delicious bubbly

[her_imperial_radiance]

Elspeth is glad that Milliways likes her, because she likes it. Jacob at her side and a glass of this nice golden stuff in her hand (she's tried the other synthetics; they're nice for an occasional change, but only humans care about dietary variety that much and this one is her favorite) and hubbub from a hundred worlds around her: lovely. A lovely break from work that keeps no one waiting, that doesn't even throw off her sleep cycle because her sleep cycle cares about the sun. (It throws off Jake's, a little, but his is more flexible than hers.)

Comments

[luminous_regnant]

[I asked her if it was going to be a problem that it'd be so easy to hurt you. She said it wasn't, if we talked about it, which I confess confuses me, talking won't make you less - fragile,] says Nathan to his mate alone.

[manofmyword]

[If I'm a mint,] he says, [I can make myself less fragile. I probably will anyway.] He tips his head at Alice. [Other-me's favourite pastime is setting himself on fire.]

[luminous_regnant]

Nathan blinks.

[Oh really. So if I miscalculated, trying to hold your hand, and you happened to break a few bones in the process...] There is a definite interest in his tone. [No harm done, you'll heal, all in fun?]

[manofmyword]

The Joker laughs, and wraps his arms around Nathan, and kisses him.

[luminous_regnant]

Nathan grins brilliantly. [Just don't bleed around me, it's really rather like having a hot poker stuffed down my throat and not in a fun way.]

"Well," says Golden. "I'll take those starter coins now, I think, Stella, unless anyone has any further input."

[self_composed]

Stella looks around in case someone has further input.

[pythbox]

"Everything looks good from here," says Mary.

[manofmyword]

"Mmm," says the Joker, mostly to Nathan.

[self_composed]

Stella makes a stocked bandolier for Golden and hands it over. No one else can see what's in her hand, but Golden takes it and puts it on.

[luminous_regnant]

"Shall we?" sighs Golden, getting to her feet. "Stella, do you mind noting this in the Belltower?"

[self_composed]

"Can do."

[edgeofyourseat]

"Have fun, guys," Alice says cheerfully to Nathan and the Joker. "Want me to spot you a couple useful things?"

[luminous_regnant]

"What kind of useful things?" Nathan wants to know.

[edgeofyourseat]

"My healing power for him," he says with a gesture to the Joker, "and for you, the air filter I've got that makes it so I don't smell humans unless I want to."

[luminous_regnant]

"Yes please," says Nathan at once.

[self_composed]

"...Wait a sec. Is he awake or dreaming?" Stella asks. "I have to go actually fetch him physically down from the asteroid if he didn't walk in here through a door to begin with, don't I?"

[manofmyword]

"Yep," says the Joker. "Zzzz."

[edgeofyourseat]

Alice doesn't do anything visible, but Nathan gets his air filter.

[self_composed]

Stella goes back to the door and forces it, aiming for the house on the asteroid instead of just generally at the world.

She opens the door. [Gonna wake him up,] she broadcasts to the entire negotiation party, and then she leans out the door and expends the square.

[luminous_regnant]

Nathan experimentally sniffs the air and grins, but doesn't do anything about it when his mate's right about to disappear anyway.

[manofmyword]

The Joker, of course, takes the opportunity to plant another kiss on Nathan's cheek before he disappears.

[self_composed]

A square induces such disappearance. "C'mon," says Stella neutrally.

[manofmyword]

He looks a little different when he appears in the doorway, wearing a lace-trimmed black nightgown instead of the nice shirt and pants, his hair better-washed and not quite so green. But his smile is the same.

If that's a comfort.

[self_composed]

It's not, but he's going to be Golden's problem, now. She holds the door, looking at the ceiling.

[manofmyword]

"Sorry, hon," he says softly, and he comes through and heads straight for Nathan.