And Twice As Pretty [Video]

[disguarded]

[The feed cuts on to a shot of a woman with a very impassive expression sitting at a table... in a park maybe? She's somewhere outside at least, drawing in some sort of sketchpad, and by all appearances might not even know the camera is actually recording her. That is, until she speaks up after several long seconds of silence, eyes still locked on the page in front of her.]

Sorry for the interruption, everyone, but I'm curious about something, and I hope you have a second to answer.

In your time here, have you made many friendships or alliances, even knowing that they'll all be ending soon and forgotten? If so, why? And why do you think it's so common to do this? What motivates people to keep trying?

[She finally stops her sketching and looks over to the camera, holding up her pencil in front of her.]

Also, do you know where I can find better supplies for things like this? I usually just take what I can get, but if quality is an option...

Comments

[4thdimensional]

[It's a fair question, one that hit him hard when he first considered it---yet his answer is clear now.]

I've stood alone for most of my life, so in that sense, I can't really see my loneliness getting any worse than what I'm already accustomed to. It hurts when I lose dear friends, it will hurt more to lose the people closest to me...but I can't see myself coming to regret it.

If our memories are indeed wiped, in my estimation that's all the more reason to focus on what we have here and now. Sitting on the sidelines of life to avoid heartbreak doesn't avoid pain. It's just more of a dull ache than a sharp crack.

[disguarded]

[Back to her sketching and only sort of paying attention to the communicator, Twice thinks a moment before responding.]

So you're saying it's mostly about pain? And people hedging their bets on which kind they think will be worse?

[4thdimensional]

Something like that, yes. But I've come to realize that the human experience is about new opportunities, learning and growing...and that's just not as possible on your own as it is with friends. They've given my life new meaning here, and that means the world to me.

[devoutish]

People don't want to deal with the crushing loneliness. Yeah? It's human nature.

[disguarded]

Is it? Even when the only way it ends is loss for you or loss for them?

[She seems vaguely doubtful, but then again, human nature is something Twice doesn't know or care much about.]

[devoutish]

Yeah. I'm sure it helps a bit when you don't let yourself forget that this is all temporary. The ones who get too attached, who settle in too much - they're playing a dangerous game.

[dachizone]

Because friendship is strength. Even if you go different ways in the future, those friendships stay even after a long time of being separated from those people.

And everyone should keep trying to make friends, because a friend can help give that support and strength during the time you need it and being a friend to someone who needs strength is it's own reward.

[disguarded]

[Weak people banding together for survival. Yes, this makes sense.]

There are people here who are already very strong though. Why would they need help being stronger?

[dachizone]

For any reason. Do you think people who say they're strong should be alone?

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[dun_moch]

With allies, our time here is both safer and more pleasant. Standing alone, we are more vulnerable. There is always risk, of course. As you say, these connections are very often temporary. We are all ultimately at the mercy of the Porter.

[The Count eyes Twice's sketchpad. He wouldn't have expected an artistic inclination from her.]

Might I ask what you are drawing?

[disguarded]

[She looks at the pad a moment, before turning it around to show a rough sketch of a building. The details are vague or left off completely, with more focus on the shape and structure of the architecture, but the design is unique enough that Dooku might still recognize it as an art museum in De Chima.]

So it's about... maximizing momentary comfort then? Since safety is a pretty limited worry without death or even lasting memories of injury and pain.

[dun_moch]

[The Count snorts gently.]

I assure you, death and suffering are very real worries regardless of the permanence of their memories. We all face dangers here, and it is only natural to desire security in the face of threats.

[He eyes her drawing and her face, understanding.]

Although perhaps the possibility of pain means something differeng to Twice the Untouchable than it does to most others.

[Can't worry about safety if your power is not being hurt, after all.]

video!

[eatsnutsandkicksbutts]

I think every potential friendship is worth it, regardless of how long it might last. Making new friends and meeting new people is it's own reward, yeah?

[disguarded]

No, not really. I'm not interested in meeting people or making friends.

That's why I'm asking people who are.

[eatsnutsandkicksbutts]

Huh. Do you ever get lonely?

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[fayzedandconfused]

So what. You could go home and get hit by a bus five minutes later. Every relationship has an expiration date, not just the ones we have here.

[disguarded]

So why bother with either?

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[flowerette]

You never really know how long you'll be in this world. I've been here for almost two years now. And there are a few who have been here for longer. It would probably drive you a bit mad to be here for that long and not make some connections.

[disguarded]

[Well, hello again. (Not that Twice gives any immediate sign of acknowledgement of their previous meeting.)]

Really? People go mad from that sort of thing?

[Unlike Twice, the spitting image of mental health.]

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[mantlepieces]

Well, what else is anyone supposed to do? No one likes to be bored.

[disguarded]

Something else they find interesting, I guess. I don't know what that would be for everyone.

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[h2no]

I have a question for you! Why do you hate fun?

[is sitting and drawing all she does? archie isn't sure how he feels.]

[disguarded]

[Well, it's certainly all she's doing now! She's barely even glancing his way.]

I don't. I'm just not interested in it.

[Video]

[dumbfound]

Why wouldn't you want to make friends though? Isn't it kind of lonely if you don't bother to get to know anyone here at all? Especially if you get stuck here for awhile.

[disguarded]

For some people, maybe. But is that enough, or is there more to it?