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]

I agree that the ship is too large for a single patrol to be effective...but that could prove dangerous for others.

[what so it's fine when it's him?]

[oceangirlfriend]

We're all at risk here already, in some way, and a group patrolling would be safer than an individual. [Her tail curls around her legs as she thinks.] But of course it's best not to increase that risk. [A slight sigh.] I suppose it's not the best time to discuss this.

[ltcommandroid]

Perhaps not. We can revisit the subject later, with the group.

[Right now is like, probably too soon. Even he gets that.]

[oceangirlfriend]

[She nods, looking down and noticing that he also has a cup of tea.] ...Flayn gave you one too, huh?

[ltcommandroid]

She did. She seemed to think that I might find the warmth comforting.

[Which, jury's out on that one, but he's still holding it like he's supposed to!]

[oceangirlfriend]

She's really a thoughtful girl. Is it helping?

[ltcommandroid]

It is difficult to say.

[Headtilt down at the cup!]

I suppose I was not truly upset to begin with.

[oceangirlfriend]

[Mmmm. She's not 100% sure about that but it seems rude to object right now.]

Well...thanks for putting up with us upset people. I'm sure a lot of what we do must seem odd to you.

[ltcommandroid]

Not at all. I have spent most of my life around organic beings. It is only natural for you to be upset after such a traumatic series of events.

[oceangirlfriend]

[Adeline nods slowly.] We...mostly don't have the death penalty, anymore. And we at least have a proper judge and jury.

[ltcommandroid]

The same is true of our society. The death penalty has long since been considered outdated. Much less...trials such as that.

[.....]

I would rather not have participated in it. It went against my morality programming.

[oceangirlfriend]

Well, I'm...not...glad you did, but relieved, I suppose. That you didn't end up also being punished for not going along with it.

[ltcommandroid]

I concluded that it would not be...worth it. Shard would still have died; I would simply have done so as well.

Though, disregarding my morality sub-routine is still...uncomfortable.

[oceangirlfriend]

I think that's the case for everyone, really. Whether that morality is programmed or learned.

[ltcommandroid]

...perhaps so.

[He frowns a little.]

Though I think it must be a rather different experience. [I promise you it is not that different]

[oceangirlfriend]

Well...I suppose I can't tell for sure. But the way you described it doesn't sound too different at the core.

[ltcommandroid]

Do you think so? I would imagine having your own morals is different from having some programmed into you.

[oceangirlfriend]

Well...most people do learn morals from their parents, not truly on their own. And I was more speaking of how the discomfort of violating them seems like it'd be a similar feeling for anyone.

[ltcommandroid]

...perhaps that is true. It largely seems to depend on the individual.

[oceangirlfriend]

[She nods.] But that's more of a personal difference between individuals, in this case.

[ltcommandroid]

I suppose it is. Certainly, not all humans follow the same standard of morality.