(It's not unusual to see Claude hanging around Caelum. After all, Hilda is his sort-of retainer. It's hard to tell if he's just hanging around because he wants to speak to Hilda again or if he just conveniently happens to be in the area but when he sees Hikaru, he gives her a soft smile,)
Hey. (Raising a hand to give her a salute,) Rough day, huh?
Hey. (Raising a hand to give her a salute,) Rough day, huh?
[She's pretty much dragging herself up the stairs towards their room, her hair an absolute mess, bits of grass and twigs stuck in her braid and on her outfit. In one hand is a broadsword, and in the other is a plushie of some sort, curled tightly against her body.]
Oh... Hi, Claude-san. [Her eyes are. Very obviously red. But she's doing her best to keep her chin level, even if she just wants to lie down for a minute.]
Um, did you need to talk to Hilda-chan? I can see if she's in the room, if you want.
Oh... Hi, Claude-san. [Her eyes are. Very obviously red. But she's doing her best to keep her chin level, even if she just wants to lie down for a minute.]
Um, did you need to talk to Hilda-chan? I can see if she's in the room, if you want.
(Aw, man. She looks beat and all he can do is keep his smile, even if his eyes are sympathetic,)
Yeah, but don't worry about it. I don't think she's here. (She didn't answer.) Do you have a moment, though?
Or would you rather be alone?
(Everyone handles grief differently.)
Yeah, but don't worry about it. I don't think she's here. (She didn't answer.) Do you have a moment, though?
Or would you rather be alone?
(Everyone handles grief differently.)
[She shakes her head almost immediately, wiping at her face with the back of her wrist. The plushie swings around but it's fine it's probably having a great time.]
No, that's fine! I'm okay, you know? [To her credit, the smile she gives is well practiced and at least partially genuine.]
Did you need help with something? I just gotta put my stuff away first.
No, that's fine! I'm okay, you know? [To her credit, the smile she gives is well practiced and at least partially genuine.]
Did you need help with something? I just gotta put my stuff away first.
(There's a smile he recognizes if only because it's one that he often wears himself. It takes one to know one. He won't call her out on it though. He doesn't have that right.)
If you say so. If you're really alright, I'd like to talk a bit.
It helps me relax.
(It's true. It really does help him but he doesn't actually need any help relaxing right now. Like Hikaru, he's also fine.)
If you say so. If you're really alright, I'd like to talk a bit.
It helps me relax.
(It's true. It really does help him but he doesn't actually need any help relaxing right now. Like Hikaru, he's also fine.)
[you ever just lie down in the grass and contemplate your life
well someone sure is lying down in the grass and contemplating their life
She's splayed out like a starfish in the grassy areas being the planetarium, staring up at the dusky clouds and pretending very hard that this is not a great way for bugs to crawl on your face. Which is exactly what happens when Claude might spot her, a full 0 to 100 as Hikaru sputters, scooting up to a sitting position as her fingers wipe frantically at her mouth. Blech.]
Gah-- ew, yuck...
well someone sure is lying down in the grass and contemplating their life
She's splayed out like a starfish in the grassy areas being the planetarium, staring up at the dusky clouds and pretending very hard that this is not a great way for bugs to crawl on your face. Which is exactly what happens when Claude might spot her, a full 0 to 100 as Hikaru sputters, scooting up to a sitting position as her fingers wipe frantically at her mouth. Blech.]
Gah-- ew, yuck...
Hah!
(He sure is going to laugh,)
People always told me if you keep your mouth open, a bug will fly in. I didn't think it really happened, though.
(Because Claude von Riegan talks a lot and he's never had a bug fly into his mouth.
Anyway, he's going to make his way over towards and just... take a seat right on the grass beside her. That's not very noble like of him. What kind of noble just sits in the grass!!)
You good? Need another minute?
(He can wait for her to get it together. He doesn't mind.)
(He sure is going to laugh,)
People always told me if you keep your mouth open, a bug will fly in. I didn't think it really happened, though.
(Because Claude von Riegan talks a lot and he's never had a bug fly into his mouth.
Anyway, he's going to make his way over towards and just... take a seat right on the grass beside her. That's not very noble like of him. What kind of noble just sits in the grass!!)
You good? Need another minute?
(He can wait for her to get it together. He doesn't mind.)
Eugh... No, I'm fine. I hate when this happens...
[She has no idea how nobles are supposed to act or that he's supposed to be a super fancy someone or other, so this doesn't strike her as too weird. She leans over her knees and sulks a little, wiping her mouth off again.]
Claude-san, um... have you talked to Rufus-san yet? Is he okay?
[She has no idea how nobles are supposed to act or that he's supposed to be a super fancy someone or other, so this doesn't strike her as too weird. She leans over her knees and sulks a little, wiping her mouth off again.]
Claude-san, um... have you talked to Rufus-san yet? Is he okay?
Yeah...
I hope Rufus-san doesn't hold this against everyone. A lot of people were treating him like he was suspicious, because of his face...
I don't want him to have more of a reason not to talk to anybody, you know?
I hope Rufus-san doesn't hold this against everyone. A lot of people were treating him like he was suspicious, because of his face...
I don't want him to have more of a reason not to talk to anybody, you know?
(He nods,)
Right. To be fair, it was suspicious but a lot of us got caught up on it when there were other clues.
(Lesson learned for everyone,)
He's definitely a tough one to get to. He's not really the type to get to know people, I think. (He's quiet for a second and glances at Hikaru,) He might be more willing to give you a chance if you can share something useful with him, though.
(In case Hikaru wants to try to get closer on her own?)
Right. To be fair, it was suspicious but a lot of us got caught up on it when there were other clues.
(Lesson learned for everyone,)
He's definitely a tough one to get to. He's not really the type to get to know people, I think. (He's quiet for a second and glances at Hikaru,) He might be more willing to give you a chance if you can share something useful with him, though.
(In case Hikaru wants to try to get closer on her own?)
Something useful... [It's parroted as she draws her knees up and rests her head against them, wrapping her arms around her legs.]
I wonder what he considers useful. I... got a little carried away with him a couple days after we got here, so I wonder if he's going to assume I just have a bad temper and that what I say is, um... childish.
But I'm going to keep trying to talk to him. Even if that's what he thinks.
I wonder what he considers useful. I... got a little carried away with him a couple days after we got here, so I wonder if he's going to assume I just have a bad temper and that what I say is, um... childish.
But I'm going to keep trying to talk to him. Even if that's what he thinks.
Hey.
(He leans over, nudging Hikaru with his arm,)
Don't feel like you have to give him anything. You can only meet someone as far as they're willing to meet you at first.
And take it from an expert, anyone can bounce back from a bad first impression. You just have to keep putting your best foot forward.
(He leans over, nudging Hikaru with his arm,)
Don't feel like you have to give him anything. You can only meet someone as far as they're willing to meet you at first.
And take it from an expert, anyone can bounce back from a bad first impression. You just have to keep putting your best foot forward.
[Mm. Her eyes flick to him at the nudge, her gaze growing sheepish.] Do you ever do that, Claude-san? Make someone mad just being yourself, I mean. You're so friendly... I don't know why people wouldn't like you, you know?
You better believe it! (He holds his head up high and prattles,) I've been making people mad since the moment I was born.
Honestly? They were probably even mad before that.
(He can't quite bring himself to actually look at Hikaru while he speaks so he speaks to the sky,)
The difference between here and there is that you guys gave me a chance. For that, I'm grateful.
Honestly? They were probably even mad before that.
(He can't quite bring himself to actually look at Hikaru while he speaks so he speaks to the sky,)
The difference between here and there is that you guys gave me a chance. For that, I'm grateful.
[Even before that... somehow, that makes her heart feel just a little sad. Why would anyone hate someone for just existing?
...]
I don't think it's fair to treat someone bad just cause of how I think they might look like, or where they're from, or how different they are. I have two whole worlds I love, and they're really different from each other. They all know different things and have different ways of life that are important. But everyone there... they're all still people. They deserve to be heard and share in things.
That's how I wanna look at people here, too. Even people like Virid-kun, or the leaders... or even the Realm, regardless of whether it's actually a person or not.
...]
I don't think it's fair to treat someone bad just cause of how I think they might look like, or where they're from, or how different they are. I have two whole worlds I love, and they're really different from each other. They all know different things and have different ways of life that are important. But everyone there... they're all still people. They deserve to be heard and share in things.
That's how I wanna look at people here, too. Even people like Virid-kun, or the leaders... or even the Realm, regardless of whether it's actually a person or not.
...
(She has his attention the moment she starts to speak. He brings his head down, chancing a glance over in her direction. He isn't sad. He's not some pitiful, broken person that needs someone to pick him up. That bit of lingering darkness that he always keeps in his heart comes from a different sort of conflict.
He gives her his complete attention or rather, she captures his completely and just a little... he can feel something in his chest that he's keenly aware of. What is it? He's never quite felt it before.
Not acceptance.
Not sympathy.
He's found those things already.
The feeling he gets when he reads a book. When he listens to the Professor. That feeling of
understanding
He looks away, hopefully before Hikaru can really notice,)
... Yeah. I feel the same way.
(Softly, honestly,)
You'd be surprised at what you can learn if you just give others a chance; just let go of preconceived notions and let people show how they can really be. The world's a big place filled with all sorts of people. There's no reason to think so small.
(He reaches out to ruffle Hikaru's hair,)
You're pretty impressive, Hikaru.
(And he stops, taking his hand back and whispers seriously,)
Uh, don't tell Hilda any of this, will you? I haven't told her yet... I will eventually. The timing just isn't right yet.
(She has his attention the moment she starts to speak. He brings his head down, chancing a glance over in her direction. He isn't sad. He's not some pitiful, broken person that needs someone to pick him up. That bit of lingering darkness that he always keeps in his heart comes from a different sort of conflict.
He gives her his complete attention or rather, she captures his completely and just a little... he can feel something in his chest that he's keenly aware of. What is it? He's never quite felt it before.
Not acceptance.
Not sympathy.
He's found those things already.
The feeling he gets when he reads a book. When he listens to the Professor. That feeling of
understanding
He looks away, hopefully before Hikaru can really notice,)
... Yeah. I feel the same way.
(Softly, honestly,)
You'd be surprised at what you can learn if you just give others a chance; just let go of preconceived notions and let people show how they can really be. The world's a big place filled with all sorts of people. There's no reason to think so small.
(He reaches out to ruffle Hikaru's hair,)
You're pretty impressive, Hikaru.
(And he stops, taking his hand back and whispers seriously,)
Uh, don't tell Hilda any of this, will you? I haven't told her yet... I will eventually. The timing just isn't right yet.
Yeah. People are capable of a whole lot of good things, if you give 'em the chance.
[She just barely sees that look on his face, but it's so subtle and over so fast that she doesn't know how to place it. Hm.
Still, she giggles at the hair ruffle, though his question gets her to blank out for a moment.]
Huh? You mean about you not being liked? I think Hilda-chan likes you just fine!
[She just barely sees that look on his face, but it's so subtle and over so fast that she doesn't know how to place it. Hm.
Still, she giggles at the hair ruffle, though his question gets her to blank out for a moment.]
Huh? You mean about you not being liked? I think Hilda-chan likes you just fine!
It's not that.
(He wonders how to explain,)
Hilda wasn't-- isn't one of those people. We've always gotten along pretty well. It's just a little complicated.
(Like her family is in charge of watching the border to keep out the "Eastern menace" so he probably shouldn't have gotten past them.)
I haven't really told her much about myself.
(He wonders how to explain,)
Hilda wasn't-- isn't one of those people. We've always gotten along pretty well. It's just a little complicated.
(Like her family is in charge of watching the border to keep out the "Eastern menace" so he probably shouldn't have gotten past them.)
I haven't really told her much about myself.
Mn...
[So he was keeping secrets... she can relaten at least a little.
She takes a moment to think, watching the wind whip at the grass.]
...Fuu-chan told me once that it's hard when you can't have somebody to talk to about things on your heart... that that's what your friends are there for, when you really need them.
I think you're really lucky, Claude-san, to have somebody that already knows you. I... really, really miss my friends. [So much so that her heart feels like it could break some days.] There was so much I could never talk about, except when it was with them...
So I hope, whenever you're ready to talk to her, that you can be brave. Because I think somebody as nice as you shouldn't need to carry things alone.
Okay?
[So he was keeping secrets... she can relaten at least a little.
She takes a moment to think, watching the wind whip at the grass.]
...Fuu-chan told me once that it's hard when you can't have somebody to talk to about things on your heart... that that's what your friends are there for, when you really need them.
I think you're really lucky, Claude-san, to have somebody that already knows you. I... really, really miss my friends. [So much so that her heart feels like it could break some days.] There was so much I could never talk about, except when it was with them...
So I hope, whenever you're ready to talk to her, that you can be brave. Because I think somebody as nice as you shouldn't need to carry things alone.
Okay?
(It's not the first time he's heard this before and he's quiet, letting those words sink in one more time.
Again, he thinks, and he pulls his knees up to his chest, hugging them as he looks up at the clouds.
(He dreams of a bigger world, one where people can accept each other regardless of where they're from or how they're born. A world where no one has to hide who they are.))
She sounds wise. You're lucky to have a friend like that, Hikaru.
You're right, I'm lucky to have Hilda here. Just like I'm lucky to have a friend like you.
((A world where people can make friends with each other easily.))
Thank you. Since we're friends, if you ever want to talk, feel free to find me. No matter what, okay?
Again, he thinks, and he pulls his knees up to his chest, hugging them as he looks up at the clouds.
(He dreams of a bigger world, one where people can accept each other regardless of where they're from or how they're born. A world where no one has to hide who they are.))
She sounds wise. You're lucky to have a friend like that, Hikaru.
You're right, I'm lucky to have Hilda here. Just like I'm lucky to have a friend like you.
((A world where people can make friends with each other easily.))
Thank you. Since we're friends, if you ever want to talk, feel free to find me. No matter what, okay?
im trucking through notifs that never showed up so feel free 2 drop
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heartablaze
2020-10-07 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[Glad we are both coping in this wendys]
Yeah, I don't mind! Um...
[She just. Leans her sword up against the hallway wall. Eh, good enough. She'll casually start picking at the sticks stuck in her braid, plushie tucked under her arm.]
Do you throw feasts a lot, Claude-san? You got that all together really fast.
Yeah, I don't mind! Um...
[She just. Leans her sword up against the hallway wall. Eh, good enough. She'll casually start picking at the sticks stuck in her braid, plushie tucked under her arm.]
Do you throw feasts a lot, Claude-san? You got that all together really fast.
WEEK ONE, THURSDAY AT WHATEVER TIME DOESN'T INTERFERE WITH UR IC CRISIS
heartablaze
2020-10-08 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
[If Claude has been snooping, which he always is so I'm gonna give him this as a freebie, but a certain shorty's been a little less peppy since Tuesday night. Maybe she didn't sleep well? Who knows. She's at least somewhat energetic when they all meet for the events at the virtual rooms in the spaceship on Wednesday, but by the end of the day seems to be dragging her feet when they're all fluttering back to the inn.
Today? Today, you could probably guess the girl is either deeply depressed or practically sleepwalking. Her eyes stay down as she carefully walks through the town, gaze heavy, the pockets under her eyes turning dark. She looks like she's heading towards the Emporium from the Inn, not a far walk at all... but she's about halfway before her weight slowly starts to topple to the side, catching herself against the wall of whatever building she's against and sinking down to the street.
It's okay. It's okay, she just... maybe she can just spare a few minutes to close her eyes. It'll be okay.]
Today? Today, you could probably guess the girl is either deeply depressed or practically sleepwalking. Her eyes stay down as she carefully walks through the town, gaze heavy, the pockets under her eyes turning dark. She looks like she's heading towards the Emporium from the Inn, not a far walk at all... but she's about halfway before her weight slowly starts to topple to the side, catching herself against the wall of whatever building she's against and sinking down to the street.
It's okay. It's okay, she just... maybe she can just spare a few minutes to close her eyes. It'll be okay.]
[She gives a determined nod.] You bet. I'll be here for you, too, Claude-san. No matter what.
You kind of remind me of one of my big brothers, you know? You look his age, anyway.
Is that weird to think?
You kind of remind me of one of my big brothers, you know? You look his age, anyway.
Is that weird to think?
Do I? I've never been a brother before.
(Maybe he would have been less lonely if there was someone else like him around but he wouldn't have wished the life he lived on anyone.)
I can't replace your brothers and I wouldn't want to either. It isn't weird at all. It's flattering, really.
(Another hair ruffle!!! This one a little more aggressive and messy,)
Does this mean you're going to start calling me, "brother?" I'll make you regret it!
(Maybe he would have been less lonely if there was someone else like him around but he wouldn't have wished the life he lived on anyone.)
I can't replace your brothers and I wouldn't want to either. It isn't weird at all. It's flattering, really.
(Another hair ruffle!!! This one a little more aggressive and messy,)
Does this mean you're going to start calling me, "brother?" I'll make you regret it!
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