twenty-three ♢ spam & video

[versusnurture]

spam } everywhere!

[When Abigail wakes up, she isn't afraid. She isn't even concerned. She knows that this isn't the room she's used to, but she knows, too, that it's sort of hers and she has a right to it. So she springs out of bed, inspects it from top to bottom, and then heads out to explore the Barge.]

[There's a confidence in her that might surprise those who know her well as an adult. She investigates everything as if it belongs to her, spending a while on the deck looking at the stars and (loudly, incorrectly) identifying constellations. When she's done there, she curls up in the library with a stack of books almost taller than her, some on space (since that seems to be today's theme), some on anatomy, and some science fiction books, because that's basically the same as space.]

[In the end she gravitates towards the kitchens, where she inexplicably feels the most comfortable. She stays through lunch shift and well into the afternoon, investigating, tidying, wiping down surfaces.]

[Soon enough, she has a question.]

voice

I've been paying attention to the kitchens, [she says in a lofty voice, commanding attention in the way that only children often do.] And I need to know something.

Where does the food come from? It has to come from somewhere.

private } admiral

Excuse me, Admiral. I need to know where the food in the kitchens comes from, please.


( ooc; replies will come from naturalizing! )

Comments

[heavenlymisandrist]

Please excuse me.

[ She bows politely before stepping inside the door. She sticks to the walls, almost like a child trying to hide behind her mother's leg when she isn't there. ]

If it isn't too much trouble, I would like something to eat.

[naturalizing]

[Abigail grins, reaching up onto the counters and grabbing a few things - crackers, a couple of rolls, a banana. She puts them all messily on a plate and holds it out for Ceres.]

Is that enough?

[heavenlymisandrist]

[ She takes the plate automatically, surprised and a little confused by the girl's energetic generosity. ]

Thank you, yes.

[ She takes a bite out of a cracker, watching Abigail. Just watching. ]

[naturalizing]

[Abigail watches her back for a while, then decides the silence is boring and it's time to ask questions.]

Are you new here, too? Are you alone, or do you have people with you?

[heavenlymisandrist]

I am alone. [ She figures that should count as a yes to the first question. ] I have always been alone.

[ That probably explains her social skills. ]

[naturalizing]

Oh.

[She frowns at that, because, wow. Sad.]

You're not alone right now, though. Because I'm here.

[heavenlymisandrist]

[ A small smile plays on her lips. It's true, she's got company at the moment. But there is another thing to worry on. ]

You are human. I am... something other.

[naturalizing]

Other?

[She purses her lips.]

Other like what?

[heavenlymisandrist]

I don't know. There isn't a name for what I am.

[ She thinks about this a moment. One thought does creep its way into her mind. ]

I think... humans might call me Goddess, or child of God, sometimes.

[naturalizing]

I thought God only had one child.

[heavenlymisandrist]

I don't know anything about God.

[naturalizing]

Then how are you his child?

[heavenlymisandrist]

I am not. That is merely what people say.

[naturalizing]

Oh.

I don't want to hear what people say. I want to hear what you say.

[heavenlymisandrist]

[ She shrugs. ]

I am Ceres. I am better than human - stronger.

[naturalizing]

. . . I'm just human.

[She looks a little bummed out by this.]

[heavenlymisandrist]

That's alright. We're supposed to make humans better, I think. Otherwise we wouldn't let them keep our children.

[naturalizing]

They keep your children? Like kidnapping?

[heavenlymisandrist]

The fathers do. We bear their children and then move on.

[ She sees nothing strange about this. ]

[naturalizing]

Don't you think the children get scared?

[heavenlymisandrist]

[ She's genuinely confused. ]

Why should they be?

[naturalizing]

Because their moms aren't there.

[heavenlymisandrist]

They have their fathers. [ Thats enough, isn't it? ]

[naturalizing]

Sometimes fathers aren't enough.

[heavenlymisandrist]

[ She considers that a moment, chewing another cracker thoughtfully. ]

I hadn't thought of that.