velocette | (no subject)

[As usual, he's smoking. And it's not unusual that he's staring at the smoke like he's been hypnotized, but he's smiling more than he has in the years he's been on board.]

You know, I've been so fixated on these things for so many years. On cigarettes, I mean, Kools if I could get them--and it's funny that these are the greyest thing in my life. The single thing that lacks color now. I sort of expected the smoke to be blue...or pink.

I actually stopped seeing color when I was four. I think that was when I stopped believing in God, Santa, and the American Dream. I assumed for a long time that everyone went colorblind (literally, figuratively, whichever) when they got old enough to be cynical. But I came here and I met a real muse, and I've realized that I was mostly wrong.

I wonder what the rest of you lost when you stopped being kids? I don't expect many of you will answer, since most of you are understandably very sensitive about your pasts, but it's a real question. What did you lose when you grew up?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Neither did I. She's a very surprising person. So are you, though.

[He has a sudden, almost playful, impulse.]

I could dye it for you when you want to try it.

[Chromie giggles.]

I can do it on my own! This form is just an illusion.

[She frowns and concentrates for a moment, and her pale yellow hair goes baby blue.]

See!

How do you ever pick just one illusion to be?

Well, I like gnomes! They're cute, and they value curiosity as a culture.

Do they? I've never seen one. Not even the little statues. What do they look like?

Like me!

You?

...I thought you'd wear a hat. That's prejudiced of me, though, isn't it?

Oh, like the lawn toys!

[Chromie giggles.]

Common, but it's fine!

So you do have the toys there! I'm glad; it would have been offensive, I think, if we had made them up to represent you.

I find it odd that Earth has them if we don't exist there, actually. Wherever did you get the idea?

Most myths and legends are the work of curious minds trying to make sense of their world, really. Magic was an easier explanation than the ones science has given us instead.

So something on your world was mistakenly interpreted as gnomes?

Well, there are a lot of strange things in nature. Odd lights in swamps, strange sounds at night, things disappearing. If there was no explanation at the time, there was plenty of room to invent warnings or fantasies.

[He hesitates, and adds:] I would've liked your world better than mine, probably, if I'd had the choice.

Ah, you say that as if there's no way for you to visit!

[Chromie giggles.]

The Admiral lets wardens see other worlds all the time!

I hadn't thought of that. ...I hadn't found a world I wanted to visit until now. Would you be a tour guide?

I'd love to!

It probably wouldn't be very safe if you didn't have an escort, anyway.

Really? [Actually he believes that completely.] What's the most dangerous thing there?

To a visiting human, I would be most worried about the Horde! You would be mistaken for an enemy combatant.

It's hard to think I'd be a threat to anyone alien. Even a herd of them. [He heard 'herd' and he's picturing alien cows now.]

While that may be the case, most would rather be safe than sorry.