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]

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.