34th Teddy Bear [Voice]

[asobouyo]

[An hour or so after bed, Elicia hears something creak. It's harmless and probably something like a tree scratching something, or a mouse finding its way. But it sparks a barrage of images within this small child's brain that would probably make a therapist shake their heads. Things like floating objects and scary figures and things under her bed oh god. Acute paranoia tonight, this one. So she speaks in a really low whisper as though she's on a secret mission, hidden up to her ears in blanket. Must be a nice windy winter night.]

Um....

Are ghosts real? They aren't, right? But—But I guess good ghosts are okay! Do those count? Are they real either?

[Her eyes dart from one side of the room to the other, and she's totally expecting something scary to happen on one side or the other. Any minute now. No, no, be brave, there's nothing going on. Nothing at aaaaall. ;~;

Gulp.]

Oh! New Feathers are here, too... huh...

I'm Elicia, and I'm six years o—

[rustle rustle]

Meep!

[...And back under the sheets. Yup.]

Comments

[asobouyo]

Oh. [Well, that actually makes sense.] What kinds of games do ghosts play?

[gardeningaia]

I'm sure they're the champions of hide-and-go-seek!

Scavenger hunts seem popular too. You know, when you hear about those lost treasures that are haunted?

[asobouyo]

Like... like haunted pirate treasure?

[gardeningaia]

Yep, things like that! They seem really enthusiastic about those. Is hunting for treasure something you like?

[asobouyo]

A-a little! I like pretending I'm a pirate looking for some!

[asobouyo]

... But I've never found any real treasure before...

[gardeningaia]

Hmm... Have you tried looking in the item shop? There's always new treasures popping up there! They've got some of the most interesting things I've ever seen. [ And maybe some of them could be part of real treasure. This isn't the same as finding sunken pirate treasure, but it's still fun, right? ]

[asobouyo]

Oh, I don't wanna take anything from the shop, 'cause... 'cause what if it belongs to someone here? I'm scared of taking stuff that's not supposed to be mine!

[gardeningaia]

Oh, yeah, that can be a little tricky! Hmmm... [ is there a safe way to do treasure hunting in Luceti? In winter? THINKY THOUGHTS. ]

[asobouyo]

Wait!!

What... if we ask people if they're looking for something important to them? Then we can help them find their treasures, and give it back to them!

[IT'S GENIUS I KNOW NOW WHAT I MUST DO]

[gardeningaia]

[ Aerith claps her hands before they rise up to her mouth to suppress a giggle. Elicia's enthusiasm is so cute. ]

That's a great idea! You won't just be a treasure hunter, you'll be like a detective too! Helping people get back things they really miss.

[asobouyo]

Yeah! And that way, that person can find their stuff faster! 'Cause other people'll're helping!

[gardeningaia]

I think people would really appreciate that, Elicia.