exsilium | 003 ☎ video

[Nanami's sunburn has mostly healed and peeled away by now, but she still shows signs of having been out in way too much sun for way too long. For once she's speaking very politely, aware of both of the subject matter and the adults who might be watching.]

It's my birthday on the 8th.

[If the potential selfishness is broadcasting her birthday for the entire network has dawned on her at all, she doesn't show any signs of recognizing it. But, for a moment, her expression becomes closed off and drawn.]

I already had a birthday, technically - on a mission. It was a long time ago, but only a few weeks here. But we all know that doesn't count!

[She lifts up again, pointing her index finger at the camera.]

There's no way I'll let this opportunity go by! This is the most important event in my life! I can't possibly let it pass without the appreciation it deserves! That's where some of you come in!

You should all be planning to attend!

[Attend what? Attend where? She's doesn't...know. Details.]

More to follow!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

-- Oh, it's nothing! [She laughs nervously.] I wouldn't think the two of you had a lot in common.

I know the cafe. I've been there before...I met him a long time ago.

He's softer than me, if that's what you're getting at. [Prideful? Never.] Too nice and too hardheaded for his own good. But he's a good friend. We look out for each other.

If you know him, then he'll probably open the place up for your party. [...] Didn't catch your name, by the way.

Oh, I didn't say! [She never does - if people can just look it up, then what's the point?] Nanami Kiryuu.

I thought he was gone. I guess not. It's cruel...

[But she doesn't really care, Nanami tells herself.]

I'll talk to him. Someone will have to do something to make it look presentable.

Nanami... [Some unfamiliar syllables are happening, but she manages not to butcher it.] Pleasure. I'm Fang. And we were both gone...suppose you could say it's cruel, but where we came from, it was worse.

[No brands to worry about, here. Fang leans into the camera, a little. Were they in person, this would probably count as an invasion of space.] 'Presentable?' It's not to your standards, I take it.

[She's joking, but she's curious to see what sort of reaction she'll get.]

Nanami, [she repeats. It's surprisingly polite considering she's doing something authoritative.

Snow didn't really seem like the type to come from someplace "worse," so that surprises her.]

It's fine, but he just threw together whatever he found, didn't he?

He did what he could with what he had here, you're right about that. Guess it couldn't hurt to give it a woman's touch. [She's not very well-versed in that, but she would help.] I'll see if I can give him a hand.

Really? [Even though they've just met...} That's too kind of you.

[A woman's touch...Nanami colors a little.]

Are you his fiancee? [Thinking about the girls she knew, their fascination with good matches...Those two don't seem right for each other at all.]

Fiancee?

[She tries not to laugh.] No, nothing like that. We're friends, is all. His girl's somewhere else.

Oh, I see.

[Nanami bites her lip briefly. 'Just friends' is hard to wrap her mind around and always draws suspicion, but if it fits anyone, it seems to work for them.]

That must be hard for him.

Yeah. But he's tougher than he seems. You've probably noticed, but Snow's the kinda guy whose glass is always half-full. [Fang's expression goes a little distant, thoughtful.] And she's shown up here before. I'm sure she'll show up again.

Yeah, I noticed. He's really optimistic [childish]. Doesn't it get tiring?

[Nanami rests her chin on her palm.]

Do you really want her to?

A little bit. [She can admit this much.] ...It's like having an idiot kid brother.

But it's his way, too. Changing that about him would change the way he is. I don't want that to happen.

[Ah, a good question. Fang settles back to think about it.] It would make Snow happy, but it's like choosing between a rock and a hard place. If she was here, we could at least keep an eye on her.

Why not? [If you don't like something about someone, why wouldn't you want to make them more likable? Why can't everything be changed? Why is Nanami a jerk?]

I wouldn't wish it on anybody. I guess it does depend on where you're from, after all. Is she more like him?

Because he's a good person. [She tilts her head.] Figure the world needs more of those. What if you changed a person, and they turned out worse than the way they were before? The world makes people hard, sometimes. [...] It's not always for the best. You'll figure it out.

And I hear she's more like her sister. I don't know her well enough to say, [probably because she was responsible for her crystallization in the first place] but if she's anything like that woman, she can handle this place well enough.

[What does she mean by 'figure it out'? Nanami frowns; there's no need to waste too much time thinking about it.]

I guess he is...

That would be the adult way to look at it, wouldn't it? [Maybe it is, even when people are either or, of their own accord.]

Anyway, [As she tries to have the final word on Serah,] I guess we won't know unless she shows up.

Guess we won't. [A pause, and something makes her ask:] Do you have people from home here?

Yeah, sort of. An upperclassman of mine.

We always get dragged into her crazy life.

[It could have been anyone else...]

Oh yeah? She's a troublemaker, I take it.

[Fang's the patron saint of troublemakers.]

Of course she is! All the time! Parading around in a boy's uniform...

She obviously wants people's attention and they all just hand it to her!

[Fang chuckles, just a little.] Sounds like an interesting kid.

Maybe now's the chance to get to know each other, since you're both cooped up here. Who knows? You might end up friends.

No way!

We're way too different for that. [She says it with a tone that implies that Utena is the only problem here, the only problem with bridging their friendship. She isn't interesting - why does everyone always think that?]

I can make my own friends!

[A low whistle.] Well, excuse me. [She doesn't sound offended though, only amused.] That's the last time I make a suggestion.

That's not really something you can help with.

Thanks for... [She colors a little bit.] Thanks for the well-wishes.

[This kid is so weird and intense...

Fang chuckles, a little.] You're welcome. You be sure to enjoy your birthday, now.

003 ☎ video

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