Seventy First Sip

[mal_addict]

So. It's that time already.

I know it doesn't mean much, in the current state of chaos and whatnot, but I've been here for three Earth years today. It feels like a lot longer.

[She lets out a soft sigh, doodling a turtle on the page, a turtle with four elephants on its back and a round, flat shape resting on their own backs]

So many people I know have been sent home at this point. Some of them have been sent home twice. Makes you wonder when it'll be your turn.

Comments

[hard_talker]

Jesus, that means it's almost been three years for me, too. ... [he lets his eyes wander over the page quietly, thinking, before something strikes him. hey. Discworld isn't round, so it stands to reason...]

How do you measure time, anyway? I mean, Earth years are done by how long it takes us to orbit the sun, so...

[mal_addict]

Time sure does fly when you're emotions are being devoured by a magical sentient castle, doesn't it?

The sun orbits around the world, and the turtle, while the disc turns, too. It means our years end up a lot longer. We have thirteen months, each with thirty two days in them, with the exception of Ick, which has sixteen. We also have eight seasons.

Needless to say, even after three years, I've struggled to adapt to a more Earth-based date system.

[hard_talker]

No kidding. And I used to wonder how people put up for it this long. Turns out the answer's "a day at a time", just like anything else. Go fig, right?

A sixteen-day month named Ick? Hah, that's awesome. Is it unlucky, or super lucky, or something? The only things we've got close to that are leap years and daylight savin's time.

[mal_addict]

That's pretty much what I've been doing.

It's the first month of the year. It's the month Hogswatch is in, and is a time of rebirth and renewal and all that. Similar to your January.

[hard_talker]

... Oh, okay. I get it. ... Which reminds me, we gotta do somethin' for Hogswatch this year. Like, give everyone those paper sausage things, or put an oak tree in the lobby.

[see, he is the best of friends]

[honeytoes]

Well you sound like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day...getting homesick?

[mal_addict]

Well, you know us vampires. We're all about the sunshine.

I'm always homesick.

[honeytoes]

And rainbows too...don't forget the rainbows.

After three years here I don't doubt it.

[mal_addict]

Ah, yes, the rainbows. And the sparkles. [...] Wait. Nix the sparkles. That's just silly for any vampire.

It's something I've always had. I never really got used to this place.

[honeytoes]

A vampire with glittery sparkles.

[Gary makes a scoffing sound.]

He'd have to be fucking high to think that's a good look.

What do you miss the most about home?

[originalcopy]

Well happy Paraversary...

Can Vampires get drunk or do you have to celebrate with all your faculties intact?

[mal_addict]

Thanks. It sucks, but thanks all the same.

Vampires in my world can't get drunk at all. Alcohol has...unfortunate side effects with us. I have to wait until the castle turns me into a human.

[originalcopy]

Well that sucks. Guess you're going to have a lot to drink to when that happens.

[mal_addict]

I tend to stockpile it in. I never know when the castle turns me into a human again.

[originalcopy]

Yeah no shit... this place isn't exactly reliable.

[whistles_the_blues]

Can't say I care when I go back.

[mal_addict]

No? I suppose some people don't have a lot to go back to.

[whistles_the_blues]

For some people once they're done here, that's it.

[mal_addict]

I have hear that. Guess this is their second chance.

[whistles_the_blues]

Something like that. Yeah.

[bronwe]

It makes you afraid it might be your turn next.

[mal_addict]

I'd take it gladly. I've made some... [friends] good people here, but I miss home.

[bronwe]

What do you miss of home?

[mal_addict]

Everything.

[Polly]

...Just everything.

[bronwe]

Even despite the endless wishing here?