Hello, Neighbors, There's a New Sturmvoraus on the Block!

[velesdonnersen]

[It is a fine spring day, and Tarvek has chosen to attempt "back yard suburban living," a concept that has no parallels in his immediate experience. Thus, accompanied by two whirling red-headed children in googly horn-rim glasses that match his -- the elder technically too old at about 14 to be his son, not that Mayfield is paying that much

Comments

1 of 2

[ooeeooahah]

[ Walking down the street, occasionally referring to a map, Ilsa hears a tune that is passing familiar in pieces, but as a whole, is not something she can recognize. ]

[ She stops when she sees the singer, and waves tentatively to him... ]

2 of 2

[ooeeooahah]

[ She does not know European languages, but she knows the insulting phrases for the languages around American military bases abroad. ]

[ Surely he did not just sing that to his daughter? ]

[ Ilsa freezes, horribly unsure of what to say or do next. ]

Re: 2 of 2

[velesdonnersen]

[Seeing Ilsa wave he lights up, delighted, and waves back. Seeing her face, he realizes she must have caught at least some of the meaning of the lyrics, and starts to chortle.]

Eh, imi pare rau, I'm sorry. The words are quite wicked, but Katrinka here -- Catherine -- she doesn't know what they mean. Please, come in: the front gate's not even latched today, and you can come across the lawn to the back yard. I'll introduce you to my Mayfield-provided family.

[ooeeooahah]

Ah, hello, Catherine.

[ Ilsa seems a bit nervous, but not horribly so. ]

[velesdonnersen]

[Clearly quite sincere, he calls the boy (who's just finished with the lawn) to him. You can see that he's quite besotted...they may be odd little aliens, but to him they're his odd little aliens, and it should be fairly obvious he's determined to be a "good father

[ooeeooahah]

No, it isn't that.

I'm... still getting used to the... the others.

[ She's nervous, and trying to keep it under control ]

I should know better. I don't think it's their fault we're here...

But... well, you know there are some like us, who have been droned, permanently?

[velesdonnersen]

[Grim and honestly terrified... "brain cored" has been one of a number of real threats in his life.]

Yes.

[Lips tighten.]

I... understand. But if these were once fully whole, then all the more I wish to treat them gently. Do you understand?

[Aching.]

It's not so impossible that they could be me -- here, or back home.

At least here it wouldn't be done because no one cared, or even preferred me that way, so long as I was convenient to their plans.

[ooeeooahah]

I just worry - there are hints that the "Mayfield normals" might have been... there but for grace, could be us.

[ She bites her lower lip in worry ]

Less accurate to say I'm afraid of them then to say I'm afraid to become them.

[ After a few moments, she whispers ]

I don't know what we can do to help them.

[velesdonnersen]

[He's about to answer when the little girl races out of the house, shouting "Mommy's busy with dinner, but she says Mrs. Higa should stay for dinner!" As the girl runs toward him he slips easily from the roof of the dog-house, dropping to his knees and catching the girl in a hug. He buries his face in her hair for a moment, then says she should go inside to watch "Tell-us-Visions," which makes the girl giggle and correct him. As she runs away he watches yearningly...then turns to you.]

I don't know if they can be helped. I don't even know all they are. I know -- I know if it were done to me, I'd want...

[truly sad, and voice faltering...]

I suspect I could bear even that, if...

[He looks up from where he kneels with a burning, if somewhat embarrassed ferocity.]

I suspect I'm not a very good father. Even to a little empty-head. But -- I try? That's all I have been able to think to do

[ooeeooahah]

[ She nods, watching the door little Catherine entered the house by ]

I think less of me because of it. Fear of the "otherkind" is not a good trait for one who guards. It can cause you to lash out at something that might be there to help.

[ Ilsa gives a small smile. ]

She is an adorable child, otherwise.

[velesdonnersen]

[He nods.]

They're too obviously "wrong" in some way. I don't know how to express it. I've seen people react the same way to the sad ones who are born without all their wits -- they grate on the nerves and announce they're lacking with every word and action. Some are never able to get past the aversion.

But -- it takes so little to make them happy.

[He's not admitting that he's selfish enough to enjoy seeing any face light up like the drones' when he makes even a slight effort...nor that there's a comfort in knowing that, odd though they may be, they're just not likely to be capable of the sort of multi-level Borgia-plots his own family indulged in.]

[He knows it's selfish... not half so saintly as it comes across. He's greedy for just what they're selling: simple, easy love that he controls in large part. He's just unable to stop enjoying it, especially as he does also believe all the high-minded rhetoric that he just spouted. The hardest temptation to resist is the one you actually believe in.]

[ooeeooahah]

I suppose it was... provident I can't read anyone yet. I don't know if I could face an empty shell smiling at me without some preparation.

It’s making me wary of everyone. If later on, I regain my abilities and still can’t read them, I'll at least be aware of it.

Even if it is a bit like throwing the kid off the dock to teach them how to swim.

Please don’t do that, by the way.

[ She’s hiding a small smile with that last comment. ]

[velesdonnersen]

[For a brief second he suckers, and it about to protest he would never throw his dronelets off a pier... Then he catches on, and somehow turns a scowl into a sparkle, complete with twisted grin.]

I shall endeavor to ensure their safety.

Do you want to come in? I'm afraid it's all drones here but me, but -- if you can endure that, you're very welcome.

[ooeeooahah]

Thank you, I should meet your - the rest of your household.

I wonder, though.

[ She is walking slowly towards the house, deep in thought. ]

There are only complete families, here.

[ Murmuring almost to herself ]

What happens to the ones we displace?

[velesdonnersen]

[Very calm, and very controlled.]

If I understand correctly, only the drones are displaced.

[Very sad.]

Which of course means my little family is doomed from the start, I fear.

But with such little, unvalued lives...

It seems a shame no one loves them for the little time they have.

[ooeeooahah]

Sorry, I just worry about chain reactions.

[ She touches his arm, briefly, and then returns to proper distance. ]

Such as if you invest more in them, do they develop further? Then what happens?

[ She shrugs, indicating she does not know, either. ]

I know, I ask too many questions.