On her way to the first leader meeting...

[thornsofmalkav]

All right. In the interest of keeping everyone on the same page, here's the story we're going with, at least on the finny side of things. Those of you with legs should work your story to fit with this.

We're calling ourselves the Cornu school currently, although that's not our original name. We had territory invaded by the Thalassans and during the invasion we lost all our sirens and the bulk of our warriors. We're running away to regroup and figure out where we're going next, so we're only asking if they'll let us stay on the island for a month or two. Like we discussed, I'm currently de facto Leader, but I'm very new at this.

There was a storm. We found the Cornu, which had its crew swept overboard. No one knew the Song of Breath, so we couldn't do anything. Because we felt responsible, we said we'd help the passengers and the cabin boy find their way to shore, but because they got blown off course it made more sense to try to find the legendary island hidden in the Labyrinthine Shoals than to get them to a human port. They're here to hunt and fish and replenish their supplies so we can take them to the human port.

We're probably going to only need to stay for a month or two. That covers how long the Jaunt should last.

I'm going to be vague as to where you humans come from originally, but you should probably get the story together. I think Lyall knows where you're going to claim to be from?

Lupa, you should really try not to Sing in front of people, but if you get caught... you were raised by mermaids--not our school--and you lost them and booked passage on the Cornu to find them. We are completely confused as to why you can Sing at all, but we're keeping you alive so we can find out. And also because it would upset the other humans.

All we know about the Pulao school is that they're just as confused about the weird Song as we are.

Comments

[thornsofmalkav]

[Poor kid. It's hard being a kid and growing up. It's hard and no one understands.]

[naturaltwohands]

[CRAWLING IN MY SKIN, THESE WOUNDS WILL NOT--]

Thorne?

[thornsofmalkav]

Mm?

[naturaltwohands]

You became quiet.

[He sounds vaguely embarrassed now. Was it over his complaining?]

[thornsofmalkav]

I was just remembering when I was your relative age.

[naturaltwohands]

[A bit of a self-amused laugh.]

Do I really sound that much like a teenager, now that you know?

[thornsofmalkav]

A little, yeah.

Sorry?

[naturaltwohands]

Truly only a little... or a lot?

[thornsofmalkav]

... do you really want to know?

[naturaltwohands]

I'm trying to come to terms with my age, so yes.

[thornsofmalkav]

You sound like a very smart and educated teen... but still a teen.

[naturaltwohands]

[There's an equivalent of a mental snort of amusement from Drizzt, followed by a sigh.]

It's surprising that few back on Toril realized the truth if my age is this obvious. I've hidden it from them for over a decade, and none have been the wiser.

[thornsofmalkav]

Well, how many drow do they even know? It's easy enough to be mistaken for older by people who aren't your race--especially if you're a race that gets racially profiled a lot. Which I get the impression drow are.

[naturaltwohands]

[Drizzt has to think about this one, so he's quiet.]

I am the only drow they know, and even moreso, the only elf they know well. It is likely they are unaware that elves, both drow and surface elves, are not considered adults until over a century. ... Except for Montolio. He knew, but he never met my other friends. I simply neglected to tell anyone else. I look like an adult normally, if even a very young one, possibly making it even harder on them to know.

What is racial profiling? If it is the judgement based on another by their race, then yes. Most people, until I came along, would simply kill a drow on sight, terrified that they'd be killed first otherwise.

cw: racially motivated murder, current events

[thornsofmalkav]

That's exactly what it is.

And also, that's super shitty. That's the same kind of fucked up thinking that leaves a bunch of innocent black and brown kids dead every year back home because some asshole with a shotgun thought they moved funny. With no consequences to the fucker whatsoever, because they just claim self-defense.

I'm sorry that they have that shit in your world too, Drizzt.

CW: And Drizzt's reaction is just gonna make it worse because D&D = NO CHILL so. uh. yeah.

[naturaltwohands]

[The worst part about being told these things over the network is that you can feel the extremely strong waves of revulsion and horror from someone when they're told horrific things. Children! CHILDREN?!]

What? Black and brown? I do not understand. They shoot children on your world?! At least adult drow are usually dangerous! But children?! By the gods, what is wrong with them?!

and then thorne realizes probably not everyone needs to hear her complain about racism

[thornsofmalkav]

Institutionalized racism. It sucks.

[Switching this to private but not protected. If anyone wants to eavesdrop on this conversation, they'll just get a lesson in how shitty her world can be.]

I'm talking about the color of their skin. And yeah. There are people with light-colored skin, guns, and a lot of shitty prejudices who feel threatened just seeing kids your relative age in their neighborhoods. And are willing to shoot at them when the poor kid did nothing.

I mean, they don't think of them as children. For some reason, a white boy is a 'boy' to these people well into adulthood while black kids and Latinos are 'men' as soon as their voices crack.

Sorry, Drizzt. My world's pretty shitty. I guess yours is too.

Bless her

[naturaltwohands]

But it means nothing! Children are children!

[His heart is aching. And then, he turns on the video, turning his hands up and down to show the color of his skin.]

They would kill someone that looks like me just because of my skin? The same as if I were drow, except for no reason at all? At least drow have earned their reputation!

so let's just keep this private and unprotected

[thornsofmalkav]

They shouldn't for drow either! You and your father are proof that drow aren't automatically evil!

Yes that sounds good

[naturaltwohands]

[Drizzt is quiet for a moment, then his mental voice is soft.]

I know. Do I ever know. What I have been through, I would wish on no one, especially children.

... I did not know hate could be so deep that just a shade of skin in ones' own people could make them hate each other.

[It makes his heart ache.]

[thornsofmalkav]

Nearly everyone where I come from is either human or used to be once. We don't have elves or dwarves or goblins for people to hate, so we find reasons to hate each other.

... hey, Drizzt? When I'm done with the meeting, you want I should swing by? It kinda sounds like you could use a hug.

[naturaltwohands]

Hate finds a way, I suppose. But so does love. And that is what gives me hope.

[Drizzt has to consider that offer carefully, then gives a defeated mental sigh.]

... I do not know how to say yes to that question without feeling like... Well, my age, I suppose.

[He is a child, after all. Drizzt has to remind himself of that and fights against himself before admitting:]

I... Also miss my father greatly.

[thornsofmalkav]

Yeah, I get that. I mean, I'm probably ten years older than your relative age [she figures he's about elf sixteen or so] and I miss my parents too. But hey, you'll see him after this is done, right?

[naturaltwohands]

That is what keeps me from falling into despair—that I will see him after the Jaunt's end. I lost him once, and I do not think I could ever bear to lose him again.

... I am sorry you've been separated from your parents.

[thornsofmalkav]

Me too. This is the longest I've been without talking to my mom. And I'm probably not going to get a chance to ever again. The best I'll get is her alternate universe counterpart.

I'm glad you've got your dad here, Drizzt. Even if he's not himself right now.