video | un: Da Silva

[rosae]

( The feed opens to a woman who's clearly seen better days, hair a mess of disheveled layers and eyes circled in dark. Fellow Warmbloods might be able to relate to the way she moves — as though hardly daring to, even the most subtle shifts of her body resulting in little stabs of pain.

Despite the wince that flinches across her features as she settles back against a nest of pillows, the woman offers a quiet laugh. )

This is probably the worst time to show my face on here, huh. But I hope the rest of you who have this flu, or whatever it is, are taking care.

Anyway, since all I can really do is sit here... ( —a wry little smile; it's been weeks and she's still not too thrilled about being home-bound— ) ...it's been giving me a lot of time to think.

( She reaches very slowly for something that was just off-screen, drawing it gingerly into her lap. It's a brown teddy bear. )

This is something from my home that ended up here with me. It's my daughter's. When she was little, she had a very hard time with sleep. ( An understatement to be sure; the progressively dangerous sleepwalking spells are what she now knows were supernatural callings to her daughter's fractured soul. But Rose won't divulge that quite so openly. )

This guy brought her comfort, so in turn, he brought me comfort, too. ( She can't quite hold the stuffed animal to her chest the way she wants to, not with physical contact being as painful as it is, but one arm dares to loosely curl a bit closer around it, protective. )

Do you have anything here with you, from your home? If you don't mind sharing, what does it mean to you? This sick old lady would love to hear your stories.

Comments

Video: UN: 1stStrike

[strikefirster]

[Hey. It's the totally unhinged karate guy from the other month. But he actually looks a little more humbled and concerned than normal. Look he has spent a lot of time in the catacombs and it hasn't been great.

Plus he's actually a little concerned about how she's looking at the moment.]

You're pretty fucking young to be calling yourself old. But that's coming from a fossil like me.

I have a few things from home.

Most of them are badass but I've got a few mushy feeling kind of things too.

I have a picture of my son from when he was ten years old playing baseball

And a trophy from when I got second place in a karate tournament when I was in high school

Couldn't give me the first place trophy's or anything. Nah had to wash up with that one.

[rosae]

( All right, you're not her favourite person, Johnny, but that first comment does get a little smile out of her. )

Hey, second place is still pretty impressive, you know.

( But then her voice softens, expression sobering into a gentle frown. She hadn't expected him to have children of his own. )

You have a son.... How old is he now?

video | un: Pierrot

[violetlies]

[Normally, he wouldn't be jumping to share too much about what he has on him in a situation that isn't forced by circumstances but he kind of winces at this poor woman's condition, and he figures he might as well share.]

Sorry you're not feeling the best, Miss.

Um, I've got...this hat. [He points to the hat on his head.] It belonged to a friend of mine. He kind of threw it away when he was trying to become confident instead of being scared. I called it stupid-looking at the time, but it's still the one thing I wanted back.

[He shrugs.] I'm better at telling made-up stories than real ones. Real ones are way harder to share. And I know I'm a stranger, but if you want anyone to talk to, I'm open.

[rosae]

It's all right, I have a really good nurse helping take care of me here.

( Rose's smile softens as she listens to him speak, her complete attention fixed on the boy's words. )

I know what you mean, real ones can be hard to share. But I very much liked listening to yours. It's nice to hear about people's friends, and... why certain things mean what they do.

( Something seemingly as simple as a hat can be symbolic of something else; she knows that well. It's a memory, an association... a piece of one's history. And it means something dear to her, to get to hear snippets of other people's experiences like this. )

I'd really enjoy that, thank you. My name's Rose.

( A beat, before she wonders— )

Did throwing away the hat work for your friend? Did he become more confident after that?

Video; un: lothrat

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Earnestly-] I'm sorry that you're not feeling well.

I have a holo-album! Pictures of a lot of my family and friends.

I also have my lightsaber and...study materials, because I'm a student, and I started my studies late. I have a lot to catch up on. [It's a Jedi holcron with information from the Jedi Archives, but he doesn't want to just broadcast that over the network publically.]

[rosae]

( Her smile returns, softens, at that. ) It's all right, I'm very fortunate to have a really good nurse to help me out around here. ( Sharon's been taking such good care of her. )

A holo album? This is probably a dumb question, but... like holograms? They don't quite have things like that yet, when I'm from. ( She smiles again. )

Oh, that's great...! It's really wonderful that you have the opportunity to continue studying what you were back home. I imagine trying to just assimilate to the type of studies they offer here would be... pretty overwhelming. ( She's visited the arcane archives a couple of times, and it's... a lot. )

Plus it's nice to know that just because you're somewhere new doesn't mean you have to completely give up what you were pursuing back home.

VIDEO; UN: SALLYFACE

[sallyface]

[ When Sal turns on his video, he opens with just his hand offering a friendly wave and his view showing nothing above the neck to start, just because he's gotten used to greeting people over the network by now and tries not to...startle them? He doesn't know when someone will be startled or when they won't react at all so he plays it safe. ]

Hey, sorry you're feeling sick.

[ The view shifts up to his masked face finally. His hair is also in complete disarray, caught in the straps of his mask and sticking up every which way. He's not exactly sick sick, but this month isn't all that great for him either. But his mind is actually clear at the moment, so he doesn't pass up the chance to socialize. ]

Weirdly enough, when I washed up here I found my guitar not that far from me. [ He turns the "camera" to a red electric guitar laying flat on the bed with him, though it's an odd-looking thing in that it's covered in strange modules with green bulbs in them. ] I've had this thing since I was twelve or thirteen. My dad surprised me with it one day — which was kinda big because it's not like we had a lot of money.

[ There's a fondness to his words as he recalls the memory, along with an unmistakable sadness. He pushes past it fairly quickly though. ]

Then my buddy Todd beefed it up for me which is why it looks like something out of a sci-fi movie.

[ Well, to him it looks totally futuristic but he's a 90's guy. ]

Guess aside from that, it's been with me through a lot of times in my life, so it's pretty important. If objects could remember, it would have a lot of memories.

[rosae]

( Rose lifts her hand a little bit to wave back — mostly with a movement of her fingers, not her wrist; by now, she's learned some little ways in which she can move without causing quite as much pain.

Her smile remains even as the person gradually exposes their masked face. It does give her pause for a moment, but her smile doesn't waver as she takes in the sight of his guitar, listening to him talk about his dad. If anything, the expression simply warms, softens into something that looks just as fond to hear him share a little piece of himself, his history. )

It's amazing...! Makes me think of the concerts I used to go to when I was a teenager. ( Rose was juuust a bit before him, a teen of the 80's. Definitely plenty of memories of the smell of hair spray and the wail of the electric guitar. ) Your dad must be one cool guy. Your friend, too.

( She carefully adjusts the stuffed bear in her lap. )

I'm glad it's here with you. It's nice how something that holds so many important memories like that can feel... like a friend.

Have you been playing it a lot, here?

video; un: clearthestreet

[laruetheday]

[ Clarisse snorts at this lady describing herself as "old"... she looks like she's in her thirties. Then again, for a demigod she'd be positively ancient, so maybe the description is fair. ]

I have my spear, Maimer. It was a gift from my father. [ Yeah, she named her spear. ]

[rosae]

Maimer the spear... I like it. ( Could there be a better name for a spear, in all honesty? Of course, there's some kneejerk concern about the fact someone would be gifted a dangerous weapon by a parent, but Rose has been here long enough to realise that her norm isn't everyone's norm. She's also directly met a couple of warrior slash child soldiers in this place. )

Does it have a certain significance, where you're from? Like a coming of age kind of thing.

video | un: furuderika

[miiraculous]

Flu... Are you taking your medicine, Miss?

[On the screen is a literal child. But Rika carries a demeaner that is perhaps unusual for a ten year old: Her voice may be young, but she carries the grounded tone and maturity of a kid with too much independence.]

I don't have any special items, no. But my best friend is here. If Satoko is with me, any world is worth living in for me.

[rosae]

( Oh— Something catches in Rose's chest. A hitch of breath, a mingling of feelings. Surprise, then a soft ache. The little girl on the screen is around the age Sharon was for her, not so long ago.

The woman composes herself after a moment or two, offers a gentle smile. The girl's tone and demeanour are certainly disconcerting in a particular way, one Rose has seen from other young people around here. But this girl is amongst the youngest, and her heart melts. )

I don't have anything specifically for it, but don't worry. I have someone here helping to take care of me, and she's doing a really good job.

( Her daughter is devoted and gentle, and so very brave. )

Oh, that's wonderful...! I'm so glad that you have someone here with you. Are you living together, too? Is it just the two of you?

( Though she's gentle as she asks, she can't help the worried questions from leaking through; the thought of two young people alone.... is a different ache. )

video; UN: seeingtheworld

[schoolingfish]

[It's Luca, sitting in his room which Luz had helped him out by painting the walls to create a space theme.]

Yeah! I've got a few things from back home!

[He grabs a staff.]

I used this back home to herd fish!

[Then he holds up a couple of pictures.]

And these are from back home, too! Alberto drew them. He's the boy you saw in that memory of mine! You know, the one that was like me.

[rosae]

( Rose visibly brightens when Luca appears on the screen, taking him in. )

Luca! Oh wow, I love your room, it looks so cool.

( Then she's watching each item as he shows them to her, leaning closer to her own Omni screen. )

These are great! Look at you two. ( She smiles; yes, she certainly remembers his friend Alberto, and she's so glad he has something like that here to remember him by. )

How long did you two know each other? Did you grow up together?

Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

If you're old, I shudder to think what that makes me.

[He suspects they're around the same age. Though let's face it, Maul has mentally been about seventy-five for years now.]

But since you are clearly feeling terrible, I will humor you.

[He's quite fond of Rose given the kindness she'd shown him when he was a young, scared child. He summons the Darksaber to his hands and ignites it, revealing the rather impressive black lightsaber blade.]

This is the Darksaber, an ancestral weapon made by the Mandalorians, the people that I ruled on the planet Mandalore. I won it in a duel to the death with the previous ruler of the planet and the blade's former owner.

[rosae]

( She can't help giving a soft laugh at that. )

Maybe it's more a mental thing than anything. I feel about a hundred, right now.

( She watches as he draws something to himself and it lights up in a display that certainly is impressive, Rose's eyes widening as she watches. The story behind it is intense, one of battle and conquest, and once again Rose is reminded how she's surrounded by people from such different types of worlds, here. )

It's beautiful. ( She says softly. Terrible, some might also say, but it's true that it's beautiful. )

What was it like? Being the ruler of a planet.

un: falcogrice (video)

[grice]

[ the video opens up with falco’s palm setting the omni down on his kitchen counter, fixing his bags, grabbing his things, wrapping— an egg? a massive ostrich egg? around his chest in a sling. he looks like a little trooper once he scoops his omni back up; the bag on his back is nearly twice his size, but he carries it like a hiker prepared to scale. ]

Ah— Miss Rose, I have some things that might make you feel better, I’ll bring them over right away.

[ along with the soup, that, if he wasn’t stuck in jungle book with sharon, he would bring as many times during the month as possible. ]

I can bring you some of my things from home, too— would you like that?

[rosae]

( Rose visibly brightens up to see Falco on her screen, watching the boy prepare his things. Is that an egg...?

But of course, it's her he's preparing for... Rose melts, lips pressing together in a little smile. She knows Falco well enough by now not to attempt to resist the care — and honestly, she doesn't want to. She'd love to see his things, and most of all, see him. )

I would love that. ( Her tone, as always, is so warm for him; she couldn't possibly conceal it. ) A visit from Falco Grice sounds like the best medicine.

( Is the egg possibly going to be used to make an omelette? (ROSE, NO, IT ISN'T....) )

[imaglyphwitch]

You know I'm going to come over and give you soup and stuff, right?

[Not like that's much of a stretch: Luz may have been busy, but she always made time for Rose, and her being sick only made Luz even more concerned about what was happening to her mom friend].

I do have a teddy bear, just not from home. Margot, my sister in Deerington, gave it to me.

[rosae]

( There's a bright smile, and a soft laugh, Rose very gently dipping her head a bit in amusement. )

I wouldn't dream of turning that down. ( Rose is beyond touched by the worry for her. She hates being stuck like this, feeling helpless when she should be looking after the kids, but it means so much that Luz and the rest are wanting to look after her, too. )

Oh, Margot. ( Her voice softens, remembering the name. ) You should bring it over sometime too. The more teddy bears, the better.

video; un: lookingforshinsengumi

[tealeafs]

[ Please, as if Chizuru would go into sharing stuff about her so easily. Not because she's too secretive or anything - no, it's just that she's instead much too worried about the woman in the video to really think about anything else.

After all, she really looks like she's doing so bad.. Even though Rose may be a total stranger to Chizuru, there's no way that doesn't immediately tug on her heartstrings. She must be having such a hard time, and that's enough to make Chizuru feel for her. ]

.. I'm so sorry that you're having a rough time, miss. [ Chizuru isn't a warmblood, so she doesn't know why exactly, but she can imagine that it must be something this place is doing to her. ] And it's.. really sweet of you to think of your daughter during a time when you're having it rough, if I may say so.

[ Maybe it's all a little overly polite, but it seems to come from good intentions, judging by Chizuru's expression. ]

Is there at least someone over there to help take care of you..?

[rosae]

( Rose gives a soft smile at the young woman's appearance on her feed. There are still so many here that she hasn't gotten acquainted with, despite the fact she's been living in this place for a few months, now. And while it's always disheartening to see yet another young person trapped here, she can't help feeling warmed by their concern. )

Hello there. Thank you, that's very kind of you. She's gotten me through the darkest times of my life, to be sure.

( Despite saying such a thing, Rose's smile remains warm, and it softens further at the girl's question. )

Actually, my daughter's here with me now. And she's a really good nurse, if I do say so. The trouble is I'm kind of a stubborn patient... ( There's a soft laugh, one that doesn't move her body at all — even just that movement would sting. )

Sitting around doing nothing is pretty hard.

video; un: violet

[virtuosital]

That's a very sweet story-- I hope the bear is able to bring you comfort while you are unwell.

[Reaching up, she angles her head down and tugs on the corners of a bright red ribbon in her hair.] This is something of a memoir of my sister. Anytime I'm struggling, I just tie it a little tighter in my hair and remember my goals, and that no one else but me can achieve them.

[rosae]

Thank you. It's definitely been nice to have something soft to snuggle onto.

( Even if the act of doing so does hurt, and she's had to find ways to lessen the pain with that. Rose offers a gentle — but warm — smiles at the young woman on her screen, listening to her words. )

Oh, that's wonderful. Something that reminds you not only of her, but also your goals... It looks so lovely on you, too. ( She can't help praising even a stranger; she has such a soft spot for young people, and this place has so many... )

Is it all right if I ask what one of your goals is? Though if you'd rather not share that much, it's all right.

video: un; makes.it.count (Private)

[nothinglikea]

[Rose immediately warms at the sight of Rose daSilva, smiling. she's going to trust the other woman with something she's never trusted anyone with]

...I have The Heart of the Ocean. My former fiance gave to to me as a way to buy my love. At least that's how I saw it. I'll never know how he did.

[she sighs] It's a diamond, a blue diamond with many other clear diamonds. I refuse to sell it or give it away, not unless it was the difference between life or death.

(private)

[rosae]

( Rose also brightens when the young woman appears on her feed, happy to see her again. Though she's soon listening with a quiet somberness to Rose's words, mouth slowly forming a gentle frown. A way to buy her love. )

It's beautiful.... but I'm sorry for what it's meant for you. ( What has this young woman known? Rose has to wonder what became of that former fiance. )

What makes you want to keep it? ( Some might choose to be rid of such an item, because of how she came to acquire it, but the fact the girl refuses to be parted from it is something Rose can't help wondering, though it's asked softly, gently. )

video: un; apparition

[unphase]

[Tinya takes note of the last name and (correctly) assumes that she and Sharon were mother and daughter.

and wonders what her mother would have of her on a sentimental value. likely nothing. just as she had nothing from her mother]

That's adorable. And it's got to be a relief to have each other here. [a pause] A relief in some ways, a worry in others. But you both have someone to rely on.

[a longer pause] Your daughter saved my life in the catacombs.

[and another pause] And you're not old.

[rosae]

( Rose listens to the messages and her expression of surprise to hear that the young woman knows Sharon quickly turns to a little smile, amused by that last statement. She can't help dipping her head with a soft laugh, eyes warmed. )

I feel about a hundred right now, so I have to admit, it's a relief to hear someone say that.

But... she did? ( It isn't difficult to picture Sharon coming to someone's rescue, though. Rose knows how brave and good her daughter is. Still, she's worried about what happened there, brows knit deeply, concern etched into her features. ) I'm so glad you're both all right, now. What was it like down there...?

video: un; an.observer

[thisislife]

[Lexi looks decidedly nervous]

Um. I have a copy of my play? The one I haven't even finished yet? So that's weird.

[rosae]

( Rose offers a warm smile to the girl on her feed. "an.observer"... she likes that name, wonders about it. )

You've been writing a play? What's it about, if you don't mind me asking?

video | un: sds

[fogsong]

[ Sharon has hated seeing Rose in pain like this. She's never felt so helpless before and it's not the first time this month that she's wondered if this is how Rose felt watching her struggle with the sleepwalking and nightmares all those years ago. It's such a strange weight. Pain without the pain.

Still, Sharon has kind of relished being able to take care of Rose. It didn't matter what her mother needed or when, Sharon was happy to be there for her. She didn't mind doing the little chores Rose often did herself or taking care of the groceries and she found that she liked making dinners. Rose has always taken such good care of her, sick or not, and Sharon has made sure to do the same. ]

You know, most kids would be embarrassed if their mothers showed their teddies off to a bunch of strangers, right? [ The grin on Sharon's lips, lopsided and cheeky, make it clear Sharon is not one of those kids. In fact, she's just touched. ]

[rosae]

( As much as she's felt a strange guilt, a helplessness, in the fact that Sharon's having to take care of her as much as she has.... Rose has to admit, she's deeply enjoyed getting to spend this time with her daughter. Apart from some visitors to the house to check in on her over the month, it's largely been just the two of them, and though it's come with sickness and pain, it's been a much-needed opportunity to catch up on all that strange, lost time.

Rose can't help giving a little grin of her own at the playful smile her daughter's sending her. It's nice to see Sharon smile that way. Like a young person should. )

Oh, I could have done so much worse, but I figured I'll save that for next time... Maybe by then, a few baby pictures of you will wash up and I can show them over the network to everyone. ( She's definitely teasing, eyes softening with the usual warm fondness for Sharon. )

text; un: shiro

[shiro2hero]

Heat packs help, painkiller too, if it's what I'm dealing with, too. A lot of tea.

I've got people from home. People I thought I lost... so. I can't really complain.

[rosae]

You, too? I have some painkillers, but no heat packs just yet. I'll try to find some, though. The allergies definitely aren't helping.

I'm very glad to hear that you have some of your loved ones with you. When I first arrived here, I was told that it was practically impossible for people from the same world to show up. I'm glad to be proven wrong about that.

[slayerskiss]

Da Silva... you're Sharon's mom, right? It's a cute bear.

[She holds up an oddly shaped and oddly coloured axe and presents it to her.]

This is a weapon I got from beating the catacombs. I don't... exactly know what it is, but it feels like... cosmically important to me? Like it belongs to me and me alone.

So that's pretty dope.

[rosae]

That's me. You've met her before? ( Rose's smile warms, friendly towards the young woman on her screen. It's always nice to bump into people who've met Sharon; she's glad that her daughter's making some acquaintances here. Especially people who could be around her own age. )

Oh.... that's a really impressive-looking weapon. ( The older woman's brows lift, clearly awed. Cosmically important? That definitely sounds meaningful. )

Have you gotten the chance to use it, yet?

Video | un: gaia

[hammerbearer]

Hello. I saw your video while I was looking at the network. I hope you get well soon.

[This seems to be a teenager. She definitely looks a bit awkward that she's comforting a complete stranger and responding to a 'do you have anything special from home'. But hey. Probably the teenager thing more than not.]

Well I'm not a person who usually shares things like this but... here.

[Gaia holds up a pendant. It looks like a handmade one with a icicle-like crystal at first glance. But that crystal is glowing slightly.]

It's... really not my style. But the crystal was left over from a battle where we saved my friend Ryne. So it was made into a necklace. It's very dear to me.

[Hastily she then adds...]

But don't tell her I said that if she ever shows up here! She's the type to get very sentimental about things like that.

[It's clear that Gaia thinks and speaks fondly of 'Ryne' even with the words sounding a bit 'exasperated'.]

[rosae]

( Rose sends a friendly smile to the young woman on her screen. )

Hello, there. Thank you — I'm hoping this won't be lasting too much longer. In the meantime, I'm eating a lot of soup.

( Rose's expression sobers a bit as she listens to the girl speak, eyes taking in the pendant she holds up. )

It's beautiful.... and I can certainly see why it would be so meaningful to you. ( Her smile returns at that, and she gives her head a soft shake. ) Your secret's safe with me. Though I bet she'd know what was on your heart without you even having to say. You sound like very good friends who have been through a lot together.

( Rose just can't help giving some Motherly Encouragement... )

I'm glad you have something of hers here with you.

Video | un: Stone

[bookbrawler]

Aw, you ain't old at all. Now feeling old, that's another matter. You should see me after I lean the wrong way tryin' to pour myself a cup of coffee.

[There's a good-natured smile on the screen as he holds up what looks like a beat-up old journal. It looks like it's seen better days, but he's also holding it like it means everything to him.]

This is a mini-version of a bigger book back home we called the clippings book. Articles, like newspaper articles would appear on the clippings book about magical stuff that's happening, things we could fix, people we could help. The little book is like, a personalized version of that--would give me and my team missions to go on.

It just...reminds me of them. Home. People I miss.

[rosae]

Oh, I feel you there. No one ever prepared me for what it would be like to no longer be able to bend my knees too long without facing the consequences after. ( Rose gives a soft, amused laugh — truly, there is no ache quite like a Knee Ache when you're over the age of thirty.....

She's perking up a bit as she listens to the man speak, movements still cautious and slow, but she's clearly interested. And the smile she's wearing softens at the corners as he explains the particular item he's holding up to show her. )

It's lovely! I'm glad you have it with you here. ( Even if it must be terribly bittersweet for him, it's nice that he does have something like that. )

So you come from a world with magic? What was that like? If you don't mind me asking.

video | un: kd6-3.7

[obeir]

[ The question puts K in a quietly thoughtful mood as he considers how to answer. ]

I'm glad you have something that can bring you comfort like that.

Most of my possessions from my home universe are with me here. I didn't have many. [ Wasn't allowed many might be more accurate. He reaches for something off-screen, then holds up a worn book. ]

My favourite book. And it's what helped me discover my love of poetry. [ The fact his human handlers use certain key phrases and passages from it in his baseline tests — essentially a form of android torture under a more palatable name — raises a plethora of questions he isn't prepared to air over a public network. But some of that conflict is reflected in the slight furrowing of his brow. ]

I also have my spinner — it's a flight-capable car. Technically it wasn't originally mine, it was assigned to me by the law enforcement agency that owns and employs me. But for all intents and purposes, it's mine now, and I take care of it as such.

[ This is followed by a pause, then a tentative: ] Do you need any assistance? [ Because she appears to be in really rough shape, and by her own admission she's limited in what she can do. He couldn't not offer. ]

[rosae]

( Rose gives a warm smile at the words, grateful. Admittedly, she first regarded nearly everyone in this place with suspicion, but these days... much less so. She's learned that there are some truly kind, helpful people here, people who are seeking to protect what's important to them just as much as she is. And she does appreciate the kindness that complete strangers have been showing her on this broadcast. )

Pale Fire... ( She reads softly, head tilted with a genuine curiosity by what he's sharing with her. But Rose, observant as ever, does note the way that the man's face shifts a little, brows furrowing. ) I haven't heard of that one before. What's it like, if you don't mind me asking?

( That it helped lead to a love for poetry is a very intriguing thing. Of course, her eyes are widening at mention of a flight-capable car, her own brows lifting in clear surprise. She's bumped into a few people here who come from what would be considered "the future", for her, but it's always shocking. ....Also a bit shocking is when he says he's "owned" by a law enforcement agency. Rose certainly doesn't forget that, tucking the thought away for a moment. )

It can really fly? Not just... hover? ( There's a soft laugh, careful, Rose not willing to move her ribs too much. ) Where... or should I say when I'm from, flying cars are forever a hot topic of the future.

( The offer is very kind, and Rose's softer smile returns then. ) I appreciate it, but don't worry about me. My daughter's here to help me out, and she's a really good nurse. ( Rose gives the teddy bear in her lap the softest squeeze. ) I appreciate it, though. Are you a... police officer?