voice | it's a simple question

[crocodilesmiles]

( When she speaks, Collette aims to sound warm. She's tired, keyed up, and confused as well as trying to understand what's gone on since the mutiny began, and what's continuing in the aftermath. She brings a question she'd talked to Ros about, in her own way; something she wants to know very simply because she doesn't, and it's all the more important now.

Out of respect for that same woman, she keep's Ros's name out of this. )

When it comes down to do or die, who do you trust here to make decisions to pull people through, and not leave people stranded high and dry, or freeze up and fall into inaction? People who keep their temper in heated circumstances. Ones who maybe aren't going to forget the bigger picture, even if that doesn't make it easy on the smaller scale.

I've got a few names myself! Blue, Kate Kane, Nathan Summers, Caesar Silverberg, Lenalee Lee, Xerxes Break, Gilbert Nightray, Jaime Reyes, Ashraf, Kang, Peter Quill, Donny, Armin Arlert, Chrono and Rosette, even Dick Grayson and Ahiru and Vanadi, of all people, would stand by you figuring things out.

Those are some of mine. What're yours?

I'm going to keep talking, though, so you might want to tune out if you don't want to hear me ramble about a few maybe important, maybe not things!

Hey, Blue? All those questions about AIs... I think you were asking for a reason. Is it up for discussion? Because I think it should be past a planning stage.

Jai-- ( She coughs. ) Hi! Blue Beetle? Hahaha, I'm sorry, that's two blues in a row, but um, with all that stuff on Project Chimera, have you like, found anything talking about when they started learning how to grow people up so fast? Someone had to have a breakthrough on that, unless science really works that way! I'm not sure, it's all super advanced for when I'm from.

And um... okay, I'm not sure about this one either. Tony? Tony Stark? What do you know about uh... renewable energy stuff?

Comments

[crocodilesmiles]

( It's what she feels they really should do. )

Then it might be worth you telling them yourself you feel that way. If anything... sometimes i think people need that. 'Cause leading like that, being able to do those things... it's not easy.

[inafadingcrown]

I know it better than most, little one.

[crocodilesmiles]

Should I have been naming you too, 'Driel?

( Galadriel is one of the ones who she has not been sure wants so much of what she's done in past history (of Exsilium) spoken about. But if there is anyone Collette trusts to handle delicate telepathic work, it's Galadriel, full stop. )

[inafadingcrown]

The list is one of those who you trust, is it not? I cannot answer that for you.

But I will say that for thousands of years I have striven to be all that you have said, for the sake of my people; my efforts have not changed here, even if those I would protect have.

[It would be strange to Galadriel to even be given that consideration; she's lived in the public eye- as a living historical figure- for so long that it probably doesn't even occur to her that she could live another way. She fully expects what she does to be discussed.]

[crocodilesmiles]

The, um, courtesy you give others, you really don't expect anyone to give that to you?

[inafadingcrown]

No. I was born the granddaughter of a king; for good or ill, I have been a public figure my entire life. I would not know what to do with such courtesy were it given to me.

[crocodilesmiles]

Well... I'm giving it to you! From me, at least. I won't talk about you or the things you've done to help unless you want me to.

[inafadingcrown]

[A smile, a little tired and worn around the edges, but genuine.] Say what you will. I would like others to know that they may come to me.

[crocodilesmiles]

Then I will. You're a good person for people to know and trust too!

[inafadingcrown]

I am gratified to know you think so.

[crocodilesmiles]

'Tis the season you know! Sort of, anyway.

[inafadingcrown]

And what season is that?

[crocodilesmiles]

The holiday season! Or the giving season... It's almost like a real season back where I'm from!

[inafadingcrown]

I do seem to recall you telling me something of sort last year.

[crocodilesmiles]

The fun part is it keeps being true this time each year! Not sure about... elsewhere, but you know!

[inafadingcrown]

I do believe you are teasing me, Collette.

[crocodilesmiles]

Maybe just a little, 'Driel!

[inafadingcrown]

Now that is hardly fair. I have known of this tradition of yours for only a year and I have spent thousands of years without marking it. You must give me time to remember these things.

[crocodilesmiles]

You can have all the time in the world! I don't expect anyone to really remember. I just thought it'd be nice to do!

[inafadingcrown]

And so it would. We have few enough reasons for celebration here; we must take them where we find them.

[crocodilesmiles]

It's why I did Thanksgiving this year, for anyone to come. Even though um... things got complicated right after!

[inafadingcrown]

Something of an understatement, I fear.

[crocodilesmiles]

Heck of a follow-up though!