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

[noprophecies]

Mm . . . I would have to say I'm the opposite.

[axiomed]

What do you mean?

[noprophecies]

I think we have talked about it before . . . how one day I want a home, and to settle down - settle down as much as I can, at least. I am jealous of people who have that - or can have it whenever they want.

[axiomed]

[ Charles is silent, tail flapping in the water. He has many good things and he knows it. He forces himself to remember that, every day. Even when what he wanted, deep in his heart, hasn't fully worked out, he has enough to get by. He has more than any of his friends.

Sometimes, he feels guilty that, in the fact of someone else's suffering, that he is still privileged. And it's not something he can easily share with others. ]

[noprophecies]

[she tilts her head at his silence, wondering if maybe she said something wrong - but it isn't as though she hasn't spoken about this with him before]

—it is a silly thing to be jealous of. It is not as though I couldn't do it. I am just . . . not ready? And it isn't just my decision.

[axiomed]

No, of course not.

But I don't think it's silly.

[noprophecies]

That's kind of you to say, but it's a little silly. Especially when one is afraid of it, in a sense.

[axiomed]

I don't think so. We all have those feelings.

[noprophecies]

Mm, but it's not - the feeling so much as the reason behind it.

[axiomed]

Does it matter? The reasons, the feelings. We all have feelings we don't like, that we push down because we want to be better.

Acting on the worst impulses is what makes us silly or selfish or whatever dark stain we can't wash out. Not the feelings themselves.

[noprophecies]

[she can't help but think she has a lot of stains that she won't ever be able to wash out]

But what if the reasons are selfish?

[axiomed]

So what?

[ The most blase. ]

We're human. Or something that feels human. We're all going to have our selfish reasons. You don't think I feel that way whenever I'm with Erik - knowing he lost his family and I'm there being selfish with my own needs?

[noprophecies]

[she tilts her head with a faint frown. She already had a similar conversation with Erik not too long ago, and she finally sighs, crossing her arms]

With you, love, I doubt it's selfishness. [it's a lighter tone, at least, not quite joking] But . . . I understand what you mean.

[axiomed]

[ He nods. It's the most he's ever said on the subject. ]

Don't tell him that. He'll feel bad . . . and I imagine he still does.

[noprophecies]

[she finally gives in to her earlier compulsion and reaches out to lightly pet him]

I already know how he feels about it.

[she offers him a faint smile] I've had this conversation with him, too.

[axiomed]

[ The otter chirps, but his whiskers droop. ]

I won't ask.

[noprophecies]

[she steps closer so she can lightly scritch underneath his chin]

Mm, I know. It isn't my place to talk about it.

But I hope that the two of you are . . . mm, working things out with one another? And being selfish every now and then.

[axiomed]

I . . . I think so.

[noprophecies]

Mm, good. I'm glad to hear it.

[axiomed]

[ He hangs awkwardly after that, a loss for words. ]

[noprophecies]

[. . . she gently tugs him closer so she can hug/cuddle him properly, though it isn't the usual teasing kind like it once was]

Speaking of silly old men . .. did you see who arrived?

[axiomed]

I did. I'm happy for you.

[noprophecies]

[she ducks her head a bit]

Thank you.

[axiomed]

[ He nods. For him, it was a mixed bag of feelings, but Charles was genuinely happy for Aurae's happiness. ]

Have any plans yet?

[noprophecies]

[she blinks at the question, then shakes her head with an amused noise]

Not really, no. Just to sit on him until I'm certain he won't disappear.