driftfleet | one ✘ the cold never bothered me anyway

Who: Hans & you!
Broadcast: Video
Action: N
When: December 21

[ Feeling a little cooped up on his ship, Hans had anticipated his first planetary visit. Needless to say, when he finds himself coming down with an illness after one day on the icy rock, he's more than a bit put-out.

He had the usual cold symptoms. Shouldn't it be gone by now? And yet, it isn't, and he's had just about enough of sniffling like a child and sleeping away time better spent elsewhere.

As such, it's time to reach out - and, perhaps, score a few sympathy points in the meantime. In spite of his red nose and congested voice, Hans doesn't miss the opportunity to flash a smile at the screen. ]

Pardon me for the interruption. I know everyone's quite preoccupied with visiting this delightful planet [ because it's so charming, it's snow and ice, he loves snow and ice, except for the part where he hates it ] but I've been feeling under the weather lately, and I was hoping someone could suggest a remedy. The usual tricks just don't seem to quite cut it.

[ It's not as if he's been reckless with his health! He has been trying to get better, resting, eating and drinking well, keeping warming, and yet? ] Anything you can offer in the way of advice, or even medical aid would be much appreciated.

If we haven't formally met, my apologies. My name is Hans. Thank you so much for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah, skiing? I don't believe I'm familiar with it. As far the the festivals go - well, it's not hard to imagine a very unique culture coming from these kinds of conditions.

Oh! It's a winter sport where you balance on two long skinny boards and then with two poles for balance and navigation, you use the boards to go across the snow, usually down a slope.

[ ...That sounds quite uncomfortable. ]

And people subject themselves to that for recreation?

[Beverly laughs.]

Like I said, I don't personally enjoy it myself, but lots of people do love to ski, crazy at it sounds.

It must be an acquired taste. I wouldn't mind seeing it in action, however. Is it much of a spectator sport?

It can be! There are competitions and everything, though I don't know how common that is around here.

A competition to see who can glide faster on two long, skinny boards in the snow?

[ You have to admit, it sounds comical. ]

[Another chuckle.] Well when you put it that way, of course it sounds strange. But it's been a sport on my Earth for centuries, so I suppose I've never really thought of it as anything that odd.

I'm certain there would be plenty of things from my culture you might find odd as well. There's so many different perspectives represented in the fleet. It's really fascinating.

[ An absolute truth. ]

I think so too! Learning about other cultures and ideas has been a rewarding aspect of this... venture, even if we aren't here voluntarily.

[About the most good she's ever going to say about Atroma.]

There are some unexpected positive side-effects to being kidnapped, aren't there? [ He chuckles. ] Tell me, what's the most fascinating culture you've observed during your stay with the fleet?

Hmm...

Has anyone told you about the Nunnalis yet?

No, I don't believe they have. Would you mind...?

No, not at all. It’s probably important for you to know anyway: we first encountered them under some tragic circumstances and they’re the reason we now have the Iskaulit. The ship originally belonged to a Nunnalis crew who were infected by a deadly fungus that robbed them of their free will and turned them violent. We were too late to save them, but we did find a Nunnalis colony soon after, and were able to cure them provide them with a cure.

[Her tone had been serious, quietly respectful, for those who had passed. But now, her voice warms a little as she talks about the people she met on the blue planet.]

They're a wonderful people, so open and honest, and they love to learn. They share their minds with one another, a little like an ant colony, but there's no hierarchy that I could see, and they still have some sense of individuality. Some of them live here on this planet too, if you wanted to talk to them yourself.

[ Well, a deadly fungus is more than a little alarming to a man who caught an illness on a foreign planet, but at least his symptoms don't seem to be turning him violent. ]

So they could read one another's thoughts? [ His tone is thoughtful, though he can imagine few things less appealing. ] And they were able to live in harmony, in spite of that?

[ Hm. On second thought, maybe he shouldn't have asked that. ]

[That earns him a slight frown, but honestly she doesn't read too much into the question, not for now.]

Perhaps it is because they are all so interconnected that they do - harmony is more imperative to a society if everyone knows what everyone else is thinking, or nothing will get done. Besides, you're looking at it from a human point of view. If suddenly we all woke up tomorrow sharing a collective mind, of course it would cause chaos. We don't know how to be that way. But for the Nunnalis, they've been like this for perhaps millions of years, so it isn't anything unusual for them. In fact, they find us fascinating, because of our single minds and what they see as secretive natures.

I suppose when you put it like that, my outlook must sound pretty limited. [ A tired laugh. ] I still have much to learn about what's beyond my home, but I'd imagine that's true for most everyone here.

[She nods and gives him an understanding smile.] It's already hard enough understanding other human cultures. Once you throw in alien physiology too, things get really complicated. Honestly, the only reason I understand the mind-sharing of the Nunnalis better now is because I was once telepathically linked with someone else for a time.

Is that so? [ The curiosity in his tone may sound a little forced - or maybe it just his sore throat acting up! ] I imagine that would be a task to get used to. Were all of your thoughts shared, or only the ones you wanted to share?

We could try to suppress certain thoughts but it was... difficult to do. Usually the more you try not to think about something the more you end up thinking about it anyway.

[Her voice goes soft.]

It is not an experience I regret, however. I believe it only strengthened our friendship. There are few people I trust more than him.

[ Wise, and true. Hans was good at controlling his thoughts, but all the same, it wasn't a position he ever wanted to find himself in. ]

Would you do it again, then if you could? Link your thoughts to another if it meant strengthening the bond between you?

[That... Is a very good question.]

Perhaps. I would not want that to be a permanent state of affairs, mind you, and not have forced on me again, but, with the right person... I would consider it, yes.

Fascinating. I can't say I would agree with you, but then again, it's not a question I've ever had to consider before.

I don’t blame you - I would only choose to do it with a select few people. It's no easy experience.

Few things that are worthwhile are easy, really.

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