Sorelledolce [let's call it Sunday]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was starting to feel at home on Sorelledolce: he had a routine for getting produce for the week at the same store, where the older man behind the counter insisted on spoiling the baby with strawberries, plums or apples, depending on what he had available when they arrived. He'd then get bread at another shop (and a roll for Val to gnaw on), and then a coffee for himself (and an espresso cup full of whipped cream that Val smeared all over her face, to her great delight) before heading back to the ship.

He kept up his normal one-sided conversation with his daughter as they walked. "That's a puppy, Val," Ben explained. "And that's a chicken! And that's a lady who's glaring at us for no real reason but we're going to walk faster anyway..."

Just another Sunday morning. Ben kind of loved his quiet little life.

[OOC: For calls or the boy!]

Comments

[endsthegame]

"That's how you tell the locals from the recent arrivals," Ender murmured.

[momslilassassin]

"Bet there's a booming counterfeit trade, if that's social currency," Ben replied.

[endsthegame]

"If people can fake it at all," Ender said. "The city doesn't look it, but the old Sorelledolcians are a tight-knit group."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded thoughtfully. "Bet there's at least one who didn't stick with the crowd. What did your interview have to say?"

[endsthegame]

"Bosco was probably that one person several times in his career," Ender said. "He hinted at it, but I haven't gotten the full story yet."

[momslilassassin]

"What did he tell you so far?" Ben asked.

[endsthegame]

"He said he had troubles," Ender said, "Issues with the way people here hunted-- and their eagerness to bring in the new crowd. Then when the inevitable backlash against the new settlers came, he was the one to shield them."

[momslilassassin]

"Sounds like a fascinating guy," Ben said. "How did he want people to hunt?"

[endsthegame]

"More ethically, with greater consideration for the environment," Ender said. "As you can tell based on what life here is now, he lost."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded, looking regretful. "Ecological impact wasn't really on their list of priorities at all."

[endsthegame]

"It still isn't," Ender said quietly. "It'll probably be years before some kind of conscience dawns here. But he tried."

[momslilassassin]

"And until then, the majority will think he's just being too uptight," Ben said, hugging Val.

[endsthegame]

"Most likely," Ender said. "But it does make his life's trajectory fairly interesting. Not that he'll be able to see any fruit his protests might bear in the future."

[momslilassassin]

"True, but that's a downfall for everyone who doesn't live forever," Ben said.

[endsthegame]

"True," Ender said softly, "But he's dying. He didn't say as much, of course, but it's obvious."

[momslilassassin]

Ben looked regretful. "Is that why he agreed to the interview?"

[endsthegame]

"I think it might have been," Ender said. "Like I said, he wasn't particularly agreeable with Val--"

The baby let out a shriek.

"--Other Val, sweetheart."

[momslilassassin]

"But he wanted his side to be told," Ben finished. "That makes some sense."

[endsthegame]

"It does," Ender said. "Especially since progress has sped past him."

[momslilassassin]

"He sounds a little lonely," Ben said.

[endsthegame]

"I think he is," Ender admitted. "He doesn't have a lot of family left."

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled at him. "You're going back again, right?"

[endsthegame]

"I was thinking about it," Ender admitted.

[momslilassassin]

"To get more information, or to stop him from being so lonely?" Ben asked.

He guessed it would be a mix of both.

[endsthegame]

"Because he's interesting," Ender said, "and I think there's more there."