Just Keeping Swimming | March Planet Mingle

[thespaceopera]

Who: Everyone!
Broadcast: If you want!
Action: Anywhere on Mafik
When: The month of March



[Welcome to Mafik, the water world! Hope you brought your best swimming gear and don't have a paralyzing fear of water, because that's all that's here! So get out those wet suits and enjoy life under the sea!

In other words, it's a mingle! ]

> System Information

Comments

[ahappylie]

Is that a possibility? I thought we were meant to be returned to our homes?

[Because he won't survive going from this place to another. He barely has a year or two left if he's lucky.]

Was she an ambassador of that place? Or just making sure newcomers were safe?

[robitussin]

I mean, if we could come here from there, I don't really see why we couldn't do the opposite.

[A shrug.]

Nah, I think she was just curious. It was a little unusual when I came... Most of the time, people showed up one at a time, but I was in a group of, like, ten people who just appeared at once.

[ahappylie]

[That is the exact opposite of what he wanted to hear. He already had heard/read on that guide floating about the network that winners may or may not really "go home," but the idea of going from here to a secondary world was just more than he could take. He smiles in return though because why show any of his anxiety and fear to his captain? He has to be trusted so he can continue to be useful.]

Fortunate then, otherwise you might not have met when you did. Have you two been together long?

[robitussin]

[She has to give pause again for a moment so she can do the math in her head.]

Probably about eleven months now. Maybe a little less.

[ahappylie]

[So they got together here of all places. That's interesting, too.

And then he pauses, thinks, and gives a wide, bright smile.]

It's almost been a year then. That's quite an accomplishment!

[robitussin]

[She shakes her head, smiling fondly despite herself.]

Not like it's hard. She's - I mean, you know her. She's great.

[ahappylie]

[He lifts the back of his hand to his lips, trying not to laugh.]

I can see why you work so well together.

[They both act the exact same way - a little grumpy at first, but then quite in love with each other.]

It's refreshing, seeing two young people together who actually love one another.

[robitussin]

[She raises an eyebrow.]

Young people, he says, as if he's that much older than I am.

[ahappylie]

[He laughs openly now, but is still polite enough to at least cover his mouth.]

This is true. You're not another nine thousand year old elf are you?

[robitussin]

[She snorts in amusement for a moment.]

Last time I checked, no, I'm not a nine thousand year old elf.

[ahappylie]

Considering all the different types of people here, I do have to check.

[Because the more people he meets, the more he realizes being a "normal" human is actually a little bit rare.]

After all, we now live with an alien, a few magic users, someone who can bend reality, a fire-breathing Rhea, a baby panda, and now a stubborn little piglet.

[Saizou objects to that last one by snorting.]

[robitussin]

Oh, I can use magic, I'm just not ridiculously old. Two very different things in terms of weirdness.

[But, wait.]

...Is your pig capable of understanding human speech?

[ahappylie]

[Ah, another magic user - good to know. Someone else who might fry him if he ever gets caught leaving presents for Nightingale then. Goooood to know.]

Mm, I wonder if Maggie-san and I are the only non-powered people on this ship now.

[Meanwhile Saizou snorts again and starts tugging at Okita's sleeve.]

But as for him? No, he doesn't really understand everything. He just knows when I'm talking about him.

[He looks down at the piglet.] Don't you? [Saizou looks up and grunts, then goes back to rooting for food.]

[robitussin]

...If my eight year old co-captain has magic I might actually scream. That can't end well.

[Just gonna stare at this pig, as one does.]

That's kind of creepy.

[ahappylie]

I don't think Takeshi-kun has magic per say... But I did see him throw a raider across the hallway with his bare hands, so I may be wrong.

[Shalalala so nonchalant about that little revelation.

Also there is no more food in Okita's sleeves so Saizou turns back around to face Opal at just the right time to give her a disgruntled glare.]

He's harmless, even if he looks grumpy all the time. Don't worry.

[robitussin]

That... is both useful and incredibly worrying, but I'll take it as long as he doesn't tear a hole in the ship accidentally with his possible super strength.

[Yikes.]

Yeah, not really a huge animal person, but thanks for trying.

[ahappylie]

I don't think you need to worry about him. Takeshi-kun is quite mature for his age.

[Which...is somewhere between 5 and 8? Who knows.]

But if you are not an animal person, then how do you deal with Rhea?

[Because that giant fluffball seems to be very attached to Nightingale.]

[robitussin]

It's not like I hate them or anything. Besides, Rhea gets a pass because Nightingale likes her.

[She's had a while to get used to it, at least.]

[ahappylie]

[He smiles and chuckles a little - of course Rhea gets a pass.]

Well, perhaps in time you'll come to learn of Saizou's charm, too. Underneath all his bluster, he's a wonderful friend.

[But right now he's hungry so he doesn't care. He snorts and starts rooting around again, squirming in Okita's arms.]

[robitussin]

[A long pause as she stares into the pet's soul, before she shrugs.]

I guess he gets a pass, too. Pigs are okay.

[ahappylie]

[His smile widens and he pets Saizou's head.]

I'm glad to hear that. But if pigs are okay, and Rhea is okay, then what isn't okay?

[robitussin]

Anything except those two things or cats. Seriously, you're lucky it's a pig.

[Her soft spot!!]

[ahappylie]

But what about a baby panda?

[Because there's also Hoi Hoi to think about.

...Also cats. Hnnnnnnnngh, he likes cats but also doesn't like cats because things will go very sour for him and cats in the future.]

[robitussin]

I can tolerate the panda. Doesn't mean I have to like it, especially when it gets older.

[ahappylie]

Well, it might take some time. Takeshi-kun says Hoi Hoi has been reborn as a baby.

[He thinks for a moment.]

I wonder how long it will take until he grows large enough to ride again.