Ceres

[ Holy cow Ceres is actually showing her face on the network today! And on top of that, she's not angry, depressed, or even annoyed! It's a Patriot Day miracle. ]

It has been suggested to me that I might take up hobbies which are more interactive. I have not found sports to hold much interest for me, but I have been told that activities such as card games, board games, and criticizing films can be entertaining group activities.

[ Is she serious? Oh yes, she is very serious. ]

If there is anyone aboard who might be so inclined, I do not believe the necessary paraphernalia will be difficult to obtain.

[ Ceres has not been on the network since the flood was announced, or no doub she would have waited to pose this question. She doesn't look as offended by life as she usually does, just... tired. ]

I understand that death has been more lasting than usual of late. Has anyone seen if that is still the case now? A week seems such a long time to be bedridden.

[ Without her Hagoromo she will certainly die... in maybe five years. She absolutely believes she'll be here that long. ]

( Valentines for Arthas, Chromie, Iris and Touko )

[ Anyone who's seen Ceres before can tell easily that there's something different about her. Again. But it isn't her eye color. In fact, this does seem to be Ceres, but a gentler, more talkative Ceres. ]

Good afternoon, everyone. I hope you're all doing well. This flood does not seem to be a terribly unpleasant one, though that is always still a possibility. We find ourselves so often here in close quarter and desperate situations from which there does not seem to be an escape. What moments of happiness we can find here should be treasured.

Valentine's Day is tomorrow, a holiday on which it is custom for women to show their affection towards others, be it romantic or friendly. I see no reason to wait, and the words may fail me later.

[ Why yes, it's a speech. ]

I wish to extend my thanks and apologies alike to all of those on this ship who have extended towards me their friendship. There are not many of you, and I have not treated you overly kindly. In truth, strange though it may seem to you, I have never had a friend before. Human men have always been to me little more than potential seed or abuser or both, and human women were an irrelevant distraction. It is rare that I have ever met one of my own kind, and there have been no others with whom I might spend time. This does not excuse my behavior, but I hope perhaps it can explain it.

I have always been a woman with a mission, and now without the means to accomplish my goals I find myself lost. I cannot ask you to be patient with me, but I can hope.

That is all.

Your Admiral subjects his prisoners to indignities like this mistletoe, and you claim it is in the name of redemption.

[ Ceres' voice is bitter, if not furious. She didn't promise she wouldn't lecture. As it turns out she can't just send Aya home and be done with it. And as Aya is slow to point out, Ceres does owe her for finding the Mana, even if they didn't quite make it to retrieval. ]

Must I truly lower myself to such baseness to leave this place?

[ Aya did say she should socialize more. This is probably not what she had in mind. ]