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]

[is daylight savings time really the hill that you want to die on here, Hyunsoo? is this really where you want to make your last stand?]

Ice skating's pretty fun.

[boom, fucker. one whole thing humans do that's kind of ok on an entire planet. now what?]

[valuemeal]

[ ...

He's actually taken aback by her being able to name something. Clearly his foolproof plan here didn't account for the fact that just maybe Lapis would be able to enjoy even one thing on this entire planet. Who would've thought. ]

You went ice skating?

[ ??? You can practically hear the multiple question marks in his voice. Lapis having fun? Like a normal person? That sounds made up. ]

[oceanthief]

A few times.

[a friend even bought her skates - which she wore around like regular shoes for a while BUT THAT'S FIXED TOO. look at her, having fun more than once. you can't compete with this.]

[valuemeal]

[ Amazing. He's completely baffled. ]

And you didn't kill anyone?

[ APPARENTLY HYUNSOO'S PERCEPTION OF LAPIS' DAILY ACTIVITIES IS.. SOMETHING.... ]

[oceanthief]

Don't be stupid, they're not hard to steer at all.

[OBVIOUSLY]

[valuemeal]

That's not... [ What he meant. But instead he just trails off like the coward he is.

And goes quiet for a moment before he speaks up again. ]

So has your opinion improved a little then?

[oceanthief]

My opinion on what?

[because she...didn't have one on ice skating before.....]

[valuemeal]

On-- you know! Humans and human stuff and all! Unless you're going to tell me ice skating is actually something they invented where you come from all along.

[ Alien ice skating. ]

[oceanthief]

Do you really think you were the first species to think about sliding around on frozen water?

[she's. actually curious about the answer to this, actually.]

[valuemeal]

I don't think we're all that particularly smart. [ THAT much he'll admit to.. if not just because he's known plenty of idiots. He loves one of them. He knows. (He is an idiot himself.) ]

But some stuff is invented so randomly, it's got to be unique to some places! Or are you saying you guys invented everything first?

[oceanthief]

You know that there are more species than gems and humans in the universe, right?

[.....right?]

[valuemeal]

... Like what kind?

[ Because if Lapis is suddenly in on the whole "vampires actually exist" deal, then he's just going to give up. Some worlds are too difficult to understand. ]

[oceanthief]

I know have a list of them.

[dude, there are so many that SU never talks about even once so it's either that or literally every other planet they've conquered in uninhabited which is stupid there's no way she could start to rattle them off.]

[valuemeal]

That's got to just count for your world.

[ Because any other thought than that is... kind of terrifying... ]

I can't imagine stuff like that being out there in my world and there never having been even a sign of it. [ PLEASE NO WEIRD PSYCHO GEM MONSTERS IN HIS WORLD. ]

[oceanthief]

How do you know there aren't any signs? You probably just haven't realized what you're looking at yet.

[considering how long it takes humans to get into space in apparently every universe ever, after all...]

[valuemeal]

... Then what kind of signs are you saying show the existence of you gem people?

[ Not.. that he's sure if he wants to know. But he's asking anyway. ]

[oceanthief]

We show up.

[gems are...not subtle in the least. there's none of that crop circle bullshit, just a neat little touchdown and total colonization.]

[valuemeal]

I think someone would have announced it on the news already if you guys existed and showed up. You're not exactly subtle.

[ Whether he means in looks or personality is another story entirely. Probably both, honestly. ]

[oceanthief]

Of course we're not in this universe. Homeworld doesn't even exist here, that'd be impossible.

[she says like this should be common knowledge. ok, Lapis.]

[valuemeal]

[ Why don't you go check your Homeworld privilege, Lapis!! ]

If it doesn't exist here, then it better not exist where I come from either... [ Because after meeting Lapis, he's pretty sure he'd rather just not deal with any of these gem people ever again. ]

[oceanthief]

[joke's on you she totally betrayed Homeworld before coming here!!!]

I guess you'll find out if they ever decide to colonize.

[her voice is the same flat stoicism as always, but...well, maybe she's teasing him. just a little.]

[valuemeal]

[ ...

He might be growing a little pale. ]

Colonize?

[ That.. doesn't sound fun... He doesn't want a whole bunch of Lapis-like territorial overlords!! The teasing is an absolute success, at least. ]

[oceanthief]

Yeah. [this is dangerous, allowing Lapis to have fun. even more than assuming she's a murderer.] But don't worry, we're really efficient. It won't take that long.

[valuemeal]

[ That's exactly the kind of stuff the dentist tells you before he puts you through terrible trials. Hyunsoo won't be fooled by that kind of talk!! ]

W-what kind of stuff do you guys do to people?! [ Because in his mind Lapis is already perfectly capable of mass murder.. so who knows how much worse it could get. His mind certainly is already drifting off to nightmare scenarios. ]

[oceanthief]

We don't do anything to people; when we colonize, we're looking for what the planet can offer, not what's on top of it.

[more reassuring? less reassuring? she makes no attempt to discern the answer.]