( message 01. 🔮 video. )

[thricefold]

Hello, everyone. I’m Zita.

[ the woman on the screen smiles at the direction of the far caster, giving a polite wave before she returns to the task of packing up some things for the day.

judging by her surroundings as packs her things while she speaks towards the far caster, it seems that she’s taken residence in, well, the queen’s residence. ]

I hope this isn’t presumptuous of me to ask on this but— I’m hoping to offer my healing services to those here in the Queen's Residence or around the city for free.

However I’ve been informed that it’ll be in my best interest if I had an escort with me when I do this. If anyone is willing to keep me company, I would be grateful for it and be willing to pay you back somehow. You're all welcome to seek me for healing too, of course.

[ she pauses. as if considering something.

usually, she would end her message here and refocus her attention on the next task at hand - in this case, her packing for her when she heads out - but... ]

If you’re not interested in that, you’re welcome to also make use of my fortune telling services instead. Payment for this will be required but I promise the price for it is reasonable enough. I only ask for a story.

And that's it. Thank you for taking the time to hear me speak.

[ added ooc note;; for those who would like to thread out their and zita's time out in the city for the free healing services, i now have a log post with that activity as one of the top-levels! feel free to hit it up if you're interested. ]

Comments

[unwieldy]

[ One day would normally be more than enough for him as well, but he's got his own reasons for wanting to tag along. He's starting to come around to the idea that he's here for the long haul, that the promise the Queen made with him isn't going to come lightly or quickly, so best to familiarize himself with his surroundings and find a place to fit in.

So why not use Zita's generous services for his own selfish motives? She's getting something out of it, too.

And he's already seen and experienced plenty in this place to know having an escort is wise. ]

We'll see.

[ The hours work. He's still rattled from that first night, so no complaints from him about avoiding night shifts. They can, at the very least, be cowards together. ]

I don't have anything else to do, so depending on how it goes the first day, I might stick around.

[thricefold]

Really... ? I didn't expect that.

[ zita does her best to keep her surprise in check, not wanting to offend him. it would be hard for most folks, but not for her.

from what she can tell from her interactions with haein so far, he struck her as the type who likes to have his personal space. much as possible and often as possible. so to hear him say he would be willing to stick around- it's not something she had expected.

and she means that in a good way, of course. he's free to do whatever he pleases in the city but she's happy he's willing to give this a chance. ]

That's wonderful to hear. [ she doesn't attempt to hide her happiness in hearing this. why should she? ] I suppose this means I have to make this one worth continuing.

Thank you again for you help, it means a lot to me and, no doubt, others.

[unwieldy]

[ Ah, okay. Well. This is the sort of positive reaction that Haein has no idea what to do with. There's just a bit of an awkward pause on his end as he struggles to come up with a reply.

He might be self-seeking and generally kind of an asshole, but he's not so shameless as to take gratitude when he knows he's undeserving of it.

So clearly the correct response is to ignore her kind words and move this along. ]

I guess I'll see you in a few days, then.

[ Nailed it. ]

[thricefold]

[ nailed it indeed. he's definitely reminding her more and more of jun with each interaction they have.

she gave haein one last smile, waving goodbye at the screen and to the young man. ]

I hope you'll be well until we meet again. Thank you for speaking with me, Haein. I always look forward to our conversations.

[ judging by the sheer sincerity in her words, zita really does mean it. ]

[unwieldy]

[ Stop this!! Haein is left awkwardly out of words yet again.

People don't look forward to anything with him, ever. He can barely hold down conversations, and he knows this, so his mind immediately jumps to doubt and skepticism about the statement. But... but Zita has been steady and constant with her kindness before, so it's not like this is coming from nowhere...

He's over-thinking it. He realizes it a bit late, after the silence on his end has gone on for too long, and he tries for a hasty recovery. ]

Yeah. Bye.

[ Okay, a little too succinct there. Not really all that articulate either, but he'll just hang up now. ]

[thricefold]

[ the silence that stretches between them does worry zita. it's made clear by the worried frown on her face, the way her head tilts more and more to the side out of concern.

did she say something that he found offensive? going over her words, she doesn't think that's the case but what if she did say something poor? maybe she should ask. ]

Are you oka-

[ and that's when he says his goodbyes and turns off the feed, now leaving zita blinking at the dark screen before her. ]

… Goodbye, I guess.

[ alright then. ]