(no subject)

[lightweight]

Who: Hinata
Broadcast: Video
Action: Marsiva; Calibration Hallway
When: 10/26, before bedtime.

[the video flicks on, and hinata looks a little uneasy.]

... I know it's late, and we're supposed to go to sleep soon... I'm really restless. So, I'm gonna ask a question, I guess.

What do you guys like to do for fun? Back on our ships, or back home... Everybody keeps telling me there are things to do other than play volleyball, so give me some suggestions!

Comments

video

[kotatsu]

[ oh, here's someone who looks friendly. there's been a bit of time since nanako woke up and she's a little panicked and a lot confused, but this isn't the weird world inside the tv (no gilded hallways and dark shadows waiting to grab her) and everyone around her looks just as confused, so that helps to ease some of the panic.

she musters the courage to reply, maybe if they start talking, she'll be able to ask how to get home. ]

Um... [ oh, this is kind of scary, isn't it? it's okay, she thinks. it's just like talking on the phone! she takes a quick breath before continuing. ] I usually watched TV with Big Bro at home, but sometimes him and his friends invite me to Junes [ pronounced "ju-nehs" ] and we get lunch together.

video

[lightweight]

[oh my gOD SHE'S NATSU-SIZED SOMEONE HELP HINATA]

Ooooh! Is that a department store?

video

[kotatsu]

[ yes, good, let's talk about junes and how great it is and not... about weird space kidnappings. nanako nods, her first smile lighting up her face since she arrived. ]

Yeah! It's really big and they have all kinds of things there. There's even a small playground on the roof!

video

[lightweight]

On the roof! That's awesome! I bet you could see forever from up there!

video

[kotatsu]

Uh-huh! You can see everything! Especially when it's sunny. Sometimes, if I try hard enough, I think I can see the city from there too!

video

[lightweight]

Does it feel like you're flying when you're on the swingset?

[priorities]

video

[kotatsu]

[ nodding enthusiastically, ]

It does, it does! I can't get as high when I'm doing it myself, but whenever Big Bro is with me, he pushes me super high!

video

[lightweight]

That's so cool! I like being in high places.

Ah! My name is Hinata Shouyou! It's nice to meet you, are you new here?

video 1/2

[kotatsu]

Me too! It's like I'm taller than everyone!

[ it's so great. ]

It's nice to meet you too, I'm Nanako Dojima!

video

[kotatsu]

[ but, ah, that's right. she is new. nanako nods, and then lowers her voice as if she's trying to tell him a secret. ]

Um. I-Is... is it true we're in space?

video

[lightweight]

Ah--!

[he lowers his voice, too.]

Yeah! We get to be part of the crews for the little ships, usually, but right now, we're all on the Marsiva. What job did they give you, Nanako-chan?

video

[kotatsu]

Oh... um, they said I'm lab support, but I dunno if I'm old enough to work in a lab.

[ she's only seven! what is this. ]

What crew are you part of?

video

[lightweight]

Lab support! You're gonna be nurse! That's way cooler than what I do.

[that's kinda morbid for a seven-year-old]

I'm maintenance on the Heron!

[maintenance is a fancy word for janitor]

video

[kotatsu]

A nurse? [ "nurse" to nanako is still the equivalent to the nurses you'd see at school when you get a stomach ache, or if you skinned your knee. she thinks about the nurse she sees at the doctor's, the nice lady who takes her measurements and gives her a lollipop after she gets a shot, or the one who checked up on her to give her medicine back when she had to stay in the hospital for a few weeks. she's not sure how she feels about giving people shots, though. ] I didn't think I was good enough to be a nurse yet, but I'll do my best.

[ in the end, it's just taking care of people, right? she can do that. ]

The Heron? A heron is a bird, right? What's it like on the Heron? Are the people in your crew nice?

video

[lightweight]

I bet you'll do great, and you can always ask for help.

[he looks excited.]

The Heron is pretty great! My crew is really great! My captain, Mr. Barnes, he's a real leader... I think he's from the military. He's really good at his job.

video

[kotatsu]

Okay.

[ isn't that what dojima tells her? always ask for help if you need it. but it's still a little scary asking complete strangers. they all seem to be adults, and nanako knows adults are usually very busy. she doesn't want to trouble anyone. ]

The military? Wow... [ he sounds very strict. ] But I'm glad everyone is nice in your crew! I hope I get placed in a crew with nice people too.

video

[lightweight]

I bet you will. Most people here are pretty nice... and if you need someone to take on any bullies, you can call me!

video

[kotatsu]

[ oh. he really is very friendly. ]

Okay... um, thank you, Hinata-san.

video

[lightweight]

A-ah, you don't have to use -san, I'm not that cool. Even if I'm older.

video

[kotatsu]

You just said you'd take on bullies for me even though we just met. I think that's really cool.

video

[lightweight]

Well... maybe I'm a little cool. But I'm not so much cooler than you that you have to use "-san"!

video

[kotatsu]

[ there's a giggle from her, even though she tries to hide it behind her hand. ]

Okay, okay! Is Hinata-kun better?

video

[lightweight]

Yeah, there we go! Much better. So remember, you can ask me anything, and I'll try to help you out!

[oh look a communicator number]

This is my number, so let me know when you know what ship you're gonna be on, okay, Nanako-chan?

video

[kotatsu]

Oh! I will, thank you! Here's my number too.

[ and she passes along hers. there's a pause as her smile dims a little before she speaks up again. ]

... Can I ask another question?

video

[lightweight]

Yeah! What is it?