alphy

[bisouled]

Comments

[arcsplainist]

[ He sure did, and it sure is. Alphinaud's just there for something to clear his head—namely, some tea—but an interruption comes at no surprise.

He shakes his head. ]

'Tis quite all right—you've naught to worry of. I am hardly the one to be concerned about.

[ He's fine, he's fine... it's someone else who's dead. ]

[bisouled]

[ a cup of tea sounds good right about now... alas, she can't have it. Fiora doesn't look particularly convinced by what he says, but she lets it go. ]

If you're sure. [ a sigh. ] What in the world is happening? Do you think it was one of them - the six masked people?

[arcsplainist]

It seems likely.

[ They're in a pretty helpless situation to fight back, after all. And their messages could be a poor attempt to cover up. ]

... But that is mere conjecture. I fear I have no evidence to suggest who could have done this.

[bisouled]

[ her thoughts are the same. She doesn't want to suspect them, but it's hard not to when they're clearly in possession of more knowledge and power than anyone else here. ]

Me neither. It's hard to believe it could have been one of us. Everyone's been so friendly...

[ maybe she was naive. ]

I wonder what's going to happen going forward. I suppose we have to press on, but...

[arcsplainist]

We cannot ignore it, that is for certain.

[ But, despite everything, he speaks calmly, meanwhile pulling one—actually, no, two cups from the cupboard. Uh, about not being able to have a drink... ]

... Would you like some tea?

[ Just, y'know, real quick while they're out here being sad, too. ]

[bisouled]

[ aw. he's nice, as before. unlike some people! Fiora smiles, but it's a little sad. ]

Thanks, but... I have to pass. I'm only supposed to drink water with this body.

[arcsplainist]

[ ... ? ]

Oh, erm—forgive me. [ a... beat ] ... I... suppose water would be simple enough to prepare...

[ If. She wants a drink????? This is awkward. ]

[bisouled]

Oh, don't worry about that. I'm fine. And you don't have to sound so apologetic, either. It's not like you knew.

[ she touches the edge of her visor a little self-consciously. ]

Really, I should be apologizing. Sorry - I know it's weird. [ a beat. ] ... It's nice to be treated normally again, besides. You know? So, really, it's nothing.

[arcsplainist]

[ "Again..."

In the few times they've spoken, she's never been the most confident appearing girl, and he truly is left to wonder what, exactly, she is. But it really, really seems like it's inappropriate to ask—especially now. ]

If you insist, Fiora. [ He'll just... set the second cup back, then. ] I have little reason to treat you otherwise, besides, and I see not why anyone else would.

[bisouled]

[ a nod - her expression brightens a little. ]

Thanks. [ it's nice to hear, even now. ] It's a long story, but my world's been at war with the Mechon for years. So looking like this means I look like the enemy.

[arcsplainist]

[ Oh. ]

That explains much—such a situation is never easy, I imagine. [ Defectors existed in Eorzea, too, but it was much easier for a Garlean to hide their third eye. ] But you've yet to lose your good spirit in spite of it.

[bisouled]

[ a little giggle. ] My optimism is my best feature! It's not all bad, anyway.

[ fiora's a glass half full kind of person ]

[arcsplainist]

[ Likewise, he chuckles. ]

It comes as little surprise to hear you say that.

[ In the meantime he's fetched a kettle from somewhere—definitely a more old fashioned one, he actually knows how those work—and fills it with water. Indoor plumbing is crazy, by the way. ]

You need not hear me say this, most likely, but hold on to it best you are able.

[ And, of course, during this little pep talk, he's then trying to... figure out how to get the stovetop on again. Something about the knobs? Er... ]

[bisouled]

[ enjoy your toilet paper, alphinaud. ]

Hehe... Thanks. No need to worry, though - I'm doing pretty good in that regard. I've got my friends and my big brother watching out for me back home.

[ a pause as she watches him fiddle with the stove. ]

Do you need some help with that?

closes eyes

[arcsplainist]

[ There's a pause. An embarrassed pause. ]

... If it would not trouble you.

[bisouled]

Not at all! I'm an old hand in the kitchen.

[ she comes over to turn the knob. it's really simple... sorry, alphinaud. ]

There - it should be working now.

[arcsplainist]

[ And lo and behold! There is a flame, because miss me with your electric oven tops. ]

That simple! I had thought so. [ Time to set the kettle down, doo doo doo. ] Much obliged, Fiora—as you may guess, these ovens are vastly different than the ones I am used to seeing.

[ Not that he uses those either, but details. ]

[bisouled]

Oh, really? Do you use wooden ones or something along those lines? [ how rustic... ] Where I'm from, we use ether. These are pretty close.

[arcsplainist]

Ones made of brick, for the most part.

[ So like... still kinda Old, probably. ]

... Would a wooden one last long?

[ Because fire?? ]

[bisouled]

[ Alphinaud........ she laughs. ]

I mean that you heat them up by burning wood, silly! You don't cook much, do you?

[ at least this is lifting her spirits somewhat. ]

[arcsplainist]

[ cheering others up by making a fool out of yourself... always a pastime. ]

Ah— Ahem, of course. I... don't, I must admit. I had little reason to while growing up.

[bisouled]

[ thank you for your service, lil dweeb. ]

I can tell. [ it's teasing, but in a good-natured way. ] It's okay - I've got plenty of friends like that, too. They're always bugging me to make meals for them.

[arcsplainist]

'Tis a valuable skill, indeed. Mayhap it is nigh time I learned to do a little, myself...

[bisouled]

Yeah, it's not hard! Especially because you seem like the studious type.

[ he's got that posh accent and all ]

[arcsplainist]

[ so does she! ]

Then it's settled. ... And if it isn't any trouble—I don't suppose you could give me some pointers along the way?