ablativeholopleather | IC Contact/Inbox/HMD

I kinda worried that maybe it was just tolerating me because it was miserable and anything was better than curling up alone like that, that's all.

[That's all, as if it hadn't been weighing on his mind as he went around to check on others after the fact.]

Sanctuary Moon? There's more title than that but that was the big part of the title.

[her smile grows a bit more.]

That's one from its own world.

[and she hopes with that, Wayne might understand a little more. there's a world of difference between showing someone a nature documentary filmed on Earth and a serial from home - a small piece of itself, offered out as connection.]

[At least if he's reading it right, he can assume that it means the same thing that it means when he himself takes the chance to talk to people about his world, or to play music for them when they have the time to sit and listen.]

Maybe if it doesn't mind, I could watch more. I'd like to see how it shakes out. Should I ask about that or like...wait for an invitation? What would be more polite?

[He doesn't like the idea of walking on eggshells but it feels like it might be necessary until he and Security are better able to meet in the middle.]

Ask, whenever you like. It would appreciate that.

[because waiting for Security to offer another invitation might be waiting an age. and showing a decisive interest in that, in its world, is a very fast way into its better books. she knows that confidently by now.

that Sanctuary Moon is a particular favorite, she keeps to herself. let Wayne discover that on his own time.]

Hopefully you don't need me to sing its praises before you get around to doing so. It's been over the flu for a while now.

A lot's been happening, that's all. I don't want to go to it at a bad time when it's occupied with something important. I'll send a message and set something up.

[Half to appease Helena, and half because he actually does want to sit and watch more of the serial and, as far as he knows, Security has the only copies.]

Give it some faith. That frankness I spoke of means that if it is occupied, it will tell you without mincing words.

[and even if it is, she has a suspicion it'll figure out how to set aside time.]

[Well, at least they've managed to talk it back around to where he feels a little better about the situation at large. Though when he reminds himself why they started discussing Security in the first place, he can't help but smile.]

Maybe it'll be able to tell you when you've gotten really small.

[He's teasing; a little lightness would do them some good, after everything.]

If I start shrinking, I'm going to say you cursed me, and then force you to find a solution.

[do not. she's portable as is. but the outrage is feigned, going to their lighthearted banter.]

It's not my fault half this ship is comprised of giants.

People would probably believe you if you said that too. People only really know I can heal or break things for sure.

[And that's kind of the extent of his abilities if he's honest, but he's sure there's a Gesture out there for shrinking an opponent too, and even if there's not, they don't know that.]

I'm not even that large. You just make me look bigger by association.

You've got a tall head. It contributes somewhat. Anyway, I can still jump, and that's good enough. I've got better control over it now.

[with a lot of practice, and startling people in high places.]

I'm never gonna get the hang of that. At least my pneumataphores still work.

[He thinks. He hasn't actually tested them much.]

Can you bounce other people with you? Like picking them up and taking them when you jump like that? Imagine putting someone up high and letting them stay there for a while...

I haven't tried. It's possible, I'd think...unless I have to pick them up. We could definitely try it, if you wanted.

[being able to bring a friend with her to the high places? that would turn it into the best magic she'd touched so far.]

If we do manage to go up that high I can get us back down again so that works too. You wanna test it out like before?

[He likes being up high, and he can safely get down via a gentle drift, so they could almost certainly aid one another in this endeavor and be all the happier for it.]

Yes! But not until you finish your ice cream - it'd be a shame to waste it.

[and if for some reason this doesn't work, she has a secondary idea as well.]

[He huffs a small laugh and does as she says, though all that's really left is a couple of spoonfuls of soupy stuff in the bottom of the bowl. He'll take both of their dishes to return them, then wherever she decided to go, Wayne would follow.]

[the upper deck is still the best place for this, with the openness - she's not used to jumping with a passenger after all, and after a moment of debate she goes to rest her cane against the wall so it won't roll somewhere.]

Okay. I think the best way to test would be....I should probably hug you, and then jump.

Okay, yeah. [Nevermind that he is quite a bit heavier than her. He'd hate to hurt her by falling on her if they lost their footing though. At that point he could try to glide himself away just in case perhaps? He'll just, reach over and make sure that the cane doesn't go anywhere.] If it works I can see if I have enough lift to carry you forward.

Yes, please!

[she's very excited about this. wrapping her arms around Wayne, she nods.]

Okay, one, two, three.

[see the thing is

Helena's not that strong. not strong enough to carry a full size Wayne. so what happens is the tiniest lift for them, with all her strength - more a hop than anything, and then going back down. one more time.

nope. they're going to need to rethink the strategy.]

[Anticlimactic, but this is basically a science experiment. They're learning!]

Okay...What if we try at the same time?

[He makes that suggestion, and bends a bit at the knees to make sure he's getting some height, then counts down-]

One, two, three-

[And they only really get about as much height as he can manage when jumping alone.

Hm.]

[Helena gains a deeply thoughtful look, and then lets go to sit down on the deck. shoes off, and then carefully, she's removing the laces from them, before holding them out to Wayne.]

These are what caused the shoes to turn magic, so...perhaps if you tie them onto your shoes, the magic will work?

[they have more science to do, such as seeing if the effect is halved if they each have one or not, but this they can start with.]

[Wayne steps back to give her the space to do that, then crouches to look at the laces now off of her shoes. He knows that Garb takes other forms for other people, but this is the first he's heard of shoelaces qualifying. He takes them to examine, then unlaces his boots far enough down that he can re-tie them near the ankles, then lace hers up his shins. He feels a little bit lighter when it's done, but he doesn't know whether it'll actually work for him.]

Okay so I just...jump, and then jump again?

[He stands up as he says it. That's sort of how he goes about it when he has to activate the pneumataphores, so maybe it's like that and he'll be able to get more distance, or more height that way.

Stepping back and away, Wayne nearly runs and hops right away, before thinking better of it and putting his phone down, just in case. Then he runs a few steps forward, jumps, then jumps again to get even more height. He tumbles unsteadily through the air for a moment, then glides back down to the deck rather than risking jetting off over the side. Success!]

Cool! Okay that was rad.

[He runs back and stops in front of Helena, bending a little bit to wrap an arm around her back so that she could maybe have a hold over his shoulders to allow them to try and do that with both of them.]

[she listens, since she can't watch him, and hearing him jump and not immediately come down, she grins in delight, glad that it worked and applauding a little when he hits the deck. but now, with his arms around her back, she gets the idea, and puts her arm around him.]

On three?

[if they can fly together, she is going to be so happy.]

[Bracing himself to lift her along with him, he takes a breath, counts down one, two, three-

And they hop. They hop rather high actually. But then the moment he goes to do it again his grip slips and he lets out a startled sound, hands clawing into the back of her shirt to keep from dropping her. He hits the ground again and stumbles, holding on tight until he's sure they're not both about to fall over.]

Okay, crap, new plan...

The jumping works, though.

[and that's exciting on its own, and so she'll volunteer.]

Maybe carry me? Either in your arms or on your back, so that you won't be unbalanced.

[He does some mental recalibrating, then nods to himself, rubbing his hands together as he tries to decide how to better go about it. He needs to be able to pitch his weight a certain way to maintain his balance, and he needed his arms for that, so...]

Got it.

[As soon as he's said that he sinks onto one knee with his back to her. It takes a second, him explaining where to put her hands so that she could hold on and he could stand up again, but as soon as he's able to pick her up, he straightens again and shrugs her up, then reaches to bring her legs around his waist.]

Okay, now hold on, keep your ankles hooked like that. Now, one, two, three-

[And he runs again, getting a feeling for how she rests on his back, then jumps. It's not super high, but the next jump is much higher and, more than that, much more stable than the first attempt. His body clenches in her grip, muscles tightening as he manages to glide back to the deck again. When his feet hit solid ground he turns in a little circle with his arms under her legs to keep her from being bounced off again.]

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