[He doesn't keep the flash of surprise off his face, nor the pleased look that follows. He knows her better now, knows there's something between them even if they don't put a name to it. It doesn't stop that little jolt of happy every time she gets a choice and still chooses him.
He doesn't think that will ever stop. It's a part of wanting more with someone, he thinks.]
Won't deny being a fan. [He starts, following her and threading his fingers between her's.] Or argue about being the favorite anything. Keep talking like that and I'm going to think you're sweet on me Miss J.
I got a reputation to keep up, dear. [She laughs, closing the door once they're both in and thrn throwing the broken pair of heels somewhere in the forgotten corner her room.
Her hand tightens around his and shoulder playfully bumping onto his.]
Expectations to meet and such. Can't bring you a disappointment. And besides, I'm not any more sweet on you than what you're on me.
The luckiest. [She confirms and lifts a finger to tap gently in his lower lip. It's a wonder whether that joke revealed more about him or her.]
But don't go jinxing it just yet.
[She pulls them towards the center of her roo. There she let's go of his hand and moves next to a small table, where lies one of her most priced possession that she had saved from Moira: a small portable vinyl player.]
I hope your idea of quiet night together can bear some music.
[His smile widens when she touches him, watches her pull away to fiddle with the player. He could laugh when she asks. When has he ever turned down music? Besides, it sounds like a wonderful night. His favorite girl, his favorite thing.]
Do you even have to ask? Turn it on.
[He moves to sit on the edge of her bed. He bites his lip a half second, lost in thought. He puts his next question carefully.]
[Part of him didn't expect to make it this far, and the hesitation that brings shows in his eyes. It takes him a moment to enter the room, to even look at her after. Everything about him is projecting awkwardness, a reluctance to speak or even be here. Apologies have never been his strong suit.]
I'm still don't agree with what you did. [It's best to start this honestly.] I'm not sure I ever will. But I don't want to keep avoiding you or fighting you about it.
[He nods slightly, relief slipping over his shoulders. He didn't think she'd keep a grudge, not after how they made up over Charles, but he's still expected she'd push back over this.]
Maybe we can just agree to be honest with each other here on out. No more hiding anything. At least nothing that concerns each other.
Fighting with someone when they live in the same house sucks. [He smiles slightly.] This place is big but it's not big enough to hide.
[Peter frowns, eyebrows drawing together and head snapping up to stare at Rinzler like he'll gleam something from the blank face plate.]
Report you? [Rinzler must have made a typo. Peter struck first. If anything, he should be worried Rinzler might report him and there would be a repeat of the anger people had shown to him all those months ago. Maybe worse, if this place was serious about keeping the peace.]
Why would I report you for a fight I started? Didn't you hear me? I'm not wanting any more trouble from this.
[Typo? No. It takes far too much work for Rinzler to claim any sort of self at all for that to happen by mistake. Rinzler's helmet might not reveal much, but the clipped scrape behind his noise sounds distinctly irritated.]
Fought.
[No pronoun this time, but the sharp duck to his mask is hard to misinterpret. So is the upwards jab right after.]
User.
[A user, apparently, who even after all of this, has no idea how it works.]
[Peter may never be able to wrap his mind around Rinzler's idea of how their world works. The way things had unfolded after their worst encounter had marred Peter's view, given Rinzler, his kind, more importance than that of the user. It had balanced somewhat, with time and circumstance to his ideals. But it still prevented him from honestly understanding what Rinzler meant.
He shakes his head, an aggravated gesture.]
You still think that means something here? Half the ship would have me strung up if they knew what I did!
[Well, one thing should be getting pretty familiar, at least: that irritation is mutual. Rinzler's helmet slants to one side, stubbornly returning the inquiry.]
Didn't.
[Talked at him? Certainly. There'd been any number of people upset—at J's death, and the circumstances that came with. Even a few (programs, largely) objecting specifically to the attack and what came after. But they hadn't attacked the user. They hadn't rewritten him.
It hadn't been entirely legal for them to try.
It doesn't take an analyst to guess what loops of self-righteousness that argument might lead to, though, and Rinzler jerks his own head to the side, still typing.]
Ship: dead. Local system standards in effect.
[And if Rinzler didn't estimate them very different... well. No point saying so.]
Risking deletion of users (reference: 'murder'): illegal.
[Peter could give a million reasons why he didn't face worse consequences. He'd surrounded himself with the kind of people who wouldn't allow it, too powerful to be trifled with. He was still a kid, technically, and that always offered a certain leniency. The captains were a big one, their refusal to deal with situations with the seriousness needed at the time.
He'd been lucky to come out of it with nothing but wounded pride. Part of him could admit that. But he didn't believe that would happen again.]
You don't think it wouldn't be murder if I killed you? Even here?
[It's a near curiosity now, listening to Rinzler deny himself. Hits a little too close to every argument he'd had with Alan about it, a little too close to other AIs defining their ideas of life. It makes something squirm in his stomach.
Empathy, maybe.
It's something Peter never wanted for someone he didn't like, makes him take a step back. Physical distance to promote emotional distance. Remind himself how little he's meant to care. This is about keeping the peace, nothing more and nothing less.]
I don't believe that. Don't think anyone here believes that.
[It comes out more flat than questioning. He'd only mentioned it because he thought Alan would know, but hearing otherwise he finds he's not all that surprised to hear Rinzler wouldn't talk about it. The program had a habit of subverting all Peter's expectations.]
We did. And we still do. I'm going to stay away from him.
[Altogether, even beyond fighting. At least until Peter has a better handle on the Erik situation and can trust himself to stay calm.
He tenses, shoulders drawing up. It was embarrassing enough to skate around the truth with Rinzler but at least he knew the program's opinion of Peter couldn't get any lower. Alan's opinion couldn't be very high either, but with a human form came the weight of noticeable judgment. At least he couldn't see Rinzler looking down on him.]
I was angry and he was the first person I ran into after. It wasn't about him. I just saw him and knew if I started a fight, he'd give it to me.
Glad to hear it. [There’s still a note of skepticism in Alan’s voice. Peter hadn’t kept his word the first time. Still, Alan is at least willing to believe that he means it at the moment—even if his promise falls to the wayside the next time he encounters Rinzler again.
The explanation Peter gives for the fight is startling in its directness. Peter pulls no punches in his own complicitness; in fact, he makes it quite clear that the fight had nothing to do with Rinzler at all.]
I could tell you what you did was wrong, but I’m sure you already know that. [And Peter already seems to be aware that he’s at fault for his latest conflict with Rinzler anyway.] But it was also reckless. If things had gone another way… Well, it would’ve been a very stupid way to die.
[Alan knows Rinzler is dangerous. He also knows much of Peter’s first victory over the Program was due to the traps he had set and the help he had from others. Whatever Peter was angry about, he must’ve been angry enough to risk his life.]
[He expects the skepticism, and drops his head under it. To be honest, he expected much worse. Part of him knows he deserves to be told off for his stupidity.]
I know. I screwed up. [That much he can take responsibility for.] And I know I could have died. I've been there before. Running after Rinzler unprepared like that- it was the dumbest thing I could have done.
[He knows he's lucky the program didn't kill him. He'd had no weapons, no plans, no backup. One wrong move and he'd been six feet under.]
No. I barely got a hit on him and no weapons. [He holds up his hands.] If he's hurt it wasn't from me.
[A normal dad. Nothing like his classmates' fathers, nothing like the parentage Peter had daydreamed of as a child, nor the men in the stories his little sister insisted on hearing at bedtime. But Peter's not cruel enough to mention this, not just for Erik's sake but his own.
Maybe he shouldn't be so hasty to cut off every tie. It's not like a normal family was ever in the cards.]
[A decade ago, when he and Peter first met, it probably wouldn't have been his kind of thing. But then there had been Poland, and Magda and Nina, and he had found himself content in a life he hadn't even known he wanted.
Then he had ended up here, and there had been Lorna, who had unknowingly reminded him of Nina. It was the first time since his arrival that he had had even the smallest glimmer of any indication that maybe he could get back the family that he had once again lost.
His desire to never talk about any of this again is still strong. He could walk away now and never have to mention it. But doesn't Peter deserve to know that they existed? They were his family too.]
I had a family before I came here. They died.
[It's difficult to say, to talk about, but maybe it's not entirely not his kind of thing.]
If you want to waste your time training a cat, be my guest. Just don't expect me to clean up the claw wounds.
[The sensation of teleportation hasn't gotten any less weird from the last time Kurt had done it, but Peter is quick to shake it off. He stays still for a few seconds, looking around the street they've come to before letting Kurt lead them inside. He doesn't mind the hold Kurt's got on him. The crew of the ship had rid him of any reservations about touch long ago.]
Nice. Actually looks like something you'd find back home. I mean, most of the places here are but it's still a nice touch after all the strange stuff on other planets.
I appreciate your concern, but I think I'll be able to clean any injuries I might get.
[He has to admit-- it feels nice to lead someone along that doesn't mind his overenthusiastic nature, the way he continues to usher them further into the shop. Kurt's not sure how other people feel about the subject, but when he sees someone doing or speaking of something they're passionate about, he can't help being a little endeared. Not to mention the fact that he's impressed with how quickly Peter has adapted to being teleported.
Must have something to do with super speed.]
I feel like that's what attracted me to it. Well, that and the fact the drinks and bakery items are great! [Which is what he'll direct them toward first, since Peter had said he wanted something sweet.]
Mmm hmm. We'll see about that. I spent a lot of time on the ship with the cat tree, man. I know how vicious those things can be.
[It's an obvious lie. The kittens had been nothing but sweet to him, to everyone. He smiles, lets Kurt lead him around until they hit the counter, which Peter leans on to look at the displays.]
The weirder things get the more you go looking for home.
[It's what Peter had done, searched for whatever reminded him of his old life as things around him changed. It's why he'd clung to Wanda so tightly the past year, determined to hold onto that thread of normalcy.]
Tell me what's good then. I'll trust your judgement.
So terribly vicious with their fluffy little bodies and tiny paws.
[He rolls his eyes at the ridiculousness of it all and bends forward to better examine the multitude of items to choose from. Kittens of all things were not creatures that brought about feelings of dread for him and the fact that Peter is joking about it makes it all the more amusing.]
Must be some kind of measure to seek comfort in the unknown.
[Something he regards with the slightest shrug, eyes fleetingly becoming vacant before he shakes his head. Kurt clears his throat and straightens, his expression becoming far more cheeky as he props his elbow up on the edge of the glass case.]
Food wise? This-- [he pauses to gesture at a small circle of 'cake' that's covered in fluorescent purple 'frosting,'] is my favorite. It's supposed to be some sort of alien dessert. Almost reminiscent of a cupcake, I would say.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
J
He doesn't think that will ever stop. It's a part of wanting more with someone, he thinks.]
Won't deny being a fan. [He starts, following her and threading his fingers between her's.] Or argue about being the favorite anything. Keep talking like that and I'm going to think you're sweet on me Miss J.
Re: J
Her hand tightens around his and shoulder playfully bumping onto his.]
Expectations to meet and such. Can't bring you a disappointment. And besides, I'm not any more sweet on you than what you're on me.
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[Sometimes he wonders how well she knows that.
He brings up their enjoined hands, brushes his lips against her knuckles. He grins afterwards, balancing off the soft gesture with a impish grin.]
So very sweet on me then. Aren't I just the luckiest guy?
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But don't go jinxing it just yet.
[She pulls them towards the center of her roo. There she let's go of his hand and moves next to a small table, where lies one of her most priced possession that she had saved from Moira: a small portable vinyl player.]
I hope your idea of quiet night together can bear some music.
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[His smile widens when she touches him, watches her pull away to fiddle with the player. He could laugh when she asks. When has he ever turned down music? Besides, it sounds like a wonderful night. His favorite girl, his favorite thing.]
Do you even have to ask? Turn it on.
[He moves to sit on the edge of her bed. He bites his lip a half second, lost in thought. He puts his next question carefully.]
What would you consider jinxing it?
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fade forward next?
o7
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I'm terribly sorry for late reply!
As am I!
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Jean
I'm still don't agree with what you did. [It's best to start this honestly.] I'm not sure I ever will. But I don't want to keep avoiding you or fighting you about it.
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I don't want to keep doing that, either.
[ But- ]
And I don't expect you to agree with it. I did what I thought was best and...
[ She gives a smal shrug, ]
It's not like I'm an expert at time traveling.
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Maybe we can just agree to be honest with each other here on out. No more hiding anything. At least nothing that concerns each other.
Fighting with someone when they live in the same house sucks. [He smiles slightly.] This place is big but it's not big enough to hide.
Wanda
[He bats his eyes in a way he knows looks ridiculous.]
Wouldn't a little risk be more fun? Don't you want to cause some trouble with your brother?
Rinzler
Report you? [Rinzler must have made a typo. Peter struck first. If anything, he should be worried Rinzler might report him and there would be a repeat of the anger people had shown to him all those months ago. Maybe worse, if this place was serious about keeping the peace.]
Why would I report you for a fight I started? Didn't you hear me? I'm not wanting any more trouble from this.
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Fought.
[No pronoun this time, but the sharp duck to his mask is hard to misinterpret. So is the upwards jab right after.]
User.
[A user, apparently, who even after all of this, has no idea how it works.]
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He shakes his head, an aggravated gesture.]
You still think that means something here? Half the ship would have me strung up if they knew what I did!
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Didn't.
[Talked at him? Certainly. There'd been any number of people upset—at J's death, and the circumstances that came with. Even a few (programs, largely) objecting specifically to the attack and what came after. But they hadn't attacked the user. They hadn't rewritten him.
It hadn't been entirely legal for them to try.
It doesn't take an analyst to guess what loops of self-righteousness that argument might lead to, though, and Rinzler jerks his own head to the side, still typing.]
Ship: dead.
Local system standards in effect.
[And if Rinzler didn't estimate them very different... well. No point saying so.]
Risking deletion of users (reference: 'murder'): illegal.
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He'd been lucky to come out of it with nothing but wounded pride. Part of him could admit that. But he didn't believe that would happen again.]
You don't think it wouldn't be murder if I killed you? Even here?
[It's a near curiosity now, listening to Rinzler deny himself. Hits a little too close to every argument he'd had with Alan about it, a little too close to other AIs defining their ideas of life. It makes something squirm in his stomach.
Empathy, maybe.
It's something Peter never wanted for someone he didn't like, makes him take a step back. Physical distance to promote emotional distance. Remind himself how little he's meant to care. This is about keeping the peace, nothing more and nothing less.]
I don't believe that. Don't think anyone here believes that.
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Alan
[It comes out more flat than questioning. He'd only mentioned it because he thought Alan would know, but hearing otherwise he finds he's not all that surprised to hear Rinzler wouldn't talk about it. The program had a habit of subverting all Peter's expectations.]
We did. And we still do. I'm going to stay away from him.
[Altogether, even beyond fighting. At least until Peter has a better handle on the Erik situation and can trust himself to stay calm.
He tenses, shoulders drawing up. It was embarrassing enough to skate around the truth with Rinzler but at least he knew the program's opinion of Peter couldn't get any lower. Alan's opinion couldn't be very high either, but with a human form came the weight of noticeable judgment. At least he couldn't see Rinzler looking down on him.]
I was angry and he was the first person I ran into after. It wasn't about him. I just saw him and knew if I started a fight, he'd give it to me.
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The explanation Peter gives for the fight is startling in its directness. Peter pulls no punches in his own complicitness; in fact, he makes it quite clear that the fight had nothing to do with Rinzler at all.]
I could tell you what you did was wrong, but I’m sure you already know that. [And Peter already seems to be aware that he’s at fault for his latest conflict with Rinzler anyway.] But it was also reckless. If things had gone another way… Well, it would’ve been a very stupid way to die.
[Alan knows Rinzler is dangerous. He also knows much of Peter’s first victory over the Program was due to the traps he had set and the help he had from others. Whatever Peter was angry about, he must’ve been angry enough to risk his life.]
I take it neither of you were seriously hurt?
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I know. I screwed up. [That much he can take responsibility for.] And I know I could have died. I've been there before. Running after Rinzler unprepared like that- it was the dumbest thing I could have done.
[He knows he's lucky the program didn't kill him. He'd had no weapons, no plans, no backup. One wrong move and he'd been six feet under.]
No. I barely got a hit on him and no weapons. [He holds up his hands.] If he's hurt it wasn't from me.
Erik
[Who knew it could be that easy? It sounds like something his mom would do. It's odd for him to think about, Erik as parental.]
Yeah. She'd mentioned being at the mansion before. Well, the one in her world. I guess that's something she's used to.
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[They're family, after all, and that means a lot to someone who once again didn't have any.]
There's plenty of classroom space. Someone may as well use it.
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It's just you don't seem like-
[A normal dad. Nothing like his classmates' fathers, nothing like the parentage Peter had daydreamed of as a child, nor the men in the stories his little sister insisted on hearing at bedtime. But Peter's not cruel enough to mention this, not just for Erik's sake but his own.
Maybe he shouldn't be so hasty to cut off every tie. It's not like a normal family was ever in the cards.]
Just doesn't seem like your kind of thing.
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Then he had ended up here, and there had been Lorna, who had unknowingly reminded him of Nina. It was the first time since his arrival that he had had even the smallest glimmer of any indication that maybe he could get back the family that he had once again lost.
His desire to never talk about any of this again is still strong. He could walk away now and never have to mention it. But doesn't Peter deserve to know that they existed? They were his family too.]
I had a family before I came here. They died.
[It's difficult to say, to talk about, but maybe it's not entirely not his kind of thing.]
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Kurt
[The sensation of teleportation hasn't gotten any less weird from the last time Kurt had done it, but Peter is quick to shake it off. He stays still for a few seconds, looking around the street they've come to before letting Kurt lead them inside. He doesn't mind the hold Kurt's got on him. The crew of the ship had rid him of any reservations about touch long ago.]
Nice. Actually looks like something you'd find back home. I mean, most of the places here are but it's still a nice touch after all the strange stuff on other planets.
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[He has to admit-- it feels nice to lead someone along that doesn't mind his overenthusiastic nature, the way he continues to usher them further into the shop. Kurt's not sure how other people feel about the subject, but when he sees someone doing or speaking of something they're passionate about, he can't help being a little endeared. Not to mention the fact that he's impressed with how quickly Peter has adapted to being teleported.
Must have something to do with super speed.]
I feel like that's what attracted me to it. Well, that and the fact the drinks and bakery items are great! [Which is what he'll direct them toward first, since Peter had said he wanted something sweet.]
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[It's an obvious lie. The kittens had been nothing but sweet to him, to everyone. He smiles, lets Kurt lead him around until they hit the counter, which Peter leans on to look at the displays.]
The weirder things get the more you go looking for home.
[It's what Peter had done, searched for whatever reminded him of his old life as things around him changed. It's why he'd clung to Wanda so tightly the past year, determined to hold onto that thread of normalcy.]
Tell me what's good then. I'll trust your judgement.
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[He rolls his eyes at the ridiculousness of it all and bends forward to better examine the multitude of items to choose from. Kittens of all things were not creatures that brought about feelings of dread for him and the fact that Peter is joking about it makes it all the more amusing.]
Must be some kind of measure to seek comfort in the unknown.
[Something he regards with the slightest shrug, eyes fleetingly becoming vacant before he shakes his head. Kurt clears his throat and straightens, his expression becoming far more cheeky as he props his elbow up on the edge of the glass case.]
Food wise? This-- [he pauses to gesture at a small circle of 'cake' that's covered in fluorescent purple 'frosting,'] is my favorite. It's supposed to be some sort of alien dessert. Almost reminiscent of a cupcake, I would say.
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