One of the most startling sensations I have felt recently is that Saraphim is smarter than Kira. I put this down to the fact that I write better than I speak, but it is a sensation nonetheless.
Today, while together with my 'real-time' friends (as you put it,
H-I
), one of them remarked how odd it was; that I had not mentioned the Barrow-Downs for the duration of our time, which was quite a few hours.
I realized that Saraphim had become so rooted within me that even my friends in the non-url world miss her when she is on holiday.
Most of them are not Tolkien fans, though some are. It is rare, however, that I saw something LotR related that they understand. I find a place to vent my love for the nice books with all of you people, whom I have never really met or know much about, and yet I feel as if I do know some of you. I value my time on the Downs as much as I value my time with my friends.
I like this niche very much indeed.