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

[parallels]

Eridan?

He's definitely around. Good kid, just needs a bit of help. And maybe a sharp thwack.

[She blinks. That's an even more difficult thing to reply to.]

No, I suppose not. But this is the place between life, death, and dreaming. So at least it makes sense. Or as much as it could.

[puppetfetish]

Sharp thwack.
Yo, that little shit needs a serious sickass rooftop smackdown to get his princess attitude into place.
We were all involved in a game.
A game that ended the world.

Never met him until now though.

[parallels]

Somehow, I think a smackdown would just make him more indignant. It needs to be a strategic, well placed smack. I've been able to get through to him once or twice. We used to be flatmates and... well, there are worse flatmates.

[Then she blinks up at him, her eyes wide. She's computer savvy, but the idea of games and all of that escape her.]

A game ended the world? Did you know it would? I mean, no that's advertised on the box.

[puppetfetish]

—I knew something big would happen.
That's for sure.

[parallels]

So what happened then?

After the end of the world?

[puppetfetish]

Don't know.
I died during the game session and arrived here.

It's like the worst fuckin' cliffhanger in the history of everything.
Prefer to keep it that way.
Don't needa know the future, really.

[parallels]

That's very brave.

[Clara sighs and a small smile plays on her features. It's almost like she's a little in awe.]

I don't think I could. Not know my future I mean.

[puppetfetish]

You don't wanna fuck 'round with time.
None of my bizwhack to know.
Can only grit my teeth and hope.

My kid was one of'm that was gonna save the world.
I have no doubts he excelled.
So there's nothing to worry about. I'll go on with life here I reckon and hope for the best.

[parallels]

I've done a bit of messing about with time, myself. It tends to end up badly. For someone, somewhere along the line.

[Like herself. She tilts her head a bit. What he says to her is so... strange and yet comforting. She'd often wondered if her mum had thought things about her before she died. That she had confidence in her daughter like Bro did in his kid.]

I'm sure he did. You supported him before. He'll make you proud.

also ps is it ok if we plurk friend we kind of play in two games together LMFAO....

[puppetfetish]

Oh, fuck yeah I'm sure he made me all proud and shit.
I'm supposed to be a ghost though. Dead a dirt.
I'm sure he saved the world. Don't need all the deets that go with it.

absolutely!

[parallels]

He sounds like a good kid.

[She hands him over a lantern.]

Runs in the family, I think.

[puppetfetish]

Yeah.
Runs in the clone genetics.
Or some shit.

_{[ He'll take the body and start wrapping his cover around the frame. ]}

We're assholes though.
Honestly.
Don't let my melodious voice and sexy appeal fool you.

[parallels]

Please.

I'm never fooled by sex appeal or melodious voices. My eyes are always front.

[puppetfetish]

With me around, that's impressive.

[parallels]

Oh?

You think you're the toughest case I've ever had to deal with?

[Now she's just getting sassy!]

[puppetfetish]

Close enough I'd think.

_{[ this is bro strider raising his arms slowly aaaand... flexing. with the straightest, most emotionless expression. ]}

[parallels]

I've seen some specimens.

[Just staring, arms crossed, eyebrows raised. The epitome of unimpressed.]

[puppetfetish]

_{[ Bro falls quiet, then resumes his work, adding a few finishing details, and then he folds his hands neatly on the table. ]}

There a special time for us to wish upon a star and let these motherfuckers go?
Or whenever we like?

[parallels]

I was going to do it in a few days. It's sort of an anniversary.

[She slowly adds a gentle sweeping design across the bottom with her brush.]

But don't let me stop you from letting yours go.

[puppetfetish]

Anniversary of what?

[parallels]

When my mum died.