driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: Anders
Broadcast: Video, fleetwide
Action: The Marsiva, if at all
When: Today

[The video turns on to see a bunch of fabric. A keen eye might notice it looks kind've like a skirt. A knowing eye would recognize it as mage's robes. The man holding the communicator isn't paying it any attention beyond having picked it up, he's too busy making kissing noises as he searches the too empty ship.]

Pounce! Ser-Pounce-a-lot! Here, kitty!

[The tone of voice he was using was higher and probably sounded a little ridiculous.]

Please don't have gotten into any trouble...

[But there was definite concern in his tone as the man searched for his missing kitten.
At least until his step staggers and then stops and there's a catch in his breathing that could nearly be called a gasp.]

Well...would you look at that...

[Not that anyone could with the screen still faced away, but Anders had no thought for the device or much of anything aside from his kitten and the large window displaying the vast emptiness of space before him.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The competition no one wanted to win. [She smiles at him.] Do you feel better about your own stuff at least? It's a good consolation prize.

It's true, you really deserve a medal for it.

[The smile he gives her is small but real and he nods.]

Surprisingly, I do. Thank you.

[He hesitates, half uncertain if he even wants to ask the question her comment spawned. Alternate people..was that what had happened here? He couldn't be sure.]

Not so strange of a question, considering context, but you didn't happen to know the 'other me' that was apparently here before, did you?

If I had I would have told you. It's weird to tell people things like that, but it's weirder not to I think. I've only been here since the beginning of February. Not that we couldn't have overlapped but the fleet's big enough that I still haven't met or even come across everyone yet. [And that's with actively monitoring the network and seeking people out to better learn her surroundings and community.]

[His relief is visible.]

Thank The Maker for that.

[He's not even sure what 'February' is but it's fine, he believes her and she isn't just being nice to him for the sake of a familiar face.]

Then, thank you again. It is weird, but that would have been a rude surprise.

Edited 2016-05-27 02:07 (UTC)

Not enjoying that bit? I would have warned you if I'd known. It's actually never happened to me. Though I have seen a lot of people return with no memories of me. [It gets common, but not necessarily easy.]

I can think of plenty of other things I would rather experience, yes. [Putting it simply.

Something she said bothered him, though.]

If it happens often, how can anyone make friends with people here? If they're just going to vanish and possibly come back with no memories of being here, what's the point in getting attached?

Life.

Life is the point. You don't just put yourself on hold until conditions improve because the might not. Maybe they only get worse. You have to hold on to what you can.

[Oh, she gets the pain of it. The way loss eats at you every time instead of getting easier. But she isn't ready to just trade the good times with the bad for being alone instead.]

[That hits deeper than she likely meant. She was right. He'd spent so long not letting anyone in and then he'd met Karl and he'd been so drawn to the other lost mage boy, they'd grown close without meaning to. He'd lost Karl, had to watch as his only friend and loved one was taken from him by those who ruled their lives, but he wouldn't trade the memory of those years for anything.

Even if that memory hurt. He just didn't think he could feel that hurt again and come out the other side.

He pastes on a simple smile.]

Hadn't thought of it that way, I suppose you have a point. It's something to think about, certainly.

[She looks at him thoughtfully, but doesn't read too much into a momentary hesitation of a man she only just met. She'll let the teasing continue if a bit lightly.]

Does this mean you might not be dropping by? Too much of a risk to get to know me?

[Now his smile widens and that teasing tone returns.]

Perish the thought, my fine lady! I would surely be the poorer for that decision.

As it is, I'm certain I would miss your fantastic smile if it was suddenly gone, I'm afraid I'm already in too deep.

You are like this close [Holding two fingers close together] to writing a song about me. I can feel it.

Absolutely. Perhaps even poetry.

For both our sakes, I'll find someone else to sing it.

My boyfriend has an excellent voice. I'm sure he'd be happy to help you out.

Perfect! No better person to perform it, really. As soon as my muse returns, I'll send him the finished product to serenade you with.

[His grin grows and he can't help but laugh at the end, he maintained the joke as long as he could, but even he had his limits. Maker knew he couldn't write a pretty thing if his life depended on it.]

Thank you for humoring me.

Hey, humoring people is like half of my job. Or none of it. It's definitely one of those two things. [The none of it one.]