video | un: r.chambers

[herbmixing]

Hi, everyone. My name's Rebecca.

[ The video opens on a small, homey apartment, filled with plants and books. Rebecca sits at a small piano, a mug of coffee steaming by her side. She looks...tired, really. It's been a difficult few weeks.

But that's no reason not to keep trying. ]

I was just wondering...what's the state of medicine like in your world? I had thought we were on the cutting-edge back home, but with everything I've seen here, you realise just how far we have to go. Considering everything that happens to us so regularly here, it can be really easy to lose track of your health.

I'm a field medic and a chemist, so I'd never call myself a doctor, but I still wanted to extend an offer to everybody: if you need someone to patch you up or do a quick check-up, call me. If you need medicine - over-the-counter stuff, obviously, not anything serious - then I'll run it over or get someone to deliver it to you. Just... [ She gives a weak smile. ] I want to help a little more, and I don't think being okay with a handgun really holds up against everything others can do, you know?

...anyway, I'm rambling. [ She looks down, playing an idle few bars of a melody. ] I've been staying in a lot. Watching old Disney movies, mostly, and I ended up working on this...

[ She adjusts the sheet music and sets her fingers in position. What follows is a nice little rendition with very few errors. Being able to just concentrate on something helps, a lot. Once it's done, she flashes a quick, embarrassed smile at the camera, then leans over and shuts it off. ]

Comments

text | un: r.chambers

[herbmixing]

Thank you. :)
Not too bad! I've been keeping busy.

[ There may or may not have been a few tearful nights, broken-hearted over her hot professor. She can't put that on him, though. He turned her down in such a gentlemanly manner, and she knows she was hoping for too much.

Mustn't let him hear that self-pity. Even now, texting instead of talking, he's being considerate. ]

Playing piano, obviously. What about you? Any new discoveries?

[sycamour]

[Oh, this seems promising! The reply will be prompt.

(...and he'd be very apologetic about those tearful nights, if he knew about them....sorry, Rebecca...)]

A few! I've been looking into the 'exalted' forms of the moonblessings. They're quite interesting!

[He's, uh. Not going to go into detail about what happened during his! Would be a tad inappropriate!]

There's always so much to discover here in Lunatia, though. Have you been getting out and about?

[herbmixing]

[ Her tender heart, Professor...you cad! ]

Oh, right. They're essentially advanced versions of the moonblessing we already have, aren't they? Some kind of second form?

[ And the second question - eek. The answer is a strong 'no'. ]

A little. Mostly for coffee or to have a run.

[sycamour]

[YOU ARE STRONG....YOU'LL GET OVER HIM.....!!

...also, that answer wasn't particularly enthused....hmm....]

A second form, yes - think of it as an advanced transformation. If you ever happen to grow a collection of tentacles, don't be afraid! I'm happy to give you any advice you need.

[....hmmmm. How does he...offer to be helpful without...making the crush worse....]

Don't be afraid to reach out! Unless it's about running - wasn't ever a strong point of mine!

[herbmixing]

If I grow a collection of tentacles, I think I'll have a lot more to worry about. Do we even have the brain to control that many limbs?

[ Shout-out to every BOW in the series that did exactly that. Even she hears her own mopey attitude in the text. Come on, Becky, buck up. ]

Really? I don't feel right anymore unless I do a couple of miles at least. How do you stay fit?

[sycamour]

I do quite a lot of walking, and running around after my delightful little companions! So that helps quite a bit.

[He's also the sort who can eat anything and not gain a pound, but he's learned that not the ideal thing to say to teenagers....anyway.]

As for the tentacles, you'd be surprised! The overall experience was rather horrid, but the tentacles themselves were actually very easy to control. It was akin to just having eight extra arms. So don't be afraid! I've never washed the dishes so quickly.

[herbmixing]

THAT'S what you used tentacles for?

[sycamour]

[SWEATING!!]

Of course! Among other household chores. They were very effective!

[HE IS NOT TALKING ABOUT TENTACLE SEX WITH YOU, REBECCA....HE WILL NOT....HE CAN'T....]

[herbmixing]

[ COWARD ]

I would have thought they'd be too slippery.
But it's just like you to be so inventive.

[sycamour]

[NOT FOR YOUR YOUTHFUL EARS, MADEMOISELLE!! Especially not during the. the crush recovery, he's sensing that might not be useful information-]

They actually weren't, would you believe! Mind you, it took a good day or so to get used to them. But I have the experience now, so if you do end up that way, I'm happy to give you some advice.

One thing I'll start with; be very, very careful who you touch. Exalted Iris siphons Chroma during moonlacing from anyone who isn't also an Exalted Iris. Thankfully I'd been forewarned, so I'm passing the message on to all my Iris friends!

[herbmixing]

[ He's a smart man. It's easier to just talk normally with each message, especially when they move back to Biology Chat instead of feelings. ]

Really? That seems counterproductive, considering what the Iris moon does to us. I hope you were all right!

Thanks for letting me know. :)

[sycamour]

[Biology chat is a go, then! Regardless of what they talk about, he's just happy to be in touch. It won't be expressed (because what a downer), but he had been worried....]

That's what I said! It's completely ridiculous! But that is apparently how it works, and I wasn't about to test the theory.

[Thank goodness this isn't video, he's...not a great liar...]

You're more than welcome, though. I'm still keeping up with my studies of the blessings, and all their quirks! Learned anything new yourself?

[herbmixing]

I'm glad you've got SOME limits, Professor.

[ Teasing... ]

Not really, sorry. :( Mostly I've been working on a few simple pieces like this one.

[sycamour]

[Let's move on from this Exalted Iris talk before he embarrasses himself......]

Why are you apologising? I can't play the piano, so you're already one up on me just with the simple stuff!

[herbmixing]

Really? I just assumed you'd be fluent in half a dozen instruments, since you're so well-versed in everything else.

[sycamour]

I'm flattered, ma chère, but I can't play a one. Looks like you trump me in that regard!

[herbmixing]

Just the one.

I wouldn't count these as much. They're beautiful pieces, but mostly they're from films for kids. Animated stuff based on fairy tales.

...though actually, you'd probably think some of the animals in them look like things from your world, now that I think about it.

[sycamour]

Does the fact that they're from films for children make them any less difficult to play? I'm curious.

[You talk yourself down so much...]

[herbmixing]

I guess not. They just seem a lot more frivolous than proper music like Mozart or Chopin, if that makes sense.

[ Gomen, Professor...it's a habit. ]

[sycamour]

I disagree. Just because a piece wasn't written by some famous composer, it doesn't make the act of being able to play it any less impressive.

[...he's assuming Mozart and Chopin are famous composers.]

You should be proud of your abilities, ma chère.

[herbmixing]

I am, I promise. I just don't like to brag. It's not really a good look, you know?

[sycamour]

There's a difference between bragging and acknowledging your abilities, you know. But I do understand where you're coming from.

[So modest!]

Clearly I will have to brag for the both of us! Your playing is lovely.

[herbmixing]

[ Okay, DAD...

But really, she's very pleased. Rebecca brushes some hair from her face and smiles, looking down at those words. What a supportive guy, even after everything... ]

You're such a flatterer. I don't think I could get away with saying a single bad thing about myself around you.

[sycamour]

[THAT'S RIGHT YOUNG LADY HE WILL COMPLIMENT YOU AND YOU WILL LIKE IT!]

I also think there's a difference between talking through a flaw, and dismissing something about yourself that's actually rather impressive. I wouldn't think of it as flattery, ma chère. Think of it more as me being supportive - and happily so!