video

[sos_pilot]

[ The video is late at night - not too late to wake a bunch of people up, but it's definitely different than Della's usual videos where it's an earlier time. Not to mention she kinda... looks like hell. Bags under her eyes, all the usual signs of exhaustion - but it's more than that. She actually looks emotionally beat up. ]

... Hey, guys. I figured I owed a bunch of you an explanation about my behavior last mission. Look, I know a lot of the time I'm all "woo, adventure, let's beat up monsters, yeah!" everywhere we go, but last time I was more... out of control. Not listening to anyone, still trying to fight even when I was literally falling apart... and I am sorry. I shouldn't have to make you guys worry more than you already have to, especially in the middle of a dangerous fight.

... Here's the deal. All of you are amazing, you have to know that on some level. You've got super powers, you've got metal bodies, you've got magic, and even of those of you who are about to say "Oh, I'm just some ordinary human" - you're not. So many of you have amazing abilities with your weapons, brilliant minds that have led kingdoms and companies, you're all wonderful, and should be so proud of yourself. I'm proud of each and every single one of you.

... And all I can do is land a solid punch every now and then. Back home, I... I was on a team. My family. They all had their own special talents too, and when I finally came home, maybe some part of me wondered... if they really needed me after all, since they'd done so well without me for ten years. And now, here I am, and I can't even do the one thing I at least KNOW I'm good at, being a pilot. Here, I'm just... me.

[ She sighs, taking off her pilot's cap to run a hand through her hair. ]

Dang, I didn't mean to ramble. Just... I'm sorry. I'll try to make sure it won't happen again.

... 'Night, guys.

[ For anyone wanting to check in on her, she can be found in the lower-carriage of the library, wordlessly thumbing through her copy of the Junior Woodchuck Guide, though not really reading it. ]

Comments

[sos_pilot]

I've got three - they're triplets. Huey, Dewey, and Louie!

[yondu]

Good lord, woman. Three of 'em? How the hell you even alive no more?

I just had the one an' I'm pretty sure he about killed me a dozen times or more.

[sos_pilot]

Well, I've got help. We live with my Uncle Scrooge, my brother Donald, and we've got a housekeeper and a butler, plus friends, plus other employees... we're all a big team.

[yondu]

That sure would make it easier.

[He just had his crew. His jealous damn crew what could tell he favored Peter over them. Honestly, he should have done it more openly and culled their numbers outright. But that's a thought for another time.]

Guess you're used to people countin' on ya for a whole lot. You work as a big team? Even for somethin' like raisin' some boys, you get yourself all wrapped up in that dynamic. Sorta sucks when that dynamic shifts an' you don't know where you stand no more.

You done much with Blue or Orange teams? I mean, not to be insultin' at all, but if you're a ma an' you're pretty good at challenges, maybe you oughta switch out when you can tell the fightin's gonna be bad. I mean, real bad. 'Cause I'm real good at fightin' but even I was missin' my old team out there.

[sos_pilot]

... To be honest, I've stuck on fighting Purple for cowardly reasons. I tell people so it's not like I'm showing favoritism, but... it's really more... the fear of being proven right that I can't do more than I already have.

[yondu]

Well I ain't gonna fault ya. Ever'body got somethin' to prove and it ain't really cowardly, just means somethin's goin' on with ya.

[He's got plenty of shit he still has to prove and at least it doesn't stick to just his team. A lot of problematic shit.]

But Blue team is full of a whole buncha kids, a whole lot of 'em that need a li'l' help sometimes. I barely did any fightin' last go around because I knew they'd be alone with a bunch of adults that might not pay 'em no mind. Save for a few other adult blue team folks anyway.

So if the fightin' is bad on Purple sometime an' you ain't rigged for it, then I'd consider helpin' out one of us.

[sos_pilot]

[ Oh yeah, it's def the kids that are gunna pull her in. Smart move, Yondu. ]

... It's not a half-bad idea. I'll definitely think about it...

... Thank you. I mean it.

[yondu]

[As bad as much of his crew could be, he did have a hefty number of them, including Kraglin, who could summon up a good hearty 'go get 'em cap'n' when he needed it. Sometimes crew needs encouragement. Even if he's used to a harder, rougher kind.]

Better'n leavin' out somebody valuable even if they're convinced otherwise.

[sos_pilot]

Heh heh. I'll try to remember that.

... I think we're even on the bade deal now.