[He walks his fingers across her arm in retaliation. Faintly,]
Huh.
[No, wait, he's not done. He's learned this lesson before, the hard way. The hardest way, if he's being honest with himself, and being around Verity sort of... makes that the only way to be.
'I like you too'? This must be what middle school is like. He has no idea, given-- well.]
Look-- I'm always up at this time of day. My ship doesn't really run on, you know-- normal people hours and I haven't really bothered switching over yet. And I didn't exactly make food with the thought of bringing it over here, that kind of came after.
[Flummoxed, he rubs his hand up and down from her shoulder to her elbow.]
I'm here because-- I miss my crew. And you're the only person on this damn planet who I can-- [tripleshit] be myself... around. You know, the whole captain thing. So I like you too-- a lot, you're an incredible person, but it's-- nothing to freak out over.
[ Her smile softens as she hears confirmation of what she already suspected, not at all surprised he's been trying to distract himself in every way possible and a food hamper accidentally spilled out of those efforts. She nods on the pillow in understanding, a thumb brushing over his cheek and the warmth of her hand resting lightly on his neck. Lips twitch, wanting to lighten the gravity of knowing he's been feeling so alone that it seemed she was the only person he could talk to.
Jim shouldn't be on his own to such a degree as all that, she thinks. It's bad for him, that's plain to see. ]
Thanks for saving me a trip out the nearest window.
[ Look at that pout, bawww. Grinning as she pushes him back into the bed, Verity's weight settles over his waist and she smooches him through a chuckle. ]
I can see through lies, Jim. Doesn't mean I can't tell any.
Oh, yeah? Yeah? [ Chinning a hand as her elbow rests beside his head, she trails concentric circles around on his chest and tries to puff out a chagrined look. ] I'm sorry, Jim, I blew up a shuttle. I feel reaaally bad.
[ Mostly to live in a quieter head, although she grew used to that after her teenage years. Sliding her fingers through his hair, the motion of combing them through is as much for her as it is for him, like petting a big, warm cat. Hmm, slingshotting. ]
Mostly, I wanted to read fairy tales, but suspension of belief isn't my thing. [ A pause, and she adds, ] That's why I've heard voices since I was imPorted in as a telepath.
Okay, I've got a question for you. How long does the effect last? When someone lies to you. The whole-- [fingerwiggle] telepathy thing. Minutes? Few seconds?
Not long, usually. I've been bouncing off the lies of lots of people in a room to keep it up, but it's mostly relative to how serious or malicious the lie is.
[ Jim. What are you thinking. ]
If I was standing next to a murderer who denied the crime, I think I'd get a hell of a mental kick out of it.
[ So suspicious. Trusting him as she does (not as much as some but a significant amount all the same), she arches a brow at his phone-fiddling. ]
... Maybe. I wouldn't know how to get into their thoughts without a boost first, though. I can send out a communique but it's not perfect, like trying to hold hands underwater.
[He finds what he's looking for - a short, two-page fairy-tale, something about a princess playing with a golden ball - and holds his phone up to waggle it at her so she knows it too.]
Let's try.
[Let's see.]
'I'm a terrible kisser'.
[It's such a lie it should be illegal. And in the back of his mind he's reciting the words on the phone.]
[ A glance at the story rates it as false information, fiction that she knows she'll grow irritated by. The gesture of him trying to circumvent the problem is more touching than she can immediately explain, ducking her forehead to his shoulder, fingers curling in the cotton at his waist as I'm a terrible kisser takes her into his mind where the story is awaiting. ]
It's not ... It won't work, Jim. You're saying one lie and there's another waiting in your head because the story isn't real. [ Lifting her head, she looks incredibly grateful that an attempt was made on her behalf, however. ] It doesn't stop being someone else's lie just because you're reading it out.
[Nope he is going to figure this out watch him!! Jim Kirk and unwinnable scenarios, ladies and gentlemen. He is going to have to give this some thought.
Well, this puzzle says thank you and A for effort.
[ Even if she's getting sleepy now, tucking herself into his side. The massage helped a lot in getting her to relaxed, a long day of work behind her doing nothing to make her appreciate the evening ahead tomorrow. ]
[But he combs his fingers through her hair, kisses her forehead, and doesn't try to move her from where his arm is totally asleep beneath her shoulder.]
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Well-- [shit. doubleshit.] I wouldn't be mad about it.
[TRUE. ding ding ding we have a winner.]
I mean that's basically what I did. So, you know. Bring something to eat and we'll call it a party. [he hesitates.] Would you? Miss me, I mean.
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You came over with home-made food in the dead of night to spend time with me. I should be freaking out right now, technically.
[ But she's not because. Well, he seemed lonely. And she does enjoy his company a lot. (Also, chocolate fruit.) ]
I'd ... miss you if you were ported out, yeah. I like you, I said so.
[ At which point she drapes an arm around his waist. ]
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Huh.
[No, wait, he's not done. He's learned this lesson before, the hard way. The hardest way, if he's being honest with himself, and being around Verity sort of... makes that the only way to be.
'I like you too'? This must be what middle school is like. He has no idea, given-- well.]
Look-- I'm always up at this time of day. My ship doesn't really run on, you know-- normal people hours and I haven't really bothered switching over yet. And I didn't exactly make food with the thought of bringing it over here, that kind of came after.
[Flummoxed, he rubs his hand up and down from her shoulder to her elbow.]
I'm here because-- I miss my crew. And you're the only person on this damn planet who I can-- [tripleshit] be myself... around. You know, the whole captain thing. So I like you too-- a lot, you're an incredible person, but it's-- nothing to freak out over.
['Nothing serious'. Because it isn't, right?]
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Jim shouldn't be on his own to such a degree as all that, she thinks. It's bad for him, that's plain to see. ]
Thanks for saving me a trip out the nearest window.
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You weren't really going to jump out a window.
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I can see through lies, Jim. Doesn't mean I can't tell any.
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Yeah, well, I've spent my whole life seeing through other people's bullshit. So try me.
[A smug little smile, as he just props his hands behind his head and kisses back with due enthusiasm.]
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[ Ain't give no shits about no shuttle!! ]
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You better hope there were no diplomats on board. That gets messy. Paperwork for days.
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Nope, just me. Joyriding in space, skidding around a moon or two ...
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[Not, you know, officially, but. He strokes her hair absently.]
Did you want to be an astronaut when you grew up or something?
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[ Mostly to live in a quieter head, although she grew used to that after her teenage years. Sliding her fingers through his hair, the motion of combing them through is as much for her as it is for him, like petting a big, warm cat. Hmm, slingshotting. ]
Mostly, I wanted to read fairy tales, but suspension of belief isn't my thing. [ A pause, and she adds, ] That's why I've heard voices since I was imPorted in as a telepath.
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Okay, I've got a question for you. How long does the effect last? When someone lies to you. The whole-- [fingerwiggle] telepathy thing. Minutes? Few seconds?
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[ Jim. What are you thinking. ]
If I was standing next to a murderer who denied the crime, I think I'd get a hell of a mental kick out of it.
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Can you tell if somebody's lying in their head?
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... Maybe. I wouldn't know how to get into their thoughts without a boost first, though. I can send out a communique but it's not perfect, like trying to hold hands underwater.
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Let's try.
[Let's see.]
'I'm a terrible kisser'.
[It's such a lie it should be illegal. And in the back of his mind he's reciting the words on the phone.]
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[ A glance at the story rates it as false information, fiction that she knows she'll grow irritated by. The gesture of him trying to circumvent the problem is more touching than she can immediately explain, ducking her forehead to his shoulder, fingers curling in the cotton at his waist as I'm a terrible kisser takes her into his mind where the story is awaiting. ]
It's not ... It won't work, Jim. You're saying one lie and there's another waiting in your head because the story isn't real. [ Lifting her head, she looks incredibly grateful that an attempt was made on her behalf, however. ] It doesn't stop being someone else's lie just because you're reading it out.
But, thank you.
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But he does relent, for now, and laughs.]
Worth a try, right?
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[ Tweaking his hair, she laughs and slumps at his side, using his arm as a pillow. ]
You're a real fixer.
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[ Even if she's getting sleepy now, tucking herself into his side. The massage helped a lot in getting her to relaxed, a long day of work behind her doing nothing to make her appreciate the evening ahead tomorrow. ]
Stick around for breakfast, if you want.
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[But he combs his fingers through her hair, kisses her forehead, and doesn't try to move her from where his arm is totally asleep beneath her shoulder.]
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You get toast.
[ Until then she'll limpet around him until morning, falling asleep rapidly whenever she stops trying to focus on talking. ]
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[Sleep. Sleep is good. So maybe he'll spend the next few hours staring at the ceiling but that's okay. Life's good.]
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