[011] New Beginnings

[brynkitten]

[Bryn carefully opens her journal and starts a video feed. She's actually walking around the Keep at the moment, too happy, too energetic to stay in one place, so the scene behind her moves and changes as she speaks.]

Hi everyone. It's January first and I just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year! It's...it's not always easy to be here, considering some of the stuff that happens but for what it's worth, I'm happy to be here if nothing else than because of so many of you that are in my life now.

[It's a rather mushy sentiment, and her parents wouldn't approve of such a display of emotion in public, but Bryn didn't care. Her resolution this year was to take more chances, to open up more, and to try and live the way she wanted to, not the way she'd been taught to.]

May this next year bring you all happiness.

[As much as could be had in this place and set of circumstances they'd been dropped in.]

Comments

[heavyweaponsbot]

I have headlights. Just dragged myself around when I had to. Everything was fine.

[brynkitten]

Oh, well that's certainly convenient...but I'm glad to hear you didn't get into any trouble.

How have you been...aside from all of that?

[heavyweaponsbot]

Would have welcomed a little trouble.

[He pauses.]

Uh. Fine. Just fine.

[brynkitten]

The darkness wasn't enough?

[Really? Really?]

[heavyweaponsbot]

Nothing bad happened. There was nothing attacking.

[brynkitten]

I would have thought that would be something good, nothing to inspire disappointment.

[heavyweaponsbot]

I am a soldier. Get restless without some action.

[If he could stand, anyway.]

[brynkitten]

With action comes possible casualties...

[heavyweaponsbot]

And in this place, casualties return the next day.

[brynkitten]

Yes, and there's still the trauma of dying with it. We don't know how this works either...there could be other penalties later with death. It's bad enough that people temporarily lose their memories...

You'd really wish for more action at the risk of others simply because you were bored?

[heavyweaponsbot]

I did not say I wanted to risk others.

[brynkitten]

I'm sorry I don't mean to play Devil's Advocate I just...I can't see how you might welcome more danger if it could be at the potential cost of others.

[Now it's her turn to change the subject.]

Do you have any holidays where you're from, Ironhide?

[heavyweaponsbot]

I do not want others to fight. Just me. I welcome danger when it comes at me.

[That's... the point he was trying to make. But Ironhide's never been very good at point-making.]

The humans do. Did.

[brynkitten]

But there weren't any where you're specifically from?

[heavyweaponsbot]

What is there to celebrate, in war? Besides your victories.

[brynkitten]

I see...

[How disheartening.]

Then what of the human holidays? Were there any you liked? Enjoyed celebrating perhaps?

[heavyweaponsbot]

Hmnf. I always had to haul the trees around when the Major got leave.

... Never minded the one with explosives, though.

[brynkitten]

You mean the Fourth of July?

[heavyweaponsbot]

Yeah. That.