video; un: whiterose [forward dated to June 29th]

[finethanks]

[Eichi decides to make his first post in riverview a video message. He looks pale and a little nervous about something, but he speaks confidently. Some people might recognize him— his face has been appearing more and more in posters and advertisements in the city for performances.]

At first I thought I was hallucinating or something along those lines, because "magic" is something that doesn't exist in my universe except as science made to look like tricks. However... it seems I've gained some sort of ability.

It may be strange to ask, but has this happened to anyone else? I'm nothing like a "hero" out of a story book or anything like that, but I certainly healed a wound. [He glances down, flipping over his own arm and frowning in his focus.] Just now, I also cut the back of my arm to test it, since it was making me doubt myself, and I was able to heal that, as well.

[He's really not the type of person who should be harming himself in any way. But despite his paleness, he's conscious! Just... definitely exhausted in appearance.]

To be honest, I feel a little faint, now, but it may be due to my elevated heart rate after all of this. I'll look forward to any answers or advice I can receive.

Comments

[finethanks]

[He keeps up his smile at that, as small as it is, and leans back so that she can prepare the second blanket. As she does that, his fingers trace the parts of the blanket over his shoulder now, and he sighs, mostly out of being tired.]

That's right, isn't it? Someone in a position of power should be most concerned with making things right for their people. As much as I try for something like that, I wonder if I can ever really manage that sort of thing...

[carrotkeeper]

You can.

[It's a turn she didn't expect in this playful conversation about princes and princesses, but her answer comes with no hesitation. He's a good person and can succeed in whatever he tries to do. She lays the blanket on him, covering his body, and leans forward to tuck in the sides. It makes it difficult to move, but at least he'll be warm.]

But don't think too hard about it. Sometimes you just have to act. Bet you'd surprise yourself.

[finethanks]

[He hums in his thought, letting her tuck him in completely. He can't move like this at all, but that's fine. He's comfortable. Still... Surprise himself? He's surprised himself before, but not in any good way. But Iris isn't someone he wants to weigh down with his thoughts and worries.]

If you think so, then there must be some truth to it. Now look at this, I'm completely wrapped up. It's like Iris-chan has me in her hold, fufu. Are you going to sit with me?

[carrotkeeper]

You bet. Now that you're all tucked in.

[Her work is completed and she pops onto the cushion next to him, stretching her arms outwards. It's tiring work to burrito someone!!]

You need anything, just ask. I'm right here okay? Don't try to get up for awhile.

[Food, water, hot towel, the works. She's got his back.]

[finethanks]

You've done so much for me already, Iris-chan. Fufu, but I'll be sure to speak up.

[He's quiet for a while, just resting here, but he never actually falls asleep, despite what she might want. His mind is too busy for that right now.]

It's fitting that I'd gain an ability like this but end up easily exhausted from it. I wonder what use this is supposed to be, or where it came from? What do you think?

[carrotkeeper]

Its use is to help people, that's what I think. It's only your first time doing it. You're bound to be tired.

[She leans back against the cushions and rests her hands in her lap. The only person she can recall with a healing power, outside of Noctis' own special ability, is the late oracle who healed starscourge victims. From the little bits and pieces she knows about Tenebrae royalty, it's a family trait. Maybe it's similar with him. It might have always been latent in Eichi, only surfacing now for some reason.

It's still an issue if he becomes this exhausted after every use. She hasn't heard about powers being gained here until now, so it's difficult to say what the long-term effects are going to be.]

Maybe going through the portal changed something in you? Which kinda makes you sound like a superhero.

[finethanks]

Mm... I know nothing about the "heroes" that every young boy admires, you know, since I never did have a very good childhood. The only heroes I know are those in the history books. Those ones who are covered in the bloodspray of their victims, moving forward without a care for the lives they squash out.

[He tries to protect Iris from certain things about himself, and then lines like this come out so easily. He hates heroes, so he can't help it. They make him sick.]

But in that way, maybe it is fitting for me to have.

[carrotkeeper]

That's not you.

[They might only be history books in his world and in Riverview, but they're currently being written in her time. Bloodshed spread by a power hungry country that didn't care how many lives were lost for the sake of expansion. She's lost friends and family to those people and when she looks at Eichi, she can't imagine him among their ranks.

Sometimes when he talks like this, she feels like she's missing out on something important. All she can do is say what she thinks though. Maybe one day the truth will come out.]

But you're not a typical hero, that's for sure.

[Which isn't her agreeing with his assessment at all and she laughs as she turns to face him.]

You're the kind of superhero that can make people smile by talking and who rescues girls stuck in trees. Not as glamorous as the kind that fly, but you're the kind I'd want around.

[finethanks]

[He chuckles again at that, but it's a little more breath than sound compared to the last. He doesn't want someone like Iris to see the side of him that struck down others to climb to the top, but it's what was necessary to get where he is now, and where everyone in the school is now. He lets his eyes drift closed since he's tired anyway.]

Well, I can't deny that I long to hear words like that. I still don't know that it's true, but your words are as sweet as ever.

[carrotkeeper]

I know they're true.

[And now it looks like he's finally shutting his eyes, which is all she wanted him to do from the beginning. It feels like a victory for her. She talks softer now, even though he's not asleep. Yet. ]

A prince has to be the hero, you know, but sometimes they need help. When you do, just give me a call.

[finethanks]

A ruler is nothing without those comrades around him. I've learned that, too, thanks to those special friends of mine. Iris-chan is counted, too, of course.

[The small smile that tugs at the corner of his lips is a little more genuine, now, even if his eyes stay closed. Maybe he'll end up falling asleep after all.] Are you a princess or a knight? Fufu, either way, I'll do my best to call you if I need help. However, I'm still a boy, you know. I want to be strong and relying on anyone hurts my pride.

[carrotkeeper]

Don't worry about your pride.

[Boys and their egos. Those are words she's said time and time again when they were fighting together back on Eos. Weirdly enough, it's a good memory that makes her smile. She glances at Eichi through the corner of her eye.]

And I'll be both, if that's what you need. That's what friends are for after all.

[finethanks]

You really are an impressive person, Iris-chan. You'd be a wonderful producer, you know. Fufu, but you're busy with other far more important things, aren't you?

[Yeah, he's definitely getting more sleepy as his words go on. His head even leans slightly to the side with its weight.] Thank you for being friends with someone like me.

[carrotkeeper]

I think I could fit it between math and history class.

[That's a high compliment coming from him, though she doesn't know the first thing about being a music producer. Unless he means a literal producer because she farms all the time.]

If you really want to thank me, you better get some sleep. I'll be here when you wake up.

[finethanks]

It's harder and harder to resist in this blanket cocoon I've been wrapped in. I wonder, will I wake as a beautiful butterfly?

[Just brush that off as weird sleep talking, because he sure does sound basically asleep. He meant a music producer, for the record, but he assumes that was obvious. Soon enough, he's drifting off to sleep, gently breathing and relaxed.]

[carrotkeeper]

[His final comment before finally going to bed makes her laugh, though she tries to stifle it with her hand to avoid waking him. While he's out, she's going to see what she can tidy up and make him a snack or two for when he wakes. The whole time she's there, no matter what she busies herself with, she makes sure to peek over at him every few minutes. Just stay asleep, Eichi. ]

[finethanks]

[He sleeps soundly for quite some time. It's long enough for him to feel completely rested compared to earlier. There's no more exhaustion eating at him when he blinks and stirs a little. The blankets slip from his shoulders as he sits up, and raising his hand to try and rub at his eyes makes them fall even more out of place.]

Ah, Iris-chan? I slept for quite some time, didn't I. I'm sorry if I kept you lonely.

[carrotkeeper]

Morning, sleepyhead.

[Which is weird, saying that to someone other than Noctis, but Eichi had slept for awhile. Not that she minded for one moment. He needed every bit of the rest he got and during that time, she had found plenty of things to do.]

It couldn't be helped. You were trying to become a butterfly, after all. That takes a long time.

[She teases, not lonely in the slightest. As a reward for his glorious ascension from the blanket cocoon, she brings over a glass of water.]

Here, take a drink.

[finethanks]

Fufu.

[A butterfly, that's right. He takes the glass with both hands, smiling softly at it as he takes a long sip.] So, have I become a splendid butterfly and idol? But if you answer, it will give me reason not to keep growing, so don't say a thing at all.

[He's so weird.] I feel much better. The color has probably returned to my face, hasn't it?

[carrotkeeper]

[That gets another laugh out of her. So fine, no answer today.
What's a butterfly supposed to grow into anyway? That's typically the end.]

Let's see.

[The answer is already apparent and she could just say 'yes'. Or she could reach out and very, very lightly pinch both his cheeks. Guess which she does.]

There's some color! You're as good as new.

[finethanks]

[Eichi looks genuinely surprised for a moment as his cheeks are pinched. What...?? No one's ever done that before? And his cheeks gain such color so fast from such a little pinch. He's a pale guy.

The surprise fades from his face quickly enough and he laughs, lowering his water glass a little.] So I've been cured, just like that? I wonder what I can do for all of Iris-chan's trouble in return.

[carrotkeeper]

[At that comment, she presses a finger to her chin and feigns being in deep thought. After all the talk about his illness and seeing him on the camera earlier today, the way he could repay her is by what he's doing in this moment. Resting, talking, and being himself.

When she speaks up, her tone is light.]

Guess this one is on the house. Don't worry about it.

[finethanks]

That's not a fair exchange at all. At the very least, couldn't I do something like prank Gladio or buy you some sweets? There are countless ways that I could repay you, after all.

[He chuckles. He doesn't like to feel like he's in debt...! Even if Iris is just a sweetie. He takes another sip of water, and then sets the glass aside on a little table nearby.]

[carrotkeeper]

[A prank on her brother from someone harmless like Eichi can't possibly go wrong. It sounds fun. She's not saying saying yes, but-]

What kind of prank?

[finethanks]

Fufu, that would depend on what sort of prank you'd like to see, wouldn't it? Something harmless, but interesting enough to get a reaction out of the strong Gladio. Someone like his sister would know best, right?

After all, I think something like a bucket of water wouldn't do much to him at all, but I also don't want to be too messy about it.