video;

[tearsinajar]

[ It doesn't take her long to get re-acquainted with the wristband they call a MID, or so that's the lingo she's been hearing it being called around the ship since she left medbay and was free to explore. Elena's reminded of a fancy wristwatch that only Apple can come up with where the text messages that get sent to your phone get routed to the wristband, it's handy. Really neat. And because she's familiar with such technology back home, it's easy to get the options set up and a message sent out, not that she's expecting anyone to respond.

The people in the medbay had been friendly and helpful enough but who was to say the same could've been said about the others on board.

Mid-40s and not much has changed in the blonde haired woman who appears, aviator shades atop her head. More freckles cover her brow and cheeks from her time spent out in the sun, lines sitting comfortably at the edges of her eyes, laugh lines near her mouth from happy, good times. Even now, Elena looks beach ready. ]

I find that there's gotta be just a tiny bit of irony in the fact that when I expected to spend my afternoon on a ship, I didn't expect it to be a spaceship.

So, uh— hey! How's everyone doing? I feel like I should insert some kind of terrible joke or pun about gravity and hanging around here but instead I'll just see if there's anyone out there willing to help me lo—

[ And unfortunately that's when the feed drops out to a black screen, her connection cut dead. What...?

Elena sits there staring down at her wristband and after a moment, she gives her wrist a shake. That always works in getting things back on... Usually. Does that mean she'll miss out on any incoming messages? Who the hell designed this?

Bleep!

OH HAY— ]

Oh! That worked? Hah. And all I had to do was shake the damn thing. Note to self, when in doubt, shake it.

Anyway, as I was trying to say a few moments ago, I'm looking for someone and I'm wondering if maybe anyone's seen her. I don't have a picture of her on hand but she's blonde and wears black-framed glasses. Pretty average height for a teenager.

It's kind of important that I find her. If you've seen her, please let me know? I'd really appreciate it.

Comments

[tearsinajar]

She's definitely got your smile. My eyes.

[ Her hand brushes his waist while he's busy staring down at the phone. ]

We did good. It's just too bad you can't meet her right now. I can't find her anywhere.

[sketchycharacter]

Yeah.

[Very, very good. He drapes his arm around her shoulders before finally dragging his gaze away from the photo and giving her a reluctant look.]

I really wish this weren't true, but I don't think she's here, honey. The thing on this ship, the Ingress—it brings people in from all sorts of times and places, and lately it's been making them different ages, too. Younger, older...you and I have been living here for months now. Just you and me.

[tearsinajar]

That doesn't make any sense...

We were just together, we were uh... [ They were in the middle of doing things on their boat before they had to go off and get the cooler of food packed on-board and find Cassie.

Elena gives him a look, chuckling to herself, shaking her head. ] ...never mind.

We were busy.

But that's beside the point— if she's not here then that means she could still be back home. With Vicky.

[sketchycharacter]

[He gives her a look, a smile on his face and laughter in his eyes. Yeah, he can guess what they were busy with. Nice to know that parenthood doesn't run that well dry.]

I know it doesn't make sense, but that's how it works. Ask anyone here. [But ask them later. He cocks his head, looking at her curiously.] Who's Vicky? A babysitter?

[Fourteen seems pretty old for that, though...]

[tearsinajar]

Cassie hasn't needed a babysitter for years, Nate. Vicky is the family pet.

[ She arches a brow. ]

You can only guess who she's named after.

[sketchycharacter]

[He laughs out loud, delighted by this turn of events.]

Oh, that's amazing. I bet Sully loves that. That's a real honor for him.

[tearsinajar]

You were the one who wanted a pet. Sullivan just delivered, like the best father figure that he is.

[ She's delighted to hear and see him laughing. His laugh lines aren't as etched as she's used to but they're there and she smiles at the sight of the faint crinkles at the edges of his eyes.

Elena reaches up to brush the backs of her fingers along the ones at his left eye, smile softening. ]

[sketchycharacter]

Sounds like a grandfather figure now.

[He leans into her touch, his expression softening to match hers.]

Gotta say, it's nice to know for a fact that we make it this far. I was a little worried I'd screw things up again.

[tearsinajar]

We...did go through a bit of a rough patch. But, as usual, we picked right back up where we'd left off.

[ Leaning up on tiptoe, she brushes her lips at the edge of his bottom lip. ]

We did good, Nate.

[sketchycharacter]

[He lets the kiss linger, still smiling against her mouth.]

That's what I want. Just to be happy with you, whatever we end up doing.

[Breaking into a laugh, he grins wider.]

But now I'm going to go crazy waiting for it to happen. That part sucks.

[tearsinajar]

The wait will be worth it, trust me.

[ His grinning is contagious but it doesn't stop her from continuing with the kisses, this time bringing her arms up to wrap over his shoulders.

So he's fourteen or so years younger... Nah, that's not weird. Not really... ]

The moment you got to hold her in your arms, she never fussed.

[sketchycharacter]

Really?

[He was momentarily distracted by her kisses—they're just as good in the future, that's nice to know—but his face lights up hearing that.]

That's awesome. I...you know, I was never sure how good a dad I could be, since I didn't have much of an example.

[Aside from Sully. But he'd missed those early years.]

[tearsinajar]

Nate... You learned from the best. Sully was right there with us from the start.

[ Her fingers brush his cheek, her smile reassuring. ]

We were both new at it in the beginning but...you just learn as you go along. Trust me, it'll turn out for the better.

[sketchycharacter]

[That doesn't surprise him. He knows his pal. Sully will always be there for their family.]

Then I'm really looking forward to finding out for myself. [He presses his hand over hers against his face.] I love you.

[tearsinajar]

[ Her smile softens and her thumb does another sweep over his cheek. ]

God, I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing you say that. C'mere...

[ And Elena pulls him down, leaning up to catch his mouth in a kiss. ]

[sketchycharacter]

[He goes into the kiss gladly, arms coming around to hold Elena. It's just like it always is, and that makes him even more content.

No matter how old they are, no matter how many years are between them now, he loves her just the same. And always will.]