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]

I had to run away and leave him behind. He died saving me. And now, I'm here.

[ She gives Shirley a brief subdued glance, then moves to sit in her seat behind the desk. ]

[hearsthesea]

[Shirley's quiet for a moment, shocked and recalling memories of her own. She was around Elize's age when Stella was...and she remembers Fenimore painfully enough, even if Fenimore never had to get left behind.

She stands and moves behind Elize, giving her some space but trying to let her know Shirley's there if she wants anything.]

I know it won't make it stop hurting, but if Jiao died to save you then you must have been very important to him. He must have wanted something more for you.

[princessia]

[ She places her fingers on the handle of her tea cup, her gaze staring down at the reflection on the liquid. There isn't really anything else she wants that she can ask for. The company of others is all she really needs and for time to heal her.

Jiao's dead and she'll never see him again. ]

He cared about me a lot. He didn't want me to be alone anymore.

[hearsthesea]

[That rings a bell, yeah. Shirley feels another pang of regret over Fenimore, but right now is about Elize. Thinking of Fenimore does give her an idea, though.]

Were you able to make a memorial for him?

[princessia]

A memorial?

[ Obviously not. There wasn't time for anything like that after she fled from the battlefield. She was separated from her friends and she'd woke back up on the ship, like a dream. ]

No... I've never done anything like that. Can I do that here?

[hearsthesea]

Yes, you can. Without his...without Jiao here it will be mostly symbolic, but it would still be a way to honor him. I can help you, if you'd like.

[princessia]

[ A lot of the decisions that Jiao tried to make for her were ones she disapproved of. Decisions that made her unhappy, like keeping her trapped away in Hamil. He had good intentions, however. And he did save her. She can't forget his sacrifice. ]

I would like that, Shirley. I want to do something for Jiao!

[hearsthesea]

Right.

[Shirley nods, thinking of what they could use. Flowers would be nice, if they could get some...]

What kinds of things were important to him? What did he like?

[princessia]

What he liked?

[ A thoughtful pause, then she bites her bottom lip. Elize was important to him, that's for sure. As for other things? She doesn't know or can't recall. ]

I... I don't know...

[hearsthesea]

[That's a little bit strange, but Shirley doesn't want to push the subject. Elize is already having a tough time as is.]

Can you tell me anymore about him, then?

[princessia]

He worked for the king of Au Joule. After he left me in Hamil, I didn't see him very much. He wanted me to get along with the villagers there.

[ With what she told Shirley about that village before, it obviously didn't turn out well. The lack of fond memories about him is making her feel worse. What she remembers of Jiao is a lot more than anything about her parents, but it's still not enough. ]

...None of this is going to be helpful in making a memorial for Jiao. There's a lot I still can't remember.

[hearsthesea]

Well, then...what reminds you of him? That might be the most important thing. This is for yourself and him, after all.

[princessia]

[ A pause as she thinks. ]

...Fur. And feathers. He wore a fluffy coat and had lots of feathers in his hat.

[hearsthesea]

Good! Then we can start by finding some of that around the ship...if it is here.

[Yeah. She sighs - nothing against Elize, just their setting.]

Being in the Fleet doesn't make that the easiest task, but I'm sure we'll figure something out.

[princessia]

[ She doubts they can find something like fur or feathers on the ship. Probably on some new planet or station somewhere. ]

Maybe I can draw or write something instead?

[hearsthesea]

That will work, too!

[Shirley nods.]

What's most important is that you have something to remember him with. A grave, or a marker, something with meaning...

[But her thoughts are getting off track with that.]

In the end it's for you to remember with, isn't it?

[princessia]

[ She nods slowly, feeling she knows what to do now. ]

I... think I'll write a letter.

[ A letter to the deceased with the words she didn't get to tell him. Just thinking about making the memorial feels painful and it may feel even worse once she puts the words down paper. But this is for Jiao. She doesn't want to back down from it. ]

[hearsthesea]

Okay. Do you want any help?

[She can really only help with words and maybe spelling, but she feels she ought to ask.]

[princessia]

I think I should do this on my own. I'll ask you if I need help spelling any words.

[ It needs to be in her own words. She sets her tea cup aside, reaching down into her drawers for papers and pens. They should be in the same place she left them last time. ]

Jiao... he did some things that made me unhappy. [ One of them being a terrible action she doubts she can forgive him for. ] But I should thank him for caring about me. For saving me.

[hearsthesea]

[It sounds like things are complicated. But this isn't the time for Shirley to pry, so she just nods and lets Elize do as she needs.]

I'll go, then, so you can have your room. I hope I was able to help.

[princessia]

Yes. Thank you.

[ Before she can fully dismiss Shirley from the room to get started on her letter, she slips off her chair. ]

Um...

[ A little bit of awkward shifting of her feet. She's reluctant at first, but moves towards the older girl to give her a hug. It's good to see her again. ]

[hearsthesea]

[The hug comes as a surprise, but it's certainly welcome. Shirley kneels down a little to return it, squeezing reassuringly.]

I missed you too, Elize.