"I miss dishwashers," is the first thing that springs to mind, and he's reaching around for salt while he talks. "And washing machines. God. But, uh, good, mostly. The kids are good, it's nice having our own space with us and their pets. And the quiet is good."
The water shuts off. A moment later he realizes he's put the pasta in too early and grumbles about it under his breath, before he moves out of the way and heaves the pot over to the stove, like the weight of the water means very little to him. "Have I told you already that I hear a lot? Physically, I mean. Owls can hear the little heartbeats of mice in the snow, and I'm the same way. Back on that old ship it wasn't crowded, but it was noisy, and you know, mostly indoors. It's a lot to try and shut out the activities and conversations of everybody you know at once every day, and all the noise coming out of places like the club or the arcade at the same time. One time all sixty or so of us got trapped in the same stone room, and with the arguments breaking out, it got so loud I fell down."
He goes looking for a pan. "I knew it was stressful, but I didn't realize how much stress it was every day until after I had a few quiet weeks at the farm. Well. Not quiet. It's crickets and bullfrogs and chickens out there. But even in town it's okay. It's not closed in. Do you have meat here?"
no subject
"I miss dishwashers," is the first thing that springs to mind, and he's reaching around for salt while he talks. "And washing machines. God. But, uh, good, mostly. The kids are good, it's nice having our own space with us and their pets. And the quiet is good."
The water shuts off. A moment later he realizes he's put the pasta in too early and grumbles about it under his breath, before he moves out of the way and heaves the pot over to the stove, like the weight of the water means very little to him. "Have I told you already that I hear a lot? Physically, I mean. Owls can hear the little heartbeats of mice in the snow, and I'm the same way. Back on that old ship it wasn't crowded, but it was noisy, and you know, mostly indoors. It's a lot to try and shut out the activities and conversations of everybody you know at once every day, and all the noise coming out of places like the club or the arcade at the same time. One time all sixty or so of us got trapped in the same stone room, and with the arguments breaking out, it got so loud I fell down."
He goes looking for a pan. "I knew it was stressful, but I didn't realize how much stress it was every day until after I had a few quiet weeks at the farm. Well. Not quiet. It's crickets and bullfrogs and chickens out there. But even in town it's okay. It's not closed in. Do you have meat here?"