[She calls down to him from the stairway behind the counter, which she had thoughtfully left open. When he gets up there, however, he'll see what was keeping her so occupied: on the coffee table, there are two small bowls of shaved ice, doused in citrusy-syrup and garnished with tangerine pieces.
On the floor, there's a plush, luxurious futon. Hakuno stands from where she had been smoothing out the quilt, and spreads her arms out.]
[ He heads upstairs (this place is actually pretty nice, right? He thinks so with the upstairs for sure), peeking around once he's high enough up the steps to do so. His expression lights up in surprise, though, seeing her finished project and wanders over while looking between the shaved ice (ah, looks good...! Tangerines, even...) and the futon (for a moment it's almost like coming home). ]
Ah... [ Masamune looks stunned, pointing to himself now. ] For me? I mean... the setup?
[ just the thought is super endearing, and he feels a strange feeling, like some kind of content feeling filling in a hole some—a hole he had not noticed was even there. ]
Yeah. When I was in those strange portals... well, I was in a version of my homeland, except empty, and it... I guess you could say 'unlocked' some things I can recreate. One of my capitals back home is really heavily Japanese-themed, and I can personally vouch that this futon is comfortable enough you could spend a straight week in it.
[She links her hands, a faint shadow of bashfulness creeping in.]
...do you like it? You said you weren't sleeping very well, and I thought... well, I thought that most of the things here are more western than familiar for you. So, I thought... 'maybe this will help him!' and, well... here we are now.
[ He blinks at her explanation before finally chuckling at her questioning before moving over to pick her up in both a hug and to carry her over to it before cheerfully explaining. ]
Love it! But, I'll love it even more if you stay with me in it—it's so big!
[ even as a daimyo with the best money can buy, this side futon would definitely be only thought of with a second person in mind. Considering she made it, it's only natural to ask her (well, that and he likes her...!! But, he's not good with feelings and understanding them). ]
It'll be like...!
[He thinks a moment, trying to come up with the word: ]
. . .Slumber party!
[ yes. That is the word he wanted.
Either way, he sets her down so she can make own choice without feeling pressured, giving her one last affectionate coddle before glancing to the bowl on the table. The syrup is unfamiliar to him but he notices the fruit and its consistency looks like... ice...!? Is it a cold treat ? ]
[A bunch of tension drops out of her shoulders, and she hugs him back. She hadn't been sure if she was crossing a line by going this far, but if he's happy then it was worth the effort, for sure.]
And, I'd be glad to join you, too. It's nice, sleeping with other people.
[It makes her feel warm and safe, even if they aren't necessarily her Servant.]
...ah, these are bowls of flavored, shaved ice. It's light and refreshing, so I figured we could have it before the heavier foods, if you wanted to take a nap afterwards.
[ he definitely can agree on the sleep with someone else. He's not done it often for reasons like being on the move a lot, but nothing beats curling up with someone.
As for the shaved ice and Hakuno's explanation... he looks intrigued. ] Ice, in this weather?
[ magic surely but also... well. Also !? He has only had snow treats in the winter when it's cold enough for the snow and ice to maintain its form naturally. He's heard rumors from the westerners about frozen delicacies but it was never something that was widely available in Sengoku Jidai (if at all, really... soldiers certainly couldn't enjoy them on the go).
Masamune moves over to settle down, in front of it before glancing up at Hakuno. He looks almost like an excited puppy. ] Have some with me?
Yes. I can't do any other flavors just yet, but I can vouch for the taste of this one.
[She has persimmons, actually, but she's not sure how that might mesh with shaved ice. She moves to kneel with him, bringing over the dishes and serving him one.]
Of course. It feels better to share a meal together, right?
[She scoops some up with one of the spoons, and holds it out for him, like a girlfriend or a newlywed wife.]
It's true. Eating isn't an activity that should be done alone.
[ Masamune certainly isn't complaining on this flavor. He only hesitates a little but with her holding it out to feed him, granted he goes through with it pink-cheeked all the same (it's really cute of her, what is he to do!?). Luckily, he doesn't have to dwell on being self-conscious about these things because... the taste is actually better than he thought it would be despite assuming it would be tasty already.
What a great cuisine concept...!! ]
It's great! If you keep this up, you'll be the richest person here. [ He's being playful but is still half-serious. A place where the patrons and staff aren't going to automatically feel you up is a rare deal not to mention with really good food.
Although he was a bit shy at taking his own spoonful, Masamune is quick to offer the same to her and with more confidence. Truthfully, he's like this often—most things he's on the receiving end of that fluster him do not do so equally when giving.
Instead he's just cheerful, returning much the same demeanor she offered him. ]
[There's a flush rising in her cheeks too, because her impulse finally catches up with her now that she's on the other end of it. But, she's never one to refuse sweets, even tangy ones like this. So she tucks her hair behind her ear and leans in, neatly accepting his offering and pulling back with a pleased curve to her lips.
Life in this desert isn't terrible, but it's been so long since she's had something truly cold.]
And to think, I just picked up this shop as a way to kill time.
[It's a bit funny, in retrospect, but—]
I'm... not really sure what I'll do with the money, besides maybe upgrade the building a bit.
[She taps the spoon in her hand against her lip, thoughtful.]
[ He nods along with her thoughts, leaning in to take the spoon in his mouth. ]
Ah, well—
[ initially he goes quiet to simply eat the contents on the spoon, but it becomes clear he's not quite sure what to say —and not because he doesn't know. (For a moments it was like it didn't ever happen). ]
I just feel stupid for thinking my first impression of him was wrong.
[ the invisible cat ears are very much dropping right now over this. ]
Yeah. Something like that. [ slave his sounds so pathetic .... pet even worse. ]
Just, I don't second guess often, especially for a more positive light. And of course, doing it here and being wrong is a big blow to the ego. [ amongst other things.
But, it's fine. Because according to gilgamesh no one else cares about him, anyway, so he's got limited options unless he wants to be alone.. ]
[ He nods slowly. Of course, Masamune knew he was dangerous, he just neglected to realize how he was dangerous and only created small pieces. But, when she puts her hand on his shoulder and asks that, calling him a friend... it's conflicting.
On one hand, he really wants to believe her. She's been nothing but sincere to him and although he met her after Gilgamesh, it was less than an hour apart. So it isn't even as if he's known her for less time.
However, Gilgamesh's words are not just bad thoughts. The mantra that weaves Masamune's doubts for everyone else is soaked into his very skin. It's disgusting, he feels almost broken but not in a way he knows how to fix and get back to his feet again.
He also knows that there is some connection between the two of them since he butted in for Gilgamesh threatening to torch her shop if he were displeased and she was way better at holding her own than he could defend her.
(In the end he couldn't even defend himself, how miserable.)
But... because of that he can't bring himself to speak real words. One, because he doesn't want to make Gilgamesh look worse than however Hakuno views him if Gilgamesh wants her attention (even if... he feels a little fussy over the thought, but that's another story). Two, however, is the fact although he knows what happened, his feelings don't really allow him to articulate any of it. Every thought negative word is echoed by a correction to lighten the damnation. Gilgamesh didn't do anything wrong, it was Masamune's own fault for what he got.
(And again shouldn't he be happy to be so cared about?
—actually, Masamune wants to believe that but it also falls short. This dragon is damn empty currently.) ]
He's just... he bullies and demands things his way, only cares about himself unless it benefits him to care, and he's annoying and naggy.
[ It's all true, of course. It's just that's not the answer he knows is the real one to her question. ]
It's fine. [ he brings a hand up to place over hers. ] I'm Okay. If I get to spend time with people like you.
[ &mdasg;except they're all fake, too, right? He feels very hurt by that for some reason. Masamune really wants to believe this girl means it when she says she's his friend.
So why...? ]
That whole dream ordeal was kind of rough, though. I didn't appreciate getting strangled by him, even if I stabbed him first. Hmph, I was just fixing his problem like he asked.
—and I don't want to share my time with you with him so it's even less worth it. [ lost time with her is not worth sacrificing. ]
[Her brows twitch together, her concern now a towering mountain and not slowing down any time soon.]
The thing is, he has this... this charisma. He can make you believe just about anything, if he has enough time and reason to do it. Or... if he's bored enough, I suppose. It's... He's a person who lives by his whims and passions without any morals guiding them.
[She squeezes his shoulder, a look of pain flitting across her face as she thinks back to the dreams she herself lived. In one, Gilgamesh had killed himself rather than leave her to die alone. In another, he stood helpless and frozen as they both faced down a disguised monster willing to slaughter them both.]
...I care about you. So, even if you don't think it's worth it, I think you're worth it. He... he can do a lot of damage, when he wants to. He's an ancient warrior king, and he hasn't mellowed at all with age.
[ Masamune snaps a little defensively at that. It's not directed at her personally, but he is undoubtedly frustrated.
As a samurai, it makes sense for him to reject such a descriptor. Gilgamesh is no skill, all power.
But, of course, it is a difficult position for Hakuno most of all. She is aware of Gilgamesh's bad side but seen the good as well.
So far, Masamune has seen nothing but the bad and the manipulation. ]
Charisma, huh? Yeah, sounds about right.
[ The little dragon becomes frustrated because he can't speak directly ill of the other: because accusing him of cruel and manipulative rape is only immediately countered with voices hounding him that he consented, that he loved all of it anyway. He was given exactly what he wanted and it was something he only felt resentful towards because he was so addicted to it he was feeling withdrawal.
Besides, shouldn't he feel awful? That person loves him. Is the only person that loves him. Even if he hates him, he will—
(Everything sounds like a lie now, even his own convictions) ]
I really hate him...
[ There is so much venom in Masamune's voice, suggesting it's deep rooted and not fake words, but that he's struggling to say it. Being outside of his manipulative range is the only thing allowing the young lord to even speak in pieces. ]
I just want to die and be left alone, but he won't let me. I can't live like this, I'm a fucking dragon! I can't stand it, it's disgusting how pathetic I am. Even he is going to trash me when he's done— maybe he already has.
[ Shifting a little, he sighs as he considers, almost defeated sounding. ]
So... I don't understand why you would want to bother caring for me. You don't know me and I certainly don't deserve it.
[ He doesn't deserve anything. Isn't that why he's supposed to be so grateful for Gilgamesh?
...But he really likes Hakuno. In fact, she and Yukimura are perhaps more than anyone all he cares about being wanted by on his own merit. Hell, if he could be convinced they really cared—they don't have to desire him, he just wants friends to stay with and curl up with at night and laugh with and fight alongside and protect and be protected and face life as it comes—he thinks he could get over even Gilgamesh instead of feeling an intense need to linger.
(The longer he stays away from the golden King, the better it is for him. ]
Don't worry about it okay? I'm just being a brat and being unfair to him, I guess.
[Her concern just punched through the atmosphere.]
Not in the way your culture would accept. But he fought, and pillaged, and ruled when the whim took him. And... and in all the thousands and thousands of years he has existed, there has only ever been one individual that he ever truly loved, saw as a friend, viewed as an equal. Just one, and everyone since has just been some form of... of amusement, on one level of another.
[She leans in and wraps her arms around him in a tight hug. There's a protective cast to it, like she can feel the cracks just beneath the surface and is trying to keep them from coming apart through sheer force of will alone. He's so hurt, and it stokes a deep ember of the rage she had felt upon first gaining the memories of her other-world Body. She squeezes him, like one of them might fly away if she lets go.]
Whatever he did to you, whatever he said, don't take his warped, self-indulgent ego as fact. No matter what he thinks, reality doesn't hinge on his point of view; you aren't trash. Whatever he might think or say, you aren't. Historically, people will care about you more, know far more about you than some dusty old legend of Babylon. He's a brat and unfair, automatically, not you. You're... you're my friend, aren't you? So, please don't say such terrible things like you mean them. Because—
[She pulls back just enough to look him in the eye, still not letting him go.]
Because I do care about you, and I get mad when anyone insults the people precious to me. I want to know you more. I want to cherish you more. I don't... I don't want you near someone who can hurt you like this.
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[She means the shaved ice she's figured out how to generate, but his sleep issues... she's suddenly struck by an idea that might help him.]
Alright, I'll be waiting. I closed a little early today, so just ignore the sign and come on in when you get here.
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Be there in a few!
[ which, he mostly is there relatively quickly (if for no other reason than he's worried that he might somehow not get there.)
When he enters the shop, ignoring the closed sign, he calls out to locate Hakuno. ]
Yo~! Hakuno?
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[She calls down to him from the stairway behind the counter, which she had thoughtfully left open. When he gets up there, however, he'll see what was keeping her so occupied: on the coffee table, there are two small bowls of shaved ice, doused in citrusy-syrup and garnished with tangerine pieces.
On the floor, there's a plush, luxurious futon. Hakuno stands from where she had been smoothing out the quilt, and spreads her arms out.]
Ta-da.
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Ah... [ Masamune looks stunned, pointing to himself now. ] For me? I mean... the setup?
[ just the thought is super endearing, and he feels a strange feeling, like some kind of content feeling filling in a hole some—a hole he had not noticed was even there. ]
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[She links her hands, a faint shadow of bashfulness creeping in.]
...do you like it? You said you weren't sleeping very well, and I thought... well, I thought that most of the things here are more western than familiar for you. So, I thought... 'maybe this will help him!' and, well... here we are now.
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Love it! But, I'll love it even more if you stay with me in it—it's so big!
[ even as a daimyo with the best money can buy, this side futon would definitely be only thought of with a second person in mind. Considering she made it, it's only natural to ask her (well, that and he likes her...!! But, he's not good with feelings and understanding them). ]
It'll be like...!
[He thinks a moment, trying to come up with the word: ]
. . .Slumber party!
[ yes. That is the word he wanted.
Either way, he sets her down so she can make own choice without feeling pressured, giving her one last affectionate coddle before glancing to the bowl on the table. The syrup is unfamiliar to him but he notices the fruit and its consistency looks like... ice...!? Is it a cold treat ? ]
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[A bunch of tension drops out of her shoulders, and she hugs him back. She hadn't been sure if she was crossing a line by going this far, but if he's happy then it was worth the effort, for sure.]
And, I'd be glad to join you, too. It's nice, sleeping with other people.
[It makes her feel warm and safe, even if they aren't necessarily her Servant.]
...ah, these are bowls of flavored, shaved ice. It's light and refreshing, so I figured we could have it before the heavier foods, if you wanted to take a nap afterwards.
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As for the shaved ice and Hakuno's explanation... he looks intrigued. ] Ice, in this weather?
[ magic surely but also... well. Also !? He has only had snow treats in the winter when it's cold enough for the snow and ice to maintain its form naturally. He's heard rumors from the westerners about frozen delicacies but it was never something that was widely available in Sengoku Jidai (if at all, really... soldiers certainly couldn't enjoy them on the go).
Masamune moves over to settle down, in front of it before glancing up at Hakuno. He looks almost like an excited puppy. ] Have some with me?
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[She has persimmons, actually, but she's not sure how that might mesh with shaved ice. She moves to kneel with him, bringing over the dishes and serving him one.]
Of course. It feels better to share a meal together, right?
[She scoops some up with one of the spoons, and holds it out for him, like a girlfriend or a newlywed wife.]
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[ Masamune certainly isn't complaining on this flavor. He only hesitates a little but with her holding it out to feed him, granted he goes through with it pink-cheeked all the same (it's really cute of her, what is he to do!?). Luckily, he doesn't have to dwell on being self-conscious about these things because... the taste is actually better than he thought it would be despite assuming it would be tasty already.
What a great cuisine concept...!! ]
It's great! If you keep this up, you'll be the richest person here. [ He's being playful but is still half-serious. A place where the patrons and staff aren't going to automatically feel you up is a rare deal not to mention with really good food.
Although he was a bit shy at taking his own spoonful, Masamune is quick to offer the same to her and with more confidence. Truthfully, he's like this often—most things he's on the receiving end of that fluster him do not do so equally when giving.
Instead he's just cheerful, returning much the same demeanor she offered him. ]
Your turn~!
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Life in this desert isn't terrible, but it's been so long since she's had something truly cold.]
And to think, I just picked up this shop as a way to kill time.
[It's a bit funny, in retrospect, but—]
I'm... not really sure what I'll do with the money, besides maybe upgrade the building a bit.
[She taps the spoon in her hand against her lip, thoughtful.]
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Maybe you could buy a city and clean its act up?
[ I mean big dreams have to start somewhere, right? ]
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[She laughs softly, and readies another scoop for him with a rueful shake of her head.]
That's a little too close to the sort of conquest I had to do back home, I think. This is supposed to just be a way to kill time.
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Delivery options and street carts here?
[ He suggests innocently, a much lower scale of an ambition but seems like a good way to him to kill time. ]
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[She holds up the spoon to his mouth again, her expression thoughtful.]
What about you? How are you spending your free time these days?
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Ah, well—
[ initially he goes quiet to simply eat the contents on the spoon, but it becomes clear he's not quite sure what to say —and not because he doesn't know. (For a moments it was like it didn't ever happen). ]
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[She pauses after pulling back the spoon and readying another scoop. His silence has stretched just a bit too long, and it's... concerning.]
...Masamune?
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[ He huffs, making a slight face. ]
Just being a carpet to a lazy spoiled king I lost a bet to.
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[Her brow furrows at that last part.]
...carpet?
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[ the invisible cat ears are very much dropping right now over this. ]
Yeah. Something like that. [ slave his sounds so pathetic .... pet even worse. ]
Just, I don't second guess often, especially for a more positive light. And of course, doing it here and being wrong is a big blow to the ego. [ amongst other things.
But, it's fine. Because according to gilgamesh no one else cares about him, anyway, so he's got limited options unless he wants to be alone.. ]
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[She sets the spoon over, and gently touches his shoulder. Her concern is deepening by the minute.]
Hey. Hey. What did he do? Do I need to go find him and yell at him for hurting my friend?
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On one hand, he really wants to believe her. She's been nothing but sincere to him and although he met her after Gilgamesh, it was less than an hour apart. So it isn't even as if he's known her for less time.
However, Gilgamesh's words are not just bad thoughts. The mantra that weaves Masamune's doubts for everyone else is soaked into his very skin. It's disgusting, he feels almost broken but not in a way he knows how to fix and get back to his feet again.
He also knows that there is some connection between the two of them since he butted in for Gilgamesh threatening to torch her shop if he were displeased and she was way better at holding her own than he could defend her.
(In the end he couldn't even defend himself, how miserable.)
But... because of that he can't bring himself to speak real words. One, because he doesn't want to make Gilgamesh look worse than however Hakuno views him if Gilgamesh wants her attention (even if... he feels a little fussy over the thought, but that's another story). Two, however, is the fact although he knows what happened, his feelings don't really allow him to articulate any of it. Every thought negative word is echoed by a correction to lighten the damnation. Gilgamesh didn't do anything wrong, it was Masamune's own fault for what he got.
(And again shouldn't he be happy to be so cared about?
—actually, Masamune wants to believe that but it also falls short. This dragon is damn empty currently.) ]
He's just... he bullies and demands things his way, only cares about himself unless it benefits him to care, and he's annoying and naggy.
[ It's all true, of course. It's just that's not the answer he knows is the real one to her question. ]
It's fine. [ he brings a hand up to place over hers. ] I'm Okay. If I get to spend time with people like you.
[ &mdasg;except they're all fake, too, right? He feels very hurt by that for some reason. Masamune really wants to believe this girl means it when she says she's his friend.
So why...? ]
That whole dream ordeal was kind of rough, though. I didn't appreciate getting strangled by him, even if I stabbed him first. Hmph, I was just fixing his problem like he asked.
—and I don't want to share my time with you with him so it's even less worth it. [ lost time with her is not worth sacrificing. ]
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[Her brows twitch together, her concern now a towering mountain and not slowing down any time soon.]
The thing is, he has this... this charisma. He can make you believe just about anything, if he has enough time and reason to do it. Or... if he's bored enough, I suppose. It's... He's a person who lives by his whims and passions without any morals guiding them.
[She squeezes his shoulder, a look of pain flitting across her face as she thinks back to the dreams she herself lived. In one, Gilgamesh had killed himself rather than leave her to die alone. In another, he stood helpless and frozen as they both faced down a disguised monster willing to slaughter them both.]
...I care about you. So, even if you don't think it's worth it, I think you're worth it. He... he can do a lot of damage, when he wants to. He's an ancient warrior king, and he hasn't mellowed at all with age.
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[ Masamune snaps a little defensively at that. It's not directed at her personally, but he is undoubtedly frustrated.
As a samurai, it makes sense for him to reject such a descriptor. Gilgamesh is no skill, all power.
But, of course, it is a difficult position for Hakuno most of all. She is aware of Gilgamesh's bad side but seen the good as well.
So far, Masamune has seen nothing but the bad and the manipulation. ]
Charisma, huh? Yeah, sounds about right.
[ The little dragon becomes frustrated because he can't speak directly ill of the other: because accusing him of cruel and manipulative rape is only immediately countered with voices hounding him that he consented, that he loved all of it anyway. He was given exactly what he wanted and it was something he only felt resentful towards because he was so addicted to it he was feeling withdrawal.
Besides, shouldn't he feel awful? That person loves him. Is the only person that loves him. Even if he hates him, he will—
(Everything sounds like a lie now, even his own convictions)
]
I really hate him...
[ There is so much venom in Masamune's voice, suggesting it's deep rooted and not fake words, but that he's struggling to say it. Being outside of his manipulative range is the only thing allowing the young lord to even speak in pieces. ]
I just want to die and be left alone, but he won't let me. I can't live like this, I'm a fucking dragon! I can't stand it, it's disgusting how pathetic I am. Even he is going to trash me when he's done— maybe he already has.
[ Shifting a little, he sighs as he considers, almost defeated sounding. ]
So... I don't understand why you would want to bother caring for me. You don't know me and I certainly don't deserve it.
[ He doesn't deserve anything. Isn't that why he's supposed to be so grateful for Gilgamesh?
...But he really likes Hakuno. In fact, she and Yukimura are perhaps more than anyone all he cares about being wanted by on his own merit. Hell, if he could be convinced they really cared—they don't have to desire him, he just wants friends to stay with and curl up with at night and laugh with and fight alongside and protect and be protected and face life as it comes—he thinks he could get over even Gilgamesh instead of feeling an intense need to linger.
(The longer he stays away from the golden King, the better it is for him. ]
Don't worry about it okay? I'm just being a brat and being unfair to him, I guess.
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Not in the way your culture would accept. But he fought, and pillaged, and ruled when the whim took him. And... and in all the thousands and thousands of years he has existed, there has only ever been one individual that he ever truly loved, saw as a friend, viewed as an equal. Just one, and everyone since has just been some form of... of amusement, on one level of another.
[She leans in and wraps her arms around him in a tight hug. There's a protective cast to it, like she can feel the cracks just beneath the surface and is trying to keep them from coming apart through sheer force of will alone. He's so hurt, and it stokes a deep ember of the rage she had felt upon first gaining the memories of her other-world Body. She squeezes him, like one of them might fly away if she lets go.]
Whatever he did to you, whatever he said, don't take his warped, self-indulgent ego as fact. No matter what he thinks, reality doesn't hinge on his point of view; you aren't trash. Whatever he might think or say, you aren't. Historically, people will care about you more, know far more about you than some dusty old legend of Babylon. He's a brat and unfair, automatically, not you. You're... you're my friend, aren't you? So, please don't say such terrible things like you mean them. Because—
[She pulls back just enough to look him in the eye, still not letting him go.]
Because I do care about you, and I get mad when anyone insults the people precious to me. I want to know you more. I want to cherish you more. I don't... I don't want you near someone who can hurt you like this.
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