Aᵁᴰᴵᴼ

[ancestor]

...Hello?

Hello. I am not supposed to be here. I am supposed to be—

[ The voice that speaks is so quiet it's nearly a whisper; quiet and lilting in a way reminiscent of whale song. Her words are cut short by a wavering intake of breath. When she speaks again it's with the fervent confusion of a person who has recently experienced something very traumatic and can't quite comprehend it. ]

I'm supposed to be... I'm dead? I'm meant to be dead. I remember it. I remember— It hurt. I remember that. It—hurts. They were all screaming. Everyone was—

All of them—

[ A small, choked sob. ]

My people.

I'm supposed to be with them.

Comments

[ancestor]

Who is Navi, and why would I want to be hooked?

[sisterswitch]

[sigh. this has been jack’s life for the past six months, explaining things she says to people with no frame of reference.]

Navi is the ship you’re on. “Hook you up” is something we say where I’m from - it means “get you what you want.” Not to be confused with “hooking up” - that means meeting someone for sex. Though I guess you could say they’re somewhat related.

[ancestor]

I— What?

What?

'Hooking up?' Does intercourse involve hooks where you come from? That seems—uncomfortable.

[sisterswitch]

Hmm ... I think it really depends on what kink circles you run in, but no, not typically. Personally, I'm not really into painplay, but I'm also not into kinkshaming. As long as everyone's consenting and being safe and having a good time, I say go for it.

[ancestor]

...By definition, a circle cannot have a kink in it.

And I'm not quite sure what geometry has to do with intercourse.

[sisterswitch]

Mmm, I could probably find a way to connect the dots from sacred geometry to sex magick, but it might take a while, so let’s pin that as a TED talk for another time. Right now, let’s get back to the part where I was telling you that Navi is the ship you’re on. Are you cool with that? ‘Cause if you’re planning to start breaking things, we’re gonna have a problem.

[ancestor]

What?

[sisterswitch]

[jack just. sighs, deeply. she really needs to pay attention to how much modern earth lingo she uses around these alien types.]

Never mind, I'll explain it when you're older. The real question is, are you going to be OK? Or do you need a sedative, or a weighted blanket, or something else to help you stay calm?

[ancestor]

You won't, because firstly I'm dead, which tends to interfere with one's ability to age.

And secondly, I don't actually care. I've spent enough centuries dealing with that condescending bullshite.

[sisterswitch]

[hoo boy, here we go.]

Listen, sweetie, I know you just had a really bad trip, but there's no need to get pissy with someone who's just trying to help. If you don't want help, just say so.

[ancestor]

Do not call me 'sweetie'.

I have no need of help.

[sisterswitch]

Bye, then.

[hey, she tried?]

[ancestor]

Goodbye.