in the aching night under satellites i was not received

[shrinkage]

Who: Ray Palmer and friends (that means you, sorry!)
Where: Anywhere you'd like!
When: 1-Aug
Rating: PG-13
Summary: After returning from home, Ray re-adjusts to Wonderland from a "normal" perspective.
The Story:

OPEN

[ ray misjudges everything, now. descending the stairs tends to send him flying in a tumble a few floors past where he'd wanted to stop off. he keeps forgetting that he definitely can drink an entire latte. there's this ongoing issue he has with the height of doors that requires quick resolution lest his forehead bear a permanent bruise for the rest of his days…

so when he bumps into you, it may seem like it's with malicious intent or the result of willful oblivion but immediately, he jumps to apologize: ]

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! [ did he just say gosh? who is this guy, jimmy fallon? ] Are you OK?

Comments

[shrinkage]

I think it's an amalgam of factors. Time, what you have, what you talk about. You know, since there are movers and shakers in the upper crust of society in these parts.

[ where's that darned dainty lace fan he should be fluttering in his face??? he picks up that tray of sandwiches to hold toward caitlin so that she can choose first. it's high tea, and he's got to mind his manners, you know! ]

[trigeminalheadache]

So... are we part of that upper crust?

[ Her tone and expression would betray her doubt about any such inclusion. The upper crust would just mean the Queen and all of those royal characters mentioned in the books, wouldn't it? No matter. She hasn't ever wanted to be part of that life.

She takes a couple of sandwiches from the tray, putting them on her plate with a nod of thanks. While he's picking his sandwiches, she picks up the delicate-looking teapot and pours herself a cup. ]

I mean, I don't think they'd let us be upper crust here.

[shrinkage]

No way. I think we're below the help, actually.

[ ray finds moving opposite caitlin quite easy and natural. his own sandwiches chosen, he holds his cup out toward her as she pours with an entreating smile, eyebrows raised in a silent beg for his own tea to be poured. ]

Besides, the last time I tried to make friends with the Duchess she about bit my head off. Probably literally...

[trigeminalheadache]

Far below the help, probably.

[ Caitlin shifts her hold on the teapot, putting a hand on its lid, as she reaches out to pour for Ray. She keeps her eye on the cup, making sure to not overfill it. Into her own cup, she adds cream and sugar. ]

I'm not sure I'd try to make friends with any of the residents. Seems a bit hazardous overall. Basing things off the story, I mean. [ After a moment's hesitation, she continues. ] How was the trip back home? I mean, did much change? I never realized, but how far apart are you and Snart in the timeline>?

[shrinkage]

We're chronologically closer now than before I left.

[ ray's own tea stays black, and he blows on it between words. his thoughts drift to the major changes caitlin's asking after, and for once in his blessed life ray finds it within him to keep his big mouth shut about things he has no responsibility sharing. he immediately jumps to kendra-- but keeps from sharing exactly why that might be. ]

Well, one change isn't really mine to talk about-- but Kendra finally fully emerged, and we were sort of able to save Carter, even though Savage murdered him in our time line?

[trigeminalheadache]

[ It shouldn't, but hearing there's something that he can't or won't talk about just piques her curiosity further. Caitlin may be intrigued, but not enough to push. If it isn't his to talk about, then it isn't hers to know about either, and she can respect that.

She'll just have to take what "gossip" she can get.

Carefully, she taps her spoon against the rim of her cup before settling it in the saucer. ]

Wait. [ She holds up a hand as she tries to parse what he's told her. ] Savage murdered Carter, but he's still alive? Or, alive now. And as Carter, not as his next reincarnation?

[ Just when she think she's getting the hang of this stuff, there's another curveball. ]

[shrinkage]

Whoa, that was really on the nose.

[ or are you a psychic? please be psychic. that would be super cool. cooler than telepathic which would be kind of weird -- though, admittedly easier... ]

That's what I meant by sort of. He's technically from the future, actually.

[ ray then shoves one corner of a cucumber sandwich into his mouth, to keep from fidgeting. ]