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[mapsio]

TEXT。VOICE。VIDEO。ACTION

Comments

[mapsio]

She seems... a little closed off. Just as something I have observed.

[rebells]

She likely doesn't trust humans. As I said, we were at war with the Radiant for a long time. Humanity committed many crimes.

[mapsio]

[Haru hums to herself, not that Jay can hear that.]

I'm sure if I got to know her, perhaps— well! I'll give it some time. I won't push her into trusting me right away.

But I will do my best to watch after her.

[rebells]

. . . You're a kind person.

[mapsio]

So are you, Jay-san.

[rebells]

[He's really not, but he doesn't correct her.]

I appreciate you looking after her, Haru.

[mapsio]

Of course. I wouldn't want anything to happen to anyone here, but... the people in this cell with me. I want to do what I can.

[rebells]

I know. You're . . . a good person, too.

[He's silent for one long moment.]

Is there something you want me to talk about? I can tell you more about my world, or we can discuss something else.

[mapsio]

I don't mind if you keep talking. I want to know more about your world.

[rebells]

All right.

I live on an island that's actually a giant ship. It's called the Legacy. It was discovered about fifteen years ago, and it has ruins from two lost civilizations, as well as a variety of plant and animal life you don't see anywhere else.

[mapsio]

How are the plant and animal life so different? How do two lost civilizations fit on a ship? I hope that isn't too many questions.

[rebells]

The two lost civilizations were separated in time . . . possibly by hundreds or thousands of years. It's hard to say. One is the human civilization that piloted the ship through outer space to Melfes in the first place, and the other is the Kingdom of Terises, a Radiant kingdom whose dealings have been lost to time.

As for the plants and animals . . . I don't know what makes them so different, precisely. Perhaps some of them were originally from other worlds, like humans were.

[mapsio]

Your world is very interesting, Jay-san. You lived with these civilizations, correct?

[rebells]

I lived on the Legacy among their remnants, yes. It was a unique place full of mysteries.

[drizzle]

[At this point, Nike and Airis were finally ready and out of the apartment, heading to the elevator to take them to the bottom floor.]

I am thinking about it. I do think it'd be a good idea for her to learn to read, speak, about nature, and some math, no matter the world she is in. She doesn't have a signet like we do, so maybe if I prepare her to be useful and adaptable, Genette or Qri may decide to keep her safe and around once I am gone and all.

[As for the next part, Nike will remain thoughtful as she finds her next words, hoping to not let some of her childhood slip in the process.]

The children don't worry me as much. Kids will be kids, after all. It'll help Airis learn to build character and realize the importance of speech as a tool and potential, figurative weapon. My issue is mainly with the adult's conduct. Her teacher has been kind and all, but they've been turning a blind eye to all the teasing. While those in stores and other places I shop at with her can be...worse than children with their comments. Although, maybe I shouldn't compare them to children; I feel I'm offending the kids by doing that.

[mapsio]

Do you miss it?

[mapsio]

[Haru lets that sink in for a moment. She doesn't know that she wants Qri and Genette to even think about keeping Koi safe. They weren't doing a very good job of keeping the rest of them out of trouble.

Little does she know that her view will shift even more drastically in the coming weeks.]

The people here view us as outsiders, and we are. They conduct themselves with suspicion at Airis and Koi because they are a different race all together. We are human, and less likely to get the stares. But our children, they are something that the people of this community have never witnessed.

Though it doesn't make their stares or treatment of them right or okay.

[drizzle]

[Nike has a lot of opinions whenever it came to Qri and Gennette, but she does trust Gennette's word on protecting the orphan Palai children that were left behind by their adopted parents. But that is another story for another time.

Right now, she was considering Haru's explanation.]

That's true. It must be weird to see talking lizards that walk on two legs and regard another species as parents. I'm surprised no one has been curious enough to ask for an explanation. I rather they ask me about it than treat my daughter like a pet or make underhanded remarks, thinking we wouldn't be able to hear.

[As the doors to the elevator open, Airis will be the very first one out, by running around all excitedly, searching for Haru and Koi. Nike will notice and try to keep her Palai child from running too far out of her sight.]

Hey, Haru. Are you guys here already? I have one overly ecstatic lizard that wants to see her auntie and friend right now.

[mapsio]

I agree very much, because these definitely aren't our pets. They're our children and we are their mothers. As much of a mother as we can be anyways.

[Haru is standing right by the tree, so she sticks a hand up, waving.]

Nike-chan, Airis-chan! We're down here.

[rebells]

[More quietly than usual:]

. . . I do.

[drizzle]

No, we are definitely their mothers! Different species aside, we are their family, and became their family ever since we were handed their eggs and made the choice to raise them.

[Well, to be fair, Airis at a young age made the choice to remain with Nike because at one point she was going to leave Airis with another family to look after her in the world her parents had died in.

Good thing the small Palai was stubborn.

It didn't take very long for Airis to notice Haru and will begin to pull Nike's sundress, to point the other woman out, before heading on over to them once Nike gave her permission to. The lizard child will reach her aunt and Koi in record time for a hug while Nike returns Haru's wave while heading on over.]

It's so good to see you both! You bested us to the punch on getting here. We didn't keep you waiting too long, right?

[mapsio]

I hope you get to see it again some day.

[mapsio]

Of course not. We were just early because Koi-chan was so excited to take part in a cultural tradition.

[Because Haru has made sure to teach her all about those things. Haru was very good to Koi, and Koi was good to her. Who knew that being the mother of another speciies could be so rewarding?

She stoops down to hug Airis tight, and then lets her go to Koi.]

They're really excited, aren't they? Did you tell Airis-chan about this tradition?

[drizzle]

[A light chuckle will be given as she nods.]

I can imagine! With Airis being the same way about it. Must be a natural curious instinct to learn, huh?

[That's what Nike likes to think as she watches the children talk about their time in the city so far and other topics of discussion.

It was just enough of a pause for Nike to think of a response.]

I only told her the gist I was able to understand. It has something to do with writing wishes on talismans and placing it on the tree, right?

[mapsio]

They're curious just like human children, I suppose.

[Haru nods.]

I suppose the other part of it would be to tell them they should try and help to grant some of the wishes.