

[ She hasn't managed to get into any kind of tiffs yet, but she isn't the sort of person to back down from a fight. She quiets, though, to polish off her food. ]

Sure is a thing. Who knew goin' to jail would mess up your life? [he lays on the sarcasm, but it's true. And you know, with the whole kid situation . . . he's leaving out the fact that he actually has one, somewhere. But he's had a hard team considering the kid as "his", since . . . well, he's terrible at that shit. Better not to ever mention it] Hah, I hear ya. I know people better'n me at that stuff, too. Which is why I stick to what I'm good at.

[she's absolutely a dork, but it's endearing in a way]

Never really understood that stereotype. All the women I know who can kick my ass have long hair like you do. [he's pretty sure the stereotype is outdated by now anyway, but who knows anymore. He's out of touch with what's "in"] By all meeans, no one else is shy 'bout it either. I'm used to it.

...sorry. [ She makes it pretty obvious that she's dropping it from there, it makes her feel pretty shitty but she knows it's a subject she should've avoided to begin with. She finishes her plate, but not quite ready to get up and wash it off to the best of her ability with another search-and-find act for soap. ] Guess we're the same in that respect. New things can be interesting, but I'd rather hone the abilities I do have.

[ She straightens in her seat, the rigidity comforting in the same way it feels good when you stand up and stretch. ]

Well, part of it is that long hair is restricting. You actually don't see a lot of women in combat with long hair, especially with much of a fringe. [ That's part of why hers is at the side like it is. ] It's just more about it getting in the way, although there's not a lot of physical combat like what I get into these days, it's mostly from a distance and hand-to-hand isn't the same, either. But it's been about twenty years since I've been in training so... [ What she's saying is she's not in the loop. Just like men, it's probably all about preference. ] Well, you're fine so far. Not gonna go calling you an ass for no reason. If that's what you're into, that's all well and fine, I don't judge.

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⚝ video 001;

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