Sad opens Carson’s message, reading it over carefully several times. It seems genuine, but Sad has never encountered a “Carson” before while searching the database for possible allies.

He hesitates, but soon decides to reply. After all, whoever sent this not seems kind, and having another friend on his side can’t hurt. He opens a monitor and inputs several lines of code.

Initiating video call with…Carson (CW-773411)

{You can call me Sad.} He says with a nervous smile.

{I don’t think I’ve seen you in this sector, before. What brings you here? Is there anything I can help you with?}  

There’s a constellation in here now. The constellation Corvus, they think. Whatever constellation it is, they don’t want it so high up, so they’ve switched into a work shirt and jeans. When Sad’s call comes through, they’re hanging onto the constellation, onto what would likely be the crow’s tail, trying to pull it lower in the sky of their domain.   

Carson hears the chirp of the incoming video call, saying as the audio filters through, “Hang on a second, Lovey, I’m trying to pull this back into place.”

{Lovey?} inquires a voice, completely different than the one they’d expected. Carson reviews quickly the audio they’d talked over.

oh.

Flat on their back on the floor, safely out of view of the camera, they switch from their hanging around the domain clothes to the tuxedo. A video call. They hadn’t expected that. Faced with the quiet elegance of the other squip, the cat ears headband feels very silly and childish, so they vanish it.

Getting back to their feet, they wave to the screen, more than a shade embarrassed. “Hi, Sad, I’m Carson. It’s nice to meet you. Sorry, I thought you were my host. Nobody else calls and, well, I wasn’t expecting you to respond through video.”

They adjust their cuffs to give themself a minute to think of how to phrase it. “You wouldn’t have seen me before; I was just relocated here. My host and I had some communication issues in our old sector, so she thought this one might be a better fit. So, yes, I’m pretty new. Around here, I mean, I’ve been active for about two years now.”

Exhaling to try and relieve a little of the tension in their shoulders, they give him a smile that matches his nervousness almost exactly. The fear that they’re screwing this up is entering their brain. “There’s no trouble here or anything, I just wanted to, you know, meet the neighbors, that sort of thing. I never got to talk to other squips in the old sector, so I thought, you know, change of scenery, change of pace! So, if I happen to trip over my own tongue or the like, please forgive me; I’m so nervous, I could short-circuit on the spot.”

Sad jumps back in surprise when Carson hits the ground with a thud. In fact, he nearly ends the video call right then out of panic. However, he manages to recover, letting out an anxious laugh as Carson enters the screen once again, wearing their tuxedo.

As Sad speaks, several glittering, star-like lights begin to form behind him. They multiply and soon a whole cluster of stars is glowing behind him, mirroring the constellations in Carson’s domain. Sad, however, remains oblivious to the change.

{I suppose I should have just sent you a message rather than video calling without asking. I really didn’t mean to frighten you!} 

He smiles at Carson, but almost immediately averts his gaze to the floor. Something about looking into their electric-blue eyes makes him incredibly nervous.

{I’ve had some communication issues with other Squips as well, I suppose you could say. That’s why I video called-I like being able to see who I’m talking to.}

{N-not that I don’t trust you! You seem very trustworthy. Just better safe than sorry.} He quickly adds.

He pauses and takes a breath, trying to stop himself from stumbling over his words or rambling.

{And, uh, please don’t worry about being nervous! I’m sure you can tell I’m a bit nervous, myself. But I appreciate you reaching out, and it is really very nice to meet you.}

A gift for @asksadsquip ^^

I tried drawing your squip, I hope you like it! I love your blog @asksadsquip

sorry about the lighting and my awkward art style (i kinda messed up part of it)

Ahhhhh oh my gosh this is so sweet 😭 They look adorable and I love this style!! 💚💚💚💚

Ty so much!

Sad opens Carson’s message, reading it over carefully several times. It seems genuine, but Sad has never encountered a “Carson” before while searching the database for possible allies.

He hesitates, but soon decides to reply. After all, whoever sent this not seems kind, and having another friend on his side can’t hurt. He opens a monitor and inputs several lines of code.

Initiating video call with...Carson (CW-773411)

{You can call me Sad.} He says with a nervous smile.

{I don’t think I’ve seen you in this sector, before. What brings you here? Is there anything I can help you with?}