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

[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.

[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?

[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.]

[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.]