verse one is video

[allsongs]

[she's humming from the start — soft, lengthy notes. her eyes are cast down, focused on the keys, looking to find the right ones to give her back all the pictures and voices she's gotten to see and hear this whole time. she sends brief, expectant glances up to the screen, mouth pursing a bit the longer it stays black and quiet.

you futuristic realms and your technologies. gosh.

she lets out a sigh, combing hair back behind her ear. the last note of her idle hum ends a little unsatisfied. hmnh...

the words she murmurs have no translation the technology can pick up, but the tone isn't foreign. she just wants to hear you talk.]

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[allsongs]

[her stare on the blank screen is very intent. her eyes narrow a little. doubt? or reluctance. they sound the same sometimes, she knows, and it's not a new thing — especially not now. it's her own disadvantage, having to learn, even if it is something she enjoys. she has to give something in return.

her fingers drop from her throat, and settle on her collarbone.]

Simmaeri. [her fingers tap, nodding.]

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Roslyn.

[ that she's willing enough to offer. ]

My name is Roslyn. And you're Simmaeri.

[allsongs]

Roslyn. [she mimics the cadence, then smiles. a nod, accepting it.]

[boughtabookstore]

[ Remembering how difficult it was to explain that she had more than one name to Artika, she leaves it at that. ]

I don't think I've seen you around before. Have you been here long? Days, weeks?

[allsongs]

[she closes her eyes as she listens, having to comb hair behind her ear again. I and you and all those questioning tones...very common. she'll catch on soon, she's sure.

for now, she'll just admire the language. it has an interesting flow from person-to-person.]

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I'm afraid I really don't know what to say.

[allsongs]

[she opens her eyes when the silence lengthens, scanning the vacant screen for a sign.

she makes a gesture, fingers starting by her throat, and sweeping under her chin in time with the words:] What to say.

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[ a startled but pleased sound. ]

Like I said, conversation isn't something I'm very good at.

You have a lovely voice.

[allsongs]

[smiling again, with a bit more fondness. her fingers graze the screen, then lift and sweep the air around her face, murmuring in inquiry, wondering why the screen was blank.]

[boughtabookstore]

[ Her curiosity gets the better of her, and she switches the video on, holding one hand up. ]

You want to see me, right? That's what you're saying.

[allsongs]

[the delight is very plain and instant on her face, getting what she wants so fast. she lifts the gesturing hand to match.]

Roslyn, hello. [she's certain hello is the greeting now.]

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[ One of her favorite parts about her job was the times they ran into people from the shadow world who meant no harm. Communication wasn't always easy, but it was always interesting, and things had been - for those small moments - beautiful instead of just ugly and dangerous. Simmaeri reminds her of that. And so she keeps talking. ]

Hello, Simmaeri.

You were humming earlier. [ She hums a few brief notes herself in demonstration, fingers near her lips. ] Was it music from your world?

[allsongs]

[eyebrows lift quickly at the hum, surprised and interested. for a second there, she thinks she'll hear more music, but—

no, it's a question. Simmaeri's lips, which had parted a little with surprise, purse together gently. even without knowing the words, she's sure she understands. as much as she wants to know something new, this Roslyn does as well. it's fair to give in return, and hardly any trouble from Simmaeri's end. she has all the time in the world.

her eyes close, and she draws out a long note, low to start, and carried into the next. it's a gentle, melancholy tune, the kind that tugs at the mind to draw out fond, faraway memories. the spell is only as strong from that machine as Roslyn is unconsciously receptive.]

[boughtabookstore]

[ she listens carefully. there's little visible outward reaction, but the wards tattooed into her skin would alert her if there was any ill intent in the magic. as it is, they only shiver slightly, barely enough to be felt, and Roslyn cautiously lets herself sink into the music.

it's beautiful, like a warm summer's day back home (and not quantico, not the team, but further back, the far back that she doesn't generally touch). the smile that touches her face is gentle, calm. she could listen to this music in patience for as long as Simmaeri chose to sing it. ]

[allsongs]

[she's pleased to find her magic still works, even with the strange little device in play. after quieting, she watches the screen in a thoughtful silence, head tilting and hair shifting down her shoulder.]

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[ music seems to be something she uses to communicate with. Roslyn clears her throat, wondering what to sing in return. she knows she should offer something - to keep the balance even if nothing else. but it's been such a long time since she sang anything, and never well... ]

Don't judge my voice too harshly.

[ "Eidelweiss" will do as well any song, a lullaby her mother had sung to her years and years ago. simple and easy, and no strain on her untrained voice. ]

[allsongs]

[Simmaeri's no music snob, save to those who might be so rude as to deny her a chance for more. and this was fairly unexpected, given how dubious the stranger's voice and words had been to her ears.

unexpected, but more welcome than anything so far. she leans forward, head dropping a little to listen. as she does so, her head moves little by little in time with the gentle song, starting to sketch it into her memory.]

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[ She pauses once she's done, licking her lips. Uneasy, slightly, with how much she's shown and said. ]

That's about all I know.

[allsongs]

[it's all warmth from Simmaeri's end. she places a hand over her heard to emphasize the measure of her gratitude.]

Thank you.

[boughtabookstore]

[ a breath, and a small smile. ]

You're welcome.