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

[scrubscrub]

Oh, only just recently! Before I wasn't allowed to leave the premises. But I remember sailing with my - with my father. On his boat, sometimes. I really enjoyed it. D-do you know how the ocean smells?

[bryces_pup]

[Her heart aches for the little girl. It doesn't sound like she's had the easiest life; no child should be constrained to any premises. Her smile is sweet as she speaks.]

That sounds like a lovely memory. And I do, in fact! My home was a city on the coast called Highever. Sometimes I liked to sneak onto the docks and watch the ocean, or watch the sailors work on their ships.

[scrubscrub]

Ah, yes!! I enjoyed watching people fish! My world has islands everywhere, so it's always been a life near the ocean.

[bryces_pup]

Me too! And seeing what all they brought in and listening to them brag about it. Fisherman are such a fun but ridiculous lot.

[She tilts her head.]

All islands? No large continents or mainland?

[scrubscrub]

Only one that I've been to! It's very common, for there to be many, many islands.

That's why most sail! We have many pirates.

[bryces_pup]

I wish I could visit. I've never been to an island. [And despite being on the coast, she's only been on a ship a handful of times in her life.]

Oh, I can imagine. I hope you never had to meet any. They can be quite vicious from what I hear. [She's only had experience with one and that was... not a conventional encounter, let's just say.]

[scrubscrub]

[Oh, that gets a giggle out of her.]

I've met them! They can be scary, but they're really not that bad.

They're gonna take me home!

[bryces_pup]

[Kind-hearted pirates? ...well, Riona's heard of stranger things.]

That's very good of them to bring you home. [She grins.] Well, if they're not too bad, then perhaps being on a pirate ship might be kind of fun. Do they have peg legs and eyepatches?

[scrubscrub]

Not really a lot of that, miss, no!

But they were fishmen. They had gills and many arms and shark teeth. And fins!

[bryces_pup]

[Blink.]

Are many people from your world like that?

[scrubscrub]

Oh, yes! There are many kinds of people.

The fishmen seemed very scary; I've heard stories about them being very dangerous and horrible, but then I met them and realized they aren't bad at all! Humans have done far worse to me than then, after all...

[bryces_pup]

Humans can be an awful lot. [Her own world's a stunning example of that.] Especially when we talk about other races. Putting them down when we're hardly any better ourselves.

[scrubscrub]

[She nods.]

I think in my home, people just don't know enough. If they learn more about the fishmen, they'll see they're not as bad as they think...!

[bryces_pup]

Ignorance is usually the root cause of it, yes. [And she's impressed by how well Koala seems to understand that. It speaks well of her, and the kind of person she'll become as an adult.] And fear of the unknown. It's up to people like you who do understand to tell others and help them see. It's a little scary sometimes, and people may not always listen, but it's worth trying.

[scrubscrub]

Oh, people like me...

I-I never considered I could be important like that, before! To be actually listened to... it sounds so frightening, after all these years...!

[bryces_pup]

Of course you are important. [She smiles brightly, not wanting to come across as scolding.] Everyone is, and our experiences are something those around us can learn and benefit from. It's scary, but believe in yourself and what you've been through and that will come through in your words.

[scrubscrub]

[She nods, smiling a little more genuinely.]

Thank you, Miss Riona!

I... I'll try my best to believe in myself! I would very much like to be important.

[She's... not sure if she is now, outside of cleaning the ship. But even that is a purpose she can cling to for now, until she truly understands what her place in the world is. That's going to be good enough for her for a while, in the meantime.]

[bryces_pup]

Anytime. [It's heartwarming to see Koala determined to try.] If you ever feel in doubt, you're always welcome to message me for encouragement. Or anything you have need of.