video: un; apparition

[unphase]

[Tinya's sitting in her sunroom wearing a white dress with Moonlight in her usual place on the armrest, watching everyone carefully]

I realize this may be a...painful topic for others, but has anyone considered a memorial garden for those we've loved and lost along the way? The world I was in before this had one and it was rather nice to have somewhere to go to leave flowers, to reflect on our losses.

I'm more than willing to spearhead this project if others think it would be helpful.

[she takes a deep, steadying breath, then continues]

I also find myself in need of a sensei. I'm fairly advanced as far as martial arts go as I came in third during the Trench-wide tournament about a year ago and I've only gotten better since.

Anyone who was interested in training me would have a good chance at bragging rights should there be another such tournament. I only want to learn from the best, so that I can be the best.

In both cases, please let me know your thoughts.

Thank you.

Comments

[Video] un: secondtolast

[icanhearscreams]

[She might not be expecting a kid (well, a young teenager) to respond to this, but here he is.]

... A garden might be nice. I... there's a lot of people I know who need to be remembered. Maybe not... all of them specifically loved by me, but... someone cared about them.

[unphase]

[on the contrary, Tinya is entirely used to teenagers having a say in things. the age of majority in her galaxy was fourteen, after all.

and she recognizes him, which makes her general air of gloom lessen into a smile]

Yes. That was my thought exactly. There are...those I loved. One as a man and one as a brother. Both are now gone.

I dislike the notion of only carrying them in my own heart. There should be a place where they can be remembered.

And I've talked to you before, haven't I?

[icanhearscreams]

I think so. It's been a while, though.

... There's a lot of us here who have fought. Who have lost people. It's been longer for some than others, but the feelings don't really go away so easily.

[unphase]

It's probably my fault we haven't spoken in a while. I became too accustomed to things staying the way I expected them to be. This has...shaken that belief.

No, they don't. Especially in a place like Trench when found families can be even more powerful than one's blood family can be. I know it's like that to me, the only blood family member I felt close to was my grandmother. It's almost impossible to survive here without found families.

[icanhearscreams]

No, it's... fine. I've had... a lot going on.

... I don't have any blood family that I'm close to. ... I didn't know my adoptive family was adoptive until about a year ago. But I'm not all that close with my adoptive family either.

[He wasn't with his sister. He should have been, but he wasn't.]

But here... mm. I don't know. I imagine some people can, but... it does help. To have people.

[unphase]

So have I, but I don't consider than an excuse for myself losing track of friends.

The only one I was close to was grandmother, Winona. My mother, Winema--she has what she wants. She's the President of the United Galaxies. The only thing she doesn't have control over is me. Not for a lack of trying.

[private]

If I may...why did your adoptive family stay silent?

It does help to have people. Especially in times of loss.

video | un: sds

[fogsong]

...a memorial garden might be nice, Tinya. [ She's lost a few people in the last year but the recent loss of Wesker has cut at her deeply. ] I wouldn't want one that reminded me of a graveyard, though.

[unphase]

No. No. Not like a graveyard at all. Back home, when someone dies we create elaborate gardens to memorialize them as a precursor to them finding the Mistress' Eternal Gardens. So it would be a garden, something everyone could go to and feel glad about remembering those they've lost. That they were here, they were loved, and they will be missed.

I've never made such a garden before, not on my own at least, but...the losses of Wesker and Sasuke so closely together...I want somewhere to go where I can remember the good times and wish them well on their journeys. If that makes sense?

[fogsong]

I get it, Tinya, I think that makes a lot of sense. I usually just visit the ocean when I wanna... talk to them, I guess. [ Wesker and Rose. Sasuke and Nico and Joseph. ] If you need any help with this, I'd... You know I'd be happy to. I can't promise a ton of my time, I'm pretty much always busy, but I'll make room for this.

[unphase]

I can't go to the ocean. That's too much of an...actual graveyard for me to feel comfortable with it. Something beautiful, that's what I'm used to. What I think they deserve, something which could be---could be added to. When more are lost.

I was hoping you'd say that. You really are the sister I always wanted, but never had. If...if you were open to it, I'd--. Well. I'm probably presuming too much.

[fogsong]

Just remember: they're not really gone when they're out there. They're just... away. [ That's how Sharon has been getting through it, clinging to the knowledge that Rose is out there, being a squid-mom and taking care of the squid-babies and helping them get to shore. ] But I get it. I... I really do.

[ Hold the phone. ] Out with it, Tinya. [ Warm but firm. ]

video; un: kolchek

[hearuthinking]

A garden sounds kinda nice. I think I'd like that.

[Merwin, Joey, and Clarice deserve some kind of memorial]

[unphase]

[she beams in gratitude] Thank you. I was hoping it could be for all of us.

And it wouldn't be any maudlin funeral garden, either, it would be planted with flowers blooming from early spring to late autumn. I...well, I don't know much about gardening, but I'm willing to learn. If it means we have someplace kind to remember those we've lost.

I'm Tinya. I've seen you around now and then.

[hearuthinking]

I don't know shit about gardening, either, but it sounds like you got a pretty solid plan.

I'm Jason. Nice ta meet ya.

[unphase]

Thank you! I know there's a lot I need to learn, but I don't know...I simply think it's important. [a rueful laugh] So I'll need someone to teach me.

Nice to meet you, too.

Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

If you need a teacher, I shall be happy to offer. I can confidently say I am one of the best fighters in Trench and I have been tutoring a number of people for a while, which allows me to adapt to what styles a student needs to best learn.

[He paused, a thoughtful expression coming to his face.]

A memorial garden would be.....nice. There used to be such a thing around here if I am not mistaken but I don't know if anyone actually still does any upkeep on it.

[unphase]

Really? That's great--and I accept. I could also really use some lessons on armed combat, that part of the tournament I didn't do so well at. I'd like to do better next time. [a warm laugh] I always want to do better.

I suppose I'll have to check around. If there already is one and all it needs is someone or someones to get it back into shape and maintain it, that would be helpful.

[survivalthroughhate]

A good mindset to have. Armed combat is one of my specialties. We shall start you off at the beginning and work our way up from there.

[Maul sounded inordinately pleased at having another potential students. Teaching was one of his favorite things now.]

Yes, if I recall, the theme of it had something to do with turtles. But I am not sure it was ever gotten off the ground, let alone maintained. So many people have come and gone since the first Sleepers showed up here.

[unphase]

Thank you. And that sounds wonderful, truly. I appreciate you volunteering to take me as a student.

[and she's inordinately pleased to have a new teacher. she loved learning how to defend herself, loved feeling herself improving and gaining new skills]

Turtles? Hmm. Were turtles symbolic of something in particular? And...that's what I've heard. I, ah. I hadn't lost anyone until last month. Then I lost two quite closely together. That's what inspired me to want to do this. I want to make something beautiful out of the losses.

[survivalthroughhate]

I enjoy teaching. In a place such as this, I take all the opportunities I can to do things I enjoy.

[Life was too short to be miserable and terrified all the time no matter what this place tried to do to them.]

Possibly so. They are old, wise animals after all, at least according to folklore.

Yes, I've lost many both in Deerington and here. It hurts every time but it cannot be helped. At least I know they are still out there, just somewhere in the ocean where nothing can hurt them any longer.

video; un:rosestorm

[thunderingcourage]

I'd be glad to help out with the garden with anything you need from the shop. And helping to care for the flowers and grounds as well.

And I'm not a sensei but if you ever need a sparing partner, I know there are a lot around but I'd be glad to have someone else to keep in practice with as well. I've put a few of the sensei's here on their but a few times.

[unphase]

[Tinya sounds deeply relieved] Thank you so much! I used to garden with grandmother, but that was nearly fifteen years ago, so I know that I'm more than a little bit rusty. Do you know of any spots which might be suitable?

[and she grins] I'm going to take you up on that. As often as possible!

[thunderingcourage]

I was the head of the garden club at school. And I have a floral shop and bakery in the Cellar Door district, Flour and Bloom. As for any spots, I don't know but I can help ask around if you want.

I'll look forward to it.

[unphase]

Oh! Oh, wow! Then I would very much appreciate your help. And every bit of help counts, I really want this to be something all of us can be involved in if they want to be.

Me too!

[thunderingcourage]

Of course, we can make a calendar of different blooms to ensure that there is something each season, and maybe even incorporate some of the people's favorites flowers around their name if we know. It will take a lot of work at first, especially with planting everything, and getting all the plants to the garden.