[Sits on a chair and places the mouse in his cage]
I don't want anything. Just take it easy to recover. My roommates are going to move out soon, so I'll have more space. You can stay here as long as you are weak.
Wherever your sapphire is, I want to help you find it.
[This attitude. More polite, less jaded, Youko begins to laugh.]
What I want is to help you. That'll be my boon. Is in your power to grant?
[She turns more serious next, smiling sheepishly]
You reminded me to myself... A little. You're uncomfortable to the idea of getting help in your journey or hanging around people too long? Just wondering.
[Because that's what I used to feel goes unsaid. Then she shrugs]
Keep the bed. I'm so used to sleep in the woods or in futons, a mattress just felt wrong.
* Her assumption is very accurate, and leaves him looking at her for a long moment. Obviously quite surprised. After a good long look, he clears his throat.*
Ah, yes, well. I do not know what I may have said, precisely, when you first discovered me, but...you are not mistaken.
*Whether she knows it or not, this is a fairly large admission on his part, but it seemed only fair to give her a bit more honesty than he would normally offer. He was trying to work on his pride issues, after all.*
Thank you for the offer to remain here....I think I will accept.
* A small sigh*
I must, however, continue my search.
*Then a tight smile*
But it would be interesting to have shelter I may use as I wish.
[Bingo. So she was right to draw the parallels. People in the twelve kingdom would have said it was the Heaven's Will that fated that, Youko doesn't really want to believe in fate.
She doesn't want to have her conception of freedom cripple.]
You didn't say anything. It's in the way you carry out yourself. I'm young, but not stupid. Your mannerisms and squeamish. They are... familiar.
[She smiles. Self-certain about the following statement.]
We, you mean, we'll continue that search. You're not alone, you know, maybe we're strangers now, but we all begin as that. Unless you speak about another place, that's up to you, but I won't be exclude of the sapphire quest.
*Another long look, although this one is simply measuring rather than shocked.*
If you wish to assist me, then I must again thank you.
*A soft sigh*
If I may ask.....Why is it you are insistent on this matter? As you have stated; I am a virtual stranger to you. If either of us owes anything to the other, it is certainly that I owe you very much already for your unquestioning aid?
[Youko inhales and pauses. How to say it without sounding horribly corny?]
Nobody in this world or... any world has perfect intentions. We're motivated by a little of selfishness. Mine's about trying to prove I've changed. It's not a challenge or anything like that. I just want to be kind and helpful because I want and I can.
[She looks at him, completely determinate.]
And you seem to need help but unable to ask for it. That's it.
* Liquid black eyes look away, and in someone else, this might resemble something like embarrassment. A long silence stretches, but because he wants to show that he has changed as well, he doesn't let it continue.*
For a very long time....I did not wish to involve others in my affairs.
* He continues studying his hands, before quietly admitting to Youko something he has only recently admitted to himself.*
It seemed....unfair....to draw others into my responsibilities.
*They too often were hurt by them. is left unsaid.*
Huh. I don't know the first thing about responsibilities or affairs outside a high school student assignment or the odd jobs I took. But..
[She remembers Rakushun... and the fact he escorts her in the dangerous road to En. For his reasons...]
I didn't want others come with me. In a journey. I didn't want them to get hurt. No wait, it's not just that, I didn't want to risk the possibility they'll hurt me.
[She quietly slips her hand in the mouse cage and strokes the grey charcoal fur of her pet]
It's more unfair to never give others the chance to earn your trust.
[Looking over the computer screen, holding Raku-kun]
A boon?
Reply
Yes. Think of it as a gift of thanks.
Reply
[Sits on a chair and places the mouse in his cage]
I don't want anything. Just take it easy to recover. My roommates are going to move out soon, so I'll have more space. You can stay here as long as you are weak.
Wherever your sapphire is, I want to help you find it.
[She glances at the sheathed sword]
I think I may know a way.
Reply
Very well. When you think of something you desire, simply tell me.
*Looks mildly uncomfortable with the offers to help, and since he's sitting up in her bed, the uncomfortable feelings run pretty deep.*
Thank you, Nakajima-san. You are most kind, but I have prevailed on that kindness too much already.
*Gestures to himself in her bed.*
I am certain you wish to have your bed returned.
Reply
[This attitude. More polite, less jaded, Youko begins to laugh.]
What I want is to help you. That'll be my boon. Is in your power to grant?
[She turns more serious next, smiling sheepishly]
You reminded me to myself... A little. You're uncomfortable to the idea of getting help in your journey or hanging around people too long? Just wondering.
[Because that's what I used to feel goes unsaid. Then she shrugs]
Keep the bed. I'm so used to sleep in the woods or in futons, a mattress just felt wrong.
Reply
After a good long look, he clears his throat.*
Ah, yes, well.
I do not know what I may have said, precisely, when you first discovered me, but...you are not mistaken.
*Whether she knows it or not, this is a fairly large admission on his part, but it seemed only fair to give her a bit more honesty than he would normally offer. He was trying to work on his pride issues, after all.*
Thank you for the offer to remain here....I think I will accept.
* A small sigh*
I must, however, continue my search.
*Then a tight smile*
But it would be interesting to have shelter I may use as I wish.
Reply
She doesn't want to have her conception of freedom cripple.]
You didn't say anything. It's in the way you carry out yourself. I'm young, but not stupid. Your mannerisms and squeamish. They are... familiar.
[She smiles. Self-certain about the following statement.]
We, you mean, we'll continue that search. You're not alone, you know, maybe we're strangers now, but we all begin as that. Unless you speak about another place, that's up to you, but I won't be exclude of the sapphire quest.
Reply
If you wish to assist me, then I must again thank you.
*A soft sigh*
If I may ask.....Why is it you are insistent on this matter?
As you have stated; I am a virtual stranger to you. If either of us owes anything to the other, it is certainly that I owe you very much already for your unquestioning aid?
Reply
[Youko inhales and pauses. How to say it without sounding horribly corny?]
Nobody in this world or... any world has perfect intentions. We're motivated by a little of selfishness. Mine's about trying to prove I've changed. It's not a challenge or anything like that. I just want to be kind and helpful because I want and I can.
[She looks at him, completely determinate.]
And you seem to need help but unable to ask for it. That's it.
Reply
A long silence stretches, but because he wants to show that he has changed as well, he doesn't let it continue.*
For a very long time....I did not wish to involve others in my affairs.
* He continues studying his hands, before quietly admitting to Youko something he has only recently admitted to himself.*
It seemed....unfair....to draw others into my responsibilities.
*They too often were hurt by them. is left unsaid.*
Reply
[She remembers Rakushun... and the fact he escorts her in the dangerous road to En. For his reasons...]
I didn't want others come with me. In a journey. I didn't want them to get hurt. No wait, it's not just that, I didn't want to risk the possibility they'll hurt me.
[She quietly slips her hand in the mouse cage and strokes the grey charcoal fur of her pet]
It's more unfair to never give others the chance to earn your trust.
Reply
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