[Action/Video] Those Heralds of Summer

[innocent_royal]

(Action)
[It was yet another successful day at school. The introductions are lpng done and the work Really begins. And Anastasia looks drained, having P.E and ballet class in one day.

She was walking to her pickup spot in Genessia when she passes by a tree generating a huge noise.
Miin miin miin miin.

Anastasia followed the sound for it to suddenly stop. Good, it was hurting her ears. Upon closer inspection, she found a huge insectoid creature that made her shiver and cringe away in fear and disgust. It was a cicada.

When Anastasia backed away far enough, the cicada began singing again. It's not so bad when she can't really see the bug. So, she makes a childish attempt to communicate.]

Miin, miin, miin, miin~

[Well, it didn't fly at her. But otherwise, no response to what she hoped was cicada for "good afternoon." Oh well. Off to the library with her to await pickup.]

(Video)
[Once Anastasia was outside the library, she appears on the network for some light conversation.]

Good afternoon, everyone. I was wondering about something.

Why do cicadas make that "miin miin" sound?

Comments

(audio)

[anothermission]

It's a mating call, made by the male of a particular species. The exact call depends on the species.

(audio)

[innocent_royal]

Oh, I see. So they are all trying to start families. I'm not a bug fan, so I could not tell you much about the cicada I saw.

[It was big, buggy and scary and that's all she could remember.]

(audio)

[anothermission]

[If his XO was here he'd be able to give her a long and thorough explanation. Venom only knows a little.]

The call also serves to scare away predators. [At least he thinks he remembers reading that]

Why don't you like bugs?

Re: (audio)

[innocent_royal]

[Probably wouldn't be the best idea. Her young mind can easily lose focus after awhile.

With the set of lungs on those little screamers, it would make sense. Even she didn't want to stay close when their call os in full blast. But upon the question, she shudders, even though it can't be seen.]

They're just icky, those many eyes and many, pointy, stringy legs and their hard, dirty bodies...

[Don't get her started on the crunchy noise when you step on them by accident or try to slap them off somewhere.]

...I like butterflies, fireflies and moths, though. If it means anything.

(audio)

[anothermission]

[He wonders if his Frankenstein face would be 'icky' too. Probably. He would hardly blame her though if she thought so.]

Hm.

I read somewhere that butterflies taste through their feet. Heh. Can you imagine that?

Re: (audio)

[innocent_royal]

[only one way to find out.]

What, really? I wonder if thats the origin of the phrase "butterfly kisses?"

[But how even? Do they have tongues on their feet? That's a weird mental image.]

(audio)

[anothermission]

Sounds like a reasonable guess.

[Here goes an attempt at a joke, in his usual deadpan delivery. Hopefully it doesn't totally bomb.]

No wonder they don't wear shoes.

[video]

[bigbadrose]

They're giving off good vibrations.

[Puts on the sunglasses. YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH....]

[video]-offscreen

[guitar_hero]

I'll have it be known that I did not authorize that terrible pun.

[even though they are his sunglasses]

[video] (talking to 12 in the same room)

[bigbadrose]

[Starts up the song.] Okay, do better.

[video] (talking to 12 in the same room)

[guitar_hero]

Well, you know, cicadas are all about news so they have to keep up with the buzzzz.

[finger guns her, not that anyone else can see]

[video] (talking to 12 in the same room)

[bigbadrose]

[LAUGHS. And they can probably hear the terrible sound effects he's making.]

That's so much worse!

Though I guess it means they are up to miiiinute, yeah? [No, THAT was worse, Rose.]

[video] (talking to 12 in the same room)

[guitar_hero]

They have to be. Especially if they don't want to be labeled kreeps. [that was even worse but if the only way he has to go is down to win then down he will go]

v i d e o

[ultravires]

I would answer this without the intention of providing scientific data, but perhaps with a soulful poetic response: the long years spent underground, how woeful the heart must be to sprout again and find the world changed in near two decades.. they simply cannot do anything else but cry.

v i d e o

[innocent_royal]

Is that so? That's so sad. The poor cicadas...

[She would go back to where she found those and pet them, but... Nope, sorry, she's too creeped out.]

[ultravires]

Indeed, however, it is but a poetic view from an old wounded heart's soul.

It likely is untrue.

[innocent_royal]

Wounded heart's soul...?

[Poetic indeed, but she doesn't fully understand.]

You were injured?

[ultravires]

Oh, yes. Indeed I was.

But, my dear, have no worry, here I am.. as well as I could expect. Mm?

[innocent_royal]

I suppose, yes. The past won't change, but here is a new chance at a better future, maybe?

[But she really shouldn't think about the past. She's too young to be looking back.

For a moment, she forgot what she was talking about.]

[Video]

[storiesofmyown]

[A dark-skinned, dark-haired woman appears on the screen, smiling warmly.]

Hello, Anastasia. You are Anastasia, aren't you? I'm Martha Jones. A friend of Rose's.

I'm really popping up to say hello, but I believe the sound is the male cicadas trying to attract mates.

[Video]

[innocent_royal]

I am, it's nice to meet you Miss Jones.

[Making friends with other peoples' friends? Quite a good day this is turning out to be.]

I heard the same thing from someone else, actually. I guess I shouldn't have been trying to talk to the cicadas after all, huh?

[Tried talking to them from a far, safe distance.]

Re: [Video]

[storiesofmyown]

[Martha laughs, not unkindly.]

I'd wager they don't mind so much. Even if your accent's terrible, yeah?

[She's sweet, Anastasia is. Martha's glad she remembered what Rose had said about her.]

And it's very nice to meet you, too. How long have you been here?

Re: [Video]

[innocent_royal]

Yeah, my "Cicadan" needs work.

[That was her attempt at humor.
Upon the question, Anastasia pauses. How long has she been here...?]

Umm... I think it's been four years now...

Re: [Video]

[storiesofmyown]

It's better than mine. [Martha grins at her while trying to fight down memories of a little girl still holding her earrings]

And I reckon you haven't had a chance to practice, what with cicadas on a more than four-year cycle. I've only just arrived, myself.

Re: [Video]

[innocent_royal]

Hmm~
Then welcome to Genessia. I would try to help answer any questions you have, but if you're Rose's friend, then you have all the help you need.

I'm still more than happy to help, if I can.