[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?
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?
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.]
[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.]
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.
[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.
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.
[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.
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?
[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?
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?
[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?
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?
[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?
[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?
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?
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.
[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.
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.
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.
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 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.
[Cantarella longs for the soothing waters of the Erich and Wilber's pool, but after today, even that pleasant comfort has been disrupted by death. So she returns to their shared room instead, wondering if she might at least crouch under the shower and get half a moment's rest beneath the water. Then sees Nozomi, and—all her attention goes there immediately instead, straightening her back and movements.]
Come. Sit. [Her hand moves gently toward the crook of the girl's arm to couch-maneuver her.]
Come. Sit. [Her hand moves gently toward the crook of the girl's arm to couch-maneuver her.]

Page 1 of 5