[ Action, Written ]

[contentedly]

[The first nice day after a slew of rain, and Gracia is finally able to get out and run some errands. After making a big breakfast for the family, she leaves Elicia with her papa, since there is no school on Fridays, and heads into town.

Once there, Gracia has decided it's time to update her wardrobe for spring. She'll be looking through the official Clothing Shop first, but then check the All Passions out as well. Although she does find the official Clothing Shop a bit... dusty... so she may get distracted from her shopping long enough to give it a quick clean with a feather duster. She doesn't work there, but if you mistake her as an employee, then she'll still try to help!

After her shopping, Gracia decides to stop in at the Tea Shop. It's a good day for a cup of tea. And, away from her home with the bustle of all these people from other worlds around her, with the pressure of the last underground Malnosso announcement, Gracia has a question for the general populace. Speaking into these journals is still something strange for her, so after attempting a laughable filter and then disregarding it, she simply writes.]

Out of all the worlds you've heard of here, if you could pick a new one to start over in, which world would it be?

Comments

[chibiremlover]

Would we have to go by ourselves or could we bring friends from home with us?

[ written ]

[notquiteheartless]

None. I don't need to start over.

[written]

[not_meatbuns]

I don't suppose this one would count as a world we could start over in, would it?

[contentedly]

In this case? [She wishes it was otherwise...] You have to go by yourself.

[chibiremlover]

Oh, I couldn't go and leave Rem and Knives alone on the ship! I'd miss them too much!

[ written ]

[contentedly]

[Some people don't have that option.

Gracia's handwriting is neat cursive, like an elementary school teacher's.]

I'm glad for you.

[written]

[contentedly]

[Heh.]

I think while we're here, looking at it like that is a very good thing. But I was wondering what other people thought about the other worlds they'd heard about here.

[ written ]

[notquiteheartless]

It's a waste of time to consider the impossible.

[contentedly]

[...ah. Well, she's not going to try to force a hypothetical from a kid.]

Then I hope you don't have to.

[She wonders if they're here now, but isn't sure if there's a neutral way to ask.]

[chibiremlover]

Why would I have to? Don't they always send people home after awhile?

[ written ]

[contentedly]

[Maybe.

But Gracia knows that now it's not quite so impossible. The former Malnosso leader had suggested just that. But he had locked the network against his former coworkers, and Gracia has never trusted these journals - so she can't refer the newcomer to the announcement. Still.]

There are a great many things that I thought were impossible once that have been possible here.

[contentedly]

I don't think you'll have to. It was just a 'what if' question.

[chibiremlover]

Oh, okay. I miss Rem and Knives enough, I don't know what I'd do if I could never see them again.

[contentedly]

[So they're not here with him...]

You must care about them very much.

[written]

[not_meatbuns]

There certainly are several that have sounded very interesting. Quite a few good friends of mine have come from worlds that I would honestly love to see someday. Although I suppose that's getting into something else entirely.

[Like the upcoming trip home, but alas.]

There was one world that sounded very peaceful. If it was a question of starting over, I think I'd prefer somewhere like that.

[chibiremlover]

Uh-huh! Knives is my brother and Rem takes care of us!

[written]

[contentedly]

[Peaceful. Yes. Someplace where he could find peace.]

That sounds like a good qualification.

[ written ]

[notquiteheartless]

"Starting over" isn't possible. Unless, perhaps, you are entirely reborn, which is to say nothing about the likelihood of reincarnation.

[contentedly]

I can see why you'd miss them.

[chibiremlover]

Yeah, until I came here I've never been apart from them before.

[ written ]

[contentedly]

[Gracia stares at this for a moment... and then laughs a little.]

Would you prefer "moving on?"

[contentedly]

Then it sounds like you're being very brave.

[ written ]

[notquiteheartless]

That's at least a more plausible question.

[chibiremlover]

Well, the first time I was here I was pretty scared. I still am... B-but there are so many nice people here! I've never had friends before! It's so nice! And I know time stands still back home so they won't miss me! I'd feel pretty bad if I was here having fun and making friends while they worried about me.

[contentedly]

[Friends. OK, good.]

That's very considerate of you. Have you made some good friends here?