deernet | [VIDEO]; UN: [USERNAME NOT SET]

[Ariadne's gotten good enough with her Omni that the feed only wobbles a little bit when she turns it on. That's progress! No one's getting sea sick. Hopefully.

She's standing on the threshold, between her building and her garden, moonlight lighting up her silhouette. She's wearing her gold gown, clearly eager to make a good impression. Her long hair is unbound, falling nearly to her calves in rolling waves. It gives her the look of some kind of forest spirit (but she's not one, Maul, shut up).

Arrayed behind her is Serenity Garden. Which would look a bit more impressive in sunlight, but Ariadne's done her best to arrange lanterns to illuminate everything. She does, however, continually cast a concerned glance over her shoulder. You can't trust fire, you can't turn your back on it.]

Well, it's April. So I was planning to announce the opening of Serenity Garden to the public. It's just meant to be a nice place where you can sit, meditate, talk with a friend, court your lover. Just be in nature. All are welcome, but no violence against the other guests or the trees.

...hopefully the sun will be back soon so you can enjoy seeing it in the daylight.

[But it's Trench, so that may not be a sure thing. She can only hope.

Although, on the subject of hope:]

Also, the anniversary of my birth is at the end of the month. Does that mean I should expect some kind of mysterious gift? Any thoughts on what that might be? Just so I can...prepare myself.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well...one month, we were visited by the Chocolatier.

[Yes, that sounds strange, doesn't it? Ariadne shrugs, smiling a little.]

He traded chocolates for blood. And the chocolates had some strange effects on people. Made them happier or sadder or more eager to be friendly.

Gave some people lizard tails or fish heads.

I even got my wings back.

[Chocolates sound... nice?

... or not.]

Did he disclaim that the chocolates had different effects depending on the chocolate ahead of time?

[Otherwise Padmé would be less than impressed.

And what? That is not at all what Padmé might have expected. Not that she really knows what to expect.]

I- hm. They just reverted back to normal after a time then?

He didn't really disclaim much.

[She sighs.]

And we probably should have been on our guard. But there was something about him that was very disarming. A...a lot of us just were willing to make the trade.

[Herself included.]

It was all temporary, though. Everything went back to normal.

Edited (I hate html...) 2022-04-05 20:37 (UTC)

So he may have had some influence that was pushed upon others.

[Something akin to the Force.]

There is at least that. While I could probably learn to live with such alterations, it wouldn't be my first choice.

You'd be surprised how easy it is. To learn to live with them...

[But that's a terribly sad thought, so Ariadne just dismisses it.]

But you are right. Sometimes, there's just an influence in the air...

Some more so than others... If I suddenly had a fish head, I might be more than a little out of sorts.

[... a tail might be interesting. Wings... She could see an appeal there, although also the fact that it might alter plenty of things, from your clothing to how you slept at night.]

Are you aware if any repeat themselves over time?

I haven't seen it yet. Not exactly.

[She sucks in some air between her teeth.]

My friend Varian is a scholar. And he's been around longer than I have. He might have better notes about it.

It's fine. There are a few others I could ask, and perhaps do a little research as well.

Is that a profession you'd want to pursue?

I know you were a politician before.

You do some research as a politician anyway. Learn about different planets, committees and the like. What certain issues are about and just the history of whatever the senate is discussing, at least if you want to make an educated vote.

So it sounds like you'd be comfortable as a Scholar.

[She smiles.]

Although I do enjoy the more personable aspect of my job as well, of being able to meet others.

Well, that's the best thing about Trench in general.

Meeting people you were never supposed to know.

It was a little strange to learn that there were people from what I would consider the future.

I would imagine.

[She offers a sympathetic look. Not pity. Just plain kindness.]

I'd offer to tutor you with everything I know but...I'm still trying to figure out all the people from your world, myself.