[Rose lets out a smile. It's warm and genuine as she pours him, and then herself a cup. Please don't ask her about how much sugar she just added. Please.]
I am glad to hear it. I had suspected that you would try to push yourself back on your feet sooner than advised, but it appears that isn't the case.
[Probably because of Yusuke, she reasons. She needs to remember to thank him later.]
I wasn't sure if anyone told you, but we were able to get the Professor out, too. He asked after you, you know.
[As long as it's not that much sugar in his cup he won't cringe. Not that he would anyway, he'd drink a cup of sugar leaf water if it was offered to him with grace.
He was tempted to return quickly to both his jobs, but between Vash, Caesar, Zulius, Yusuke and Rhel he knew there was no chance. There's a light noise of surprise when she mentioned the Professor.]
Waver did? Then he's... [It was followed quickly by a ton of tension in his shoulders melting away all at once. Thank the kami he was safe... he trusted Rose's word.]
I'm glad. Thank you for helping him as well. [Waver meant a lot to Takame. It pained him that he couldn't find his friend or the other two who were trapped in their own hells.]
My arm... will be fine. [A light sigh.] I still have it, at the very least...
If you’re talking about Vash, I wouldn’t give it much thought. Right after we saved you, he rushed into Waver’s dungeon as well. I doubt you could keep him down if you tried.
[How does one become such a puppy dog? It boggles the mind.]
I can heal your arm, too. It won’t make it heal any faster, but it should help alleviate any pain.
After losing his arm? Kami forefend... [If Takame didn't see his skill first... second-hand? He'd assume Vash was a damned buffoon. Ah, maybe he was though.
At her offer, Takame just idly flicked at the gauze covering his cast. It still hurt, it hurt like hells. But he was so used to the mantra of pain is mental that he didn't fully register it.]
[Rose chuckles.] Yes. He's an impressively good shot, even when he's unbalanced.
[And Takame would be right, he's absolutely a buffoon. Vash is an idiot. Takame is an idiot. Waver is an idiot. They're all idiots, all the way down.]
Okay, I won't press. But--
[She puts on her angry voice.]
I don't want you to refuse because you think you "deserve the pain" or some equally stupid drivel. You didn't do anything wrong, so I don't want you holding this against yourself.
[Rose looks...suddenly downcast. There's a lot on her mind right now. The more she hears from the other Warriors of Light, the more she realizes how lucky she's been throughout her life. It feels strange.]
I see.
[She offers to pour him another cup.]
After the dungeon, I suppose that's not surprising, but--you've really had it rough, haven't you?
... I suppose I have. [Said taking the second cup with a nod in silent thanks. It's only occurred to him in recent years that he's been through great hardship. It never really started to sink in until the past few days.]
He needed to give that some thought. Had he arrived in Kaisou and their world were under any other circumstances than they were, he would be concerned. He would be constantly fussing over the state of Etheirys and his duty to home. But Meteion had been stopped for a few weeks when he left.
For all intents, things were settled. Peaceful. He was free to do whatever he wished and that thought was paralyzing in the wide array of choice he had.
And this realm... it also needed help. He was brought here under aggravating circumstances, there is much that is wrong with this land. But he's made new friends. He's learned so many new things... he found love.
In truth the only thing worrying him were his sister figures and his mother back home.
[Just as Takame does, Rose takes a moment to think before she responds. There’s a lot on her mind right now, which is impressive, because it’s usually empty.]
[Of course, being Warrior of Light had changed her worldview. But what she hadn’t expected, but ended up happening, was that Kaisou changed her way of thinking, too. Particularly these last few months.]
[She takes a long drink of tea, and then, as she sets the cup back on the platter:]
You know, when I first arrived here, I thought this place was a curse.
[And she’s not entirely convinced she’s wrong, but...]
Here, life is about the same as back on our home star. It’s no more and no less pleasant. I had thought the same was true for everyone, until this last month.
[She smiles.]
But now I realize there are people here who can live a life they wouldn’t able to otherwise. For all of this place’s faults, there are people who are given a second chance here. That alone, I think, is something to protect.
[There's another long silence, as Takame considered whether he should say this or not. In the end he imagined Rose would not judge him.]
... There is much to resent this realm for. [Said setting his cup down next to hers, then pausing contemplatively.]
This has been the third time I've encountered something akin to a Castrum in my time here. It is never pleasant. And yet still I find myself appreciating the good it has offered me. As well as others whose worlds are crueler than ours. [If at all possible, but grass is greener etc. His gaze drifted to a desk with a drawer half ajar with letters scattered about written in Doman script.]
It is possible to... acknowledge both sides, is it not?
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I am glad to hear it. I had suspected that you would try to push yourself back on your feet sooner than advised, but it appears that isn't the case.
[Probably because of Yusuke, she reasons. She needs to remember to thank him later.]
I wasn't sure if anyone told you, but we were able to get the Professor out, too. He asked after you, you know.
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He was tempted to return quickly to both his jobs, but between Vash, Caesar, Zulius, Yusuke and Rhel he knew there was no chance. There's a light noise of surprise when she mentioned the Professor.]
Waver did? Then he's... [It was followed quickly by a ton of tension in his shoulders melting away all at once. Thank the kami he was safe... he trusted Rose's word.]
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He's safe, yes. Once we got you out, I was able to help go after him, as well.
[Considering the subject matter, she was remarkably upbeat. Likely just relaxing from the craziness the last few days.]
I daresay he fared better than you did. How is your arm?
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My arm... will be fine. [A light sigh.] I still have it, at the very least...
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[How does one become such a puppy dog? It boggles the mind.]
I can heal your arm, too. It won’t make it heal any faster, but it should help alleviate any pain.
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At her offer, Takame just idly flicked at the gauze covering his cast. It still hurt, it hurt like hells. But he was so used to the mantra of pain is mental that he didn't fully register it.]
I am alright, thank you...
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[And Takame would be right, he's absolutely a buffoon. Vash is an idiot. Takame is an idiot. Waver is an idiot. They're all idiots, all the way down.]
Okay, I won't press. But--
[She puts on her angry voice.]
I don't want you to refuse because you think you "deserve the pain" or some equally stupid drivel. You didn't do anything wrong, so I don't want you holding this against yourself.
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N-No, that isn't the reason. [Not fully a lie, but not entirely truthful either. At the very least, it wasn't the primary reason.]
I'm... I'm used to it. I've developed a high tolerance to pain, I rarely notice it anymore.
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I see.
[She offers to pour him another cup.]
After the dungeon, I suppose that's not surprising, but--you've really had it rough, haven't you?
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[And then, out of nowhere:]
You’re happy here, aren’t you?
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He needed to give that some thought. Had he arrived in Kaisou and their world were under any other circumstances than they were, he would be concerned. He would be constantly fussing over the state of Etheirys and his duty to home. But Meteion had been stopped for a few weeks when he left.
For all intents, things were settled. Peaceful. He was free to do whatever he wished and that thought was paralyzing in the wide array of choice he had.
And this realm... it also needed help. He was brought here under aggravating circumstances, there is much that is wrong with this land. But he's made new friends. He's learned so many new things... he found love.
In truth the only thing worrying him were his sister figures and his mother back home.
He was silent for a long while before answering.]
... I think I am.
no subject
[Of course, being Warrior of Light had changed her worldview. But what she hadn’t expected, but ended up happening, was that Kaisou changed her way of thinking, too. Particularly these last few months.]
[She takes a long drink of tea, and then, as she sets the cup back on the platter:]
You know, when I first arrived here, I thought this place was a curse.
[And she’s not entirely convinced she’s wrong, but...]
Here, life is about the same as back on our home star. It’s no more and no less pleasant. I had thought the same was true for everyone, until this last month.
[She smiles.]
But now I realize there are people here who can live a life they wouldn’t able to otherwise. For all of this place’s faults, there are people who are given a second chance here. That alone, I think, is something to protect.
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... There is much to resent this realm for. [Said setting his cup down next to hers, then pausing contemplatively.]
This has been the third time I've encountered something akin to a Castrum in my time here. It is never pleasant. And yet still I find myself appreciating the good it has offered me. As well as others whose worlds are crueler than ours. [If at all possible, but grass is greener etc. His gaze drifted to a desk with a drawer half ajar with letters scattered about written in Doman script.]
It is possible to... acknowledge both sides, is it not?
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Of course, I think it is.
Even before last month, there are experiences I’ve had here I would never want to relive. I certainly don’t want to be kidnapped again.
[She did not vibe with the demon tree. Then again, did anyone?]
[She takes a long moment. The gears click in Rose’s head, and she has a realization. A belated one, but a realization nonetheless.]
I suppose it’s very similar to our roles as the Warrior of Light.