good morning everyone

[warmfeelings]

Chelsa has just finished the morning announcements. She loves doing the morning announcements; it's like piping hot coffee, the rise in the world's warmth. Most of it is for Aelise, of course, but Chelsa gets her own share, and of course she's not selfish, everyone loves their neighbors too. Everyone gets along so well.

She is on her way from the broadcasting studio where she does her announcements to the living quarters where she keeps her dearest friends. She makes sure to pay them plenty of attention. They watch the announcements - everyone does, unless they are doing some sort of emergency work right at that moment, and then they're caught up as soon as possible with the next installment - but they're kept closer and need more fine detail work to stay happy with her. It is terribly important that they be happy with her.

Comments

[salus_populi]

Aelise closes the latest report from the orbital ring, gets out from behind her desk, and pulls up the other comfy chair next to the one Sandre and Harley are occupying.

"Hey, you," she says gently. "I don't think we've been introduced."

[pythbox]

Harley gives her a look. It contains heavily mixed emotions, but the one he's trying to get across is contempt.

[salus_populi]

"I want to help you, but I can't do that unless I know what's wrong," she says patiently.

[pythbox]

"My - feelings," Harley says helplessly, and he pulls the blanket Anneia gave him over his head and starts crying again.

[salus_populi]

"Corona all over again," Aelise murmurs. "Oh, dear."

[pythbox]

"Who the fuck is Corona?" says the blanket.

[salus_populi]

"He's... very like you," says Aelise. "I think you should be introduced to him."

[pythbox]

The blanket sniffles.

[salus_populi]

"Do you want to tell me anything about who you are or where you came from?"

[pythbox]

"No," sniffs the blanket.

[salus_populi]

Aelise sighs.

"All right. Sandre, would you take him to Corona's room, please?"

[guiltless]

"Sure," says Sandre, scooping Harley up.

[salus_populi]

"And keep an eye on him. In case he decides to take another trip down the mountain."

[pythbox]

"Fuck you," sobs the blanketed Harley.

[salus_populi]

"I hope Corona gets back soon," says Aelise.

[warmfeelings]

Chelsa hopes Corona gets back soon, too. When he is expected, she can be found pacing at the entrance to the Mont Blanc stronghold.

[pythbox]

He jogs up the path from the landing pad and hugs her. As always, it's like getting cuddles from the sun; as usual, he looks most of the way to tears.

[warmfeelings]

Hugs hugs hugs! "Hello! I'm so glad to see you," coos Chelsa. "And there's a surprise for you, too."

[pythbox]

"Surprise! Show me the surprise," he says.

[warmfeelings]

Chelsa beams and shows him to his room, where Harley has been stashed. "Harley," she sings. "Corona is home."

[pythbox]

Harley is in Corona's bed, under a large pile of blankets. He does not respond.

Corona peers curiously at the blanketpile.

[warmfeelings]

"Come on out," encourages Chelsa. "I think you two will get along so well."

[pythbox]

The blanketpile cries.

Corona... frowns at it.

[warmfeelings]

"He's having trouble adjusting. We're not sure where he came from," explains Chelsa. "He just appeared. He didn't even know who me or Aelise were. She hasn't been able to convince him to tell her anything much, yet."

[pythbox]

"Why is he in my bed?" wonders Corona.