[Newt had shifted from sad to sad and embarrassed, now that some time has passed from his kneejerk sad journal entry on the network; he does try to tell himself it was totally worth it, and y'know, maybe it was, but it was still kind of embarrassing in hindsight. (What, Newt Geiszler, being embarrassed about something in hindsight? It's more likely than you'd think.)
He's at least not a totally disheveled mess like he was the first night back, and as he opens the door he'd already been dressed up and ready to be a productive member of the station β one that hadn't been expecting company. As he looks between Rita and the cake, he's a little lost β
Oh. Oh!
And just like that, his expression brightens as he takes the gift in hand.]
Whoa, whoa! Wait β you made me a valentine's day present?
[This man has 6 PhDs, but apparently he needs the obvious reverified.]
[ rita knows that newt tries harder than just about anyone on this station. they'd only just met right after that incident on the train last year and she's seen him work tirelessly since then, on missions, between missions, making every effort to simply be the good guy newton geiszler that he is. and rita knows how that is, to put in the work, to want to do right by everyone. and witnessing the way he'd confessed to missing those that have left (even rita has had to swallow the sadness in the disappearance of a few friends), she can just imagine how much harder he's pushing himself even now.
so, of course, it hadn't taken her an extra thought to consider doing this for him, for all the aforementioned reasons as well as a few unmentioned ones.
when he takes the cake, her smile only widens, laughing a little at his surprise. ]
Well, of course I did. It's only appropriate to supply some form of chocolate when you ask someone to be your valentine, isn't it? It's tradition.
[He leans in and out, planting a big excitable smooch on the cheek along the way, and studies the little creation with a big grin.]
You're the best! I can't believe you made this from scratch; you'd never want any kinda valentine from me made from scratch in a kitchen, trust me. [No, wait, he's getting ahead of himself β with a sudden revelation, he looks up again.] Hang on, I didn't get you anything back; you've gotta give me time to get you something in return! What kind of loser doesn't return someone's valentine with another?
[ she reacts to the sudden kiss to her cheek with a quick surprised oh! and an immediate laugh that follows, endeared by his grinning response, which seems to confirm she did good on her gift choice. ]
Oh, pish posh! You don't need to worry about that. This was just something I threw together, anyway. [ although she loves gifts, so she won't argue too much about it.
but after consideration, she adds, ]
I was thinking that β well, maybe we could spend some time together. Nothing extravagant. We could just throw on some of those old monster movies you like. It's been a while since we've gotten to do something, just you and I and β
[ she presses her lips together. she thinks again of their departing friends over time, even beyond the recent losses. she wonders if billy is still as pissed off at home at he was here. or if clarice found herself a good spa to relax in. or if rosinante made it back safely without tripping over his own feet. newt's recent words made it all the more real how so much of this is uncertain. ]
Truth be told, your company is the best gift you can give.
[ And I don't know anymore what moment could be our last, she doesn't say, making sure to quiet herself down before those thoughts could slip freely. ]
[It's something he's tried not to say, either. That any moment could be the last time they see each other. It's not something that was on the forefront of his mind back home -- not that he didn't have it happen when they lost soldiers, lost jaeger pilots in the middle of a big fight. But he was k-sci, and he was 'other' a lot of the time. He got along with some of them, but... you're just not from the same circles. In truth, it wasn't until the Ximilia that he realized how especially fragile the little system they lived in was.
He perks up at the idea of just β hanging out.
It's a good way to keep yourself occupied. It's also a good way to enjoy time with someone you really care about. Two birds, one stone. He grins and holds up the present.]
Only if we share this while we hang out. I definitely shouldn't eat a whole cake in one sitting.
... Besides that, I think I need continued lessons in some classic hollywood cinema. Know anybody who'd be a total pro at teaching?
[ things had always moved differently for her back home, time especially. rita had spent over a decade alone in the manor before the chief had introduced her to larry and it was another before jane had come along, with both she and the chief coming in and out so often, disappearing for years at a time, that it all just became normal.
but the people here aren't like the members of the doom patrol (and chief β chief is gone now, with any remaining angry words she'd never said to him, never having the chance to be spoken again). not all of them have bodies meant to last forever, and not all of them can come and go onto the station as they please. whatever time they have, it's fleeting. and rita, who had become so used to stretching a single moment of time over the span of years, had to learn all over again what it meant for each second to matter. to take each one and make the most of it.
newt's shown her much of that, the way he treats everything he looks at like he's staring at an entire world, every molecule and every atom (ohh, his science talk is even getting to her, too, isn't it) encapsulating something that's entirely important just for existing. while rita had spent years turning away from everything with indifference, he seemed to do the exact opposite.
she smiles with his agreement, laughing again as he raises the cake. ]
I'd hardly judge you if you did, since I certainly could, but I'm happy to contribute. [ because she definitely could eat a cake in one sitting and more.
with a hum, she pretends to consider his question with a thoughtful expression. ]
I might have someone in mind who knows a thing or two. Though I should warn you, she's a bit of a snob. You put her in a few movies and suddenly, she thinks she's God's gift to the MGM lot. [ is it rita farr? it's rita farr. ] Do you think you can handle someone like her?
[The amount of food both of them could put away in one sitting is a little nightmarish. We shan't dwell on it too much. Well, unless Rita shows up with whole rotisserie chickens and pies, then we're in for it.
Puffing up his chest a little, he beams:]
I'm a total science snob, so I'm pretty sure I can handle it. Comes with the territory, and all... And that just means he's got more in common with this other snob, right? They'll be two peas in a pod.
[It'll be a lovely, snobby little valentine's day. Belatedly.]
[ she could bring out the whole chickens, if asked, but she'll maintain a sense of self-control with her appetite for the time being. ]
Ah! Artistic snob meets scientific snob. They really do make quite the pair, don't they?
[ rita might not have guessed originally that they actually would be more alike in some ways than she might have realized. not on that day they'd huddled on the kitchen floor and ate rocky road together for the first time. ]
But that means you'll have to teach me a thing or two, too. Did I ever tell you I was a scientist's assistant once? Not even in a role. I'm talking actual Rita Farr. I used to help the Chief in all kinds of experiments. My friend, Cliff, was nothing but a brain once, and I was there to aid in crafting a robot body for him to move around and live in. You could use a gal like me.
[Oh, Rita Farr, don't you get him started on science.]
No way. I made a robot body, too! I mean, I had a little help, but β did you know I made Viv's old body? I'm not sure if that was... No, that was definitely way before you came to the station. It was super old and her newer body was way better, but... y'know, I'm still pretty proud of it! It even hovered, so she didn't have to clunk around on metal legs.
[Oh, he would absolutely love to have Rita has an assistant while he builds things.
... And also, because he just wants to have her company.]
That was you? I hadn't been around long for it but I remember the body switch.
[ around that time where everyone argued whether to steal it. she remembers. ]
The hovering was a solid idea. You don't know how many times I've been woken up in the middle of the night because Cliff decided to stomp around just to get from one side of the house to the other.
[ though she complains, she does miss cliff. she misses him, just as she misses the rest of her friends.
but she gives newt a fond smile, nodding as she hums in thought. ]
As well, you should be proud. Because that sounds just like something you'd do. Finding ways to make things easier and better for other people.
Yeaaah... I might've been a little jealous of how awesome the newer body was...
[The energy of that reply is on par with a kid kicking a can around.
Wait, though. More important things to focus on. He immediately perks up at the compliment β and in this moment, without having to think twice for once, he actually believes what she says. Maybe he shouldn't let it get to his head, but... nurturing his pride back to health isn't such a bad thing.]
Hey, you're not so bad at it yourself, y'know. Trying to make things easier and better for people? You're doing it right now.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
He's at least not a totally disheveled mess like he was the first night back, and as he opens the door he'd already been dressed up and ready to be a productive member of the station β one that hadn't been expecting company. As he looks between Rita and the cake, he's a little lost β
Oh. Oh!
And just like that, his expression brightens as he takes the gift in hand.]
Whoa, whoa! Wait β you made me a valentine's day present?
[This man has 6 PhDs, but apparently he needs the obvious reverified.]
no subject
so, of course, it hadn't taken her an extra thought to consider doing this for him, for all the aforementioned reasons as well as a few unmentioned ones.
when he takes the cake, her smile only widens, laughing a little at his surprise. ]
Well, of course I did. It's only appropriate to supply some form of chocolate when you ask someone to be your valentine, isn't it? It's tradition.
no subject
[He leans in and out, planting a big excitable smooch on the cheek along the way, and studies the little creation with a big grin.]
You're the best! I can't believe you made this from scratch; you'd never want any kinda valentine from me made from scratch in a kitchen, trust me. [No, wait, he's getting ahead of himself β with a sudden revelation, he looks up again.] Hang on, I didn't get you anything back; you've gotta give me time to get you something in return! What kind of loser doesn't return someone's valentine with another?
no subject
Oh, pish posh! You don't need to worry about that. This was just something I threw together, anyway. [ although she loves gifts, so she won't argue too much about it.
but after consideration, she adds, ]
I was thinking that β well, maybe we could spend some time together. Nothing extravagant. We could just throw on some of those old monster movies you like. It's been a while since we've gotten to do something, just you and I and β
[ she presses her lips together. she thinks again of their departing friends over time, even beyond the recent losses. she wonders if billy is still as pissed off at home at he was here. or if clarice found herself a good spa to relax in. or if rosinante made it back safely without tripping over his own feet. newt's recent words made it all the more real how so much of this is uncertain. ]
Truth be told, your company is the best gift you can give.
[ And I don't know anymore what moment could be our last, she doesn't say, making sure to quiet herself down before those thoughts could slip freely. ]
no subject
He perks up at the idea of just β hanging out.
It's a good way to keep yourself occupied. It's also a good way to enjoy time with someone you really care about. Two birds, one stone. He grins and holds up the present.]
Only if we share this while we hang out. I definitely shouldn't eat a whole cake in one sitting.
... Besides that, I think I need continued lessons in some classic hollywood cinema. Know anybody who'd be a total pro at teaching?
no subject
but the people here aren't like the members of the doom patrol (and chief β chief is gone now, with any remaining angry words she'd never said to him, never having the chance to be spoken again). not all of them have bodies meant to last forever, and not all of them can come and go onto the station as they please. whatever time they have, it's fleeting. and rita, who had become so used to stretching a single moment of time over the span of years, had to learn all over again what it meant for each second to matter. to take each one and make the most of it.
newt's shown her much of that, the way he treats everything he looks at like he's staring at an entire world, every molecule and every atom (ohh, his science talk is even getting to her, too, isn't it) encapsulating something that's entirely important just for existing. while rita had spent years turning away from everything with indifference, he seemed to do the exact opposite.
she smiles with his agreement, laughing again as he raises the cake. ]
I'd hardly judge you if you did, since I certainly could, but I'm happy to contribute. [ because she definitely could eat a cake in one sitting and more.
with a hum, she pretends to consider his question with a thoughtful expression. ]
I might have someone in mind who knows a thing or two. Though I should warn you, she's a bit of a snob. You put her in a few movies and suddenly, she thinks she's God's gift to the MGM lot. [ is it rita farr? it's rita farr. ] Do you think you can handle someone like her?
no subject
Puffing up his chest a little, he beams:]
I'm a total science snob, so I'm pretty sure I can handle it. Comes with the territory, and all... And that just means he's got more in common with this other snob, right? They'll be two peas in a pod.
[It'll be a lovely, snobby little valentine's day. Belatedly.]
no subject
Ah! Artistic snob meets scientific snob. They really do make quite the pair, don't they?
[ rita might not have guessed originally that they actually would be more alike in some ways than she might have realized. not on that day they'd huddled on the kitchen floor and ate rocky road together for the first time. ]
But that means you'll have to teach me a thing or two, too. Did I ever tell you I was a scientist's assistant once? Not even in a role. I'm talking actual Rita Farr. I used to help the Chief in all kinds of experiments. My friend, Cliff, was nothing but a brain once, and I was there to aid in crafting a robot body for him to move around and live in. You could use a gal like me.
no subject
No way. I made a robot body, too! I mean, I had a little help, but β did you know I made Viv's old body? I'm not sure if that was... No, that was definitely way before you came to the station. It was super old and her newer body was way better, but... y'know, I'm still pretty proud of it! It even hovered, so she didn't have to clunk around on metal legs.
[Oh, he would absolutely love to have Rita has an assistant while he builds things.
... And also, because he just wants to have her company.]
no subject
[ around that time where everyone argued whether to steal it. she remembers. ]
The hovering was a solid idea. You don't know how many times I've been woken up in the middle of the night because Cliff decided to stomp around just to get from one side of the house to the other.
[ though she complains, she does miss cliff. she misses him, just as she misses the rest of her friends.
but she gives newt a fond smile, nodding as she hums in thought. ]
As well, you should be proud. Because that sounds just like something you'd do. Finding ways to make things easier and better for other people.
no subject
[The energy of that reply is on par with a kid kicking a can around.
Wait, though. More important things to focus on. He immediately perks up at the compliment β and in this moment, without having to think twice for once, he actually believes what she says. Maybe he shouldn't let it get to his head, but... nurturing his pride back to health isn't such a bad thing.]
Hey, you're not so bad at it yourself, y'know. Trying to make things easier and better for people? You're doing it right now.