savetheearth | 02 ☄ video

02 ☄ video

[Kara's staring seriously into the camera when it clicks on, hair pulled up into a messy bun and arms spread business-like across her desk. on her left is an impressive stack of children's valentines (you know the kind, the ones with cartoon characters you buy in boxes for the class party) and on her right is an equally impressive bag of fun size chocolate.]

Greetings, fellow clubmates! I am sorry to be taking up your attention like this, but considering the date I am afraid that it cannot be avoided.

[the way she's speaking makes it seem like this is a life or death scenario, but then she keeps going and...]

In only a few days' time the Day of Valentines will be upon us! We do not celebrate such a holiday at home, but I have done the research on it and know very well that not receiving an affectionate greeting card can cause irreparable damage to one's soul and ruin lives!

[that's how it seemed in the many, many movies she watched that touched on the subject, at least]

I do not wish for my dear Numbered friends to suffer such a tragic fate! There were a great deal of charming cards and sweets on sale which I have taken the liberty of purchasing, and I implore you to allow me to write you at least one of them!

We may arrange for a drop-off point if you are leery of having your identity revealed, but please do not let pride keep you from accepting it! There is only so much time in which I can make these deliveries. I promise that my penmanship is excellent and any good tidings I write will stave off the horrible life-crushing feelings!

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It must be, or else it would not be worth giving in a situation such as this! I will have to think long and hard over what I choose, as there are many options, but I promise that it will be memorable and heartfelt.

[her mind is already whirling, in fact, despite there being a great deal of time between her and the summer journey home. it's the best way for her to divert all of this exuberant energy that's welled up.]

Don't hurt yourself. Or think too hard anyway. What if I end up messing it up, huh? Then you'd be worrying over getting something for someone who can't walk the walk.

[ ... Aw, he kind of regrets saying that. She seems really happy, after all. ]

It is not very healthy to dwell on the negatives! I trust that you will do your best to fulfill your promise, and that if it does not come to fruition it will not be a thing you could have helped.

[there's a pause as she shrugs before realizing that she's not on video]

Simply agreeing to make the attempt is worthy of a gift, I think.

[ ... That's a lot of faith to put into a stranger. He wasn't talking out of his ass, but he could have easily done so. ]

You're too nice, you know that? We barely know each other.

I have been told this once or twice. [the amused ripple in her voice indicates an intentional understatement]

But I do not mind! It is more natural for me to perhaps trust too much than not enough. I am strong enough to survive being wrong occasionally.

You're lucky. [ ... WHOOPS SINCERITY let's bring it back. ] I mean, if I could bench anyone who messed with me, sure, I'd do the same thing.

[that makes her laugh pretty hard]

You would be surprised how many people do not realize the amount of exercise I do each week! Perhaps this is why I focus on my feelings in this particular instance.

Seriously? You got enough time to hit the gym between, I dunno, discovering planets or something? That's impressive. Must've missed the machines that work your feelings, though.

They are a little tricky to locate, so that is not surprising. I am only aware of them because of how strict my regimen is!

Must be worth it for that gun show you've got going on there.

I do not own any firearms, but my muscles are quite impressive!

[even when she's joking, Kara still can't grasp the turns of phrase in conversation]

[ Skyler laughs! Not judgin' at all. ] Yeah! It's an English thing. If you've got muscles - like, if you really work your arms - we call 'em guns. And if you do, that means you can tell people that you've got two tickets to the gunshow. Make sense?

Yes, I understand. Although...what is the reason for the turning of this phrase? The muscles of the arm look nothing like pistols or other such weapons.

[she feels like she shouldn't be trying to understand this, but she's gotta ask...]

I guess it's like... When you get into a fight, some people like to say they're putting up their guns. And whoever has the biggest guns are the ones who look like they'd wreck shop. [ ... ] And wrecking shop means that you'll destroy everyone there.

I see.

[there's a sizable pause as Kara processes this information. a thought creeps into her mind, but she isn't sure if it's correct. still, no way to know unless she says it, right? maybe it'll be funny anyway. her voice is still a little unsure, but she's committed now]

So you could say I am...armed and dangerous?

[ holy. shit. There's a pause as he digests what she said, and then he is bubbling up with so much laughter. ]

Shit! Oh my god!

[DID SHE DO IT? DID SHE ACTUALLY TURN THE PHRASE CORRECTLY FOR ONCE? OH SWEET HOLY DAY.

her voice is still a little hesitant, but there's a note of hope shining through now. the laughter has to be a good thing, right? it was supposed to be a joke. she finally managed an English joke...probably?]

I take it that this is a correct use of the terms?

[ YES. Yes! Skyler is coming down from his fit of laughter, and he is genuinely pleased and impressed with her. He's not the type to hide those things very well when he's that happy about it, either. ]

If I were anywhere near you right now I'd shake your hand. That was zero to reference demolished. [ He keeps laughing to himself a little. She did good. :') ]

Oh, glorious!

[excuse her for a moment as she giggles and claps her hands in victory. any successes that are language-related make Kara really feel like she's doing a good job at integrating]

I was not wholly certain but it seemed amusing enough to take the risk. The playing of words is most enjoyable, even if I still have much room to grow.

I've been learning this bs language since I was born and I still don't have it all figured out. If you're making stuff like that up and you're still learning, I think you're gonna be fine.

That is very encouraging. I do not mean any disrespect to the language, but I have found at times that it is very needlessly complicated and good only for the trying of patience.

[fucking written English, yo. as if learning an entirely new alphabet wasn't hard enough]

There are a lot of languages that have rules that actually make sense most of the time, and English isn't one of them. Which one did you start out with?

[ ... he finds languages kind of interesting ok. *^* ]

Ukrainian, although because of where I live I was learning Russian almost as quickly. They are similar enough that it was not so confusing as it sounds.

[she laughs a little bit. there were a lot of places in Ukraine where they spoke more Russian than Ukrainian, it was sort of a necessity]

So you were using Ukrainian at home with your family, and Russian at... school, I guess?

No, they were very strict about speaking only Ukrainian in school. When we would go to town, especially the larger ones, many people there would speak Russian; most things were written in both as well.

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