Audience: SQX

[probe]

Comments

[shiftingwinds]

That's just rude! Why would anyone do that?

[probe]

Well- you know, sometimes you just don't feel like dealing with someone...

[shiftingwinds]

Even so, it's polite to at least say "not today, maybe another time"!

[probe]

I mean, there's not a whole lot I can say against it, to be fair, I am low-key the avatar of passive aggression.

[shiftingwinds]

Well, I promise not to leave you on read, Envy!

[unless gmail eats my notifs in which case, sorry]

[probe]

I promise I won't do it to you, either. You're too nice for that.

[shiftingwinds]

Good, I'm glad to hear that!

[beaming... friendship? maybe?]

So, what sorts of things have you been doing to entertain yourself these days?

[probe]

[friendship, maybe!]

Oh, you know, um. The same things I did before you guys got here! I knit, sometimes? And I cook when I can get the kitchen to myself...

[shiftingwinds]

[me, googling: did they have knitting in ancient china]

Oh, what sort of things do you make?

[both knitting and in the kitchen!]

[probe]

I like to bake, I just usually end up making a little too much... but blankets are always nice to knit if you just want to chill out, for the most part? And I'm pretty good at sweaters-- I can make just about anything, probably, it's just not all going to be the same quality if I'm not very used to it.

[shiftingwinds]

That's amazing! Being able to make things like that is a real talent!

[probe]

-d'you really think so?

[they smile almost shyly beneath their hood, at that.]

I mean, I've been doing it for a while, it just sort of comes with practice! It's, um, it's not that special...

[shiftingwinds]

I do! I'd have no idea where to start if I wanted to do something like that.

The fact that you've kept doing it and gotten so good at it is really special! Hard work is important, you know.

[probe]

You really are too nice, y'know that?

[shiftingwinds]

...people keep saying that, but I don't get what's "too" about it. I'm just being honest!

[probe]

I mean- you're a lot nicer than most people I know?

[shiftingwinds]

[very seriously:]

You might need to get to know better people.

[probe]

The ones I know aren't that bad-! Besides, this is, um. Kind of the first time I've really gotten to meet new ones in.... I don't know how long.

[shiftingwinds]

Oh, I did think I overhear you've all been here for a while... is it strange, having so many of us here at once all of a sudden?

[probe]

Honestly-? Yeah. I'm really not used to it yet.

[shiftingwinds]

It takes a little getting used to - but it gets easier with time.

[probe]

Was it ever like that for you?

[shiftingwinds]

...a little. For a while, it was just my brother and I, so - when our circumstances changed, it took me some time to get used to it. But I like being around people, so I think I got used to it pretty fast!

[probe]

Oh, right, you have a brother-- are you close? I mean, I could probably check, I just- it feels like snooping to go into the details, y'know.

[shiftingwinds]

I think so. He's a little too strict with me, sometimes, but he's always looked out for me, and when I've done a good job, he's always told me so.

I admire him a lot.