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

[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.

[auralaura]

[Fox does chuckle at that, since Oscar has his pegged.]

Suddenly I'm the professor and I'm running a class on mind-shields.

[He's joking but also maybe not because a lot of people probably need to learn how to shield and how to communicate with proper etiquette. You know, those manners he doesn't usually use before dropping himself into someone else's head unannounced.]

[justoscar]

[The commentary earned a much needed laugh from the boy. Manners had their value... but they also were for losers, if all of his experiences with Oz in his head were anything to go by.]

You'll make a better professor than I would. Something about life experience, right?

[auralaura]

Me? I'm better at annoying professors than teaching. Wouldn't even know if someone was raising their hand.

[justoscar]

oh, I'm sure you could set up a different system. You're smart, and you know what works for you.

[auralaura]

[Fox huffs just a bit. If Oscar was there, he would see the little smile that caused.]

Sometimes I think you're trying to butter me up on purpose. Keep going, it's working.