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Video; UN: pinkmemory

[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.']

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[Boy, does she wish she did.
What kind of nickname does one give to an antlion?]

Maybe a nickname that plays on what he actually is in your world? Something clever or cute.

[Maybe not cute.]

This might be a little obvious, but maybe something like 'Fang?' He can sound strong, if he wants to seem intimidating. [But even she's not impressed with that option. The gears in her head are turning as she tries to think of something more clever.]

Well, he's an Antlion. In my world though, they're usually a lot bigger. About the size of a large cart or wagon. They live in the desert and are pretty dangerous.

But they don't have markings like this guy. I'm just assuming it's because he's magical...

Maybe something desert sounding? Like 'Dune' or something?

[He looks to his familiar that clicks idly. He doesn't look impressed.]

Man, someone's picky...

A name is important. It's okay to be picky about what you want to be called.

[She laughs lightly as she leans back a bit. The drake in question seems to agree with her assessment and it settles atop her shoulder lightly.

She's still contemplating a name for the Antlion.]</small A desert creature... I don't know very much about them. Maybe do something with the 'lion' part of the name. Lyon?

Lyon, huh?

That sounds pretty heroic...what do you think?

[The antlion tilts its head as if in thought, then wiggles its thorax, the purple markings lighting up brightly.]

...I think he likes it.

[At least he can read the antlion better than her because the wiggling and the illumination...

Well. Those could be positive or negative.

Aerith's eyebrows raise as she looks between the antlion and Darin.]

You think so? How can you tell?

Just a...I dunno. A general sense of contentment? He's actually pretty emotive for an enormous bug-monster.

[His familiar clicks and hisses a slight resentment.]

What? You are literally an enormous bug! And on my world you are classified as a 'monster.' It is not slander.

... ... ...

[Darin blinks and glances at Aerith.]

You...don't get a vibe from yours? Like...a general sense of how they feel?

[Oh. Well. Hissing. That's a surefire way to express one's self.

She laughs a little at their exchange, as if she's part of a conversation she's not at all privy to. When Darin addresses her again, she tilts her head curiously, taking another moment to eye her drake.]

Sometimes I do, but if I start trying to say I always know, that's just not true. I've noticed that it—and I'm thinking they might be a 'he,'—seems pretty nonchalant a lot of the time. Dismissive? Preoccupied? Pensive, maybe.

Hmm...they definitely seem to have their own personalities. Lyon's pretty defensive of me...

Not sure why but...it's nice. Never really got something like that back home.

[Looks like they're sticking with Lyon!]

[But still, Darin rubs his chin in thought.]

I've never seen a dragon like yours before. He's awfully pretty.

[Oh, he took her suggestion. It's almost an honour, really, considering they've only just met. Aerith is tickled pink.]

Hm... I think they're called drakes. I don't know very much about them.

[Except that without long-ranged magic, they can be a challenge to hit. They seem a little territorial. Some of them have access to what would be considered a wind elemental magic. Maybe she knows more than she realised.]

I'm a little surprised one chose me as its partner. Not complaining. Just surprised. I wonder what criteria they're using to make these decisions. I don't think our familiars were necessarily forced into picking us, after all. It's possible we were all chosen for a reason.

[In the back of her mind, Aerith wonders if her Cetra blood has anything to do with it.]

Yeah, honestly, I'm a little confused about that too. I mean, I'm a blacksmith by nature so I would have thought a familiar that was more fire-based would have come to me.

On my world, antlion's live in the desert so I would assume they're more earth based. Not only that, but I can do healing magic which...doesn't seem to suit a blacksmith at all. I honestly don't know the first thing about it.

Why are you surprised your drake chose you?

[He's already scrutinizing the little guy to see if he can come up with a nickname.]

[His explanation only makes her question all the more how familiars decide on their bond partners. Nothing he says really makes sense either.

Maybe it's something as simple as the familiar liking the mere look of their partner. Can it be so superficial...?

At his question, she thinks before she gives him an answer.]

Mostly because they're hostile. I've never exactly known of a friendly one. There's always room for a first, however. I'm thankful it thought to pick me.

Hmmm...

Well, this one seems to have a pretty laid back disposition. It's kinda chilled out.

Hah! Maybe you can call it "Chill!"

Laid back... Do you think so?

[Maybe he's right. It's possible what she's thought was either apathy or nonchalance could be as simple as a calm and composed demeanour.

She can't help but examine her drake.]

I'll have to see what they think of that one, too.

Sure. I mean, blue is supposed to be a calming color...

I mean, look at me~!

[Darin, you're the most hyper-active manchild there is.]

[Aerith laughs and she shakes her head.]

I'm not sure about that. You seem pretty active to me!

[But looks can be deceiving. And 'active' isn't the absence of 'calm.']

Okay, okay...guilty as charged. The only time I might actually ever be calm is in the forge, but hey, I haven't messed up this first impression yet and a guy can dream can't he?

I think it'd be hard to judge anyone too hard on a first impression considering the situation we're all in. Everyone responds to it differently, after all, and some people just have off days.

[How understanding of her.]

So no. I don't think you have anything to worry about at all. I get the feeling you're dependable.

Wow, you're way more forgiving than most people I meet! Me? Dependable?

I mean...I am but that's not usually the first thing that leaps to mind when people first get to know me.

Forgiving?

[Yes. That might be a rather accurate assessment of her. If Aerith holds grudges, it's not often apparent that she does so. Maybe that comes with the territory of being so level-headed.]

People aren't just one way. It wouldn't make sense for you to always seem dependable, right? After all, you're human. And you're more than just dependability.

Tell that to some of my first impressions. [He laughs.]

But I get what you're saying. People, hell most beings aren't just a single thing. They're malleable. Flowing through life and changing with the times.

That's kinda what I love about being a blacksmith. I take something that people see as constant and unchangeable and make it into something people wouldn't normally expect.

[He has a way with words that leaves Aerith smiling warmly.]

That's a romantic way to put it! You're right, though. I don't think I've ever known a weapons or an armoursmith, but it makes sense when you say it. It wouldn't make sense for every weapon to be identical to another, so everything you make is probably different, even if your clients might not notice that.

[Her head tips, a little amused by the parallel, even in the face of its truth.]

If you make anything while you're here, can I watch?

[He blinks, his cheeks reddening slightly.]

Romantic? Me?

[He has been called a lot of things. But having his words called 'romantic' has not ever been one of them. He kind of laughs sheepishly as he runs a hand through his hair.]

I mean...Maybe. I dunno. Blacksmithing's my passion. I love to create. A lot of people look at it as just hammering steel and iron but...not many really see the artistry about it. And when you can shape metal like clay, you kinda get a unique appreciation for how things can change. How a few, unremarkable iron ingots can turn into something used to save a life.

But if you want to see me work firsthand, I certainly wouldn't mind. I can't promise it'll be entertaining but...I'll explain the process to you.

[Sounds romantic to her. In some way, anyway. Passion and romance often have overlapping circles. They're not necessarily the same idea, but they're something similar.

She looks distinctly pleased as he continues.]

Cool! I might not fully get it, but it sounds like it'd be neat to watch. Never know when it might come in handy, too.

[Although she's having a difficult (and amusing) time trying to picture herself smithing anything.]

[He laughs.]

It's not as complicated as it looks. The trickiest part sometimes is just...figuring out what you want to make! Believe me, I've got entire notebooks full of ideas and sketches.

So you make things for more than just people who come to you with requests?

[What kinds of things does a blacksmith forge in their own personal time...? If they love the craft, then it makes sense they'd make things that aren't just based on personal commission.]

What kinds of things do you make other than weapons?

Video; UN: pinkmemory

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