I know it's not okay. Nothing about it was okay. It made me scared for you, Nii-chan. Of what kind of things people were trying to do to you. And it makes me angry, that anyone would think it's okay to do that to anyone, let alone a kid, or a prince...
[And yet she is talking about it like they're disagreeing about whether it's partly sunny or partly cloudy outside. But her eyes stay focused on him, confused.]
I don't think there is a right thing to say in this situation but...
(It isn't until she mentions "prince" that he seems to flinch, like something flying at his face before he can really make out what it is. But that's not the part that gets him right now.
Something about this just feels wrong. He knows Hikaru. She's a much more reactive girl than this. But it's hard to argue when she's just so... calm and he holds his eyes on her for a moment longer...
And he frowns, pushing back her bangs and placing a hand on her forehead, as if maybe this could be explained away with something simple like a fever or injury,)
You know, you can talk to me if something is wrong.
This, at least, gets Hikaru to halt, to bring a hand to her neck against one of the many scars left behind. But a long breath leaves her, and she seems to be just shaking it off, taking his hand and leading him from the graveyard like nothing of importance just happened.
(Even after his most recent confession? Truly, she's too good for him and he smiles wryly at that.
Hand closing around hers and pulling her up... ah, he pulls with a little too much force thanks to the memories that hit him. And she barely seems to react to them at all? He gives her hand a squeeze, following her from the graveyard,)
Hikaru... (He's almost afraid to ask,) Did you see anything?
(That's why she isn't reacting, right? She lost those memories?)
[He says her name and she doesn't even react, like it's going in one ear and out the other. It's only when the rest of his question follows that she turns to look at him, unsurprised, only nodding.]
Mmhmm. I saw it. Some of it was a little fuzzy, but... I know that's where I was before I woke up here. I remember what was happening.
[Once again spoken as though nothing of consequence just happened. Her tone is serious enough that there's still something going on in that thick head of hers, but her grip doesn't tense, and her pace stays light.
This is probably getting very creepy. Good thing she can't tell!]
I told you about the Pillar, right? Do you still remember?
Got it. That's all that was, then. [No big deal!] That's the last thing I remember before I woke up here, and why I have all these weird scars everywhere.
[They're traipsing towards town right now. Her goal is the saloon, but her pace is still very casual.]
I don't know what's gonna happen when I go home... to me, or to Eagle. But I told you what I wanna see. That hasn't changed.
I wish I could remember all of it. But it's gonna have to be enough for right now.
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Pinch her cheeks)
That's all? (Pinch, pinch,) I nearly die as a kid and it's all fine?
(Hikaru is a sensitive girl, someone who feels for others. He leans down to be the same height as her and watches her eyes very carefully,)
I'm not asking for your pity or anything like that. But I don't want you to keep or protect what you saw. There's nothing special about that memory.
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...Did... I say something wrong?
I know it's not okay. Nothing about it was okay. It made me scared for you, Nii-chan. Of what kind of things people were trying to do to you. And it makes me angry, that anyone would think it's okay to do that to anyone, let alone a kid, or a prince...
[And yet she is talking about it like they're disagreeing about whether it's partly sunny or partly cloudy outside. But her eyes stay focused on him, confused.]
...Are you okay?
no subject
(It isn't until she mentions "prince" that he seems to flinch, like something flying at his face before he can really make out what it is. But that's not the part that gets him right now.
Something about this just feels wrong. He knows Hikaru. She's a much more reactive girl than this. But it's hard to argue when she's just so... calm and he holds his eyes on her for a moment longer...
And he frowns, pushing back her bangs and placing a hand on her forehead, as if maybe this could be explained away with something simple like a fever or injury,)
You know, you can talk to me if something is wrong.
(No matter what it is.)
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She feels perfectly fine! Maybe a little toasty from sitting out in a graveyard in the middle of the desert, but nothing disgustingly hot.]
...Huh?
I know, Nii-chan. I'd tell you anything, if I could. I trust you.
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But hmmm. He's just gonna stand back up on his feet and hold out his hands to her,)
I've told you to be careful with that.
(Trusting him. But there's no real bite to his words.)
Come on, let's get you out of this heat. As much as I enjoy the sun, too much is no good for the mind.
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[She'll take his hand without hesitation, her free hand reaching for her sword --
--and something is shown mid motion.
...
This, at least, gets Hikaru to halt, to bring a hand to her neck against one of the many scars left behind. But a long breath leaves her, and she seems to be just shaking it off, taking his hand and leading him from the graveyard like nothing of importance just happened.
Her expression alone is what stays serious.]
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Hand closing around hers and pulling her up... ah, he pulls with a little too much force thanks to the memories that hit him. And she barely seems to react to them at all? He gives her hand a squeeze, following her from the graveyard,)
Hikaru... (He's almost afraid to ask,) Did you see anything?
(That's why she isn't reacting, right? She lost those memories?)
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Mmhmm. I saw it. Some of it was a little fuzzy, but... I know that's where I was before I woke up here. I remember what was happening.
[Once again spoken as though nothing of consequence just happened. Her tone is serious enough that there's still something going on in that thick head of hers, but her grip doesn't tense, and her pace stays light.
This is probably getting very creepy. Good thing she can't tell!]
I told you about the Pillar, right? Do you still remember?
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Yeah, I remember. The princess and protecting the world... and you.
(Kind of a vague answer but considering how she is? And how much she seems to have forgotten, he's just trying to be gentle.)
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[They're traipsing towards town right now. Her goal is the saloon, but her pace is still very casual.]
I don't know what's gonna happen when I go home... to me, or to Eagle. But I told you what I wanna see. That hasn't changed.
I wish I could remember all of it. But it's gonna have to be enough for right now.
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Hey.
(He won't say "Hikaru" because he knows she's forgotten it. But he needs her to know he's talking directly to her right now.)
If something was bothering you, you'd tell me, right?
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She stops when he does, looking back at him with a slight tilt of her head.]
Yeah, of course I would. I feel fine right now, though.
Why?