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[demonicbeauty]

[The time away from Deerington has definitely not improved Ariadne's skill with a camera. The feed immediately pops on too close to her face, more or less framing nothing but her gray eye. She quickly realizes her error and pulls it back, the feed shaking and rattling until she manages to steady it.

And there she is. The face of an idol. Or possibly someone familiar.]

Just to be clear, I'm not Padmé Amidala and I'm not Jane Foster.

[Her voice is light and airy, like a little, trilling bird. She offers the feed a sympathetic look, as if apologetic that she's neither of these women. She's heard so much about them. They seem pretty great.

Ariadne is...not as great.

But she clears her throat and continues.]

It's me, Ariadne. I...well. I'm sure everyone is confused. I know I am. And if you need to talk about it, I'm happy to listen.

But, uh, what I really wanted to say is that somehow, my orchard is here. All of my trees. And some of them even have fruit. So if you need something fresh to eat or...just something familiar, you're welcome to come spend some time with my trees.

I think I might start a garden. One that everyone could use. Someplace to think. I don't know...

[And she's lost in thought for a moment. Ariadne knows nothing about starting a business or anything. But how hard could it be?

After a moment, she shakes her head.]

I hope everyone is all right.

Comments

[droptheious]

I had considered it, it shouldn't be too difficult to make one. I could use my Flynnolium to power it, it should be relatively easy.

[He scratches his cheek in thought.]

The problem is that nothing can get too high in the sky. My friend Luz has a staff she can fly on, she tried to get up high and said something was pushing her back down- like there was something in the sky forcing her back. So I don't know if I could get enough altitude to make it work.

[demonicbeauty]

Oh.

[She actually looks a little disappointed.]

Well, I can see how that would be a problem.

[droptheious]

[He offers her a reassuring smile, catching the disappointment. ]

Yeah, it would. But maybe once we understand this world a little better we can make a proper try of it? Who knows.

[demonicbeauty]

Of course. And we have much greater priorities to consider.

…I just must confess, I miss the feeling of flying.

[droptheious]

Unfortunately- but that doesn't mean it's off the burner forever.

[Nothing is ever off the burner for Varian. ]

The balloons really do make you feel like you're a bird. What do you use for flight yourself?

[demonicbeauty]

Oh. Um. Well. I can't. Fly any more, that is.

Haven't been able since I was a little girl.

[droptheious]

Ohhhhh.

[Okay that makes more sense. He looks at her with renewed interest. ]

How could you fly? If...if you don't mind me asking? Was it a case of having wings or just...more magic-based?

[demonicbeauty]

Wings...

[It's still strange to discuss outright.

She clears her throat, lightening her tone.]

All Alastrians are born with them. But I...gave mine up. It was the only way to pass for being Human, back home.

[droptheious]

[Varian's expression furrows with worry as she continues to speak. ]

I'm sorry that- that sounds awful. I-

[He's about to say he can't imagine willingly giving up a part of yourself, but this is exactly how he has the prosthetic leg so.]

And you had to pass? Was there something stopping you from staying with your own people? [A beat.] Sorry. It's...uh, probably none of my business. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

[demonicbeauty]

No, no, no.

[She sees how awkward she just made things and immediately holds up one hand.]

It's not a secret anymore.

[Still weird. But not a secret.]

My kind are almost extinct. The best way to survive is by passing. I don't regret the choice. I just sometimes miss the wind in my hair.

[Ariadne gives him a reassuring smile.]

But I got so many great things. Like I was able to go to school! And live in a palace! And attend a ball!

[droptheious]

Oh.

[Varian has ...complicated feelings towards nonhumans. Dating one sure has put his views firmly in the everyone should be allowed to be who and what they are camp. Hearing this, even knowing she doesn't regret it, does leave a sad little twinge in his heart. ]

It's... I don't know. It's just a shame you couldn't have both.

[demonicbeauty]

Well, I wouldn't want to ask for too much.

[She shrugs.]

Anyway, I've been lucky. A lot luckier than most.

["...of her kind."]

[droptheious]

I don't think it's asking for too much if you still want...well, to be yourself.

[He has a lot of Emotions about this kind of thing. ]

I guess so, but still. I'm sorry you had to go through it.

[demonicbeauty]

[She looks...a bit touched, really. No one's ever really said something like that to her before.]

Thank you.

That's...very kind.

[droptheious]

Don't mention it. It's only fair. I hope you at least get a better chance to be yourself here.

[demonicbeauty]

It's...

An ongoing experiment. But I think I just might be able to.

[droptheious]

[Oh, boy, isn't that familiar. ]

...Yeah. I can definitely understand that. It just takes...time. Luckily, we've got plenty of that.

[demonicbeauty]

Yes!

[She grins.]

That's a very real upside!

[droptheious]

[Awwm that gets a smile out of him.]

Yeah! And uh...hey, if you ever need help with that, I'm happy to lend a hand?

[demonicbeauty]

Thank you!