video/action

[sos_pilot]

[Video]

[ Della's face pops up looking... well, like everyone else - exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally. She smacks her beak a bit, before speaking. ]

... So. That sucked.

[ Fully aware that's the understatement of the century, Della draws a breath, and tries again. ]

I think we could all use a nice, long breather after everything... and, gosh darn it, as Train Mom, that is my sacred duty. Hugs? Head on the lap? Head-pats telling you that you did a good job? A shoulder to cry on? Venting out all your feelings without judgement? I'm right here.

[ She slaps her chest, then slaps a small sign on on the sports/gym car. It reads

EXHAUST PILE WITHIN

But as she does this, Tidus enters the scene - Della jumps, surprised, almost forgetting his presence.

He just smiles, holding up two cups with steam coming off them, then addresses the video feed as well. ]

We're also making big batches of cocoa too. Any of you that're gonna stress bake? There's room for that room - s'long as you don't need a nap first.

[ It's a small chide though, his smile small but sympathetic. ]

I've gotten out some incense pots from the supplies - you guys who got your head thrown into a blender by that aash-- uh, that jerk, [ he takes a swift glance at Della, then back ] --it'll help you relax. Just some, but better than nothin'. I'll set some off in Momma Duck's air nest, but if you're not doing great and you think you need a pot? Tell me. Raven made a lot of good stuff for good nights sleep if you need any in the medcar, too.

... So, yes. Cocoa. Incense. Hugging. And if you want to sleep with friends for a couple nights, we got air beds and extra pillows in here. Nobody has to get up and go until they feel ready.

And if that's not enough, that's fine too. Maybe next month we do something a little more organized, if you have any suggestions - movie night, sleepover night, big eat night, whatever, I'm listening. And I'm here for you.

[ Action ]

And inside the sports gym, the pair can be found. They have a few airbeds blown up, but there's more that still need airing up if you pop in straight after their message. There's also a tremendous amount of pillows. If you want to help, get blowing, and make these airbeds look nice and comfy!

The transgate from the standard coach has mysteriously been moved to the sports gym's outer hallway. Who did that? But it makes it easier to bring in the cups of hot chocolate from the kitchens, and for anyone who wants to bring snacks to do so. Take a seat, remember to bring your sleeping bag and whatever else you want. Plushes, your own musical instrument to offer some de-stress medication of your own with a melody.

And there's an area where small incense pots burn away, a gentle mist rising up. It won't heal the mind completely, but it will offer it some peace. And if you're worried about nightmares, a few of Raven's sachets and teas are available.

So come get a mom hug. Come and offer hugs. Just come and get something out of the company, whatever it is. Tidus and Della - and others - will be here to give a hand.

The life you had might've been fake, but the people around you aren't.

((OOC: consider this a mingling post, where everyone is free to tag everyone else! be the comforter, the one offering comfort, both, whatever!))

Comments

[hoardsrealestate]

He does not reach to take the cup, not really registering it as offered. "I have no idea what any of this is; I merely came here to train a little more privately." Because this is a gym. That you do the opposite of sleep in.

[consider8]

"Did you not receive the message that this was being used for a chance to rest?" Oh... that would be problematic. "The mission was hard on everyone spiritually and physically. Della and Tidus are using this room as a chance to recuperate."

"It would be good of you to join too, if you are undecided, Mr. Freeza." She extended the cup of cocoa once more in a gesture of welcome.

[hoardsrealestate]

But they were given spaces to rest and recuperate. They are called cabins. And in those you are only competing with three other people for space, tops. Astoundingly, he keeps all that to himself. "I might have missed that transmission."

[consider8]

Though he says nothing to the effect, Eight saw fit to add. "...opportunities such as these is a good chance to form connections and encourage mutuality. Though I have not known you very long, I have observed that you tend to do things on your own, but surely you could appreciate the chance to get to know your fellow passengers and their customs better? It will also give us a chance to get to know you and your customs better too." Perhaps he was more like Senku, logical and driven but lacking in social graces.

The cup of cocoa is offered a third time, her eyes expectant. Huhh? Huuuuuh??

[hoardsrealestate]

Has anybody ever looked so skeptically at a cup of cocoa? But she was smart enough to present the situation to him with logic rather than ... sentimentality. For which there had already been a good deal. Despite the discomfort, it's couched in terms that align with...well, why he came here.

"For the sake of observation, then," he relents.

Until he decides he's seen enough.

After a moment he accepts the mug.

[consider8]

Eight nodded, glad that the mug has been taken at last. In many ways, Mr. Freeza reminded Eight very much of her king. From disposition to his overall demeanor around others, there is an aloof sense of elitism. She even forgoes taking him by his hand, instead chirping a friendly. "This way, Mr. Freeza." Before taking him to a pillow pile.

"This," she explains, "is to experience of excessive material comfort. Where one pillow is a way for one to rest their head, but having a mass of pillows, one can allow themselves to sink into an indulgent relief. And by making the pile large, two can share the experience and converse."

She gestures to the pillows, a smile on her face. "As you are my guest, Mr. Freeza, I would like to invite you to have the privilege of having the first pick to whichever spot that most appeals to you."

[hoardsrealestate]

For a moment, Freeza does not, and cannot move, weighing precisely how he wants to tackle this. Agent Eight strikes him as very akin to others he has encountered for, who tended to have an air of genuineness that he automatically either did not trust or could not fully comprehend. But it is ultimately harmless, and he finds himself glancing around to give himself a clear idea of what others are doing before somewhat fastidiously taking a seat, legs folding under him, tail settling around him.

[consider8]

Eight quickly follows suit and sits next to him in a respectful distance on the same pillow pile. "Now, both people take the opportunity to enjoy each other's company and engage in idle conversation."

She gives him a moment to process that before continuing: "I have a conversation point, but in politeness welcome any topics you may wish for us to start."

[hoardsrealestate]

She's done well to provide him comfortable distance. He will probably unclench eventually. "I would not know where to begin," he answers simply before taking a moment to try the drink offered him.

The look clearly indicates he was expecting a different taste.

Confusion, then recognition. "Oh, it is chocolate."

[consider8]

"It is!" Eight smiles. "A little bit of chocolate melted in heated milk and cream." She didn't have her own mug, but didn't want to leave Freeza alone.

"Sometimes it is spiced with cinnamon or nutmeg. I've also seen it provided with whipped cream or marshmallow."

[hoardsrealestate]

"We never cooked with it in liquid form," he remarks, "but I suppose it makes sense."

[consider8]

"Neither did we." Eight confessed. "Chocolate was a rare treat, and whenever we had some we would only get a small portion and were expected to eat it right then and there." The only time they would be able to share chocolate was when a surface recon force was able to get hold of a large quantity. It would only sometimes be given to kids, and when it does, any hesitation was viewed as disrespectful.

"Abundance that can be shared so openly and freely would astonish my people."

[hoardsrealestate]

Can't relate, that expression says, though he is courteous enough not to say it aloud. "My vanguard were rather fond of it, but I did not try any myself until -- well, I began traveling like this."

[consider8]

"That was one topic I was curious about." She confessed. "You seem to carry yourself with the bearing of a commander or a leader. Am I correct in that observation?"

[hoardsrealestate]

"Yes," he answers. "Though I have maintained that whatever position I hold back in my own universe has very little bearing here."

[consider8]

"I am still curious to find out more." She admits.

[hoardsrealestate]

With no fanfare and zero bluster: "I am Emperor of the Universe."

[consider8]

Oh.

She wasn't expecting that.

"That's a bold claim." No argument, but... I mean what else can you say to that?

[hoardsrealestate]

"But no less true. However, as I said before, it means little here." Unless he decides he's been disrespected enough by someone that they need to use his title or get out of his face.

[consider8]

Whether true or not, Freeza definitely believed himself to be emperor. The bigger question on her mind is what sort of emperor he was. Such a position would command a lot of respect, yes, but also a lot of responsibility. Not to mention the fact that his claim needed to be recognized by the people whose dominion he claims as his -- which she does not recognize him as her universe-ruling emperor. But there was no reason for her to doubt that claim, either.

"...I would imagine, then, that with such a vast empire you would very rarely have a chance to relax." Which was the topic of the question she had in mind. "What do you like to do when you and your people have a chance to rest?"

[hoardsrealestate]

"Probably die in glory," he returns with a touch of sourness, but it is clear he is probably joking. "I will have to let you know if such a time ever comes."

[consider8]

She gets that, but even the most serious-minded Octarian knows the value of taking a moment to rest. Even if its performative than for actual recreation.

"...I suppose that means you keep yourself busy while on the train too." Even though this was not his realm or dominion, such a busy schedule would be a difficult routine to break.

But, hmn... if relaxation isn't his forte... "What is your universe like?"

[hoardsrealestate]

"I do my best, though the rotation of team duties certainly helps."

Freeza has largely been keeping his head down, but performing as well as he would expect one of his own soldiers to in similar circumstances.

The question catches him, though, and he takes a moment to consider. "Large and diverse, simple to comprehend and manage when broken down into numbers and spots on a star map, perhaps, but more complicated and, frankly, silly when gazed upon up close."

He has a problem with the divines and the afterlife, after all.

[consider8]

That makes sense. Taken in its totality, a universe would be a very large and diverse place. A singular emperor would have quite the task to know everything everywhere.

"Are there any places that you especially enjoy going to? What are those places like?"

[hoardsrealestate]

"It is not a matter of enjoying or not. My chambers are mine and therefore where I go to." He understands how that sounds. It's all his; he doesn't go anywhere but his separate chambers if he means to take in anything alone.