exsilium | voice;

Our labor has not entirely been for nothing, it would seem.

[Elissa's actually out in the city, sitting somewhere and watching a few of the new arrivals sort themselves out. It's safer to be using the audio function if only so that her displeasure is not so easily seen. She still has several misgivings over what they've done to the earth in order to arrive at this point.]

But any victory is not without its costs. I attempted to speak to a few of the shop owners to ask them about what had transpired before now and no one could answer me. In fact, they all start looking at me as though I had grown three heads and horns. They do not seem to remember the change in scenery or even the monsters. One woman told me I must have been on the bottle.

[Considering the last time she had appeared on the network, this garners a brief snort.]

I suppose I'm the only one that finds all of that troublesome. I don't think I'll ever understand these time changes. A shame, too, because it seems like a fairly interesting concept.

[Too bad it just seems too far-fetched for her.]

And this talk of parties reminded me that I - we, really - would be celebrating a holiday if we were home. [Though it's been a while since she's done any sort of gatherings or parties.] I suppose that's a shame too. But I'm not the first to miss an important holiday or occasion, now am I?

[And being away from home isn't going to stop her from doing something for Satinalia. It's just going to mean a little bit of creative thinking on her part to find gifts suitable enough with the coin she has.]

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It is a little unsettling... and confusing. [a beat] I try not to think about it too much.

[And then she makes a soft, surprised sound. Holiday what holi--oh yeah.] Satinalia. I'd completely forgotten.

But we'll have to consider it sometime, won't we? Especially if this is to be our home for an extended period of time.

[There's a pause before Elissa replies.]

I almost did as well. I haven't celebrated in nearly two years now.

Then if nothing else, we'll have to simply... get used to it, because I don't have any hope of understanding how time works around here.

[Bethany frowns. The last time she celebrated Satinalia, her family still resembled a family, and her life wasn't - well, it wasn't this.

She tries to keep her expression neutral and is largely unsuccessful, but she knows she always looks unhappy anyway.]

It's been some time for me, as well. Three years, at least.

I suppose we have no other choice. But you aren't alone in that. I feel as if my head might split open when someone begins to talk about all of that nonsense.

[Three years. Elissa frowns sadly, glad this isn't a video feed. Her heart goes out to the girl.]

I'm sorry. That's not right.

See, and that's why I'd rather ignore it. I get enough headaches without trying to make sense of this place.

[There's an uncomfortable pause. It's mostly by choice that she hasn't celebrated; it doesn't feel right without her family there, so she's avoided it.]

Ah, it's nothing you need to apologize for. It's fine, really.

But it's not fine. I'm not...talking about the celebration itself, exactly, but--

[Oh, Elissa, this is not a good line of thought.]

Your company in the Wardens never celebrated any of the holidays? Never gave you leave to relax?