network: voice

[madginger]

Did you know you could still get kidnapped within getting kidnapped? [ Max might sound sarcastic about that, but not entirely displeased. ] Thought that would be overkill, but it happened anyway. I was in a good mood about it, too - so it must've been nice - but then I come back to this mess. [ Look, the tension on the Agrii ship has on her edge because it reminds her of her home life before her step-dad took off, so she's not comfortable right now, and trying to stay out of snappish territory over it. ]

I would ask for an explanation, but I don't think I want to hear the answer right now. [ This is when her annoyance and displeasure enter her voice. ]

If someone could let me know when the adults want to act like adults, I'd appreciate it. [ She means the adult Agrii, not her fellow He Rows. She does care about this sort of thing, though, so Max will look into it and get details at some point, but she's annoyed her pleasant feeling from whatever happened on her unplanned vacation is already fading. ]

If other pilots wanna give me a rundown on what we're doing, let's discuss that, instead of this.

In the meantime, Hawkins, check-in. [ She sounds commanding and expectant on this request. ] Means you, too, Billy Hargrove.

Comments

[madginger]

He is, and it helps. And...I guess it doesn't have to be that way.

[work_wife]

We've literally saved the world from certain doom before, Max. Of course things never 'have' to be a certain way.

[madginger]

Yeah, I know. We're going to do it again, too.

[work_wife]

We will. We'll figure it out. We're like that.

[madginger]

Yeah, first we just need to deal with the whole alien planet, space thing.

[work_wife]

Yep. And keeping the peace between our beloved idiots.

[madginger]

So, we're sisters in peace.

...never thought I'd say that. I'm not going to shy away from violence if we need it.

[work_wife]

Yep. And hey! You can be the badass Bailiff in the Court of Buckley. Means you can manhandle the various Dingi when they are misbehaving at impartial rulings.

I believe in you kid.

[madginger]

Court of Buckley? Is that the only way you could get the guys to behave?

[work_wife]

Oh I'm the arbiter of the truces the boys hold. Billy was... a bit messed up after he broke the first, and I realized the boys probably needed another party to point out if it was actually Billy or if Eddie or Steve was doing something. Thus the Court of Buckley.

Current ruling that has caused the most drama is on hair. I ruled that Steve has the best hair, Billy the best ass, and Eddie the best smile. Of the boys at least. Only Eddie was fully pleased with the ruling I think.

[madginger]

I'm glad you were in charge of that ruling, because I want nothing to do with it.

Why was Steve bothered by best hair? [ Beat. ] Can't argue on Eddie. Getting Billy to smile isn't easy to start with.

[work_wife]

Yeah, not my cup of tea either. But someone has to keep them all in line and I spent enough time in my life as a professional judger of Steve to know when he's being unreasonable.

Of course Steve was bothered. He's upset that Billy thinks he might have better hair than Steve. As if they don't both have hair that is good in different ways. Billy was more upset by hair, Steve by butt, and Eddie was just happy.

[madginger]

What? [ She huffs out a frustrated sound. ] They're ridiculous. None of that is worth being silly over.

[work_wife]

Trust me, I know it. But they're boys that put a lot of value into their appearance, Max. It's just their superiority contest in a new, slightly more socially acceptable way.

[madginger]

Do they need a beauty pageant, or something?

[work_wife]

They would enjoy that too much.

[madginger]

Then...if it keeps them occupied, maybe we should make that happen. Somehow. I don't know enough about beauty pageants to lead it.

[work_wife]

Well I can't see them agreeing to an evening gown portion so we're beyond my knowledge here.

[madginger]

That might make it easier, though, if we just get rid of all the parts they'll protest.

[work_wife]

Which would be the whole thing and you know it.

[madginger]

I doubt they'll protest getting to parade around in swim trunks and get judged who has the best ass, smile and hair that way.

[work_wife]

I don't know, Max. In our whole time here I've never even seen him with his shirt open.

[madginger]

Oh...right.

Well, we'll find some other way to keep them entertained.

[work_wife]

Basketball. They need basketball.

[madginger]

No one's made a basketball yet? [ Honestly, what are these boys wasting their replicator chances on, then? ]