[Video]

[swiftlet]

[Swift is, let's be honest, not great with using this thing. It feels clunky and unnecessary, but it's what he's got to work with. Not everyone is a har, so he'll learn to live with it. Maybe eventually he'll even get good at it.

As it is for now, when the video starts he's glaring at the screen and it catches the tail end of a curse before he schools his face into a more neutral, perhaps diplomatic, expression.]

As I understand it, Seel har Parasiel has been here for quite some time...alone, let's say. [Unsupervised. He means unsupervised. He hasn't had a proper babysitter.] I would like to take a moment to apologize personally if he's been incorrigible or stubborn or plain mean. I don't know all of what he said to everyone, but I'm hoping it won't be a problem for much longer. [It will still be a problem for a while until Seel gets used to having Swift around again, and he knows that. He's at least prepared for it. This by itself is going to cause a fight.]

If you are having problems with him, please don't hesitate to contact me and I'll make sure it's taken care of. Once again, I am very sorry and I'll do my best to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Comments

[toiletseat_girl]

So that's, like, his default state? And it's cool. I'll live.

[swiftlet]

Essentially, yes. He occasionally has other moods, but they sometimes seem rather fleeting. Or specific.

[toiletseat_girl]

Damn. I do not envy you. How'd you guys get together?

[swiftlet]

I don't think he'd appreciate me telling you the story and I'm in enough trouble as it is. [Even if technically Swift is the one in charge.]

[toiletseat_girl]

That's cool. Wouldn't want you to get in more trouble.

So, how're you liking the place?

[swiftlet]

I'm sure.

What am I supposed to say? "It isn't home" is probably the politest thing I've thought about it so far.

[toiletseat_girl]

I don't know. Some people love it. Other people hate it. If "it isn't home" is the politest thing you've thought about it, I'm guessing you fall into the latter category.

[swiftlet]

No offense intended, but Forever is much nicer. [Even if there are all sorts of problems he doesn't want to have to deal with]

[toiletseat_girl]

[she shrugs] No offense taken. 'Cause I'm one of the people who's usually pretty neutral about it. Is Forever where you're from?

[swiftlet]

It's the house, yes. Although it might also be drastically in need of some repairs.

[toiletseat_girl]

Must be some house to have a name like Forever. And what kinds of repairs?

[swiftlet]

You'll have to talk to Cobweb about that.

There was an attack. I hadn't managed to quite finish inspecting the city before I was suddenly here.

[toiletseat_girl]

Is Cobweb someone from home?

Huh. So coming here after the Null attack must've been kind of a deja vu thing. What with the whole "everything trashed in the wake of an attack" kind of thing.

[swiftlet]

My hostling. I suppose Forever is his, no matter how much it's supposed to be mine.

Sort of. That doesn't mean I enjoy it.

[toiletseat_girl]

Okay, sorry if this is a stupid question, but what's a hostling?

Who would? Other than masochists.

[swiftlet]

The har who hosts a harling's pearl. I think the closest human word is "mother?"

The conquerors, I suppose.

[toiletseat_girl]

Ohhh, okay. I get it now. Thanks.

I dunno if what happened here counts. The Null tried to conquer, but it didn't work.

[swiftlet]

So I've heard. But I can't believe they're finished.

[toiletseat_girl]

The Null? Yeah, me neither. I was put on their hit list the last time. Kinda pointless since I can't die again, but they did kill several friends of mine. And they're stubborn bastards. They'll be back. It's just a matter of time.

[swiftlet]

Ominous. And yet somehow still wise.

[toiletseat_girl]

[give her a moment]

...me?

[swiftlet]

Is it that shocking?

[toiletseat_girl]

Well. Yes. I don't get compliments often.

[swiftlet]

Why?

[toiletseat_girl]

[she considers]

I guess I'm just. Kind of normal by this place's standards. And I'm not exactly pretty?