[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

[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.

Comments

[Action]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

So do I. After all that we've uncovered here, all that we've seen... it wouldn't be fair or right to lose it all. There's got to be some way of preserving it.

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Having finished organizing... well, everything, Robert pulls away from the table and looks over at Mulder.]

I... I certainly hope so. Far too much to lose...

[And the way he says it makes it obvious it isn't just the knowledge that he's afraid of losing.]

[Action]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

We'll find a way. I'm not about to give up on trying...

[Looking things over, Mulder decides the whole room is in much better shape.]

Thanks a lot, Robert. I really appreciate the help, the room looks inhabitable with those straightened up. Want to join me for that coffee now?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

Certainly, Mr. Mulder. I... I am p-pleased to have been of assistance.

[And Robert smiles. Softly, but it's a real smile.

Maybe this isn't a bad thing, to be friendly.]

[Action]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

[He smiles back at him.]

I'm glad you've come by today, Robert. Like I said, you can come by anytime, even just to say hi. No need for any excuses to stop in.

[And with that, it's time to see to the coffee.]

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[But that sounds so dreadfully unprofessional...] You are... c-certain of that?

I... I might find it prudent to... consider it, eventually. [Especially when things get really bad.

... Hope you don't mind Robert trying to help you with the coffee, Mulder.]

[Action]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

I'm certain, trust me. Remember, friends don't need to have a formal reason to visit each other.

[He says it almost like he's trying to convince himself. He hangs out with some friends back home- the Lone Gunmen- but not as often as he probably could. And with Scully, well... he always needs a reason.]

[He doesn't mind having Robert's help as he gets things going for that coffee. It makes this go quicker anyway.]

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[It's a foreign sentiment for Robert, too. Being entirely alone for five years does that to you. Even in Luceti, generally, when he visits people or they visit him, he has some kind of pretense. Some... reasoning beyond just "I want you to come over".]

... I... s-suppose I will need to become used to the idea... [And yet, he smiles again. He'll never get tired of hearing the word "friend" applied to him.]

[Action]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

We'll get you used to it. Being trapped in this place has to be good for something, anyway.

[Mulder has at least seen the good sides here and there even if he remains mostly pissed off overall about the principle of the situation in general.]