Voice (Backdated to Sunday)

[rianofski]

This weekend has been fascinating, to say the least. While I'm well aware that most -- perhaps all -- of our current visitors will be returning to their respective worlds soon, I can't help but question the purpose of such an event.

[There's a pause.]

Why is it necessary to bring "guests" here, then immediately get rid of them? Is it simply an attempt at irritation? The potential opportunity for people who have missed each other to see each other once again, only to be parted? I'm well aware that the "deities" often have ill-conceived plans, but this particular turn of events strikes me as inherently pointless.

Comments

Re: video

[rianofski]

Cruel, perhaps, but ultimately pointless, nevertheless. I think their attempts at cruelty would be far better focused towards their normal curses rather than this clumsy attempt at emotional manipulation.

video

[spotlighted]

For some people, emotional manipulation is the cruelest thing they could do. [Herself included.]

Re: video

[rianofski]

I suppose, were it effective emotional manipulation, that might be true. This, however, seems ludicrous -- we know that time does not move back home, and we know that ultimately, most of us end up back home with no memory of what happened here. Therefore, one hardly has the same sense of anguish one might otherwise.

[No understanding of emotions here, not at all.]

[spotlighted]

That's true, but ... what if someone showed up who you couldn't see back home? I've heard of people arriving from different points in time to each other.

[rianofski]

[There's a long pause.]

I can't think of anyone like that. If I no longer see them back home, it's either because I have no interest in doing so, or because it is impossible. There's no sense dwelling on it, either way.

[spotlighted]

[She can't help but feel a little sorry for him there, although she wouldn't dream of saying anything like that to him. She smiles sadly as she replies, though.]

Well, most of the people back home I have no interest in seeing, either. But the person I was scared of showing up died, you see, and if he was suddenly walking around here... [She turns that smile to something more resilient.] I'm glad I didn't have to face that. I'd like to think that I'm stronger than that.

[rianofski]

I'm sorry to hear that. It would be disconcerting, I admit, were the dead to suddenly be walking amongst us.

[Which is remarkably similar to what happened during the zombie curse, but he'd rather not dwell on it.]

[spotlighted]

Luckily I avoided running into him, or anyone else for that matter, so it's like you said, it's pointless to dwell on it. There was one guy who seemed to know me, but I'd never heard of him before, so I'm not going to think too much about him, either.

[rianofski]

Well, as you may have noticed, there are a variety of people here from different times. Perhaps he knew you in your future.

[Stranger things have happened, after all.]

[spotlighted]

I didn't even think of that, that's a very good point. Well, I guess I'll find out eventually one way or the other, then.

[He also said that he knew her from a place called Rapture, but that's something she doesn't see as relevant or worth bringing up.]

[rianofski]

[Probably a good thing she doesn't bring it up, or Andrew would be staring at her in disbelief.]

These weekends happen every so often, I'm afraid, so you may have to be prepared for a visitor from home to show up in several months.

[spotlighted]

At least I'll feel a little more prepared for it in the future.

[rianofski]

Yes -- the first time is always the most disconcerting. You haven't yet experienced a great deal of things the City has in store for you, I'm afraid. Neither have I, I'm sure.

[spotlighted]

I shall certainly endeavour to meet whatever they throw at me head on, at the very least.

[rianofski]

And I am certain that you shall do so with aplomb.

[spotlighted]

[She smiles very proudly at him. It's so wonderful to be around someone who not only oozes confidence, but has such confidence in her, too.]

I know you will, too.

[rianofski]

I certainly hope so. It wouldn't look very good if I didn't.

[spotlighted]

Oh, I don't see any way in which you wouldn't look good.

[rianofski]

You flatter me, Ruby.

[Not that he's going to turn down a compliment. Or deny it.]

[spotlighted]

[She shrugs, as though it's no big deal to her, she was just stating the obvious.] From what I've seen, you're someone deserving of flattery.

[rianofski]

I could certainly say the same to you -- speaking of which, I'd very much like to see you sing one of these days.

[spotlighted]

I'd like that, too. And as it so happens, I do have somewhere to sing now. A little place called Lucky's, I've been there about a week and a half now. It would be wonderful if you would come and listen to me one evening.

[rianofski]

I'd enjoy that. I'll come by some evening -- what time do you perform?

[spotlighted]

10pm on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. I'm working hard to try and get more days, I'd love to be able to sing full time again.

[rianofski]

I'm sure you'll get more days just as soon as they see how talented you are.