( video )

[suicideprototype]

It seems that no matter where I find myself, flowers always carry a significant meaning, huh...?

[Ritsu has tried to focus the video on Aldrip's flower field, but since he's using a device that's utterly alien to him, he's decided to err on the side of caution and spend maybe a little too long panning over empty scenery. You know, just in case he's too zoomed in, or the image comes out too blurry, or something else of that nature.

Eventually, though, he does adjust it to focus on himself.]

Where I come from, each day is associated with a flower, and if you happen to be born on that day, then that flower is designated your "birth flower."

If you're interested, why not tell me your birthday? In exchange, I'll tell you your birth flower and its meaning. Given the wide selection of flowers here... maybe I'll even be able to find it.

[He has completely neglected to introduce himself, but clearly flowers are more important.]

Comments

[mercedis]

Wanna switch, then? I won't tell anyone.

Sounds like whoever came up with these didn't really know anything at all. Flowers wouldn't mean something so cruel.

[suicideprototype]

[Oh...]

Thank you. You're very kind.

[It's difficult to gauge from text whether it's genuine kindness, though — whether it's someone who's continuing to be very polite or if there's an actual attempt to cheer him up in there. The possibility that it's the latter gives Ritsu pause.]

I guess that means you probably don't think your flowers fit you very well either, huh?

[Someone who actually has a preoccupation with being looked at probably wouldn't be responding via text.]

[mercedis]

( he isn't sure if he'd call himself kind, but--if he can do something small like this, anonymously, at least it's worth it. )

Don't really like people looking at me, I guess.
Sometimes I scare people.

How are you feeling, here? Is it too cold?

[suicideprototype]

I've been worse.
Truthfully, I've been pleasantly surprised by how friendly everyone has been.
Given the reason we were brought here, I expected the atmosphere to be a lot worse.

[But if Cloud is asking, then maybe...]

Was the weather warmer where you're from?

[mercedis]

Not really. The place where I grew up was pretty cold, and the city I ended up in isn't too warm either.

Do you know how to cook? Fight? Play cards?

( they might seem like random questions, but he's trying, in his own way, to make some kind of point...eventually. )

[suicideprototype]

[Ah. He thinks he sees.]

Are you trying to tell me I'm nothing like the torch ginger?

[mercedis]

Maybe. You haven't answered yet.

[suicideprototype]

I'm not the greatest at the other two, but I can fight.

[mercedis]

Then you're not useless.

[suicideprototype]

Not so long as fighting isn't outlawed, huh?

[He's just joking. It's not as if he really thinks there's nothing else he can do, even if fighting did suddenly become useless.]

Thank you, though. I didn't mean to make you feel like you needed to comfort me. That was impolite of me.

But I appreciate it.

[mercedis]

Speaking from experience, they like to watch it happen.

You didn't make me feel that way. It just felt...like I wanted to.

( which is very weird for him, and he doesn't quite like it. )

[suicideprototype]

[Another momentary pause from Ritsu. This has been very weird for him, too, truthfully. He's usually pessimistic about human nature, believing that displays of concern or interest were mostly done in self-interest. But Cloud is anonymous. There's no reason to think he has anything to gain from showing such compassion.

Maybe the idea of someone being viewed as useless hits close to home for him...?]

Were you a fighter back home?

[mercedis]

( he doesn't know how honest he wants to be, here--he's told other people about himself and they've all had no idea, so the words likely won't make sense here, either.

then again, this person makes him feel a little at ease. he would feel poorly if he lied. )

Sort of. I was SOLDIER.

Hard to explain, but basically what you'd imagine. I don't do it anymore.

[suicideprototype]

[SOLDIER... It's not a name that's familiar, but it definitely sounds like Cloud's had far more formal combat training. If he ever has to fight this person, Ritsu's not sure he'd be a match for someone like that. He can only hope their captors don't have some sort of Battle Royale-esque punishment in mind for them.]

This place probably wasn't the retirement you had in mind, huh?

It would be nice if it stayed peaceful.

[If Cloud left SOLDIER, then he probably doesn't want to have to do that kind of fighting anymore.]

[mercedis]

It's okay. I'm used to it.
Didn't exactly leave the company on good terms.

You're settling in okay, then? No trouble? Peaceful?

[suicideprototype]

[There it is again. That concern — or is it truly concern? Ritsu doesn't know what to do with it.]

Peaceful.

[Maybe it's a good thing they're conversing through text. He's typically good enough at putting on a friendly demeanor and keeping any of his real emotions from showing, but this conversation is throwing him off. He isn't sure why.]

How about on your end? Has everything been OK?

[mercedis]

More or less. I get the feeling that's only temporary.

If you ever need anything, let me know. I don't sleep much, so you won't be bothering me.

[suicideprototype]

["You won't be bothering me," Cloud says, but it's hard for Ritsu to see asking for help as anything else.]

How should I find you?

[mercedis]

Well, you can use this trinket to talk to me if you need.

Otherwise, I'm staying at the inn near the tavern. If you ask around, you'll be able to find me.

( the uncomfortable part of i'm pretty hard to miss goes unsaid. )