014 ♍ VIDEO

[glowsferatu]

[ Kanaya is sitting at her desk, with Ashiah laying down on it in front of her. The little grub keeps glancing around in various directions, while her mother's gaze and smile is fixed on the camera. ]

I've been thinking recently about the cross-section of the imPort community who aren't human, perhaps most particularly since the ambassador elections last month. There are a sizable amount of us, not a large group, but significant. I've spoken with many of you on individual terms, and while the resources Governor Kang and SELF have provided to those of us with more unique needs have been invaluable, I feel there is still something missing in our collective socialization. We live the imPort experience in a way that many others won't fully appreciate, and I think we could benefit from sharing those experiences with each other.

[ At this point, Ashiah tries to wander off camera, but Kanaya suppresses a giggle as she puts a hand on top of her and scoots her back into place. ]

I'm unsure exactly what form that would take, but putting us all in a room to share our stories would be at least a start. If anyone is interested, please let me know, and I'll see about renting some space. Of course, if you have any special dietary needs, in terms of snacks, I would like to hear those as well.

This is generally something I'd prefer to save until we're in person, but... [ She's interrupted as Ashiah turns around and nuzzles into her chest, then tries to climb up her shoulder. Kanaya stops and laughs to herself, then plucks her off and cradles her, despite all her fidgeting. ] Anyway, for those of you who I haven't had the pleasure with yet, my name is Kanaya Maryam, and this is my daughter, Ashiah. I'm an Alternian troll, specifically an awakened jadeblood, which basically means I'm a vampire. She's a Daughter Grub from the same planet. [ She raises a finger, shaking her head. ] And before you ask, no, she isn't a troll, and she won't grow up to be one, either. Once she finally pupates, she'll become a Mother Grub. They acted as gestational surrogates for trolls, while the jadeblooded caste were their caretakers and midwives. It's all a bit complicated, this is just a general summary.

So, hopefully we'll be able to put something together moving forward, and I'll be able to hear all of your stories, as well. I'll be looking forward to hearing from each of you.

Comments

[ofgoldenfoil]

I actually don't know how old I am. It could be I am older than you, but still young. Or younger than you, but old.

[ It turns out to be the former - Aurican is currently several centuries old and still considered a mere neophyte. He will continue to live for thousands of years. ]

[glowsferatu]

Huh. [ Not quite the answer she was looking for, but interesting nonetheless. ]

Well, let's think of it this way. Does it bother you to appear as a child? Beyond however it may bother you to be a human, anyway.

[ofgoldenfoil]

[ Sadly, Aurican's perception of age and the social cost of it is less than developed than others. ]

I know I appear as a much younger human, alhtough other than size aside I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Being in a young body doesn't bother me as much as me being a body that's not my own.

[glowsferatu]

[ Well, if that tells her anything, then thinking of him as a child may be safe. Still, probably a good idea not to confuse that with patronizing or condescending to him, she always hated that when she was younger. ]

That's perfectly understandable. For years, the Porter altered my physiology to better resemble a human, and to keep my proper form required active effort to maintain. But still, it was me, and I would rather put my emotional peace at risk than be forced to live behind a mask.

I'm sorry that she's put you through something similar.

[ofgoldenfoil]

[ Something catches Aurican's attention. ]

The Porter is a she? I was told it's a machine, like one of those televisions or automobiles.

[glowsferatu]

The Porter is far more than a machine, she's... [ She pauses, wondering if she should make sure not to overcomplicate her explanation. But then, it's not really a simple thing to describe, either. ] The Porter itself is a machine, but it operates by its own will, due to a goddess who has come to reside within it.

The goddess directs what the Porter does, and it merely carries those actions out. She was far more powerful once, on the last world she brought us to. But I think she lost some of that, in the process of the escape.

Or perhaps she simply built herself a better vessel before, while this one hasn't been exposed to the same materials yet.

[ofgoldenfoil]

Godhood transcends mortal living. [ He feels to point that out. Aurican has learn this from watching "Sunday programs" on the television sets, although the programs focus largely on the trivial opinions of godhood varies between groups and television programs. ]

So what is a goddess doing among this land, directly interfering with mortal lives here and among other worlds like mine?

[glowsferatu]

Your guess is as good as anyone's. [ Well, not literally. She hasn't gone through this for five years for her opinion not to count for something. ] To entertain herself, I suppose.

[ofgoldenfoil]

She needs something better to do.

[ Straight from the babe's mouth: A rare moment of blunt honesty from Aurican! ]

[glowsferatu]

[ Kanaya breaks into a chuckle. ]

Well, you're not wrong! Though it does work out for some people, adding months or even years to otherwise short lives.