Welcome to Gaia! ::

As Rina asks her insane questions and does the math, Estelle just remains quiet. Thinking that Rina is much older than herself, she's suddenly self conscious about where she's sitting. Thankfully such feelings go as easily as they come. The feeling is so brief she doesn't even shuffle in her seat like she so often did.

"Maybe longer...? I suppose a welcome back is in order, then," Estelle tries to smile. That sad almost-smile that so often seemed to scare people or make them have complicated expressions in return.

She's thankful for the arrival of their beverages. Something to sip on to avoid the awkwardness of herself. The fruity flavors and the tartness of the drink almost hid the flavor of the alcohol. Almost.

All at once the back of her throat burned just enough to let her know to take it easy. She'd have to drink this very very slowly. Especially since she hadn't eaten in at least two days. Or was it three? She'd honestly lost count. The fruit in the drink would suffice, though now sipping it slowly would feel like torture. A small part of her wanted to drag that robot back and order something else, but this was her own fault.

She felt foolish for ordering something that sounded good without knowing what was in it. Estelle couldn't tell if that was reckless or brave on her part. It honestly didn't matter. This was one hill she would have to sip down slowly or die on. Pride, after all, was all she had left.

Estelle is only momentarily confused by Karina's statement of speaking out loud. The girl's giggle had been rather pleasant to Estelle's ears, and she wouldn't mind hearing laughter once more. It had been far too long since anyone around her laughed genuinely, and not because they had an advantage over someone else. Those nasty guffaws fell incomparably short to the soft giggle that had escaped Rina's lips.

As Estelle was pondering how to respond to such a statement, Rina suggested snacks. Food! At the mention of something to eat, Estelle's eyes widened just slightly. She would not be turning down such an opportunity. And there's a kitchen in this place, hopefully stocked? No one would ever have to ask Estelle twice to visit a kitchen and make herself at home.

As Karina makes her way to the kitchen, Estelle follows behind almost excitedly. She's doing her best to keep up, and belatedly realizes she forgot her drink at the table. Oh well, food is more important she decided right then. It wasn't worth losing Karina's navigation to a stocked kitchen.

"What they do they usually have here? Is there a menu maybe?" Estelle's tone is a bit brighter than her usual demeanor at the thought of anything real to eat. Honestly, anything edible at this point would gladly be welcomed into her stomach. She silently hopes it isn't too far to the kitchen as she begins to look around for another little robot. They seemed helpful, at least.

"Everything?" Estelle's eyes widen a bit more, as she begins to think of all the possibilities that could lie just beyond a fridge door.

Just as Estelle is thinking about all the wonderfully delicious things she's managed to eat in the last month or so, she barely registers Rina saying the fridge gets excitable. It's a magic fridge, how bad could it be? Estelle just goes back to making a quick mental list, consisting of deviled eggs, carrot cake, pastrami sandwiches and mixed berry ice cream. Yeah, that was a good list to start with she figured, excitedly reaching for the fridge door.

Deciding she wasn't sure how hungry she was, she made a note of small portions and only one sandwich before opening the door. Someone once said something something magic likes specifics something something whatever. Estelle was only lightly listening to the rant of one of her school teachers. She never was a great student.

When the door opens, she is momentarily delighted by the sight. Until the smell hit her, and she realized that smelling pickles, deviled eggs and carrot cake all at once was not exactly a pleasant experience. She lets her face twist as it wants, while she pulls out the cake, carefully setting it down away from where she'd be sitting with Rina. With the sandwich in one hand and the eggs in the other, she gently bumps the fridge door with her shoulder to close it as gently as possible. She did not want to get on the bad side of a magical fridge. Plus, she's always hungry.

She'd intentionally left the ice cream inside, since watching it slowly melt while waiting to be eaten made Estelle a bit sad. Usually it was a passing sadness, quickly abated by her rapid scarfing down of the dessert, but with someone watching it didn't make a lot of sense to make a mess in a borrowed kitchen. Cleaning up her own messes was not her favorite thing in the world. Especially after an overreaction that causes a lot of mess.

Finally sitting next to Rina again, she sets down the eggs between them, knowing just how good they were. A good dozen deviled eggs should be shareable among two people, right?

Estelle watches almost hypnotically as Rina prepares her food. Curious as she might be about what the bread is, Estelle's hunger is even stronger. Taking a good chunk out of her pastrami sandwich, she enjoys its flavors briefly before losing herself to the sandwich, scarfing parts of it down like a rabid animal.

Only after is she again aware of Rina and her prying question. Carefully and gently cleaning her mouth, she decides to take it easy on the eggs. She wished to share those, after all, if Rina wanted some.

"Well, I wasn't trying to be here specifically, just somewhere other than where I've been. I was last on Rat's Cove, along the shore of Morrant. Perhaps you've heard of it," she offers as an explanation. "You certainly seem better travelled than I. What's your story?"

Estelle listens intently to Rina's job description. She'd even stopped eating to listen, which was unheard of for her. She's always hungry.

What are the chances of a half-siren meeting a travelling musician, though? Is that luck? Destiny? Something else? Estelle thought herself fortunate before realizing that was opportunistic of her to think, quickly ridding herself of the thought. It wouldn't do at all to burden someone else with her lack of knowledge. Plus, Estelle was momentarily puzzled about what a musician does with old news. Old newspapers maybe?

The confusion doesn't last. Nothing really lasts in Estelle's world, not even her thoughts. Ruin delving and treasure hunting do sound like interesting hobbies, however.

"If it's ruins you want, Rat's Cove is basically a singular-ruin of a gloomy town," she offers, having realized Rina didn't seem to know of it. "It definitely has no treasure, though. Mostly sick folk that can't leave and more poverty than you can shake a dog at."

That's probably why she'd let her guard down here so easily. The stench of rot and despair that seemed to follow her around was nowhere to be found. It was like she'd stepped into a place that vaguely promised her security and safety.

Yet that feeling of being in a cage still hadn't left her, and she realized this place was no different. It could provide for her, sure. She would hardly go thirsty with small robots around, or hungry with a magical refrigerator. Estelle could easily curl up on the nice clean floor and take a nap, though she'd also seen at least a few comfortable enough chairs to sleep in. The cage existed because this place implied she'd be taken care of, but only if she dares not leave it. Venturing out into the world held no promise of comfort. Becoming complacent in such a place was easy, she knows, yet the danger lies in that complacency once she decides to leave.

If she's able to leave, of course.

That thought is pushed out of her mind before it has a chance to leave on its own. Estelle lifts her chin, speaking to the ceiling more than her companion as she calls out, "Can I get a strawberry lemonade, if you're around little bot guy?"

She pauses a moment before she wonders about something. "Wait, do I have to finish the first one before I ask for another?" That wasn't something she really wanted to do, considering how the alcohol always affected her stomach. And that drink had been a bit strong for her already from the few sips she'd taken.

Estelle hasn't been prepared at all for the little robot's entrance. She jumped in surprise, worrying she'd fall off her seat for a split second. She had been lost in thought to the meaning of what Karina had said. Something about claim had short circuited her brain a bit.

Estelle finally registered the rest of Karina's words, feeling her cheeks fill with color a bit. She hadn't meant to be distracted by such a small moment.

"I'm just glad these guys are helpful without wanting some random body part in exchange," she half joked. The robotic machines she had encountered were certainly fast from friendly.

"So what fun things are there to do around here, apart from eating and drinking?"






[Quote="SerendipitousMelody][

Estelle was aware of Rina's fixed gaze on her. One does not survive harsh environments without a healthy sense of eyes on you, after all. It doesn't feel at all malicious, so Estelle puts it out of her mind. The curiosity was mutual, after all.

The younger girl listens intently at how scenic the place is through Karina's eyes. She would want to explore later, as her curiosity had been piqued. Still, she wanted to learn more from Karina herself.

"Wow, this place sounds beautiful," she observes, more matter-of-factly than she had intended. "I don't suppose there's a map of the area somewhere?"

Estelle rarely got lost, but considering the morning she has experienced, she wasn't about to chance wandering away just yet. A proper night's rest sounded like the best thing ever right now. Stuffing her face with a deviled egg, she tries to hide her excitement at spending the night. It was still morning, or so she thought.

Swallowing hard through the spices, she gulps some lemonade before speaking again. "So the bedrooms are upstairs, huh. How long do you usually stay on your visits here?"