[video]

[feastorfamine]

Hey everyone. I know things are really complex right now. We finally got past all that business in Lapland and it seems like a whole new problem has cropped up. Right now we're not even sure who is who or what's even going on, and I realize that's pretty stressful.

So, I was just wondering if anyone would be up for doing something to take the edge off together. I'm not saying we let our guards down or anything, and I know any of those doubles of us would be able to see this, but I don't think there's any harm in talking about things that help us relax, right?

...

It's funny, you know. I've been told I'm physically incapable of relaxing more than once, so I can imagine how weird this must feel coming from me. Buuut... I think it'd be helpful all the same. Even if we just talk about the small things, I think it'd be pretty helpful.

Comments

[Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

It is unusual coming from you. I realize this probably sounds unfair, given that we're all under the same suspicion, but... I don't suppose there's any proof you can offer that you're the "real" version of yourself?

[Audio]

[feastorfamine]

Uh... I could rattle off a recipe for sea bass ceviche, if you like, but chances are my doppelganger would remember that too.

I don't know, Mr. Lawliet, I've gone through a lot of changes lately. I don't really blame you for doubting me, but this is... who I am now.

[Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

We're all going through changes, and I can't fault you for any of them.

I wish I hadn't been delayed at the starting gate of this affair... it's very inconvenient and I feel that I am at a disadvantage, and still catching up. It's a mess.

[Audio]

[feastorfamine]

I understand. And that's... more or less why I brought this up. So we can all take the edge off together.

audio

[dragon_blossom]

Sounds a little risky, but did you have something in mind?

audio

[feastorfamine]

Ah! Hey, Marina... you and I haven't talked in a while, have we?

And as for that... well, what do you like to do to relax, I suppose? Me, I like cooking, but that's not applicable to everybody...

audio

[dragon_blossom]

Some kinda big cookout, then? I like eating, so that'd work for me.

Text

[vaimo]

That's a really great idea! And maybe if the other people come too they'd relax as well and be a bit nicer! Spring's coming, but it'll make the winter seem shorter.

Do you have something in mind? Siiri and I went to the island last weekend and that was really nice. We could go to the beach!

How're you feeling about everything that happened in Finland, by the way?

Text

[feastorfamine]

Aha... someone mentioned a barbeque. It's getting warmer, so it might not be a bad idea.

And ah... I've actually been doing pretty well! Something pretty nice happened while I was there, so I feel pretty good about it.

Text

[vaimo]

A barbecue would be nice! Or a picnic! Everyone could bring something to share. Then we can make sure no one's excluded because of echoes or cost!

Did it? I'm really glad! Everyone deserves to have something nice happen. If you don't mind me asking, did you have any more echoes about Finland? I don't think I've heard about anyone else remembering bits from there!

Finnish

[hustru]

Åsa says that you speak Finnish.

[also Finnish]

[feastorfamine]

... Ah, that's correct. She told you that, then?

[Finnish]

[hustru]

Yes.

Finnish movie night?

[Video]

[originaloddcouple]

I think a lot people need some time to relax...

Even some of the doubles seem stressed...

[Video]

[feastorfamine]

... That's to be expected. They do share some of our experiences, don't they?

[Video]

[originaloddcouple]

I think a few of them...

But they seem to have different memories in some respects.

Mostly about how each other acts, I think.

Yeah! Which makes sense.

Maybe they have different memories of their old reincarnations too?

action;

[purestambition]

[Somewhere nearby, but away from Amy's own discussion is Saretha. Who is... busy frowning, staring at her phone, browsing through this thing and that on the Network.]

At the very least, many of these... doubles seem quite evident as they appear. They make themselves rather obvious.

[The frown deepens.] Most of them.

[Yes, she heard the rest of Amy's post, she'll get to that in a minute. She's distracted.]

action;

[feastorfamine]

[Amy turned towards Saretha, and... is just going to set the video feed off now to come back to it later, and walk over to Saretha. No one has replied since the people before her, so she figures she can spare the time.

She just... sits, putting her arm around Saretha's shoulder]

Mn. Yeah, you're right... once you know what's going on.

[she sighed] I can't believe I blew up like that. I don't apologize for what I said to the other Lily, but...

action;

[purestambition]

[A smile tugs at Saretha's mouth, just almost. It's a bit more than she's used to, and she lets her frustrations drain just a little, though not entirely.]

You needn't apologize. It's... not exactly what anyone would anticipate.

[She sets her phone down, letting out a breath.] The longer they linger, the more of a problem this is...

[Video]

[italktofish]

There's nothing more OUTRAGEOUSLY RELAXING than SWIMMING!

[Video]

[feastorfamine]

Um.

I think it's still a bit too cold for that, Mr. Curry.

[Video]

[italktofish]

NONSENSE! I've been out swimming and to the beach LOTS of times in the past few weeks!

[He pauses.]

...huh. Come to think of it, I haven't STOPPED going to the beach! It NEVER got TOO COLD FOR ME!

[video]

[peacefulwinter]

If my keepers will let me out, that might be nice. Mama is... insistent I not do anything taxing until I'm in good health again. Lily is worse.

I see the plan for a barbecue. That sounds pretty good. I'm trying to think if we have any other interesting options...

[video]

[feastorfamine]

Well, I'm not your mom, but I'm preeeetty sure that a gathering with friends is pretty low key.

... Speaking of which, how are you doing, Winter? I heard about what happened in the castle...

[peacefulwinter]

It should be, but considering her requests are basically doctor's orders, it might be better to check. I'm really happy she's spending so much of her time taking care of me, and I don't want to repay that by going behind her back.

...I'm okay, though. For a while, I thought I'd messed up somehow, on top of being so much pain, but it's getting a lot better. Mama says it shouldn't scar too badly, but... it will scar. I'm going to have a nasty mark from my back all the way around to my belly.