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video | dating show attempt #1: naked attraction

[ The video opens from an angle, filming what looks like a film crew and a man wearing a very large cravat talking with Annie. Both faces can be seen from the side. ]

So get this, [ he says, lifting his hands. ] you start out by seeing everyone's bare feet—

[ Annie stares at him, unblinking. The man's smile fixes in place, and he continues on. ]

Then you see their bare legs—

[ Annie continues staring without blinking. Determined, the man goes on. ]

Then you see bare everything from the legs up, and then their faces—

[ Annie stares, her eyes narrowing. ]

Before at last you step out, naked, and—

[ She holds up a hand, cutting him off. ]

When they said this was going to be a dating show, I didn't realise they really meant pornography. A young woman like me might take offense.

[ The man waves his hands, shaking his head. ]

No, no, no! It's not pornography, it's art! There's no touching invol—

[ His voice is cut off as Annie moves forward, her quick throw of the man landing him on his back on the ground with Annie placing one knee on the middle of his chest. His arms are held overhead. He's breathless, wheezing a little, eyes wide from what whites can be seen by the camera, which floats closer. ]

To hell with art. Contact me when you have a real proposal.

[ She pushes up to her feet, dusting herself off with a look of irritation still on her face. Her eyes flit to the camera, then to the one holding it. ]

Turn it off, Fritz. Now.

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Are any of the universal constants pleasant surprises?

[ At least she's not shy about complaining??? ]

... Coffee, actually.

Or tea. Caffeine is a universal constant that's actually not a half bad surprise.

... Affordable caffeine. When it's out of your price range, it's just kind of a shitty taunt.

We got lucky. The castle was already well-stocked when we got there.

[Way luckier than they got with the space goo.]

The castle?

[ She's missing the connection laksjdf ]

Sorry! I... forget where I've mentioned these things sometimes.

The Castle was our ship while we were out in space.

No, it's fine. Your ship was stocked with caffeine instead of alcohol?

Nah, it had both.

But caffeine is much more my speed than alcohol.

Hard to imagine a ship not stocked with alcohol. Might have preferred water with some fresh lime...

Caffeine has the buzz, alcohol has the blur. Whatever you don't want to linger over, I can't see you going about it that particular way.

[ in other words, she believes that he'd not be much of a drinker. which is nice! ]

It had everything we really needed. The place I come from... people keep their voyages well stocked like that.

... What do you mean?

Hm? Ah, that I don't think you'd make an irredeemable alcoholic.

Oh.

That's.

Very kind of you.

[ A little huff of amusement and a half smile. ]

Yeah. You're welcome.

[That's a good look on her. In a not weird way.]

I'll keep it in mind.

[ Smiles are nice, and she lends herself to them............... when she does smile. Which is admittedly more often these days than nine months ago. ]

See that you do. How've you been?

Hey, I... I really can't complain. Can I?

[Not with his team mostly here, with how peaceful this world is, with having Matt here...]

You?

... There are worse places to dwell in.

[ She uses wordplay, since dwelling is on thoughts, but dwelling is living as well. There are in fact worse places to do both. SUBJECT CHANGE because no one needs to dwell on why she's recalibrating still months later and figuring out the best she can of her life here, with back home so... the same as always. ]

Have you done many of those two trainer team battles before? The ones a few clubs run in various towns and cities.

[Well, he's a living example of knowing worse places to live in. Isn't he.]

Yeah. I really can't argue against that. We all got lucky here, didn't we?

[If he picks up on her double-meaning, he's not commenting on it right now.]

No, I don't think I have. Some things have happened recently, and had me sticking pretty close to home.

We did, yes.

[ Bless him, honestly. If he does or doesn't, the silence is best appreciated. ]

When you're less needed around the house, you should give it a try. If not with Matt or one of your teammates, then me.

[ Look.

She offered Bonding.

... Through fighting, but not sparring, so she gives herself a brownie point. ]

Matt's never really been much for fighting, since I've known him. I don't think he does a lot of battling.

[There's a beat, and he shoots her a lopsided sort of smile.]

But hey, I wouldn't say no to seeing how you handle your team.

[ Nothing wrong with that: fighting for the sake of fighting isn't her favourite, but it's what she knows how to do. Here, it's the path of least resistance. Welcome to why Annie trains at all. ]

Good. I'm interested in seeing the same.

[ And she glances away... as if admitting that is strange and weird and difficult.

Progress forward isn't easy for Annie in this field, but it's... it's happening. Maybe more so now that she's faced just how bleak her future is, four years of stasis stealing away even more of her already limited time. ]

[Her admittance earns a grin. Something broad and easy. If it's hard for her to say, it's easy for him.]

Well then. Once we get things sorted out here, I'll let you know.

[ She nods at the camera. ]

Until then.

Yeah, you too, Annie.

Take care. Especially with camera crews in the future.

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