First Breath Mingle!

[detectivewonder]

Who: The First Breath and Visitors!
Broadcast: None!
Action: On the First Breath!
When: Shuffle Day, in the evening!

[Two of the shuttles have been away, on the planet, and it's late on the day of the latest Shuffle when they dock back up, a solid half the crew re-embarking after a planetary visit to find their little aloof and uncomfortable family has expanded yet again. Tim comes to the bridge right away to double-check all ship's systems, just on general principles, but he invites anyone he sees along the way to come with him.]

Hey. Welcome aboard.

Comments

[hellofist]

[Really, Cass is the last person in the world to stop Stephanie from beating Tim with pillows, so she heads in the direction of the cargo bay by herself. They'll follow, because of course they will, so she answers that question with the knowledge they'll hear her.]

Entire point of cozy... is to be close. So it matters, because... that's the plan.

[detectivewonder]

Ow.

[He says it insincerely, glowers briefly, and follows. All right. Cozy is fine. A little... It isn't usually his thing. But fine. Chances are at some point tonight one of them will laugh at his reactions, but he doesn't mind that. And he does want to spend the time with them. He's distracted, until they have everything laid in place and set up.]

[mysunnydisposition]

Oh, you're fine. Don't make me hit you for real.

[ ...which would probably just be a more solid whack with the pillow, honestly. This is not the time or the space for anything more earnest, and she's certainly not in the mood for it, but seriously, Tim. You're overreacting.

Steph drops her blankets in the center of the designated cuddlepile area, arranges them into a nest, and sits down cross-legged in the middle of it. She's left room for Cass to snuggle up close to her if she wants. Tim too, on the other side, though she knows he won't. ]

[hellofist]

[After arranging her own pillows and blankets so their space will be as comfortable as possible, Cass goes one better than snuggling up. She lays down with her head in Steph's lap, closes her eyes, and lets out a very content sigh.]

No hitting. Save that for morning. Waking up and training... is good bonding exercise.

[detectivewonder]

It means you don't have to sleep on fresh bruises, too.

[Tim flops down on his side a cautious, calculated six inches away, close, but far enough away to look over and study them, enough to be sure any touch is deliberate, but easy enough to be casual.]

[mysunnydisposition]

[ Steph's a little surprised to find Cass' head in her lap, but she certainly doesn't mind. After a momentary startled pause, she settles her hand on Cass' head and starts playing absently with her hair. ]

Fine, no hitting tonight. I make no promises about stealing all your blankets in your sleep.

[hellofist]

[From her very comfortable and unlikely to be abandoned at any point place in Steph's lap, Cass gives Tim a Very Serious Look.]

You'll give them, if she's cold.

[Better do it, Drake.]

[detectivewonder]

If she has you as a blanket, she's not going to get cold.

[mysunnydisposition]

He does have a point there... but I appreciate you threatening him for me.

[hellofist]

Wasn't a threat, really. More like... helpful suggestion.

[detectivewonder]

Well, I feel very helped.

[mysunnydisposition]

[ She snorts softly, and starts making a thin braid in Cass' hair. If she's going to sit here with her head in Steph's lap... ]

That's what we're here for, Captain. [ Helping and teasing are like the same thing, right? ]

[hellofist]

[Yep, that's exactly the plan. There's really no better place than exactly where she is right in this moment.

And it only gets better when making fun of Tim becomes a thing.]

Can't even... give up control in space, huh?

[detectivewonder]

I didn't ask to be promoted!

[he flails a little, then flops over on his back, still looking their way.]

Anyway, me being in charge means you don't have to ask permission before crashing here.

[mysunnydisposition]

[ Steph laughs when Tim flops over, glancing over briefly before looking back down at her hands while she braids Cass' hair. ]

I didn't say I wasn't enjoying the perks of you being captain. I doubt anyone else would let me bring friends home like stray cats. [ And keep them FOREVER. Or until Cass wants to go back to her own ship, anyway. ]

[hellofist]

[Hey :|]

Stray bat.

[detectivewonder]

[reaching out to give steph a gentle shove]

Bird brain.

[mysunnydisposition]

[ She nudges Tim back with her foot. ]

Bats aren't as cuddly. As a rule.