Project 1: [voice] un: hello

[unluckynumberseven]

[The Eluvio definitely made him nervous, bringing back memories of a different highly technological setting, but Emil had already made the decision to keep his weird skull-like head up and carry on. That was all there was to do, right? So even though he was scared, he was not only going to wear the strange clothes they gave him and try his best at his first ever real job, but he was going to... try to talk to new people.

It still felt like a real accomplishment, even if he did feel a lot safer not using the video feed. He just didn't want to scare anyone..]

Hello, everyone! My name is Emil.

[There. A perfectly normal thing to say! He could do this. He was going to ignore his anxieties and be brave like his friends.]

This is really confusing, but... as long as I'm here, I want to help! I can use magic, and I can fight with it, so if anyone needs a helping hand, like in a dangerous situation... I could do that.

[He can feel himself growing more and more self-conscious, so he hurries to wrap it up.]

Oh! And... does anyone know where I could get some gloves? Really small ones?

Comments

[voice still]

[unluckynumberseven]

Thank you! It's nice to meet you, Eichi.

[Ooh! A fashionable guy. How cool is that?]

Really? I didn't think about matching them with these weird uniforms. Do you think they can do that?

[finethanks]

They can do whatever you can imagine. Gloves of any color or design, with every finger or any finger, with studs and jewels— only your imagination is the limit.

[unluckynumberseven]

Ohh...

[He's not even trying to hide his wonder. He does have a bit of a taste for nice clothes, or at least he did when he was human, and the idea of beautiful tailored gloves, with embroidery or jewels...]

Well... my budget is probably also the limit too, right? I don't know if I have enough for anything that nice.

[finethanks]

Fufu, well, that's also true. I don't have my cards like I do at home, but I've managed to work up some amount of money from my job and the mission I finished. Did you also receive a job? If you work hard, you can earn those beautiful gloves.

[unluckynumberseven]

I did! They put me in charge of a rock garden, which I don't really understand, but my shift starts soon!

Does that mean everyone gets a job as soon as they come here? That's kind of nice.

[finethanks]

A rock garden? My, how unique. I didn't think that there would be a zen garden on this ship. They're peaceful spots usually meant for meditating. Ponder the meaning of life while experiencing the beauty of nature. ♪

But it's strange that one would exist without a temple.

You're right, ding ding! Everyone gets a job. You don't start with a cent otherwise.

[unluckynumberseven]

A... temple? Is the rock garden like a holy place?

[That actually sounds a lot more important than just pushing sand around with this ridiculous tiny rake.]

why did I make it text last tag, ignore that GJDSFLGD HE SPOKE

[finethanks]

Yes. Rock gardens, or zen gardens, were originally placed at zen buddhism temples. Even now, picturing one reminds me of my childhood friend who works for a buddhist temple himself. [It's not zen buddhism specifically, but he still thinks of it.]

They're a very spiritual place. What an important job, taking care of something like this, fufu.

I FIGURED IT WAS SOMETHING LIKE THAT :V not that I ever screw up my own coding or anything ofc

[unluckynumberseven]

Wow...

[He has no idea what a Buddhist is. Maybe he'd better switch jobs before he messes up and upsets someone.]

I... I don't know if I'm ready for that much responsibility. Is your friend here too? Do they work in the rock garden?

nahhh who screws up coding, it is a rare occurrence

[finethanks]

Fufu, I'm afraid not. No one that I know from home is here. It's so lonely.

[It is, really, but he sounds light saying it.] You shouldn't be discouraged. If you were chosen for this job, then it's clear that you have the potential. Grasp for it and work towards it with all of your might. If you fall, remember that you can stand again, and keep moving forward.

never seen it happen tbh

[unluckynumberseven]

[That's... actually kind of inspirational. Emil does feel a bit more confident, though he still has his worries.]

I know what you mean... none of my friends are here either. It does get a little lonely, but it's been fun meeting all kinds of people here! I've learned a lot already.

[finethanks]

I've learned a lot, myself. At home, I was a spoiled kid. An Emperor who purchased whatever he wanted without a care for money, and ruled his monarchy with an iron fist. After I was chased from the throne and turned into a wanderer, I thought that I needed to learn more. It was thrilling.

[Is it still inspirational if he doesn't shut up and talks about high school like an empire]

In a way, this feels like an answer. I've made many friends here already. Perhaps we could even be friends, as well.

[unluckynumberseven]

[If only Emil knew he was talking in metaphor.]

You were an emperor once? Wow! O-of course I'll be your friend!

[Like he wouldn't have been eager to be his friend anyway.]

What happened? Was there a coup d'état? Did you have to run away in the night?

[finethanks]

[Emil, no, everything is a metaphor with Eichi...]

A girl came in and chased me from my throne, with my tail between my legs. It's been some time of me waiting on the sidelines, trying to learn from my mistakes and grow stronger. There are still some who call me "Emperor", but I cannot accept that title yet. I aim to earn it back.

[unluckynumberseven]

Well... maybe someday you can do back and do that! I bet you will. Maybe your friends here can come too and help you take the throne back.

[Said in all seriousness. What a sad life this guy must have had! To have it all, and then lose it. Emil's rooting for you, dude.]

[finethanks]

[He chuckles at that, very pleased. What a pure guy, this is... He likes it.]

It's amusing to have someone saying that to me. Thank you, it means a lot. My heart feels at ease just speaking with you.

[unluckynumberseven]

I'm glad! I feel the same way! I met a king once, but I've never spoken to an emperor before. You sound really nice; your people must miss you terribly.

[So many questions! What does a young emperor do? What sort of stuff did he buy? ]

[finethanks]

[Eichi has a feeling he's taking this metaphor seriously, but he kind of likes that. It's not so harmful, is it?]

Fufu, that's completely right. Every second that passes by, my heart longs to be surrounded by those people who have stood by my side, the ones who have fought against me, and the ones who trembled under my rule, all so I could make my "kingdom" a better place.

[unluckynumberseven]

Wooow...

[That, my friend, is pure, unadulterated admiration. What a caring ruler! His country must be a great place to live.

Except...]

Um. "Trembled"...?

[finethanks]

Yes. It seems that even to this day, some are still afraid of me. They tremble and avoid my stare and leave the room when I enter, sometimes. I wonder what I did to cause this sort of reaction? I only want to help.

[It's fine Emil don't question this!!!]

[unluckynumberseven]

Well... are you scary-looking, maybe? Or maybe it's just that you're really powerful and they don't know what to do?

[He means all of this in a supportive way, of course. But it's the first thing that comes to mind.]

[finethanks]

My, do you really think I might look "scary?" That's not the sort of impression I was trying to make at all. How worrying... I'll have to hold a poll to find out.

But I'm going on when you were simply trying to find your own answers. Fufu, I hope I was able to be of some help.

[unluckynumberseven]

Oh, I'm sorry! I don't think you look at all scary. I just meant, being an emperor and all... maybe they thought you were... kind of intense, maybe?

[He doesn't mean it as an insult, just... there is something about the guy.

Maybe that's how royalty is. They can't all be easygoing rulebreakers like King Sechs after all.

Moving on!]

But yeah, you've been really helpful! I think I have a plan now for what I want to do now. Thanks, Eichi.

[finethanks]

[That's exactly it... He's too intense with rules and everything else. Emil's got it! But Eichi seems to sigh about that, like he's troubled.]

It was my pleasure. Perhaps some time in the future, if possible, you will let me see your work at the rock garden. It sounds like a wonderful place to relax, so it could help with my blood pressure. I'll ask you again later~.

[unluckynumberseven]

Yeah, sure!

[Eichi's blood pressure probably won't improve when he sees him, but that's a problem for another day.]

Ask me anytime!