open to all | a trip

[tresemme]

I’ve been thinking [ wow ] about all those worlds we saw.

[ it sounds as if he’s gearing up to gloat about the zenith victory, as if that isn’t old news compared to the upheavals they’ve all experienced since awakening, but that’s actually not what’s on his mind today. ]

Space is massive. I know those were dreams, but there’s no reason that some of those places couldn’t exist in fragments like the hunks of rock we’re stuck on now. It’s just that if you went looking for one, you’d never come back.

[ the vibes in the communion are unusually placid for the contention he’s previously presented. he even briefly seems yearning, with that last bit—but he quickly shakes himself out of it, eager not to seem too in his feelings on the psychic broadcast. ]

…anyway, I wanted to offer seeing the world from above. I don’t care what side you’re on. I can take you to look at the stars, and you’ll be able to breathe as long as you’re with me, so… just ask.

[ pause. ]

Oh, but if you’re annoying, I’m leaving you there.

Comments

[tresemme]

[ tony Felt every single one of those exclamation points like a hammer to his brain. ]

You don’t have to yell!

[escardos]

But you’re yelling too!

[ unfortunately, flat doesn’t realize the fact that he’s the one that started it, nor the fact that this is not because tony is as excited as he is. ]

Besides, it’s awesome! Space! I’d love to see the next frontier for humanity with my own eyes! Even if it’s just seeing it through your eyes! Please!

[tresemme]

[ flat is so excited that tony sort of wants to rescind the offer just to be contrary… unfortunately, flat occupies a unique category of “friend despite everything” in tony’s mind, even if he would never use the F-word out loud. ]

You’ll see it with your own eyes, if you can stay still. Remember when I carried you before? We’ll just be in space instead.

[escardos]

I’ll stay still, I’ll stay perfectly still!

[ there’s a feeling of genuine, unadulterated joy coming from flat’s end of the communion.

if he could, he would hug tony. ]

You’re the best! Even under your prickly exterior, you’re a really kind guy! I’m so glad we’re friends!

[tresemme]

[ perhaps because tony is particularly psychically attuned, even without the shards embedded within them allowing them to commune, but he can feel flat’s enthusiasm as if he were hugging tony after all.

ugh, affection. ]

Okay, I get it! I already said yes, so you don’t need to keep flattering me!

[ he actually hadn’t said yes yet, but that’s just proof he was never really going to turn flat down. ]

[escardos]

I’m not flattering you! If I were, I’d try talking about how pretty your eyes are or I’d ask you to have dinner with me.

[ you know, like actually try to woo him? ]

I’m just really happy because I’ve always wanted to see space— and now that we’re friends we can actually see it! Oh, man, we should look for a star chart!

[tresemme]

[ ??????

flat is so weird. what he’s saying now reminds tony a little bit of artella, since she’s also always talking about how pretty his eyes are, and he’s just as baffled by her behavior as he is flat’s now. ]

I think I can find something like that. Don’t they have astronomers in Springstar? Or whatever they’re calling it now.