JANUARY MINGLE | OPEN

[oneandmikleonly]

[It's a new year! Well, by the fragile construct of calendar time we're creating on this planet, anyway.

Here's a an open mingle for all your January needs! Are you trying to stalk our new alien stalkers back, or reach out to them, or fight them? Building? Exploring the biomes, for fun and/or to uncover more about our alien friends? Researching? Hugging URSULA? Raising Birdogs or getting involved with other wildlife? Making or breaking resolutions? OTHER? Whatever it is you're doing, you can put it here.

Don't forget to check the OOC plotting post to see what's going on and get involved with missions!]

Comments

[superseding]

I-It is.

[ Hotaru isn't usually a fidgeter, but she clasps her fingers together to clamp down the urge. ]

Kind of? I am her— That is me, but I feel like a different person when I'm transformed. Certain memories are stronger then.

[aspearing]

The two of you-- are two different people?

[ Or... is it just that... she feels like another person? ]

... Either way, it's still you, isn't it? While the two of you may have seemed quite different, she seemed as kind as you are.

[superseding]

Yes, it's still me?

[ She's confirming but still sounds so unsure. Her train of thought hits multiple stops. Alisha's questions make it clear how few definite feelings Hotaru has about about Sailor Saturn other than she's hundreds of times happier to be Sailor Saturn than possessed by Mistress Nine. ]

I— kind? I wasn't straightforward. I'm... You're the one who's kind to say that.

[aspearing]

Forgive me. While that other you seemed similar, there were some differences, as well.

[ However, Alisha doesn't bear any ill feelings towards the girl for that much. ]

[superseding]

You don't have anything to be forgiven about. I'm sorry. In general and for being confusing.

[ Because what part of her isn't some kind of confusing? ]

I... um, I did need help carrying the bunny to my room, though. I left another one in the kitchen a little while ago that I need to pick up, but I can come get the one you're holding later if you're going to meet your friends again.

[aspearing]

No, I'd be happy to help now if you need it. Is there anything else you'd like me to carry for you?

[ In fact, she's grateful. She got to know Hotaru more like this, she feels like - a side that she wouldn't reveal to just anyone. ]

[superseding]

[ Hotaru shakes her head with a small smile. ]

No, I don't have anything that's too heavy. The stuffed animals are just a little too big for me to carry them all at the same time. [ Sometimes, a girl has to indulge and aim for the bigger and fluffier stuffed animals. ]

Will you tell me how you've been lately? I feel like I've been so focused trying to evade our new observers that I've been bad at checking in with everyone.

[aspearing]

In that case, shall I carry more stuffed animals than this? I believe I should be able to help you with more than just this.

[ She nods her head. ] I've been doing well, all things considering. And yourself? I hope you've been doing alright here.

[superseding]

[ Hotaru looks a little sheepish. ]

Just that one is enough. I tried not to be too selfish when I went to gather supplies at the Narcissus. [ Of course, calling stuffed animals supplies is stretching it, but she does do other things than play with a claw crane game. The claw machine is her prize before returning to the base. ]

I'm glad you've been doing well. I've been doing fine. It could be better, but it also could be a lot worse. At least we aren't being attacked. [ Her underlying tone adds 'yet.' ]

[aspearing]

I don't think others would mind if you were to take something else. However, I do understand. [ She won't protest to this being more than enough for her. ]

That's right. We're rather fortunate that it's peaceful right now. Though, it is rather wise to be cautious. We don't know what may be waiting for as out there.

[superseding]

No, I'm sure they would encourage it. They're all very encouraging about things like that, which is why I want to be as giving as I can. Does that make sense?

[ Hotaru understands on a logical level that it's okay to be selfish sometimes and that she'd want others to be selfish sometimes, too, but it's hard when she cares more about others and has spent her whole life wanting friends. ]

The Reapers and the Dragon are always out there, but maybe we can reach some kind of agreement with them someday even if we won't be friends. There are too many of those creepy aliens watching us, though, for there not to be some purpose.

[aspearing]

It does. It makes you all the more kinder.

[ She doesn't want to be selfish and take advantage of their gratitude. ]

... I'm not entirely sure that we can negotiate with the dragon at this point, but I also believe that we shouldn't give up in attempting to create a peaceful end to our current predicament.

[superseding]

[ The way Hotaru views it, the rest of her life should be spent showing her gratitude to the people who've helped her. ]

Maybe we can find a bargaining chip to get the dragon to listen to us instead of stubbornly telling us we don't belong. We're not native, but we're not harming this planet. Not intentionally, at least. None of the people I've talked to have said they wanted to fight as a solution.

[aspearing]

... A bargaining chip would be a rather good idea, but... Do you have an idea in mind of what we could use?

[superseding]

No, I'm not sure. I think... I heard that the Dragon was ill, so if we found the cure for it, that could be something. I don't want to hold something back like a cure, though, just to make things more peaceful. The Dragon deserves to be as healthy as anybody else.

[ Health isn't something that should be bargained over. Hotaru is very serious about that. ]

I don't want to be extreme, but... if we... if I have to, I'd think about doing something with the Reapers.

[aspearing]

It isn't that I don't think that that isn't a good idea. It's just that... From what I know, the dragon isn't far too interested in our help. If anything, we may have to find another way to resolve this peacefully.

[ She shakes her head. ]

We'll find another way. We haven't exhausted our options yet.

[superseding]

I still think we should offer it, and if he refuses, then we tried. The dragon's fate will be his own making after that. I would settle for a nonaggression pact as well.

[ She gestures to the stuffed animal. ]

If only it could be as simple as offering a gift with good intentions.

[ She sounds wistful. ]

[aspearing]

No, I do think that you have the right idea. If anything, that may be a good way to come to a peaceful resolution to this predicament.

[ And that much would be ideal. ]

[superseding]

Both sides have to agree, and you said earlier and I agree, that the Dragon doesn't seem ready to agree to anything that has to do with us. [ That was a lot of agrees.

But it would be very much ideal. ]

It's a one-sided impasse.

[aspearing]

[ She offers a small, wary smile. ]

It seems as though we both agree with both of our thoughts on it.

Have you thought about addressing the network with what you've thoguht?

[superseding]

No. I want to have a conversation with it in person first. Everything I know about the Dragon is from others.

[ But also, she doesn't think she's the type that's a leader. She's the type that shows up when it's plot convenient supports from the sidelines. ]

[aspearing]

If you wanted to converse with it, would you like some company while you do so?

[ She's like to ask her own questions, if possible. Plus, it may be easier for Hotaru that way. ]

would you like to try to do this this month or save it for next month?

[superseding]

Yes, if you would like to come with me, I'd like that. There is safety in numbers. I'll go as Sailor Saturn just in case—unless you would like to talk to it while we're dreaming?

[ They can't physically die in the dreamscape, so that's extra safe. ]

let's save it for next month, if that's alright!

[aspearing]

If you think that would be most wise. I trust you in deciding what would be best.

[ She does know Sailor Saturn better than herself. ]

I believe that whether you go as yourself of Sailor Saturn, your company will be rather helpful.

works for me!

[superseding]

It'd be safer if I transformed. I don't have that many defenses as I am now.

[ She can't say she's a normal 13 year old in her civilian form, but she's much more physically vulnerable.

Hotaru smiles. ]

But thank you. It's nice to hear that. It's easier to believe that these days.