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[adamantlyardent]

Here's my bit of charity to you, named and nameless collective of the stranded:
A theater class has issued the assignment to design and perform scenes of each student's own making, and, to no one's shock, many are deciding they're going to be making up bits based on imPorts. Rather, what they know or WANT to believe they know of them, and gods already know how dreadful an assessment PROFESSIONALLY published works are in that regard.

You're welcome to provide me with information of what you are...or are NOT, that I may, perhaps, educate or mitigate the onslaught of amateur theater to come in the following weeks. Doubtless you've seen rumors of yourself littering the shopping markets.

I'd lament that art is dead here, but I've been told washroom facilities are displayed as museum pieces here, so what would I even know about it. Humans are weird.

Comments

[adamantlyardent]

[her eyes stay downcast as she scowls.]

Someone hexed my diaries and stories, published them all across the valley in countless tomes. All to drag me out of my home and find my way to them to do their dirty work. Never mind the humiliation and trauma -- chop, chop! There's work to be done or whatever! [scoff.] Gods. Some people just have no decency and don't deserve magic, you know?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Did you ever find out who it was?

[adamantlyardent]

Yeah. [she folds her arms, leaning against the front of the vanity.] It was weird. It wasn't even anyone who actually knew me, just...needed power like mine. So stupid.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

So, it wasn't even anything personal? They just coveted your power?

That's...terrible. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dredge up horrible memories. I just thought you might enjoy these.

I really should have checked some of these out before I bought them though.

[adamantlyardent]

Oh, it's fine. [she huffs out a sigh, glancing back up.] You mean well, so it's not like I'm going to stand here and blame you for all my past business. I'm not that pathetic, alright?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I know you're not.

[He just feels like he sucks at making her happy.]

I've been meaning to ask, though, since you've been here a few months. Have you been adjusting well?

[adamantlyardent]

Adjusting well how? [she squints.] I mean, what's the benchmark? Is there one? Or, like...what?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Do you still hate being here?

[adamantlyardent]

Oh.

[beat.]

Uh. I mean...mmmost of the time? Not all of it, but. Most of it? I guess? [shrug???]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well, that's an improvement! I'm glad that there's some bright spots to being here for you!

[adamantlyardent]

[squinting:] Right...sure. I mean, that's...part of what adaptation is, isn't it? I'm not so stubborn as to spend all day moaning about what inconveniences me; I'd get sick of myself faster than anyone else could.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I'm just glad you're making friends.

[adamantlyardent]

[going pink:] What are you, my nanny? Gods! I didn't even say that, anyway, so there you go assuming...!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well, what else would help you adapt??

[adamantlyardent]

Dedicated research. [she juts her chin out.

then shrinks away again, scowling.] Not that one can get any of that properly done in what passes for school here.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh, you're going to school?? How is it? Is it fun? What are you learning??

[adamantlyardent]

Yes. Awful. No. Just a potpourri of assorted topics, barely gleaning the surface of any substance before moving onto another topic.

...And math.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

If you ever want help with your homework, I'm always around to lend a hand!

[adamantlyardent]

Wait-- [squint.] You've been here long enough to have attended their schools?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

It's coming up on a year for me but...no, I never went to school. I'm self-taught.

Why?

[adamantlyardent]

Then...how do you know you can properly assist? Have you seen what their take-home assignments look like?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

No but...I mean.

You do know I do experiments and engineering at my forge, right?

I designed a functioning exo-suit as a halloween costume.

What do you think I do all day? Run through walls and light myself on fire?

[adamantlyardent]

[flatly:] Don't forget the singing loudly part.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Music inspires me to science!!

[adamantlyardent]

[hair toss, nose in the air:] I've got more than science on my plate, thank you.