001 | feel it in my bones |

[mischieving]

[ The dream tonight is certainly a different one. It's not a glorious city or even a lake. It's a government building of sorts, with people walking from one place to another. A man is standing next to the main help desk, dressed in an ordinary suit but it's obvious he isn't ordinary. Just the look on his face and the way his eyes move back and

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[waterfell]

[A young Japanese woman, dressed well for work, heads towards the man in the suit with a cup of steaming liquid and the telltale scent of coffee.]

While you wait?

[She flashes a pert smile, as though the coffee is no more than an excuse to be here, inside this building. The office-style clothes aren't even hers; not in waking life, or here. They're courtesy of her teletia-s device.]

[waterfell]

[This earns a somewhat blank look.]

It's a saying.

[mischieving]

Is it?

[waterfell]

Perhaps not to you.

[But despite the easy correction, it bothers her. No matter what she tries to do, even if she does nothing at all, she will be misunderstood and assumed to be violent; while the princess can destroy the galaxy's future and receive comfort for that very act. She will be told to go away for nothing more than saying forgiveness can't grow from nothing or that she intends to make a future where her world will survive, and the princess will be welcomed even after saying she killed them all. She will be given strict rules and hated even if she follows them; and the princess will be told none of them apply to her.

She could spit. But it isn't Loki's fault. It's the fault of so many encounters lately that have left her even colder, even more sure that there's no point trying anymore. Any words from her mouth will be assumed to have dark motives, by him, too.]

[mischieving]

I admit to not knowing many sayings of your, ah, realm.

[waterfell]

[Of course. Of course. She shakes her head, and some of the tension goes out of her.

The way he says it is more interesting, an older speech pattern. Then where is he from himself? Just who is he?

She asks him directly.]

Which realm do you mean, and who are you?

[mischieving]

Earth, of course. And I am no one of importance.

[waterfell]

[Good; then her secret was still somewhat safe - for as much as she kept it a secret in dreams anyway.]

I'm Mizuno Ami. Let's get along well. [The dry tone she says this in is a world away from the sincere polite manners of the girl of years ago.]

[mischieving]

Perhaps if you truly meant those words, we would.

[waterfell]

[A careless shrug.] We've barely met. I have no reason not to.

[There's just no point in drawing close to someone.]

[mischieving]

Then perhaps you should have said "We will talk here and there but I've no interest in getting a long with you." It's not becoming to lie if it does not aid you.

[waterfell]

'Getting along' isn't something that happens that quickly. That's all.

[mischieving]

That all depends on the person.

[waterfell]

I don't believe in the sort of shallow 'friendship' that happens immediately.

[mischieving]

Do you believe in any friendship, I wonder.

[waterfell]

That sort of thing... didn't end well, and was worthless in the end.

[Even Kunzite, the only person she trusts never to abandon her, she doesn't call 'friend'.]

So, no. I don't believe in it.