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

[inemeraldfaith]

I think you're right. There's no shortage of personality.

[That kind of does narrow down the number of people she knows. Oddly enough, her first thought goes toward a certain red-haired Turk that she was familiar with.

...Interesting.]

What kind of familiar do you have? Maybe you just haven't been with it long enough to find out what kind of personality it holds.

[patchricide]

Normally, I would completely agree, but... hm. Perhaps it would be easiest to just show you?

[She leans out of frame momentarily, to heave something up off the floor. And it looks like... she got a rock. Or maybe a weird alien pangolin that won't come uncurled, but the spiky 'quills' certainly look more mineral than animal. And it's roughly the size of a melon.]

It has at least learned to roll around, which is more than its full-sized brethren can say. But beyond that, it's fairly stationary. So please, forgive me if I'm a little envious that you have a familiar with such flourish!

[inemeraldfaith]

[Aerith... admittedly blankly stares for some moments. She's seen some things, but... Whatever it is Allura has, she has no idea how to describe it.

Is it actually alive? Evidently yes, considering it's capable of learning.]

I've never seen anything like it. It'd be hard to tell what it was thinking or feeling. It almost looks like a small planet.

[And considering planets can definitely feel, Aerith isn't about to call that into question.]

If it's anything like one, then it has plenty of flourish. It just might not be very conventional. Sometimes the least conventional are the most special things.

[patchricide]

That's quite astute of you to notice! They're actually quite similar to small planets... though not typically this small, of course. But they're actually colossal, ancient space creatures, living in a symbiotic relationship with its inhabitants.

... actually, I suppose that part is still quite like a planet, isn't it?

Regardless, they normally don't do very much. Even when it provides for its people, it's through simply existing! Certainly there's nothing wrong with such a... harmonious life, but...

The only way I've found to speak to one was empathically — you know, transmitting feelings and ideas to those sensitive to it. So far, though, this one has been silent. [She taps her big zen rock, as if that might make it wake up and start transmitting thoughts, like a radio with a bad antenna.]

[inemeraldfaith]

Sounds like a planet to me~

[She wears something of a small, knowing smile. No, she didn't know it was a planet at all, but the way Allura describes it sounds like one to her.]

Hm...
Well, a relationship with any other person would need time and tending to grow. I feel like the relationships we have with our familiars could be the same. I think you should just give yours time and keep trying without pushing too hard.

[patchricide]

I suppose so. ... not that I've been pushing it, really! I've only, you know, attempted to speak with it so I can better learn from it...

[Oh, she's absolutely been trying to push it to open up. It's the easiest way to try and regain a sense of control of the situation.]

But just out of curiosity, do you suppose giving a name would help with it? Perhaps I should be considering a name for mine as well.

[inemeraldfaith]

It's possible our familiars all have names they've chosen or been given before choosing us to bond to. If that's the case, they might not like that we're deciding names for them.

[Aerith thumbs at her chin thoughtfully before she continues. It's hard to know that without being able to more properly communicate. One can't force communication with a new relationship.

Well. That's not true. One can, but the results aren't likely to bear fruit.]

If they don't, the naming process might be a part of what strengths that bond with them. It's hard to say early on, but I think it's worth the effort. At worst, we're eventually corrected and they share with us whatever they think their 'true name' is.

[patchricide]

That seems true. Assuming they do like the names we pick, too... but as long as it's something with thought put into it, and not something rude or insulting, there shouldn't be a problem. Right?

[She glances down at her familiar, as if she's hoping for confirmation from the pet rock as much as from Aerith.]

I hadn't even considered it much before seeing your video. Now I'm going to be thinking it over quite carefully.

[inemeraldfaith]

It sounds like some of them are more upfront than others, so I'd like to think they'll give us a sign if they like or dislike something we choose.

[It's possible Aerith has overthought all of this. She doesn't think so, but it's entirely possible.]

I'm getting the impression others might be feeling the same, too! I think it's a good thing if we can learn from each other, though. I expect that others will make me think about things I might not have considered on my own, too.

[patchricide]

That's the most we can hope for. Even the ones that aren't speaking can still nip at us. And... well, I suppose mine could roll into me?

But I agree wholeheartedly. You said your name was Aerith, correct? I don't believe I introduced myself — I'm Allura, princess of Altea. [And then, a bit awkwardly:] If... say, in the future, I should happen to learn more about the familiars, would you be interested in discussing them with me further?

[inemeraldfaith]

[Ooooh, a princess... Maybe she hasn't been formal enough? It's not like Aerith meets princesses on a routine basis. But if Allura hasn't corrected her, maybe she doesn't want special treatment.]

It's really nice to meet you, Your Highness. [That's the right title, yeah? Allura will specify, she's sure. After a moment, Aerith nods.]

I'd love that, actually. And I'd be happy to do the same. Not sure what I'll find out. Seems like there's a lot of questions and not as many answers as I might like to have, but I'm not really in a hurry to get them.