animus_network | ₪002nd₪ Perception Advertising Lessons.

[Language lessons? Gaara remembers the time at the facility when the communicators weren’t functional, and people could barely understand each other. He had learned some English at the time, after being told it was a universal language. He needs to brush up on it, though.]

I presume you are instructing. [A beat.] Which languages are you capable of teaching?

Yes.

[Seeing Gaara again certainly makes him happy and he shows it. Following Ishtar's advice in letting his feelings show even if it's a little at a time, he isn't holding back as much as he used to.]

Any language that is used through the internet and is documented as a common language of a U.N. country, I can teach it. English is among the highest used. I'm currently teaching French to another. Would you be interested?

[After all, what good is it to gather information if he couldn't understand the language? Ask him to teach Klingon or Elvish, yeah, that's a no-go. Those don't exist in his world.]

[Elian looks better than he did last week, Gaara notes internally. He mistakenly assumes his happiness is a result of improving his health, not by seeing him. He can’t bring happiness to anyone.

He nods in response, his stoic expression belying his deep thirst and interest for knowledge. He never did like being ignorant, even in spite of the possible consequences.]

I would like to increase my knowledge in the English language. I was instructed in the written and spoken aspects.

What is your availability? [Elian had mentioned he was teaching other people.]

I have training at nine in the morning. I teach French at three to five in the evening. Anything in between is free. I generally give two hours of instruction for best use with a fifteen minute break in between written and conversational.

[Elian is looking a lot better than he did and his health is improving, but seeing a familar face did make a difference. Teaching really helps him focus and it makes him feel useful again.]

Mmm. Very well.

[He thought for a moment.] Would five o'clock be acceptable?

Affirmative.

[He nods happily. He's already planning now what to use as materials for the lessons. Since Gaara has some advantages over others, he's going to use more challenging reading for him.]

Then we will convene at that time, in the library.

[He gives Elian a slight nod of acknowledgment, and then ends the communication on his side.]

Oh! So you're the one who's offered to teach Ruler?

[His eyes widen a little with a slight nod that soon followed.]

Yes. Are you interested?

[To be honest, his admiration toward Amalia was starting to grow a bit more. He liked her curious nature, something that he wasn't allowed to have at HOLY.

Seeing her again would be great.]

Well, I don't know anything about French but I wouldn't mind seeing what other languages there are? Almost everyone at home speaks the same.

But I don't want to get in the way of your teaching.

[He shakes his head slowly with a smile.]

You won't be in the way. I'm teaching English and French today and I wouldn't mind the company.

[Truth be told, he enjoys her presence even if doesn't say it directly.]

Those do sound like fun... and if you don't think I'll be in the way, then...

The Library you said? I think I remember how to get there.

I can meet you at the dormitory floor and we can go there together, if you would like.

[He really has made a huge improvement from the first time she met him. He was starting to act like his own person again.]

Yes, that'd be nice. Thank you very much, Elian. I'll see you soon!

[He nods and smiles before cutting off the feed to head toward the dorms. He accidentally tripped and stumbled forward on his way out the door from his own excitement that he lost practically all coordination. He quickly regains balance, looks around quickly, straightens his jacket and calmly walks out with his head held high.]

Language lessons...? Really? um... Anything in particular? Do they cost anything...?

Yes, and they cost nothing. If you choose to pay, I leave that to you to decide which is good for you. Knowledge should be free.

[ Amalia is waiting for him. She has her doll in her arms though for the moment it's hanging limp and seemingly just a toy. ]

Hi Elian!

[He lifts his hand in a small, shy wave. Seeing her again really makes his day better but then he tilts his head to notice the doll before he looks back up to Amaila's eyes on his approach.]

Hi, Amalia. Um, I didn't realize you were bringing company. It's okay. She can learn too.

[He really isn't sure how to address this because he's never had toys to play with during his time at the lab. Still, he smiles and turns toward the direction he came from.]

I wanted to thank you for your company the other day. I'm sorry I wasn't very good at being welcoming. I'm not always that moody.

[ Amalia returned his wave with a small one of her own, but it was clear she was happy to see him. ]

Oh, this is my doll. She was in my trunk when I woke up here in the Tower but I haven't asked her to come out yet. I was just feeling lonely this morning.

[ She falls into step beside him. ]

You don't have to apologize, Elian. This place... I'm already learning that it has things that happen that are hard for people to face.

Oh, that's good. At least you didn't come here alone. She's kinda cute.

[Elian did observe that girls and dolls usually are best friends before boys ever could so he only assumed it was the same for Amalia, or at least he did quietly.

Then, it was something that she said that made him look over at Amalia with a quizzical tilt to his head.]

What do you mean by "come out"?

[He was still understanding how the natural world works, so things like this will always interest him.]

Oh! She's goes to sleep inside my pouch.

[ She pats the bag on her hip which looks as though, like her clothes, it entirely crafted of leaves and a few twigs. ]

She's been with me ever since I was young. Most Sadida have doll familiars.

[ As though to demonstrate, the doll suddenly leaps out of Amalia's arms and to the ground, then rolls itself into a small leafy ball. It zigzags across the floor for several meters, then pops back into its regular form and gives them both a happy wave with one stubby arm. ]

But... it's so small.

[Coming from a world where nature or anything closely related to it was considered primitive and barbaric, Elian was always secretly interested in it simply because it was completely opposite to his genetically manipulated body, abilities and conditions. Everything he was taught never touched anything like what he's seeing now and his eyes never left that leafy ball.

He chased after it a few steps and when the doll took form again, he stopped, dropped to his knees and with his elbows on the floor, his chin was held up by his hands.]

Hello.

[ The doll walks forward and hugs Elian's face. It smells like clean moss in the sunlight and Amalia gives a little "ee!" of delight. ]

Oh, she likes you!

[He closes his eyes and smiles through the hug. Hearing Amalia's delightful squeal really made him feel better that his impulsiveness was rewarded with a happy cheer than a bite to the face.

His hand gently returned the hug.]

It's nice to meet you too.

[His voice sounded a little muffled, still with his hand on the doll's back, he sits up and turns his face toward Amalia with the doll still snuggling his face. The earthy scent was certainly more welcome than the dank and rusty smell of these walls.]

Um...I don't mean to be rude or anything, but I'm having trouble.

[ Amalia steps forward and gently removes the doll from it's perch on Elian's face, the soft pads of her fingers brushing over his cheeks as she addresses the plushy creature. ]

Come on silly, Elian needs to get down to the Library, so we don't want to make him late.

[His eyes widened for an instant as his hand came up to touch his cheek where her fingers lightly touched. The warmth lingered for a few moments.]

That's okay.

[He picks himself up off the floor and dusts off his knees. His over-sized uniform hid his slender frame. The coattails stopped at his ankles.]

She's pretty lively.

[He makes his way to the stairs. Taking the elevator wasn't on his mind right now. He needed the exercise and in order to get stronger, he needed to do more physical things.]

[ Amalia nodded happily, gathering the doll back into her arms. It gave a little salute and then seemed to turn back into a cloth doll, waiting to wake up again. ]

Yes, but she's been a big help on my adventures.

[ She trails along behind him, although she gives the staircase a slightly wary look. ]

She sounds like a really good companion.

[Elian stops to regard Amalia's hesitation.]

It's okay. I won't let you fall.

[Even though he's a bit clumsy himself, he holds out his hand.]

I know it's a little dark. I don't like it either. Um... would you like to try the elevator instead?

F-free would be nice! I don't think I have any money..

It's okay. I don't worry about money.

[He has a morning job anyway so he's set for now since he hardly spends it.]

I can give you a lot of respect, though! Does that count?

[There's a momentary pause, his eyes look up and a nod later.]

Yes. That is adequate. Thank you. May I have your name?

Satou Kurone-- Kuroneko, Satou! [ She corrects the order like a Wapanese girl. ]

It's nice to meet you, um-... What do you want me to call you, sir?

Elian will be fine, Kuroneko-kun. There is no need for formality in a place like this. It's elective study.

[ Amalia shakes her head. ]

N-No, we're here now. I have to get used to the staircase anyway, right? I'd rather do it with someone I trust...

[This astonishes Elian. He's never had anyone say they trust him in any way other than what he can do for them. He blinks and walks up to Amalia to place a comforting hand on her shoulder.]

It'll be okay. I won't let you fall. We'll go slow.

Not too slow though, if we don't want to be late for your lesson. I'd feel bad if everyone had to wait because of me.

Oh, okay.

[He takes the first step up and turns to extend his hand again.]

It's true that I have a time schedule, but right now you're more important.

[ His phrasing makes her blush a little. ]

I don't know about that, but I'm ready to go. Let's beat that staircase together!

[Elian nods with a smile, then looks up the staircase.]

Right.

₪002nd₪ Perception Advertising Lessons.

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