RL w/ Ange

[second_star]

[ Right outside of Heliord, by the west city entrance. That's where he said for her to meet him. This whole world hopping business was still new to him, after all. To be completely honest...he didn't fully understand why he even told her to come. He just knew she needed to get away. Everything in that world was way too confusing for it's own good. The witches, logic error, closed rooms...all together in one messed up game. He never knew about other worlds, much less this kind of world. And it wasn't doing her any good being there right now.

Was it a bit of a sudden suggestion? Calling it just a suggestion would have been a lie too. He didn't ask her to come. He told her too. All he knew was he didn't want to see her get any worse than she was right now. Argh, and they were so close to saving her brother too...Why did things have to go and get worse?

He kept his back against the stone wall of the entrance, breathing in the cool night air. He had his own problems here, the knights dragging them in today, Estelle leaving tomorrow...yet, he still couldn't ignore this. Heh, this is must have been what Flynn was talking about. Yuri closed his eyes, waiting for her arrival. ]

Comments

[denies]

Yeah, we did. I mean, of course we did, I always pick my friends based on their criminal record. [ Of course it was just a joke, this time it was really easy to hear that much in her tone. ] And in that case, I don't think I could find anyone on the community with a longer list.

[ Well, at least her talking more normally like this again meant she had at least recovered a little from everything by now. Maybe it was just because she was able to have such a normal conversation with someone like this to begin with. ]

[second_star]

Haha. I don't know about you, but I'm gonna keep from choosing my friends that way. [ He put his hand on his hip, watching her with a smile. ]

You should visit more often. Inside the cities where it's safe, it's pretty relaxing.

[denies]

I don't usually visit people all that often.

[ But at the same time there was a distinct lack of rejection in what she was saying, huh? Not like she'd mind it - well, not if it was him, she could think of worse company. ]

.. Although I don't think there are going to be any new games, so it's not like I have anything else keeping me occupied. [ Or would there be new games? Honestly, it was all still.. so weird to her, how could she figure out the truth from this? And when was Battler going to go back home? Maybe she should ask her brother about it later.. ]

[second_star]

Hmm. Yeah, that's true. [ He had almost forgotten about the witches' game, while they were talking. The crazy murder mystery games that seemed to...foreign to him. ]

...How did this last one end, anyway? Your brother got out fine, but...that's about all I know.

[denies]

It was.. sort of ridiculous. [ Of course she's glad it ended well, but still.. ] Beatrice just barged in during the ceremony with the answer to the whole logic error, even if it barely made sense. So she solved it and Battler onii-chan came back, they both beat Erika and then he turned down her love or whatever.

[ Ange would make a bigger deal out of the last part but it was predictable, everyone knows how much Battler likes Yurippe. ]

[second_star]

Beawho? [ That was a new name. ] Basically, someone crashed the wedding with the answer? We almost solved it ourselves, you know. That's unfair.

[denies]

The witch who killed my family a handful of times now. Theoretically, either way. [ There's some slight grump in her voice over it, but mostly she just discards it for now, it's not the issue here. ] It's complicated.

And.. yeah, everything about it was generally really stupid. Of course I'm glad Battler onii-chan is okay, but I feel like all my effort was for nothing in the end.

[second_star]

[ All for nothing...huh. Guess it did seem that way, since someone else was able to barge in and save him with the answer. It did make all their work seem pointless, didn't it? ]

I wouldn't call it for nothing. I wonder if he would have been able to hold out if we all stopped believing in him.

[entreats]

Like he even knew whether I believed in him or not. I didn't even get to speak to him for a moment during all of this, unlike apparently practically everyone on the community.

[ Bitter? Why yes. Not like Ange had ever been good at hiding her butthurt, either way. ]

If that is what did help him, then that's thanks to everyone but me.

[second_star]

[ Fair point. Things were never just easy for her, were they? Yuri shrugged, putting a hand on his hip as he turned to her. ]

Well, you helped me. You might not think anything of that, but I appreciate it. You helped me help him. [ He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. ]

So that's like you helped him. Simple as that. [ He then went poked her in her forehead. ]

Just don't think about it too much.

[entreats]

[ She winced just slightly at the poke. Not since it hurt anything, of course not, but not like someone like Ange was very used to being touched in any way that was supposed to be nice after all the bullying, so it just came as a surprise.

After it she slowly peeked a little at him again. ]

I really helped you..?

[second_star]

[ He just gave her a smile. Not a smirk, or a grin, but a sincere smile. Something he wasn't used to doing himself. ]

You really did.

[entreats]

[ .. Huh? There was something different about that expression, enough to make her stare in surprise for a moment. The smile was different from his usual expression, even if it was close - but it was like the emotion behind it was a little different. Ange hardly even realised it made her pause, instead she just nervously tucked back a lock of her hair behind her ear. ]

.. Well, you were helping out Battler onii-chan to begin with. It was only natural.

[second_star]

Still. Thanks. [ He repeated, kicking at the water. It was a little relaxing, just talking like this. Though he had meant for this meeting to help her more, he couldn't help but feeling it wasn't that bad for him either. He gave a glace back to the beach. ]

You wanna stay out here longer? Or head back?

[entreats]

I want to stay out here. [ The answer came surprisingly quickly, as if she didn't even have to think about it - more of an instinctive answer. Somehow it was nice, just being here with him.. she didn't want anything to change about the situation just yet, as if she could hold onto the feeling as long as things just stayed this way. ] If that's okay.

[ Ange took a few more steps out into the water, staring over the water into the distance. ]

...

I like it here.

[second_star]

[ He grinned at her response. He didn't feel like going back either. He remained where he stood, as she went out farther into the water. Her sudden statement, however, caught him by surprise. Though he couldn't help but agree. ]

Yeah. Once you get past the monsters, it really is nice. I always like being outside of the barrier.

[entreats]

You should do this a little more often, you know. Whenever you have a break inbetween running away from everything since you're just that popular.

[ It was an opportunity she didn't really have herself, so.. it'd be nice if someone else could at least have it, right? Somehow this place was so calming. ]

[second_star]

It's not like I asked for this. [ He said, with a chuckle though. ] Maybe I will again, sometime. I should invite you again if I do.

[entreats]

[ She moved her hands behind her back, lacing her fingers together as she glances at him - only slightly, though. ]

What, are you that desperate to have me around? [ Sorry, Yuri, but the only way to avoid getting flustered or embarassed herself was to try and switch the obvious meaning around like this. ]

[second_star]

Nothing desperate. You're a good person to talk to. [ He gave a tiny laugh at that. ]

Can't say I run into many girls like you. It's refreshing.

[entreats]

[ It was almost as if she choked up a little at that, although she wasn't sure why exactly. Probably out of surprise, right? Her gaze quickly was averted from him again, although that almost seemed more embarassed than anything. At least she could hide her expression like this.. ]

.. You sure say funny things. Am I supposed to laugh?

[second_star]

Come on, it was a compliment. You're gonna hurt my feelings. [ Though the tone of his voice made it obvious he wasn't hurt. He walked out into the water, just a little past her, before turning to smile at her. ]

I don't wanna keep you out too late. Big bro might kill me.

[entreats]

I doubt he's going to kill you unless you'd drag me into the bushes to make out with me.

[ Of course it was just her usual deadpan. But.. yeah, she knew he was right. Even if she didn't want to leave, she should get back home, right..? Her hand awkwardly fumbled a little with the ring on her other hand. ]

[second_star]

Relax. Just cause I was wanted doesn't mean I'm that bad. [ He said with smile, rubbing his head as he walked towards her, back to the shore. He held out his hand. It was pretty dark, after all. ]

Let's head back.

[entreats]

[ .. Holding hands?! Wait, was he really and seriously suggesting that-- She just stared at his hand for a while as if it was some sort of alien hand instead before she finally dared to slowly grab it. Well, not like anyone would see it here or judge them, right? Hopefully, at least. ]

What's that for, to protect me from monsters? [ The hand holding, that was. ]