video;

[survivra]

—What?

[ It's a question that's both disbelieving and demanding, Katsa's voice just a little more high-pitched than she usually ever speaks. Of course, since this is her first time using the TAB and among her first days in Thisavrou, it's not a detail that too many people should recognize, but still. Squeaky.

It's especially obvious once she continues speaking—lower, but no less demanding, with the look and tone of someone who's accustomed to getting answers when she asks them. ]

Is it a common welcome here, then, to offer some sort of poor beast's heart as a gift? Or does someone imagine they'll disturb others for amusement? A gift from a king, perhaps?

Comments

video;

[sketchycharacter]

Not really, no. Gross, isn't it? Kinda thoughtful, but gross.

audio;

[cockade]

You mean to tell me no one in the Middluns ever offers a heart as a gift? How incredibly unromantic.

[He's teasing, honestly.]

I've heard about it, though. You're not harmed, are you, Katsa?

video;

[nicearsenal]

Common? Nah. I reckon aliens took all those cheesy love songs a little too literally.

video;

[brochtuarach]

I certainly hope not. It seems a waste, at the very least.

audio;

[warandpeace]

I've not been here long enough to tell whether it's common or not. But I don't find it particularly appealing.

video;

[unkneaded]

Maybe they expect us to cook it.

video;

[survivra]

How in the Middluns' name would giving a fresh heart be thoughtful? I'm no Nanderan lord, with their delicacies.

[ And it's not as though it was delivered on a plate. ]

audio;

[survivra]

Perhaps they might, rather less literally. But I wouldn't wish it anyway. [ She wrinkles her nose. ] As though I'd allow myself to be harmed by someone who doesn't even have the courage to confront me.

video;

[survivra]

[ You'll have to forgive her for only understanding half of that. Katsa squints at her TAB. ]

What?

[ Forgoing why it would even be in front of hers in the first place— ]

Are there love songs telling people to throw some poor animal's hearts on others' doorsteps?

video;

[survivra]

Of a heart? Or of a gift? Seems more a shame for the beast that lost it.

audio;

[survivra]

[ She snorts, unamused. ]

Yes. Well. Uncleaned animal organs do tend to be rather disgusting. I suppose the question is whether or not it's meant to be appealing, for I'd like a word either way with the man responsible.

video;

[survivra]

Well, and they could have had the courtesy to do it themselves. Or at least not leave it lying on the floor, unprepared, with no explanation.

I suppose heart isn't unheard of, but perhaps it's more common here.

video;

[sketchycharacter]

I assumed it was meant as a friendly gesture. Maybe whoever sent them enjoys having hearts and wanted to share them. I mean, it could be an intimidation tactic, but that's a lot of people to intimidate at once.

video;

[brochtuarach]

Both, I suppose. I wouldna like to think anything died cruelly, but if it's dead, there's little point letting the carcass go to waste.

video;

[survivra]

A gutted heart seems more a threat to me. [ frown ] How many people received one?

video;

[survivra]

Yes, well. If I had the rest of it I'm sure I'd find some use for it, but my benefactor only saw fit to give me the heart. I suppose now we ought to look for the trail of carcasses in the woods, to see the purpose of their hunt.

[ She's completely solemn-faced. It's impossible to tell whether she's joking. ]

video;

[sketchycharacter]

Pretty much everyone I've talked to—a bunch of our neighbors for sure. Anyway, you shouldn't be so culturally insensitive. Maybe animal hearts are a valued commodity somewhere.

[He's kinda joking/kinda not.]

video;

[survivra]

[ She's going to ignore that. Mostly. ]

A valued commodity wouldn't be tossed on the ground so carelessly. But that's why I asked.

And why wouldn't someone who could be seeking power wish to intimidate numerous newcomers and strangers?

video;

[sketchycharacter]

Well, they might, but they wouldn't do it like this. These are animal hearts, not people hearts. They're already not that scary, and to try to use them to intimidate this many people is pretty weak effort.

[warandpeace]

Did it only happen to us, or to some of the local residents?

[He's wondering if it's a sort of you're unwanted here warning.]

video;

[survivra]

Tell me your ideas, then. How many women and children handle raw hearts here with some frequency? Or even the men?

[ This is a genuine question, though it's possible it comes off as derisive ]

video;

[sketchycharacter]

Like I said, they're still gross. But I can think of worse things to show up on my doorstep. A bullet would put me more on edge.

[survivra]

I've no idea. [ She chews on her lower lip, looking thoughtful. ] But that's a question worth asking, as I've only just arrived. How might one find out who came here without asking, and who's been here their whole lives?

[warandpeace]

You would have to ask, I believe. Since you also were targeted they would be making no difference between recent arrivals and the original crew of the Moira.

video;

[survivra]

A bullet on its own is only a piece of metal.

[ How many years has it been since she held a gun or a bullet? A few—but she's fairly sure they were rather unthreatening without the gun. ]