maskormenace

[ 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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Perhaps you ought to have been employed at a greeting card company.

[ She wrinkles her nose in disapproval. ]

Oh, so it's a disposable sentiment, is it. I swear, all of you with your glib cynicism.

Did you really expect anything different from me?

Tell me about something good that's happened to you.

Hm, well. I verbally abused the devil publicly and didn't suffer for it.

Something someone has done for you.

Raina was particularly pliable last night, if that -- oh, is that not what you meant? Is this supposed to be for a general audience?

Um, yes.

Your questions only open a Pandora's Box.

And you get to decide what comes out of it. So how about nicer things. Appropriate nicer things.

Raina and I will be having Christmas dinner with Will and his April. [Smugly:] I anticipate a pleasant soirée.

[His anticipation is largely due to ignorance of what will be one of his own patients murdering Will, but you know.]

Appropriate enough?

I was hoping for a little kinder.

We have met before, yes? [More seriously:] This is a significant improvement to my usual routine, Ms. Jones.

Well, I think the improvement could be greater.

[ She huffs a sigh. ]

I know you're a kind man. You've been good to me, and good to Raina, and good to plenty of others. You just hide it under this ironic distance, don't you.

If I agreed to your statement, would you cease your pursuit?

No.

You ask for so much of me. One might wonder why.

'Cause I think you can deliver, I guess. You really are kind.

[ She shrugs. The real reason is a little bit less flattering, perhaps: it's a combination of thinking that Chilton is kind and thinking that he's not all that hard to bully. ]

I take it you have suggestions in mind, then? Or is "be kind" the inspiration? I once again refer you to the greeting card business.

I want you to recognize people who are kind. That's all. That'll be a start.

Typically those who regularly keep company with me, I find to be engaging and even -- dare I say -- vaguely kind.

What about you? Anyone who has been remarkable as of late?

Me? Oh, sure. I've got people who are helping me out in that garage that got left to me, and they're doing a really brilliant job when they could be getting paid more elsewhere.

No doubt your deft leadership qualities are at least partially the reason for their loyalty. Kindness being accounted for.

Oh -

[ An awkward laugh. ]

No, hardly. I don't even really lead. I just sort of stand about and try to keep up with what they're doing.

Your modesty continues.

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