video;

[songofhappiness]

[ It's the holiday season, and everyone knows what that means.

Time to set up a blind date!

Wait, that isn't the reason for the season? It's very unfortunate for one Benny Lafitte that Caroline has decided that, for him, it is.

It's not like she's out to find his One True Love or anything, but he needs to get out and socialize a lot more than he has been. It's entirely possible he won't be too happy about her efforts, but she's going to keep his name a secret.

Unless someone figures it out and asks. She's a terrible liar.

The video starts with her smiling brightly, full of holiday cheer and such things. ]

So, I've got a friend. Let's call him...Huggy Bear. [ It's appropriate. Benny's totally a bear, and it's cutesy enough that it has her smile turning a little more mischievous.

No, she is not aware of a certain character from Starsky and Hutch also called Huggy Bear, but moving on. ] It's the time of year where everyone needs a little company, and I think my friend could use some of the dating variety.

Who's up for a blind date? [ It might be silly, but they're all so far away from home, and the holidays have her homesick something fierce so this has been her project to keep her distracted. One she definitely did not okay with the topic of her post. ] He's a great cook, so dinner wouldn't even be a problem. He's super sweet and very mature. [ In that 'immortal being who has been alive for a while' type of way. ] Not only that, but he's a great friend to have, even if it doesn't work out. Added bonus: he's got a killer accent. Who doesn't love accents?

Contact me if you're interested! [ And with a cheery little wave she ends the transmission. Then she proceeds to sit and stare at her communicator, because there has to be someone out there for her buddy Benny. She has his best interests in mind, after all. ]

Comments

voice;

[humanistic]

[okay so while it's probably better, as a rule, to avoid 1) other vampires, 2) other vampires who are probably feeding, bagged or no, 3) other vampires who left and have apparently come back, and 4) other vampires who Mitchell sort of liked before the whole departing-and-returning thing...


well some things can't go uncommented upon. Sorry.]

'Huggy Bear'?

voice;

[songofhappiness]

It was a spur of the moment name. It suits him, trust me.

[ Don't judge, it's better than something like 'Huggable Cajun'. ]

Plus, it doesn't give too many hints about his actual identity.

[ She's basically super proud of herself. ]

voice;

[humanistic]

[is it really better though]

So you're using an alias as an alias. Pretty slick. Does it suit him 'cause of the leisure suits, or is there some other reason?

text

[alsohawkeye]

[ It's true, some things just can't be left uncommented upon, no matter how bad an idea contact in general is. ]

Okay, Mr. Fluffles.

text

[humanistic]

[well


this is weird]

That's not really a nickname

Voice;

[alldamned]

Caroline.

[Benny himself can't decide if he disapproves or if he's just flattered-- somewhere in the middle, he thinks, leaving him somewhere around flustered.]

You don' need to-- why?

Voice;

[songofhappiness]

[ This is what friends do, Benny. That's why. ]

Come on, nobody has to know it's you until the big night! Nothing wrong with meeting someone new...or a couple of someones. It's all good, I am the best matchmaker.

[ She has high hopes. ]

Plus, new possible friends! What's not to like.

[ Now she's realizing he might be kinda mad about it, since no permission asked and all. ]

Voice;

[alldamned]

[No friends he's ever had before.]

Don't know if you've noticed, darlin', but I ain't so good at the people thing--

[He'd figured she would remember that much, but maybe her excellent self-control made it easy to forget that not everyone had such an easy time resisting temptation.]

Nobody's gonna wanna go on a date with me, anyway. 'fraid I'm a little too rough around the edges.

[It's hard to be mad, to be honest, but he heaves a sigh.]

[invisibilitea]

Oh! Oh I'll help!

[songofhappiness]

[ A kindred spirit, Caroline couldn't be more pleased. ]

Great! Got any suggestions for me? Or maybe you'd like to hang out with him sometime. [ Wink wink nudge nudge, he's a catch gurl. ]

[invisibilitea]

Oh, no, I've a boyfriend, but I could certainly ask around, couldn't I?

video;

[blackmagus]

[This response actually takes a bit to get going, because Fortescue has to stop chortling first in order to hit the button. And that takes a bit. She's still grinning as she finally manages to respond, sitting on her bed with Jazz in her lap, tail swishing over one of her legs.]

I didn't peg you as the type to have a grizzly who loves to cuddle, darling. Finding enough food for it must be a challenge.

[Yup, she sure is teasing her over that name.]

video;

[songofhappiness]

[ The response has Caroline grinning. An actual bear on a spaceship, that would be a disaster - not that vampires on a spaceship isn't that much better.

But hey, they're good vampires! As good as they can be. ]

What can I say, I'm full of surprises. He's pretty laid back about the food thing, so that helps. [ Her expression changes, giving Fortescue a sly look. ] You wanna sign on for a date night with the grizzly?

video;

[blackmagus]

[She shakes her head, grin turning shades of sardonic.]

Oh no, I'm not date material.

[Never mind the fact that she hasn't been on a real date in close to thirteen years. Fortescue's had to get close to many questionable people and been on outings with them that could be called a date, but that was her work. Going on an actual date means bringing something to the table, and all she feels she's good for is a little short-term fun. Calling that sort of thing a date is fooling yourself, she thinks.

That's how it's been. That's how it's going to stay. Gate knows, people like her don't deserve anything close to a happy ending. It's fine -- she's accepted it. Whatever tiny amounts of time people will give her, that's enough. All she deserves, and maybe more.]

I'm sure you'll find your friend someone fun. You do seem to have a knack for that kind of thing. Is that what you do for your friends at home?

[Possibly it's the whole ray-of-sunshine bit going on, but matchmaking seems right up her alley.]

[mspoots]

I might have a friend who could use a date. Tell me more about this guy.

[ Simmons could use a date, but not before Skye vets the guy. ]

[songofhappiness]

[ Yesss, this is her time to make her buddy look good. Not that it's hard to do, Caroline is super fond of him to begin with. ]

Well, he's from Louisiana. Used to work on boats for a while. [ In a sense that he was a vampirate but she'll keep those deets on the down low. It's all the in past anyway. ] Recently, he's been teaching me how to make gumbo, and seriously I was not joking about his cooking skills - they're great. Not to mention he's just a big ol' softy.

[ He is a catch, Skye, she promises. ]

Also, his beard is pretty great.

[mspoots]

How does he feel about scientists? My friend totally rocks the smart hottie thing.

[ Assuming this guy sounds good, it's not hard to talk up Simmons. She's smart and fun when she lets her hair down and Skye already knows that she must have broken a couple of hearts back at the academy. ]

video;

[songburdened]

[ Okay, usually, Elizabeth is fairly mature, but... the name has her smiling brightly, laughing behind a hand. ]

Oh, I'm sorry, but... "Huggy Bear?" Does your friend know you've given him a nickname?

video;

[songofhappiness]

He knows now. [ There's a slightly sheepish look on her face before her smile brightens. ] It's okay, its just a harmless nickname. They're not usually my thing, but I had to be all sneaky about it so nobody could guess who it is.

At least until the first date!

video.

[hedoniste]

Does he know you're doing this? ( whoever he is. this is adorable, also, but inquiring minds. )

video.

[songofhappiness]

He knows now.

[ There's a sheepish look on her face before she just shrugs and smiles. It's no biggie. ]

It's not like I'm advertising his personal details to any and all, so he's not like too mad about it. I call it a win.

[ And there is something oddly familiar about this woman's face...but for the life of her, she just can't place why. Not immediately, anyway. ]

video »

[skjalf]

( honestly, this sounds fabulous, and totally like something elizabeth would do for one of her friends or brothers, were she able. her answering smile is nothing short of impish. )

A certain friend of mine aboard this ship once told me that 'dating' is something only friends do. Is that true?

( she's already guessing it's not, but you know this is all in good fun, which she needs after last month. )

This man is fortunate to have such a good friend as you. But if his accent is as pleasant as you claim, I have no doubt that he will be able to charm any lady he wishes.

Especially if he makes use of it to recite a line or two of verse.

video »

[songofhappiness]

Not necessarily! Like in this case, with a blind date you don't really know much about the other person at all. Sometimes not even what they look like - it's all part of getting to know someone.

[ And it's something to do on this ship other than be homesick or miserable. Not to mention she's of the firm belief that Benny needs Friends anyway. ]

Sometimes it can turn into friendship, which is never a bad thing. [ Her smile brightens at the 'good friend' part. Yes, she is a great friend, thanks Elizabeth. ] I'm gonna have to see if he has any Shakespeare memorized or something.

text.

[sacrifica]

That time of year?
If you come for me next I'm not opening the door.

text.

[songofhappiness]

Oh no, your date for the holidays is already set.

It's me!

[ Holiday friend dates never forget. ]