Mingle - Emergency Potluck

[pumpkinhollow]

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WELCOME POTLUCK

Greetings, residents! Those more observant sorts among you may have noticed a large influx of very crowded ferries. In order to welcome our new residents en masse, Town Hall is holding a potluck in Town Square. Please bring a dish if you are able and make a new friend!

All of our newest arrivals need only bring themselves. We look forward to welcoming you all into our community, and may your lanterns always be lit.

This event is open to all! In light of our new influx of prospective players following the Great Sail Migration, we've decided to offer a small public event to tide everyone over until the TDM this weekend.

Comments

[pineapplesalmon]

They're having two different conversations, César realizes, and he switches back to the same track as Siebren. "Fair enough. Anyway, I'm one of the farmers here. Anything you'd like me to try to grow? I can't guarantee it, but I'll try my best."

[spaghettification]

"Ah, I am not much of a picky eater. Back in Oasis, I need to be reminded to come out of the lab at all to eat, sometimes. Mijn boefje nags me about it often."

Whatever he just said in Dutch is absolutely fond.

[pineapplesalmon]

César laughs, fishing a pocket watch out of his, well, pocket. "I had to get this made to keep myself on a schedule that includes food and water. Chimes once an hour. Had my phone to nag me back home to get out of the lab, and then my parents before that."

He hears the fond... it's similar to how he uses Spanish to refer to Magne.

[spaghettification]

In Sigma's case, the fond isn't for a lover, but for a teammate. And the word he's not using in English is something like 'rascal' or 'little scoundrel'. It sounds so much better in the Dutch.

"Perhaps I will need to do something similar, if my work here proves to be similarly engrossing."

[pineapplesalmon]

Sometimes things sound so much better in other languages.

"It wasn't too much. You can afford it pretty easily with a fraction of a month's salary so long as you work hard. Well worth the cost and allows me to break my time into hour increments." César is honestly pleased it's worked so well for him, having worried he'd end up being dehydrated.

[spaghettification]

"Ah, yes. Work. I will need to...figure out what use I am here. What they will find me useful for."

His gaze grows cold and distant.

cw: capitalism

[pineapplesalmon]

César puts his hand on Sigma's upper arm (look, his shoulder is a little too high with that floating), seeing that look and understanding it far too well. "... We work together, here. As a community. There's a universal basic income here, and room and board are provided until someone figures out their place. This isn't a capitalistic society, just... practical. I've yet to see anyone be put out on the streets."

CW: exploitation of the disabled, reference to institutionalization

[spaghettification]

Sigma stares at César for a long moment and then lets out a sound that is in no way an actual laugh, even if it's seemingly shaped like one.

"My friend, capitalism is not what I was referring to there. I have been exploited in rather more direct ways, for my work and for my abilities. I...struggle, since an accident. And that has made it hard for me to maintain my independence. The government, they simply put me away, because I was unsafe. Others...did more than that. They found uses for what I can do, and put me to those uses, under the guise of helping me."

cw: mind control

[pineapplesalmon]

It's less shock and more recognition in César's face. He understands. César holds his hand there for a moment more before dropping it. The scientist's demeanor has shifted.

"... We're going to definitely need that much deeper discussion in private. Very soon. The people here are good, but the demons here are seeking to exploit people." César keeps himself calm, but there's a thread of concern in his voice. "And one of them is capable of... altering perceptions of the mind."

[spaghettification]

"Wonderful." The word comes out a heavy, sarcastic sigh, as Siebren glances away from César, uncertain what talk they need to have. Not a good one, certainly. "I am...likely to be very susceptible to that."

[pineapplesalmon]

César nods quietly, as much as he hates to agree. "... Likely. I'll make room in my schedule to talk to you, so you can get a better idea of what happened to me. It's... not a conversation for public."

He's a very busy man, juggling a lot of things, but he's not going to let Siebren go up against this alone. César can't stop it from happening, but he can at least be there for him if it does.

[spaghettification]

"I understand. I do understand. The public can be...unforgiving."

Siebren nods. "Until then, César."

[pineapplesalmon]

"That, and some things are best discussed in private." César smiles slightly at him, having gotten his food. "Until then, Siebren. I'll contact you when planting season gives me some breathing room. But feel free to contact me sooner."