“Exactly! Those are my thoughts exactly!” He points excitedly, glad someone was seeing what he’s been saying for quite some time. “Reading is such a wonderful hobby and people just…either ignore it completely or use it as a tool to…to make themselves feel superior!”
It wasn’t hard for Saima to agree with what Setau was saying. It had been a belief that they had held for a long time. “I mean, I feel like there are barriers to getting into reading but – I think a lot of the times, they have to do with the people being pretentious about it. Which can totally turn people off of the whole idea.”
Idris watches with that forever understanding gaze of his, wisdom gathered throughout his existence, despite how short that existence may be to Saima, coming in handy. “What of you Saima? I may not be a god or anything special in the great picture that is life but, something tells me you know such things from experience…? Am I wrong?”
The question has a way of shutting them up for a little bit. Idris is incredibly wise, and Saima had always believed you never needed to be ‘anything special’ to have a certain awareness that comes in handy. “Unfortunately, you’re not wrong, Idris. I’ve dealt with a lot of rejection in my existence – and some harmful actions because of it. So, you can say feeling abandoned and unwanted is something I can relate to quite a bit.”
“I promise I won’t punch too hard if you spar with me,” she laughs pretending to jab at them.
“Do you have an instrument you favor over the others? Or one that you would like to learn?”
“Haha, appreciate it.“ They chuckle fake punching back from time to time.
“It’s so hard to pick one. I suppose I always have a weak spot for piano. But..one I’d like to learn, I’m trying to get into woodwinds. So maybe one of those types would be interesting to learn.”
A pearl choker shows up in Saima’s mail, in a nondescript envelope with no return address. Lilli clearly holds great faith in Estonia’s postal system to be able to deliver it thus. However, she figures if Saima actually knows who sent it, they would become quite upset with her. She couldn’t help herself. In the middle of a rage-induced shopping spree, she saw the choker in a jeweler’s shop and could not get them out of her mind. Specifically, Lilli could not get the image of her dear friend wearing them from her mind. Regardless, it took very little convincing for her to purchase them and send them, hoping for it to be the best of surprises. All she sent to accompany the choker necklace was a little card which read:
For someone whose simple, lustrous beauty will far outshine these trinkets. -L
No address on an envelope? Well, that was a little unusual – they had to admit to themselves. Nonetheless, they cautiously brought it inside with the rest of the usual mail. Opening it, they discover a stunning little pearl choker and let out a small gasp. Now this was really something they had no idea was coming. And why?
Nothing but questions filled their mind. Yet, Saima does delicately examine the choker, putting it on even, relishing the feeling of the pearls against their neck. They always admire a nice set – despite never feeling in a position to wear them much themselves. They take a few photos of themselves in the choker just so they can believe this happened.
And the little note attracted their attention. ‘Simple, lustrous beauty hm? From L.’ Their eyes narrow just a little bit. While thrilled at the surprise, they can’t help but hum to themselves. Who exactly sent this?
Saima can’t exactly resist thinking that they have their suspicions. Based on the overtly discreet nature of it all.
“Oh, I don’t know – last time I lasted a few years before they caught me playing with magic and I had to leave. All good fun.” A chuckle left his lips, turning his gaze back to Saima after another bite of his peach. “I think I’d prefer a quieter life with you, though of course we must find ways to enjoy ourselves.” Some fun, every once in a while.
“Heh, that’s real. At least the only thing you had to do was leave.“ Saima gives a little chuckle, although their mind flashbacked to darker incidents when their otherworldly nature had been discovered. A small shake of the head to get out of that visions.
“A quieter life seems ideal. Nothing wrong with some entertainment though. Everyone must have their fun really.“ A few more bites of the peach to ground themselves in the more pleasant present.
Keeping her promise, Erzsi shows up to their show excited for a night of great music and light drinking. She didn’t want to get too crazy and not be able to make it back to her hotel. Beer in hand, she moves to the music, cheering when Saima takes the stage.
After their show, Erzsi finagles her way backstage to meet up with them. She waves at them, “Wow! Just wow! That was amazing!”
The night of the event had come and it’s an honor to see that Erszi was able to make it for their performance. It makes Saima all the more determined to put on a great show. Alternating between guitar and piano while singing, they give a performance that often feels from the beyond.
After the show, they had been talking to a few people backstage and just relishing in the post-show glow when they saw Erszi wave at them. Standing, they excuse themselves to go talk to her. “Erszi! I am so glad that you made it. I’m really happy that you enjoyed yourself.”
“They’re lil’ terrors.” Rosemary sighs with a smile as she finishes washing out her dress, figuring it’s the best she can do for the time being. Before she can pull the piece of clothing out of the sink though she suddenly feels a sharp pain in her stomach and starts to fall backwards.
“Certainly can be.” They say with a small grin. But seeing Rosemary start to fall, instincts kick in and Saima moves quickly to catch her. “What even, we need to get you somewhere comfortable. What’s happening, Rosemary?”
“I mean, they felt really bad about it…but even so.” Rosemary shakes her head as she continues to work at the stain. Since she has two kids, she has gotten pretty good at getting them out. “I’m sure you don’t have to deal with this sorta stuff.”
“At least they felt back even considering the troublesome stain.” Saima speaks with some sympathy for that situation. “Not often but I’ve done some tutoring and some babysitting as a favor. So I’ve encountered things here and there.”
Seekesotsibteadmist 