04 ★ Video

[parallels]

[Clara's badly bruised face appears on the network. There's a nasty cut on her forehead and her left arm is wrapped and bandaged in a cast. She does her best to sound upbeat, but like everyone else, the events in the bottle are weighing heavily on her, both mentally and physically.]

So. Not going to talk about the bottle. Getting into something deep and philosophical here. Very serious. Very important.

[She tries to crack a grin but it comes off like a bit of a wince.]

We all know that time is stopped back home once we arrive on the Turtle, right? So even though we're gone, no one is missing us and we're not missing anything.

Except it does feel a bit like I'm missing everything, sometimes. Time is paused back home, but it's still passing for us here, the sun rises, months go by, the seasons change. Days pass and those days, back home, would have been a birthday or an anniversary or a holiday. Important traditions that I'm cut off from. Can't imagine I'm the only one feeling that way.

But I think I've found something that might make it better.

[She reaches down and pulls out what look like funny little hot air balloons made out of paper. There are more in the background of various colors]

A kedan shop owner showed these to me. They're called sky lanterns and they're like little hot air balloons. You light the candle and they fly in the air. He sold me a few and taught me how to make them myself so I can make them in all sorts of colors. He said you can write messages on them before you send them off in the sky. Messages to people you're missing. Or write down your worries and let them float away.

Thought it might be nice to get some of those things off our chests, reach out to people back at home or those who've left here. If you'd like to learn how to make them, I can teach you. It's surprisingly simple once you get the hang of it. Or if you don't fancy yourself crafty with paper, I can tell you the name of the shop. Then we could set a date to let them go at the edge of the turtle.

[She shrugs.]

I've been enjoying the distraction and I wouldn't mind some company to wallow in the homesickness with.

((ooc; I am so sorry for the delay everyone. I've been really sick and dealing with RL issues.))

Comments

video; anon location

[shorttempered]

I'd really be interested in a few of those lanterns. I don't know how good I'd be at making them, but... I'm up for learning new things. [Though Mark strongly doubted the lanterns could actually reach loved ones, he really liked the sentiment behind it all.]

[parallels]

Believe me, I'm definitely not the delicate crafty sort myself. But it's fairly easy to get the hang of. I'm sure you could learn.

[She gives him a grin.]

And if learning doesn't work out, I'll give you a few of mine.

[shorttempered]

I'll try anything once. [He's mostly concerned about ripping through the paper, because holding back his super strength on something as delicate as... tissue paper? was super hard.]

Ah, thanks. You really don't have to if you have plans for them, though. I can always buy some.

[parallels]

Now that's a good attitude to have. We'll make a lantern maker out of you yet.

[She feels energized by the task of teaching someone. Even if it's as silly and simple as making a little floating lantern.]

I have faith.

[shorttempered]

Well that at least makes one of us. [His words may be discouraging, but his tone isn't. He's serious about giving this the old college try... even if he did flunk out of college.]

Oh, and let me at least pay for the supplies. I have a feeling it'll be worse before I get better.

video;

[wintershepherd]

[ He doesn't miss that wince, Clara. And while he doesn't verbalize it, he still feels partly responsible that she got hurt, illogical as that may be. ]

I'd like to learn.

[parallels]

[She brightens visibly at seeing Jack reply. She's missed him and she's glad to see that he's okay.]

You're always welcome to come over. For anything.

[wintershepherd]

Careful, an invitation like that and I might just hang a hammock in your living room.

[parallels]

I've heard worse threats before. Besides, it's not like you're terribly messy.

[She's grinning because... she really wouldn't mind that.]

video ;

[puppetfetish]

That's some fuckin' hella cute Miyazaki-Disney shit right there.

[parallels]

I...

Thank you?

[Clara is really pop culture dense. Sorry Bro.]

[puppetfetish]

_{[ He does this. A lot. ]}

Fo'real.
Put that shit in a children's book and motherfucking sell it.
Incorporate some hella unicorns.
I'd fuckin' cry.

[parallels]

[Well, he's got her to grin at least. A rather bewildered grin, but definitely a grin.]

I dunno. As tempting as selling children's books and making men cry sounds, I technically didn't come up with it. I think it's a kedan tradition.

video;

[modernized]

...Those are the things lit up after the Ironwood Emperor died, right? [He remembers them being floated up into the sky by the Kedan, mourning the loss.] I wouldn't mind being taught if you're up for it.

[parallels]

Yeah. They were.

[She had kind of hoped that wouldn't be remarked on. She had recognized them from the funeral when she'd spoken to the shop owner. It's what had caught her attention in the first place.]

I am here to be a teacher.

[modernized]

Teacher, huh? [He cracks a small smile.] Hope you're better than the ones at my high school then. Not that I doubt you or anything.

[parallels]

I'm the best teacher at one of the best schools in London.

I think I've got you covered.

video;

[escarabajo]

Count me in.

[A wavering, uncertain smile. Jaime's been pretty much pretending to not be desperately homesick the entire time he's been stuck in Keeliai, and after the last month's festivities... well. He can't say it's gotten better, anyway.]

Nothing like some pleasant fire hazards to lighten to mood.

[parallels]

Glad to hear it.

[She grins at the familiar face and then cocks her head at his response.]

Oi, I've properly fireproofed all of the paper. No fire hazards unless you're trying for one.

no worries i love backtags (x

[escarabajo]

Hey, don't underestimate the accident prone. If somebody's got a tendency to make fireballs rain from the sky, fireballs are gonna rain from the sky somehow.

Fireproofing will help, though. I at least promise to be careful?

[parallels]

Oi, if you make fireballs in my flat I am going to kick the blue right out of that beetle thing.

[Still not getting the superhero thing. But she's teasing. Mostly.]

So yes, you best be careful.

video;

[starcharter]

[Chekov, for his part, has a few bruises on his face that have started to turn that sickly shade of yellow as they heal.

He's clearly concerned about Clara, but he knows how much she hates other people fussing over her. But maybe he can get away with bringing her some food and good quality tea later. Hey, it'll be easier on her not having to cook, what with one arm out of commission.]

I think that is a fantastic idea, Clara. Since they are made of paper, we could probably also decorate them with images of home.

[Chekov is good with his hands and dreams big, okay.]

[parallels]

[And Clara extends the favor by not commenting on his own bruises. She assumes that Jim or Pike have already bothered him enough over it and she doesn't want to add to it. He can take care of himself.]

Read my mind. That's what I've done on a few of them. I've got plenty of ink and brushes to write and draw on them. Not that I'm particularly good at drawing myself but it's enough to get the idea across.

[starcharter]

I think the thought is more important than the execution. The feeling is more important than the message, right?

[parallels]

I'd like to think so.