Fourth little lie ♰ 'Cause I'm half-sick of shadows, I want to see the sky

[beingdifferent]

[Once again it's a video today, and Esther is fresh-faced and bright-eyed, obviously not too disturbed by recent events. Her communicator is set up on her bedside table, catching the gauzy canopy of her bed behind her and allowing her to use her hands to sign.]

Excuse me. I would like to ask a favor.

Some of you are teachers for the older kids. I don't want to go to school, but is there anyone who could teach me something fun? How to make something or play something. This place can be so boring sometimes. [She quickly amends, so as not to offend anyone:] But I like the library and the art room and the kitchen. During the port I learned how to fish, and I liked that too. Sometime, I'd like to do it again.

Do any of you know how to do things like that?

[OOC: Esther is affected for the flood and has memory dates with Lua, the Emperor, Dent, and Ned, though everyone is welcome. CW: The memory threads may involve themes of violence, death, and sexual abuse, and are marked.]

Comments

[spam]

[beingdifferent]

Are you sure? [Esther certainly wouldn't mind borrowing him but he's used to Ned, not her, and she's not sure if he'll mope or cry.] May I brush him?

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

I'm sure.

He loves brushing.

[spam]

[heisrisen]

[The door slides open. The inside of the room is small, more of a cell than many rooms on the barge, and the walls are - for the moment - white, with a grid of seams where different segments of the surrounding screens double as the cabinet doors for various sorts of storage space. The tight room itself is dominated by an oblong block, two feet by two feet by six and a half. Pillows next to it on either long side and the mehcnical odds and ends he has sorted neatly on the surface indicate that it can be used as a table; the glowing red ring around the bottom of a tea kettle to one side proves it doubles as a stove. Part of the surface is clear of objects, and is displaying a few basic schematics on its surface. There is no other furniture, no apparent bed or chairs, although a litter box, food and water bowls, and a small scratching post colonize various corners of the room. A painting leans against one wall, painted side facing away from the room, hidden. He's seated on the far side of the table block, with Melchior on the cushion next to him, and he waves her over with a smile.]

Hello, Esther. It's lovely to see you again.

[surrenders]

[She takes it as an answer to the second question, but as she nips at the end of her tongue, trying not to dig further, she feels that same invasion Esther must have and holds her breath, waiting for the sensation to pass, like she isn't dreaming, she's right there and doesn't want the girl to see her.

Now I know why there's a kid here, she thinks when she's herself again and breathing. That memory answers a question she didn't know she'd been asking. She must have wondered during her first time here.]

It... I won't ask about it. It was your story to tell me.

[private]

[lawofthejungle]

Let me know when ya do.

[beingdifferent]

[Esther's eyes narrow and she scrutinizes Lua's face, as if her thoughts might be etched into her skin. That was not a memory she intended to share and for a moment she feels Lua stole it.

But at least she responds to it with a level of sensitivity.]

Aren't you afraid?

[spam]

[beingdifferent]

Thank you!

I'll send him back once I'm home.

[private]

[beingdifferent]

You should not have to wait long.

[surrenders]

[She hasn't had the time to be afraid, having only seen what she could in the time it took to release Esther's hand, but now, when she asks, her heart starts a little faster.]

You think I should be?

[There are times when you answer "yes" or "no". When a child's asking if you're scared of them, "no" could be a challenge, and "yes" could make them think all they're good for is scaring people.]

[spam]

[beingdifferent]

[Esther turns to take in the room, curious about the lack of apparent furniture. The oblong in the center of the room catches her attention and she looks at it curiously, wondering if it doubles as stove, table, and bed.

When the Emperor speaks she drops into a little curtsey, beaming up at him.]

Hello sir! It's my pleasure.

[beingdifferent]

[Her question came of genuine curiosity, of measuring this woman against the background she came from. So far Lua seems undisturbed, which is... interesting.]

Some people are.

[surrenders]

Depends on why it happened.

[That much, at least, is true, and something opens in her eyes as she turns her head to that same spot in the memory she gave Esther like she wants to sit, an offer of that same security if it's what she wants.]

[spam]

[deadly_ned]

No rush. He likes field trips.

[spam]

[heisrisen]

[She is so damn cute. He likes it more now that - thanks to Iris - he knows for sure that she's a bit of a psychopath. He blames this on spending to much time with politicians; he's started to miss them. Such polished presentation is a skill, and he has always appreciated consummate skill.]

Sit, please.

[He gestures to the cushions - a few are stacked up already, so she'll be at a comfortable height relative to the table surface - then picks up a small, silvery diode of lead sulfide.]

We brought enough supplies for a few different types. The cats-whisker receiver is an old favorite of ours, because it doesn't even need a power source.