And we're all adrift together through the cold mist, 'til we're lifeless together

[dokkalfheimr]

[The preparations hit differently this time.

Last weekend was at least an attempt at being festive, even with the light supplies they have; at being joyous, at giving people at least one nice thing to look back upon before things inevitably took a turn for the worse. And now two people are dead, and instead of trying to figure out structure placement and how best to keep everyone entertained and occupied and well-fed, the preparations now are given to much more practical purposes.

Large amounts of bottled water from the machine. Bagels and bread and muffins, light starchy things to avoid forcing anyone to keep meat or seafood down after seeing a corpse. Fruit for the sake of providing energy. Avoiding including bananas for any reason. Quietly pulling aside one of the first people she sees with any experience in the matter and asking them to help her make tea.

Once she's got one of the tables at the party zone set up and the tea is on its way to being prepared, she'll set around letting people know; the invitations are simple, written in Freyja's broad, elegant handwriting:

I think another gathering tonight would be beneficial. Not to celebrate, but to remember; perhaps more importantly, to ensure that no one is alone if they don't want to be.

Tonight is hard. There is nothing further to do but get through it.]

Comments

[ltcommandroid]

[Huh.]

I see. Yes, you could say that. I am unsure of what I should do here.

[calx]

Do you mind if I set here with you? I could explain, and two individuals sitting down is a more common sight than a lone one.

[ltcommandroid]

Not at all.

[He gestures towards the seat across from him.]

I have attended funerals before, and even organized them myself. But this is unlike any of those.

[calx]

[ Albedo goes and sits down then, hands resting neatly on his lap. ]

This is...similar, but a different type of grief. Funerals and burial rites are to mourn the end of a journey, but in this case it's more like a beginning.

[ltcommandroid]

[.....huh.]

Can you elaborate on that?

[calx]

Certainly. Consider it like this: if a journey is ending, then there are no future concerns that need to be handled. However, if a journey is beginning there are almost an infinite number of things that could arise.

In this case, imagine what the mood would be like if they were simply mourning the death of Carmen and Shard. It would be tragic, but not all together difficult to move on from. However, in addition to their deaths, the possibility is all but guaranteed that more will come to follow. Perhaps mourning the future would be more apt.

[ltcommandroid]

[Huh. Data seems to take that in for a moment.]

I see. That does make sense. I believe you are correct - this will likely happen again.

[calx]

Yes, I would consider it an anomaly if it did not.

[ He shifts a bit, crossing one leg over the other. ]

With this knowledge, are you better poised to assist them?

[ltcommandroid]

Perhaps. I do know how people tend to respond to oncoming moments of crisis.

[Though a lot of the time those are like, trained personnel.]

Though, of course, I am not the ideal choice for providing emotional support.

[calx]

[ Nod. ]

But you are willing, and that counts for a fair bit in itself.

[ltcommandroid]

I am glad that you think so.

[.....]

Chloe, in particular, seems to be having difficulty.

[calx]

I'm not surprised. Several days earlier I encountered her on the deck imbibing a liquor she considered as foul as garbage. Adolescence is a tumultuous period for humans.

...if you are able to comfort her, I would appreciate the advice. In time I will find myself in a similar situation, so any background and tactics are helpful.

[ltcommandroid]

[Data nods.]

If you will do the same for me. I have not been successful so far.

[calx]

I will.

[ A beat. ]

I must warn you that comforting others isn't a primary goal of mine, so the chances I produce results are not high.

[ltcommandroid]

[Another beat.]

I do not possess emotions at all. I am sure you will do fine.

[calx]

Is that so? [ ... ] I think that's a common trait of synthesized life.

[ltcommandroid]

You are familiar with other forms of artificial life?

sorry for the late!

[calx]

Yes, it goes hand in hand with alchemy.

[ltcommandroid]

Fascinating. Could you tell me more?

[calx]

[ ... ]

I could, yes. What specifically would you like to know?

[ltcommandroid]

What is the nature of the artificial beings you have encountered?

[calx]

They are artificial in nature but can easily pass for biological except under a thorough inspection. The largest difference is that they do not need to participate in daily functions like organic creatures—sleep, eating, respiration and so on. It varies between each creation, of course.

Another way to look at it would be that they are a further step of evolution than organic beings, free of some of their imperfections.

[ltcommandroid]

I would not consider such biological imperatives to be imperfections.

[calx]

Oh? Why not?

[ltcommandroid]

We all require something. I do not need food or sleep, but I do need occasional maintenance and lubrication. One does not seem any better or worse than the other.