Konishi sat on the bed in her dorm. For once, she wasn't in frilly lolita clothing. She wore a simple camisole with minimal lace around the top edges and a whimsical pattern she got from une nana cool and matching pyjama shorts to match. She was painting her toenails while she waited for the other line to pick up. The laquer was a dark vampy red. She hoped that she dialed the international calling code correctly.
"Hello?"
"Eustace speaking. Hello?"
"Papa!" She grinned, her face warm.
"Is that you, Connie? You sound so different on the phone."
"Of course it's me. I'm calling internationally. Mom walked me through the process before I left. What are you doing right now?" She dipped the brush into the pot of nail lacquer and went over her nails with another coat.
"Oh, same old, same old. I can almost taste the treasure nearby."
"Treasure-hunting again? I'm surprised you have time to pick up. You usually have your hands full. No luck yet, I suppose? Must be pretty elusive treasure this time around." She grinned again.
"I lost a good two days-worth of travel thanks to rough seas. I had a rogue wave blow out all my windows, but the hunt keeps me dry." Eustace paused for a moment, but continued, "How is school going, Connie? Make any new friends?"
"Yes. His name is Félix. He's an interesting fellow." She fell back on the bed with a wide smile on her face.
"A boy, huh? Are you already at that age?"
"I've been that age for a long time!" She puffed her cheeks. "Jeez dad. We barely keep in touch anymore."
"My dear Connie... time passes by so fast when you're my age. Tell me about Félix."
"We had a friendly competition. He lost, but I think he lost with some dignity. He's so oblivious, it's kind of cute."
"They always are around you, my dear. Take care of Félix for me, I'd love to see what he's made of."
"You'll love him, Papa. He's so sweet and harmless."
"Perfect! Oh, I can almost smell the treasure! I'll call you later Connie, promise."
"Come to Manto Carlos Island sometime. And try to call me on this number, okay? Love you Papa."
"I love you too darling. Goodbye, now."
"Hello?"
"Eustace speaking. Hello?"
"Papa!" She grinned, her face warm.
"Is that you, Connie? You sound so different on the phone."
"Of course it's me. I'm calling internationally. Mom walked me through the process before I left. What are you doing right now?" She dipped the brush into the pot of nail lacquer and went over her nails with another coat.
"Oh, same old, same old. I can almost taste the treasure nearby."
"Treasure-hunting again? I'm surprised you have time to pick up. You usually have your hands full. No luck yet, I suppose? Must be pretty elusive treasure this time around." She grinned again.
"I lost a good two days-worth of travel thanks to rough seas. I had a rogue wave blow out all my windows, but the hunt keeps me dry." Eustace paused for a moment, but continued, "How is school going, Connie? Make any new friends?"
"Yes. His name is Félix. He's an interesting fellow." She fell back on the bed with a wide smile on her face.
"A boy, huh? Are you already at that age?"
"I've been that age for a long time!" She puffed her cheeks. "Jeez dad. We barely keep in touch anymore."
"My dear Connie... time passes by so fast when you're my age. Tell me about Félix."
"We had a friendly competition. He lost, but I think he lost with some dignity. He's so oblivious, it's kind of cute."
"They always are around you, my dear. Take care of Félix for me, I'd love to see what he's made of."
"You'll love him, Papa. He's so sweet and harmless."
"Perfect! Oh, I can almost smell the treasure! I'll call you later Connie, promise."
"Come to Manto Carlos Island sometime. And try to call me on this number, okay? Love you Papa."
"I love you too darling. Goodbye, now."