Track 1 | video

[lonelinessloop]

[ A young Japanese girl seems barely able to hold her excitement. She's pretty enough, with a certain star quality that can't be missed. She favors grey, red, black and white for her clothing choices but it works for her.]

[  assistant-locked  ]

 
Do you think it might be nice to throw a party for our new arrivals? I know some of the people on this filter just arrived as well, but hopefully you don't mind that it isn't a surprise. I just thought it would be nice to make everyone feel more welcome here.

Hey everyone! My name is Haruka Sawamura, and I'm originally from Tokyo on Earth. I'm an Assistant here, and I just wanted to welcome all the new arrivals here and offer any help or guidance you might need while you're adjusting to your new home away from home.

I'm pretty good about my communicator, but feel free to catch me around the halls or the common rooms; I'd love to get to meet you!

[  private to the Darkling ]

 
Did you want to maybe have lunch together sometime? I know we just got paired but I want to get to know you and see if I can help.

[ True to her word, Haruka can be found just about anywhere on board and wherever she happens to be, she's probably willing to chat with you. ]

Comments

Private | Audio

[summonshadows]

Would it make a tremendous difference if I said that I wanted no part in any such thing?

Re: Private | Audio

[lonelinessloop]

It would, actually.

You've had a lot of pairings in the past, huh?

Private | Audio

[summonshadows]

I have.

Did they share their grievances with you?

Re: Private | Audio

[lonelinessloop]

Some of them did, yes. But I told them that I had to make my own relationship with you. And I know this place can be hard for some people.

Private | Audio

[summonshadows]

[Aleksander once commanded armies; he was feared and respected as the Black General, and could silence a room by raising a hand. Even the King was small beside him if he so chose to but stand up straight, and he earned it - every bit of it - with his own hard work and sacrifice.

And then he came here and the Nurse and his last Assistant kept him so sedated he could barely keep his eyes open for the length of a conversation. His speech is still a bit detached and soft around the edges of his consonants with it, but he doesn't hang up.]

A relationship by which to offer help and guidance as I adjust?

Re: Private | Audio

[lonelinessloop]

I don't know. We don't know each other well enough to say what you might need.

You've been here for a while. I'd guess you're done adjusting. But maybe together, we can find a balance for you that will help you succeed here.

Private | Audio

[summonshadows]

I am capable of reason.

Name your time and place.

[talkstofungus]

[Luigi, who has been around forever and has never once been demoted for any reason and who absolutely loves his job, sounds thrilled about this.]

Oh yeah! A party would be awesome! I mean - parties always make people feel right at home and they get to meet everyone without having to really work on it!

[lonelinessloop]

That's what I was thinking! We've never had so many people show up at once so... why not celebrate?

Do you think we should give them a couple of days to settle in first or start planning now?

[talkstofungus]

How hard is it to plan a party?

[lonelinessloop]

Oh, I don't think it should be too hard. I can ask Nurse-san for supplies and then we just pick the best spot for it and invite everyone.

[talkstofungus]

Oh, what supplies should we have? I mean, you can't have a party without good snacks, right?

[lonelinessloop]

That's what i was thinking: snacks, maybe a few special games, music, decorations...

Do you think people would enjoy an activity?

[wastedluck]

[Oswald's been here for a while, now. He likes Haruka, she's a good kid. Reminds him of his own. But after yet another failed graduation, he's not sure he's in the mood.

Not that he takes it out on her. When he sees her sitting at a table reading, he just plods up to her and presses his head into the small of her back, slumping against her with a loud groan.]

[lonelinessloop]

[ She'd had a feeling about Oswald's most recent try and when she feels him slumping against her, she frowns and turns to wrap her arms around him in a tight hug. No words: there's nothing to say about it she hasn't said. And she just wants him to know she cares. ]

[wastedluck]

[He just lets her squish his big fuzzy head for a minute, before he lifts his arms to wrap around her waist as well, gripping her jacket as he sighs quietly.]

I ain't good at this 'fake it 'til ya make it' baloney.

[lonelinessloop]

[ She just nods. She understands. The man who raised her hadn't had much of a filter either, and he'd never have survived in a place like this.]

You lasted longer this time. [ Just a little bit of a bright side. Or maybe just a reminder. It's not nothing!] I know you can make it. I'm sorry it wasn't this time, though.

[ That comes with another squeeze.]

[wastedluck]

Yeah...

[It's a little bit, but it's not much. His ears flop suddenly like they've been deflated, limp against his own back as he hugs her a bit tighter.]

I don't think I'm gonna be a lotta fun to be around this week, Ruky. [His voice is muffled against her stomach, making it all the quieter.] Gotta get all the grit outta my ink 'fore I try again.

[lonelinessloop]

[ She gives him another squeeze as she nods.]

That's okay.

[ Then she gestures over to a box of chocolates sitting beside her.]

I got these candies but the person I got them for didn't want them. Want to share a few with me?

[ It's also an excuse to keep holding him. There's not much else she can do to help his pain.]

[grantedglory]

I'm kinda glad we've got some new arrivals. It's always nice to see new people around here!

[lonelinessloop]

[ Haruka's got a more mixed feeling about new arrivals, but she does feel protective of them. Which is why she nods. ]

Did Luigi tell you what we're planning?

[grantedglory]

The party! [ Duck grins. ] I'm not gonna be any use cooking or anything like that, but I can definitely help hang up some decorations! You can count on me, Haruka.

[lonelinessloop]

There's no cooking! The nurse is going to provide us pizzas for the party, and paper cups and plates so there's no clean up.

I know I can count on you, Duck. You're the best.

[grantedglory]

[ Don't mind Duck as she just outright BLUSHES. ]

Oh gosh, um, thanks. Nobody's ever really called me the best before!

[lonelinessloop]

Then I'll have to tell you more often.