Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Rockhopper's Rookery: Annual Holiday Party in Progress

Well, I'm glad to see it hasn't affected your appetite.

And I'm not angry with you, old friend, but sometimes I don't understand how you humans can get so caught up about gender. Would sleeping with another male be the end of the world?

No, Rocky...it wouldn't. I'm just so messed up that I wouldn't wish myself on anybody at this time, certainly not a great guy like yourself.

All the memory loss, my past, my need for revenge against Cobalt--anyone I'd sleep with, I'd be using, pure and simple.

My--my head's just all over the place, now, Rocky. I don't know how I feel about, well, hardly anything. I'm certainly not ready for any kind of relationship beyond the extremely casual, right now.

I don't wanna hurt anybody I care about who might be looking for more.

So, uh, can I have seconds?

Of breakfast? Sure. I'll have Sffenyskus bring up some more.

As for me...(sighs)...I don't know. I had the real thing with Blaine--Openly Gay Lad. I know he's been gone a long time now, but I think Hyvvie's the only guy I'll be sharing a bed with for the foreseeable future.

Then, of course, there's Tim and Clive...

Shit--is Clive here?!?! He's the last person I want to see, right now!

Not because of any embarassment, Rocky...Clive is just so beligerent towards me and always insisting I'm a fake and a threat!

Fact is, I don't even know him! My memory gap--includes the time where I supposedly created him. I guess I have no more reason to trust him than he does me!

Is...is he here...in the Rookery right now?

No, he and Tim went away for a few days. I don't know. Clive's a good kid, but he's so naive--and this is me saying it! I'm just concerned for him.

Yeah, he's kinda "out there". I hope Tim knows what he's gotten into.

What about me, Rocky? You knew me before I died...are there things about me that concern you since I returned?

The thing that I'm concerned about the most, honestly, is the enmity between you and Cobie. You two were best friends before.

(sighs)

But, as much as I care about both of you, I guess that's none of my business.

I've gotta do what's right, Rocky. And what's right is to bring out the truth.

It's taking a long time, but I will persevere.

I appreciate your friendship and how you're not all judgemental about me.

Anyhow, I'm feeling better, and breakfast really hit the spot. I don't wanna outstay my welcome (or be here when Clive returns).

<looks around>

er, are my clothes nearby?

<blushes>

Hey, where'd Rocky go? And where are my damn clothes?!?! NAKED, here!!!!

Here they are, Lardy. I took the liberty of having them washed and pressed for you. I hope they turned out all right. We Pyngwynyy don't wear clothes, after all, so my staff isn't that used to laundry. Undergarments don't get starched, right? Or is it that they do?

Nah, no starch, Rocky.

<not one for shyness, he puts on his underwear and pants right then>

Thanks! It's inadvisable for me to 'port when I'm really hung over...I tend to reappear in places I didn't intend to.

<shrugs>

Naked Lardy's not all that uncommon a sight around Legion World--I did make some pornos after all--but since I became a Security Officer, I've tried to keep it all on the down-low.

<puts on one of his boots>

I hear a lot of bad things about how I was between the time I returned from Dark Oval space--right before the Invasion--right up until I died. That would be the period in which you met me...

<puts other boot on>

...what was I like? Do I deserve the flack I'm getting for that time?

When I first met you, you were a bit rough around the edges, but you were all right. I always thought you were kind of sweet, really. Then after Dru passed away, you became--distant. I tried to talk to you about it--after all, I'd also lost my love--but you didn't want to.

I hope that's helpful.

Yeah, I guess so. Hard to believe I married a woman who had been one of the LMB's worst enemies!

<puts on shirt>

From what I've heard though, she honestly reformed, and we were really in love.

<dons cape>

Never thought I'd settle down, but there were only two women who I thought it would be possible to do so with some day.

<puts on headband>

I wonder whatever happened to Helen...and Pru...

<adjusts view lenses>

Do you have any idea about them, Rocky?

No, not really. I think I met Pru during the Invasion--or maybe I heard about her at that time. I don't really remember. That was when Blaine was killed. He and I weren't together very long, honestly, but I've never felt that way about anyone before--nor have I since.

I think that's how you said you felt about Dru--but that was also a long time ago, I guess.

I'm sorry you lost someone you loved, Rocky. In my case I don't remember...and I'm not sure if I ever want to or not.

<looks Rocky in the eyes as Rocky is clearly remembering Blaine>

So which is it, friend--better to have loved and lost...or never to have loved at all?

I--I don't really know.

That line is from a human poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who lived back in your Nineteenth Century in a country called England. He wrote it after the death of his best friend--some say lover. I read that poem after Blaine died. I found comfort in it.

I'm glad I had my time with Blaine. It's harder knowing that there's an evil double of him from this universe somewhere with my evil double from his.

I hope you can remember your time with Dru. You deserve those memories. And I hope somehow you can also find a way to reconcile with Cobie and Clive. Life is too short and too precious.

I...wouldn't hold out for reconciliations, there, Rocky.

Clive? Well, I just don't know him.

Des? I considered him the best friend a man could have--and then he did what he did. There's no going back....

<bows head>

I think I'm destined to be alone, Rocky.

<looks up, nods>

Thanks for everything. I mean that.

<sqeezes Rocky's shoulder, then 'ports out>

(Rocky sighs after Lardy departs. Then speaks, ostensibly to the absent Lardy)

No, Lardy, you're not destined to be alone. None of us are. Another of your poets put it this way:

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

Omnicom message:

Well, another year has come and gone.

Please stop in any time in the next twelve days for some festive holiday cheer!

The scantily-clad waitstaff will be more than happy to fetch you a libation. There is a groaning buffet table with all sorts of goodies.

And so a toast! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Merry Christmas, Rocky, and thank you.

My, but you do hire the best-looking waitstaff.

You there, with the great head of hair, get me a Tab. Make it quick and I might have a special tip for you.

Thank you, Stealth. After you get your bevvie, please do help yourself to some of these yummies at the buffet.

Love to. I've got my eye on those Christmas-decorated cookies...

Oh, Man ! I hate being late. Did anyone save me a couple of Mom's cheese mini-puffs ? Can't have a holiday without those !

No need to fret about tardiness, Cleome. This shindig lasts till Twelfth Night--also the birthday of Hyvvie the Wonder Beagle.

Daniel, please fetch Ms. Cleome a libation of her choice. Thank you!