First Day

Date/Timing: 15 January 2020; ~3pm Tokyo time
Setting: Pietr's suite at the Tokyo Shatterdome; Hakone, Kanagawa, Japan
Inspiration: an OTPprompt
Note: Ikue's accent is so thick, Pietr struggles to understand her and she can't sign, so they text each other to talk, even when they're next to each other
.
His mobile vibrating against his hip jerks Pietr back to himself.
He scrubs his eyes with one hand, struggles to retrieve the device from his pocket.
AGNIS: Incoming video call from your Princess.
AGNIS: I recommend watching on the main viewer.
AGNIS: Shall I transfer it for you?
Pietr whistles an ascending interval.
AGNIS: Transferring. Please make yourself comfortable.
Rising notes and Pietr pushes off for the sofa.
The big screen flickers to life.
Pietr flops down, coaxes his face into a smile.
Elize, in a fresh grass green Costa sun-dress, matching ribbons woven into her braids, beams out of the screen and waves.
Pietr's eyes prick, his smile becomes genuine.
.::I'm going to school!:: She bounces in her seat, ribbon tails fluttering. ::First day!::
.::Big day!:: cheers Pietr. 
.::I'm going to make so many new friends!::
.::You sure will!::
Elize attends something off-camera, turns back with a frown. ::I have to go,:: she pouts.
.::You don't want to be late your first day.::
Elize shakes her head vehemently, ribbons flying.
.::Be kind, do your best, and listen to Mrs Pillay, sweetie.::
.::I will!::
.::Love you so much, Princess.::
.::I love you, too, Pappa!:: She grins. ::We'll talk when I get home, yea?::
.::/Definitely.:: He smiles so widely his face hurts. ::I'm so proud of you, Princess.::
Elize glows. ::'bye, Pappa! Love you!::
.::Love you!::
The screen freezes on Elize's smile, then fades to black.
Pietr snuffles, wipes his eyes on his sleeve
His mobile buzzes with an incoming text.
sato_i: Coffee time?
Pietr snorts, wipes his eyes again, deep breath.
p_a_vos: Always!
p_a_vos: Where 2 meet?
The doorbell flashes.
Pietr raises an eyebrow, strolls over, opens the door.
Ikue waves, grins.
Pietr waves.
Ikue's face clouds with concern.
sato_i: Are you unwell?
Pietr shakes his head.
p_a_vos: 1st day school 4 dauter
p_a_vos: Wish i was there
Ikue squeezes Pietr's arm.
sato_i: I missed my daughter's too.
Grimaces.
sato_i: I could not afford to not work that day.
sato_i: My mum videoed the walk to and from.
p_a_vos: My brother promised 2
p_a_vos: But ....
Another squeeze.
sato_i: It is not the same.
Pietr shakes his head sadly.
sato_i: May I hug you?
He nods.
Ikue wraps her arms around him and Pietr rests his head on her shoulder, sighs deeply.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Skeleton Key
Category:Tokyo Shatterdome (setting)
Category:Conversations via SMS
Category:Conversations via video
Category:AGNIS
Category:AGNIS (ficlet)
Category:Pietr
Category:Pietr (ficlet)
Category:Pietr's mobile
Category:Elize
Category:Elize (ficlet)
Category:Costa twins (mention)
Category:Mrs Pillay (mention)
Category:Ikue
Category:Ikue (ficlet)
Category:Maarten (mention)
Category:Ficlets with comments
Category:Prompt
Category:Comments
Category:Pietr is a dad