02 ☄ video

[chernobolt]

[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!

Comments

[seishindairingun]

How many respondents did you get, after all? I'm sure they'll be very happy at the effort you took.

[chernobolt]

Perhaps twenty or so, I think? I have not really processed them as a whole yet - it has been enough of an exercise thinking up greetings to put in the cards!

[she laughs]

[seishindairingun]

Hopefully they're not all at different locations! And the greeting is nice, but I think the er, initial... post? The call you made would have clued people in that you're thinking of them. Do you do this often?

[chernobolt]

I have not offered to do mass deliveries for holidays before, but the, ah, becoming overexcited and doing things before thinking is common. It is a problem of mine.

[she laughs sheepishly. Kara is referring to the post (and unfortunate assumptions) she'd made, since she doesn't mind doing the card-giving at all. it's just a little embarrassing to have done something like that in public]

[seishindairingun]

Well, this is harmless enough, right? [Except for the part where Kara's going around meeting strange people, but she said she could take care of herself! Right?]

Does it bring you trouble?

[chernobolt]

Not so much trouble as embarrassment. [she presses the tips of her index fingers together idly, an unconscious action]

Sometimes I charge in when perhaps I should not have, and I always feel a bit silly when my very simple mistake is pointed out to me.

[seishindairingun]

[Better embarrassment than harm, she thinks, but she knows it can feel differently to the person embarrassed.]

Well... don't think of it as a "simple" mistake. We just make different types of mistakes. I hope they're not cruel, in pointing them out?

[chernobolt]

Oh no, never! Everyone has been very understanding of the difficulties of adjusting to another culture.

[she flaps her hands a little bit, as if trying to physically wave off the idea that people have been malicious]

It just always seems to be a very obvious thing to not know, after I have been told it. I know that it is the only way to learn, but it still is a bit flustering.

[seishindairingun]

Mm-hm, that's true. [Not even going to look at the table where she accidentally spilled coffee on a high school teacher, nope.]

My mother would tell me stories, sometimes. About assimilating, I mean. But mostly she'd just tell me not to care so much about it. [Small laugh.] I don't know if that's a solution or a coping mechanism, though. She was very... cautious.

[chernobolt]

It sounds like a little bit of both to me! It is important to try and learn as much as you can, but in the end you must do what makes you the happiest.

[she smiles, obviously poking a little fun at herself as she continues]

Even if it appears a bit odd to some people.

[seishindairingun]

A little embarrassment is better than harm, right? I think your understanding friends will continue to understand.

Ah—what was embarrassing about the post? [Because she would assume that the safety reasons would come first, but....]

[chernobolt]

It was perhaps not as dire a situation as I had been initially led to believe...

[her gaze drops to the table as she traces little patterns of nothing onto it with her finger. the first time was pretty fine, but after three or four people pointing it out...]

[seishindairingun]

Well, if so many people took you up on the offer, that counts as dire, doesn't it?

Plus, I'm very happy for it. [Her situation may not have been as terrible as what Kara described earlier about network people, but it was a pick-me-up that made her feel a lot better.]

[chernobolt]

You are right! I am glad to have made some people happy, even if it is in a small way.

[she brightens up again pretty quickly]

It feels that it is in the spirit of the holiday, I think.

[seishindairingun]

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but happy is happy. Small or big doesn't matter.

Valentine's is... well, even if there's "no one," at least there's chocolate on sale!

[chernobolt]

So I have been told! Everyone here seems quite excited about the sweets for some reason, even though they are available at all times of the year.

[she's still not entirely certain about the reason for that tbh]

[seishindairingun]

Well, they're cheaper right now for one. Halloween's the same way, but people are less bitter about it in general.

If it's about people being excited about your Valentine's offer... well, everyone loves free food....

[chernobolt]

I suppose so! [she laughs] Although I wonder if they would be so excited if I were offering the food which I usually cook.

[seishindairingun]

You'd still get a few taste-testers, I bet. Is... it really that bad?

[chernobolt]

Oh, no! At least, I do not think so. It is merely that they are dishes which are specific to home, so they may not be to the taste of people here.

[she knows that cuisine is one of those things that people feel cultural differences in very keenly, after all]

[seishindairingun]

Ohh, so that's how it is. Well, I wouldn't offer free food too often, anyway. That's a lot of work!

[chernobolt]

I suppose, although since attending university I must say that I miss having more opportunities to do it.

[seishindairingun]

No time, or roommates complaining, or...?

[chernobolt]

Oh, just that there is simply no time! My roommate is a very wonderful girl in all regards.

[she has to be, to put up with Kara]

[seishindairingun]

That's good! Well, not about the no time. Er—

Well, it's good you have a nice roommate. My friend couldn't stand hers and tried to room in with me all the time. It was tiring after a while!

What year are you in?