audio;

[overdraws]

[ Allison sounds kind of pensive, and she's actually hesitated asking this question directly on the network in the first place, but at the same time, she wants an answer and isn't sure anyone from home can give it to her. If she's going to worry them anyway, she might as well get one, right? ]

So, how does time work here? Back home, it was November, and I've been here at least three jumps... so I guess it would be.. [ She counts silently for a second. ] March? Which means I missed my birthday. Is that how it works?

[ She goes to end the call, but doesn't end it before people can hear her mumble: ]

I never thought I'd get to see it.

Comments

voice;

[doggedly]

Actually, it means you've had at least four birthdays, but you're not any older. Is this your way of trying to get birthday parties out of us?

voice;

[overdraws]

You've discovered my master plan.

voice;

[doggedly]

Knew it. Why is it always the greed that gets 'em? It's li▓▓▒░


[unaware of the break of static he doesn't try to repeat himself or anything. you will never know what it is li.]

voice;

[overdraws]

It's li...?

voice;

[doggedly]

[A beat. Er okay...]

Li... Like a classic tale, played out time and time again. It's practically Shakespearean, girls claiming multiple birthdays.

voice;

[overdraws]

You cut out. [ But. ] I really only need one birthday, more just seems like it'd be overkill.

voice;

[doggedly]

Oh. Network's all buggery again, sorry. I'll try to continue this important conversation anyways, 'cos we've got to get it so▒░░ed one way or another.

You don't really mean that about the birth▒▒ys, do you?

voice;

[overdraws]

What, needing more than one? One a year is plenty.

voice;

[doggedly]

Think so? But what about double presents? Or triple presents? Come on. That's not at all tempting?

voice;

[overdraws]

...Well, maybe a little.

voice;

[doggedly]

Knew it.

Lucky for you, miss, in space, everyone gets at least two birthdays. Maybe more. It's part of the law around here, y'know.

voice;

[overdraws]

So is this my second or my third, then?

voice;

[doggedly]

Oh, let's say second, shall we, 'cos then your third is still on the horizon, and you're guaranteed more gifts in the future.

voice;

[overdraws]

I expect a lot from you, then.

voice;

[doggedly]

And you'll get a lot. I always live up to expectations, miss. And that's just for birthdays, we've not even discussed space Christmas yet.

voice;

[overdraws]

Space Christmas? How is that different than normal Christmas?

voice;

[doggedly]

Well.

It's in space.

Re: voice;

[overdraws]

[ Ask a silly question. ] I mean aside from that.

voice;

[doggedly]

Oh, well, then, miss: I dunno. We've never actually had a space Christmas yet. It's not the sort of thing that can be predicted, y'know, it just... sort of happens.

voice;

[overdraws]

Then how do you know it's worth waiting for?

voice;

[doggedly]

Well, 'cos it's Christmas, isn't it.

[infallible logic]

voice;

[overdraws]

[ He keeps being right. ] Okay, point. So when is it?

voice;

[doggedly]

We-ell, that's the thing. No one's been told an actual date, and it's not the sort of thing you want to ask too many questions of. Dispels some of the holiday mystery, y'know.

When d'you think it ought to be?

voice;

[overdraws]

You want me to pick? No pressure, right? Um... Maybe we could ask the whole ship?

voice;

[doggedly]

Nah, 'cos they'll all want it right now. Instant gratification, that's what they want. Greedy load of bastards. No, we have to have fair and impartial preference do the choosing for us.

That's you.