do the mingle shuffle!

[carreau]

Who: you! me! everyone! it's like a really big party!
Broadcast: if you want!
Action: see above!
When: right now!!!

[ So the weekly shuffle has happened. We got new captains, people who have mysteriously disappeared-- I mean, who have never existed, and new people aboard the ships. That's exciting! Wow! ]

[ New people, get acquainted with your ships? Press all the buttons? Introduce yourself like a polite individual? Old people, keep aging? Welcome them with open arms and confetti? Punch the person who just opened the door while you were in the shower??? ]

[ Who knows! It's a mingle post! Don't ask me!]

[ (But seriously, how bout those people who never existed, huh.) ]

Comments

[blindoptimism]

[huh, that surprises her too]

Really? Me too... I would have thought most people would want to return home.

[amarant]

All but one person who's answered has said they don't want that.

There could have been more that didn't offer input.

[blindoptimism]

Hm... [she pauses thoughtfully]

It's likely we won't all be able to avoid the troubles of our world forever, but it's nice that there is a silver lining to being confined on this ship.

[amarant]

You're very optimistic, aren't you?

[blindoptimism]

Ah... I don't know about that. [/embarrassed]

[amarant]

Much more than I am, in any case.

It's a good way to be.

[blindoptimism]

[Emblica you're so sweet]

T-Thank you. [it's very much treated like a bad trait in her family, and time has proven it to be sadly more true than she'd like]

[amarant]

[ Well they don't APPRECIATE it enough. ]

No need-- actually, I'd wanted to talk to you about something, if I may?

[blindoptimism]

Oh, of course. [she leans back in her chair slightly, adjusting the com device so that the angle on her face remains the same]

What would you like to talk about?

[amarant]

[ Suddenly, she isn't even sure why she said anything since now she wants nothing more than to not completely ruin the closest thing to a friendship that she's found since getting here. But... ]

I haven't quite been honest with you. I know you wanted a...friend, so I didn't say anything.

But the truth is, I'm much older than you. And I'm not really even a normal girl. You don't deserve to be lied to by someone you thought was kind to you.

[blindoptimism]

[aw Emblica. Nunnally's eyes soften, 'lied to by someone you thought was kind to you'. Why was she talking that way? but she doesn't want to seem like she's dismissing what she's saying, or anything close to that so-- she'll try to grasp at understanding first]

How old are you?

[amarant]

[ At least Nunnally hasn't shut down the conversation yet... ]

I'll be nine hundred and thirty-three soon.

[blindoptimism]

Ah... [w-wow... that is old] Yet you remain eternally young on the outside?

[amarant]

Yes, I can't grow older.

[blindoptimism]

Is everyone like that in your world? Or--

I'm sorry, you only need to say as much as you feel comfortable sharing.

[amarant]

No, I suppose I was just unlucky. It's a bit of a long story, but I wouldn't mind telling you.

[blindoptimism]

Then, I wouldn't mind listening.

[she hesitates, and then adds]

After all, I'd still very much like to be your friend. [and she smiles a bit] Everyone has things about themselves or their past that they are reluctant to share. Omitting such details until you feel comfortable, I don't consider that a lie.

[amarant]

...you don't mind?

[ She'll talk about it but right now she is way more surprised. ]

[blindoptimism]

[she shakes her head]

Living forever is a truly unique thing, but I don't see how that invalidates how kind you've been towards me, or how much I've enjoyed talking with you.

[amarant]

...thank you. I'd like to continue talking with you like this, too.

[blindoptimism]

Then, unless you'd like to continue in person, I'm ready to listen.

[amarant]

[ Alright, deep breath. ]

Some believe that the gods underground have moments when they forget to control their magic. Sometimes, when a child is born, they have so much magic in them that they're almost like a god. They don't need to draw on a god's power to use magic, and they age slower, and eventually stop. And then, like the god realizes its mistake, they begin aging again, but only when another child like that is born.

Of course, if there aren't any more children being born, then it's impossible for the god to give its power to another. When my village was destroyed and everyone in it was killed, the only one that was left was me, since I couldn't die. And since there were no more children, I never got any older.

I know it sounds hard to believe, but it's true.

[blindoptimism]

It does sound a little hard to believe... but that's also-- [very sad... to be left all alone. Nunnally pauses, at a slight loss for words]

I'm so sorry.

[amarant]

There isn't anything to apologize for.

[blindoptimism]

It sounds like the last years of your life have been very lonely.