-IC Contact- [deercountry]

[aetherweaver]

"This is Nara'a. Leave a message and I'll get back to you."

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Video| un: gaia

[hammerbearer]

[ It's a video call! Linkpearls have nothing on this Omni system amirite? Gaia seems to be not at home currently. The background might be familiar, particularly if the miqo'te has gone out to the Outpost Haven at any point these past few weeks and seen the small progresses being made. And well, there are signs of those ruins after all. ]

Nara'a? Are you busy?

[ This call doesn't seem spontaneous. She's seated within the camp, Uri is curled up beside her on the ground and Arte is swimming his usual idle circles in and out of the camera's view. She's definitely taken time to settle down somewhere safe before reaching out. ]

cw: suicide mention

[aetherweaver]

[He's seated on the beach, the boardwalk visible behind him. He recognizes her background - he's been out there a few times, helping with the monsters and all that. But what she gets on the screen is a somewhat ragged-looking Nara'a.]

[His eyes are a little brighter red, his clothes clearly wet, his hair and fur out of place. His skin is slightly paler, too - though it's a little hard to tell with how pale he usually is.]

Not right now, no. I... I'm sorry, I should have said something. There's people trying to drown themselves at the beach so I've been watching for them...

[Thankfully his omen is running up and down the beach right now, looking while he's resting.]

[hammerbearer]

[ Her expression defines the 'My word!' level of surprise. He mentions what he's been trying to prevent and that's enough to have her look dismayed. The month has been bad for her temper but it's not like she wants anyone to die.]

What in the world... you look terrible. And did you say people are trying to kill themselves?

[ Her uneasy expression grows. ]

Has anyone... no, wait. More importantly are you alright? Is there anyone helping you?

[aetherweaver]

That's right. I've stopped a few already - one was a teenager...

[About Gaia's age, actually. He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose for a moment.]

I'm all right. There's... no one else out here.

[Which is why he can't leave. He's not going to just let people do that when he has the ability to stop them.]

I'm sorry for worrying you.

[hammerbearer]

You don't have to be sorry, I was just intending to let you know where I'm at.

[ Her tone sounds more irritated than it might normally. Sure she is habitually prickly as a front for her concern, but this is a little more intense. Still everyone's been getting a bit more irritable this month right? Technically she was still covering her worry. ]

More importantly, you need to find other people to come out and help. You can't do it alone. Look, I was going to tell you I intended to be at the outpost overnight for a while, but I can come back and work with you instead.

[aetherweaver]

No, no. You're okay to go to the outpost. I'm okay. When I'm not awake, my omen's patrolling for me.

You don't need to worry about me. I just... since I can breathe underwater, I'm a good person for this.

[hammerbearer]

No, I do think I need to worry about you. Nara'a have you looked in a mirror lately? Obvious reasons for being damp aside, I really think you need to find other people to help you. You can't shoulder this alone just because you can 'breathe underwater'.

[ Blunt as ever, even without the sharp edge of anger. ]

Have you even tried to find help? Or taken a break? And I don't mean fitful napping until your omen alerts you about someone approaching.

[ Gaia knows what's what here. She has her suspicions anyway. ]

[aetherweaver]

... No, I haven't.

[He's not going to lie to her. Aside from being useless, it'd just make her angrier.]

But I don't know who to ask. I haven't been here long enough. And I... haven't looked in a mirror.

[It's fine. This is Fine.]

If I can save someone, I will. It's... if someone died while I wasn't looking, I don't... I just...

[He trails off and looks up at the water. Still safe.]

[hammerbearer]

No one can save everyone.

[ It seems such a cold phrase coming from Gaia. Her expression is even though she appears to be reflecting a little as if on memory. And her eyes seem full of sadness. ]

And I know you'll keep pushing yourself until you drop or succumb, Nara'a. If you don't know who to ask, use the network. Don't worry about not knowing anyone. These people that are coming to the sea to die, surely they have those who care for them. Or would care. Might I point out you knew me and didn't ask? Even if you think I wouldn't help, you could have at least hired me for the task.

[ Wait what? For a second she looks confused. Frowns and shakes her head. Gaia's expression softens but it's still a stern look she turns on the miqo'te. The teen is going to pretend she didn't say something odd. ]

If there's something out there causing people to try and throw themselves into the sea, you're going to wear yourself ragged just trying to stop the people. Why not find help and look for the source? Or at least a solution to protect people from whatever it is.

[aetherweaver]

[He knows she's right, but it's still hard to accept. But... hire her? He puts that aside for the moment.]

You're right. I know you're right. ... I'll... go make a network post.

[His ears fold backwards and he sighs.]

[hammerbearer]

You should. I'll be looking for it.

[ She's not going to fall for those sad cat ears you know. But well... that's probably not the reason for the distressed body language. Her demeanor softens more and she looks concerned. ]

I suppose sometimes it's hard to think in the heat of the moment. But... I remember you had problems sometimes taking on the weight of the world. So think of this as a reminder you can ask for help even when your friends are elsewhere. You don't have to be the only one to save it.

[ Now where she's at these days is not what you'd call 'safe' by any stretch of the imagination. There's a shelter and a barrier and many protections but remaining idle overlong... well it's not helping the others around her if she isn't doing her share. She looks up at the sound of some manner of conflict that... while not right on top of her is near enough to hear the distant sounds of battle. ]

Nara'a, I'd like to talk more but I need to go help out. Don't delay in getting that call out over the network. Also I'll be at the outpost more... did I say that already? [ There's only a second to think if she did before shrugging and continuing. ] Well it's going to be easier to look for me there than home. Though I'll be coming back every other day to check on the garden and such. So.... make sure I see you there when I come by, alright? I want to be sure you're actually resting.

[ Or else. ]

[aetherweaver]

I know. I know I don't.need to be the only one. I'm just... used to the others being around. And when they're not... I don't quite know how to do things without them.

... Okay. Just... be as safe as you can be. And I'll... be home at some point soon. Once someone else comes to take over... I know I need some rest.

[hammerbearer]

[ There is a distinct hrmph! As Gaia pauses while reaching for the omni to disconnect. ]

I will be quite cross if I don't see you when I return, Nara'a. Stay safe.

[ And then she disconnects before going to join the defenders in pushing back another wave of monsters. ]

Gift Delivery - December 25th

[survivalthroughhate]

[This year, Maul had decided to behave himself when it came to giving gifts, unlike in years past where he broke into people's houses rather like Santa himself did. All gifts are left on the porch or front step of the recipient's home for them to find in the morning.

Nara'a was given an old-fashioned leather journal and a fancy feather quill to write with, something in which to write down all the fascinating stories of his world. A note was left in blocky handwriting wishing him a Merry Christmas signed from Darth Maul.]