03 ❀

[princessia]

Who: Elize Lutus and... YOU, maybe?!
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: SS Huntress
When: 7/19

[ When Elize awakens from cryosleep is when the network decides to record her panic as she sits up with a jolt, like she'd just woke up from a nightmare. It felt like a dream, but she's certain it wasn't. Before she even acknowledges the fact that she's back on the fleet, away from Rieze Maxia, she's searching around her bed frantically, patting at the sheets for something that should be there. ]

Teepo... Teepo?

[ She clasps her hands near her chest where she would normally hold her doll. It's the almost exact behavior during her first days on the fleet. Although she knows the full truth about the toy now, old habits die hard.

As she sits in her bed, she looks around at the metal walls of her room on the Huntress, taking deep breaths to calm down. She reaches up, gently running her finger around the augment behind her ear and confirming where she is. The memories are beginning to sink back in. ]

It's this place again.

[ A pause. ]

...Cullen?

Comments

[princessia]

[ There's more to it. It's a complicated story. She finally reaches out to wrap her little arms around him in return. After a few seconds of more sobbing and gasping for air, she continues. ]

The man who killed them... he died protecting me. And now I'm here again.

But why'd he do that? [ She doesn't expect an answer, merely thinking out loud. Through all the sobbing, there's a hint of anger and frustration in her voice. Not even Jiao would tell her when she asked and now he's dead, buried with all his secrets. ] I don't get it!

[serves]

[She's going to wear herself down, crying and gasping, so he does his best to soothe her, though he doesn't try to shush her. She should cry. Maker, if there's ever a time to cry, it's after whatever she's experienced.]

Some things can't be explained. [Like why she had to sleep for so long only to learn such terrible things.]

[princessia]

[ The crying is already quickly draining her. She relaxes against him and it doesn't look like she wants to move away at any moment. Maybe she can get a proper rest where it doesn't involve having to sleep for an unusual amount of time. ]

I'm never seeing any of them again...

[ No father, mother, or Jiao. Not even a bit of a fond memory of her parents when they were still alive remains. They've been gone for a long time and that's all she knows. ]

[serves]

[Cullen tucks her under his chin.]

I lost my parents when I was not too much older than you are. [Maybe a handful of years, he never asked when exactly they were killed. But those aren't details she needs.] It's cruel, and unfair. I don't know why these things happen. But I do know that your parents would be proud of you, and want the best for you. You're their legacy.

[princessia]

I hope you're right.

[ Elize would never know for sure, but she wants to continue holding onto the belief that her parents were the kind and loving people that would be proud. Just as kind and loving as Cullen is to her.

She's realizing how much she missed him, now that she can properly recall her memories within the fleet. ]

What am I supposed to do now? What... did you do when you learned about what happened to your parents? You have your siblings. You still have a family.

[ Her words only sound like a tired reminder. Not a hint of bitterness or jealousy in her voice. She once snapped at her friend Leia by saying the same thing, but she's not the same person back then. ]

[serves]

[He threw himself into his training, into being a Templar. He didn't write back to his siblings. He felt guilty, for not being there, but being spared the horrors of the Blight meant... he didn't probably cope as he should. He has a family, but he's not been good to them.]

I... was away from them, when it happened. I wasn't a very good brother or son in years that followed. [Cullen presses a kiss to the top of Elize's head. She's not alone.] Perhaps I'm not the best to give advice, but you'll have me. Anything you need, Elize. I'll take care of you.

[Nothing new there. But the reassurance sounds like it's needed.]

[princessia]

Because you're a soldier. Was that why you were away? [ Not even going to wait for an answer of confirmation or some better explanation here. ] It's not your fault! You're a good man.

[ She almost sounds offended. Nothing new from her either. Her adoration for him is strong. It's difficult for her to see him as anything else but good.

A few small sniffs, then she breathes out a sigh. Her gasping had lessened somewhat, almost like the kiss atop her head puts her at ease. Just moments ago, her world felt so frightening. Now she's beginning to feel safe again. There are questions about Jiao that still plagued her mind, but it's no use finding those answers now. ]

I think you'd be a good father...

[serves]

[Maybe, if he had a daughter like her. It's always been difficult to imagine having children, but even more so now--he feels as if he already has one, and there's not much more he could want in that regard, is there?]

... Maker's breath, I've missed you. [The hug is a little more for his sake, now.]

[princessia]

[ The feeling is mutual. The time she spent back on her world was even longer than a mere two weeks. He can hug her as much as he wants. She missed being able to hug him every day. ]

I've missed you too...

[serves]

[He'd been terrified of this idea that she might disappear. Back to her own world, back to a place where she knows her parents are dead and has to deal with all the terrible feelings around it. Honestly, he wouldn't have known what to do if that happened.

So perhaps he can afford to lower one of his carefully constructed walls. If there's a time to let Elize know how much she's cared for, it's now. He presses another kiss to her hair.]

I love you, Elize. [He says it quietly, gently. It's obvious that he's come to see her as family, but saying the words is always a little terrifying.] Things will get easier. I promise. [You never get over losing your parents, but the pain subsides over time.] Anything you need, just ask. I'll be here with you.

[princessia]

I know...

[ He'll always be there for her. It's a constant reminder she doesn't mind.

She has been viewing him as a parent. As a father, for a long while now. While it's true that she can be shy when voicing most of her thoughts, surprisingly she isn't afraid to express her affection in words right back at him. ]

I love you too, Cullen! Tons and tons!

[ Unlike Cullen, she says it loudly like she wants to make sure he hears her. She uses her little arms to hug him again as tightly as possible. ]

[serves]

[His eyes aren't glassy, your eyes are glassy. She knows. It's relief to hear--and that they're on the same page. For all intents and purposes, Elize is a daughter to him. She'll be under his care for as long as he's able to provide.]

Ah, then I don't need to bribe you with the surprises I've collected for you after all.

[He's kidding. He has to, or else he'll think too much and get too emotional and there's only so much he can take. Pulling back just enough to wipe away any dampness from her cheeks, he's a little more serious.]

Are you hungry? I can get you something to eat.

[princessia]

[ She looks up at him, having stopped crying entirely, though her eyelids are a faint red now. There's a flicker of a tiny smile at his kidding around. Normally, she makes the most unamused face at his jokes. She can't help but smile just a little bit now. ]

I'm... a little hungry.

[ More than a little hungry, actually. She can easily tell how much she loves him, yet she's too shy to admit how much of a big eater she is. After the commotion in Fennmont, she had to make haste to the Fezebel Marsh with Jude and the others. Not much time to stop for a proper meal. ]

[serves]

I'll get you something. [He guesses a little means more than that, though he doesn't say so.] Go to my room and you'll find something I've been waiting to give you. I'll meet you there.

[Reluctantly, he begins to pull away. But not before another fond kiss to the top of her head, and a gentle squeeze of her shoulder. He won't be long--and she'll find a few cute glowy fish in a bowl with a pink ribbon tied around the top.

Her turn to feed the blasted little things.]

[princessia]

[ As instructed, she heads off to his room and spots the gift easily. She bends down, taking a closer look at the little fish in the bowl. They're so pretty and glowy, briefly taking her mind off of other thoughts.

Cullen will be able catch her talking to the fish whenever he returns. She knows they obviously won't reply back to her, but she waves a hand in front of the glass. ]

Hello there.

[serves]

[He arrives with a plate of food and a cup of tea for her, quietly setting it down as he enters. He's content to just watch her talk to the fish.]

[princessia]

[ She presses a finger lightly against the bowl, watching the fish swarm near it against the glass. ]

I think I'll name you... Milla. And you can be Undine. You're Efreet, Sylph, and Gnome. And...

[ Tilting her head, she ponders other names. Undine's the only real fitting name there. Can she even remember all the fish's names and tell the difference between them? Probably. ]

[serves]

[Noooo he can't help it, he chuckles.]

Already naming them? I think I did well, then.

[princessia]

[ She looks up with an embarrassed smile. First the tea set, now this. She'd like to find a gift for him too, someday. ]

Thank you. They're really pretty.

[serves]

You're welcome, Elize. Come eat. It'll make you feel better.

[That, and him doting on her relentlessly.]

[princessia]

[ A nod.

Elize totters over and before she can start eating, she tugs Cullen's arm lightly just so he can be slightly closer to her level. On her tip toes, she gives him a quick peck on the cheek, then moves over to her plate of food. ]

[serves]

[No getting away that easily. She gets yet another kiss to the top of her head, and he carefully puts an arm around her. The relief he feels at having her back and in one piece is too much for words, but he thinks she knows, now.]

Once your friends see you and you stretch your legs, we'll do whatever you'd like. How does that sound?

[princessia]

[ All the forehead kisses just keep making her feel warm and loved. Her smiles remain tired-looking though. Still a lot going on in her memories from home. ]

I think I just want to relax for awhile.

[ Relax, sit around, and maybe observe her new pet fishes. She doesn't feel much in the mood to be playing any games. Her body was asleep for a long time, but her mind feels worn out. ]

[serves]

Would you like me to stay with you? [Even though he's invited her to his room, he'd gladly clear out if she wanted some time alone.]

[princessia]

Please.

[ She likes having his company, even during quiet moments together like when he'd read his books and she'd draw in silence until she dozes off. She missed that. ]