[SUBNAUTICA - IC CONTACT]

[oneandmikleonly]

action 💧 telepathy 💧 message

Comments

[superseding]

[ SHE DOESN'T THINK SHE DID MUCH?

It's going to be a surprise hug unless Mikleo is holding something. She's loitering in the hallway to make it easier for him to find her. ]

Okay?

[oneandmikleonly]

[you don't need to do much to get a hug!11

anyway she does have some warning because he's still holding one of the origami cats; she can watch it approach '-' the sensation of the invisible hug might still be surprising, though]

[superseding]

Mikle— oh!

[ The hug stuns her, but she returns the hug shyly. It's not a reaction she imagined at all, and she feels her happiness glow. She laughs quietly. ]

I was worried the gift bothered you.

[oneandmikleonly]

Of course not! It's wonderful. Thank you, Hotaru.

[she can hear his smile, even if she can't see it.]

[superseding]

[ Hearing it makes her smile bright. ]

I'm glad. I saw that you liked cats when Dirk announced the cat application, and um... [ Well, she isn't sure what else she could give as a gift because while she knows Mikleo is a nerd who likes to make nerdy dissertations, she's not sure what kind of gift would be an easy to make and represent that. She also didn't want to duplicate the gifts she gave to people. ]

You've supported me a lot since the beginning, and I wanted to show how much that means to me somehow.

[oneandmikleonly]

[she can't see how he's holding it, but she can at least tell he's being very careful with it -- no extra bends or creases in the paper are appearing that shouldn't be there. he'll treasure it.]

It's--very sweet of you. Though, I wouldn't say I've been the only one doing the supporting, you know!

[superseding]

What? What have I done?

[ She's honestly at a loss. She's always felt she's received more than she's given. ]

[oneandmikleonly]

You've always been doing your best, haven't you? To help and support others, working in the medbay and thinking about what you can do, going for supplies even when you get tired -- reaching out to people and being honest when you have a problem. It's admirable.

[superseding]

[ Hotaru covers her face with hands. Her cheeks are really very warm. ]

Mikleo.... You're going to make me cry.

[oneandmikleonly]

I--I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--

[MAKING HOTARU SAD IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT HE WANTED oh no, a misunderstanding]

[superseding]

[ Oh, that gets Hotaru to laugh a little. She drops her hands and makes sure he can see her smile. ]

N-No, I'm sorry. I meant your words made me happy enough to want to cry. I'm... touched. Deeply. That you would think so nicely of me.

[oneandmikleonly]

[OH. whew. sounds a little abashed when he speaks next, though with a bit of a laugh, ruffling her hair]

My mistake--but, I do mean it. You're amazing yourself. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[superseding]

[ She beams a little when he ruffles her hair--and beams brighter at his words.

It's a little hard when that anyone can include herself, but his sentiment moves her. ]

Mm. I've been trying to be better about that lately. It's a little easier these days, the more time I spend with you and the others. You inspire hope.