<...Ah, brilliant! And the tree gave to everyone according to their needs, and everyone gave to him according to their ability... But one day, a horrible pig came, and he wanted to... he wanted to sell the tree's fruits and leaves! For money! And keep it all for himself because he was wicked and greedy...>
(...Well, he's listening, at least. Hard to tell what he's feeling with his silent, dead-eyed gaze that he can't help but give because he's a salamander.)
…
...Are you a mercenary...?
(...slurrrrp.... GOD this ramen...!)
make it through this year if it kills you yet | 2001-2019<Um...>
-Is a little surprised by the addition into her feel-good story-
-Maybe she can turn it around...-
<A-and the tree knew that sometimes, s-sometimes you have to give a little more than you expect, but you still need to— still need to be good... so it gave the man its leaves because it was a good tree...>
I am Charity.
edited 17th Feb '18 11:00:36 PM by SR3NORMANDY
What if there’s no better word than just not saying anything?<Yes, and poor Señor Arbol endured this exploitation with the strength that one expects from the strongest of trees. The animals of the forest, though, they knew the tree did not deserve to have these things happen to him at the hands of this foul robber baron, so they got together one day...>
(Is just super into it.)
...If you're certain. I... I would feel really wretched just, erm— just siccing you on someone... But...
make it through this year if it kills you yet | 2001-2019<A-and they decided that, um... that even though they were fed up with the baron... um... they... they were going to be organised about it... so they decided that when sundown arrived, they would... go to his home and teach him a lesson... because they were good teachers...>
-Looking anxious-
...
Your turn. You talk now. That is how this should work.
What if there’s no better word than just not saying anything?I have spent a long period of my life going off what I thought was instinct, and now I understand to be... something more insidious. My "instinct" is to harm you. And yet I feel somehow, that instinct is false.
That which misleads me should be unlearned. So I ask again, tell me something of yourself.
What if there’s no better word than just not saying anything?Well... I think the first one is long gone now. There are these... these women scientists upstairs, all of them are called "Claudia". They abducted me—... I think there may be others, though my memory is hazy... but they did experiments on me while I was unconscious. Surgical procedures, I think also implantations... It's a miracle I'm here. I've had some episodes following, I'm not sure if it's stress or— or...
(Shallow, shaky inhale.)
...Sorry, getting sidetracked... Please don't just assail any woman named Claudia, but—... most of them have white hair, and they stay cooped up for the most part, in this room with a metal door. The leader, as far as I can tell, she has a mechanical arm, and some other cyborg implants. Lord knows what they're trying to do, but if anyone else has to endure this nightmare I've lived...
(shudder... slurp.)
<And they did! They banded together, as compañeros, and went up to that man and—>
(dramatic pause...!)
<...taught him the error of his ways, and explained to him why the tree gave so generously, and why it was wrong and wicked to take so much and leave so little, and because his heart was not fully corrupt inside, and because the tree's kindness and strength was so touching to him, he understood...>
make it through this year if it kills you yet | 2001-2019-Aria looks to Simon with a little bit of relief, and newfound respect-
<Yes... and um... and from that point on, the baron man took care of the tree... and all the other trees... because that generosity made them all stronger together... and... and yeah... the end.>
-Smiling up at Zmey-
... Mh.
-That was almost a smile-
Solomon likes me, too. And Wade. And that strange grey girl who subsists off catnip and sleeps in their bathtub. But she likes everyone, I have noticed.
What if there’s no better word than just not saying anything?…
(Waggy tail, panting happily.)
<...Hm. That was by no means Leo Tolstoy, and the heavy improvisation of the piece shows...>
…
<...Yet, all the same, an apt metaphor for the ideology that purports to have birthed me... And... And you just made it, in my presence. We three are the only ones who will know this parable, this tale of The Generous Land Vegetation... As rudimentary as it was, there is something to be said for that. I will carry it to my doubtless early and sorrowful grave... Thank you for this, genuinely.>
(...he sounds almost happy... less gloomy.)
…!!!
(WAGGY WAGGY WAGGYYYYY)
P-please be caref—
(heavens, he's gone...)
UPSTAIR...
(...Oh dear, Sun. There's not just one metal door.)
make it through this year if it kills you yet | 2001-2019Oh dear, what a blow for you.
-She sounds frank and serious-
<I'm so glad you liked it!>
-She reached down and gave Simon a pet-
<It's special, just for us and nobody else. Special stories we make together on lonely nights to feel good in a world of pretend.>
What if there’s no better word than just not saying anything?(Says nothing, but wags even harder and makes some happy (and kinda raspy) dog noises with probably his own vocal cords...? He's so happy, Aria, he loves you so much...)
…
(Opts for a similar silence, lowering his massive head and making a small gurgle. Who knew robots could be so good with animals?)
make it through this year if it kills you yet | 2001-2019-With her free hand, she reaches up and pets Zmey's lowered snout-
<I love you both so much...>
I see...
What if there’s no better word than just not saying anything?

...
I wanna go to Zebra.
UN JOUR JE SERAI DE RETOUR PRÈS DE TOI