[VIDEO]

[dust_of_life]

[As always, Fatima's painted her makeup on about an inch thick before addressing the network. And given that this is an extra special announcement, she'd done up her hair in a librarian bun and chosen her most respectable outfit.

Or, at least, what she considers respectable, coming from 2009 Los Angeles: It's a red blazer and short, leather miniskirt, showing off her lovely and shapely legs.

...Los Angeles. What are you gonna do?

But, really, it's never the clothes or the makeup that contribute most to her costuming. It's the attitude, the emphasis on devil-may-care, I've-seen-it-all, too-jaded-to-ever-be-wide-eyed-again. She has it down to an art. If she says so herself.]

Okay, so. Hi. Fatima Merali here. I'm now lord high poo-bah of the hydroponics initiative or something. Which means I'm gonna be in charge of growing us fruits and vegetables. Assuming we don't all go down in a fireball of death.

...could we maybe not go down in a fireball of death? Because that would be super.

Anyway, while I'm truly badass when it comes to gardening, I don't know if I'm badass enough to provide for the dietary needs of everyone on board all by myself. So, I guess I'm looking to see if any of you would be interested in joining me in the initiative. The captains seem to be cool with it, since they let me get out of an otherwise hilariously awful job situation so...

Just something to think about. Here to answer your questions. I have nowhere else to be.

Comments

video

[reseal]

Can I lend a hand too? I'd be more than happy to help!

Gardening sounds kind of fun actually! [ Sakura knows she's not here to play games, but really gardening with others sounds enjoyable. Well, more enjoyable than it would be if you were by yourself anyways. ]

[dust_of_life]

[It's the young people being sucked into the multiverse that always boils Fatima's blood. She has to remember, of course, that this isn't COMPASS. The Captains seem to be handling things very differently. But all the same, she feels the indignation rise in her throat a little bit.]

It can be. It can be very fun.

But also hard work. It requires a lot of patience.

[reseal]

Nothing comes easily does it? That's okay. [ This is how the world works. A job is never done on it's own. Sakura nods twice. ]

I'll work as hard as I can so we can grow lots of green! To be honest, I don't know much about gardening. Will you teach me?

[dust_of_life]

I would be happy to.

[She would never admit it, but Fatima's pretty good with kids. Goes with the territory of being the dhampir queen of the compound. Someone has to look out for the younger ones.]

But first, you should probably tell me your name.

[reseal]

Oh sorry! I should have said that first, huh? My name's Sakura Kinomoto!

Nice to meet you.

[ Shes smiles enthusiastically while trying to be polite. ]

[dust_of_life]

Sakura? Is that Japanese?

[Fatima can't speak a word of it, but she'd had to study some ancient texts with...interesting translations.]

[reseal]

Yup, it is. Sakura's a pink flower that comes from trees during spring.

You said your name was Fatima? May I use your first name? [ It's usually impolite to address people so informally once you meet them. This is just to make sure. ]

[dust_of_life]

Yup, that's my name. And please call me that.

[reseal]

Okay, I'll do so then Fatima! It's a very pretty name.

Does it mean anything? [ As far as Sakura's concerned it sounds kind of foreign. ]

[dust_of_life]

[Normally, when she tells people her name she usually has to follow it up with "and I'm not a terrorist." Oh, the joys of being the only 'Fatima' in an all-white middle school in 2001.

This is just refreshing.]

Yeah. It means "the shining one."

[reseal]

"The shining one" I think I like it!

Maybe that means that something special's waiting for you. [Suddenly Sakura feels filled with anticipation and hope. ]

[dust_of_life]

Maybe.

[Fatima doesn't believe it for a second. Not after everything she's been through. To say nothing of her family history.

Still. It's nice to dream.]

Maybe it'll be my garden.

[reseal]

That'd be wonderful! I know you can do it!

We just have to work together and make the best garden ever. [ They have the opportunity to do so, why not take it? ]

[dust_of_life]

[This kid may be exactly the ray of sunshine Fatima needs in her fairly cloudy life.]

Well, that's definitely going to be the plan.

Best garden ever.

[reseal]

Yess!! Just let me know whenever you need a hand!

I'll try not to be a huge burden. [ Her lack of gardening skills might be a hindrance, she knows. ]

[dust_of_life]

Believe me. No one as friendly as you are would ever be a burden.

[reseal]

That makes me really happy! Thank you, Fatima!

I noticed you're friendly too. I bet you've got lots of new friends on ths ship.

[dust_of_life]

[Her smile turns a little bit wry. Fatima's never thought of herself as friendly. And she doesn't really have friends on the ship.

Out of the mouths of babes. Or something.]

Well, I'd like to be your friend.

[reseal]

Of course! It's better to be friends than enemies right?

[ At least in Sakura's opinion that's true. She doesn't want to find a reason to dislike someone. Not someone like Fatima anyways! ]

[dust_of_life]

That is very true.

And you can never have too many friends.