[OPEN MINGLE: SEPT 8-16]

[oneandmikleonly]

[So what are you up to as we pass out of the first hectic week of September and into the second? Calm strolls with alien elephants or fast swims with alien sealife? Flashing your sunglasses at crime scenes? Dreaming and building dreams? Waking and building...buildings? There's always a lot to do here, whether it's formal missions or just shenanigans with friends.

Zenning out is fine too!]

Comments

ota

[splasher]

A. A BRAVE STEP (NETWORK, VIDEO)

Oh, snails...

[makoto is above the surface of the ocean this time, feet firm and balance kept by the island he stands on. the waters are calm and hold a nacreous shimmer on the crest of its small waves, aided by the sun's intensity in the late morning; this is the time makoto has chosen to broadcast himself across the network again, soft and solemn, but DETERMINATION™ in his eyes--after he stops looking at a far off point (he just spotted snails, okay).]

Hello. It's me, Makoto. I wanted... to say something publicly. Mostly to get it off my chest, but also because I think admitting it will make me better.

[it's not that he's been lying about it--but he sure acts like he has, what with his taking a deep breath and trying to keep as calm and solid as possible.]

I don't think many know, but, I'm afraid of the ocean. [phoo] E, Ever since I got here, I've been struggling with that, and I've tried my best to ignore how anxious I feel just so I can leave base at all. --I love swimming, I really do, and I don't want to be held back by my fear.

[he looks uncertain for a moment, but is quick to regain eye contact with the camera feed]

...I, I hope I can feel better about being here, and be braver about it. I also hope I can be more upfront about when I feel scared. [though his words remain firm, it's clear he's trying very hard not to waver in his DETERMINATION™] A lot of you have already done so much to help me without knowing, um, so I really appreciate that.

P-Please look after me from this point onward!

[without having much else to say, and his face growing red from embarrassment/shame, he bows, bringing down the camera feed with him, and ending the transmission]

B. YOU KNOW NOTHING UNTIL YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN HOE

[makoto has found himself busy this time around tending to the base's farm. he's made up his mind to work it, and was even gifted his own hoe and other farming equipment from URSULA.]

[but, as excited as he is to get started, he's still very much still learning his way around doing this, so he won't exactly be the mary poppins of gardening. other than stumbling over his newly acquired farming equipment, he can be easily found quietly transferring plants from one patch of soil onto a temporary pot and then onto another patch of soil again.]

[that is, until rapplejack decides to munch onto his hair while he's squatting]

E-Ehh? Hey, Rapplejack, not-- again--

[swatting his arms and managing nothing, rapplejack seems to have more amusement in trolling makoto than anything else. get this horse off of him, he just got a haircut a few days ago!]

C. DON'T TELL HIM HE SMELLS LIKE FRUIT

[congratulations! you're now the happy owner of a cut out piece of paper; its contents are handwritten and the picture is equally hand drawn. you'd think he would have asked haru for help on principle, but there was no time to ask his artistically talented friend for help (haru's too busy sitting in an anemone all day anyway), and these needed to be handed out asap]

Hi! My friend and I are in the process of making deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, and soap out of something different than algae. So far we've collected some fruits and flowers to work with. I was wondering if you'd be interested in testing them out, or if you have some experience in putting together this kind of thing?

[is makoto saying that you smell ("testing them out")? definitely. but he'll never confirm that statement.]

D. WILDCARD

[feel free to catch makoto swimming, snoozing, eating, or listening to music!]

A

[aquanaut]

[Well, that took an awful long time.

Being able to talk like that in front of everyone, that ought to take a long time. Haru sighs post-broadcast, releasing a breath he'd been holding for Makoto.]

Are the snails helping?

[At least it's not about his extremely obvious blush.]

Re: A

[splasher]

Snails?

[shit, it's haru]

--oh, no. I was looking for them, for someone else! I didn't notice them until just now.

Re: A

[aquanaut]

[Ah...someone's bullying Makoto again.]

Re: A

[splasher]

What's with that face...? Were you also looking for snails?

Re: A

[aquanaut]

No, I was thinking about them for you. You shouldn't let people order you around.

Re: A

[splasher]

I'm not letting others order me around!

Re: A

[aquanaut]

Oh?

Re: A

[splasher]

I wanted to find snails on my own!

A - video

[braavado]

It's already pretty brave of you to talk about your fear like that. [She gives him a sympathetic look. And here she was complaining about cabin fever when someone who's afraid of the ocean's stuck right in the middle of it.]

Do you think it'd help if you had people with you?

Re: A - video

[splasher]

Thanks! I'm trying to be better at not bottling up how I feel. I want to try and keep improving in a place like this.

[honest and genuine, at least] Though, uhm, it does help to not be on my own... I do try to surround myself with others!

[braavado]

I think you're heading in the right direction. My teacher once told me that admitting you're scared of something is the most difficult part of overcoming that fear.

And, hey. [Smiling right back at him.] I wouldn't mind accompanying you if you need someone around next time you leave the base.

i'm gonna assume they exchanged names in the previous thread im,, sorry for my slow

[splasher]

[korra is so nice!! makoto is overwhelmed by her offer, since he's not necessarily used to people being so openly giving to him--but he supposes this has something to do with him opening up in the first place.]

[abashed and a little shy, he laughs softly, before assenting] I think it'd be nice to just make more friends. Strength in numbers--ah, I mean, I would really like that, so, thanks.

[you made this]

Uh, Korra, right?

that sounds good! and no worries <3

[braavado]

Yup, that's me. Just use these communicators to get a hold of me--or I guess you could use the mind connection thing, too. [Shaking her head, she laughs a little.] I keep forgetting that's something we can do here.

[She pauses.] Can I ask... did something happen to make you scared of the ocean? You don't have to answer that if you don't want to.

ty!!

[splasher]

I... forget sometimes, too. It's very convenient, but I haven't really gotten used to it yet. Mostly because I'm not very good at keeping my thoughts, uhm, compact?

[it can get awkward when he's communicating one thing but lusting after chocolate in the same telepathic string.]

[and although he quiets for a moment at her question, his voice is level just the same as before--light and friendly.]

Hn. It's fine. It's just that I've lived by the ocean my whole life, and when I was a lot younger, many fisherman were lost at sea because of a storm. ...a friend of mine knew was in one of those boats. [he's trying to be brave about saying this, too] I grew up knowing that the ocean was not only beautiful, but that it could take lives away easily without much warning, even if you think you've known what it's like all your life.

[that's the conclusion he's come up with, after years and years. his fearing the ocean here makes sense; he doesn't know this ocean nor what lurks within it--how could he really trust being safe here?]

[braavado]

It makes it easier to find people in the base, but [A smile plays about her lips.] I'm wondering how many people have accidentally heard thoughts they're not supposed to because of it, too.

Oh... I'm sorry. Losing someone like that--I can understand why you'd be wary.

[splasher]

I... really love swimming. That's why I don't want to think all the time about it. Beginning to understand this new place to some extent might help, when it comes to the ocean, I mean.

[he smiles, hopeful; he says he wants to be brave, but he continues to put a brave front. fake it until you make it, right?]

I'm sure I'll be alright with Korra's help, too.

A ) TEXT.

[intranslatability]

( ooc; will it be alright to assume that they exchanged names in their previous thread? )

I would love to help you in anyway I can.

Is there a preferred action you'd like for us to do or do you have an idea in mind?

Re: A ) TEXT.

[splasher]

[ooc: that works with me!]

oh! thank you! though i didn't think that far
perhaps hmm just being patient with me? that's all i can think of right now

[intranslatability]

Of course! You've been nothing but kind to me when we first met so that should be offered in return.

And I think the others in the base will do the same. They've also been very kind to me since Ada and I arrived here.

[splasher]

yeah! everyone here has been really nice
i think we've lucked out when it comes to basemates
lol i don't think that's a word
i'm glad eve is here too, of course

[intranslatability]

[ the last sentence means a lot to her. it really does. ]

I have to admit, when I first came here I was a little worried. Thought we'll end up with some like my sister's old teammates who'll try to scare us. Everyone's been very sweet. No pranks at all!

It has a ring to it, don't you think? Basemates! Maybe it can become a new word for all of us here.

[splasher]

hm... maybe it'll catch on to call ourselves basemates
to be honest, i think this place could be a lot scarier, but
everyone's been working hard to make it not be as scary
it's a good feeling

[intranslatability]

I know! My sister and I took the time to figure out what was going in prior to our arrival.

So many things have been added here from what we've read. Supplies and rooms and equipment! I'm glad we weren't here when, apparently, there was only one toilet and very bad coffee for the crew. [ eve and ada can't have coffee anymore but the idea of there being bad coffee, period, was a sad thought to eve. ]

oh! would it be okay to add you on plurk??

[splasher]

oh... i was here when there was only one toilet
but shortly after it was decided to build more...

[can you tell the memory was unpleasant??]

and now the base is going to be even bigger! it's going to be sooo cool