006 ✿ Video

[flowerette]

One year ago today, I arrived in this world. One year ago today, I shared a fateful drink in De Chima with the man who would become the love of my life. One year ago, there were different faces in this world -- different people to greet me upon my arrival, but many are and have remained the same.

[ Raina smiles a sappy smile. She is genuinely happy for the experiences she's had here and people she's met. ]

There have been a lot of ups and downs, especially as of the past few months. But I would be lying if I said that being in this world hasn't been a largely positive experience for me. And while it's sad to think all of it can be gone and forgotten faster than we can blink, that just means we should try to appreciate what we do have here all the more, doesn't it?

[ She leans forward, warm and inviting. ]

So I'd like to hear about your positive experiences. What are some of the best things that have happened to you here? What opportunities have arisen for you here that you would not have gotten back home? What friends did you make that you never would have met otherwise? And for people who have ported in recently, what opportunities do you hope this world will bring you?

We're so focused on the bad things or getting back home to our responsibilities or the people who aren't here that we often neglect to stop and appreciate the little things. Even if it's something as simple as getting to taste strawberry ice cream for the first time. So let's take a moment to share our experiences with each other.

[ A pause. ]

Also while I have you here -- a few months ago I was speaking to a friend of mine and we were talking about how it's possible to port out and return without memories of ever having been in this world. I brought up the idea of writing a letter to ourselves detailing our time here and he proposed that we try to see if the government would include those in the files we're given upon our arrival. If people overall think it's a good idea, I can talk to a few representatives to see if it can be done. I just know that there are people and things here that I would not want to forget, and I'm sure a lot of people feel the same.

And I think that's about all I have to say. I look forward to hearing your stories. Even if we can't have our letters included in our files, maybe this post could serve as a little something for our future selves to look back on and see how happy we once were if ever there's a time when that is forgotten.

Comments

voice;

[hisheartsdesire]

A letter to ourselves—what an interesting proposition. It'd be nice if they did let us do something to that extent. [A beat.] Out of curiosity, does the government keep details, or at least records, of dates when a particular imPort has come and gone?

Also, I'll get to some stories in a bit... Once I know where to start, I guess. [Concludes with a small chuckle.]

voice;

[flowerette]

I would think that they do, but I can't be certain. It seems as though it would be something they would be aware of, especially if they're tracking porter activity.

[ Faintly amused: ]

Well, I'm sure you have a lot of stories to share. Maybe I can help you find a starting place. What's the most unique date you and Dorian have had here that you don't think you could have experienced the same way back home?

[aggressiveapathy]

You did not write a letter.

[flowerette]

Not here, no. But I do have one ready.

[ A lie. Raina will only prepare it if she foresees herself porting out, after all. ]

[ video ]

[hostage]

It oughta be a video, not a letter. Some of us wouldn't believe a letter, 'specially coming from the government. It's different if you watch yourself say it.

[So politely stated, as if Raina and her boytoy aren't the worst enemies he's got left here.]

[ video ]

[flowerette]

[ Such an honor! ]

Well, there's no saying it has to be written. Anything that gets the message across would work. You know yourself best, after all.

[ Also so polite. Like Jesse isn't the boytoy for her sort-of-but-it's-complicated rival. ]

Video

[morethan084]

Sometimes you need a fresh start.

[In other words: She doesn't agree.]

Video

[flowerette]

That's also your decision. But speaking as someone who experienced it yourself, wouldn't it have been less confusing for you if you had something from yourself to explain things that happened here?

video

[huntergames]

[ She's seated on her bed, a couple of comic books laying open around her and what looks like a half-eaten artichoke sandwich beside her. Half-eaten. At least her appetite has recovered mostly in the past few weeks and the dark circles under her eyes have mostly faded. ]

I like that idea. [ Both, but the latter especially. ] Would we be able to leave information for friends from our worlds, too? In case they're ported here when we're gone.

video

[flowerette]

[ Half eaten? Dark circles?? Oh dear. Sasha must be ill. Raina looks at her with brief concern. ]

I don't see why not. Though you should see if they would want you to do so first. Some people might not wish to know as strange as it sounds.

[ A beat. ]

Are you alright, Sasha?

[akito]

[ he was so with you up until you distracted him with one thing in particular - ]

Tasting strawberry ice cream for the first time isn't something simple!

[flowerette]

[ Raina smiles. ]

Well, I suppose not. No. It is the most delicious of ice creams.

Video

[dun_moch]

[Count Dooku appears on the video, a warm smile on his face to match Raina's own presentation, his voice rich and welcoming.]

A happy anniversary to you Raina, for both your arrival and meeting your beloved partner as well. We are all indeed fortunate that the Porter has graced us with your presence for so long.

[He takes a moment for thoughtful beardstroking. He'll think of something suitably saccharine in a moment to answer her request for positive experiences, but first:]

The suggestion of a letter is an excellent one. If no one has yet asked Captain Ananke whether it could be included in our files, I will volunteer to venture the question to her.

Video

[flowerette]

[ Raina appears suitably charmed after Dooku's compliments -- playing up her demure smile and modest expression. ]

Your words are as kind as they are flattering. Thank you, Count Dooku.

[ And she nods after his suggestion. ]

Yes, that would be helpful. I was mostly gauging interest before I decided to take it a step further. But if you want to speak with her, by all means.

[ Raina will gladly deliver Dooku to the government's doorstep and give him a way in -- for both imPort influence and alliance building. She's still positive this man will be one to watch. And to further bolster Dooku in a positive light: ]

I'm certain she would want to thank you anyway as one of the diplomats who had a great success in Mexico, giving imPorts sanctuary away from the Russian invasion last month.

video.

[glowsferatu]

[ Kanaya isn't sure she should bother responding, Raina would probably dismiss anything she says out of hand. But it's such a monumentally bad idea, she'd feel like she missed an opportunity to protest it if it ends up implemented. ]

I think the idea is...shortsighted. Not only for encouraging the expectation that one iteration of a person should carry on for the last, but also for the impact it will have on those around us.

I've been an imPort long enough to have seen numerous iterations of the same person pass through that Porter, and for those of us who remain, being able to define how we will relate to any one of those iterations is vital to our survival. If they have a letter that already defines that for us, who the new arrival may feel obligated to continue without any sort of emotional resonance with the matter, that can be no small inconvenience.

In fact, depending on the nature of that relationship, it can be dangerous.

[ She's had enough enemies, whether here or from home. Having them renew their interest because a past self told them about it? That's nothing she wants to deal with. ]

Personally, I think that being introduced to this situation is overwhelming enough as it is, and being told by anyone, whether the government or other imPorts, that they had another iteration here before, is a terrible faux pas. No one needs that existential crisis, nor the pressure it would put on them to be the same person we knew before.

In the end, it will only do more hard than good.

video.

[flowerette]

I can see your point, Kanaya. I do. And like I told Daisy, it's a personal choice for everyone. Some people know that they would not be able to handle information from themselves or that they would rather have a fresh start if given the opportunity. But I also often see people who were close to that previous incarnation come up and dump a whole lot of information on that person about their past relationship. And that sort of thing can be incredibly jarring coming from a near stranger.

I don't think the letters should be terribly detailed. It's just that... [ Her expression becomes a bit forlorn. ] I think of coming to this world all over again, not trusting anyone. And I think of laughing in Frederick's face as he tries to tell me about the relationship we once had. For me personally, I think the only way I would believe it possible is to hear it from myself.

But everyone is different. And maybe we could simply write the letter, have it with the file, but leave it up to the individual arriving whether they want to read it or not. Then the opportunity is still left up to the person and nothing is forced on them that they do not want.

private;

[instars]

Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly.

private;

[flowerette]

'Tis the prettiest little parlor that you ever did spy?

[ She smirks. ]

voice;

[wizzardly]

[he hears someone call the smiling woman Raina. Oh, oh, this is the woman, then. Dr. Chilton's girlfriend, the one with the nightmares.

...Gosh, the man really is doing well for himself, isn't he? She seems lovely.]

Oh, er... I quite like some of the music. [awkwardly. Rincewind doesn't often have reason to to talk about positives.] And being able to listen to it so easily, sort of thing. That's much harder where I'm from. ...The food is often rather good as well.

voice;

[flowerette]

[ Well FINALLY. Someone who is talking about the positives. ]

This is the sort of thing I had hoped to hear! Those are both things a lot of people from modern worlds take for granted. And the food in this country is definitely exquisite. There are a few vegan restaurants I absolutely adore.

voice;

[slightlyoffchilt]

I think it is a good idea to propose.

voice;

[flowerette]

Thank you. I knew you would support me.

[ Spoken very much with the arrogance of thinking Chilton is smarter and more important than everyone else. ]

text;

[matadorable]

congratulations to you!
i am glad that you have found
happiness and love in this world

as for me
i have been reunited with the woman i adore
and recently finished making a demo
for a concept album
its something i never would have
been able to do back home

text;

[flowerette]

Thank you so much, Manolo!

And congratulations to you as well. That's wonderful to hear! It sounds to me as though this world has been very good to you most recently. And I really hope your album is very well received. Any estimate on when you'll be releasing it?

[acclimatized]

Happy Anniversary, Raina. I can't believe it's been one year already.

[ john isn't going to touch that positive experience question because hah-hah. ]

I think the letter idea might save a bit of awkwardness when you run into someone here that you don’t know. Personally though, I'd be a bit sceptical if the government handed me a letter from myself.

[flowerette]

Well someone brought up the point of making a video as that might be more believable for some people.

[ A pause. ]

But I do want to say, you and Mary had been such an important part of my life here. Thank you, for your help and support. [ And housing her as a cactus that one week. ]

And I'm sorry that she's gone. I still think about her from time to time.

video;

[callhousekeeping]

Is it not opportunity enough to be granted a whole new start at life? A rebirth? The world can become so... static so easily.

video;

[flowerette]

This is an extraordinary opportunity. Particularly if your original world had been cruel, unsafe, or even boring. Every port in seems to bring something novel and exciting to our world.

[ And considering this beautiful lady is not one Raina recognizes, she assumes she's one of the more recent arrivals. ]

What do you think of this place so far?

text

[stealwithit]

[ They've never spoken before, but Kasumi can't resist the siren call of someone being a sappy romantic on the network. ]

Congratulations on that very first bit. It's nice to see people in the import community bonding like that.

text

[flowerette]

Thank you so much! People always say it isn't worth it. That one of us will port out and abandon the other. But I don't think anyone in this world should allow that fear to hold them back from experiencing something truly extraordinary.

video; /late to the party

[cleptes]

Well, I wouldn't have met you, sweetie. [Charming smile.] Has it really been a year?

FASHIONABLY SO.

[flowerette]

It has. Can you believe how fast the time has flown?

[ She grins. ]

I will confess you are one of the best things that happened to me. That we could come to this world at the same time and experience the same things has only served to solidify our bond.