driftfleet | Blameless Mingle / August 2018

[Messer pauses; he's aware that people within the fleet have such powers. Lucina herself had already offered to do the same for him, something for which he'd graciously refused. He's not looking for anyone else to heal him either. Better to let this run its course.]

I've never met the man, but I'll take it into consideration.

[Which he won't do, but it feels impolite to say as much. The man's only trying to help.]

[He nods his head to let him know that he will not push the matter. Whether or not Manji wishes to visit someone like that is up to him and it isn't his place to push something he might not want on him.]

Of course. Please do let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you.

[He'd rather give Messer the power to decide if he wants that or not than simply step in to take care of things for him. It can sometimes wound a person more to take away their control when they are barely getting it back. And in honesty he knows what it's like to have control stolen from him and to feel defeated by it. He will never do that to another person as a result.]

Hm.

[It's true that pride plays a part, and he wrestles with it for a long moment. He doesn't like getting help for mundane things, least of all his own damned job. But if he'd let himself be healed, he wouldn't even have this problem. Stubbornness is going to cause one issue or the other, and there's no having it both ways.

Finally he shakes his head.]

The ship continues to function well enough, with or without me. I believe it will keep. However, if you notice anything out of sorts that cannot wait, I would appreciate the assistance, and I'm sure the rest of the crew would as well.

I can do what I can as long as my augment will allow it.

[It's mildly tiresome that he can't seem to do some tasks simply because he doesn't have the augment for it but he does want to at least do what he can. At the same time, he does want to admit where his limits are so that way Messer knows he isn't avoiding some things intentionally. That simply isn't something he would ever do.]

You are part of this crew though. I feel that I can safely speak for the others in saying that we would be glad to help you out whenever you need it.

Mm. You're probably not wrong with that assumption.

[Everyone here's too goddamn nice for their own good. It's something he's used to, at least - Xaos had been full of those sorts, happily altruistic - but he's just perpetually awkward around it. Contentedly accepting help isn't in his nature, not when he's been guarded for so long.]

I like to think it wouldn't be. It often feels as if we have been somehow adopted into some sort of chaotic family here.

[And family takes care of each other. At least that is how he's always seen it. Those that are his family have to be cared for by him. And now by his pack as well. Here that is only Lyall but he already knows that the Beta won't mind.]

That's... one way to look at it.

[He's cautious about using that word - family is just one of those ever-sensitive subjects - but he can understand why others might feel that way. A close-knit crew that knows and aids in joint struggles day by day? It's not that different from Xaos and Delta squad.]

I apologize if the word is too much. Being so used to a pack setting has a habit of changing the mindset that one has concerning the word.

[He has noted the hesitation and he makes sure to offer an out from it with his apology. As well as an explanation. Sometimes it's easy to forget that not everyone is so used to such things the way that he is.]

Use whichever word for it that you want.

[He shrugs off the apology; there's no need. Far be it for him to police anyone's vocabulary, so long as it doesn't cause any undue stress.]

It's simply not a word that comes easily to me.

May I ask why? Of course you do not have to tell me if you would prefer not to.

[It's just that they're getting along presently so he sort of wants to try to continue talking.]

[Messer doesn't answer right away, mulling over whether to respond or dismiss it, sipping idly at his tea. It's not the biggest of secrets back home anymore, but only because certain people had gone snooping for the intel. He'd never had to tell someone about it.]

...That planet we visited a few systems ago, the one left abandoned. Hundreds of thousands of people who died abruptly. A similar fate befell my home planet, and very few survived. That's why.

[Those blue eyes soften into sympathy when he hears that. Such a horrible tragedy. Though he can understand why Messer would have such different feelings about the word family as a result.]

I know it will change nothing but I am sorry for your loss.

Thank you.

[He speaks after an uncertain pause, not sure what else to say. He's lived with that loss long enough that it's not as sharp as it had been years ago.]

...And thank you for the tea. It's very good.

[A peace offering, of sorts.]

[He's mildly surprised that this all went so well given their history. Perhaps they could come to a truce after all. He knows he'd like that.

Giving a polite nod, he smiles a little.]

You are always welcome to have some of my tea when you come to the kitchen.

I'll remember that.

[He spends enough time in the kitchen for it to be worth remembering, anyway.]

Is there anything else I could see about keeping in the kitchen for you? I can keep an eye out for these things when we stop in systems. I try to make sure we restock every time that we stop. Sometimes in abundance when I know it will not be perishable.

...Hm. Seafood, I suppose, and unique spices.

[He's always on the lookout for the perfect mix of flavours to replicate meals from back home. It's not like he'll ever get to taste them again, otherwise.]

The seafood will be easy. Lyall is particularly fond of fish himself so I've been making sure to have plenty of that for him. For spices, I'm sure I can see to that as well. Though I hope you will not be offended that I've been quite careful to not really have any basil here in the kitchen. It does such terrible things to Lyall and myself.

I noticed that, actually. He visited me while I was fishing over an island edge- though I didn't know it was him until he changed.

[They can probably live without basil; he can't remember the last time he used it, personally.]

That must have been quite the experience for him changing back.

[Largely he's referring to the fact that they are quite naked when they change back.]

It was... somewhat disconcerting.

[Not like he's never seen guys in the nude before - communal barracks and all - but the change was weird to watch.]

I imagine it was. Honestly, it usually is for those who aren't used to seeing our change.

[To some it can even be considered quite horrifying.]

It isn't the worst thing I've ever seen, but it is memorable.

[He'll be happy if he doesn't have to watch it again, but y'know. Not traumatized or anything.]

The first time I ever saw it happen it was quite the experience indeed. With that said, I can assure you that you are sure to always please him if you provide fish as a meal.

It's not a surprise, based on prior experience. I'll keep that in mind the next chance I have to go fishing.

Blameless Mingle / August 2018

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)