Here's to Dark Matter

"If I leave," Shane says, "he's going to get OUT."

Arguably, Gabe loose and crazy is probably worse than Gabe contained and crazy, but is he really going to calm down in there while he's still hunting that raccoon...? No. Might pass out, though, or at least wear himself out and be docile enough he snaps out of it, but either way...

But have to get through the harrowing pressure of it all right now.

"Okay. So leaving is not an option. Um, do you think he might tire himself out if we stay here long enough?

I don't want whatever is going on in there to get out.. and I can add some more force to make sure the door stays closed for a bit longer if you'll indulge me for a moment. "

THUD! CRASH! A faintly human howl, swear, and the shattering of glass follows, as well as a high pitched animal shriek.

"IT'S NO BIG DEAL! BECAUSE IT'S MY JOB!" From how wide Shane's eyes are, he's holding on by a thread. "It's my JOB to keep order at the pool."

Inside, Gabe's tussling with a three-legged raccoon that slipped into the locker room via an air vent. This creature falling on his head was enough to send him into a psychotic break.

But, of course, Shane isn't sharing that information right now...

Shane is all of 5 ft 9 and maybe 150 lbs soaking wet.

Is he even getting compensated for this? They aren't going to dwell on that at all.

Things are not fine and Atieno feels some obligation to at least step in and help keep the door close.

"The pool's closed."

The pool is not closed, but Shane is blocking the door, which he's likewise barricaded with multiple trashcans and a plank he's slipped through the door handles like he's barricading against a zombie horde. From the panicked look on his face, maybe he is...?

"Come back another-"

BANG! Something big and heavy hits that door...from the inside.

He blows his whistle as loudly as he can, as if that's going to drown out the first thump, and then the second.

"-DAY!"

That's enough for the entity to tense up - their sharp eyes gazing at him and whatever might be causing the sounds.

"...Okay. I mean. No swimming, but you dealing with that alone doesn't seem like a great idea. How long have you been ... hearing those uh sounds?"

since when have you stuck to a timetable?

you know I love you, but so help me, if you say another world before I've had coffee I will cut your throat. then I'll do it again.

you couldn't work those.

don't want the squad blowing in thinking we need a rescue

you see all this? jackpot.

do whatever you do to things like that. get the film or whatever. destroy it.

what you think you saw and what you saw, not the same thing.

she was smart. fearless. a fucking pit viper in a fight. never saw anyone quicker than her.

that much time together, you move past love and hate. you've got something else.

they discovered they couldn't die because they couldn't keep the other one dead.

either I'm getting slow, or the world is moving too fast.

everything happens for a reason. if a thousand years hasn't taught me that, I've learned nothing.

everyone thought you were dead, right?

you going to behave or do I have to shoot you again?

he better not be dead. I will be seriously pissed off if he's dead.

when the world was bigger, it was easier to avoid suspicion. then it got a whole lot fucking smaller.

you are a child. and your mocking is thus infantile.

his very thoughts make music of the mundane.

what happens when your employer's frustration inevitably outmatches his greed?

keeping in touch with your family risks exposing all of us.

they will ask you to share it with them. they will curse your name. they will beg, they will implore, and won't believe when you say you cannot help them.

in desperation, they will do things to forever taint your memory of them, and they will still die. and you will never forget what they became before they did.

time takes everything. time always wins. time is a motherfucker.

he made me feel alive again. he made me want to live again.

all you really need to know about me is that I'm very wealthy, and I got that way by being smart — and more importantly — ruthless.

I count my years in millennia. I speak almost every language on the planet and dozens that no one has heard in centuries.

there's hardly a weapon I can't use. I've forgotten more ways to kill a man than entire armies will ever learn.

I've gotten drunk on every continent, I've experienced it all, I have learned from it all.

and despite, or maybe because, of all that, I can lie to myself with the best of them.

any fall long enough that you can think about the fact you're still falling, is by definition, too far.

don't you fucking use my name, ____!

I owe you? you're pointing a fucking gun at me!

dialogue prompts from the first season of my adventures with superman.

how am i doing this?

i'm a normal man having a normal day, starting now.

i'm just gonna leave before this gets any worse. goodbye forever.

i can apologize, if it'll help.

you wouldn't have helped me if i'd told the truth.

i trusted you, and you used me.

i was being selfish.

i promise, from now on, no more secrets.

i need to find out who i am.

you don't think people will recognize me?

i barely recognize you.

why don't you just die already?

if i'm going down, i'm taking you with me.

i'm not here to hurt you. i'm here to help you.

it was something i ate. i'm feeling a lot better.

if it were in my power, i would do anything for you.

if you can't say something nice, come sit by me.

was that a smile?

this time, we have everything under control.

i heard you wanted an interview?

shut up. i'm about to be nice.

can we trust a stranger to help us for free?

the only person you can trust is yourself.

do they not teach you how to comfort people in _____?

sorry. your life seems hard.

you're afraid that i'm better than you.

is it that hard to believe that some people just want to help?

you know, when i was getting ready, i kept wondering if this counted as a date.

please don't threaten people. it's wrong.

i've spent all this time worrying about you, and this is how you're gonna play it?

a secret is another type of lie.

i don't know what we were going to be, but that's all over now.

how do you know how to track people through the woods?

you seem troubled about something. would you like to talk about it?

i'm tired of you not answering my questions.

when is a good time for the truth with you?

i know how it feels to be abandoned by people who are supposed to support you.

if someone cares for you, they want to know how you feel. you just need to speak your mind.

i didn't say anything because it seemed like a sensitive subject.

you've known this whole time? why didn't you tell me?

genius is never appreciated in its own time.

all i've ever wanted is to be normal.

you have no idea what you're dealing with, do you?

you're not okay.

i'm sorry i ruined our date.

you're not strong enough to best me.

your drama is too fun to miss.

if you want to be number one, you go for blood.

one day, i'm not going to be around to pull you out of trouble.

i doubted you when you needed me most.

i'm made for destruction.

you're not a weapon. you're a person.

it's what we choose to do that matters.

the world is better with you in it. my world is better with you in it.

i'm not like you. i'll never be like you.

you look familiar. have we met before?

how do you spend your time? any hobbies?

i'm not letting you sacrifice yourself to save us.

i love you, and i can't lose you.

i am doing this to protect me.

a series of randomly assorted headcanon questions for character development. feel free to adjust or expand on any questions when sending and specify muse if you're sending to a multi.

Mysterious Superbuble!

Astounding: N44 boasts a mysterious “superbubble” measuring 250 light-years across, hollowing out the center of the nebula.

Credit: NASA, ESA, V. Ksoll and D. Gouliermis (Universität Heidelberg), et al.; Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic Universit

Just as Clear was about to reply to Atieno, his mouth clamped shut when the shelf they were nearest began to rattle, as if a small, localized earthquake had begun to rock the earth. Interest piqued, he flitted away towards the source.

And as he did, like the blaring radar on a metal detector, it caused Clear to wince from the loud ringing that rattled his frame. Plucking a videotape, the unassuming jacket didn't announce the subject or anything. A soft sound of intrigue hummed in his throat.

They moved away from the shelf, making a point to stay close.

A definition ? What was hard to understand about "a good heart" ? It's a shame these people of late don't seem to understand, but such was to be expected for people who were new he supposed. It was easier with Mercury's regulars.

Not their fault people often used metaphors when it came to the notion of the 'good' in terms of hearts. But they weren't going to dwell on it, they needed information and if that meant a healthy heart, that was what was required.

It's frustrating having to deal with this sort of situation, but they probably know a few with regenerating healthy.. hearts they could ask a favor of. Make a trade for a trade for a trade.

Wasn't the first or last time that this would happen.

❝I see no heart.❞

No heart that he could claim, not one that his creator would enjoy anyhow. Not one that might work even for his creator, mortal as he was despite best efforts.

❝I have little interest in making grand deals on my time and money if there is no heart. I will be fair, as is the nature, but if you would like a better deal- bring me a good heart.❞

Then again, deals were always such peculiar and tricky situations and Atieno finds themself feeling a little exhausted just thinking about it. They probably could find a good heart with some effort.