enchanted forest . mingle

[misconceived]

WHO Forest planet occupants!
BROADCAST N/A
ACTION Enchanted Forest / Spa Time
WHEN Upon reaching the system (Jan. 4) to leaving it (Jan. 31)

[ It's another day, another planet for the Drift Fleet to explore. Whether it be relaxing in the landing field, checking out the spa (and subsequently getting urged to enter the woods), or taking on the Enchanted Forest's game, there's enough to do for stir-crazy Fleet members.

Just remember one thing: make it look good. ]

Comments

[birdsbirdsbirds]

It's been so long since we've seen you. She can come too, we don't mind...

[the girls do seem very friendly, very honest. if they're a trap, they're a very calm, patient one. maybe that's what makes it so dangerous. Robin finally squeezes Emblica's shoulder a little, nudging her forward... and walking forward himself.]

Goodbye, Finch.

[he seems pretty set on walking them both past the twins. before he changes his mind.]

[amarant]

[ She stumbles, very slightly, before falling into step with Robin once again. Maybe she should ask...maybe he wouldn't want that. She knows there are things she wouldn't want to have brought up.

Maybe when the girls are well behind them, when they aren't a threat. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[it'll take them a little bit. the girls call out to them a couple of times, perhaps to guilt Robin out of leaving. it doesn't work, but it sure succeeds in making him feel horrible about himself. he's very quiet, until their voices are far away, and even then... for maybe a little bit longer.

but he eventually, finally, stops holding Emblica's shoulder and sighs:] Sorry.

[amarant]

You haven't done anything to be sorry for.

[ A simple answer; asking nothing of him and trying to clear up some of that sadness. She likes him better when he's happy. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[...he tries to think of a way that it is his fault, but she's actually right. and that does make him feel better enough to send her a weak little smile.]

I thought it might do something like this... But I'd hoped we'd see the angry one, instead.

[amarant]

There's still time, isn't there?

[ Trying, likely unsuccessfully, to crack a light joke. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[whether or not it was actually funny, Robin laughs a little.]

Oh, don't say that. Ghosts like them should keep quiet, anyway...

[amarant]

They're dead?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he nods.]

And have been, for a long time...

[amarant]

I'm sorry...that's never easy.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he's quiet, for a moment, thinking about whether or not he should pry... but, you know, it's going to be a long walk, and he likes Emblica, and he just walked calmly away from one of his worst hauntings. there's a time and a place. this might be it.]

You're not really a little girl, are you?

[amarant]

[ She's quiet for a few moments. It's difficult to answer that, but she doesn't like to lie, so much as she prefers to be evasive. However, he's asked her directly, and she owes him for that. ]

No, I'm not... How did you know?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

To be honest, I've had a suspicion since I first started talking to you...

[she doesn't speak quite like a girl her age should, and she speaks of very old things, in a way that wise, distanced people do. loss, too, in a way someone so young should not be able to comprehend. but he doesn't want to worry her--he's got an unfair advantage.]

I won't tell anybody. I'm much older than I look, too.

[amarant]

It's hard to keep track of how to talk to others...it's rare that I'd even had the chance. But...you understand, so it's fine if you know.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Good. [he's got a warm little smile for her.] And it's fine that you know, as well.

[amarant]

How old...if it's fine to ask?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Oh, three or four... [he pauses, this part's always awkward...] ...Thousand...

[amarant]

Oh. That's a bit surprising...but it does make sense.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Does it? [he laughs, surprised!] Oh, I hope I'm not that obvious.

[amarant]

The way you've spoken about your home...it sounded like you'd seen a lot.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Ah... I have.

[some fondness returns to his voice! whether or not it's the intention anymore, talking about this is making him feel much better.]

I've seen it for years and years... The village I grew up in doesn't even exist anymore, and the mountains to the north have been worn down to hills...

[amarant]

The world moves on without us, doesn't it...

[ She finally takes her mask off, carrying it under one arm.

It's somewhat of a gesture of openness, honesty. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he can get that. it's very nice of her. ]

Do you know how old you are?

[since... his is more an estimation, he doubts she's got a concrete number either.]

[amarant]

[ She does, actually. Sometimes, you just need something to keep track of and hold onto. ]

Nine hundred...and thirty-two.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Oh... [he gets that... look in his eyes.] I think you're older than Tek!