video, un: littlealbatross

[soulmakingsound]

[What the viewer sees first is hair. Long black hair obscuring the lens of the camera while River fiddles with it. The camera and the girl are both on the floor, and she leans back eventually, sitting against the foot of her bed while she talks.

She never looks directly at the camera.]

There are too many choices.

People talk about getting to go home. Going back to rebuild. I hear them in the halls, in their rooms. Making plans.

But what of the rest of us? The homeless. The lost. The ones who came after the dragon, who never settled.

I opened my eyes and there was snow. I walked where they told me to, stayed where they told me to, and that was easy. And now they give us choices.

Which train to take?

Which life to choose?

Comments

voice, un: beatrix

[fiendennor]

Well... as hard as it is to say, I imagine that's entirely up to you. There will be space and homes for you in the two cities, I hope.

What would you like to do, given the choice?

[soulmakingsound]

[She tears up a little at the question and wipes hard at her eyes.] I want Simon to be here. And then I would go where he went, and we'd be a family again.

[fiendennor]

[Oh. This girl is clearly upset. When Diana speaks again, her tone is gentle and trying to be supportive.] It's difficult, missing people you're close to because they're asleep. I know. But we can't control who wakes up when, I'm afraid. Is he a... [Father? Lover? Brother?] ...he must be someone very close to you, I imagine.

[soulmakingsound]

She said it wasn't time yet. That they'll wake up when they're meant to. [Another sniff, and she wipes her nose on her sleeve. Probably just said to make River feel better, but she'll choose to believe it as long as she can.]

My brother. He's a boob. [A slightly tearful laugh as she tries to compose herself again.] Who are you, mysterious voice?

video; un: mollymauk

[mollymocked]

Personally, I'm all for setting up camp in the woods and only going into town when it's necessary, but I think I'm going to need to earn some coin first, and earn it quickly. Staying too long in a single place is a bad idea, and they're not giving me many choices here.

[soulmakingsound]

[Pardon her staring. She's never seen anyone purple.] Did you stay out in the snow too long? You look at risk for hypothermia.

You talk like someone from home. He was not a smart man, but you may make a good point. Too many variables, too much is unknown.

[fiendennor]

That's as much as they've told any of us. And they go back to sleep when they're meant to, too. [That last part sounds a little... bitter, but it fades. She's trying to make River feel better, after all.]

He sounds like a nice brother, then. My name's Diana Cavendish. What's yours?

[soulmakingsound]

River Tam. He's a good brother. He took care of me. Foolish boy, giving up everything. And now he's in a box.

There's a moral there, perhaps. If you dig deep.

[She pauses and repositions herself. Stretching out her legs.] Do you have people here, Diana Cavendish?

[mollymocked]

No, that's my natural coloring, but points for creativity. I haven't heard that one. [He is not even remotely displeased. In fact, he kinda thinks it's cute.]

Funny you should say that, because no one would ever accuse me of being a smart man, but I know what I'm talking about. Enough time on the road will tell you it's very easy for some folks to wear out their welcome in a place.

[fiendennor]

He sounds like a very good brother to me, then. I don't think there's anything foolish about caring for family.

[There's a long pause before she answers.] Just "Diana" is fine, if you'd like. And... I did. A dear friend. [Depending on how perceptive River feels like being at the moment, Diana's voice is very loaded and heavy. Maybe not so much just a friend.]

She's back asleep, now.

video | un: Nobody

[icingonthecake]

I think maybe you're lookin' at it the wrong way. All of us are lost, in a manner of speaking--this ain't home for any of us here--but those of us who were here before Ysverai happened, we've lost everything again. Nothing will ever be the same again.

Sometimes getting to the party late just means you miss all the drama that happened before you got there and get to enjoy things for what they are, no matter how much of a mess the house is now. So choose whichever train you think sounds like more fun, says I.

video: un:compaioning

[companioning]

[Truly, Inara's heart breaks for River. She knows that this is hard for everyone, but she thinks it might just be a little harder for River.

She manages a soft smile when she replies. Maybe it was a bad idea to leave River on her own for even a little while.]

Are you all right, mèimei? Do you need me to come back?

text; un: spanglethesestars

[ukase]

Sorry to type it, but life is all about choices. Pick the best option for you and run with it. Or don't and wait for someone to continually tell you what to do, how to feel, where to end up.

[soulmakingsound]

Why are you spangling stars? They are, by definition, already spangled. Further spangling seems unnecessary.

I don't know the best option yet. Further information is required before a decision can be reached.

[soulmakingsound]

No. [But it sounds unsure. More like a maybe.]

Where are we going to go? I'm without a compass.

[soulmakingsound]

Nothing is ever the same again, that's how time works. Everything keeps moving forward.

I would rather a not-same known than a new unknown. But it isn't a competition.

[soulmakingsound]

Intriguing. Requires further thought.

Some more than others. I have been decently welcomed so far. But nothing is permanent.

[soulmakingsound]

[It works better (worse? certainly feels worse) when the person is there physically. But she can hear the sadness, that much is sure.]

I'm sorry your friend is gone. Easier to have not been here at all.

[mollymocked]

We are a surprisingly pleasant bunch, aren't we? [He grins, all teeth and cheekiness.] You'd think we'd all be grumpy about the situation we're in.

[ukase]

A joke you clearly don't understand, so I won't bother to take the time to explain it to you.

Do you always sound vaguely like a robot, or are you doing those new-fangled role-playing things I hear kids do?

[soulmakingsound]

[She's well aware of her more or less flat affect. Not a lot of variation in pitch or tone, not for a normal every day conversation. Not unless she gets excited about something.

Or upset.

So she simply shrugs and tilts her head a little at the words on the screen.]

Perhaps I'm a piece of technology more advanced than you can comprehend.

Or maybe you are. You are typing, after all. I can't see the person behind the screen.

[ukase]

Considering the technology I've seen, maybe not. Open your face panel and we'll be able to judge together.

I could be a ten-year-old girl. What if I'm naked?!

[soulmakingsound]

Doubtful. The suggestion, paired with the excess punctuation, suggests adolescent male. Or a grown man lacking in mental maturity.

[soulmakingsound]

I have met the grumpy ones, as well. I am not entirely pleased with the situation. But so far attempts to alter circumstances have failed.

[A pause, and a sigh, tipping her head back to look at the ceiling.]

There is a sense of wanting to return home and not knowing where that is. Serenity. Serenity feels closest to the word home.

[ukase]

Actually, full use of words and punctuation suggests a geriatric, as they don't understand the concept of text speak.

Sad about the no-face-plate thing though. I'm used to disappointment from the younger generation thankfully.