someone get a lady on this ship so I can't make that joke ever again

[unconfines]

Who: SS Golden Boys and whoever would like to visit
Broadcast: ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH SCIENCE
Action: SS Golden
When: After shuffling!

[So we did all right during the Space Battle Interlude, but that doesn't still mean there aren't repairs to be done and shenanigans to be had.

IT'S A MINGLE GET IN THE VAN.]

Comments

[unconfines]

Thank you. [He bows slightly, exaggerated, careful to keep one palm against his kitten to be sure she doesn't fall out.] I'm not sure being kidnapped and stuffed into an aimlessly floating cylinder really counts, precisely, but it's better than before. It's the little things in life.

[Truth be told, that's the only part of that he understood completely. Talking to Cole has helped him navigate some of the speaking-like-a-literature-book sensibilities, but only enough to recognize that maybe River is seeing more than he's strictly comfortable with.

The rest he can only just tapdance his way through.]

I'd like it much better if we were back on the planet, yes. A planet. Anything that isn't here. [a beat] Does this mean you aren't lost?

[diomedea]

[She smiles a little bit.]

They kept her, too. Said to teach.

[And then she shakes her head.]

No, she is here. Why aren't you with your planet? She couldn't be too far from hers.

[And she smiles gently.]

It's happy. You make him like cats. He makes you forget the hurt for a few minutes. She understands. Planets take so much looking after, or else they get into trouble.

[unconfines]

[They kept her, too. That, if nothing else, is the surest way to win empathy from him. Some of the pomp of his demeanor filters out; he's still smiling, but it's a little less of a show.]

—Ah.

[He understands. Planets and moons are new concepts, but the augment and the general theme of the fleet have made them easier to swallow. It makes him uncomfortable, having it pointed out so plainly that he has hurt at all to forget, much less that Hawke helps him manage it. He glances back over his shoulder, old habit from the Circle, to check for anyone who may be eavesdropping.]

So they do, I suppose. Though I can't say I'm any better. [Perhaps that's why it works, he doesn't say.] We can't be together all hours of the day, in any case. Might drive us both up the wall and back again.

[This is probably completely false. They could tail each other all around creation and he's not sure he'd get sick of it. But they don't need to be attached at the hip; they exist in their own spheres and enjoy the overlap when it happens.

He rocks slightly forward on his feet, watching her. His smile takes on an edge of something mischievous.]

Did he tell you about me?

[diomedea]

He likes the cats. They make messes, sink their claws in where they weren't expected to but it's not unwelcome, it's just different.

[She peeks over at the white kitten.]

It's not bad. He didn't like them. Cats were new. You kissed him, he liked that. There was a tavern. The cat was in the bag.

[unconfines]

Well. [Well!] That's very specific. You're a bit nosy, aren't you.

[He touches the side of his head to indicate. He doesn't say it with any sort of heat, it's just an easier topic to latch onto than the actual meaning of what she's saying. It isn't a secret so much as he's been conditioned his whole life to keep private details of personal relationships quiet, lest they draw too much attention from the wrong places.]

Though I have to say it's good to have it confirmed he likes them. The cats, I mean. [Not the kisses. He had a pretty good idea of that already.] That's a tidbit I can torment him with endlessly, thank you for that.

[diomedea]

You're very loud about it, it's important.

[Because Clearly This Is On You, Anders.]

Its okay, he's not one of the round people. You kissed them too but it was hot and furtive and afraid, it was desperate. You were living as much as you could, and she understands. But this is easier because there's no irons to lock you down and take that from you.

[She nods softly.]

[unconfines]

[She isn't wrong. She is, in fact, very correct, which might be expected at this point.

He doesn't like to think about the Circle— or, specifically, the potential there was with people like Karl in the Circle, potential that was strangled by his own fear and desperation. By templars with watching glares like blades already set at the back of his neck. By wanting so much and hating so much at the same time.

Anger simmers, deep beneath everything else, but that's hardly anything new.

This is different. It's easier. Easy like slipping on a patch of black ice is easy, he wants to think, but also just... easy. It isn't something he'd thought he'd have before.

He doesn't know what to say. So he says instead:]

Do you actually need to be on the floor? Seems like it might be cold down there.

[diomedea]

She likes the solids under her, it feels real. So much is drifting is floating, fleeting and she smiles softly. It's easier this way.

[She looks over at him. Maybe it's him?]

The Captain is very fierce. Very terrible, he thinks. There's so many claws in him.

[unconfines]

[It's a fair enough explanation. He's never really been one for sea travel, either; not that you can call this sea travel, but it's the closest equivalent he has.

He likes the topic better, too.]

You're going to have to be more specific around here. We have a few Captains running about. Though I can only assume you're talking about this one. [He tugs his collar down, where his kitten blinks in the sudden extra light.] She's got the claws and the epithet to go along with them.