[VIDEO]

[demonicbeauty]

[The feed is shaking and not completely centered. Odds are, it's Airy. And, in fact, after a moment, she manages to almost frame her face.

She's in her Human form today. And looks a bit sheepish.]

I don't know how, but it completely slipped my mind. Yesterday was the anniversary of my birth. I think.

[If her math is correct, which it almost certainly is.]

I feel terrible. Were there any local rituals I was meant to observe? Did the gods expect some kind of sacrifice or fast? If so, I'll do that right away!

Comments

[theprezident]

How many is that?

[demonicbeauty]

I speak thirty six.

Well, thirty five. Elf Hand Speak isn't actually spoken out loud.

[theprezident]

Thirty-si... Holy shit. How did you learn all of that?

[ Holy shit? ]

[demonicbeauty]

[She ducks her head, looking a little shy.]

Alastrians have a talent for language. It's just a mathematical equation, really.

Also, my aunt is the royal translator, so she's been teaching me since the day I came to live with her.

[theprezident]

There's not really a reason to learn other languages back home but, not gonna lie, I'm kind of jealous.

[demonicbeauty]

You have very little reason to be. Especially here.

[theprezident]

Sure, yeah. It just seems like a cool ability to have.

[demonicbeauty]

I'd offer to teach you one of my languages.

Except you wouldn't be able to use it here.

[theprezident]

That's okay. It's the thought that counts.

[demonicbeauty]

Well. I have nothing but good thoughts. So there's that.

[theprezident]

Nothing but? Like, at all?

[ Doubt. ]

[demonicbeauty]

[She shrugs.]

I try to.

[theprezident]

Wow.

If only the universe had more people like you.

[demonicbeauty]

[Ariadne smiles shyly.]

Well, thank you.

[theprezident]

You're welcome. Not a lot of people in my universe who bother to make an effort to be good, never mind think good thoughts.

[ He wouldn't claim to be any different either, really. ]

[demonicbeauty]

I don't know that that's true.

People are usually good, deep inside. Sometimes, they just have trouble showing it.

[theprezident]

Yeahhh. I find that really hard to believe.

[ There's a moment's pause, as he gives it some more - quick - thought. ]

I don't know. I guess maybe people just ... become what they think they need to become.

[ He supposes that's what he did, when he started working at Hyperion. ]

[demonicbeauty]

Exactly!