Voice: Un: Diggs

[justoscar]

[It had been nearly a week, and Oscar was becoming worried.

Lessons he has learned on the other side of the Dream had taught him that sitting in the worry and letting it overcome him did no one any good-- least of all himself. Knowing this, Oscar tentatively turned on the Audio function of his new device and, with an obvious case of awkward nerves, started talking.]

Um... Hi.

I'm Oscar Pine and... I'm sure some of you know me already, but some of you don't and that's okay.

There was just a couple of things I wanted to say.

First: I know that things have been stressful lately and that we all need something to do, so I'm willing to teach people how to garden if they want a hobby that lasts a little longer than baking all the time. I'm a farmhand... And I did the baking thing. Growing and taking care of your own vegetables helps a little more, for a longer time.

And-- you can share your extra zucchini with your friends and loved ones. Isn't that cool?

I managed to bring along some seeds to get started. Just... Contact me if you're interested.

... and thanks, Mako, for the idea.

Second: is anyone else having trouble sleeping since they got here? I know being nervous makes sleeping hard, but this feels different. Anyone have any ideas about why this is happening, or how to help?

Last: ... I don't know about everyone else, but there's still some people I'm looking for that haven't come ashore yet. Can people just...chime in to let everyone know that they're safe? And let us know if there's anyone else you're looking for?

Maybe we can make everything a little easier if we work together. I don't know...

I'm just kinda worried, and some of you all probably are too.

Comments

Voice

[justoscar]

Fox!! You made it!

[After not finding Emerald or even Jaune, Oscar was starting to have doubts about Fox's arrival. Even the rough and tumble man from Vacuo was still just that-- a person. Outside of the dream, in a place where even their Aura felt inconsistent, they were the same as anyone else.

Prone to the same risks and setbacks, too.]

How are you managing? Have you found a place to stay yet?

[He knew he was babbling-- but he had developed a bond with Fox that he hadn't anticipated.

Fox had been one of the only people to divine the situation he was in with minimal discussion and explanation, after all. Fox had never doubted who he was.]

Voice

[auralaura]

I'm good. Still shopping around for a place with a good fit, but I'll let you know when I find one.

[He doesn't sound worried about it because he's not.]

But how are you doing with the sleeping? Are you getting some sleep or not sleeping at all?

Voice

[justoscar]

We found Ozpin's giant mansion in Gaze if you need a space to crash until then. Ruby and Uncle Qrow are staying here too, so it's not just Ozpin in here.

I'm getting some sleep, but it's not good. I keep falling asleep in the afternoon instead of at night, and I... I'm not really having any dreams, I don't think.

Voice

[auralaura]

Nah, I'm cool. That place gets a bit too loud, if you know what I mean.

[Fox loves Ruby but girl takes up a lot of headspace and considering his issues with his telepathy not being exactly controllable last time, he's gonna keep looking for something quieter.]

But it sounds like you're turning into a real night owl. Could be a good thing. Nightlife around here seems exciting.

[justoscar]

Yeah, I do. It might be a bit louder too. Coming across the ocean must have changed her Aura and Semblance or something, because when she's not setting things on fire she's freezing everything.

[She was clearly anxious too. Oscar felt it like a buzzing in the back of his mind when the nights grew long and sleep seemed far away-- he didn't know what to make of it.]

Gardening might be strange at night... but if it's quieter, it might be okay.

[Oscar loosed an audible sigh for and hummed uncertainly before continuing.]

...It might be a good time for us to work together. I think I might be developing something kinda like what you do. It's strange.

[auralaura]

Yeah, something happened between leaving Deerington and being dumped here.

[Fox can sense that something is different. He can feel it around him in the aura of the place and the people he's crossed paths with so far.]

If you're feeling something new, we could work through it and see what's going on.

[justoscar]

Could we? It doesn't feel like it's related to the magic Ozpin or I have at all.

[Or Salem. Or the Maidens.]

I tried to search for it, but I can't even feel any of it. Just.. just my Owl trick, but I learned that in Deerington, not because of anything in Remnant.

And... uh...

I kinda heard my boyfriend's thoughts and answered him, not out loud. It was more like when Ozpin and I talk... or when you and I talk sometimes.

[auralaura]

Could be something that's changed because of our little trip. We won't know under we get some answers from someone around here.

How far of a range have you got so far?

[justoscar]

Range? I, uh ...

I haven't even tried that kinda thing. I don't know how?

[auralaura]

Ah, then you're gonna have to practice feeling people out. If you can't feel them, then you'll just be projected out into the open and not to anyone specific.

How far are you with sensing auras?

[justoscar]

... Not very far, I hate to say. The most practice I've gotten on that was with you.

But, it's a lot easier to do if I'm already friends with the person I'm trying to find.

[auralaura]

Yeah, if you spend time around people your auras kind of recognize each other already. Makes it easier for you to feel it out when you're trying to find someone. But you need to branch out and get a feel of other auras so you don't get complacent.

We can practice more tonight if you want.

[justoscar]

That's a good idea. If I'm not sleeping anyway, I should put that time to good use.

I'm planning on branching out around town and meeting people I never had a chance to talk to before. Maybe that will help with the aura sensing thing too? It can't hurt!

[auralaura]

We'll need to practice you sensing first. The better you get, the more auras you'll be able to recognize at once.

[justoscar]

Sure thing, coach. If you think that's the best thing, then let's do it.

Maybe it'll make it easier to sleep.

[auralaura]

[Fox chuckles then.]

Aura train can wear you out so yeah. Good way to burn off all the energy before you sleep.

[justoscar]

Guess we both know what we're working on for the foreseeable future.

[He chuckles as well.]

[auralaura]

That and getting Brandi to stop eating the curtains. Not that I need curtains, but she shouldn't be eating them.

[There's a loud huffing sound in the background and Fox laughs.]

I think she heard me.

[justoscar]

Brandi?

[This was new. Oscar focused in on the sounds, and recognized that huffing sound from the background.]

Fox.... when did you get a horse???

[auralaura]

Is that what she is? She's kind of small for a horse.

[The neighing happens again.]

Hey, I didn't say you weren't a horse. How am I supposed to know what you look like?

[justoscar]

It's not common, but horses can be about as small as a dog.

[He had never met one such specimen personally, but he had seen pictures and heard accounts from others.]

Will she let you touch her to figure it out?

[auralaura]

[There's a weighted silence, which maybe Oscar is used to by now, cuing into the fact that Fox is speaking to someone telepathically. Then sound of confusion.]

Huh. I think I know what pony bones feel like now.

[justoscar]

!!!

That... isn't a normal pony if you can feel her bones.

[auralaura]

I never said she was normal. Normal ponies don't tend to talk to me in my head.

[There is another loud whinny and Fox grunts "ouch" as Brandi proceeds to stomp her hoof right on his foot.]

...Okay you're normal. Totally normal. Don't expect the blind guy to know what a normal pony looks like. Ignore me.

[justoscar]

[That got a laugh from Oscar-- a much needed laugh after recent months.]

Yeah-- you're normally the one talking in their head, right?

[He laughed again. It was the little things that mattered.]

I think a lot of us will be doing that kinda thing before too long. You better watch out, or you're going to have a lot of people asking you for advice.