Let's all hold hands and sing Kumbaya

[notzubats]

Who: Everybody! It's a planet mingle!
Broadcast: If You want!
Action: On the Holding Hands plant!
When: From June 23 until whenever we need a new mingle.

[At long last, the fleet has arrived to a new planet. This means it's time for a mingle guys! Get in! ]

Comments

[athru]

And what did your cousin think about you being late?

[takingkarabusiness]

He was an infant so I'm not even sure he knew I existed until I showed up.

[athru]

'Surprise, we're related', right? Been there.

[ Sort of. ]

[takingkarabusiness]

Yep, and "surprise, you're not alone in the universe".

[athru]

... I know that one, too.

[ And Raven swallows, crossing her arms. ]

[takingkarabusiness]

Can I ask about it, or not so much?

[athru]

When I met Charles. [ She shrugs a shoulder. ] It's hard not to think you're alone when you thought you were the only freak around.

[takingkarabusiness]

I can't imagine. I mean, I'm different, sure, but I always knew why. My mother told me before she sent me to Earth that I'd have powers. I can't imagine what it was like to just... not know why for any of it.

[athru]

I was a freak. [ Raven says it plainly, without caring, tense before she speaks. ] But Charles showed me I wasn't alone. That's why he's my brother - he's a pain in the ass like that, trust me.

[takingkarabusiness]

I'm pretty sure Alex called me a freak more than once when I showed up. I can't say I blame her, though. She was an only child until she was 14. That has to suck.

[athru]

[ Raven doesn't feel comfortable going into the details of just how comfortable Charles was adopting a little sister - that's his business, not hers - so she just nods. ]

It takes some getting used to.

[takingkarabusiness]

I'm glad you got used to it, though. Family is important, even if it's complicated.

[athru]

[ Family is a confusing mess for the lot of them, but at least it's getting better - and Raven tries to hold onto that hope. ]

A lifetime of complicated doesn't even come close to describing it.

[takingkarabusiness]

Sometimes words just aren't sufficient. English words, anyway.

[athru]

What language would you prefer? Tiếng Việt? Français? Deutsche?

[ ... Now she's showing off. ]

[takingkarabusiness]

[ it sounds like /kryptahniuo/ but is clearly alien. she smiles and switches back ]

Still working on my other Earth languages, though.

[athru]

[ Raven blinks - but she doesn't try and attempt the language. Not yet, at least. ]

I'll learn that one day.

[takingkarabusiness]

I can work on it with you. It might be nice, actually.

But I'll make sure my "definitely Kara and not Raven" test is something harder.

[ she kids she kids. she doesn't at all think raven would impersonate her ]

[athru]

I'd like that.

[ It also means if anyone from Kara's... World, or planet... Joins then Raven can deal with them and be covert about it. She has to keep her head in the game somehow, right? ]

I'm good with languages.

[takingkarabusiness]

Clearly. That's amazing. But I imagine it helps when you're trying to blend in.

[athru]

I think it's part of my mutation. There's no point of learning to be someone if I can't pick up their language.

[takingkarabusiness]

It makes sense to me, honestly. And it seems extremely useful. Have you kept track of how many you know?

[athru]

More than a handful. [ She shakes her head. ] I learn them when I need them.

[takingkarabusiness]

Do you have a favorite?

[athru]

Language? No. English is obviously the best because it's my first, but... They're just ways of speaking.