natha: (Default)
ɴᴀᴛʜᴀ orbiters ❰ mod collective ❱ ([personal profile] natha) wrote in [community profile] elnyan2018-06-29 03:05 pm
Entry tags:

❪ test drive #6 ❫

YOUR STORY BEGINS    

The Storm came. You remember darkness, but you don't remember much after that.

You don't know how long you slept, but the dreams were short. You remember the expanse of stars and galaxies in your direct view. Every world and solar system ever known to man was present in your dreams in careful, pristine detail. You also witnessed the Storm, which has devoured a fair portion of these galaxies. Your Earth and similar planets were assimilated by the Storm. Somehow, you knew it would be the last you'd see of your world. That was when she told you what happened. You knew that you'd be living somewhere new. The details weren't clear, but you knew it was a part of a deal with the entity known as Darma.

Not long after, you'll wake at Thesa Station. Your body is still cold; it all felt like a dream, but somehow, you knew it wasn't —

We were mistaken to think we should not intervene. Dangers far beyond what should exist on this planet lurk beyond even our sight. Poor Ysverai's resurrection is only a portent of what threatens this world. El Nysa must remain frozen in time until we have found a way to repair the damage the High Dragon has wrought. But repair it we will. We give you this promise.

We are sorry for leaving you in your time of need. There was greater danger, or so we thought. The Storm, for the first time, had somehow encroached beyond our shields. Blinded to what was occurring on the planet, we believed it safe to turn our sight from the planet… Safe to leave our physical forms entirely, for we needed the energy to ward off the Storm. We withdrew ourselves from our aspect that we call Thesa, and in doing so left you vulnerable. We can only hope you will forgive us.

Still, we must ask your aid, for both your sake, and for all life on this fragile planet. Please, leave the matter of Ysverai's curse in our hands. Ready yourselves to journey to Nadril and find how the High Dragon's resurrection was hidden from our sight. We will do all in our power to repair El Nysa, but you should prepare yourselves well. We fear there is yet greater danger ahead, both from the Storm and from what lies obscured on the planet.

CLEAN-UP CREW    

While everything has wound down significantly from the strife and destruction of battle, the frozen image of Ysverai, the massive, rotten dragon, and the hole he tore in El Nysa's sky, on several screens of the station is a constant reminder of what took place. New and old refugees alike will notice that prolonged exposure to these images will leave them with a disquiet that gradually builds to actual pain. The discomfort starts from a crawling sensation, insects over skin, and gradually becomes unbearable. They will begin to hear the cries of Ysverai’s pain and suffering, first whispers, then echoes, then wails. Even after Refugees tear their eyes away from this footage, a strange itching sensation remains beneath their skin for several minutes.

The dragon isn’t a matter for them to deal with, however. Darma made it clear that the Natha will find a solution. For now, everyone is encouraged to assist in the clean-up of the cities currently frozen in time. However, in interest of the current events and the fact that the refugees still have much to prepare for, they will be offering this help remotely.

Several stations are set up where refugees can remote control drones to map out areas and pick up some of the lighter weight debris. Those more well versed technology are encouraged to assist those who may be having trouble getting started with the unfamiliar Natha tech. It seems like it’ll definitely take some getting used to, though. On the bright side, they’re pretty durable drones so if at first you don’t succeed, press the next button? To keep morale high during the clean-up efforts, one of the Natha have set up large hoops around dumpsites and a scoreboard program in the control room, though there's no sign of any directions or rules to be found. That's right, you can play a mechanized version of… some sort of game while you're helping clean up El Nysa. Just make sure you don't get too carried away with competitive spirit!

For those looking to pilot something more heavy-duty, there are also cockpits set up for remote control piloting of basic mecha. These are very similar to the VR simulations offered on the station. However, they will not work without a partner. To be able to successfully move one of these, two refugees will be required to connect their minds and pilot in tandem. This may be a daunting task, but with the extensive structural damage to the cities, it's a necessary one. Piloting will require trust and cooperation to make it through. The more connected the pilots are, the more agile and powerful their mecha will be. For those who can’t seem to get on the same page, coordination will be a pipe dream.

PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIP    

By now it’s likely clear to all refugees, new and old, that for all that they may appear to be infinitely powerful, the Natha Orbiters have been shaken by the recent events on El Nysa. The details of Ysverai’s revival were somehow obscured from their view, and while they’re focusing their efforts on the planet, certain… abnormalities again begin to arise on Thesa Station.

The most prevalent of the problems plaguing the Station are the malfunctioning doors. Walking through a door that should lead to a bedroom or kitchen (or, for the truly unfortunate, a toilet) will suddenly take refugees somewhere entirely different and possibly even new. And while this may lead to some accusations of breaking and entering, at least these mishaps can be quickly rectified by an apology and a hasty exit. That is, unless the door refuses to open again — the locks also seem to be malfunctioning.

Still, those that find themselves transported somewhere familiar, though off-limits, should consider themselves lucky. Thesa Station is far more vast than most refugees are aware, and some of them might find themselves wandering into a uniquely sticky laboratory. This area appears to serve no purpose other than to house dozens of slimes. These slimes appear not only in a variety of fun colours, but with a variety of not-so-fun abilities ranging from harmless (spitting bubbles) to deadly (spitting fire). Regardless of what abilities a slime possesses however, they are all relentlessly friendly, and characters will need to be careful not to accidentally bringing one out with them once they manage to escape.

Unfortunately, that’s not the only situation to escape from. Whether it’s in the mess hall or the bathroom, many will find themselves suddenly rising off the ground. … with everything else in the room, too! It seems like gravity control is also on the fritz. Fortunately, most open spaces aboard the station have a small control panel that can correct these effects. The only problem is getting there. Hopefully at least one of you refugees took that anti-gravity safety course.

SUMMER TURNS TO WINTER    

The news that the refugees should begin preparations for a return to El Nysa may come as a surprise given that the planet still remains frozen, but it appears there is one community that has somehow withstood Darma’s intervention: an area known as Nadril where time continues to flow freely. Not much information is available regarding this destination, other than the fact that it is isolated, and, more importantly, that it is cold.

(Maybe characters should consider the malfunctioning thermostat plunging the temperature to below zero in certain areas on the station as preparation for their upcoming journey!)

There are other resources available for those itching to take action, of course. There will be a new supply pack delivered to each room containing gear meant to withstand freezing temperatures — both clothing and storage gear to keep water rations from freezing. Characters will also be alerted to new training programs available in the VR room that are designed to assist with survival in the snowy regions of Nadril.

The training programs will consist of a variety of tutorials that will assist in winter survival. Naturally, there will be courses on how to start fires, find food, and build igloos to withstand the frigid temperatures, but that’s not all. Due to the Natha testing their systems, there will occasionally be strange occurrences. For example, refugees may experience a snowball or two pelting them from out of nowhere, or they may suddenly find themselves being cloaked by a snow yeti costume, amongst many other inconveniences. Hopefully that doesn’t detract from the lessons to be learned here, as some of the training programs can include extreme weather survival, including the perils of snow storms or avalanches.

SOCIAL-LINKED(in)   
By some miracle, there are still some quieter parts of the hall. This may be an appropriate time to check out your smartphone. Aside from the expected "Omage" app, there seems to be a new one called Social-Linked. There, you may find a profile waiting to be posted. The app allows for the user to fill it in, but there is also an auto-function! upon pressing it, it will generate a shockingly-honest answer based on the Natha's observation of your history. Roman will be your only friend in this app, with his very own profile:

●●●●○ THESA
ROMAN
@romannoodles (∞), Thesa

I WAS A: Butler! I still am, and I'm happy to serve all of the new arrivals!

I'M SKILLED IN: Cooking, cleaning, anything that involves making your life better!

I'M LOOKING FOR: Consistency!

ALSO, I'M: Not entirely certain if the "auto" profile function is to your liking. Feel free to edit if it is not to taste!

So, have you decided on making your own profile? Perhaps you used the "auto" function on accident? Regardless, once your profile is out there, it's out there. And like the Omage app, it will match you with someone. NOTE: Please use the form below to fill out a profile! Whether it's auto-generated or filled by the character is up to you!

STASIS UNITS    

During this time of crisis, the Natha have done their utmost to ensure the safety of those in cryosleep. However, due to the nature of recent events, they will be asking some refugees to do a quick check on some of the pods in the stasis unit. While they are definitely looking for any damage that may have occurred over these past few weeks, they also seem interested in getting a deeper insight into some of the occupants.

On each control panel for the pods, there's a new application, asking observers to add notes and commentary — the Natha are looking for a more personal understanding of their sleeping occupants. Refugees are tasked with providing evaluations of the sleepers, based on both their knowledge of those from their homes and on what they can observe just by examining them in their repose. The application asks for how useful you think the pod's occupant would be in a crisis, what their skills are, what their best feature is, if you'd take them with you for a long walk on the beach, and so on… And, of course, all answers must be recorded out loud. Anyone passing by could overhear these evaluations, flattering or less than.

FINAL OOC NOTES    
As always, feel free to wildcard prompts within Thesa Station!

These threads may be carried over as game canon if players choose. Players are encouraged to submit TDM threads as application samples, but they are not required. Please direct any OOC questions to the questions thread below.

New players may submit an AC-length thread HERE from this TDM for 2 Natha REP. In addition, old players who have not submitted rep for the Hour of Ruin log may also submit a TDM thread for 2 Natha REP. The due date for submission is July 15 11:59 PM EST.

For this application cycle, there will be a cap of 60 and no reserves. Applications will be open on July 9 12:01 AM EST and end on July 13 11:59 PM EST. Thank you!

[personal profile] ayes 2018-07-01 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
The tears flow openly now as You buries her face in Yoshiko's shoulder.

If the younger girl were perceptive, she might notice that You looks older than the last memory she might have from back home. Not by much, but older nonetheless; her face is a little slimmer, she's perhaps grown one final centimeter more, and her hair is longer now, down below her shoulders.

"You're the first one to wake up," she says in between wet sniffles. "It's been just me for so long."
kludging: (snap it work it quick erase it)

[personal profile] kludging 2018-07-01 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Startled me, I'll tell you that.

[ he's not pulling her leg. it definitely declared its intentions. he fully turns his attention toward her as the conversation continues, nodding slightly. ]

I thought about that, and it poses a problem with things as they are. With the doors, I mean. Even if this lab is normally secure, what's to keep them from just wandering off when someone pops in on accident?

[ they don't seem to be reproducing at an alarming rate or anything at least, which he has definitely put as a check mark in the pro keeping one forever column. ]
awakenerd: (18)

[personal profile] awakenerd 2018-07-01 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[He opens his eyes. It's not like he doesn't you know, look, a little. Just sort of assessing and absently categorizing; nice muscles, nice body, works out, holds himself like a fighter, hot. You know the usual assessment you give a guy in a bathtowel. It's quick and his eyes are back on Cain's face politely in an instant.]

I really am sorry about this.
kludging: (trash it change it mail upgrade it)

[personal profile] kludging 2018-07-01 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ we're all still traumatized by that whole thing but no one is going to talk about it, ok? ok. look, everything is fine. scotty doesn't cry for just anyone but it's fine.

it's easy to fall into step with jim. easy enough that he can sense the stop and accommodate for it, stalling and waiting and listening.

it's a lot. sometimes things are a lot. jim saying that, in the current context, is a lot.

scotty pauses. he's not good at this. ]


Aye, well, you won't find a place I'd rather be.

[ b...y jim's side, not. on this particular station. he already misses the enterprise. look, jim will get it. he's not a poet, which we've touched on. ]
pachintoki: (dead fish)

C

[personal profile] pachintoki 2018-07-01 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[When the gravity cut out, Gintoki discovered he a new game to play with his small box of candy from the cafeteria. In fact, 'catch the candy' should be played by everybody. So as he casually floats by flicking a piece of candy towards his face in an effort to catch it, he definitely gets distracted by her obvious display. The candy slowly bounces off his cheek as he turns his head to look and give her a once over, then he'll slowly reach up and catch it, popping it in his mouth.

She was pretty enough, that's for sure. He'll watch as her hair goes every which way, then he'll speak up after swallowing his sweets.]


Aah- I spend all my time just floating around hallways like this. Seems like you do too.
Edited 2018-07-02 01:41 (UTC)
kludging: (cross it crack it switch update it)

[personal profile] kludging 2018-07-01 11:03 pm (UTC)(link)
I did manage that earlier, stroke of pure luck.

[ or else he'd be a lot grumpier. that's just how he do.

he brightens though, at the question, because BOY HOWDY DID HE. ]


Aye! My captain found me just after I woke up. I must say, the familiar face did wonders for morale. Now, with the doors as they are, finding him again might be a wee issue, but I'm confident enough.
kludging: (drag and drop it zip unzip it)

[personal profile] kludging 2018-07-01 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ok, like, there's the whole thing with khan and his people being in stasis. and they'd put jim in stasis, briefly, to preserve him, but all those are things he doesn't like to think about. that and they're rare, edge-case scenarios. alarming ones, at that.

people in torpedos.

to know that peggy knows jim, well, he smiles. jim might as well know everyone, probably. ]
He's a good man, Jim. [ a beat. ] All good things, I'd hope?

[ that he's said. look, scotty's gotten into some shit and things are wild on the enterprise. ]
thetaintedsorrow: (Portrait)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-07-01 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[At least Chuuya is used to that kind of reaction, and doesn’t even flinch when Link gets defensive.]

Easy there. If I wanted you dead you would be.

[He glances down at the beans in Link’s palm. He’s right that they won’t know if they’re safe to eat without trying them, but Chuuya also doesn’t have a death wish.]

I guess one wouldn’t hurt.

[He just casually bypasses introductions to take the pink bean and nibble at it. It’s pleasanty sweet and almost fruity!]

Not bad.
unmutes: (leave that old record spinning)

winter

[personal profile] unmutes 2018-07-01 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ charlie hesketh only cares about two things in life — money and survival.

with his kingsman background and a year working for poppy, a snowy landscape wouldn't be much of a problem for him. he has both the training and the skill set needed to keep himself alive if necessary. but his current lack of an arm brings a new level of difficulty in a situation where he would otherwise be fine. he can still build a fire or hunt, but an avalanche or a harsh snow storm is something he is going to have to prep for.

—which brings him here in the vr room. hopefully, it'll be realistic enough.

at the sound of a question being directed at him, he looks over at the brunet next to him. if bucky's metal arm is visible, he is going to get a rather surprised look from charlie. he is very obviously missing his right limb with only a metal socket to indicate where his cybernetic arm once was.
]

Love to. [ it wouldn't hurt to start making some useful connections here. ] Ever worked one of these before?
kludging: (touch it bring it pay it watch it)

[personal profile] kludging 2018-07-01 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
What isn't a challenge in this life, lassie?

[ yeah, it's definitely a challenge. he pauses in his work after a moment, not because he needs to for concentration, but because he's reached a point where he can shift more politely (he's trying) to fully consider the conversation as it stands. ]

Aye, the Starship Enterprise. My ancestors dealt with seafaring. I've always been a stars man, myself. Nothing like exploring the unknown.

[ he's thoughtful though, nodding to her station. ] Is it very different than what you're used to?
kinyagura: (If I could have one wish)

[personal profile] kinyagura 2018-07-01 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
You might be surprised by the things you're able to use to form new tactics and strategies. It might be that your swimming and diving experience will give you a different view of the battlefield.

[Of... shogi...]

My name is Hifumi Togo. It's nice to meet you, You.
kludging: (view it code it jam unlock it)

[personal profile] kludging 2018-07-01 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ now, scotty's been around in his short time here, in and out and really this isn't that bad of a stop on the map. the slick surfaces around him thing is getting pretty old, but he's in a good enough mood that he just laughs a little at the statement, shrugging. ]

Most things are trouble in some way or another, really. Don't think I've ever found anything that's not been trouble in some form.

[ he turns toward her, eyebrows lofting. ] Not that being cautious doesn't have its merit, of course.
directives: (┅ ℓxi.)

[personal profile] directives 2018-07-01 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ...and this is what she gets for allowing the autofill to complete that for her. ]

Trust me when I say that you're better off not knowing.
sweetwater: (041)

[personal profile] sweetwater 2018-07-01 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ she laughs. everyone has the same look of wide-eyed wonder and horror when they arrive. ]

I'm Cheryl. It does get better. It was very bad at first, and then it was okay. There are things much larger than ourselves going on. The dragon was only a small part of it. [ ominous, but true. ]
kinyagura: (Hold on)

[personal profile] kinyagura 2018-07-01 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[The thing is, she trusts Akira completely and she wouldn't think that he'd have such a close relationship with anyone, anything, if it wasn't someone worthwhile. He must see something no one else can in this cat the same way he saw past her... oddities, and there's something not far off from camaraderie in that.

If Akira trusts him, then so can Hifumi.][Her voice is a little uneven so she might sound a little on the fence still, but... well, she's going to just go with this. It's probably not the strangest thing she'll see from here on out. It's not going out of her way to go on petting him, so after she slides her hand carefully over his back she reaches under his chin to scratch there.

He did ask, after all.]


I feel like I should have asked your name months ago if you were able to understand everything we were saying...
kinyagura: (The only fault)

[personal profile] kinyagura 2018-07-01 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[After a moment of giving that some consideration, Hifumi has to nod.]

You have a point. It's a common tactic to beguile your opponent into thinking you're harmless. Picking up on that is impressive.

[And she's just totally given Futaba an out she didn't actually mean to, but there you go. Blind acceptance because hey that's something she can probably use in a shogi strategy at some point.]

I think if you just move away it'll lose interest in you.
kludging: (write it cut it paste it save it)

ii.

[personal profile] kludging 2018-07-01 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ scotty isn't sentimental. he definitely hasn't gone around stasis looking in at crewmates just to make sure they're actually there. it's sterile and strange and he hates it - it reminds him of the human torpedos, of khan. which is not his favorite subject in the universe, thank you. but his crew is here, where they're safe, and it only settles him slightly.

he considers putting in information about some of them but refrains, for now. maybe when he's more settled in.

a woman talking about meeting amelia earhart on an l-class planet catches his attention easily though and he pauses mid-stride, raising his eyebrows to look at her. surely other cultures use the same parlance as the federation, but whatever, this is familiar. and just weird enough to be interesting. ]


You met Amelia Earhart as an ice cube on an L-Class planet?

[ yes, hello, nice to meet you. ]
votum: (071)

[personal profile] votum 2018-07-01 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ she says he saved the Seven Kingdoms, and time slows. he wonders who told her that, or if she decided he did it for the people, and not his house, on her own. Jaime has told none but Brienne why he killed his king. not Cersei, not Tyrion, not Ned Stark. no one knows. so why does she say it? does she mean to mock me? and then she condemns him anyway, for something he doesn't understand. he grasps one thing, however: she loves me not.

it is Ned and Brynden all over again. how can he find the words to explain himself, when his reputation (and his family) precede him? he resolves to keep his temper, if nothing else. ]


I don't know what you speak of. [ a curt answer, yet a true one all the same. Daenerys shares the mad king's blood and likely his madness, too. Jaime knows nothing else of her, beyond that his traitorous kinslaying brother has joined her side, apparently. an ill omen. Sansa's words sound like songs and stories. and too many queens remain for him to know who is who. this is not going well. ]

I swore to return you and Arya safely, too. [ and he's a great bloody fool, given how often and spectacularly he failed. ] I rode after you alone, you know, or perhaps you don't. [ how can he know what Sandor shared with his captive? ] Lady Brienne told me that Sandor would kill you, if I didn't come, [ then, firmer. ] and I know her to be true.

[ even if the story tastes wrong in his mouth. Sandor (always Sandor, not the Hound, when Jaime knows he isn't the monster in that family) was never the sort to hold little girls hostage, and yet Brienne would not lie. it would seem that none of it mattered, when they're both here now, and Sansa has her brother to defend her. ]

But here you are, safe due to someone else's hand. [ the Natha, he means. ] I won't count that as oathkeeping, so I'm afraid all I can do is keep my sword in its scabbard, whether you believe in me or not.

[ wah wah!! he doesn't care what anyone thinks of him because he's a lannister! what's another broken oath, simply more shit in the bucket — except he craves her approval (and selfishly seeks absolution, even, at the hands of a girl both stark and tully), else he wouldn't tell the truth. it had been the same with brienne, when he spoke of the mad king. ]
directives: (┅ xxxv.)

!!!

[personal profile] directives 2018-07-01 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ if she's embarrassed by the impropriety of her entrance, she doesn't show it, rising to her feet to brush herself off. her uniform looks awkwardly incomplete without the layers she's shed, devoid of the rank and insignia that would mark her as starfleet. ]

Haywire's a good way of putting it, [ though she had a few other choice options floating around in her head that she wouldn't necessarily give voice to. ] I've taken worse topples. That one was rather mild in comparison.
decathlons: (☢ that wall is a bad influence)

[personal profile] decathlons 2018-07-01 11:39 pm (UTC)(link)
So they're like
Bad guys?
warmare: (真面目)

[personal profile] warmare 2018-07-01 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[She says "brother" and Hayame's eyes slide briefly, shamefully, to the next pod over, to the male centaur that sports the same coloring as she, dun hide and black mane, the same cut to the face and hocks. Not just Matsukaze... even Yubari, he should have been woken before they wasted efforts on a traitor like herself-]

Why?

[It's a struggle to keep the break from her voice, but she manages. Manages far better than she can control her body, back legs trembling in anger, human hand curled into a white knuckled fist on the glass.]

If they are so wise as to make all these sorceries, why do they wake the undeserving? Are they not as gods?

[No gods ever answered her prayers. Maybe they did not cast their favor on jinba as they did humans... but now, it seems only cruel, far worse than to be ignored.]

[personal profile] krasnaya_vdova 2018-07-01 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[There's a sound that's almost humor at the suggestion that the Natha aren't her first aliens. But she doesn't dwell on it, doesn't talk about it. The incident. It made Natasha a hero to most of the world, back when Ava had still just wanted someone that knew how to be there. She'd hated her and loved her and hand-sewn her hourglass on the hat she wore for New York winters.]

They keep their promises as they seem able to, which is more than can be said for some.

[The words aren't bitter, like they would have once been. She's accepted her childhood as best she can, is more interested in trying to have Natasha in her future than fix her past. And she understands now, more than she did then. The reasons, the fear, the hurt that she'd been running from. And after Alexei-- it's hard to blame her for it.]

The Storm, by all indications, is real. The Natha are not all-knowing and while they are powerful beyond anything most people can comprehend, that power has limits. The planet is important somehow. Both to them, and maybe to the Storm. The politics on the ground are complex, but prior to the dragon, negotiations were in progress but could be liable to shatter completely, depending on how this is handled.

[Notable, maybe, is the fact that she says our world, no plural or some vague statement as a reference to the variety of people the station seems to house. The way she talks about it is all neutral practicality, like information offered at a debriefing. There are details, a dozen different threads she's been trying to untangle and tie together, but she sticks to the highlights.

It's easier than the alternative. But the air seems heavy with the things unsaid, and Ava can only really handle that in silence for so long. Her hands fidgeting with the sleeping bag, as she tries to figure out where to start. It's been just over a year since she's seen Natasha last. She wants to hug her, but that urge had never played out well, so she resists. She plays her hand, though. Because it's not a secret she can keep, not one she wants to. Just a slight tilt of her head, a flicker of blue eyes that have always looked up to her.]


But, you're the better spy.
sheriffing: (🌟 246)

[personal profile] sheriffing 2018-07-01 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Some of them start fires.

[ they're in a lab, there are things in here that are probably flammable. Emma knows all about trouble (so she probably shouldn't talk), but she's already seen what those little blobs can do when they get bored.]

That kind of trouble.

[personal profile] ayes 2018-07-01 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
i mean
the high dive is like 10m up so thats a pretty good view
it might be too hard to see the shogi board from up there though


[you she didn't mean it literally]

its nice to meet you too hifumi! so you go to school in tokyo?
ahhh thats so glamorous
sheriffing: (🌟00991)

[personal profile] sheriffing 2018-07-01 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't worry, I won't hold it against you.

[ being ordinary? she gets the implications there. thankfully, she also gets that this is a strange topic for him, and no, she's not gonna hold it against the kid for thinking this is unusual. she'll just, you know, tease him a little.]

What's ordinary like?