video

[rathercommon]

[ Here's Kitty, wearing a smile and giving a little wave to the camera. ]

Hullo. It's Kitty here. I was just thinking about how it's about time for us to get another wave of new people - and then I remembered how last December, we didn't get any, and then I realized that I've now been here for over a year and that was just mad to think about.

It's easy to focus on all the horrid things that happen to us here. Because there are so many horrid things - that's true. The war with the Soviets is just terrible, and sometimes you just want to take the President by his shoulders and shake him until he stops - and those groups that detest us, they've made things a bit hard at times, as well. [ There's a little sideways twist to her lips as she says that; that's a grotesque understatement from a girl who had quite the history with one of those groups that detest us. ]

But it's always easy to remember the bad above the good. That's how the human brain works, isn't it - it's designed to remember hurts so that it can avoid those hurts in the future, which isn't bad, but which means that we sometimes lose track of the fact that there is so much more kindness than cruelty in the world. So I was just sitting and remembering all the good that's come to me over the past year.

Because this year, in this world, it really has been filled with impossible goodness. When I first came here, I was so scared, but there were people who took me in and helped me and protected me until I got a little more courage. And now here I am. I've made so many friends, amongst them someone I thought was my direst enemy. I saw people whom I'd never done any good for - I saw them forgive me when I was cruel and wicked and spiteful towards them, saw them risk themselves to help me and to save me.

And I've lived amongst the people of this world, who have been so good to me. So good. I've made friends amongst them, too. I've been kept on at work when I really have been the worst employee, when I've been unreliable because of my other obligations. And we've been allowed to speak our minds, speak freely. We've been allowed to travel far and wide. We've been supported in everything we do, which is far more kindness than has ever been extended a group of refugees at any time in any world. We've lived at peace. We've lived well.

So -

[ She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. ]

I'd thought - if I could trouble you all - that we could spend a little bit of time, all together, remembering the good turns that people have done us.

Talk about whomever you'd like. Talk about the people who have been kind and helped us when they didn't have to. Talk about the wealth that is the other people we know here. And I thought we could talk about the natives, too - I was thinking I might put together a little something, a few quotes, that we could pass along to the natives of this world, so that we know that we appreciate them. Let's take some time to overcome our brains, and remember the good - focus on the good and remember how kind the world is to us. How well we live. How strong and brave and honest we can be here.

[ Translation: 'All of this is a somewhat underhanded but well-intentioned PR thing that will let me package some stuff to make the natives less furious at us in an ongoing attempt to avert all-out war between us and this world.' ]

Anyway. There's that, if you can spare some time. Oh, and, erm - come by Krakatoa, while I've got your attention. Best club in town, bar none. And the employees are simply gorgeous.

[ A quick, half-sheepish grin, and then she gives a little nod and waves her way off. ]

Comments

[hisheartsdesire]

I'd ask you not to do that, but I know something has to give.
There are only so many ways in which you, of all people, can change.
Thank you for choosing me.

[brushoff]

If it helps, I'll only be a pest around Kitty. Our relationship is one which means she deserves it.

[hisheartsdesire]

[He doesn't know that exactly helps since... usually she's nice to him. Unless there's a sudden turnaround after his little confession about PRISON.]

Let me guess.
Even if I ask what it is between you two, it isn't your fault.
So I should save everyone the trouble and just not ask.

[brushoff]

Don't tell Kitty I said this, [ Dorian SHE CAN READ THIS ] but a little bit of this is my fault. She's just so fun to rile up!

[hisheartsdesire]

I won't tell her, I promise.
Only you do realize you just told her yourself?
This is her network post.
I can't do private conversations.
Pretty sure you already knew that.
Maybe you just forgot?

[Because this sounds exactly the sort of thing Dorian would say directly to Toby, all smiles and sniggers whilst doing so.]

[brushoff]

[ .......
shit ]

I knew that already!

[ no, he totally forgot. ]

[rathercommon]

So you wanted me to hear?

[brushoff]

Of course not!

[ there....is no way he can save face in this, can he. ]

[rathercommon]

Meaning you weren't expecting me to overhear...

[brushoff]

....there's no way I can try and scrape up the slightest bit of my dignity, is there.

[rathercommon]

[ She all but carols out: ]

Nope!

[brushoff]

[ and Dorian can't help but make a small aggravated noise of ARRRRRRRRRGH.

you win this round, kitty annoyingpants ]

[hisheartsdesire]

I'm SURE you did.
But I thought it worth reiterating.
I'm sure you could testify I've never uttered a word against her.
Not that anyone thinks that's actually worth anything, but I might as well mention.

[brushoff]

You're the nice one, of course people would believe that.

[ but hey, since Dorian's gonna just talk about Kitty like she's not here... ] I can read your conversation with her, by the way. Did you really need to bring up the progeny?

[hisheartsdesire]

I told you, I'm tired of hiding.
If people are going to find out, I should let them know on my own terms.
You say people will believe me, but have they really until now?
Of course you believe me, and I thank you for being the first of the few who do.
But not everyone shares your opinion of me.
If I'm not more open with those who do, how much longer until I

[He accidentally sends before finishing, but then realizes he was about to have written something drastic. And he knows he'd just recently promised he wouldn't do anything drastic. So he doesn't finish the sentence.]

[brushoff]

[ heeeeee knows what would come next, Dorian knows what would come next, thank you for not saying what would come next, Toby. ]

I know that you've got to do what you feel you need to do. I just wish there was a better way.

[hisheartsdesire]

Thank you, and I'm sorry.
More than anything, I just need to make this better.
In turn, maybe WE will get better.

[brushoff]

Here's hoping, [ said with a weak little smile. ]

[hisheartsdesire]

[Please don't look at him with that sad, weak smile, Dorian. He only feels that much worse about it.]

Besides, Dorian. I haven't forgotten what I promised you.
We're going to be all right. I know you believe it, too.

[brushoff]

I do believe it! In two months, we'll be looking back on this...well, not with fondness, but with some other sort of happy emotion.

[hisheartsdesire]

Laughter will be involved somewhere, I'm certain.
Before we accidentally devolve into something inappropriate, I'd like to remind you that anyone can read this.
Not that you were going to forget or anything.

[brushoff]

You're encouraging me, [ said with a mischievous grin. ]

[hisheartsdesire]

Please, don't be contrary right now.
I might end up publicly prostrating myself and begging you to stop.

[Waitasec, that just might be the point...]

[brushoff]

Be careful, or I might make you put your money where your mouth is.

[ that is totally the point. ]

[hisheartsdesire]

Even if I try, there's no getting around you when you're like this.