video;

[scrubscrub]

Who: Koala and you.
Broadcast: Fleetwide.
Action: N/A unless you want to do ship stuff idk.
When: Today!! Or something.

[Hello everyone it's your fave weird smiling 11-year-old.]

I... just wanted to say — I did it, Mr. Greed! I finally got Top 10 in pinball, sir, just like you requested! [It's true, thanks to Han she's completely overtaken the scoreboards; hallelujah.] I, um, got all top 10 spots, too! Just in case you wanted me to have all ten... I'm sorry, my memory's a little fuzzy... I'm very sorry! But I did it. I'm glad I can finally move on to my next chore on my to-do list... I keep hearing these distant pinball machine noises in my head, b-but then I realize I'm just tired.

I didn't know games would be so hard! It was very frustrating... I almost frowned through it...

[She chucks very faintly, smiling wide.]

It's too bad that we're no longer near a planet. I-I think my crew would be very happy to have more games on board, like pinball. Or maybe better smelling clothing detergent. I like the kind that smells like flowers. I'll remember for the next place we stop by!

[AH, RIGHT. ANYWAY.]

Actually, I was... going to come on here for a request. If that's okay.

Ah. Well.

....

We need a new blender on the Huntress.

...

A-and if anyone has any spare table cloths, we could trade for those as well. There are large holes in the table currently.

...

And if anyone has something to help remove scorch marks...

[This ship is a f$%*ing mess.]

Comments

[theshabbiestofmen]

[He laughs-- not at her, simply pleased it's gone over so well. At her fingertips, the cat squirms, ears flicking as she stares at Koala.]

Not quite. But magic is my lifework.

[The other animals land at her feet, mingling. The dog butts his head against her foot, barking silently-- he wants attention too!]

[scrubscrub]

What a wonderful lifework to have, then...

[She beams a bit offering the dog some of her time as well.]

Do you entertain people with tricks often? If it's okay to ask; forgive my talkativeness!

1/2

[theshabbiestofmen]

[His stomach drops, but his smile doesn't flag.]

You can ask whatever you'd like.

[theshabbiestofmen]

[A beat, and then he remembers to actually answer.]

And, ah-- sometimes. My friend's cousin just had a baby, and I'm quite popular with her. She likes the cats best, I think.

[scrubscrub]

[UWAH.]

A baby!! I've never met a baby!

I mean, I've seen them, but I've never been close to one. I heard they smell nice.

...

I'm not very fond of crying, though.

[theshabbiestofmen]

[He huffs a laugh.]

They only cry when they need something. It's the only way they can communicate. If you think of it like it's their way of talking, it's a bit easier to bear.

Or at least, that's what I tell myself when I babysit my friend's son. They do smell nice, for the record.

[scrubscrub]

Ohhh...

... If babies don't know how to talk, does that mean they don't hear words in their heads?

[THIS IS A TROUBLING THOUGHT.]

[theshabbiestofmen]

[That's . . . a fairly good question. Remus blinks, thinking, and then, uncertainly--]

Well. Perhaps not? I mean, not the truly little ones. But they've thoughts, just-- ones composed of pure emotions.

[THAT SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT?]

[scrubscrub]

[man remus i'm stumped]

I... couldn't imagine...

And then -- when they learn words! They must think some words, but just have emotions other times?!

[theshabbiestofmen]

Probably. They probably find it relieving, to learn how to sort things out in their heads.

[In any case-- he twists his wand, letting the cat twist closer to her, the dog bark. A bird is added to the menagerie, hopping onto her leg.]