[Audio]

[sociopathicwolf]

I always looked forward to being able to vote, after today. Guess it doesn't matter, here.

[There, he's posting in this thing. Checking in, even if he doesn't really feel like it.]


[Sealed to Alex and Tahlia]

The full moon's next week. Do either of you want some company for it?

Comments

[thii2ii22tupiid]

Vote?

*Sollux is kind of glad Derek is checking in, though. Saves him the trouble of worrying about the guy.*

[sociopathicwolf]

[That's the same reason Derek's glad to see Sollux replying to this.]

Yeah. On my world, most government officials are elected, and people vote for them. But you can't vote until you're eighteen.

[thii2ii22tupiid]

Oh. Huh.

*Human government is weird.*

So I guess you just turned 18...years? old.

[sociopathicwolf]

Yeah, I guess I did. Not that I can be really sure, with how time works here, but the date's right.

[Audio]

[cellwave]

If it makes you feel any better, your vote probably wouldn't have mattered anyhow.

[Audio]

[sociopathicwolf]

[Derek grunts at that, because true enough.]

It's the principle of the thing.

[Audio] /cue innocent voice

[cellwave]

The principal here being the need to feel like you have a say in a democracy that is likely corrupt anyway?

[Audio]

[sociopathicwolf]

[And that makes him growl softly.]

Yeah. That's the principle. Nothing about getting to participate in some of the benefits of being legally an adult.

[thenotmagician]

Does that mean you're gettin' older?

[sociopathicwolf]

Yeah, it does. Technically only one day older, but now I get to count it as a whole year.

[thenotmagician]

What's your favorite flavor of cake?

[sociopathicwolf]

[There's a pause, as Derek tries to figure out if he's heard that right.]

Uh. Yellow, whatever flavor that is. Or chocolate.

[medicalize]

Voting? And what was keeping you before?

[sociopathicwolf]

Uh. I was underage? On my world, you have to be eighteen to vote.

[medicalize]

Hn, yes. Underage.

Eighteen seems quite... young. What do you humans find particularly special about that age?

[sociopathicwolf]

A couple of things. One, it's usually the age when you're finished with high school, which is all the formal schooling people get. Two, it has to do with brain development and stuff, but a lot of research into that is conflicting.

[Audio] Sealed to Derek

[veggie_wolf]

Something special has to happen in order to vote, right?

[Tahlia's never been able to vote. She's not even sure if the people outside in her world got to vote, but she does have a vague concept of what it is.]

Yeah, some company would be really nice.

[She sounds a little hesitant, only because she's never tried this before, but mostly just happy. She never thought she'd have the chance to let her wolf run free.]

[Audio] Sealed to Derek

[sociopathicwolf]

Yeah, you have to turn eighteen. That's the age of majority in my world.

[He smiles slightly when she says she'd like company, because he'd like the opportunity to run, too. Especially running with the distraction of helping someone out on the full moon.]

Okay. Let me know when you're heading out to the forest, and I'll meet you.

[Audio] Sealed to Derek

[veggie_wolf]

So, it's your birthday?

[Silly Derek, being vague about his birthday.]

Happy birthday!

[She's tempted to start singing the happy birthday song, but she's pretty sure Derek wouldn't like that so much. Be thankful she restrains herself.]

Will do! Thanks, Derek.

[Zandali + Translated Text]

[drinkuntilidie]

What's voting got to do with anything?

[Audio]

[sociopathicwolf]

In my world, the government is mostly elected officials, that people vote for. But you can't vote until you're legally an adult, when you turn eighteen.

[Zandali + Translated Text]

[drinkuntilidie]

Since when does some number decide when your an adult or not?

[video] sealed

[allthesame2me]

[Alex's smile is wan, but genuine.]

Happy birthday, Derek... Got a little something for you that I need to bring by.

As for the moon, I'm always happy to share company so long as the pups don't mind a cat running with them.

[He knew that Derek didn't mind and was pretty sure Tahlia would be cool about it as well.]

[audio] sealed

[sociopathicwolf]

[His smile back is about the same, though it turns to slightly surprised.]

You didn't have to. But I'm in my room now, if you want to stop by.

Nah. You're okay, for a cat.

[And that smile is a bit brighter, because Alex is one of the few he's comfortable teasing.]

[video] sealed

[allthesame2me]

[Alex grins a bit and half shrugs, but the warmth hits his eyes this time.]

Have to, no... but I wanted to and that's more important to me in the long run.

[And then a short bark of laughter, and his grin brightens into a full smile.]

Well, so long as you refrain from putting me up a tree, I think we're okay.