001 ♔ [video]
[People ought to start checking their pockets when they wake up here. The communicator's broadcast seems to suggest that the device is being left behind as the new arrival strides down the temple steps to take a look around his new surroundings. Conveniently, it gives a clear view of his back - red hair, white sleeved arms, long black cloak edged
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Well. She expects him to catch her. At the least, he wasn't useless enough where he didn't sense her nearby, right?
He wasn't so incompetent as to let her fall.... right....?
... Maybe she was overestimating him for once. ]
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And then there's frills and lace and petticoats and he's drowning in fabric for a moment before, arms flailing, his arms wrap around something more solid. Not the most graceful of catches, but hey! baby steps.
She sort of fits into his arms, the way she should, the way she's meant to, and it's that more than anything else whatsoever that lets him know who it is.
(Well, the falling out of midair was a give-away, but this is what really makes it undeniable even to Battler.)
He grins like an idiot and, exuding charisma, twirls her! His tone, however, is a little rueful, bubbling with a laugh.]
Aah, Beato - I'm always keeping you waiting, aren't I?
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--Ah. That's right. This was happiness, wasn't it?
It doesn't feel awkward, or strange at all. It feels right--like this is how it should be, how it should have been this entire time.
Beato attempts to sound stern, but her tone comes out more or less whiny. ]
Slow, far too slow...! In Kinzo's younger days, he would have arrived days before I came here!
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That excuse, even now? Absence makes the heart grow fonder, you should be making less fun!
[Seeing Ange, seeing Beato, now - he feels almost too happy, like something is going to happen, some tragedy will take it away. But he decides to live in the moment - that suits him better, and besides, he's pretty used to a situation being out of his hands. So he leans forward until his forehead is pressed to hers, still smiling that obnoxiously pleased smile.]
You'll forgive me this time, right? I know you're really just glad to see me.
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And then, she nods. ]
I suppose I can forgive you this once, Battleeeeer. However, the next time you are late, I will attempt to find you myself, and you may very well regret that, okay~?
[ Though, again, she's just teasing him. She leans into his touch, savoring it as she brings her arms around his neck. Right now, she just wants to enjoy this moment. Never mind where they are. Never mind that this isn't Rokkenjima. Either way to her, right now, it's home.
At that thought, her expression softens. It's different from how she used to act--it's a side of her that doesn't show often, but it's one that she shows to him, and him alone. ]... Even if we are separated, it is only a matter of time ( ... )
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[And he is, setting her onto her feet gently even if he's not letting go of her just yet. Sure, she's here, he knows it, it's a deep down knowledge that he doesn't even need to think about, like continuing to breathe, but all the same he feels the desire to keep close, to keep contact. One thing he's put together about this board is that it's uncertain. Battler can take things as they come, but letting go, letting go of her, after everything...
He laughs, because he's thinking too much and really, all of his thoughts are being redirected back to the comfortable white noise that is her presence.]
As many times as need be, huh? Well, that's fine. I'll count on it, if it comes up again.
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She's being selfish, in a way. Even though Ange is here and would want to spend time with her brother, Beato is as possessive as ever. It's like a child that wants the attention of the person she likes focused on her, and her alone.
At least for now, she would act selfishly.
But, really. After fighting for what they had now, isn't it natural that she would want this time...? ]
Hmhm. As long as you believe, a miracle will continue to occur, correct? It was because of that much that we were given the chance to meet again. [ She glances at the ring on her finger. ] ... No matter what fragment I am to end up in, my place is by your side.
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Well, we're here now, for however long.
[And Ange told him about fae and what they can do, but that takes a back seat for now.]
It's only befitting our holiday is unorthadox - I'd be too suspicious, otherwise. Ahhh, how do I know you're not already up to something, Beato?
[His smile turns from teasing to something softer.]
Let's worry about the rest as it comes, okay? If it's for a day or for a year... I can live like this.
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Hey, hey, Battleeer. If you say something like that, you'll only tempt me to prank you sooner than I planned, see...?
[ But, despite her words, she leans into that embrace, If he wanted to protect her, she would let him do that. He was supposed to be her prince, wasn't he? It was a strange fit, but a perfect one at the same time. ... But, still. In a fairytale, the knight wasn't supposed to protect the cruel witch. And yet, here they were. She was no weak woman, and she certainly wouldn't allow her more fragile side to show so easily, but it's nice, she thinks. Being cared for like this.
She cackles a bit at his next words. ]
You are mistaken if you assume that I am worried in the slightest. ... You are aware, correct? The anti magic toxins are not potent here.
[ It's what she wanted, and even more than that. Everyone can see her, and she can play around with magic as freely as she pleases, and... he's here with her. It's no Golden ( ... )
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You can be tempted? Haa, I was sure you were at maximum level all the time, I guess I'll have to be more careful.
[He was still grinning, though, still warm and fond and amused. His brow furrowed somewhat, but there wasn't much to sober his mood right now.]
Ange said these fae don't seem too affected by that either. The way she describes them it's like I'm starting all over again!
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..
Just as usual, she had so much faith in him--perhaps too much. ]
Oh? Yet, you have grown from your previous stay within a gameboard, correct? This place should be of little challenge to you to figure out. ... This much should be expected for the man who married the Golden Witch.
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If he's to be honest, though, figuring it out isn't at the forefront of his mind. It just doesn't seem like immediate necessity, and Battler is all too willing to kick back a little when both his wife and his sister are here with him. If anything, it seems pretty cushy.
Of course, he's not wanting to take it for granted, and he was warned how changeable it could be...]
I won't disappoint you, I know. Even just being thrown into the mix together is better, right?
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He's saying it for the both of them.
Her expression softens a little. ]
In that case, I will expect a lot from you, Battler. ... We may make quite the team this time, correct?
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