Relaxing Survivor

[prismphantom]

[Well, for once, Selena isn't heading out soon after to once more mind the fence with the Balmarians.  Instead, she can be found in the bar, already nursing some fancy alcoholic drink.]

So Toby really is gone... and Asakim's better at disguises than even Team Jelba.  But Setsuko still had Shu, and the rest of us there to help.

... Unity Group...

[She looks down at the glass, and...]

It doesn't replace what's lost, but that doesn't mean they can't support you.  Isn't that right...

... Isn't that right, Captain?

Comments

[jianai]

A lot of Unity Group members have this kind of bond, don't they?

[Ren sits in, no drink in their hands. For now - possibly]

It's almost familial.

[prismphantom]

And some cases it is. The fire-forged band of brothers; it's a tale as old as any war story.

You want a drink?

[a_louse]

That's how human nature works. We make new bonds to cope with the loss of old ones.

[Roger sits down nearby, with a shot of whiskey.]

Or at least that's how it works for most people.

[jianai]

[Ren raises a finger.]

Irish coffee please. I had it once and it was a quite pleasant experience!

Tales like this last as long as they do for only one reason: because they're true.

[prismphantom]

Then you've never had to go through yourself, Mr. Negotiator?

[prismphantom]

And don't I know it...

I don't know what I'd even do if I didn't have you all, and Elma and Albhard for that matter.

[jianai]

That's a question that many, many people ask themselves. "What would I do if I didn't have those who are precious to me?"

Our bonds, our relations with others - this is a big part of what makes you human. And when some of those are severed, you cling to the rest all the much harder. Nothing wrong with that, either.

Selena, let me ask you a question. When there is a big crisis or a tragedy, people are more likely to help each other. Do you know why?

[prismphantom]

Well, there's always empathy. People knowing and being able to relate to whatever someone went through.

[Like with her and Setsuko, for instance.]

[jianai]

It's true, empathy may wake up in everyone - it's easiest to understand what other people are going through if you are experiencing the same thing.

But you see, Selena...

What I really think is that, deep down inside, human beings know they're a part of a group. This is sometimes a bad thing because it can become "us vs them". But when there's a crisis, then that crisis is "them".

So, everyone else becomes "us". Does that make sense?

[a_louse]

Everyone in Paradigm lost their memories. I am no different.

But I didn't make new bonds to replace the ones I lost. I chose a life separate from the city, not as a part of it, on purpose.

[prismphantom]

... For a negotiator must be a neutral party.

But what does that make Dorothy then? And your butler, for that matter.

[prismphantom]

[Selena gives a nod, before downing what's left of her drink.]

Well enough. And I'm sure if Elma were here he'd be able to cite hundreds of examples too.

... But a lot of those are very old references. And with all the aliens swinging by, making life miserable for everyone... it makes the world a very big place.

You really think there'll come some crisis big enough that we'd all label it the "them"?

[a_louse]

I needed hired help. You cannot work with someone for so long without getting at least a bit fond of them, can you?

[jianai]

Will it come? I think that for many, it already did.

[prismphantom]

In the Earth Sphere, maybe. But of the aliens we've encountered, the closest thing we have to an ally are the Gebians. And even some of them still want us conquered.

[prismphantom]

Of course not. And if they're charming and know their manners, so much the easier.

[jianai]

I think their planets have their own problems. They see lashing out against Earth as a solution - the easier because they don't think we are equal to them.

If we could make them understand us, sympathize with our cause, they'd find it much harder to hurt people from the Earth Sphere.

[a_louse]

Let's say it's a bit of a mixed bag on that front.

[Dorothy can be quite a rude robot to him at times... But Roger can be quite a rude negotiator to her, too.]