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]

[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!

[amarant]

Am I really?

[ She laughs. It's quiet, a bit hesitant, but it's laughter. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[it's okay, he's laughing too! at Tek's expense.]

I think so! He said eight-hundred-something, I'm pretty sure.

[amarant]

He does act like a child sometimes.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[laughing again. he would be so mad if he could hear them talking about him right now...]

I'm glad you've kept track. I lost count ages ago. I've always felt a little bad about it.

[amarant]

It was something for me to do. Remembering it.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

I've been too busy. The days just flew away from me...

[or maybe it was that time in the haunting. since the days never worked quite right down there anyway. he lets a moment of silence sit between them before he adds, quietly...]

It's not easy, is it...?

[amarant]

...keeping track of age?

[ He probably doesn't mean that, she decides an instant later. ]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he laughs quietly.] Well, yes, but I meant it more in general... Living as long as we have...

[amarant]

...it's difficult.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

I have all the sympathy in the world for you. [he pats her on the shoulder, gently.] If you'd ever like to talk about it, I'll listen.