apping ataraxion if i can get my stuff together

[functionshighly]

You're still trying this? I'm not a coat, you can't just put me on whenever it's convenient.

Or when you're cold. That's when you put on coats.

I would like to see space, but what about my friends? What about Dr. Rosen? What about my friends... What about my job? I have a job, I can't just leave. For space.

But I bet space is really cool. And you keep telling me I'll fit in there. I'm cool, I could fit in anywhere. Especially a cool place.


But -- wait. Wait. What about my routine? What about-- I get up, I take a shower. I brush my teeth at 7:42. I scream for ten seconds. I eat breakfast. I call my mom at 8:00.

I can't call my mom from space. I think this is a bad idea.

Cool, but bad. A bad, cool idea. Because I'm cool, and you're. You're not as cool as I am, but you wish you could be. Which is why you want to send me to space.

[ he'll keep going if no one interrupts him t b q h. ]

Comments

[withamask]

... Scream for ten seconds.

[ Interesting morning ritual. ]

[functionshighly]

Everyone always says that. Scream for ten seconds. I scream. It's not that weird.

It's not weird. It's just screaming. Everyone screams.

[withamask]

Right. [ PAUSE. ]

Sounds like the mun's giving you trouble.

[functionshighly]

No. No, she's not. I'm giving her trouble because I can't go.

I want to, but I can't.

[withamask]

It's never easy to leave home.

[functionshighly]

I already left home. I'm a bigshot--no, I'm not a bigshot. I'm an adult. I make my own decisions.

I live on my own now. [ he means he lives on the couch in his office. ]

[withamask]

[ Very impressive, Gary. ]

I meant "home" in the general sense. Your world.

[functionshighly]

Of course you did. I knew that.

My world is on Earth. This one is on a spaceship. It sounds really cool, but I don't want to leave everyone hanging. I have to step up my game.

Get it? Step up my game. Space is 'up.' Maybe I should go. Maybe they need me there, too.

[beamingly]

... And I thought I talked too much.

bless u noodles

[functionshighly]

Are you saying I talk too much? I don't. Talk too much. I just say what's on my mind. Other people should always say what's on their minds.

sparkles

[beamingly]

Are you sure that's something you want to believe in? Because it has a lot of potential to backfire. Besides - haven't you heard of the advantages of keeping a secret or two? Last I heard, everyone enjoys a little mystery.

[She what she said. She thought she talked too much.

Which she does.]

u////u

[functionshighly]

I keep plenty of secrets. I work for a secret government agency called DCIS. It stands for Department of Criminal Investigation Services, but no one really knows what that means. I get my own badge, it has my picture on it.

I go undercover a lot. A lot. I'm cool. I have secrets.

[beamingly]

... You know they're no longer secret if you keep spilling them over to everyone, right?

[functionshighly]

Yeah. I know. I didn't tell you the important parts.

[beamingly]

Ah! Well, as long as you keep the important parts to yourself. That should work out fine.

[functionshighly]

I know how to keep a secret, I'm not stupid. But I always say what's on my mind. It's better that way.

[ there's a beat, he frowns pensively. ] I like your hair.

[beamingly]

[There's a pause; Poppy brushes her hair behind her ear instinctively (the strand falls right back to the side of her face), apparently unable to hide the hint of a smile. You should like her hair. She takes pride in her appearance, thank you very much.]

Are they always this nice, then?

[functionshighly]

Nice. Are what always nice? My thoughts? [ he shakes his head instantly, he's seen some messed up things since going to work for ~dcis~ or dr. rosen. or. whatever, really. ] No. But it is nice hair. I was just saying.

[beamingly]

[Don't ruin it, boyo!!]

I know. [No shame. Still,] Thank you. Yours isn't so bad, either.

[functionshighly]

[ he touches his hair, making a face. ] I brushed it 41 times this morning. After I brushed my teeth and before I screamed. And before I called my mom.

[beamingly]

... nobody needs to brush their hair 41 times. You'll go bald at that rate.

[functionshighly]

I usually only brush it 21 times but I went over by accident.

[ makes perfect sense, right...? ] I was distracted.

[beamingly]

[uh-huh.] I see. And do you often get distracted?

[functionshighly]

No! Only when it's something important.

[beamingly]

And what was so important this time?

[nosy nosy nosy. It's her middle name, really.]

[functionshighly]

That's a secret.

[ see how these things get used against you, poppy. ]

[beamingly]

So you can keep one. [Hmpf.] Too bad. You almost had me.

[functionshighly]

Almost! But didn't. I'm cleverer than you thought I was.

[beamingly]

We have yet to see about that!

[she points at him in a swooping motion, looking confident, perhaps a little playful.]

[functionshighly]

Do you have secrets, Poppy? [ he's smiling lightly now. ]

[beamingly]

Of course I do. Every lady has a secret or two.

[that rhymed, hah.]

Why, do you expect me to share them with you?

[functionshighly]

No. Then they wouldn't be secrets anymore, Poppy.

[beamingly]

Not to you, they wouldn't.

[hmpf.]