vastblueskies

[vastblueskies]

"Oh!"

They pause, thinking their words over carefully.

"It's been beautiful weather these past few days. No rain, or smog, so I've been liking the sun. What about you?"

"Hey! Jonathan Sims, right? Nice to meet you. Kalapi Fairchild. New to running around these parts, mostly just for coffee. Thought I'd say hi, and nice to meet you."

-@vastblueskies

“Oh, ahm— Yes. Wonderful to meet you too. But, Fairchild? As in— The Fairchilds?”

[vastblueskies]

"I mean, yeah. We're semi co workers, right? Even if I'm just running errands, mostly? Get to know one another. People still... Do that, right? I'm still getting used to being on land, again, so..."

A little nervous fidget again. They were never really this open, before.

"Hey! Jonathan Sims, right? Nice to meet you. Kalapi Fairchild. New to running around these parts, mostly just for coffee. Thought I'd say hi, and nice to meet you."

-@vastblueskies

“Oh, ahm— Yes. Wonderful to meet you too. But, Fairchild? As in— The Fairchilds?”

[vastblueskies]

"Oh! Well, yeah! Probably around the 1940s and 50s? Since that's when I became an Avatar."

They are a bit more hesitant to speak, but do so slowly, scratching their arm nervously.

"Not wanting to talk all business, though. You know? Unless you aren't wanting to take this casual."

"Hey! Jonathan Sims, right? Nice to meet you. Kalapi Fairchild. New to running around these parts, mostly just for coffee. Thought I'd say hi, and nice to meet you."

-@vastblueskies

“Oh, ahm— Yes. Wonderful to meet you too. But, Fairchild? As in— The Fairchilds?”

[vastblueskies]

"Oh! Right. There's probably some statements about Grandpa, in particular. Yeah. I'm a Fairchild Fairchild."

They gently shrug their shoulders, giving a genuine, laid back smile.

"I suppose that's a bit of shaky ground to start on, but, I genuinely like this job. Been kind of fun, seeing London, again. Hearing all the crazy stories coming through here. I'm sure I have a statement or two somewhere in there."

"Hey! Jonathan Sims, right? Nice to meet you. Kalapi Fairchild. New to running around these parts, mostly just for coffee. Thought I'd say hi, and nice to meet you."

-@vastblueskies

“Oh, ahm— Yes. Wonderful to meet you too. But, Fairchild? As in— The Fairchilds?”

[vastblueskies]

They smile awkwardly, offering their hand.

"Uh, Kalapi. Fairchild. It's nice to meet you. Maybe we can be friends, if you're open to that? I find going through something alone is harder than together. It's not fair to return to a life you don't remember, either."

You... lost your memory? That's okay. It'll return, piece by piece. Mine did.

-@vastblueskies

O̵͉̲̦̾.̴͙͐.̴̡̱̻̽͑k̵͇̔͜a̷̘̹̝̓͝y̴̰͌̌̌…̴̨̤͘͝͝ͅ

[vastblueskies]

// You know what? I do wanna throw out pre Avatar Kal, so...

Anyone who wants to meet Ollie, please throw an ask my way, and I am happy to start a thread.

[vastblueskies]

Kalapi sighed, sitting back in the chair to think.

"Well, it was small, if I remember... My mam, my da, and several sheep, horses and pups. A farm cat, too, that didn't like me much... The horses were my favorite bit. Big ol Shires..."

They smile at the memory.

"We had to pack things up after a while... My parents saw promise in the states, so I moved there in my late teens. Took a few of our horses with. Then the war started, I was drafted, and..."

They drift off, giving a shrug as they pet the cat, frowning to themself.

"Well... Here I am, after all that..."

"If the cats like you, then I think it should be enough to win Tim over. What was the farm like?"

[vastblueskies]

A soft chuckle barely escapes them, hand gently and idly stroking the cat as they take a breath.

"I wish that was the proof I needed for myself... But I've always liked animals... I used to work on a farm, raise horses before the War."

"Hey, Martin... Hypothetically you like this guy, right? Cute, funny, makes you feel like you're light as a feather... But you're worried he sees you as like... ah... a Shark? Yeah, a shark. But you wanna get to know him because he's so... you know?"

-@vastblueskies

"I mean, Jon doesn't view me as a shark. I think he views me as like an overly fluffy dog if anything. Whyyy? Do you have a crush? Do I need to get the ship board?"

[vastblueskies]

Kalapi watched Martin leave, and come back with the cat, flinching gently as he was placed in their lap, looking a bit nervous and confused.

"This will?... How?..."

"Hey, Martin... Hypothetically you like this guy, right? Cute, funny, makes you feel like you're light as a feather... But you're worried he sees you as like... ah... a Shark? Yeah, a shark. But you wanna get to know him because he's so... you know?"

-@vastblueskies

"I mean, Jon doesn't view me as a shark. I think he views me as like an overly fluffy dog if anything. Whyyy? Do you have a crush? Do I need to get the ship board?"

[vastblueskies]

"Yeah, but Jon compels people for knowledge, while I swallow sailors and give astronauts heart attacks... and Elias is a fancy vouyer..."

They slump slightly, sitting across from Martin, still fiddling hesitantly with their jacket.

"I dunno if there's any human left, save for my current looks... I want there to be..."

"Hey, Martin... Hypothetically you like this guy, right? Cute, funny, makes you feel like you're light as a feather... But you're worried he sees you as like... ah... a Shark? Yeah, a shark. But you wanna get to know him because he's so... you know?"

-@vastblueskies

"I mean, Jon doesn't view me as a shark. I think he views me as like an overly fluffy dog if anything. Whyyy? Do you have a crush? Do I need to get the ship board?"

[vastblueskies]

Kalapi fumbles with their jacket, taking a soft breath.

"I... It's Tim, Okay?... But don't go spreading that around... Look. I'm an Avatar. You know what I... do to people. But, I don't want him to look at me like that. See me like that..."

They take in a deep breath, trying to keep eye contact. It's taking a lot of willpower to do.

"How do I be more... Human, again?..."

"Hey, Martin... Hypothetically you like this guy, right? Cute, funny, makes you feel like you're light as a feather... But you're worried he sees you as like... ah... a Shark? Yeah, a shark. But you wanna get to know him because he's so... you know?"

-@vastblueskies

"I mean, Jon doesn't view me as a shark. I think he views me as like an overly fluffy dog if anything. Whyyy? Do you have a crush? Do I need to get the ship board?"

[vastblueskies]

whays your favourite otter

"Oh. Asian Small-clawed otter. For sure. They have such cute little hands..."

They make a little grabby motion with their own.

"The perfect little things..."

[vastblueskies]

hey Kal. kal. you should become a dinosaur

"I mean, I am open to suggestions, Anon. But I don't think the Archives would like me wandering as a big, cute scaly thing," they laugh happily.

[vastblueskies]

It's a gentle touch, Kalapi gently grabbing the spasming hand with worry. They don't want him to be alone.

"I'm here. Can I help with anything?..."

Why does- why does my hea- ow- I can't- I can'- J-jjom? Where- Where's Jon? Wheres...I- I can't- my ehes- J-Jon? Tim..? Sasha? S-someone? I vant- I vant- I can't- why are they fluttering? I-I can't- HELP

[vastblueskies]

You know you have made it as Kalapi's friend if they start leaving pretty rocks and sea shells on your desk at the Institute. Martin and Tim get a lot of them.

[vastblueskies]

"Hey Martin! I brought some--"

They don't notice him at first, but when they do, they are immediately at Martin's side with soft worry.

"H-hey. Hey. Everything alright?..."

Why does- why does my hea- ow- I can't- I can'- J-jjom? Where- Where's Jon? Wheres...I- I can't- my ehes- J-Jon? Tim..? Sasha? S-someone? I vant- I vant- I can't- why are they fluttering? I-I can't- HELP

[vastblueskies]

Kal's eyes can't help but light up in excitement. A dinosaur? Oh gosh. This shouldn't be a time for excitement, though. Martin is.. Well...

"Uh... You okay?..."

"I heard a crash! Martin! You okay?"

-@vastblueskies

*There's a very large Triceratops sitting on the floor. It looks at you confused*