( video | un: duckling )

[danserai]

[ the feed comes on by itself. ahiru hasn't realized she's turned it on as she's pouring over these pamphlets intently, talking out loud because that's just how she functions. ]

Okay, so to get food, I need to make money. To make money, I need a job . . . What do they have?

[ she looks over the first pamphlet. ]

Healer! That doesn't sound so bad! Something something . . . "mini . . . ministration . . ." Blood? Eugh, no.

[ she tosses that one aside. ]

Next one . . . Hunter.

[ a beat. she stares at it. it stares back at her as if it knows her secret. she immediately scrunches it up, tossing into the trash can because she's not an animal.

( just a bird. that people may hunt?? duck confit is a thing. ) ]

This one! This'll be the one! Arcane scholars . . . "They either wish to consume all the knowledge they can or share all the knowledge that they can." . . .

[ another beat. she sighs. ]

Well, I'm not smart enough to be one of those. Aaaah! I'm never going to get a job! I'm going to starve! I'll never be able to have bread agaaaaain.

[ doom is clearly at hand. ]

Comments

[danserai]

I just . . . don't want to be useless.

[imaglyphwitch]

What?

Why would you ever think you're useless? No one's actually said that to you, have they?

[If they have, Luz was going to have some sharp words for them]!

[danserai]

N-No, of course not! No one would be that mean!

[ it's just ahiru being down on herself. everyone here is special. unique.

ahiru is . . . not. she's just a duck. ]

[imaglyphwitch]

Well you aren't useless. No one is, really. You just have to find out what you're good at! But you won't do that if you're just down on yourself all the time! Every day is a day to finding out something new about yourself!

[danserai]

[ ahiru keeps hearing that . . . but she can't believe it. not when no one knows the truth. ]

Mmm, you're probably right.

[imaglyphwitch]

Of course I am! Besides, I wouldn't have asked you to stay if I didn't intend on making sure you were looked after!

[danserai]

I know, I just . . . want to make sure I can help too.

[imaglyphwitch]

Ahiru, you didn't ask to come to this world, right? You're as much a victim as anyone. So don't throw yourself into being useful so quickly! Give yourself some time to breathe, ok?

[danserai]

[ a victim . . . is that who she is? ]

You're probably right.

[imaglyphwitch]

[She didn't ask to come here, right? Victim]!

I know I am! So trust me!

[danserai]

Mm. Thank you, Luz! I'm sure I just need some time to learn.

[imaglyphwitch]

Take all the time you need, and don't freak out! You'll find your place soon enough!

end there?

[danserai]

I will!

Sounds right!

[imaglyphwitch]