Video

[skindeep]

I'm starting to wonder if I'll be home in time for my thirtieth birthday.

[Noah still has a couple of years before he really has to worry about it, but time does fly on the Tranquility. Who knows, the next jump might be all it takes.]

I had a lot of plans centered around that number. I was going to have my own studio by then. I wanted my brother to be living with me by the time we were thirty.

[He pauses in his sketching, tips his chin up thoughtfully.]

That lovely wedding dress reminded me that I'd also hoped to be married by then...

Some things are out of my control. I can't bring my brother here to be with me - wouldn't if I could. But being here doesn't have to rob us of everything. So, Cillian-

[Has there ever been a proposal on the network before? Is there about to be one?

Nope.]

I'll be working late tonight. No studio, but I can still do what I love. Tyke, I have a couple of those designs drawn up. Pop in and take a look, and if you're happy we can get started right away.

So Tranquility, what were your plans? Are any of them things you can do here?

Comments

video.

[deprecate]

For a moment I thought you—

[ no, he can't even say it. it's not so much the proposal as the network. although it's also the proposal. the whole thing, really. there's a hysterical edge of laughter to his voice, borne of relief. ]

Been a while since you inked me. Maybe I should drop by.

video.

[skindeep]

Thought I what?

[His eyebrows shoot up in interest. And that's how Cillian will know that it was unintentional, because Noah's poker face is pretty crap.]

Really! For some reason I always thought the cranes would be it for you.

video.

[deprecate]

Doesn't matter. Definitely doesn't matter.

[ still with a hint of shaky-laughter. ]

Erm, yeah, I dunno. I liked it, you know. We could just do touch-ups, or...

[ he shrugs a shoulder. it's been a long time in space. going on a year, somehow. he feels like he should get something to commemorate that. ]

video.

[skindeep]

Or we could design something new together. Something special.

[Noah's a perfectionist when it comes to his work, so of course he wants it all to be special. But for Cillian, it has to be special special.]

video.

[deprecate]

[ a beat, and cillian hums, voice gone soft. ]

Yeah. I'd like that. I want something that's — you.

[ the cranes had been for himself. but noah has three words tattooed on his spine that— ]

The heart.

[ he says it abruptly, remembering. ]

The lock. I want a tattoo with a lock.

[logicunlocked]

I only had one thing I'd planned to accomplish, one day. And that was a reconciliation. Can't do that here, because she hasn't shown up here. And I don't know it it's ever going to be possible, anyway.

[skindeep]

Surely there's always hope.

What was her name?

[logicunlocked]

[ His tone goes soft; he's clearly reminiscing as he speaks. ]

Carolina. She was...she is the most beautiful woman I've ever known. But more than that, she's strong. Intense. But she doesn't know her own worth. Nothing's ever good enough. She was best on the board and it still wasn't good enough.

[skindeep]

Carolina's a beautiful name.

Did she know how you felt about her?

[majestyofthethrone]

You almost had a moment!

[skindeep]

Did I! Would it have been a good one?

[majestyofthethrone]

Probably not the most romantic proposal.

[skindeep]

Oh.

[Noah thinks about his own words, but especially Cillian's reaction to them. He blinks a few times before smiling again.]

Not to mention a quick way of getting turned down.

text;

[puppydogeyes]

Give me ten?
+ I can sit for any of them now.

text;

[skindeep]

Of course, take your time. I can get some snacks if you haven't eaten.

text;

[puppydogeyes]

[Noah what are you.]

I can bring stuff.

text;

[skindeep]

Perfect. You bring stuff and I'll make pasta. The sauce will have to be a surprise.

[jilt]

[ irene's chuckling. what a tease, noah, seriously. ]

What are you drawing? Am I allowed to ask that rather than answer your question?

[skindeep]

[One day, Irene. One day.]

You're welcome to ask anything you like. They're the ideas that Tyke had for her next tattoos. I was just touching them up a bit before we get started.

[jilt]

What else do you draw, my dear? Is this your art, tattoos and the like?

[skindeep]

I've always loved doing portraits, just pencil drawings really. But my parents encouraged me to be practical. So I found a way to combine art and making a living.

I'm quite clever when I want to be, you see.

[endeavors]

Guess my plans are all works in progress.

[he sounds a bit sheepish. Hi.]

[skindeep]

Does this have anything to do with that time in the gardens? Am I going to be an uncle?

[Noah, sit down you're no one's uncle you don't know him that well.]

[endeavors]

Wh -- No. No. You'd already be an uncle, in that were the case.

[skindeep]

Ah. Well, in your own time. I don't think I need to tell you that it's always fun practicing.

What are your actual plans in progress?