THE BABY PARTY

[afineknight]

WHO: everyone!!
WHERE: The Rec Room
WHEN: Day 33, around lunchtime

[ Since it is a Daffodil rite, the Daffodils (at least, the ones that are not children who have no idea what they're doing and therefore aren't Tart, the best baby shepherd ever) have set up a little party in the rec room for all the kids and their poor beleaguered adults!

They've set up snacks and pulled out a few games as well as some pillows from the library for naptime and books — including picture books — nearby before putting the word out to others to stop by the rec room around lunchtime. And hey, if they have anything they can bring along, all the better! ]

Comments

[secondbornsun]

It's normal back where I'm from.

[catposting]

Right. Sunrise City.

[secondbornsun]

Still believe you're in your building?

[catposting]

...

The residents of this place have little to no fight or flight response, even for civilians. At the same time, the stress levels of the adult population seem exceptionally high. So far, all but one observation has checked out with what's written in the clinic book.

[ not an exact answer but ]

[secondbornsun]

'N which observation is that?

[catposting]

[ looks away ]

Someone told me that an older version of me helped save their flock member from a "super jacked up mental curse".

I would never do that. I'd never risk my ass for someone else's sake. It's — against my programming. If the Test runners wanted this scenario to be realistic, they would have modeled older-me better.

[secondbornsun]

And from your experience, how skilled are the Test runners at makin' scenarios realistic?

[catposting]

Depends on their skill level and access to resources. They've produced realistic, limited-scope scenarios in the past.

This is the first one that's happened without prior notice.

[secondbornsun]

That the only thing odd about this Test?

[catposting]

...

The red-collared elver is suspicious. He demonstrates a level of comfort toward me, while acting like we've never met. He speaks fluently at times, then reverts to incoherent noises to conveniently dodge questions.

However... within the parameters of a "de-aging ritual", one could theorize that he was regressed only in a physical sense, and is just enjoying his time roleplaying an unconvincing pseudo-infant.

[secondbornsun]

Test givers able t'do that too?

[catposting]

I don't know. If I knew the full capabilities of each Test runner, I wouldn't be a D-rank regular.

[secondbornsun]

Aa~h, so you've barely seen shit, huh.

[catposting]

[ glances back at the others playing and vibing, then back to Tart ]

Humans and beastkin coexisting like this. Adults caring for children. The lack of killing intent between color teams... is that normal, where you're from?

[secondbornsun]

. . . Back where I'm from, things ain't nearly so idyllic. But they ain't nearly so organized or purposeful as your place is.

Coexistence between races, as well as races bein' at odds with each other are both normal—even war is normal. And it's just as normal for adults to care for children as it is for 'em to take advantage of 'em.

Same with killing intent or lack thereof between arbitrary groups—either is just as likely. Even if there's no intent to kill, that doesn't mean swingin' straight to the other side and bein' nurturin' and cooperative—sometimes it means indirectly killin' by chokin' out their resources and lettin' 'em die over the long-term.

[ there's a pause ]

. . . The world I'm from is vast, 'n it's all a crapshoot. The difference between gettin' treated kindly or gettin' killed can be as little as bein' on one end of the street to the other—or the hour bein' day or night.

And it ain't like that 'cause anyone fostered any sort of attitude. There are no Test givers t'put ya through trials, no grand arbiters t'punish ya for not playin' the game right. Even corrupt and sadistic Test givers have some kind of purposeful intent—whether it's just t'let y'all suffer 'n die or to weed out the weaker ones—

But back where I'm from, people are liable t'croak no matter who or what they are or what they do. People live their lives like they're playing by certain Floor rules just 'cause they don't gotta think about livin' any other way. And like that, people suffer, 'n die, for no reason except the comfort and convenience of the mindless drones that wanna keep the status quo.

[catposting]

[ ears pricked as he listens to all of this. stays silent for a few moments after. ]

You like it here.

1/2

[secondbornsun]

[secondbornsun]

. . . Well.

[ a lofty one-shouldered shrug, like that's enough of a response ]

You don't?

1/2

[catposting]

At the end of the day, whether this is real or a Test doesn't matter. I made a promise to someone. So I have to go back.

[ shrugs back, turns to walk away ]

[catposting]

[ pauses ]

Still. It was fun, hanging out with you guys. I bet you're a wonderful shepherd.

[ bye ]

[secondbornsun]

[ . . .

goodbye mysterious kitten ]