[ He's mostly quiet as she talks, laughing softly at the trial and humming at the her dates. Yosuke, Klavier, Sonic... At least she kept Miss Kirigiri company, and Leo too after his
interpreting. That part has him chuckling the most, even if he's tired, and it settles down again once she gets to finishing. ]
I guess I'll have to give these guys the third degree as Leo says, huh? [ He's not going to. ...he is interested in meeting them at some point, like anyone would be, but it's no interrogation. ] They sound fun.
[ Pause. He opens his eyes slowly. ]
I'm glad you had fun, minus the Halloween party. I was kind of looking forward to attending too... especially since Miss Kirigiri decided to attend. [ And Junko. He can't just ask her if she ever talked to her because he doesn't want her to get the idea of doing it but... ] Did she dress up as anything?
[She's quiet for a moment after that, wondering if she should tell him more, and the air grows heavy around them.
But she just keeps smiling, closing her eyes in turn.]
It wasn't much of your style for a party anyway. The Boreas Dance was a lot more fun. Were you looking forward to seeing the chief all dressed up? Hoping to score another dance with a lovely lady who isn't your sister?
[ The dissonance between her smile and the heaviness of the air is a little alarming--but he can't get the words out to dispel it. Black settles for a half-hearted laugh and watching the wall. ]
I'd be lying if I said no, but... not for any reason you're thinking. [ He respects Miss Kirigiri, okay!! ] I think she'd make for a cute witch, or maybe a zombie or something--and if she was dressed in costume, she might not overthink things too. She was fun to dance with when she just relaxed...
[ ...mmm. Miss Kirigiri is someone he thinks he'd like, if things weren't as they were.
(Like age. And personal circumstances. And his lacking interest in women.) ]
[Stupid place. It's harder to lie to her brother - it's always been hard, yet she'd gotten painfully use to it - but at least he's not drawing attention to it.
... Hopefully not for the same reason she wasn't.]
Alright, alright, I won't tease my big brother for maybe having a crush on someone for the first time in like, ever. [For now.] But if you ever get the itch, I'm sure she wouldn't mind doing something that's just the two of you for some quality employee bonding time.
[The gentlest of nudges.]
Who knows, you might get something pretty good out of it.
[ P l e a s e. The accusation still makes the back of his neck heat up, and a smidge of the air around him does too. ]
And besides, even if I was interested, she wouldn't be. [ He's sure of it. Why would anyone be interested in him, after all... ] Speaking of interest though, how are things with you and Leo?
[Her mouth pops open to protest Kirigiri's non-interest in him (because her brother is sweet and charming, sincere and kind, she might be into that kind of person)
and immediately snaps shut, taking a slow moment to keep the air from literally snapping around them. It barely works, soothed to popping sounds instead. Like electricity gone wrong.]
He's been doing his best to keep me company, like I said. Sacrificing his dignity and time. [A so casual shrug, resting against him and fiddling with the ends of her hair.] It's really sweet of him, even if I'm used to being without you anyway. What else are best friends for, right?
[ Glancing at her--no. Turning to face her, even if it means adjusting their positions a little. ]
Still deciding not to be honest with me, White? [ But-- just like in her hospital room, he turns his eyes away from her; they go to the wall of pictures. ]
[The effect's immediate: The coldness disappears and is replaced with a kind of stuffiness, one that White presses her lips at the appearance of. She really doesn't like this place, even if it's still just weakened.]
I don't know if I'd call it interest, [outside of what she needs from him, anyway,] but recently, I guess I've just wanted to be closer to Leo. So I keep finding reasons for just that and I'm really happy when I get my way.
[It's like a checklist in her mind, but--]
It's nothing really though. I was just embarrassed you worded it like that, coming off of the subject you did. [White would be fine with anyone else, really, because they don't know her. But Black's Black.]
[ With her whole comment about Kirigiri. He feels bad though, obviously having struck something, and it's with great trepidation that he closes his eyes and sighs. ]
You know--this... isn't home. You seem to be doing fine [ mostly. ] and you can go wherever you want.
[ This is hard for him to say. He's afraid, White, he doesn't want to give Fate any leeway to take you away, but-- ]
If you wanted to go out with someone or anything like that, you could. [ Black takes her hand and squeezes it, more for his own benefit than anything else. ] If you wanted to be closer to Leo, you could be. I'm pretty sure he'd be pretty happy with that too, even if he complains a little about how you go about achieving that end.
[White returns the squeeze easily, pressing her lips tightly. That's not the problem, but she can't say what really is. Everything's riding on this. On her, maybe, keeping on her track.
But Leo's so... nice. And she's been able to make a lot of other friends here too. It's not Hellsalem's Lot, she can do a lot more here, but the circumstances haven't changed. She glances at her brother in quiet contemplation... though she already know what her answer will be, looking down at their feet.]
Nah. It'd be weird. And besides, I'm pretty happy as I am right now. [Pressing more against him, closing her eyes.] With you. I'm happy I can come home [because her home isn't in Hellsalem's Lot, it's not anywhere there, it's with Black] and you'll be there. That I can go across the city and still talk to you. It's what I missed the most those three years, Black, I know it's not an either or situation and I could have both, but...
[She tightens her grip, hoping this would satisfy.]
[ It's a strange statement to make, considering what Hellsalem's Lot City is, but--it's true. It's proven itself to be true. At least at home he has a handle on the situation, at least at home there aren't giant gods trying to destroy everything. The insanity of HLC is normal. It's expected. It's something he's gotten used to over the years.
The way here is--the peacefulness, the sudden interruptions of that--so far, it's been a nightmare. There's no telling what he's up to either, even if he says it's nothing Black needs to worry about... ]
I like being able to spend every day with you, White. [ She's all that he needs--so he should be content here, too, but there are so many more factors he has to consider for her safety. A tired sigh. ] But it's just not possible. We don't belong here--maybe we're even helping upset this world's balance by being here. I don't know. But we don't belong here.
[Figures. It was a lost cause to ask anyway, but she couldn't help but hope a little.
So she shakes her head, feeling the apology he's probably willing to part with at the next sign of her frustration, and smiles without meaning it.]
Yeah, we probably are. It'll be better if we just go back to how it was before. Leo needs to go back home to his little sister, too... and there's a lot of other people here that have important things back where they're from.
[It'd be selfish to stay here. She knows that, if it did upset the balance and all, yet wistfulness tugs at her as it's always done looking out to a world she can't be part of.]
I'll just enjoy the time I have here to the fullest then. So I don't regret it when I go back.
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interpreting. That part has him chuckling the most, even if he's tired, and it settles down again once she gets to finishing. ]
I guess I'll have to give these guys the third degree as Leo says, huh? [ He's not going to. ...he is interested in meeting them at some point, like anyone would be, but it's no interrogation. ] They sound fun.
[ Pause. He opens his eyes slowly. ]
I'm glad you had fun, minus the Halloween party. I was kind of looking forward to attending too... especially since Miss Kirigiri decided to attend. [ And Junko. He can't just ask her if she ever talked to her because he doesn't want her to get the idea of doing it but... ] Did she dress up as anything?
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[She's quiet for a moment after that, wondering if she should tell him more, and the air grows heavy around them.
But she just keeps smiling, closing her eyes in turn.]
It wasn't much of your style for a party anyway. The Boreas Dance was a lot more fun. Were you looking forward to seeing the chief all dressed up? Hoping to score another dance with a lovely lady who isn't your sister?
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I'd be lying if I said no, but... not for any reason you're thinking. [ He respects Miss Kirigiri, okay!! ] I think she'd make for a cute witch, or maybe a zombie or something--and if she was dressed in costume, she might not overthink things too. She was fun to dance with when she just relaxed...
[ ...mmm. Miss Kirigiri is someone he thinks he'd like, if things weren't as they were.
(Like age. And personal circumstances. And his lacking interest in women.) ]
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... Hopefully not for the same reason she wasn't.]
Alright, alright, I won't tease my big brother for maybe having a crush on someone for the first time in like, ever. [For now.] But if you ever get the itch, I'm sure she wouldn't mind doing something that's just the two of you for some quality employee bonding time.
[The gentlest of nudges.]
Who knows, you might get something pretty good out of it.
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[ P l e a s e. The accusation still makes the back of his neck heat up, and a smidge of the air around him does too. ]
And besides, even if I was interested, she wouldn't be. [ He's sure of it. Why would anyone be interested in him, after all... ] Speaking of interest though, how are things with you and Leo?
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and immediately snaps shut, taking a slow moment to keep the air from literally snapping around them. It barely works, soothed to popping sounds instead. Like electricity gone wrong.]
He's been doing his best to keep me company, like I said. Sacrificing his dignity and time. [A so casual shrug, resting against him and fiddling with the ends of her hair.] It's really sweet of him, even if I'm used to being without you anyway. What else are best friends for, right?
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I wouldn't know. You're the only best friend I've ever had.
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I just wanted to get you off topic. [ Black pauses, blinking slowly. ] I didn't realize I'd be out of the frying pan and into the fire though.
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Still deciding not to be honest with me, White? [ But-- just like in her hospital room, he turns his eyes away from her; they go to the wall of pictures. ]
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I don't know if I'd call it interest, [outside of what she needs from him, anyway,] but recently, I guess I've just wanted to be closer to Leo. So I keep finding reasons for just that and I'm really happy when I get my way.
[It's like a checklist in her mind, but--]
It's nothing really though. I was just embarrassed you worded it like that, coming off of the subject you did. [White would be fine with anyone else, really, because they don't know her. But Black's Black.]
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[ With her whole comment about Kirigiri. He feels bad though, obviously having struck something, and it's with great trepidation that he closes his eyes and sighs. ]
You know--this... isn't home. You seem to be doing fine [ mostly. ] and you can go wherever you want.
[ This is hard for him to say. He's afraid, White, he doesn't want to give Fate any leeway to take you away, but-- ]
If you wanted to go out with someone or anything like that, you could. [ Black takes her hand and squeezes it, more for his own benefit than anything else. ] If you wanted to be closer to Leo, you could be. I'm pretty sure he'd be pretty happy with that too, even if he complains a little about how you go about achieving that end.
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But Leo's so... nice. And she's been able to make a lot of other friends here too. It's not Hellsalem's Lot, she can do a lot more here, but the circumstances haven't changed. She glances at her brother in quiet contemplation... though she already know what her answer will be, looking down at their feet.]
Nah. It'd be weird. And besides, I'm pretty happy as I am right now. [Pressing more against him, closing her eyes.] With you. I'm happy I can come home [because her home isn't in Hellsalem's Lot, it's not anywhere there, it's with Black] and you'll be there. That I can go across the city and still talk to you. It's what I missed the most those three years, Black, I know it's not an either or situation and I could have both, but...
[She tightens her grip, hoping this would satisfy.]
I wouldn't want you getting jealous.
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A pang of guilt hits him and settles in his middle, cold and heavy. He sighs softly, then manages a chuckle. ]
I wouldn't get jealous. Promise. [ Promise. ] Sorry for leaving you alone for so long, White. I just... [ ... ]
Sorry. When we get back home, I'll visit you more, okay?
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... Hey, Black? Can we... stay here? I don't want to go back to the city. It's not like there's anything for us there anyway, so...
[Can't they just stay?]
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It's not as safe here as it is there.
[ It's a strange statement to make, considering what Hellsalem's Lot City is, but--it's true. It's proven itself to be true. At least at home he has a handle on the situation, at least at home there aren't giant gods trying to destroy everything. The insanity of HLC is normal. It's expected. It's something he's gotten used to over the years.
The way here is--the peacefulness, the sudden interruptions of that--so far, it's been a nightmare. There's no telling what he's up to either, even if he says it's nothing Black needs to worry about... ]
I like being able to spend every day with you, White. [ She's all that he needs--so he should be content here, too, but there are so many more factors he has to consider for her safety. A tired sigh. ] But it's just not possible. We don't belong here--maybe we're even helping upset this world's balance by being here. I don't know. But we don't belong here.
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So she shakes her head, feeling the apology he's probably willing to part with at the next sign of her frustration, and smiles without meaning it.]
Yeah, we probably are. It'll be better if we just go back to how it was before. Leo needs to go back home to his little sister, too... and there's a lot of other people here that have important things back where they're from.
[It'd be selfish to stay here. She knows that, if it did upset the balance and all, yet wistfulness tugs at her as it's always done looking out to a world she can't be part of.]
I'll just enjoy the time I have here to the fullest then. So I don't regret it when I go back.