hotel: estelle

[shaft]

our cheese girl

Comments

[mustbepurged]

Yes! Even though I didn't know anyone at first, everyone's been really kind...

What about you?

[shaft]

It seems like a good group, but we're still strangers at the moment.

You don't know anyone here from before?

[mustbepurged]

No. At best, some people here know friends of mine who went through these experiences before...

[shaft]

It must be a relief to have your friends spared this then.

But also kind of lonely.

[mustbepurged]

You're right... But I'm sure I can make new friends here, too. I mean, I think I already have...

... You know some people here from before, don't you? Any friends?

[shaft]

A few people, I wouldn't say we were friends.

... But maybe don't say that to Aikawa. I don't want him to cry.

[mustbepurged]

... Hehe. Okay.

Oh, but what about the Spring Dorm?

[shaft]

The only person from Spring was Sieghart.

[ ... ]

Did you speak to him much?

[mustbepurged]

[...?

There's a pause, and then she nods.]

He was really kind to me. I wish we'd had more time together.

[shaft]

[ He smiles a little. ]

He was more often kind than not. Did he act like an old man around you?

[mustbepurged]

I don't know if I'd say -- well, maybe... He reminds me a little of my mentor, only much less strict.

[shaft]

Do you mean a combat instructor?

[mustbepurged]

Yes. We talked a bit about fighting styles, among other things... And he gave me a lot of encouragement!

[shaft]

[ soft... sieghart is a good grandpa ]

Are you much of a fighter?

[mustbepurged]

Well... I'm more of a healer than anything else. But I know how to use a sword and shield.

[shaft]

You seem better suited to healing than fighting.

[ estelle is an angel ]

But I'm sure you know that's not enough to get by.

[mustbepurged]

Yes. I've had to use that training more than I would have liked...

But I always had friends fighting with me, so it wasn't as dangerous as it would have been otherwise.

[shaft]

You're on some kind of adventure in your world, I take it?

[mustbepurged]

Yes... or, I was. I've since returned to the empire.

[shaft]

[ claude, immediately: all empires are evil... ]

Ah, to take to the throne?

[mustbepurged]

No, no! [It's almost a panicked response.]

My cousin's the one who's going to be crowned emperor.

[shaft]

[ ? ]

You seem relieved about that.

[mustbepurged]

... [A nod.]

The previous emperor died last year without naming an heir. Prince Ioder and I were the only candidates for succession, and factions started forming around us. It didn't matter what we wanted, and it was getting ugly...

I'm just glad it's over.

[shaft]

Ah, can't say I'm unfamiliar succession wars.

Do you think he'll be a good leader?

[mustbepurged]

Yes, I'm sure of it. I've always respected him, and so do a lot of people. We've already agreed to work together on some matters. Ideologically, we were never that different to begin with.

... Were you involved in a succession war, too?