[video]

[unetrustworthy]

[From the moment the camera turned on, Midii looked...almost as if she were regretting the decision. Public speaking was never her strong suit, which was why she so rarely made videos like these. But there was something on her mind. For once...something personal. And after a few seconds of hesitation, her resolve won out.]

It's...strange to think about.

[Maybe it would have been better if she'd gathered more of her thoughts before doing this, but she hadn't wanted to give herself a chance to back out.]

I cam here when I was eleven. Today, I'm sixteen. [Ah, there was one point of motivation; she'd never publicly announced her birthday before. There truly was a first time for everything.] And I've had so much time to think about what that means. That I've lived here for so long that I...I almost forgot what it was like to live in the world I grew up in. That...that's a good thing. Because when I came here, I didn't trust anybody. I couldn't. I was scared and small and...didn't think I deserved the kindness that people were suddenly showing me. I tried turning them away. I figured that they'd get over it and move on sooner or later and leave me alone.

But...they didn't. Leave me alone, that is. Five years later, and people still won't leave me alone. [Despite her words, she spoke them with hints of a smile. Humor. Her attempt at a joke.] I've never been more grateful for those people as I am today. And I wish...that I could tell the ones who are gone that. I wish they could know how much they meant to me. More than even I knew then.

[A pause. She took a deep breath and stared into the camera greatly. Then let out a sheepish smile.]

I'm...not even sure what I was trying to say anymore. I guess...for those of you who are still finding it hard to deal with having been brought here...I just wanted you to know that there are good things that have come out of it. I'm living proof of that.

[Because she was still alive.]

[Although, just when it looked like Midii was about to (awkwardly) sign off...one last thought came to her. And in a rare show of her age, her nose wrinkled slightly in distaste.]

I still don't think I'll ever get used to the magic here, though. It's too....unpredictable.

Comments

[shroudofgray]

I have never known these merits, [She's had her fill of isolation at least.] but if you find joy in your friends and peace in solitude, there is no reason not to find a balance in both.

[unetrustworthy]

[And joking mood was gone now.]

I have. Really. [Just in case her dabble in sass left her words misunderstood.] It's just...even after it took me as long as it did to learn to trust people...I don't know, I guess I've always felt most at ease when I'm by myself. I can think better that way.

[shroudofgray]

I think I can understand. When the sound becomes too much, and it buries all thoughts... yes.

But I am glad for you.

I have heard a little about birthdays - they are a thing many seem to hold important. What is the best way to wish one well on their birthday?

[unetrustworthy]

It depends on the birthday. And the person. In some cultures, theres a certain age you can reach that means you're finally considered an adult. [Midii wasn't quite there yet.] Or some people are just glad to be alive for another year. [...closer.]

You don't have to do anything special. Just a 'happy birthday' is fine.

[She wasn't really a present person, unless it came from an Extra Special person, and none of those people were in Keelai any longer, so...no point in bringing it up at all.]

[shroudofgray]

Then I hope that this birthday and all others hereafter are happy for you.

May I ask what age one becomes an adult?

[unetrustworthy]

Thank you.

Where I come from, I think it was eighteen. But it might be different in other worlds.

[shroudofgray]

[Yorda considers this for a while.]

So you will be an adult soon too? Do things suddenly change when that happens?

[unetrustworthy]

Mmm...I'm not sure.

The last time I was an adult, the change happened a little too quickly. So I never had to time to grow into everything that was different.

[It was...not a pleasant memory. Well, not all of it. Some of it hadn't been so bad. But most of it sucked. A lot.]

[shroudofgray]

The last time?

Are you able to alter time in some way?

[unetrustworthy]

[She shook her head, nose wrinkling slightly.]

It was a magic spell. It took nearly a week to wear off. I think. A lot of people were talking about it for a while. It was hard to get a completely straight answer as to what happened.

[shroudofgray]

Then it will probably just be something we must learn as we grow.

[unetrustworthy]

Probably.

Everything else is.

[shroudofgray]

That is not a terrible thing - it means there is always a new day, and new things to know.

[unetrustworthy]

Not...completely terrible, no.

I just wish things could make a little more sense. That would make them easier to learn.