[GP] Check-in Day

[st_oneswidow]

The wheel of the year turned and turned and Curnen found herself at an anniversary of sorts that she flatly didn't want to be remembering but got stuck on a loop of anyway.

This time there was no taking the hell off into the wilderness, though. Nor were there endless, circular recitations of "The Queen of Argyll." Rather than be poisoned by the memory of someone she still hated like everloving fuck, she focused on remembering the friend she'd lost. And besides this being Kash's song, she figured it was never a bad time around here for "John Barleycorn." Perched on the roof with her guitar, she sang of John Barleycorn's dying and rising again, subtle magic weaving into her voice to lead anyone lost in their little bubble world this way.

There was three men come out of the west their fortunes for to try,
And these three men made a solemn vow, John Barleycorn must die,
They ploughed, they sowed, they harrowed him in, threw clods upon his head,
And these three men made a solemn oath John Barleycorn was dead.

It was Kash's song, in her mind, but you talked to half the people around here and it wasn't a bad fit for them, either. From her vantage point, she watched the road.

Comments

Re: Of Aliens & Androids

[st_abilitylost]

Watching Xavin shift before his eyes was as fascinating as it was alarming--not the act in and of itself, but if a being with such abilities would render his own obsolete in his own world. "I can relate." Oddly, he wasn't just saying it to fill gaps in conversation, he meant it. "My appearance is simply an outer skin composed of synthetic fluid. If I deactivated it, it would severely compromise my ability to blend in."

Then, a pause. "Now, I'm compelled to ask your preferred pronouns."

Re: Of Aliens & Androids

[st_artliving]

"You are very polite." Xavin nodded. "When I look female, as now, I am she/her. When I am male, as I was, I am he/him. If you do not have current direct knowledge, I have decided that she/her is best." After a brief pause, she added, "My ex-fiancée preferred to consider me female unless she knew otherwise, and that is comfortable for me, so I encourage it."

Re: Of Aliens & Androids

[st_abilitylost]

Connor nodded in acknowledgement. Gender identity was only something that he took into account when dealing with humans--and now, humanoids. Beyond the superficial identifying characteristics, gender was meaningless when applied to androids.

"You've been very..." 'Cooperative' seemed innapropriate, "Helpful since we've met, Xavin. I appreciate it."

Re: Of Aliens & Androids

[st_artliving]

"Of course. Suddenly arriving here is difficult enough for most people, I think, without adding unnecessary additional difficulty." She smiled pleasantly. "I have seen that some peaceful companionship and conversation helps a great deal, at least for some. I am happy to provide it."

Re: Of Aliens & Androids

[st_abilitylost]

It seemed Xavin took pride in her work, and if nothing else, it had given Connor some space to make sense of things. "Have you seen other arrivals today?" He rose, slowly, pushing the mug back towards her.

Re: Of Aliens & Androids

[st_artliving]

"I believe I've seen one other in passing, but I have not spoken to her yet. A young woman with a green scarf around her head." It was a very pretty green scarf, and Xavin was almost sure that it had religious significance, but she wasn't sure enough to hold forth about anything more than the existence of the scarf.

Re: Of Aliens & Androids

[st_abilitylost]

"I see." A woman in a scarf--a hijab, possibly?--didn't ring a bell. Connor straightened his tea and reached into his breast pocket and produced a quarter coin. "Not that that seems to be necessary, but I can't offer compensation. Would you accept something else?"

Re: Of Aliens & Androids

[st_artliving]

"There is no need. I regard the conversation as payment enough." And there was no real use for money in the Inn anyway.

Re: Of Aliens & Androids

[st_abilitylost]

"In that case..." Connor paused, considering what approach would suit the circumstances, "In return for when I sample your drinks, I could show you the anti-gravity muscle pass."