most_unwanted | [Voice]

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[Voice]

[There's a quiet crunching sound before Mulder speaks up, sounding thoughtful.]

Show of metaphorical hands. Or antennae, whichever you're partial to: Who here has been kidnapped for a special one-on-one date with our captors? I'd like to arrange an off-journal meeting to speak about your personal experiences if anyone happens to have some free time. It shouldn't take long, just a few minutes. I'll be hanging around the shops in town most of the day, I've got some... supplies I've been meaning to find. [Still looking for a basketball, woe and alas.] We can always head elsewhere from there, though.

I understand that it's a sensitive topic for most people, and it's all right if you'd rather not talk about it. Or if you'd rather be anonymous, just slip a note under my door detailing anything you can remember about the experience itself. Anything at all, before, during, after. Your answers will be kept in confidence. I'm in Community Building 7, Floor 2, Room 10.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Of course I'd like that. It's not like we even work together, in any official capacity. A little downtime would probably do us both good.

[Especially since Mulder is in WORK MODE constantly around here. He can't help it, it's an ingrained habit.]

You are right, of course... though I would like to work with you, given the opportunity. It would c-certainly be a fascinating opportunity...

[So is Robert. He knows the feeling all too well.]

And you are gathering parts for an aquarium, correct? What exactly are you housing in it?

I'd like that, too. It's just that we don't have to worry about answering to the Bureau or any other supervisory positions. We don't have to worry about being too formal.

[Mulder looks at his things he's collected.]

Back home, it was full of fish, but so far I've only gotten my hands on one goldfish that's survived, I got it back during that little Malnosso shindig.

Ah, well, I... I am simply used to f-formalities. [And for awhile he kind of relied on them, even here, even with people he trusts extensively. Like Helios.]

... I have become... r-rather unprofessional at times, here, though.

[Robert looks over at the aquaria paraphernalia as well, thoughtfully.] So the Malnosso allow keeping of small domestic animal companions... Well, I had seen a few others, like cats, b-but... [Almost curiously:] They are very r-rare on Terra.

...

I wonder what it might be like to keep one...

Yeah, that's understandable. It's hard to think otherwise, sometimes I feel like I'm working one big case around here.

Maybe you should think about getting yourself a pet, Robert. They can provide a lot of companionship. [Not that fish exactly do, but Mulder knows the general idea of the fluffier kinds of pets.]

It is not an entirely unpleasant feeling, but at the same time it is... distressingly vague at times, to be unable to do much of anything.

Perhaps... if people do not mind, of course - after all, confidentiality comes first, and surely if n-nobody wishes to share then they should not be forced to - I could hear about the results of this latest inquiry?

[Getting a pet...?]

... I would not know if I was... qualified to keep a domestic companion.

[Robert always worries that he'll suck.]

It's just a thought. It might do you some good to have something to care for. Though I understand how difficult it can be to take on that responsibility, especially in our current situation.

[It's why he just has fish, with his line of work he really doesn't have time to devote to the furrier types.]

But I'll be sure to pass along my findings. I already was planning to remove names and personal details from anything I make public. I know it's of interest to everyone here, so I plan to let everyone know what I've learned. Especially if it can be of any help...

It... m-may actually be quite... therapeutic.

I h-have wanted to... r-reindulge my paternal side...

[And Foot recently had kittens... perhaps Robert could have one?]

I would g-greatly appreciate it. If you need someone to help distribute information, I would be glad.

... It w-would be best to keep it off the journals, of course.

I bet it would be good for you. The garden should be, too. It's good to have things to do during the downtime around here...

[When you have no official job or some of the comforts of home, it's always worth getting a distraction or several.]

And yes... I'm keeping everything I work on, off the journals.

Hobbies in this place. [Robert smiles a little, almost wryly.] B-but I suppose that is all we can really do.

[The idea does appeal in many small ways.]

If you n-need a report-writer, I would be more than glad.

... It would be n-nice to work on something besides my p-paranormal physics thesis...

We have to keep our wits about us and work toward resolving this whole situation... but we also have to go on living at the same time too.

[Ah, man, now to start actually taking his own advice.]

I'd be glad to take you up on that, anytime you've got free time to spare.

[He's getting a lot of help with things, and that's been encouraging so far.]

[It's hard to just keep on living for Robert, especially when this place sometimes threatens to destroy his remaining sanity. At the same time, though, the sheer number of people - comparitively - that he knows here have kept him functional even during the worst times.]

... Perhaps, together, we can uncover some answers. Or... invite others as well, and turn it into some sort of Council-esque arrangement...

[That actually sounds almost nice. Like home.]

I don't see why not. I've met a few individuals already who are very interested in speculating and looking for answers. We could have a pretty good team going among us.

[Mulder knows how important it is to have people you can trust, when the world is run by corrupt underhanded manipulative conspiracies.]

We likely know many of the same people, and I would enjoy the chance to collaborate in some sort of shared setting.

Perhaps this may be the very thing that will help provide concrete answers about this place...

[Or so Robert can hope. ~~Unfortunately, chances are it won't work out...~~]

I bet we could com up with some pretty cool theories between all of us. Think of all the different worlds everyone comes from...

[Sigh. It it weren't for the more nefarious aspects of their situation, Mulder would love this place a whole lot more.]

We can't stay without those answers forever. Eventually, somehow, we'll stumble across a breakthrough...

[~~Not work out at all~~, but Mulder is an idealist when it comes to the possibility of uncovering the truth. He'd have given up years ago if he wasn't.]

Well, I know that Don's world is a multiversion of my own, but it has very different properties. These differences in properties might be the key to understanding Luceti.

[Robert would thoroughly concur on that part. That, and being able to get home...]

I certainly hope so. Endeavouring to answer a question that never has anything concrete to answer it with is frustrating.

[Robert isn't quite as much of an idealist, but he is willing to research for the sake of researching, and he always likes to expand his knowledge.

... Luceti is just frustratingly devoid of answers or any kind of pattern.]

[Yeah, that 'no discernible patterns' thing is always going to be a point of frustration.]

I agree. We'll have to look into understanding everything we possibly can about those differences, if it'll help us answer questions about this place and our predicament...

I concur.

... [Robert looks down at the pile of stuff they've both accumulated with an almost sheepish smile.]

Ah, at this rate, I will keep you all day, Mr. Mulder...

... S-Should I let you get home? I mean, I would not wish to be a bother...

Don't worry about it, you're not bothering me. [He also glances at all their stuff.] Looks like we're all set with today's shopping spree, though.

It c-certainly does look that way.

[Is it obvious that Robert is trying to artificially draw out the time with Mulder? Because he likes Mulder's company and yet he's too socially fail to express this coherently.]

... But, if there was anything else I c-could do, I would be most willing...

[Aw. Well, Mulder really likes the company. And knows how that can be, considering how often he's used the excuse of work to socialize with his closest friends, back home...]

I've got plenty of files to sort out... and I wouldn't mind the company in general, that is if you're not too busy?

[Robert likes the company too, very much. He's just so... horribly awkward about expressing this in any coherent fashion. He could be hideously blunt...]

Ah, w-well... I am not really occupied with anything, no... the only real task I had in mind was to begin c-construction work on the hydroponics system when I returned home, but... ... th-that is not exactly crucial, and I would be most w-willing to assist.

[Sorting files is right up his alley. Seriously.]

Great, I like the sound of that. And I'd be up for swinging by to help with your garden anytime, too.

[Meaning that yes, he'll let him know he's up for future get-togethers as well. Robert reminds him so much of his Lone Gunmen buddies, which definitely has made him like being around the guy. And one of these days, there will also be basketball... but that time has not yet come. Mulder's making a mental note to invite Robert along when he does manage to find one though.]

Did... D-did you want me to accompany you now then, p-perhaps, or... or was there s-something else? I mean... [Hesitantly:] If, if there was perhaps a b-better time...

[He doesn't know, but he can feel a connection with Mulder, and like with all of his friends he is so very desperate not to break it.]

[Yeah, Mulder is definitely going to keep hanging out with him.]

I don't have any hot dates to cancel, so you're safe. [He smiles, it was a joke.] Now will be perfect. Ready to get going?

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