030 ⇨ video

[brobeforehos]

[No more suit, this time around for mae, although now that fancy tie is working as a fancy head band, bow at the side of her neck. She doesn't pay attention it, no more than she does to what's in her hand.

A calendar.] So I've been counting. A year and five months - a year and five months is how long I've been here. I've seen my friends return to their world, but I never went back on a trip. This last two months - they've been harder.

Everyone keeps leaving, eventually. I go through periods of five months before I get to see my brother for two days, and -

[She looks up.] I don't know. I'm opening a public debate. What do the rest of you think about forming friendships in this place, knowing that any day those friends might no longer be there?

Comments

PRETTY PLACEHOLDERISH but I wanted to tag yoooouuu

[zipperbent]

Geez, comings and goings happen that often around here?

I NEVER KNOW IF I'M MEANT TO REPLY TO PLACEHOLDERS WHATEVER I DO WHAT I WANT

[brobeforehos]

I'm not sure - maybe it was just more frequent between my group of friends?

[yourbestguysgun]

Well, not forming friendships seems like it'd be a pretty lonely existance.

[brobeforehos]

Yeah - shame I'm not a loner, I suppose.

RAISE THE ROOF SHE'S ON FIYAH

[zipperbent]

That's some pretty rotten luck. If it helps any, my brother isn't here, either? I don't know why that would help, to be honest, since it hasn't been a year for me. It hasn't even been a month. No withdrawal symptoms yet. You're a trooper.

[pause, holding his chin]

As for your question...I'm a people person so I'd probably go bananas without friends.

[thenormalsquint]

[Oh, Angela can answer this one.]

It gets tiring.

but not literally

[brobeforehos]

You have a brother, too? [:( She feels sorry for brotherly relationships being split apart by the City, okay.] Sorry - and hah, thanks, I think.

I keep going through these moments of utter sadness, and the whole what's the point of it all, but then I remember I need friends, too.

[brobeforehos]

It gets tiring to know they've left.

[thenormalsquint]

And half the time they leave before you even really get to know them.

[This is her lot in life. A long string of hellos quickly followed by goodbyes that aren't actually said.]

[brobeforehos]

Yeah, but what then - not leaving the house, not talking to anyone? One time I was alone for a weekend, and met literally no-one, and for a moment I thought I had forgotten how to speak.

[hexuality]

You have to. The time feels longer when you spend it being miserable—and the City does that on its own well enough; no need to help it along by doing it to yourself, either.

[brobeforehos]

Right you are. Do you know rollercoasters, Ginny?

[thenormalsquint]

You can still go out, get a job, talk to people on the network.

[Just don't get too close to them. Anymore.]

[hexuality]

I've heard of them.

[brobeforehos]

Well, my mood kind of resembles the ride. One moment it drops vertiginously, and the next one I remember I have taught myself better than to mope.

[brobeforehos]

It's what I'll probably do, regardless of today.

are we sure about that

[zipperbent]

I do indeed. An older brother, which of course means 'mom.' If I get into trouble it's his fault for being absentee. [APOX ON YOU CITY. also, he gives a little bow.]

Us social folks need to stick together. I'm Bolin, and I'm very good at bringing cheer to those who require it. [HE SAYS THIS WITH A STRAIGHT FACE.]

...And I probably shouldn't draw attention to this, but I couldn't help noticing your hair is pink.

yes and it should stay that way....

[brobeforehos]

Hey, I'm the older sibling. [And also kind of a mom, okay no comment. Ahah.]

I'm Mae, Bolin. And I see you're a very sharp observer, too.

[hexuality]

I know. I'm the same way. I reckon we all are.

But I also reckon people as incredibly witty and charming as ourselves aren't meant to be alone.

[brobeforehos]

No, it would be criminal for that to happen.

[hexuality]

And besides, I think it's safe to say we can be friends. I went three years without going home so I'm probably in for another three before the next time, right?

[brobeforehos]

I've got half of that, so let's not jinx. I'm a jinxer.

well if you insist

[zipperbent]

Uh-oh. [again, with a straight face-] I can't be tamed.

You're too kind, Mae. It's a skill. So...is the pink a natural thing? [squint] Your accent is almost the same as Ginny's.

[thenormalsquint]

Who left?

[hexuality]

So am I. More with a wand, though.

[Keep it light. This is her goal. She can't let herself dwell and se doesn't like seeing it in others, either.]