021 ♪ video ♪ i don't feel worthy

[chosenfake]

[Filtered away from the City's deities, otherwise open.]

[Luke glances at a sheet of paper in his hand, then looks over the communicator. Oh yeah, the video function is on. Well, his last announcement was a video too, so he might as well keep the thing going.]Good morning, everyone. This is about the expedition

Comments

[video]

[derse_princess]

Duly noted.

Is there anything I can do to assist with preparation?

[video]

[chosenfake]

Well... do you still want to make blankets? We're going to be on water for most of it, so it could get kind of cold.

Other than that, I can't really think of anything.

[video]

[derse_princess]

I have some already made. Safely stored where my new houseguests cannot reach them. Hopefully I will be able to complete some more in the time we have.

[video]

[chosenfake]

Thanks, Rose. Every bit helps.

-- Houseguests? Do I want to know?

[video]

[derse_princess]

One of the trolls with whom I have more than a passing familiarity was removed from the City, leaving behind some kittens she had apparently adopted. I could not leave them to fend for themselves, hence they are now residing with me.

[video]

[chosenfake]

[Shit.]

... Who was it?

[video]

[derse_princess]

Nepeta Leijon. But she is not the only one to have left us of late.

[video]

[chosenfake]

Nepeta... [He frowns at this. Nepeta was a friend. He's gonna miss her.] I'm sorry. I knew her, too.

Who else?

[video]

[derse_princess]

I was not aware that you were acquainted. I'm sorry.

That I am aware of, Kanaya Maryam and Terezi Pyrope have both recently left along with a friend of mine, Jade Harley.

[video]

[chosenfake]

Karkat used to live here, so I wanted to meet all his friends...

[He frowns deeply. So Terezi left... She hasn't been around for cotton candy recently or tried licking his hair again, and that's... well, it's nice having personal space, but he considers her a friend. And he'll miss her, too.]

That's a lot... I only know Terezi, but she was always really nice to me. She taught me a lot about trolls, too.

You'll see your friends again, though. I'm sure of it.

[video]

[derse_princess]

Hmm...I am not certain nice is the word I would have chosen for her, but I'm sorry to have had to inform you of her disappearance.

[She glances away at that]

Perhaps. But clinging to senseless hope will get me nowhere.

[video]

[chosenfake]

Mm. It's okay. I should keep better track of things. I've been so busy with the barrier thing...

[He frowns some more.]

It's not senseless hope. I mean, it's not something you should put your life aside to wait for, but... it's not selfish or stupid to hope. We care about people because we need them.

[video]

[derse_princess]

Understandable. Preoccupation with something as important as that isn't something you should be blamed for.

[She eyes him suspiciously at that last part. Optimism and sentiment to that degree are not notions she especially welcomes, at least not openly]

Regardless, I would prefer to operate on the assumption that they will not return. That way the risk of disappointment is far lower.