socialcapital | [ JACKSON HEART ]

[He shakes his head.]

I took that to mean that it is not your birthday you dislike, but something else about birthdays. Was that in error?

"Oh, uh... no, I guess it is my birthday I dislike. Or rather, to me it's just a normal day, but it's strange to know other people care about it way more than me."

[It's not the day they care about, it's you.]

It's harder to celebrate such things if you never experienced their positive sides when you were younger.

What about planes?

"I just spend so much fucking time on planes. It's boring. I'm sick of them. We should invent teleportation."

So you have no problems with flight itself?

"Yeah, I don't have a phobia or anything, it just takes so much time. Especially if you go between time zones."

Even teleportation isn't always instant. But it is faster.

"It wouldn't be as annoying if it wasn't like, so much of my life right now and- wait, you teleport?'

[Sighs.]

No.

"Darn. If you could I would ask you to show me how. I'd probably free up some time for napping."

If it were a blessing, seeing it wouldn't do you much good.

You'd need it to be some kind of teachable magic -- and you'd need a world where you yourself were a gifted sorcerer.

"If I work hard and believe in myself. I might develop a teleportation blessing."

If you work harder than you are now, there's not going to be anything left of you.

He laughs like this is not a serious problem he's dealing with even though it is.

"Alright, then I'll save it for when I get some downtime."

May I hug you?

"Huh? Uh- sure, if you want? Why?"

Because I'm here, and I think someone should. Because I'd like to.

[The pine nuts are long gone, so he doesn't have to worry too much as he wraps his arm around Totality's shoulders.]

Those aren't the only reasons. But they're the ones easiest to hear.

"Really not beating the 'came back in time' allegations I think..."

Automatically he brings his own arms up for a friendly return hug.

[It's not Umbra's scent. Umbra smells like sunlight, not like the sharp peal of alcohol and the subtle undercurrent of drugs. Umbra's heart isn't drowning in despair, kept afloat only by blessings and will.

They're different.]

I'll take them over the crazy stalker ones.

"You definitely don't fit the crazy stalker profile."

Also unlike Umbra, he does pull away first rather than luxuriate in cuddles.

[Of course he does. At this point in his life, he has to keep walking -- no matter how much blood is dripping from his feet. If he allows himself to stop, even for a moment, he won't be able to keep going.

Satin lets him go without protest.]

Tell me your thoughts?

"What, all of them?"

Any of them. Whatever you're willing to share.

"That's so open ended... what am I thinking right now... I'm tired? Or well. No, that's not really it. I wanna go to bed early for once, but that's not gonna happen tonight at least..."

It's the open-ended nature that makes it interesting.

And no. A concert night doesn't sound like one that will be good for sleep.

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