Video; UN: pinkmemory

[inemeraldfaith]

[At first, there is only audio...]

Hm... I think... like this and—

[The video feed turns on, revealing Aerith in all of her glory, wonderment gaze and more. She looks... bright. Cheery, all things considered.]

There we go!

[Lifting a hand, she wiggles her fingers in greeting.]

Hi there. My name is Aerith and I'd like some opinions onnnnn...

[She turns her camera to show off... her familiar, a Cerulean Drake.]

What I should name them. I'm still getting acquainted with things here, but this seems like a good place to start and a good way to get familiar with some of the other faces here.

I'm not very particular, but maybe something to do with the colour?

[She thumbs at her chin curiously as she looks over to it. No, she still doesn't have any ideas and up until now, she's just been calling it her 'friend.']

Comments

[littlemissgvirus]

Mine told me he doesn't really care, but I haven't come up with something that feels right yet...

[Hmm...]

What about Sky? Since they're...the color of the sky...

[She said that second half fairly nervously. She is new at this whole talking to people thing.]

[inemeraldfaith]

Oh, so you're trying to find a name for yours, too...

[One good turn deserves another, right? Maybe Aerith can help. She's examining her drake again at Sherry's suggestion and she nods slowly.]

It does look like the sky and a name like that won't really matter if it's a boy or a girl. It's a good idea.

[littlemissgvirus]

But it means maybe you won't find out if they're a boy or a girl!

[This is important to Sherry. She has no idea why.]

But yeah. It's kind of hard because he's...uhm.

[Rather than explain, she'll turn the camera to where her hunter familiar is sharpening his claws on a tree.]

[The monster looks over for a moment, beady eyes staring at the camera, before he goes right back to what he was doing. And Sherry turns the camera back to herself.]

He's unique.

[There.]

[inemeraldfaith]

It'll tell me eventually, I'm sure.

[She hopes, anyway. Although it's making her wonder if everyone is having immensely positive relationships with their familiars. Surely someone else out there has one that's a bit of a struggle in one way or another...

Her attention turns onto Sherry's familiar and the moment Aerith gets a look at him, she understands why there's some complication. From a first look, it'd be hard to come up with something in the face of a creature that's more than a little intimidating.

Aerith seems utterly unfazed by him, however, as she examines him. As long as she can, however. The claws stick out to her. They're very prominent. This familiar seems like it could be potentially dangerous, but looks can be deceiving.]

What if you named him something like 'Talon'?

[littlemissgvirus]

You guys are linked so they'll have to share things eventually!

[At least, that was Sherry's hope. At the idea of Talon, she looked over at the creature and his claws, then down at her hands, then back over at him, then back at the camera.]

I'll add it to my list!

[inemeraldfaith]

[She's right and Aerith can't help but nod in agreement.]

Eventually, yes! Having a familiar is like having a friend. You wouldn't expect a friend to open up to you immediately, so I feel it's the same.

[Aerith smiles as she continues.] What other name ideas did you have for him?

[littlemissgvirus]

Mm. I haven't really had many friends so I'll have to take your word for it.

[Sherry didn't seem terribly upset by that, though. It was the name thing that earned a bit of a sheepish look.]

Uhm. Frog... [A beat.] I've never had to name anything important before!

[inemeraldfaith]

[Wow. Aerith has a lot she could say about that. But then, that's something she can relate to. She never had a lot of friends when she was younger either.]

I didn't either. [It's a quiet, wistful confession, but she sees no reason to go into it further. Maybe Sherry will feel better knowing she simply isn't alone in that respect.] But it's never too late to start making them, so you should do your best.

[At the name, Aerith contemplates. Sherry's familiar doesn't look like any kind of frog she's ever seen. Not that the slums have ever really been a 'hot spot' for them.]

Well, do you like that name? And does he, more importantly. If both of you do, I don't see why you can't use it.

[littlemissgvirus]

I will! I think I made one already? I'm not sure.

[She'd figure it out!]

And...I mean not really? He just kind of looks like a frog so, frog. But nobody wants to be called frog.

[Even a sheltered twelve year old was pretty sure of that.]

I want the name to be right! Not just okay.

[inemeraldfaith]

I'll be your friend, so you're guaranteed at least one!

[Aerith tips her head this way and that with a soft little hum under her breath. She's never asked a frog if it liked the name or not, but she makes a note to do that while she's here.]

You're looking for the right name... That might be a little harder. But I'd think he'd tell you if it was right or not. Did you ask him what he thought of 'Frog?'

[littlemissgvirus]

Oh! Uhm. [Sherry was not expecting that. Especially not from someone older than her! So she was thrown off for a moment.] O-okay. If you're sure. Uhm. I'm Sherry.

[Right. Names. Focus on names.]

He mostly just seems to not care. Although he did kind of look at me funny when I suggested it so I think he probably does care.

[inemeraldfaith]

[This reaction is not wholly unexpected. Aerith has faced many odd looks with how openly welcoming she can be, though not normally from those who are younger.

Sherry is an interesting one for sure.]

It's wonderful to meet you, Sherry.

[She's all smiles, even as she looks between Sherry and her familiar.]

Hm... Maybe he doesn't know what a frog is? Or maybe he thinks he doesn't need a name. It's possible that many of our companions might not put the same value into these things the way we do.

[littlemissgvirus]

Maybe. I mean, he mostly shows up when I feel like I need him. Maybe it's more about a mental connection and not...names.

[She was pretty sure she'd need a name for him eventually but she wasn't rushing it.]

[inemeraldfaith]

A mental connection...

[That's a thought, isn't it. She's sure in the back of her mind, she considered it herself.]

You might be right about that. What really matters is the connection. A name shouldn't be rushed and if he already has one, then in time, he'll tell you what it is. Or he'll tell you how he wants to be called.

[littlemissgvirus]

Yeah! And maybe yours will too. Once he's more relaxed. Or she. Uh...them.

[She usually just calls all dogs 'girl', would that apply here...]

I guess you can just stop worrying about it too!

[inemeraldfaith]

I'm sure they will. No sense in rushing before they're ready!

[Aerith looks about as chipper now as she did to begin with. Evidently worry was not one of the first things on her list of priorities. But then, it's so hard to tell with her sometimes.]

Let's both do our best, okay?

[littlemissgvirus]

Okay!

[Sherry smiles brightly.]

Oh! I have healing magic so if you get hurt let me know, I can help you!

[inemeraldfaith]

That's something you and I have in common.

[Aerith's smile softens, but retains its kindness and sincerity.]

I do, too. So it's a deal. If I get hurt, I'll let you know and you can help, but you have to do the same. It's not smart to be too tough. Let's help each other when we can.