text, un: bowtiesaresupercool

[mmiab]

Hello, everyone.

[ a little wave from a man who's smiling happily enough - a bit subdued, perhaps, but that's to be expected given the subject matter. ]

It's been a tough month, eh? I just wanted to say a huge well done to those of you who fought for a cure - it's extraordinary that you were able to create one in the time you did from entirely foreign components. I'm glad that our hosts are recognising the effort.

Everyone else, well done to you, too. Whatever you were doing, this has been a stressful situation and you made it out the other side, and that's worth a pat on the back if you ask me.

[ patron... ising??? it doesn't look like he's trying to be, voice soft and warm and earnest. what's visible of the background seems to be cool, stark metal: a glimpse of a glass window bathed in a glow of light coming from within. the ship. stasis chamber. ]

Off the back of that, if anyone fancies, I'll be offering free hugs for the rest of the month. Courtesy of me, while stocks last. Just give me a ring, I'll come and find you.

—Yeah, that's it. ... See you, then.

[ and, with a tiny salute, he's out. ]

Comments

video; un: eproghuefgdzptrrw

[vorrutyer]

Ooh, I'd like one.

1/2 (not here)

[mmiab]

video

[mmiab]

Well, luckily for you, you're my first customer.

[vorrutyer]

Oh, how marvelous. Are you going to take a picture of me and hang it on your wall to commemorate my patronization? Er - patronage. Sorry, dear man, I misspoke.

video | un: princess.mipha

[fisherwife]

[She's not sure how to respond for a long moment; there's something still a little...sad about him.] Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad I was able to help find a cure, for everyone's sake.

[A pause and she adds gently:] Are you offering hugs because you're in need of one as well?

[mmiab]

[ deep!!! inhalation!!! keep it chilly, Doctor ]

If you like. Unfortunately I'm between business places, so I'm not sure I've got a wall to hang it on, but I can always keep it for later.

Video

[priorly]

You should come back down. Free hugs are a thing just now.

[vorrutyer]

I have a neat solution. Get it tattooed on the back of your hand. That way I'll always be with you, whenever you look down. Hm?

[mmiab]

—Ah. [ ah. a... laugh. ] Am I that transparent? Oops.

[mmiab]

Really? And here I thought I being original.

[mmiab]

Now, wouldn't that be a gift.

As much as I'd love to, I feel it might upset the apple cart a bit. I'd have to start getting everyone's faces tattooed somewhere, and I've only got so much surface area. Might have to put a pin in that brilliant suggestion.

[vorrutyer]

Or you could gain an enormous amount of weight. Or I could just be special to you.

[mmiab]

I'm a businessman, Byerly. A purveyor of hugs. I'm afraid I can't keep favourites.

video (id: blacksquadron)

[xwings]

I think we could all use a few hugs.

[ to celebrate. or because of the losses they've suffered, personally and collectively. poe recognises that spot on the station. ]

voice » un: killjoy

[motivation]

And what's a hug supposed to do?

[ almost a genuine question, even if it's sardonically drawled. ]

[mmiab]

I'm glad you agree. [ there's an unspoken thanks in there, left hanging in the nod he gives, an extra quirk to his smile. ] Nothing a good hug can't fix, at least while it's happening.

[vorrutyer]

Ah, capitalism. Turning every hug consumer into a faceless nobody. Tell me, what is the value of a hug if it's cold as ice, dear Doctor?

[mmiab]

What's a hug supposed to do? What can't a hug do is the better question. Answer of course being that there are a lot of things a hug can't do, but what they can do is give you a little lift. Safe things, hugs. A bit of comfort.

[fisherwife]

[Mipha smiles, as gentle as her voice was a moment before] Only a little. It's alright to ask for support too, especially in times like this.

We don't know each other, but I can offer one if you'd like.

[mmiab]

No, see, I keep my hugs warm despite the chill. Just because it's frozen, doesn't mean it won't taste good after a spell in the oven.

[ ????? uhm? ]

[vorrutyer]

[ What. ]

Sorry, dear fellow, I don't understand what you mean. You see, I've never done anything as common as using an oven.

[mmiab]

That's kind of you. I'll gladly accept, so long as you're happy to receive one at the same time.

[ a mischievous quirk to his slightly muted smile: that's how hugs work, he knows it, but he's never been terribly good at being the centre of attention when he's at anything less than his best ]

— You're very beautiful, by the way. [ is that a weird thing to say before an anonymous hug meet up?? probably. he doesn't seem to notice. ] Do you mind if I ask your species?

[motivation]

Not if whoever you're hugging is carrying a knife.

[ sorry, doc. but after a moment, dutch's tone softens. ] Hope you get many takers.

[mmiab]

[ whatever his metaphor may or may not have been, it spontaneously combusts into a bewildered scoff the second after that finishes coming out of Byerly's mouth ]

Pardon?

[xwings]

I'll do you one better than agree, buddy. Why don't you come down here and we'll do two hugs, one from you and one from me.