04 ❀

[princessia]

Who: Elize Lutus and YOU maybe?
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: FS Starlight, at the parks!
When: February 14-20ish?

[VIDEO]

[ The broadcast opens up to show a young girl with fluffy blonde hair, only about eleven or twelve years of age. She's sitting down, out in the park. She has a notebook, a stash of pens, her mage staff, and her doll next to her. ]

...I'm Elize Lutus. Hello. I've been here for about ten months now? I think. If anyone needs help with anything, let me know. I'll do my best.

[ That's mainly directed towards many of the newcomers to the fleet. Then there's an awkward pause. That's not the reason why she's making a video broadcast in the first place. For someone as shy as Elize, she normally dislikes recording herself for the entire public to see. ]

Um... so, I've been learning a lot about other worlds. And Jove has been teaching me how to write in the common tongue! She taught me some Elvish words too. Like falon. That means friend.

[ The reason she decided to record herself is to show off what she has been learning, her achievements, like a proud child. She opens up her notebook, holding it open to the screen. It's lines of sentences written in the common tongue, recognizable to those who come from Thedas. (It looks a bit like this.) Some lines are written in practiced repetition. They're extremely basic sentences like "my name is...", "how are you?", simple greetings, etc.

Everything is written in sparkly, pink gel pen ink that she bought from the station. It's written neatly too, with no smudging. She made sure the ink dried! ]

When I get better, I'm hoping to write a letter entirely in common tongue.

[ She flips the notebook over to look at her own writing. Her shoulders slump in disappointment and her proud expression begins to falter, like there's a moment of disbelief that the letter she writes might not reach. She then looks back up, putting on a brave smile even though her cheeks are red with embarrassment. She'll get this letter delivered, somehow. ]

If... anyone wants to hang out or something, I'm at the park. Or, we can just chat over the communicator. That's fine too.

[ACTION]

[ And as she mentioned in the broadcast, Elize will be in the park. She's laying down on her stomach, being diligent and practicing writing down sentences repeatedly in her notebook. ]

Comments

voice;

[princessia]

I enjoy learning. We could be classmates, Mikleo!

[ Her... invisible classmate. ]

voice;

[nerdeology]

[Yeaaaah that would probably complicate matters a bit. At least he could take visible notes.]

I'd like that.

Oh, but that reminds me. Do you see anyone standing on the edge of the fountain, just south of where you are?

voice;

[princessia]

Huh?

[ She stands up to take a better look at the fountain in the distance, then takes a few steps forward in the direction of it. There's no one standing there or even nearby it, in her eyes. ]

No... [ It doesn't take her long to realize why he's asking that question. ] Is that where you are, Mikleo?

voice;

[nerdeology]

...Yes, it is.

[There's no point in lying about it.]

I'm sorry, I didn't want to startle you by coming over unannounced.

voice;

[princessia]

[ She keeps staring intently at the fountain, as if staring long enough would have him suddenly show up. Of course, nothing happens. She feels wary at first, but then she starts walking closer to the fountain. ]

voice;

[nerdeology]

Ah- it's fine, Elize, I'll come over. You were practicing your letters, weren't you? Don't stop on my account.

voice;

[princessia]

N-no, it's fine! I can always get back to it later.

[ Jove helps her study for thirty-minutes every day, after all.

Elize continues to take cautious steps towards the fountain, staring at it. She senses there should be something, someone that should be there for sure, but she doesn't see anyone. It's similar to how she feels spirits nearby, sometimes. She was always quiet about it though. If Teepo were here, he would blurt out how the air feels "weird".

This is kind of awkward for her to be calling out into nothingness, but she does so anyway: ]

...Mikleo?

[nerdeology]

[Well. He can't really do anything but wait, in that case.

When she arrives at the fountain, he reaches down into the water and lightly pats at the surface, making ripples. He's turned off the communicator for the moment.]

Yes, I'm here. Can you hear me?

[princessia]

[ Close enough to hear him, she does a small surprised hop in the air and nearly drops her communicator. Her head turns towards the origin of the voice, though she still can't see anyone by the fountain. But the ripples... ]

Mikleo! Yes, I hear you... [ She goes from startled, to excited. Boy, doesn't she look strange to anyone else that may be in the park. ] You are here!

[nerdeology]

[Well. He's glad that she's happy about it. He'd been worried that he'd just make her more uncomfortable.]

Yes, and you can hear me. It looks like you do have resonance, then.

[princessia]

I do!

[ That's what Mikleo just said, but she's happy enough to repeat it. She totters closer to the fountain, moving to sit on the edge of it. She wants to sit next to him.

Then sudden embarrassment. What if she's sitting on him or something...! She still can't see him. ]

I-I'm not in your way, am I?

[nerdeology]

[He laughs, quiet and brief, and steps closer to sit down beside her, leaving enough space that they won't get in each other's bubble too much. She really is too sweet.]

Not at all. I'm quite used to dodging around people who can't see me. Can you hold out your hand?

[princessia]

Oh, good...

[ She smiles, relieved, although she's still blushing. As instructed, she holds out her hand. ]

Okay.

[nerdeology]

[Mikleo reaches out and gently cups her hand in his, giving it a very light squeeze. She might feel the pressure, and his hand is cool to the touch, sort of like dipping your hand into lukewarm water.]

Do you feel anything?

[princessia]

[ The water-like sensation around her hand takes her by surprise. Her fingers twitch for a moment, then she relaxes. She knows it has to be just Mikleo. ]

I do. It feels... cool. Is that your hand?

[nerdeology]

Yes, it is.

[He sounds pleased. This is a big first step! Much better than having no resonance at all. He doesn't want to make her uncomfortable again, though, so-]

Is this alright?

[princessia]

[ It should be fine, even if she can't see his hand. She tries to use her imagination, curling her fingers lightly in a similar way that she would hold a hand that's physically there. ]

This is alright. We're friends.

[nerdeology]

[Ah...

He's taken aback momentarily, but he allows it to pass like a breath of air, nodding even though she can't see it.]

Yes... we're friends. I'm glad, Elize.

[princessia]

Um... Mikleo?

[ She looks up with a hopeful smile and if anyone in the park is giving her any odd stares right now, she doesn't notice it yet. Still, she sees nothing but air. It just feels right to look in the direction where she can hear his voice the closest. ]

Does this mean I'll be able to really see you someday?

[nerdeology]

I think so, yes. This much proves that you have resonance, and it will only go stronger the more time we spend together. As long as you believe in seraphim, one day you'll see me.

[princessia]

[ Spirits are part of the norm in Rieze Maxia. There's no way she would stop believing in seraphim. Especially not now. ]

I want to spend lots of time together! [ A beat, then her cheeks flush red. ] But only when you're not busy.

[nerdeology]

[He laughs a little, stifling the sound with his free hand. He doesn't want her to think he's laughing at her, it's just- her enthusiasm is sweet.]

I'm sure that we'll find time. You can't rush it, though- resonance comes gradually, and impatience won't help anyone.

[princessia]

I see... I understand. [ Nodding. ] I know how to be patient!

[ She's obedient, good at listening, and waiting. Much like whenever Jude and Milla need to tell her to stay behind...

Honestly, her enthusiasm is making her just a little impatient, but there's not much she can do about it. ]

[nerdeology]

I'll do my best to help, too.

[Actually, though- that reminds him.]

Elize... I have a question. How well do you know those on your crew? Do you like them?

[princessia]

Huh?

[ The question throws her off guard for a moment. ]

I love Jove and I love Cole! [ Cassandra too, but Atroma sent her away recently. ] I hate Tek. He's a jerk. I don't know the others very well...