Report 013 [Voice/Action] | Another 365.25 days have elapsed...

[semper_cogitans]

Comments

[Voice]

[not_meatbuns]

Is it your birthday, Professor Hastings? ["Strange to be a year older" indeed. Don't think she missed that. She's plotting birthday cake already.]

As for the time spent here changing me, I would be lying if I said I hadn't changed. I like to think that it's for the better, but... well, not all changes come easily. I suppose only time will tell.

But I also can't say I regret any of the changes, either. Every moment here has been so very worth it.

[When you're facing horrible sickness and death as an alternative, it really does wonders for appreciation of Luceti, after all.]

[Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[Oh, right, he... hadn't actually told anybody that. Robert sounds a little shy when he responds initially.]

Ah... yes, it is, Doctor Faye-Ling... I, er, apologize for not having informed you previously...

[At the rest of her statement, though, he pauses. Litchi has always seemed to be more positive about Luceti than many of the other people he's met. He wonders exactly why, on some level. Perhaps, like him, she has little else left for her at home.]

... Yes... changes never come easily. ... Especially not here, where... many of them have been significant ones...

[Voice]

[not_meatbuns]

[She gives a soft, but cheerful laugh.]

No, that's perfectly fine. I tend to find out this way more often than not. Is there anything you'd like? I can make you whatever kind of cake you like best.

And you're very right. A lot of the changes have certainly been significant. [She's all but lost track of all the major changes in her life since she first arrived.] That said, though, I feel like all the changes I've been through have been for the better.

[Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[Oh, that's an interesting one. Robert was going the pie route for himself (but knowing his friends he's going to get a lot of cake)...]

Ah... [A little shy, here:] Well, cheesecake - is uncommon on Terra, but... seems quite nice... especially with blueberry.

... Or there is "angel food" cake... [Chocolate's nice too...] ... I suppose it is difficult to decide.

... As for the changes... well, I hope so in my case. I think at least some have been beneficial...

[Voice]

[odastillhatesme]

[Sanji very nearly asks Robert what he's stuttering for, but at the last second changes his mind and answers some of the questions proper. Maybe he's in a talkative mood today.]

By virtue of being taken from my original world, it's hard not to be changed in some way.

[Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[That would have been awkward. Robert's still anxious and uncomfortable about his stuttering, even if he's more-or-less used to the reactions it tends to garner...

Still, it's an entirely new voice - a person he's never spoken to before. That's always a little awkward for Robert, but he did invite open discussion.

That's one thing that has definitely changed about him.]

... Th-that is... certainly true. I suspect it... varies for all of us - some m-more than others - but... overall, we have all been impacted m-merely by taking us here.

... It becomes more pronounced with t-time, though... at least in my case.

[Voice] sorry for the lateness ;; /drowns in school

[odastillhatesme]

Oh? How so? [It's merely curiosity's sake that leads to the question - and he follows up bluntly] Widen your horizons?

[Voice] No worries! <3

[semper_cogitans]

[At this, Robert nods a little to himself. Though that's... something of an understatement, in all honesty... but at the same time, it encapsulates it well enough.]

... C-Considering my viewpoint was... restricted before, I would... h-have to say so, yes.

[Terran culture did not allow for much in the way of broad mentalities.]

[Voice]

[ufo_fanboy]

Well, I've been here roughly the same amount of time as you, give or take a couple months, so I probably can't give you too much of a differing perspective. What I wouldn't give for more of the modern conveniences of home...

[Mulder's definitely picking up on the hint he's giving there. But he'll play it cool and let it come up if he wants it to.]

What brings on this line of reflection, Robert?

[Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[Oh, for more technology... Robert would gladly do those missions if it meant access to technology for the village.]

Ah - well, I... suppose that... the length of time I have been in Luceti is such that... I wonder what exactly it has done to me...

[He smiles wistfully, a little sadly.]

...

Would... would anyone even recognize me, I wonder...?

[Voice]

[ufo_fanboy]

That's a good question. We're all inevitably changed by our experiences, one way or another, be it physically, mentally or otherwise. Do you think you've changed much since coming here?

[Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert nods briefly, gaze sliding over his hands.]

Yes... I suppose not entirely, but... nearly everything about me has had to change.

...

Sometimes I... miss it. Sometimes I think it is an improvement.

And sometimes I am... not entirely sure of either...

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[When you send Grune out to go shopping, you should only expect her to come back with half your list--if you're lucky. You have to give Fenimore points for trying, though.

At the moment, Grune is giving a puzzled look to said list. Did she already pick up some apples? (Answer: yes. They're in her shopping basket.)

Help her out?]

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[... Grune, Grune, Grune. Robert can't help but smile gently at that, his own shopping list - well, whatever a nanocomputer-projected list can be called, at any rate - promptly forgotten for the moment as he walks up to the taller, beautiful woman's side.]

... Would you... like some assistance, Grune...?

[Apples, hm? Maybe Grune is making something similar.]

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[Grune looks up. Once her gaze focuses on Robert, her face lights up with a smile.]

Hello, Robert! Thank you--that would be very nice.

[It's always more fun to do the shopping with a friend.]

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[At least it's Grune - unthreatening and kind and gentle... not a person Robert has any trouble associating with.]

May I see your grocery list, so I can help you look for the items on it...?

[He'll quickly realize she does, indeed, have the required apples.]

voice

[consultmybooks]

[...yes. Yes, let's start with this. Let's start with this and not the horrendous wrongness of their last encounter that still makes Giles' stomach churn with mortified embarrassment and uncertainty when he remembers it.]

Luceti has changed me a very great deal. And I'm glad of that.

voice

[semper_cogitans]

[It's a good thing that Robert has absolutely no idea that Giles feels this way. Hell, as far as he was aware, Giles was a very nice boy! A bit loud, but very nice... and mistreated by his parents.]

... Do you... think the changes were good, in and of themselves...?

Re: voice

[consultmybooks]

[Desperately mistreated and deeply screwed up. It explains a lot about him and Giles wishes that it didn't.]

I'm not sure I understand. I think they were good changes, yes, by and large.

voice

[semper_cogitans]

[Maybe one day Giles will see Robert as a little boy too and see some of his issues, and feel a bit better.]

Ah, well... I am glad...

... You have helped me with... some of my own, here. So it is... reassuring, to hear you say that.