[open network - video] backdated to beginning of August

[ruevealing]

Who: Delloso de la Rue
Username: rue
Warnings: mentions of murder/dissection, non-human

[After the last few difficult months here, is it any surprise that the first network message from Rue in some months now comes with none of the cheerful optimism and excitement of their last? Instead, the owlbear looks exhausted, tightly wound and deeply troubled.

Something they have recently learned has set them on edge.]

I am afraid I must be the bearer of unfortunate news.

Though our numbers have dwindled greatly these last few months, there are still those of us non-humans simply trying to live in this world. But I have recently been informed by Nia that there is a greater chance of danger coming for us. My worst fear about being seen by humans was the terror the sight of me would incite, but now I have learned that was only the beginning.

Pray, if you are weak of constitution, I beg of you to turn this off. I do not wish to distress anyone, only to inform.

To put it plainly, Nia said that if we were discovered by those government forces outside of ADI, that we would very likely be killed and dissected. Such news has weighed heavily on my heart, I can not think how any of us are meant to reaction to such horror.

Comments

[lowficharm]

I mean, not-- not really. I mean, hopefully not at all.

[He sighs, taking a sip of his tea.]

It won't happen. All of that-- that experimentation stuff is just stories that come from movies. It's not... it's not really happened.

[ruevealing]

[Rue cares very deeply for Martin but also. That sounds a little fake.]

How can you be so certain? There have been - I have seen those cars outside, waiting for something. I feel eyes on me everywhere that I go.

[lowficharm]

I mean...

[He can't say he's certain it never happened, seeing as while he lived in a similar world, it was an entirely different country. And yet...]

I want to believe that people are good, in the end. Someone would stop it, even if others wanted to. It's... hard to believe sometimes. But most people aren't evil.

[He's not sure how much he believes that some days, but it seems like the right thing to believe in right now.]

[ruevealing]

[Martin so desperately wants to believe it and Rue feels cruel to deny him this belief.]

I'm afraid I do not have quite the same faith that you do, but I promise, my friend, I am trying.

[lowficharm]

No, I-- I understand. It's hard to do, when everything is so... terrifying, all the time.

[And he has been betrayed by so, so many people. He's sure they have as well.]

It's just as likely that something good happens as it does bad. So... so you know. It, it isn't good to just be worried about bad things happening all the time.

[ruevealing]

[Martin...

Rue can't help the gentle pinch of worry on their brow, but they shake it away after only a moment, instead forcing a bright smile.]

Of course, darling. I know you're right. It's pointless to focus on the negative. I know that all of us will be just fine.

[It is a lying lie, but Rue can't stand to have this conversation anymore. To be told they shouldn't worry when their very life is at stake feels beyond patronizing.]

You've been quite well?

[lowficharm]

[It's the only thing he can do, anymore, to look on the bright side. To believe something better. The more he fears, the more they win.]

I've been... y'know, good enough. With all this. But honestly, I, I came over to try and make you feel better, so-- do you want to do something? Or just, er... talk about books?

[Anything to make them feel better.]

[ruevealing]

[Rue can fake it till they make it.]

I think I would love to discuss whatever you've been reading as of late. I admit, I've been watching more television than diving into books, it's easier to multitask while I'm sewing, so I could use a few new recommendations.