(no subject)

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

Mr. Universe is downstairs, for the first time in a couple of weeks, having got caught up in whatever's the latest thing to catch his interest.

He has his laptop, of course, and is working intently.

Comments

[beyond-therest.livejournal.com]

Curious and very obviously looking for distraction, I notice him. I've seen him before, laptop in tow.

"You do work on that or...?"

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

He glances up, distracted, and waves slightly.

"Hi. Yeah. Work, but it's just to pass the time with really."

[beyond-therest.livejournal.com]

"What do you do?"

So working four jobs myself, I know how it can pass time. But really it depends on the jobs, you know.

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

"I'm a communications expert", he says cheerfully.

[beyond-therest.livejournal.com]

I smile, simply because I'm usually anti-social and now I'm talking to a communications expert. Irony, huh.

"Oh, that's interesting. Whatever works, you know."

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

Hey, he's not really all that social himself. Hence the lack of basic social skills he still displays frequently.

"It's what I've always been good at. They call me Mr. Universe."

[beyond-therest.livejournal.com]

"Like the name, more interesting than Wendy. What's the real name? If you don't mind me asking."

Curious, yes. I'm always curious.

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

He doesn't tell anyone that. Even his mun.

"One I left behind a long time ago", is the only answer she gets, with a disarming smile. "Assuming you don't count the ones I've used to move in the world."

[beyond-therest.livejournal.com]

"Well, Mr. Universe is good enough. Better than Bob or Herman or Ronald. It's mysterious, yet a little superhero-ish."

I shrug.

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

"I like it. That's why I chose it." He grins at her. "What's yours?"

[beyond-therest.livejournal.com]

"Wendy. It's somewhat boring and a little too Kansas. But I'm still mysterious all on my own"

So, ok, I used to live in Kansas so it worked. But it's not like I ever fit in there. So, does that really count. I should change it, but I can't.

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

"Kansas? That's on Earth that Was, right?"

[beyond-therest.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, but it doesn't matter anyways, cause I don't live there anymore. I'm a city girl now. New York."

Relief comes with being able to say such things.

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

He nods, understanding.

"When'd you run out?"

[beyond-therest.livejournal.com]

"12 am of my eighteenth birthday."

I smile. I had taken the 12:17 bus to New York. It took me about 15 minutes to walk there.

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

"You waited to be legal. Admirable patience."

[beyond-therest.livejournal.com]

"Well, thanks. And trust me, it was hell."

I smirk.

[chiss-captive.livejournal.com]

Across the bar, there's a girl with a datapad that has a LAN scanner on it.

And then Mr Universe's text-based Netsend lights up with a 'beep.' Followed, of course, by a message.

w.fel: psst.

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

This is only the second time he's been pinged in the bar, and he grins at the screen, delighted.

mruniverse: hi there!

[chiss-captive.livejournal.com]

w.fel: I think I'm behind you. not sure. scanner's pretty vague.

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

mruniverse: ...you have a scanner that precise? I need to see your technology.

[chiss-captive.livejournal.com]

w.fel: It's my dad's. he's a Baron, capital B, and he gets special ... expensive ... stuff. also I work at a library. -- average height blonde girl, sixteen years old, by the observation window. iced coffee.

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

mruniverse: I'm talking to the aristocracy, am I? Short guy, dark hair, on my way over.

[chiss-captive.livejournal.com]

Wyn looks up at him and smiles.

"Sorta. We're not Jedi or anything."

[stopped-signal.livejournal.com]

"Jedi?" He tilts his head, smiling back, and just stops himself from saying something about the old holos.