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

[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.

[warmfeelings]

"It seemed like the best place. Haaaar-leeeey," sings Chelsa, tugging at the blanket. "Come on out."

[pythbox]

The blanket whines and resists, but not effectively. Harley's face is revealed.

"...Whoa," says Corona.

[warmfeelings]

"He's so much like you," beams Chelsa. "Not just the face, but he sounds the same - including when he jumped off the mountain - and he kindles just like you do." She pets Harley's hair.

[pythbox]

Harley bites her hand.

[warmfeelings]

Thank goodness for Kers. He can try to bite her hand all he likes. "And," she says, frowning, "he has some antisocial habits he picked up wherever he's from."

[pythbox]

"I can tell," says Corona. Slightly enviously.

[warmfeelings]

Chelsa waits patiently for the release of her hand. "Anyway, it seemed like you should meet. Harley, this is Corona!"

[pythbox]

"I hate you," says Harley. He drags the blanket back over his head.

[warmfeelings]

"You love me," sings Chelsa, fluttering her hands through the air. Twin suns, lovely twin suns.

[pythbox]

"Go fuck yourself," hisses the pile of blankets.

[warmfeelings]

"I'm sure you'd have a much better time of it here if you tried to be nice," says Chelsa. "I think I'll let you two get to know each other, how does that sound?" And she goes off to see which of her friends is most in need of company; she kisses Corona on her way out.

[guiltless]

Sandre! Sandre wants cuddles. (He usually does.)

Sandre is also keeping half a metaphorical eye on Corona's room through the wall that separates them. But it looks like Corona and Harley are just cuddling, so after a while, he stops checking on them so frequently.

This is a mistake.

[salus_populi]

Aelise wears shoes that make a very distinctive, echoing sound on the tiled stone floors, and she doesn't visit Chelsa's friends very often. The sound of her walking down the hall in a hurry is both unmistakable and unexpected.

[warmfeelings]

Chelsa obligingly cuddles Sandre until she hears Aelise's footsteps, and then she gets up and peers out into the hall. "Aelise?" she asks, puzzled.

[salus_populi]

"Our new guest has an interesting talent," she says. "I'd like to ask him about it."

[warmfeelings]

Chelsa blinks, confused, but opens the door to Corona's room.

[pythbox]

Corona is snuggling Harley, who is weeping inconsolably.

[salus_populi]

Aelise gives them both a thoughtful look.