16th Memory [Action]

[whats_a_sneeze]

[When she wakes up, she recalls darkness and a definite lack of something to reach back for. The Malnosso had been kind enough to leave her the ability to talk and understand, but... it didn't really matter, considering she had no idea what the Malnosso were. Or what these strange green things were. Or what she was.

No, wait. She was a Sayo. She was

Comments

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[It's the first time Robert has gone out of his apartment for more than checking up on Aella and Ingrid in awhile, but chores did eventually need to be done. He's almost regretting going outside, though - it's way too hot outside. But he needs groceries, and depressed or not, they aren't going to get themselves.

So he is walking in the plaza with his familiar white cloth bag full of produce when he notices little Sayo.

A little girl. A little girl who looks like Sayo, but more importantly, a little girl. It hits him right in the yawning empty part of him that Vivi had taken when she left.

Even if this isn't Sayo - just somebody who looks like her, perhaps - he can't ignore a little girl soaked and smeared with mud.]

Ah...

... Excuse m-me... may I help you, little one...? You... [With a gentle, sad smile:] Y-You look like you could use some... assistance.

Re: [Action]

[whats_anything]

[She looks at him, and then at his white bag, and then back at him. Interesting. Should she have a bag, too? Other people have stuff, and some don't, so maybe it's okay.]

Assistance?

[Too big of a word. Careful, Robert, this one's six and blanking on a lot of words.]

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Oh, yeah, word choice. Robert falters and gnaws a lip cautiously before trying to rephrase himself.]

A kind of help... when somebody else makes it easier to d-do something.

I could help you g-get into something warmer and cleaner than that...

[Softly:] W-Would, would you happen to be Sayo...? A friend of mine with that name was taken awhile ago, and you look... j-just like her.

I had a promise to f-fulfill for her.

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[whats_anything]

[blink, blink]

... I'm a Sayo...

[Must be another Sayo like her. Yup, that explains everything.

-but more importantly]

What's a promise?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[A Sayo? Robert seriously doubts there is more than one, so... Yeah, this is definitely a kidnapping effect.

Robert stoops lower to Sayo in a careful way, making sure he isn't intimidatingly looming over her (as intimidating as Robert could ever be, anyway) and tries to use words that are as simple as possible, simpler even than what he used with Vivi.]

Ah. Well. You are Sayo, yes. That is your name - a name is a label for a person.

My name is Robert Alexander Hastings. But you can just call me Robert right now.

[His expression almost falls at the last part, but he steels himself.]

A promise is... a special kind of decision, where a person makes sure that zie will do or not do something.

I promised you two things before: first, I promised to take a picture of a rainbow for you. [He smiles sadly.] And second, I promised to tell you what happened while you were gone, when you came back.

... I think... I c-can keep those promises, but right now helping you might be better.

Re: [Action]

[whats_anything]

[Robert's a lot easier than all that other stuff you added. :|

She has a strong urge to ask what a rainbow is, but she lets it go for now. There are more important things at hand.]

Helping?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

Cleaning you up. Getting you into dry clothes instead of what you have on right now. It is not safe for you to be in that wet clothing; the lowered temperature could make it easier for you to get sick, and we do not need that.

[He tries to give Sayo a winning look. Or... as best of a winning look as it's possible to give when you're socially fail.]

May I take you to my home so I can help you, Sayo? I could get you something nice to eat, if you would like.

[He'll even make you tea, Sayo. Though... chances are that might trigger some weepiness. Vivi flashbacks abound enough already.]

Re: [Action]

[whats_anything]

[She nods, but is hesitant. For some reason, the word 'home' fills her with something strange-but when she mulls it over, rakes her mind, she finds only the dark, empty spaces.]

Home?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Softly:] A home is a place where you live, but it means something more than that.

... My apartment is in Community Building Three. I will take you there, if you will let me.

[Robert offers a small, slender, pale hand to the little Sayo, encouraging her to take it with a gentle look.]

You do not have to, but... but I promise I can - [- his voice cracks a moment -] - b-be a good c-caretaker for you.

I... h-have some experience.

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[whats_anything]

[:|a Hmmmm. As long as you don't mind her randomly leaving and making you PANIC, I'm sure this will be just peachy.

Takin' that hand.]

I'll go with you. If you promised it...

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[Oh boy, more panic for Robert! Clearly that'll be great for his already-extremely-frayed sanity.

He takes that hand with the utmost gentleness, closing his fingers around hers.]

I d-did.

... And I would want to help you anyway. I am... your friend. [Robert begins to lead Sayo towards his community building, going slowly and making sure that Sayo can look around as much as she likes.]

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[whats_anything]

A friend. [She'll be doing plenty of looking around, yes. |D] Friends are important, right?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

They... th-they certainly can be, for many people. They are important for me, now. A-And, they are... always good to have here. There are many things that are... much harder to do without friends.

[It's almost a good thing that Robert is a bit slow still, because it gives Sayo ample time to take in the world around her.]

If you wonder about anything, please... f-feel free to ask, and I will answer as best as I can.

Re: [Action]

[whats_anything]

Okay...!

[QUESTION NUMERO UNO]

What's all the green stuff??

[Y'know. All these, uh. Trees.]

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

They are called "plants". There are different kinds of plants here; for example, the short green plants on the ground are called grass. The taller plants, with the tough stems covered in the rough stuff, are called trees. There are many different kinds of grass and tree, but you do not need to know them all... I can tell you about some kinds if you would like, though.

[Robert would also explain why it is green, but he resists the urge to do so without prompting.]

... Some plants can be dangerous to touch or eat, so be very careful...

Re: [Action]

[whats_anything]

Dangerous? Why?

[They look so harmless, though.]