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spikedbats) wrote2022-10-01 01:53 pm
spikedbats) wrote2022-10-01 01:53 pm
Entry tags:
[ximilia] :// inbox
// harrington
TEXT β’ AUDIO β’ VIDEO
XIMILIA
γ after their return to the station: γ Still kicking?
[On account of his being the new guy and her being keen to get her garden into shape, she doesn't waste time once they're back from the mission. She's seen him around and although they haven't officially met, it doesn't stop her from cornering him one afternoon in the sunlight room and cornering him into helping her.
Her hydroponic garden is a point of pride for her now, different seeds from the various planets they've been to now growing all with the help of water and artificial sunlight.
Steve is a surprisingly good assistant, and Clara takes her time showing him exactly how she likes things to be cut and pruned. Maybe she's extraordinarily bossy, but Clara can't tell if it bothers him or not. She likes to think that it's possible he just thinks she's delightfully precise.
Which is exactly how she thinks of it herself, as she keeps herself busy with picking things that are ready to be brought to the kitchen, and taking stock of seeds and available space in the containers.]
So, do you regret agreeing to come over here with me yet? [She teases, eyebrows arching as she points a pair of gardening shears in his general direction.] Don't think I should point out honesty is always the best policy with a woman holding a sharp object. But here I am, reminding you anyway.
Her hydroponic garden is a point of pride for her now, different seeds from the various planets they've been to now growing all with the help of water and artificial sunlight.
Steve is a surprisingly good assistant, and Clara takes her time showing him exactly how she likes things to be cut and pruned. Maybe she's extraordinarily bossy, but Clara can't tell if it bothers him or not. She likes to think that it's possible he just thinks she's delightfully precise.
Which is exactly how she thinks of it herself, as she keeps herself busy with picking things that are ready to be brought to the kitchen, and taking stock of seeds and available space in the containers.]
So, do you regret agreeing to come over here with me yet? [She teases, eyebrows arching as she points a pair of gardening shears in his general direction.] Don't think I should point out honesty is always the best policy with a woman holding a sharp object. But here I am, reminding you anyway.
So it would seem.
Is that a typical mission or did I just get especially lucky for my first one?
Is that a typical mission or did I just get especially lucky for my first one?
I want to say theyβre different flavors of that? Itβs all bad, but how much depends on what buttons of yours are getting mashed.
My first: we show up in cowboy town except, surprise, everyone had been killed a year before and the only survivor had made a deal on the orb that brought them all back so long as he didnβt remember what happened.
He remembered. So now he has to live with it forever.
Not a figure of speech, btw. The orb made it so he cannot die.
My first: we show up in cowboy town except, surprise, everyone had been killed a year before and the only survivor had made a deal on the orb that brought them all back so long as he didnβt remember what happened.
He remembered. So now he has to live with it forever.
Not a figure of speech, btw. The orb made it so he cannot die.
[ With the psychological toll that the mission brought him, Steve was all too eager to be volunteered into helping with something so simple maintenance for a hydroponic garden. Would it have been something he would have done back in Hawkins? No. But since his arrival, he has seen the benefits of teamwork firsthand and a little bit of distraction is always needed.
Especially when being forced to face some of his greatest fears again. He shudders as he forcibly pushes aside the memories that churned to the surface, the nightmares that just never seem to stop, even when he's awake. If he weren't so certain that Vecna couldn't reach him here in space, he would almost believe this was his doing. ]
Regret? Pfft. Absolutely not. [ He laughs as his eyes hone in on the referenced sharp object and raises an eyebrow. ] Surprisingly enough, this isn't the first time I've been on the dangerous end of a weapon being wielded by a...what's the phrase...strong independent woman?
[ Images of Nancy Wheeler pointing a revolver at him and urging him to leave the Byers' house come to mind. He much prefers those to the Vecna-adjacent nightmares. ] No seriously, though. It helps take my mind off things.
Especially when being forced to face some of his greatest fears again. He shudders as he forcibly pushes aside the memories that churned to the surface, the nightmares that just never seem to stop, even when he's awake. If he weren't so certain that Vecna couldn't reach him here in space, he would almost believe this was his doing. ]
Regret? Pfft. Absolutely not. [ He laughs as his eyes hone in on the referenced sharp object and raises an eyebrow. ] Surprisingly enough, this isn't the first time I've been on the dangerous end of a weapon being wielded by a...what's the phrase...strong independent woman?
[ Images of Nancy Wheeler pointing a revolver at him and urging him to leave the Byers' house come to mind. He much prefers those to the Vecna-adjacent nightmares. ] No seriously, though. It helps take my mind off things.
Jesus. That's a hefty burden. I can't even imagine.
[ And then he pauses, as he thinks of his own nightmares, and sends a follow up message. ]
Alright, that's not entirely true. But I guess it's one thing to dream about it and wake up and realize it's just your mind screwing with you, and everyone's still alive.
[ And then he pauses, as he thinks of his own nightmares, and sends a follow up message. ]
Alright, that's not entirely true. But I guess it's one thing to dream about it and wake up and realize it's just your mind screwing with you, and everyone's still alive.
They sure can. I can't even say I blame the guy for making that kind of deal, but shit. That was never going to end well.
No. But that's the problem with the orbs. They thrive on chaos.
Waiting for a person to be in their right state of mind before asking isn't really a priority.
Waiting for a person to be in their right state of mind before asking isn't really a priority.
Yeah, I've been picking up on that. Crazy stuff, and I thought all the bullshit I dealt with back in Hawkins was bad. I can't even imagine what it would've been like if an orb were involved.
Ah, yes. The horrible realization that things could, in fact, be worse. Now taken up to truly mind-boggling levels.
γ just call her gwennie downer. γ
For what it's worth, and with the awareness that the circumstances could be improved—I'm glad you're around.
And I will be expecting interdimensional postcards from Hawkins' future Cool Teacher. I'm claiming some credit.
γ just call her gwennie downer. γ
For what it's worth, and with the awareness that the circumstances could be improved—I'm glad you're around.
And I will be expecting interdimensional postcards from Hawkins' future Cool Teacher. I'm claiming some credit.
I know the feeling.
[Her tone is warm and amused, but not in a mocking way. The entire reason she took up this project was because she needed a way to take her mind off of the stress she was feeling. Of course, she also felt it was one of the ways she could be useful to the people here. By nurturing and providing as best as she could, just in case there was a time they ran out of supply drops.
So far that hadn't happened, but it doesn't mean it won't one day. It's best to be prepared.]
It's easy to be lost among all the far more capable people that're here. Gardening is a way to lose yourself in a way to be useful. Even when you feel like you're not.
[Her tone is warm and amused, but not in a mocking way. The entire reason she took up this project was because she needed a way to take her mind off of the stress she was feeling. Of course, she also felt it was one of the ways she could be useful to the people here. By nurturing and providing as best as she could, just in case there was a time they ran out of supply drops.
So far that hadn't happened, but it doesn't mean it won't one day. It's best to be prepared.]
It's easy to be lost among all the far more capable people that're here. Gardening is a way to lose yourself in a way to be useful. Even when you feel like you're not.
Yeah, I think that realization requires a very stiff drink, I don't know about you.
Yeah? I'm glad I'm around, too. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, I still need to actually get the grades up enough that some poor school will take pity on me and give me a certificate.
Yeah? I'm glad I'm around, too. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, I still need to actually get the grades up enough that some poor school will take pity on me and give me a certificate.
You should text Viveca for a list of the prereq's. Crack open books between missions.
Wei Wuxian's been looking for a study buddy.
γ crying. he has been crying for a study buddy. γ
Wei Wuxian's been looking for a study buddy.
γ crying. he has been crying for a study buddy. γ
That's...not a bad idea.
Oh yeah? I could probably use the help to get me motivated to study.
[ who knows, maybe without the pressure from his parents and the distractions of popularity contests and interdimensional monsters he might actually do better this time around. ]
Oh yeah? I could probably use the help to get me motivated to study.
[ who knows, maybe without the pressure from his parents and the distractions of popularity contests and interdimensional monsters he might actually do better this time around. ]
[ It should probably be stranger, to be surrounded by people who know all too well the types of things he's been through. Maybe they haven't exactly experienced the terror of the Upside Down and the drive to keep a group of teenagers alive because that's all he views himself good for these days, but they know what it's like to constantly have to check your six, sleep with the lights on, and feel like no matter what they do, those monsters are going to keep coming back.
In some ways, this project of Clara's is perfect for Steve, who with zero superpowers often feels like he's barely of any use to the team. Sure, it's not nearly the same as being the one responsible for finding and obtaining an orb, but everyone has their place here on this ship, and maybe this is Steve's. A support role, a way to help make sure that people have a little bit of greenery and a little bit of reprieve from their own stress. ]
Yeah, that's a nice way of looking at it. [ And then, a beat passes, and he can't help but let out a soft chuckle. ] Shit, if my dad could see me now, he'd be furious. We Harringtons aren't exactly known for our gardening skills, I'll just put it that way.
In some ways, this project of Clara's is perfect for Steve, who with zero superpowers often feels like he's barely of any use to the team. Sure, it's not nearly the same as being the one responsible for finding and obtaining an orb, but everyone has their place here on this ship, and maybe this is Steve's. A support role, a way to help make sure that people have a little bit of greenery and a little bit of reprieve from their own stress. ]
Yeah, that's a nice way of looking at it. [ And then, a beat passes, and he can't help but let out a soft chuckle. ] Shit, if my dad could see me now, he'd be furious. We Harringtons aren't exactly known for our gardening skills, I'll just put it that way.
[Now that makes Clara take pause. Her years as a teacher have taught her to pick up on little clues dropped here and there by her students. When he talks about his dad, it reminds her a little too much of the boys in her English classes who would say they couldn't engage with poetry because of their fathers.]
Then I suppose it's a good thing we're meant to be more than what our parents expect of us, yeah?
[She smiles, taking a step over to rest her hand over his arm.]
Think you could be known here for your gardening skills, by the way.
[He really is doing a lovely job. Top marks, in her book.]
And if you were, it wouldn't be anything to be ashamed of. There's better things in this universe to be, other than what our fathers want for us.
Then I suppose it's a good thing we're meant to be more than what our parents expect of us, yeah?
[She smiles, taking a step over to rest her hand over his arm.]
Think you could be known here for your gardening skills, by the way.
[He really is doing a lovely job. Top marks, in her book.]
And if you were, it wouldn't be anything to be ashamed of. There's better things in this universe to be, other than what our fathers want for us.
[ That response from Clara takes Steve by surprise. He's used to his friends just completely glossing over Steve's comments about his family. They assume because he's rich, he's got it made, so they don't ask about his home life. And here, Clara's perceived him in a matter of seconds. ]
Yeah. I guess so. [ He pauses when he feels her hand on his arm and his breath hitches as he finds conflicting feelings start to bubble up within. He's spent so much time repressing the parts of himself his parents disapproved of, he forgot that here, on this station, he can be whoever he wants to be. No family to punish him for not living up to the Harrington name. ]
I know I wouldn't. It just. [ He sucks in a shaky breath and clenches his eyes shut. His voice comes out quiet, small, almost ashamed. ] Would it have killed him to be proud of me, just once?
Yeah. I guess so. [ He pauses when he feels her hand on his arm and his breath hitches as he finds conflicting feelings start to bubble up within. He's spent so much time repressing the parts of himself his parents disapproved of, he forgot that here, on this station, he can be whoever he wants to be. No family to punish him for not living up to the Harrington name. ]
I know I wouldn't. It just. [ He sucks in a shaky breath and clenches his eyes shut. His voice comes out quiet, small, almost ashamed. ] Would it have killed him to be proud of me, just once?
[She can hear that shame in his voice, and remembers back when she was 24 and fresh out of university. Her father had been so disappointed that she chose to be a nanny rather than "do something with herself". He still loved her, but she knew that he always wanted her to be something grander than a nanny or a teacher.
She wonders if Steve understands that about his father. From the way he looks right now, she rather thinks not.
Being here can be hard on people that aren't super powered or giant robots. He's so young, only a handful of years younger than her. Barely younger than she was when she first started traveling with the Doctor. He has the entire universe to make an impression upon, and here he stands, looking full of self-doubt.]
Oh, sweet boy. [Dropping what she's doing, she rounds about to go stand in front of him. A hand goes to his cheek, gently cupping and trying to tip his head down so he'll meet her eye. Her other hand goes up to press against the opposite cheek, and she makes a soft soothing sound.]
Look at me. Look at me, and you listen. I know you're afraid you might not ever feel his pride in you, and that's all right. But you feel that fear, and you let it make you something better. Someone better, someone kind. Because any man can have children and raise them to never know how much they care for them. But it takes a bigger man to recognize the need to be loved, and to be kind despite the love that wasn't shown to him.
[Her thumbs run along his cheeks, and she smiles, a little sad.]
Think fear like that is supposed to be a constant companion. Always with you, even when we don't want it to be. But do you know what? I've been to dozens of planets, and I've yet to meet someone that wasn't important in some way.
[He is too, even if he doesn't feel it just yet.]
She wonders if Steve understands that about his father. From the way he looks right now, she rather thinks not.
Being here can be hard on people that aren't super powered or giant robots. He's so young, only a handful of years younger than her. Barely younger than she was when she first started traveling with the Doctor. He has the entire universe to make an impression upon, and here he stands, looking full of self-doubt.]
Oh, sweet boy. [Dropping what she's doing, she rounds about to go stand in front of him. A hand goes to his cheek, gently cupping and trying to tip his head down so he'll meet her eye. Her other hand goes up to press against the opposite cheek, and she makes a soft soothing sound.]
Look at me. Look at me, and you listen. I know you're afraid you might not ever feel his pride in you, and that's all right. But you feel that fear, and you let it make you something better. Someone better, someone kind. Because any man can have children and raise them to never know how much they care for them. But it takes a bigger man to recognize the need to be loved, and to be kind despite the love that wasn't shown to him.
[Her thumbs run along his cheeks, and she smiles, a little sad.]
Think fear like that is supposed to be a constant companion. Always with you, even when we don't want it to be. But do you know what? I've been to dozens of planets, and I've yet to meet someone that wasn't important in some way.
[He is too, even if he doesn't feel it just yet.]
[ Shit. Steve really hadn't meant for this to unravel like this. The gardening had been meant to channel these emotions, and now look at him, halfway to crying in front of Clara, which only served to make him feel worse, because he can hear his father's disapproving voice once again, this time berating him for daring to show any sort of emotion deemed weak.
He can't escape them this time, though, not when Clara's standing in front of him, and the moment her hand gently lives his head so that he's looking at her, he's done for. The words only seal the deal, beckoning those unshed tears to slide down his cheeks and remind him that he's only human, and it's not a weakness to have emotions. ]
Thanks. [ It doesn't feel like enough, but he's never been great with words the way Eddie Munson and Nancy Wheeler had been. He hopes the sincerity in his voice and in the looks he gives her back is enough as he struggles to regain his composure again. ]
I guess being here's a start, right? Like. We're all important to the mission. [ And he tries to tell himself that even before he stepped foot on this station, he was important. Without him, how would the kids stay safe? He is important, even when his dad wants to convince him otherwise. ]
He can't escape them this time, though, not when Clara's standing in front of him, and the moment her hand gently lives his head so that he's looking at her, he's done for. The words only seal the deal, beckoning those unshed tears to slide down his cheeks and remind him that he's only human, and it's not a weakness to have emotions. ]
Thanks. [ It doesn't feel like enough, but he's never been great with words the way Eddie Munson and Nancy Wheeler had been. He hopes the sincerity in his voice and in the looks he gives her back is enough as he struggles to regain his composure again. ]
I guess being here's a start, right? Like. We're all important to the mission. [ And he tries to tell himself that even before he stepped foot on this station, he was important. Without him, how would the kids stay safe? He is important, even when his dad wants to convince him otherwise. ]
[Finn walks up to the box, squinting down into it thoughtfully. Apparently, gift giving was the custom around here. A human custom, as far as Finn could tell. The thought gives him a weird fluttering in his stomach as he focuses on one of the new people he's met -- human or not -- racking his brain for what they might want...]
Okay, so... Steve really did me a solid. [He shifts a little from foot to foot, feeling a bit awkward about that. It's weird, owing someone for something you didn't even really want to admit you needed. This gift had a lot to accomplish.] So I mean... it's gotta be a sword, right? What's a better gift than a sword?
[Finn certainly couldn't think of one.]
He can hang it on the wall if he doesn't wanna use it, so it's like a housewarming gift too. Can you make it a cool one, though? Maybe good for a beginner...?
Later...
[This month's supply drop has arrived and with it, a little something special for Steve. He'll find a long thin box wrapped in crimson paper with and a small glittery gold tag with 'From Finn' printed on it. The wrapping job is too neat to be from Finn himself, clearly created by the ship's replicator based on his gift request.
Inside the box, he will find a wooden training sword. It's not quite what Finn had in mind, but perhaps Viveca knew Steve a little better than Finn did.]
Okay, so... Steve really did me a solid. [He shifts a little from foot to foot, feeling a bit awkward about that. It's weird, owing someone for something you didn't even really want to admit you needed. This gift had a lot to accomplish.] So I mean... it's gotta be a sword, right? What's a better gift than a sword?
[Finn certainly couldn't think of one.]
He can hang it on the wall if he doesn't wanna use it, so it's like a housewarming gift too. Can you make it a cool one, though? Maybe good for a beginner...?
Later...
[This month's supply drop has arrived and with it, a little something special for Steve. He'll find a long thin box wrapped in crimson paper with and a small glittery gold tag with 'From Finn' printed on it. The wrapping job is too neat to be from Finn himself, clearly created by the ship's replicator based on his gift request.
Inside the box, he will find a wooden training sword. It's not quite what Finn had in mind, but perhaps Viveca knew Steve a little better than Finn did.]
γ the penultimate stop on santa gwen's trip is steve. something thwips past his amazing head of hair and to the wall behind him. (the sender herself cannot be found.) from the web hangs a gift bag. inside, a baseball mitt and ball—to go with his bat according to the message that accompanies it—and one over-large and brightly colored movie ticket to how the grinch stole christmas, 2000's jim carrey version, later that same day. γ
[ mal's message doesn't come as that much of a surprise. at one point in his life, steve might have protested, his ego getting in the way.
but, after the trials and tribulations of the last couple of missions, he's come to the stark realization that he could definitely use survival training, lest he always be reliant on others. ]
give me an hour and i'll be there
but, after the trials and tribulations of the last couple of missions, he's come to the stark realization that he could definitely use survival training, lest he always be reliant on others. ]
give me an hour and i'll be there
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