Elise and Jean-Louise's Room: Eye of the Beholder

[Elise Holdrust]

"I look at it more than just the 'pretty' aspect. The designs that they have are absolutely stellar. I love how beautifully symmetrical they are. How they can show so much, yet we don't see it. Did you know they actually have like, ultraviolet colors that run through them? I think it's so fascinating that nature does that."

[Teri Napliotis]

"Few people know that. They don't pay much attention to the little stuff."

[Elise Holdrust]

"Which is really sad, you know? I mean, I get that things are busy. I get really busy minded and stuff too. But still, there is so much beauty in things people wouldn't even realize."

[Teri Napliotis]

"Like jumping spiders. They're adorable!" she says, putting her hands in front of her face with her fingers pointing down, mimicking a spider's mouth-arm-thingies. Combined with her eyes and her strange posture crouching on the window-sill it's actually vaguely convincing.

[Elise Holdrust]

"Ahhhh yes! They are so CUTE! They're so fast, too! And...and the ones that look all furry! Gah!" She lets out a little squee.

"Please...please no..."

[Teri Napliotis]

Teri chuckles. "It's funny, the more serious you are the less Frankie seems to talk."

[Elise Holdrust]

"Maybe because she gets bored?" she said, shrugging. "I dunno. Sometimes when I'm serious, she speaks up. Other times, not."

"Why should I interrupt if you're having a good conversation? That would be rude, would it not?" Frankie remarks.

"You're allowed to hang out and talk with us too, you know," Elise answered. "Kinda hard to listen to you if you aren't going to talk." Sticking her tongue out, she giggled.

[Teri Napliotis]

"It's because when she's serious she's more acting like you directly, isn't it? We bet that's part of it. She's channeling you, so you're more quiet." she sends to just Frankie.

"She probably wasn't bored. Not until we started talking about spiders who are fluffier but not as elegant as her anyway."

[Elise Holdrust]

"Bingo. But I doubt she would understand that or begin to comprehend. Her mind is in many places, as you've been able to tell, I imagine." Frankie sends back, then stands proudly at the mention of how elegant she is.

"Black widows are my favorite because they're so beautiful. So precise," Elise agreed.

[Teri Napliotis]

"And they have the second strongest silk there is. Flexible, light-weight steel cables. It's too bad they're not native to the UK."

[Elise Holdrust]

"Right? Man, Frankie, you could have so many friends! And a boyfriend too, maybe? Wouldn't that be neat?"

"Sure. Absolutely wonderful. I can hardly contain my excitement..." Frankie said sarcastically. "Biting someone's head off and eating them just sounds so thrilling."

[Teri Napliotis]

"And then you'd have hundreds more to help you bug El." she chuckles.

[Elise Holdrust]

Frankie paused in thought. "You know, you're right about that. I might have to give that a shot."

"Hey hey...I don't know if I could handle so many of you..."

[Teri Napliotis]

"Better not overwhelm her." she nods.

[Elise Holdrust]

"Fine, fine. For now I'll hold off." Frankie said. If spiders could smirk, that's exactly what she'd be doing. "Taking all my fun out of things."

"Aww, well if you want a friend, why haven't you talked to Wiggles? She's awesome."

Frankie silently gave her as close to a flat look at was possible.

[Teri Napliotis]

"It doesn't look like she likes Wiggles." she stage-whispers conspiratorially before going on in her regular voice. "Who is Wiggles anyway?"

[Elise Holdrust]

Elise giggles and taps her right hip/thigh region. "She won't come out right now. I think she's sleeping. Lately she's been fading more and more and..." she trails off, looking a bit sad. "I have to work on getting her permanently. I'll miss her too much."

"She's honestly not that great. A load of energy and sunshine and butterflies. Too happy, if you ask me." Frankie added, wiping at her mandibles with her sleek legs.

"She's like...totes the opposite of you."

"I'm well aware."

Elise chuckles and shakes her head. "Anyway, Wiggles is a fox. She's absolutely adorable. She also cuddles with me sometimes and it makes me feel loved."

[Teri Napliotis]

Teri thinks back to her own tutoring sessions and nods. "That sounds nice. But you should really talk to Professor McManus before adding too many of them. If they come from inside your own mind you risk breaking yourself into too many pieces. That's... not an experience we'd recommend."

[Elise Holdrust]

Elise listened carefully to Teri's words. Even Frankie was quiet for a few moments as she contemplated on them. "Okay. I can do that," she agreed. A feeling of relief washed over Frankie that Teri could likely recognize.

[Teri Napliotis]

"Okay, good." she smiles, pushing down on the creeping feeling of being a broken mirror held together by a million flimsy ephemeral strands that tended to come with memories about her power manifesting itself. "We should probably get going. It was good talking to you and we'll see you at our next tutoring session then."

[Elise Holdrust]

Elise pops up off of her bed, smiling brightly. "Thank you sooooo much, Teri. You're really awesome. Can...can I hug you?"

"Truly, thank you for getting her to think on things. You've helped in more ways than you probably realize." Frankie sent to Teri.

[Teri Napliotis]

"Sure! Just don't squeeze too hard or we might burst into bugs."

[Elise Holdrust]

"You know, honestly that wouldn't bother me. Bugs are cool!"she said, giggling as she stepped over and hugged Teri. It was one of those hugs that almost seemed to say 'thank you, I needed that', but it was held back a bit.

[Teri Napliotis]

"People always say that right until it happens." she jokes weakly.

[Elise Holdrust]

After a few moments of the hug, she lets go and gives another bright smile. "Well I mean it!"

"She really is quite serious. I imagine she'd probably squeal with joy." Frankie remarked.

[Teri Napliotis]

Teri just gives a slightly off-kilter smile and waves before letting herself tip backwards and out of the window. As she's falling her frame seems to come apart as locust stream out of her and up into the air.