AUDIENCE 🚀 CHARLES

[dropoffs]

Comments

[dropoffs]

I pride myself in offering impeccable service.

[ They will be there, though. Polite, hands clasped in the front. Hello. ]

[riverbeans]

[hewwo

he holds up a hand in greeting.]

Hey.

[dropoffs]

[ And they bow their head in greeting. ]

Good morning, Mister Charles. Where shall I escort you?

[riverbeans]

Just Charles is fine. Where's a quiet place around here, I guess? I get the feeling I don't really want a crowd for this.

[dropoffs]

Charles.

[ They will correct themself and then lead Charles to the stasis bay... Which is not the most welcoming of locations, but there's little reason for people to come here.

It is quiet aside from the sounds of Science. ]

[riverbeans]

...

You're not wrong that no one wants to come back here.

[THE STASIS BAY, HIS OLD FOE]

[dropoffs]

[ They really chose the right location... And it be spooky here with the lighting, but they are not perturbed at all. Their vibe is exactly the same as when they greeted each other.

Calm, collected, and distant. ]

If you find it unsatisfactory, we can relocate.

[riverbeans]

Hehe... well, this place sure brings back memories of, uh, being stuck here for a day. But no, it's fine.

[dropoffs]

I'm glad we were able to get you all out of there not a day later. One day is already too long.

[ Muffled concern, but it is genuine. ]

Now... What kind of story would you like to share?

[riverbeans]

No kidding.

[their one day in gay baby jail...]

About myself, or anything back home?

[dropoffs]

Whatever comes to mind, Charles. It is your choice. I can learn as little or as much as you want me to.

[ Amalthea is just standing there, staring straight at him. ]

[riverbeans]

Kind of an open-ended offer there... Well, anything you were curious about? It did feel like there was a thing or two you wanted to ask.

[dropoffs]

Hm... I suppose we can talk about the item we were recruited with? Is there a story behind river beans?

[riverbeans]

River beans? Yeah. [THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD STILL] It's said that long ago, when the ancestors of Riven came to the land, river beans saved them from starvation—so not only are they food, they're a symbol of hope even now.

[let it be known that apparently multiple people in this country is obsessed with these beans, not just charles]

Plus, the way they grow is interesting. To prevent themselves from being overwhelmed by the river, their roots intertwine so they can hold each other in place.

[it's a metaphor for FRIENDSHIP and TEAMWORK]

[dropoffs]

[ They really are listening to all of this intently even though it's abouT BEANS. Beans really have a HISTORY and CHARLES is not the ONLY ONE who's OBSESSED with this WORLDLY TREASURE.

The themes are lost on them. They are just beans to Amalthea. ]

I wonder if river beans would save villages from famine... How different would my world be.

[ Awe. ]

[riverbeans]

[BEANS!!!!]

Hey, they could. They're delicious and nutritious—so seriously, if a place is low on supplies, they do work great as a food source to live off for a while.

Is famine a major issue in your world?

[dropoffs]

[ They are considering maybe instead of whatever they're planting they should plant... Beans. ]

Only for small villages and hamlets... That was some time ago. Hunger can still be an issue, even during the industrial age. I've been fortunate that I've not suffered myself.

[riverbeans]

[bean superiority]

Mm. I've been lucky in that regard too. But I guess hunger'll always be a problem, as long as there aren't always systems to distribute food to people.

[dropoffs]

It is unfortunate, though we need structure and order in life. Or at least that is what man is led to believe.

[ If only they can just grow more beans. ]

Did these beans save your once or are you simply fond of them?

[riverbeans]

Hehe, do I give the impression that my life has been that drastic?

[there is further lore reason as to why he loves these beans so much but he is not so sure about dumping those personal thoughts on a stranger.]

[dropoffs]

Life-or-death situations are not uncommon, if you think about it.

[ They chuckle, but they don't seem to pry further. ]

[riverbeans]

True. Does that go for you as well?

[dropoffs]

Hm... I think myself no different than others. Somehow I'm still here.

[ Surviving! ]

[riverbeans]

Hehe, that's what it boils down to, huh? Regardless of anything else, we're still here.

[dropoffs]

That's right. [ This exchange has been fun for them, though the emotion is muted. ] Is there anything you would like to hear from me?