[The scene: a roof. Which roof is unclear, but, judging from the book and notebooks visible in the dim glow of the network device's screen, Chekov was probably stargazing. Of course. What else would a sensible person be doing on a roof in the middle of the night?]

I have asked this question to individuals, but I am curious: what, generally, is the opinion on becoming attached to others here? From what I have heard and read, most seem to think that suffering the loss of someone they have become close to when they leave the City is a small price to pay for companionship. Then there are a few--or maybe there are not so few as I think--who would prefer to stay unattached to avoid being hurt. Is this assessment correct?

And those who, in theory, believe that it is wisest not to grow close to people... are they successful, or do they form attachments in spite of what they believe to be best for themselves?

[His tone is one of genuine curiosity. This is not a rhetorical question.]

I am of two minds on the subject, but I dislike the thought of being alone for however long I may stay here enough to make remaining unattached distasteful. And, when I am not theorizing and simply talking to others, it is impossible not to form friendships. Even though friends will leave and forget all experiences in the City, I keep making them, and it seems very foolish and maybe reckless when I think about it--making friends, I mean--but I feel it is better to accept loss.

It is like home, in some ways. I have always been moving and now, at home, I am in a position where having friends die is very possible and has happened. Is it different, losing a friend to death and having a friend leave the City? Logically, death should be more difficult to accept, I think, but I am not finding that so.

[A contemplative pause.]

The curse where we were turned into dogs--there was a little girl who was good enough to feed me, and I would like to thank her now that I am a person again. I think she was ten, maybe, and very pale, with light hair.

As to this last weekend's curse, no, Lucy and I are not married, although she is very kind and I mean no insult to her when I say that I am pleased to be unmarried again. Sincere apologies to anyone who was anticipating the reception.


[Filtered to the Deities // Unhackable]

Hello. When you have a moment, I would like to discuss another exchange with you, please.

[[ooc; This is the continuation of a plot which revolves around Carla's suicide (also mentions of necro-slavery and abuse.) That is a blanket trigger warning for anything she might talk about in this post or the comments below. Carla will be remaining in the psychiatric ward another week after this. Visitors are welcome, as are any network replies, you don't need to know her, it's a public post.]]



I'm fluent in French, and communicable in Spanish. I want to learn something else.

[Now it's going off.]

[ An engine revs down as the feed clicks on, the video balanced between a pair of handlebars as Asami removes her goggles-and-helmet combo and that sure is a lot of hair yep. She gives the network a bright smile, a little wind-swept but beaming in a happy mood; it's good to be driving again. ]

Hi, guys! So, I'm out of the house today and I'm done with all the chores I had to do. I recently finished re-vamping my new transport and I was wondering if anybody needed a courier service until around nine o'clock tonight; I know the ticking can get on peoples' nerves and you might not want to venture out or ruin your plans for this evening. [ Hopping off the vespa to give a decent view of it, it looks so old-fashioned and worn that on first-glance it could be junk just parked at the side of the road. (Alternatively, if you're from the 1920s, it simply looks like it could do with a decent paint job.) Swinging the picture back around to herself, she relents on a chagrined chuckle. ] I know it doesn't seem like much but it runs solidly and if your package is small enough not to out-weigh it, I'll be happy to deliver it for you. Free of charge, I should add. We're all stuck in this together, right?

Oh! Korra, would you like me to pick up some bathroom essentials for you? I know you liked a couple of mine when you had a shower. [ Hmm, come to think of it, she ought to check-in with all her housemates. ] Bolin, are you over the worst of your cold now or should I pick up a few more medically approved Milk Duds? Mako, I cannot remember if you said anything this morning, I was in such a rush. Sorry! Remind me, sweetie?

[ And with a wink, she ends the public call. ]

[A very wet hand grabs the recording device. After a moment of darkness, the device is set down (with absolutely no gentleness whatsoever) on the edge of the fountain. From off screen:]

I'm not surprised you're here.

[After a few moments full of drippy noises--the sounds of someone wringing his shirt and hair out, maybe--the device is retrieved and turned to show a wet and unamused Justin.]

It hasn't been a year, has it?


[ooc: Yeah, I brought him back. Do appraise him of the police situation!]

[VOICE]

I can hardly believe it's already September... in some ways it feels like the summer just started, and now it's over. I do like the fall, though, so I can't say I really mind. And it puts me in the mood to read poems about autumn, which are some of my favorite. They're always so lovely, even when they're sad.

( Non-IC cut for length | Hendecasyllabics, by Algernon Charles Swinburne )

I've been thinking-- I haven't picked the next play yet. But I want to do something, and I was thinking, maybe we could have some kind of poetry festival? Or a contest, with people reading poems of their own? We could have a theme, or if people prefer they could write about whatever they wanted-- I don't know what would be better.

What does everyone think?


[ooc; eesh please assume this was posted earlier in the day work i hate you. <3!]

[ He tried to make a private call to Merlin. It failed. Technology still escapes him sometimes. ]

Hey, do the clothes around here shrink or something? I'm definitely feeling a little bit of a pinch.

[ ever since Charlie's moved in, the food has gotten better and Arthur's been eating a heck of a lot more of it. Looks like the honeymoon phase is starting to wear off and they weren't even going out! ]