โ Mmm โฆ Iโm . Aw , gosh , Sage , Iโm sorry โฆ
I know all too well what thatโs โฆ ( yawn) whh - what thatโs like . Losing a friend of sorts , even if โฆ not in that sense . โ
[ Theyโre trying to think of more to say, but they justโฆ canโt. Too sleepy, unfortunately. ]
' ...had a friend back when I was in Mira- Maroon. They- well, were a detective until some incident happened and... I don't know where they are now. '
{ They stare at the metal ceiling. They can't say what really happenedโthey'll sound crazy, won't they? Nobodyll believe it. }
โ โฆ Iโm listening . โ
[ Partially true. Theyโre fighting sleep, just barely managing to win (at least, for right now)โbut theyโre still willing to lend them an ear nonetheless. ]
' ...vaguely. But you remind me of an old friend. It's a long story. '
{ They glance over at them, their expression becoming a tad more guarded than normal. }
' ...and if I tell it I'll probably sound like Lime and how they are with all the alien talk- '
โ Mmh โฆ do I ? I figured Iโd strike other people more as one of a kind โฆ โ
[ The captain nestled their head against the pillow, the hat theyโd spent so much time adjusting to sit properly instantly falling out of place. Their โeyesโ were half lidded now, voice quieter. ]
' never in my years of working for Mira have I ever heard anyone call you that. But I'll take your word for it. '
{ They sigh for the fifth time that night, rolling over to stare at the ceiling. }
' ...yknow, you remind me of someone. '
[ From the look and sound of it, their comment had completely flown over Redโs head.
In reality, theyโd most definitely keep note of that. They needed more flare, more assertionโฆ oh, right, yeah, Sage was talking. ]
โ They call me the Captivating Captain for a reason ..! โ
{ Sage shakes their head. }
' this is what I mean. You'd think with how much time you spend with Purple you'd be more confident. '
{ They lay down, stretching out before rolling over to face them. }
' ...I suppose it is part of your charm, though. '
โ Iโm not , Iโm really not ..! Itโd be irresponsible to be so easily swayed ! I just โ uh โ Iโm not in my right mind ! My good mind โ well , actually . My minds always good , pretty sharp . โ
[ Uh huhโฆ sure. ]
โ But itโs not AS good ..! โ
[ Defeatedly, theyโd flop down. ]
' you folded under zero pressure when I told you to sleep here. '
{ they give them a deadpan stare, clearly not in the mood for the childish acts. }
' Besides, hate to break it to you, but you are. Even if you don't notice it yourself. .
โ Wh โ pushover ?! Youโre telling that to the wrong crewmate ..! โ
[ Theyโd huff, briefly stomping their footโalmost like a child would when frustratedโas theyโd move to sit down on the bed across from Sageโs. ]
โ Everything that I say and do is brilliantly planned by ME . โ
[OPEN INT.]
{ Sage is wiping down the tables, the Cafe's finally closed for the night, thank God... They weren't sure how much longer they could take it. No matter. They have time now- time to themselves. }
{ They sigh, sitting down in the nearest booth and just staring. }
+
' ...you should sleep. Also you can have a smile and still be pessimistic. '
{ They yawn. Is exhaustion contagious? It feels like it. }
' but seriously. You gotta actually have a spine sometimes, Red. Stop being a pushover. '
โ Hmm , you might have me there โฆ but the handbook /does/ say that every situation should be handled with a Colgate smile on the captainโs face ! Thatโs , uh , in โฆ article 253 ..! Mhm ..! โ
[ They couldnโt remember the exact number. Their head felt cloudy again โฆ ]
@justrawdough { They hesitate for a moment before taking it. }
' ...thanks, Orange- ...i... I appreciate it. I really do. '
{ They smile. Actually smile. Rare from them, considering they usually look half an inconvenience away from murdering someone. }
' ...Ill... Keep that in mind. '
{ They sigh, hopping onto the edge of a bed, exhaustion starting to get to them as well.}
' yknow, pessimism's saved me before. A lot. You should try it sometime, the handbook doesn't say anything against it either. '
โ Your pessimism never fails to charm me , Sage ! โ
[ The captain giggled. The two finally ended up in medbay, and only upon entry did Red begin to actually take anything seriously. Theyโd straighten themselves up, trying to keep composure as they waved to Blue. ]
@justrawdough ' ...they were...i don't know how to explain it without sounding like Lime- '
{ they lean against the table, moreso out of frustration at this point. }
' ...they were......after what happened I just. i hate this job. i hate being alone. '
' knowing you, you'd probably accidentally trip and break your neck on the tile. '
{ They roll their "eyes", instinctively shuffling closer. }
' Considering how you are now, I don't doubt that'd happen. '
โ Psshhh , as if thatโd ever happen . โ
[ Gradually, the captain inched closer to the crewmate. Their steps were rather uncoordinated, balance jankyโleading them to oscillate over and over, left to right. For somebody sober, they sure did walk like a drunkard. ]