05 | voice

[oceanthief]

When Homeworld started investigating this system, we checked all the stars near potential colonies for stability. Everyone was really excited about this planet because its sun had a pretty decent lifespan, so we wouldn't have to do any shielding for a while.

[or. something. Lapis never really paid any particular attention to the reports that came in about earth, because why would she? it was just a little mudball in some podunk galaxy.]

Is that not how it works on this earth? I can't really think of why else you'd be trying to ration sunlight, but...it's kind of stupid. Unless you're storing it somewhere to use later it's not going to make any difference, and I really don't think humans have that kind of technology yet.

[at least not on this version of the planet, anyway. she really has no idea what 'daylight savings time' could mean aside from this, and it's got her completely mystified. that at least is a familiar feeling when it comes to humanity, even if it's not all that pleasant.]

You guys don't even have that much time to start with. Do you really need to complicate it this much?

[and if the sun is dying...why bother squabbling between insubstantial nationstates when there was such a big problem looming over them all? it was all so dumb.]

Comments

[oceanthief]

[oh. oh. Lapis' face slowly lights up as she scrolls through the attached photos. there aren't a lot of things that make her outwardly happy, but earth animals have somehow managed to worm their way into that very short list.]

And they're all dogs even though they look so different?

[she takes a moment to consider this, then nods in quiet affirmation.]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've seen these before. [...] They're really cute.

[amadaman]

[This isn't the first time he's seen a reaction like this to dogs, but he has a feeling this is a rare reaction from Lapis Lazuli. He has to smile back, expression as bright as the sun.]

Aren't they? Have you met-met one before?

[oceanthief]

[she considers this thought again, head canting gently to the side. since they were apparently so varied she had to go back and sort through every non-human thing she's ever encountered - and maybe some of the humanish ones too...]

I don't think so. They come to the beach pretty often, but not close to where I go.

[amadaman]

Would you like to meet once?

[oceanthief]

...I guess?

[amadaman]

Koromaru's the one in the first picture I sent you. He's used to being around people and really well behaved, so I think he'll be good for a first meeting.

[oceanthief]

I won't need to feed him when you leave, will I?

[she can't help it - the last time anyone introduced her to pets she ended up sitting for them while he was on vacation.]

[amadaman]

... I was gonna stick around and make sure you didn't get uncomfortable in case he got excited, unless you want me to leave?

You won't have to feed him.

[oceanthief]

[her shoulders relax immediately, the relief clear on her face.]

...that's fine, then. The last time this happened he didn't even leave instructions that were particularly helpful.

[amadaman]

Aah...


Please don't worry. I won't dump anything on you like that. If I hand you anything it'll just be toys for you to throw for him.

[oceanthief]

Oh, you don't have to give me anything. If I want to play with him I can just make my own.

[amadaman]

Your own toys?

[oceanthief]

Yeah. There's water in everyone's house, so it's not a problem.

[amadaman]

That's true. Well, he does like it if I take out the hose in warmer weather, so you'll probably be able to keep him entertained really easily.

[oceanthief]

I'm pretty sure it won't be that hard. Animals are really easy to understand.

[waaaay more than people, at any rate.]

[amadaman]

Yeah? That's great! Koromaru can understand what we're saying, too. He can hold conversation even if he can't talk back.

[oceanthief]

Is that unusual? I thought any animal with ears understood what was going on.

[she doesn't even mean this snarkily, like some people might after being told a dog can chat with them. Lapis sincerely believed animals were about as intellectually with it as any random human.]

[amadaman]

Not exactly. They understand things in their own way, but they don't share a spoken language like we do.

Koromaru can't talk, but he will understand what you're saying to him and communicate with you, not just listen to commands.

[oceanthief]

It's not like a common language really helps all that much. [speaking from personal experience, Lapis?] He's probably got an easier time since people try a little harder for him.

[amadaman]

Well, if I have to be honest.

Dogs are way more worthy of out patience than other people.

[oceanthief]

That's not really a very high bar for them to be jumping over.

[the dogs, not the people.]

[amadaman]

It was humanity that set the bar low and kept it going lower.

[oceanthief]

It's not like that's the dogs' fault.

[amadaman]

Well, no, but it makes them great.

I like people well enough but dogs are just nice.

[oceanthief]

There are a lot of things that are nicer than people.