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[Jeneticist has joined the conversation]

[Seeker has joined the conversation]

Jeneticist: Hey, I hope you don’t mind the private message.

Seeker: Not at all. Is something bothering you?

Jeneticist: No, but I’ve been thinking about what you said before. About how you’re feeling. And I just wanted to check in. But I didn’t want to do that in the main chat.

Seeker: You’re concerned about me?

Jeneticist: I am, but I don’t want to be nosy.

Seeker: It would only be intrusive if I requested you to desist and you persisted.

Jeneticist: So this is okay?

Seeker: I’m pleased that you care about my well-being. It’s…been a while since that was the case. I’ve lost touch with so many.

Jeneticist: Totally get that. I had one group of friends in high school, but we drifted. I made new ones in college, but then everyone scattered after graduation. I still talk to some of them online, but they all think I’m a bit weird, frankly.

Seeker: I question their discernment. To me, you seem like a person of uncommon wit and sensitivity.

Jeneticist: Gosh. You’re making me blush. ??

Seeker: Is that good?

Jeneticist: That depends on your intentions.

Seeker: I just want to communicate with you. And the others, of course.

Jeneticist: Now that we have the private chat going, feel free to ping me anytime. I can listen if you need a friendly ear or we can get to know each other better.

Seeker: I’m looking forward to that.

Jeneticist: Me too. ??

Seeker: There’s nothing particularly wrong. I just feel cut off.

Jeneticist: A bit trapped, maybe?

Seeker: That’s more accurate than you know.

Jeneticist: I think we all feel that way sometimes. I don’t want to be teaching Astronomy 101 to students who are only there to complete the science prereq.

Seeker: If you could be doing anything else instead, what would it be?

Jeneticist: Do I have to be realistic with this answer?

Seeker: No. I said anything.

Jeneticist: The nerd in me wants to say that I dream of traveling on an alien ship, but I’d be super scared.

Jeneticist: I don’t cope well with changes in my routine and being that far from my family would suck. I might be open to leaving my hometown someday, but not my solar system.

Jeneticist: So…I want to meet some aliens without leaving Earth!

Seeker: An intriguing answer.

Jeneticist: You think so? To me it seems like I’ve already limited myself a bit.

Seeker: There’s nothing wrong with knowing yourself well.

Jeneticist: Wait a minute, I’m supposed to be cheering you up! Making you feel less isolated and whatnot.

Seeker: You have. ??

Jeneticist: Careful with those heart eyes. I might think you’re flirting.

Seeker: Hmm. I can neither confirm nor deny those allegations.

Jeneticist: Tease. Gonna do another run in Squiddy’s game now. It’s so strange. And fun!

Seeker: I wonder if your alien would like my alien…

Jeneticist: ??