our feelings will tingle, it's a vanquish mingle!

[geonomy]

Who: The crew of the Vanquish and any visitors!
Broadcast: Maybe? Nah?
Action: On the awesome Vanquish ship
When: Now through July

[Just arrived? Don't like nature, or do you just not have feelings and don't want to hold hands? Come on in!]

Comments

[sonofgold]

[Once they'd arrived on the new planet, the first thing Al had done was take Cosmic for a run, since the fox was eager to get out of the confines of the ship, having not been able to stand the poison planet's atmosphere for long.

However, it wasn't long before Al was back... with multiple fluff slugs in tow.

They were too cute for him to resist.

Or is there anywhere else you'd like to run into him? Name a time and place.]

[brainiest]

[ It doesn't take Hermione long to spot the fluffs, her eyes widening as she moves forward. She's seen a handful already, thanks to her own adventures, but she can't hide her delight as she moves around to step in front of Al, grinning. ]

Look at them. They're so precious.

[sonofgold]

[Al set the slugs down, watching as they curiously began to explore the cargo bay.]

Aren't they? You know how I am with animals... I couldn't resist bringing a few home. I'll probably put them back after a while, but they seem to be used to people, so I figured there wouldn't be any harm.

[brainiest]

They're definitely magical. I saw a few of them around with some of the natives, but I hadn't had a chance to get close.

[ She reaches out, letting her hand stroke over one gently. ]

They're... Like the planet, aren't they?

[sonofgold]

[Al nodded as the slug appreciatvely moved into the touch.]

The way they just... make you feel more in tune with your emotions, right? They make me feel at peace.

[brainiest]

It's empathy. I wonder if they're magical, or if they were just made that way. I can't really feel anything, but...

[ And her mind wanders, considering the choices. ]

[sonofgold]

Maybe a bit of both- it could be evolution. The ones with the strongest empathy were the ones that survived to reproduce, and now we get to enjoy the results.

[brainiest]

And, of course, they flourish on this planet.. Or maybe the planet has flourished because of them. Both seem to work well together, don't they?

[sonofgold]

The way people are so affectionate with one another? Yeah. I'm not quite used to that yet...

[brainiest]

I'm used to it with my friends, but with strangers...

[ Hermione wrinkles her nose. ]

I'd be happy to be left out of it.

[sonofgold]

I agree. I mean, I try to follow the customs of whatever planet we land on, but all this open affection? It's a bit too much for me.

[brainiest]

Sometimes you need a break - that's why I came back to the ship. It's exhausting - they keep staring at me, too.

[sonofgold]

Plus, I'm not sure I want to just... share things with people. It feels so invasive.

[brainiest]

Then you don't have to. Most of them stay away if you mention it to them, and I think they're learning that not all of us are entirely comfortable with being touchy-feely.

[sonofgold]

That's good. I mean, it's not like I have anything terrible that I'm trying to hide, but... I prefer being able to choose when and how I share certain things.

[brainiest]

Exactly, me too. [ And she has, with people she trusts. Still, she does look a little... Awkward. ] It's not fair that we don't get a choice, that's all.

[sonofgold]

Yeah. Atroma's not big on giving us much of a choice in anything. Sometimes it feels like we have a lot of freedom, but then... something like this happens.

[brainiest]

At least we can try and make the best of it? I mean, they are nice people...

[sonofgold]

Mmmhmm! No use in worrying about it too much- and honestly, now that I know we're at peace back home, I don't feel so anxious about being stuck here.

[brainiest]

That's good! It's one less thing to worry about. [ Hermione isn't so sure how things are in the Drabwurld, but, hey... ] It makes being here a bit like a holiday, I suppose?

[sonofgold]

A little bit, yes. I was leaving to travel east to the country of Xing and learn. They have an art similar to my alchemy that they called alkahestry, and it fascinates me because it originated from medicine.