voice; post-event

[tekhartha]

I had never truly appreciated what a beautiful world we now inhabit. Lunatia is splendid in its own right, but it was a rare privilege indeed to travel beyond its boundaries, as I have done for the past month or so.

There is so much more beyond the city than the Nothing. Lush forests, little hamlets of born survivors, the great, glittering expanse beyond it all... I have heard cries at night to which one cannot begin to put a name. It puts one's feelings into perspective.

[He pauses, voice shifting to something soft and wistful.]

I had not realised, for instance, how long it had been since I last stood upon the shores of an untamed ocean, felt real seaspray on my body... my stay was brief, but it was... reinvigorating. Saltwater is a great healer, or so I am told.

[There's another, aching pause; those who already know him can probably guess what he's thinking about. When he speaks again, at least, he sounds brighter.]

Incidentally, now that I am back in Lunatia, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to moonlace. While the locals were all exceptionally welcoming I did not ask for more than enough to keep myself functional. I would be glad to see a familiar face.

In the mean time, would anyone be so kind as to fill me in on what I have missed over the past month?

Comments

[mylawn]

Glad to hear it. Let me know if you want to grab a drink.

[tekhartha]

As much as I would like to protest that getting drunk will not help anyone, I think I would quite like that.

[mylawn]

Nobody said we have to get drunk.

[tekhartha]

But you accept that it is a potential outcome.

[mylawn]

I don't know about you, but getting drunk is a lot of work for me.

[tekhartha]

Of course! I had almost forgotten your metabolism. Regardless: yes, I would like to meet you for a drink, and I promise I will not make it awkward for you.

[mylawn]

It’s not gonna be awkward. Just tell me where you want to meet.

[tekhartha]

The last place we met for a drink, perhaps? Until then, take care, my friend.

[He's already there when Jack arrives but doesn't look up, nursing a small tumbler of oil; his fingertip stirs languid circles into the surface of the gleaming liquid, ice clinking against the glass. Admittedly he could look a little desolate, sat alone like that, but the overall effect is more thoughtful than pensive.]

[mylawn]

[Jack has no choice to admit how familiar he is with Zenyatta when he walks into the bar and immediately knows the robot is despondent, even though he has no real face with which to make expressions. The body language says it all, and Jack slides carefully onto the bar stool next to him.]

Hey.

[tekhartha]

[One minute the seat beside him is empty- the next, like a ghost apparating from the darkness, Jack has occupied it. Zenyatta looks up abruptly, then relaxes again.]

Hello, Jack. It is good to see your face again. [He sounds a little more subdued than usual, but it's still light and bright and earnest. It is good, such familiarity. To be near to a man he has earned the right to call friend.] Have you been taking care of yourself?