rescuebullet | Cantarella

[It's much, much different from what she's used to, as well, but at least there are some things about the boarding house that strike a chord of familiarity...even if it's smething long-ago long-buried.

Exhaustion is eating at her, but the moment there's a knock at the door, she straightens her posture and folds her hands together in front of her.]

Now, who could have come all this way to see me?

[Oh she's so beautiful....]

Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. But this also seems to be my room.

[It would be nice if they didn't have to double up but... Here she is.]

Received a key, did you?

[Since she was already in the room to have unlocked the door, it never hurts to make sure they're both in the right place.]

All the comforts of home here...albeit in a very small space. [Her voice is a little playful, as though there's something amusing about that statement.]

[ She holds up her key, which matches this door's. ]

It's very different from where I was before. But... all of this is strange, isn't it?

It's more than strange...it is as illogical and improbable as a dream, with parts that externally seem to hold together and yet collapse when examined closer under brighter light. I keep wondering when I'll wake, when I don't even remember falling asleep.

[Her eyes close as she inhales. Unfortunately, this still feels very much like the waking world.]

If we're both going to be spending our indeterminate dream here, then it would only be polite to introduce myself. [She opens her eyes and inclines her head.] Cantarella Fisalia.

[ She nods as Canterella speaks. Nothing she can argue with there. This entire place has the unease of a bad dream, but with none of the perks, like waking up.

She bows slightly as she introduces herself. ]

Nozomi Kirifuji.

It's all been very weird. I don't really know what to make of it yet.

It defies logic...nor do I have any means of placing what I felt when I first woke up here. As if my body were not my own...that's control I have no intent of relinquishing.

[Though her voice doesn't raise or become cruel, Cantarella does sound bothered by the circumstances of their arrival. She looks back at the shared living space, flanked by the two separate little bedrooms.]

At least here we have a space entirely to ourselves, and we two are the only ones who hold the keys. A sense of safety...however minuscule.

[ She puts a hand over her own heart, recalling that awful feeling as they woke up. If she could never feel that again, it would be the ideal. ]

I... really hated that feeling, but I don't think anybody would ever enjoy it.

[ A soft sigh, as she drops her hand to clench around her other arm. ]

It's nice to have a lock.

No, I doubt they would. It's not something one ever gets used to.

[So, from the sounds of it, it's not her first time losing feeling and control in her body.

It is nice to have a lock, and she agrees to that statement with the tiniest of smiles.]

How are you feeling now, dear?

[ She notices, and she wonders about losing control- but it also seems so rude to ask about it when they've only just met. And even just the idea of it makes her stomach churn. ]

Right now? I don't feel sick, which seems like a big step.

... But I still feel lost about why we're here.

As do I. I've ruled out nearly every plausible possibility...the truth becomes ever more improbable and obscured. I believe most things are connected even when they don't appear to be. So perhaps "why" will subsequently answer "how," followed by "where"...if we are able to answer them in the correct order.

[She really is quite tired and fears repeating herself, so Cantarella seats herself in one of the very basic chairs in the common area, legs immediately crossing. Please, Nozomi, feel free to join.]

Are you much too tired for scrutinizing questions right now?

Maybe there are some answers if we look around? I've never been much a detective.

[ So many questions with so few answers.

She takes a seat along with Canterella. ]

I don't mind questions. It's probably good to get to know your roommate, right?

You may be in luck. There's a young lady here who says that's her profession.

[The girl had seemed spunky and confident...perhaps she hopes they'll get along, even if she also hopes their stay may be brief.]

Will you tell me something about where you're from?

Sure. I'm from the Tokyo Residential Complex, we had schools there.

[ "Something" is so vague, so she defaults to the basics. ]

[Purposefully vague, at least, so she might answer the way that she wants to— and so she has.

By now, Cantarella does assume that most of them might have gathered that nearly everyone here hails from very different origins. She focuses less on the place itself and what's within it instead.]

Then you're a student? What do you study?

I'm a high school student, so it's just the basics. Like math, Japanese, and science. You don't really pick a specific area until you get to college where I'm from.

Hmm, so you have the freedom to decide what sparks your interest. That's how it should be. Any ideas yet, or perhaps something you're really passionate about? I was rather focused on studying mine at your age.

[She remembers her own very narrow interests as a young girl...whether they'd grown into fixations over time is something that can be left to be argued.

I'm not sure yet, but I was thinking... maybe medicine?

What did you want to study? Or... have you already studied it?

Potion brewing. [There's a little pause here for her to get a sense of Nozomi's reaction to potions as an art, during which Cantarella gently brushes a few strands of hair back over her shoulder.]

It's an interest I've held all my life, and I've focused on it for quite some time now...but the learning never stops. There are always new discoveries to uncover when dealing with such volatile, potent concoctions.

[ She seems a little puzzled at potion brewing, but wonders if it's something closer to medicine where she's from. ]

Potions... It sounds like a really wide field. Depending on what kind of ingredients you can source, the potions would be different, right?

That's what makes it such a fascinating and deep field of research, even though I have my particular favorites.

[She uncrosses and recrosses her legs. There's definitely passion in how she talks about her pursuits, and her voice is rich and somewhat hypnotic.]

You're completely right. Even the same ingredient can take or save a life depending on how it's prepared.

[ She finds herself being drawn in. People who've found their passions have a certain draw to them. ]

I think I've heard that too. I've never really made medicine myself, but I spent a lot of time in a hospital.

[And, like the genuine passion, there's a genuine concern when she looks to Nozomi.]

I should hope not for any serious treatment?

I was sick pretty often when I was little. I'm doing much better now. It's nothing to worry about, I promise.

What a relief. You're young and have many stories to tell ahead of you. I think you'll choose well, whatever it is that you decide you want to do.

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rescuebullet - 2025-11-18 00:07 (UTC) - Expand