a_time_slip | (no subject)

It's ... better now. All of this, the job, the traveling with you, it. Uhm. It makes getting along with myself easier. Thank you for that.

Do you keep getting more powerful? [Seems he in fact does want to hear it.]

...You're welcome. I um. Like having you around.

Um. Yes? Kind of. Nothing bad has happened, though.

Thanks ... having you around makes things better.

That's good news. Perhaps it's a good thing then?

It's a good thing... should we dance now?

Oh, yes. Please.

Do you have music?

[Janie doesn't, and looks worried for a second]

I can... hook something up using my boat?

Okay, let's do that? Don't know about you, but I don't feel confident enough yet to try a dance without music.

I don't need music. [Janie runs off to her boat, and a moment later, music starts playing. She comes back shortly after, in nicer clothes]

You ... don't? [Julian mumbles after her, and then just patiently waits for her to return.]

You look gorgeous. [He smiles at Janie, then looks down himself, suddenly well aware of his slightly tattered clothes.] Sorry, I don't have anything nicer with me.

...Thank you. [She smiles] Your outfit is fine! I can change again, but since we were dancing and.. sorry? Do you want something nicer?

No, no, don't change. You look great! I just feel like a tramp next to you. If you don't mind, I'm fine with that, but if you do …?

I really don't mind, but I've got clothes that can fit you in my closet...

You don't look like a tramp.

I … okay! I'll try them. I'd rather look nice for you.

[He's already hurrying towards the boat, not sure why this is suddenly so important to him, but it is.]

[Janie has a lot of clothes in her closet,which is a lot bigger than it should be]

I already think you look nice.

[She waits for him, dancing a bit and discovering her dancing shoes don't work too well in sand]

[Julian takes a little longer than he normally would for such an ordinary task as getting dressed, but then he finally returns, wearing decent black pants and a white shirt. When he sees Janie dancing, he smiles and walks over to her.]

Your closet is amazing.

[Janie grins when she sees Julian.]

You look great... I, um. Get bored. I get bored a lot, actually.

Thank you. [He grins back, feeling less out of place now.]

These actually fit. You're going shopping for odd things when you're bored.

I go shopping, I build things... and I read. I um... do anything I can so I'm not too bored. Everyone but me seems to have better things to do, and that's good because I set it up that way. I wish I had left something for myself is all.

[This makes him go quiet for a moment. Still looking for words, he steps forward and gently places his hand on Janie's shoulder for the initial dance position. Finally, he speaks again, in a low voice.]

Which better things? What would you like to have?

[Janie is quiet for a moment, and starts dancing]

It's... well, it's a nice break from war, and saving the world, but my kids are grown now and Phoenix is. Um. Well, when we were younger we always talked about adventure and there's none of that. I've put people in charge at work, and I made sure that certain people are as happy as possible... I want you to be happy too, so if I can do anything.

I want some kind of purpose again, and. Okay, Aunt Sara said that if I want something in life that I have to go for it. So I'm looking for projects and adventures, I suppose this is one, but there's something else and I'm so scared about it because I have such bad luck. Maybe I should be alone forever.

[He does the according steps, for now ignoring the sand that's quickly collecting in his shoes.]

I don't know if this can give a purpose, or if anything can for people like us, but oh yes, it is an adventure. Let's make it a great one.

And … you know better than anyone that forever is a long, long time. No one should spend all of it alone, not unless you really, really want it. But I don't think you do, am I right?

[Janie is having trouble with the sand, but doesn't want to stop dancing with Julian]

It is a great time... But we're on a world somewhere. Do you want to leave soon?

I don't want to be alone at all, but... [Janie frowns, trailing off and getting lost in her thoughts]

[His steps become a bit awkward because of it, but he doesn't want to stop either.]

No, I don't want to leave yet. It's nice. There's ... real sunlight.

[He's quiet for a moment.]

... but?

It's great, isn't it? There's something about this place that makes me want to stay...

[Janie stumbles a bit, because sand and high heels don't mix at all]

I mess up every relationship that I've ever been in.

Yes, me too ... oh, careful.

[Julian tries to hold her steady and slows down, realizing the sand isn't only a problem for him.]

What makes you think you're the one messing up?