taxonomites | 004: [visual] - Look for the girl with the broken smile Ask her if she wants to stay a while

"Oh, hell, you were staying with some people who got zapped back out of here?" Paul says, his tone not altogether unsympathetic.

A few months ago he would have suggested she just pick a building she liked in the city and claim it as her own. Up until that point, nothing had seemed threatening in the city to him-- frustrating, sure, infuriating-- but not dangerous.

That however was before the dead had risen, dragged him fighting out his own residence, killed him. And before he'd been on the receiving end of a vampire bite.

No way in hell is he going to tell a teenage girl to live on her own here.

"The Sanctuary at least usually has people in it... I mean, even when we're not stuck in the damn place-- and I think there's a couple of hotels too, where there'd be other people living at least.

"At the risk of sounding like a really skeevy old man, I've got plenty of room in my place... well, place I will have once I can get the hell back to it. And unless I ever happen to be glitched heterosexual-- God forbid-- you are entirely safe from skeevy old man advances."

(That's it, Paul, introduce the thought to Alexis that some guys in the city might try and take advantage of her. Way to go.)

"I won't be offended if you say no, but you should stay with or near somebody, I think. As you've seen.... city can be dangerous."

Alexis nodded in response, though they both knew it was a rhetorical question. "I think I'm going to be a little sick of the Sanctuary," she admitted. She winced a little at that, hastening to add, "Not that it's not nice! I just don't want to keep waking up and wondering if I'll be able to leave the next day."

She was babbling, which was not surprising given what Mr. Smecker said about being glitched and skeevy old man advances and that was just something not to be thought about.

There was a pause as she stopped for a breath, and she tried to smile. "And I will live near somebody. I just need to figure out who won't mind a few science experiments."

"I understand," Paul said with a nod to her words about not wanting to be trapped in the Sanctuary. A half-smile for her words about the science experiment.

"Novel thought, I'm sure, but have you considered picking a separate location from your living space where you can blow sh-- where you can experiment? The smell of sulfur fumes nerver gets out of upholstery, trust me on that one."

The idea of having a separate space for her experiments made Alexis smile, though it did come with a wrinkle of the nose at the imagined smell of sulfer. "I hadn't thought about it," she admitted. "Dad never minded when I did splatter tests on tomatoes in the kitchen."

Of course, that had been before she'd gotten a teacher who thought smoke bombs were a perfectly benign assignment. Alexis chewed on her lip thoughtfully. "I should go looking," she mused. "Someplace away from people. Maybe a warehouse or something."

"You find a place to live first," Paul says with the adult sternness he feels he should use. "Safety for person trumps places to experiment with sulfur. Clear?"

He digs out his cigarettes and lights up while thinking it over. "There's lots of empty buildings around. And this city... if you go out hunting a specific sort of place? Well, it's kind of fu-- kind of creepy, but I swear the city can tell and makes you what you're looking for. A warehouse, I am sure you can find."

He hadn't met either of those people--and, let's face it, he hadn't even been here that long, but he could, at least, say that he knew what it was like to lose a friend. Or several. Now that he had a few.

He could be concerned, though. That wasn't exactly disallowed. And after what she'd done for him, it only seemed fair that he try and return the favor.

"You could stay with me, if you want. But I've just been here, so it's not exactly the most luxurious place to sleep."

A faint pink blush rose in Alexis' cheeks at Stefen's answer, Mr. Smecker's words still ringing (embarrassingly) clear in her mind. Without Kate Beckett's comforting persence, the thought of how her dad would react if she stayed with ~~boys~~ men she'd only met a few months ago stood out strongly in her mind. And without someone from home, who else did she have to decide what to do besides the thought of what her dad would say?

"I might stay nearby," she answered, hoping Stefen didn't notice said rising blush. "I don't want to be in the way or anything, especially since my science experiments tend to get--" She smiled sheepishly. "Out of hand."

On the other hand, at least she hadn't made anything explode.

Yet.

"You wouldn't be in the way, and I don't mind an experiment or two, if you wouldn't mind music at all hours of the day!" It was hard not to notice the blush, though, and even less difficult to guess at what was causing it. If there were ever a time he would actually like that reputation of his to have followed, even if he was rather indifferent to it back home...

"And I promise you'd be safe with me, Lady, as I am hopelessly and incurably shaych." And lifebonded besides, but until he heard otherwise, no one here needed to know about his connection to Vanyel.

If there was one thing that could be counted on to get through Alexis' growing embarrassment, it was her inherent curiosity, and nothing pinged her curiosity more than the mention of something she didn't know. So despite the fact that the faint blush was growing far less faint and far more vivid, Alexis still managed to ~~squeak out~~ ask, "Shaych?"

She had a guess, but it really wouldn't do to assume given the guess.

He didn't exactly blame her for blushing--it wasn't particularly common, and just a little bit beyond "sociall acceptable." No one particularly blamed the Bards (they did have kind of a reputation), and so long as no one was getting hurt, they could keep pretending that they didn't care.

He gave a little laugh, though--he was used to it.

"You aren't exactly my type."

Still red. Very very red, in fact, as if her cheeks were doing their best to catch up to her hair. Her dad would laugh if he could see her. And probably wonder what had gotten her so keyed up.

"Oh." A weak, still embarrassed giggle followed the relief that she hadn't been completely inappropriate (or wrong). "Still, if Dad ever showed up here--" her expression faltered a little. She wanted that to happen. Badly. "He'd be upset. He's kind of overprotective."

But then, so was she.

"You don't have to be embarrased about it." He was very obviously not and never had been all that ashamed for it. He couldn't precisely relate to family showing up, but...he'd be lying if he said that he hadn't dreamed of what would happen if Vanyel put in his own appearance, if he said that he didn't want to see him again, didn't want him to be here to protect him and everyone else. And Vayel was certainly protective enough that he could relate to that part.

"Well, if you change your mind, I don't think I'm going anywhere."

The assurance that she didn't have to be embarrassed didn't actually seem to help Alexis as she threw up a hand in front of her face as if to hide the blush. Too little too late, but it was what she could do.

"I will come visit," she promised. "I still haven't heard you play, after all."

"Well, that's bound to happen no matter what time you visit. I'm always playing something!" And it was, for the most part, true. The only reason a Bard didn't play for a day was if he was dead or dying. And as he hadn't yet managed to get that far yet, he'd be playing every day. IT wasn't as if there was much in the way of distraction.

Music was a far better topic, and the flush in Alexis' cheeks began to subside as she giggled and nodded. "As long as you don't mind an audience," she answered. "But then I guess you'd be used to that by now."

"Well, I should hope so. I wouldn't be much of a Bard if I wasn't used to having an audience." Somehow, that image was hilarious--just the thought of a Bard freezing up because someone was watching him...

She giggled at that. "Well, you could have been a mysterious Bard," she suggested. "Always hidden behind a curtain or something, so people never knew what you looked like. Very mysterious and intriguing."

Stefen could only laugh at that image--he'd had to be the mysterious Bard before, only it was a closet, not a curtain. And no fun at all.

"Yes, but then the Bard's vanity isn't appeased and what would</i< you do then?"

Her eyes seemed to sparkle with laughter. This was the Alexis her family knew very well. Comfortable, full of wit and humour. Much like her dad. "Then you'd have to be brave and come out to greet your adoring fans, of course," she answered cheerfully.

"I think I might be able to manage that. It's not often I get any adoring fans." Which was a lie and he knew it. He had an entire little flock of Court women that followed him around (and, let's be honest, annoyed him like nothing else), and he was more than used to being adored. That's just what Bards did, after all. And he was certainly a showman. "It might take just a bit of practice, though, on a lovely young lady like yourself."

"Oh mei mei."

Kaylee frowned down at her tablet, eyes full of sympathy. It wasn't easy, when someone you were close to went home, but for whatever stupid reason or glitch the hamsters had, it happened.

"There's room at the Ranch, if you're interested. Serenity too, if you don't mind Jayne bumblin' about on occasion." She thought that Alexis would probably prefer something grounded, though. It would be more familiar, easier to adjust to. "If you got an offer already to take, that's alright too."

Kaylee's response got the most relieved, grateful expression from Alexis. It wasn't that she disliked either of her new friends, but there was something horribly awkward to a teenage girl's mind about staying with male friends (or teachers). She double-checked the tablet to make sure she was broadcasting only to Kaylee.

"Really, Kaylee? You wouldn't mind?" she asked. She looked ready to hug the older woman on the spot. "Stefen and Mr. Smecker have been really nice about it, but it's kind of..." The blush returned, bright now on pale cheeks. "awkward."

It was clear, judging by the time taken to lock the connection, that Alexis didn't want to hurt any feelings. She didn't actually have to say so for Kaylee to know it. The mechanic couldn't really blame her for it, either. Alexis was obviously more sheltered than she had ever been as a kid.

"Wouldn't offer if I minded," she promised, smile only growing. "No use in lettin' a room sit empty if it'll be some good to somebody. Like a little life in the house, besides."

Alexis was certainly sheltered in all the ways Richard Castle could shelter his daughter. He couldn't, however, shelter her from himself, which meant Alexis took some very strange things in stride (like being asked to duct tape her dad to a chair in the name of research) while being completely unprepared for others (like the entire current scenario).

She nodded, the blush starting to fade now. "Thanks Kaylee." There was a pause as she brushed a lock of bright red hair behind her ear. "I think that's why my dad let my grandma stay with us too. It keeps the house interesting."

Not that the house wasn't interesting all by her dad's doing. The space cowboy costume alone...

"Interestin's good," Kaylee laughed. Well, most of the time it was good. She wasn't so much a fan of the hamsters' version of interesting, to be certain.

The mechanic paused, rubbing the back of her neck. "Should also mention River's livin' here. Don't know if you've met her or not...but she's got her own way about things. She's every bit of genius I know all rolled up into one girl, so it can be a bit unnervin' at times." Don't be scared by the crazy girl, Alexis.

Alexis furrowed her brow at the unfamiliar name, trying to recall if she'd heard it before or seen the girl Kaylee mentioned on the network. She hadn't, but she nodded anyway. "I'm sure she's nice, even if she's unnerving."

“She’s plenty nice,” Kaylee promised, maybe a little too quickly. “I’m sure you’ll be fast friends.” Hopefully River would agree with that and at least attempt to be pleasant. Kaylee really didn’t want to deal with a household revolution so soon after Alexis moving in.

The too-quick reassurance made Alexis a little nervous, but Kaylee had been nothing but nice to her. Maybe it was something about Alexis herself that would make River nervous, and Kaylee was just too nice to say so. But she'd make the best of it. If worse comes to worst, she could always move back into the Sanctuary, like everyone else said.

Alexis looked up at the fake sky, judging fake sun's fake path across it. "Should I come visit first?" she asked. "So it's not too much a surprise for River, or you, to have another new person in the house?"

"We're no strangers to people stayin' here." Given the number of people who had spent at least their first few weeks in Taxon at the Ranch, and those who had stayed on even after that, Kaylee was plenty used to having guests. River...should have been, but there was never any telling with her. "If you wanna give it a trial for your own peace of mind, though, that's shiny too."

There was a moment of frowning, as Alexis pulled up the map of the renewed city to find the Ranch Kaylee was talking about and the most expedient route there. "Would you mind company now? I--" She shrugged, bright red hair falling into her face at the movement. "--don't really know what to do, beside go putting away things in the empty apartment."

Thankfully, the hamsters’ remodeling of the city had somehow left the Ranch within walking distance of the Sanctuary. It was a small blessing in Kaylee’s mind. It was easier for her to jump in and help new arrivals if she was closer to them.

“Company now’d be just fine. I could even meet ya, if you like?”

"No, I think I can make it," she answered. It would even give Alexis a little time to explore the new city, even. "The map's helpful for things like that."

It took a little longer than Alexis had anticipated to make it to the Ranch, but only because she kept stopping to marvel at the rebuilt city. She approached with a little hesitance, calling out, "Hello? Kaylee?"

Kaylee nodded. “That it is.” It was one useful thing the aliens gave them, at least. A small perk in a world of Enjoy Your Forced Extended Stay. She gave Alexis another smile and changed her tablet over to the map as well before going about her business. Occasionally, she glanced over to check on the approaching dot that was Alexis.

The moment Alexis called out, Kaylee was at the door. “In here!” she called, waving Alexis to the door. “Come on in.”

"I'm sorry."

The apology was awkward but genuine. B'Elanna was sorry that the girl had lost the friends that she'd made in the city - and, with them, the place that she'd been staying - but, at the same time, that was the way Taxon worked. They were bound to be a lot happier in their own world and no amount of sympathy would bring them back.

"There are plenty of rooms in the Sanctuary," she suggested. B'Elanna, for her part, spent most of her time in the Delta Flyer. Which definitely didn't have a threshold. Advice was all that she could offer.

It was slowly getting easier to think, to deal with the sudden loss of people she knew, but the quaver still clung to Alexis' voice. "Thank you. I know people go home all the time, so it shouldn't be a big deal..." Alexis trailed off. Unable to find anything more to say, she instead changed the subject. "Yeah there are... but are you sure the Sanctuary isn't just going to trap us all again?"

"But it still feels like a big deal for the people left behind?" B'Elanna finished for her, "I know. My best friend in the city disappeared a few weeks ago. He had a lot to get back to and I'm happy for him, but I still miss having him here."

Kirk had earned her respect and she'd deferred to him as if he'd been her captain, despite the differences in time period and universe between them.

"I'm not," she said, "But they trapped us in the Sanctuary while they rearranged the city. It should be a while before they do that again."

And, theoretically, a while before they had the resources to do it.

Alexis bit her lip, and nodded. "Kate was more my dad's friend, really. And Dr. Reid was Kate's boyfriend," she explained. "I didn't know them that well, but it was just nice having an adult from home here."

She looked up at the city, as if considering the woman's words. "I suppose so." She turned back to the screen of her tablet and smiled at the woman. "Thank you. I'm Alexis Castle."

It was good to have anyone from home here. It served as a reminder that Taxon was temporary and that there was a real world out there to return to.

"B'Elanna Torres," she offered in return, with a half smile of her own. "Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres. Not that Taxon has a branch of Starfleet for me to work for."

She doubted that Alexis had heard of Starfleet at all.

Martha's reply was a little late - she'd immediately headed to her surgery to check that everything was intact and where it was supposed to be - but she responded as soon as she caught sight of the video.

"Have you found anywhere to stay yet?" she asked, "There's plenty of room in my surgery, but the ward isn't exactly ... homey."

Fitz lived in her spare room, which ruled out the flat above.

Alexis nodded at Martha's response and paused to push a lock of hair out of her face before speaking. "Kaylee offered me a place to stay, but thank you," she answered politely, then tilted her head and regarded Martha with obvious curiosity. "You have a surgery?"

"Taxon needs a doctor," answered Martha with a half shrug. She'd set up the surgery - procuring a furnished building in central - as soon as she realised that her stay in the city was going to be long term. "And I've got the qualifications."

If anything else, that made Alexis more interested. "You mean the aliens brought us here without having any sort of way of keeping us healthy?" she asked. "But it's really nice that you would do that, since you don't really have to help anyone else just because we're all stuck here."

"The surgery was already there, but there wasn't anyone to run it. Even if there was, I think the prisoners would probably be happier to be treated by me than by an Extra."

She smiled at the praise, but dismissed it.

"It's what I do. No hamster is going to change that.”

004: [visual] - Look for the girl with the broken smile Ask her if she wants to stay a while

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[visual derpaderp]

[Visual]

[Visual]

[Visual]

[Visual]

[Visual]

[Visual]

[Visual]

[Visual]

[Visual]

[Visual]

[Visual] Bleeeeeh failtag DX

[Visual] It's a long weekend!

[Visual] Yaaaaaaaay~

[Visual]

[Visual] Well. That was ugly html. :|

[ visual ]

[ visual/ locked to kaylee ]

[ visual / locked ]

[ visual / locked ]

[ visual / locked ]

[ visual / locked ]

[ visual / locked ]

[ visual / locked ]

[ visual / locked ]

[ visual / locked ]

[ visual / locked ]

[visual --> action?]

[ visual --> action ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject