5

[bitterhopes]

[Accidental Voice]

[The journal turns on to catch the rustling of a soft, romantic breeze -- and a decidedly unromantic sneeze.]

Oh, now this is completely ridiculous. What is this; some scene out of a trashy romance novel?

[Action]

[Seles stands in the middle of the plaza surveying the scene, hands set indignantly on her hips. There's a bag of

Comments

[voice]

[tatzenkreuz]

-- hey, you okay? [Scene and novel must mean it's a story!] You don't like that particular book much, I take it.

[voice]

[bitterhopes]

I'm fine. I don't care for poorly written ten gald novels, no.

[voice]

[tatzenkreuz]

That's good to hear. Is gald the currency where you're from? If so, they must be pretty awful pieces of literature.

[voice]

[bitterhopes]

Yes, it is. I suppose it's only to be expected, of something so cheap.

[voice]

[tatzenkreuz]

Huh, that's interesting. Good thing they don't cost you anything here, eh?

Save for the time spent on reading them, maybe, but that can always be made up for. Right, love?

[voice] 1/3

[bitterhopes]

You say it like I actually rea -- [Wait, there's a more pressing issue here!]

[voice] 2/3

[bitterhopes]

[He... he called her love!... And instead of offending her, for some reason... it makes her happy to hear that. aaaah, what is this feeling --]

[voice] 3/3

[bitterhopes]

[Whatever it is, he must never, ever, know about it.]

If you're trying to make a joke, I do not find it amusing.

[voice]

[tatzenkreuz]

[Oh, bother, he must have fumbled somehow if her icier tone is any indication.]

Wait, did I say something like that? What?

[voice]

[bitterhopes]

Normally, strangers do not refer to each other as [Her cheeks pink as she says it:] "love."

[voice]

[tatzenkreuz]

You're right, it's not what strangers normally do.

But I knew it from the moment I heard your voice. I knew that we belong together!

[voice] 1/2

[bitterhopes]

["We belong together"... why does that sound so wonderful?]

[voice] 2/2

[bitterhopes]

Th...that's ridiculous! You don't even know my name.

[voice]

[tatzenkreuz]

It almost felt like it came to me in a dreamy sort of way. Just from that sneeze of yours I knew I always have, and will, cherish you the most!

-- ah, you're right. That's an important step in establishing a relationship. I'm Tormod! What's your name, love? [Feel the ♥, Seles.]

[voice]

[bitterhopes]

I-I -- that's -- [Congrats, Tormod, you've flustered her too much to put together a proper argument.

And there's a long, long pause before:] ......... my name is Seles. Seles Wilder.

[voice]

[tatzenkreuz]

You have a surname? [A commoner couldn't possibly be with someone of presumably higher status than himself -- ] ah, nuts to that! It's a nice name.

It's a great pleasure to meet you at last, Seles!