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

same

[yokunaru]

[Yuuri chews on his bottom lip as he thinks. It's not often that he has to talk people out of their worries, because it's usually the other way around. He knows that feeling of wanting to hide, though, and if there's anything he's learned so far, it's that letting that fear dictate you means losing out on a lot of important things.]

You could hide in your room and avoid everyone. [Soft spoken that he is most of the time, he isn't really one to mince words when he's making a point either.] But you'd miss out on a lot, and it sounds like that isn't what you really want in the end.

[unluckynumberseven]

[What Emil really wants is for people to already be used to him so he doesn't have to worry about everyone who sees him, but his options are to hide forever or hold his head up and get through it.

If nothing else, at least being with Nier and Weiss and Kainé had taught him that there are always people who can learn to accept him, sometimes even like him for what he is and support him no matter what.]

You're right. I really do want to look around more! I've never been in space before, and this place is so different from anything I saw back home.

[He nods again, more decisively this time.]

You're right! I'm going to do it! I'll just... have to hope people won't be too scared.

[yokunaru]

Sounds like a good choice to me. [Satisfied that Emil's come to a decision on his own, Yuuri smiles at him.]

Let's go get your gloves. [He straightens up, then pauses. There's a moment of fidgeting before he adds, quietly--] Sometimes... people can be really cruel about appearances. If you think you want someone to go with you around the stores in the future, you can come look for me.

[unluckynumberseven]

Really? You mean that?

[He's touched. That's so nice. Just knowing he has someone to turn to makes this so much easier.]

Thank you.

[He's not crying, but it's clear [Yuuri's offer means a lot to him. ]]

[yokunaru]

I mean it. [The firm way he responds leaves no room for doubt.]

People made fun of the way I looked when I was younger. [Yuuri shrugs, mouth thinning as he recalls it. It's in the past for him now, but he knows all too well how words can sting.] So I guess you could say I sort of understand how it feels.

[He's certain that Emil's had it much worse, though.]

OK not sure what happened to my tag coding there, sorry

[unluckynumberseven]

Really? You?

[But you're really handsome. He doesn't see why anyone would tease you.]

You must have grown up with some strange people.

it's fine <3

[yokunaru]

Yeah. Me. [He just smiles and shakes his head.] Maybe. One of them's a good friend of mine now--he apologized after we all grew up a little.

Why don't we start heading to the Shopping Centre? We'll have some time to talk while we're there, too.

[For one, Yuuri's incredibly interested in knowing how Emil ended up looking this way.]

Re: it's fine <3

[unluckynumberseven]

Oh! That's right. I almost forgot we were going!

[Emil knows his surroundings up to the end of the hall, but after peeking around the corners to see if anyone's coming, he hangs back a bit and lets Yuuri do the leading.]

[yokunaru]

[For this, Yuuri doesn’t mind taking the lead. Not only is Emil unfamiliar with the ship, he’s also wary of other people treating him differently—with that in mind, Yuuri keeps close to him as they walk toward the elevators that would take them to the other levels.

It’s around that time that Yuuri’s curiosity finally gets the best of him.] Hey, Emil? I was wondering—is there anything specific that you have to eat? [At least he’d managed to find a politer way of wording it…]

[unluckynumberseven]

Not really. I don't have to eat anymore, I guess. But it feels more normal when I do, you know? And besides... I'd miss out on all sorts of delicious things!

[He brightens a little and counts off all the stuff he likes on his bony fingers.]

I like to eat all kinds of pasta, and my favorite is fettuccine alla salmon... and I love spicy spaghetti, and candy of course...

[yokunaru]

I don't blame you. I'd probably do the same.

[He is 100% sure that he wouldn't give up katsudon even if he didn't have to eat anymore, so this is completely relatable to him.]

Oh, candy? Does that mean you like chocolate?

[unluckynumberseven]

Yeah, definitely chocolate too! Sometimes Sebastian -- my butler -- would buy me some when he went to get food. Not very often, though. Sweets can be hard to come by.

[If there was any doubt he's a little kid, it's likely gone now. Just thinking about sweets has perked him right up, and he bobs cheerfully by Yuuri's side.]

[yokunaru]

[Yuuri can't help but feel a little amused at how the mention of candy cheered him right up. It also makes things a little easier.]

I'm planning to make some chocolate tomorrow. For, um. Valentine's Day. I can save you some, if you'd like?

[He'd planned on making some giri choco anyway, and Emil looks like he could use some.]

[unluckynumberseven]

Really? You'd do that?

[How lucky was he to meet someone so thoughtful right away?]

That's... that's so nice of you! Thank you!

...What's Valentine's Day?

[yokunaru]

[Yuuri blushes despite himself.] Ah... it really isn't too much trouble, Emil...

Oh, Valentine's Day is a holiday that we celebrate back home. The traditions are different in each country, though.

[unluckynumberseven]

I don't think we have anything like it where I'm from, but any holiday where people give each other candy sounds good to me.

..what sort of traditions? Do people in other places give each other different stuff?

[yokunaru]

Mmm it's more that there's some expectations on who gives the candy to who, since the holiday is supposed to be about love. In Japan, it's the girls who give the chocolate on Valentine's Day, but in America, it seems more like the men who buy gifts.

[As Yuuri leads them into the elevator and presses the button for the first Shopping Centre level, he hums.] I don't think it'll matter as much when we're in space, though. It's the thought that should count, right?

[unluckynumberseven]

[America doesn't catch on his ear, but Japan. That one must have meant something to him at one point.

He'll think about it more later.]

Definitely! Everyone likes giving and getting chocolate, so why worry! Especially when we're all the way out here, like you said.

[A pause, and then:]

Do you have someone to give chocolates to?

[Wow. Not nosy at all.]

[yokunaru]

[He's been living with one of the nosiest people ever for the past eight months, so he's unfortunately (or is it fortunately?) gotten used to it at this point. Besides, it's a fair question, even if it makes Yuuri's face turn pink almost immediately.]

Um. Yes... actually. [Yuuri stares straight ahead in an obvious attempt to hide his embarrassment, eyes on the numbers displayed on the screen as the elevator takes them to the correct level.] His name's Viktor. You'll probably meet him at some point.

[unluckynumberseven]

His?

[He sounds surprised, not scandalized. Being sheltered as he was, he just assumed.

Then the name finally lands and he perks up.]

Oh! Victor! With the cool white hair, right? I met him!

[They had a very long, awkward talk about exactly what he is.]

He was so nice. I had no idea you guys were together!

[yokunaru]

Yeah. His. [Yuuri funally glances over at him, brows raised slightly at the surprise.] Is that rare back home? Men being together.

[There's a small smile on his lips when Emil mentions already meeting him.]

I'm not surprised--he responded to your broadcast, right? He's always been good with people.

[unluckynumberseven]

Well, um... I don't know. I never really thought about it before. It's not like I went out much.

[For several good reasons. But anyway.]

He did! He showed me how to buy things without going all the way to the market, and we talked about magic and training. I guess I can see why you're together; you're both really good at making people feel at ease here.

[yokunaru]

[Ah. Yuuri supposes he shouldn't be that surprised, considering Emil had been thinking of hiding in his room earlier.]

I'm...glad you feel that way, Emil. Even if this isn't your home world, I think you'll have plenty of opportunities to see things on the Eluvio. And there are people who are willing to get to know you here. [Yuuri smiles at him now, trying his best to sound convincing.] I'm sure Viktor would be interested in meeting you, too.

[unluckynumberseven]

[Consider Emil convinced. The cheerfulness radiates in his body language.]

Oh, sure! We only talked over the voice thing before, but I'd be happy to. There's a lot of stuff I need to see anyway, like the atrium, and the rock garden, and all the shops.

[yokunaru]

[Success! Yuuri himself knows how difficult it can be to overcome fears, and he's glad Emil is able to work through his right now.]

It's a big ship. You'll definitely have a lot to explore. Oh, we're here. [The elevator lets out a cheerful ding as they reach the Shopping Centre and the doors slide open. Yuuri glances at his companion.] Ready?