Seventh Blight - voice/action

[bryces_pup]

Who: Riona and you
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Anywhere on the Iskaulit
When: Tonight

[It hadn't struck Riona right away, what today was. In the morning, she'd gone about her usual business, just like any other day. In fact, she may never have realized it at all, if she hadn't just idly thought about it. It hit her rather hard, leaving her almost breathless for a moment.

Today marks one year since she arrived in the fleet.

A lot of emotions come with it, ones she struggles with throughout the rest of the day. It's what eventually drives her to the Iskaulit, fighting with her thoughts as Kiter meanders alongside of her, enjoying the exercise. Riona finally decides to maybe try the network and get her thoughts out that way, rather than just mulling over them.]

I find myself observing the one year mark of my arrival to the fleet. [She falls quiet a moment, lips quirked to one side.] It's been quite a year. To those who have observed this anniversary for themselves: did you find yourselves feeling rather mixed about the whole thing? Personally, I can't quite figure out how I feel about it, quite honestly.

Maybe I should simply accept that, that there aren't going to be much in the way of words. [A huff.] Maybe what I need more than anything is a distraction. I've spent the better part of the day chewing it all over in my mind. If anyone has an idea for such, I welcome suggestions. Alternatively, if company is wanted, I'm walking with my dog around the Iskaulit.

Comments

Action

[wolfehawke]

[Wolfe saw Riona's post, but seeing as he's also walking his dog he figured they'd run into each other soon and thus saw no reason to reply. Lo and behold, a bit later he finds himself waving to her in one of the halls as she rounds the corner with Kiter. Drools, excited to meet with one of his own kind after so long living with a feline overlord, shoves forward to greet the other dog with his stumped tail wagging wildly.]

Woah there, slow down!

[Of course it's not like he puts Drools on a leash...]

[bryces_pup]

[In all fairness, neither is Kiter. The pup hears the pair before they can be seen, his little ears perking up. Riona pauses when he does, glancing around to see who it is. And what do you know, there comes Wolfe and Drools.

Kiter lets out a bark, tail wagging as well as Drools charges over to them. Riona smiles and bends down to Drools, holding out her hand.]

Fancy meeting you here.

[wolfehawke]

[Drools gives Riona's hand a polite slurp but is clearly much more interested in Kiter, who he the immediately goes about greeting by the rules of dog custom and promptly smells the other pup's rump.]

Sorry, we haven't covered how to greet royalty properly yet.

[Adalwolfe makes his way over with a grin.]

Happy anniversary, Your Majesty.

[He says her title in the same tone he would say Carver's during their childhood games. 'His Royal Highness, King Stinkbottom!']

[bryces_pup]

[Kiter, being a proper Cousland and all, returns the gesture in kind.]

Thank you, I think. Hard to say whether it deserves a "happy" or not.

[Is it really right to celebrate being kidnapped and held against her will here? And yet, she doesn't want to diminish what good has happened here.]

[namisan]

I was just kind of resigned. But it's always the first year that's the hardest.

[bryces_pup]

That... is definitely a part of it, yes. But it gets easier?

[namisan]

In a sense. It depends on how much patience you have, I think, and how well these places end up treating you. And how bored or homesick you are. And whether life sucks for you at home. [Basically, it's different for everyone.]

But under any of those circumstances, once you've made it past the first year the rest kind of blurs. Anyone capable of adjusting has already made the best of a bad hand, so.

Video;

[save_the_souls]

I feel that's a pretty normal feeling. I still don't know how to feel about it when the date comes.

[Then he smiles]

But since it's your anniversary, what would you like for dinner?

Video;

[bryces_pup]

So much good and bad has happened since I've been here. It's difficult reconciling all of it.

[The question surprises her.]

I, ah... I haven't thought about it, honestly. [Hmmmm...] Do we have much in the ice boxes - refrigerators, I mean?

Video;

[save_the_souls]

Yeah...it's been quite a year, alright.

Mm! Mostly meats and fish from the planet- but we're well stocked! And there's stuff from Beverly's garden too!

Video;

[alwayscomeback]

It's a weird one, huh? Happy-sad? I mean, I want to go home, but I wouldn't want to undo anything that I've lived here. That'd be saying I never wanted to meet any of you guys, which is so far from the truth.

Maybe make something? I don't know. I'm not too great at the distractions.

[bryces_pup]

That's... yes, that's a summation of a lot of my feelings. I miss home awfully, I miss my husband and my brother and so many others, but it would be heartbreaking to leave everyone here.

[Damn it, they need to find their way home and steal these starships so they could all visit each other. Then they wouldn't have this dilemma.]

Me neither, aside from hitting things.

[alwayscomeback]

I get it. One day, we'll work out a way to make it work out. I know, it's just a case of finding the right answer.

[And kicking Atroma's ass, of course. ]

I can help with that! If you want to spar a little with swords, we can do that.

[They fight with very different swords, but hey, he can make it work. ]

video; private

[goodandtrue]

You have been here a year?

[So it was possible for people to stay, though through no real work of their own.]

I should love to meet your dog.

video; private

[bryces_pup]

Yes, to the day. Hard to believe, sometimes. Some days, it feels like ages. Others, only a blink of an eye.

[She smiles.]

I'm surprised you haven't seen him about the ship, though I have been on that station a lot. Would you like to meet us on the Iskaulit?

video; private

[goodandtrue]

How does it feel to know you have been here for so long?

[Overwhelming, she imagines.]

I should love that. Is he a large dog?

Video

[tallasaking]

Come and have a drink with me, if the two of you are wandering about the Iskaulit.

[Is Tyrion's response.]

Video

[bryces_pup]

I do like the sound of it. Can't say I recommend it for him, though. Bit young and all.

[Smartass.]

Which of our two lovely bars are you at?

Re: Video

[tallasaking]

[He smirks faintly at that, before he frowns for a moment.]

Well the one I work at, of course.

action

[apurrstate]

[It's not that hard for Anders to find Riona and her hound. He comes complete with Warden-Cat and a colorful flower in hand, a flower that he over-dramatically presents to Riona.]

An anniversary present. It came from the garden on the Twins, so it's really for viewing only.

[The playfulness drops away and leaves a Concerned Friend instead.]
Do you want to talk about it?

action

[bryces_pup]

[Kiter lets out a little woof, trotting up to greet Anders and Pounce. Riona smiles, playing along and dramatically clutching her chest.]

Why, thank you! It's the loveliest - well, second loveliest flower I've ever received!

[Her smile falters a little at his question.]

I... well, I suppose I should. It's just hard to find the words, you know?

Re: action

[apurrstate]

[Once she's taken the flower, he moves to her side, ready to keep walking if she wanted or simply keep her company. Pounce he puts down on the ground to let the two animals sniff each other.]

I understand. You don't have to, if you'd rather not, I'll be just as happy to distract you as I am to listen.

[reflectedblight]

A whole year? Wow.

I'm sorry, you must miss Alistair quite a lot.

[Sorry if you didn't want to talk about that, Riona, Lark's not the greatest at saying things gracefully.]

[bryces_pup]

It's true. Hard to believe as it is at times. The time flew by me.

[The mention of Alistair makes her heart squeeze, and it shows in her expression. He is the biggest reason that she would leave this place, if she were ever given a choice, as much as it would hurt.]

I do. Very, very much. I haven't seen him in a year. More, if you count the time that I was sent home briefly.

[reflectedblight]

[She doesn't regret bringing it up, but she's not unsympathetic.]

You will see him again.

I know it's not the same, but you have friends who can keep the cold from seeping into your heart, right? Loneliness hurts, but you seem to have managed it well.