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[...and it fades, as Arianna stops in mid-sentence.]
I am being childish.
I am being childish.
[look, you brought down the mood a while ago, it's her turn now]
I feel as though the others do not consider me equal to Lord Ardyn, Lord Xander, and Lord Noctis. They are seen as strong leaders, while I am treated as a child. [Actually, that's a fandom behavior she's projecting onto people in her ongoing insecurity, but shh.] Now I realize the difference is earned.
I feel as though the others do not consider me equal to Lord Ardyn, Lord Xander, and Lord Noctis. They are seen as strong leaders, while I am treated as a child. [Actually, that's a fandom behavior she's projecting onto people in her ongoing insecurity, but shh.] Now I realize the difference is earned.
... There's different ways to be a leader, you know.
[ Please, listen to the School Living Club President, Arianna. ]
I don't think any of you think you're just a child, or anything like that. You're just... different from Dad and Noctis and Xander-san. There's nothing wrong with that. But they're all so much older than you and all of them have had the chance to be kings.
[ The chance to be adults.
Yuuri stares at Arianna in silence for a moment. She's told Arianna so many things. How brave and strong she is, how brightly she shines. But has Yuuri ever told her the one thing that really, truly matters?
The one thing that no one had ever thought to tell her? ]
Arianna... you're only nineteen. You've got so much time to grow and learn and... you shouldn't compare yourself to them like that. You're you. Please don't feel like you're standing in their shadows.
[ Please, listen to the School Living Club President, Arianna. ]
I don't think any of you think you're just a child, or anything like that. You're just... different from Dad and Noctis and Xander-san. There's nothing wrong with that. But they're all so much older than you and all of them have had the chance to be kings.
[ The chance to be adults.
Yuuri stares at Arianna in silence for a moment. She's told Arianna so many things. How brave and strong she is, how brightly she shines. But has Yuuri ever told her the one thing that really, truly matters?
The one thing that no one had ever thought to tell her? ]
Arianna... you're only nineteen. You've got so much time to grow and learn and... you shouldn't compare yourself to them like that. You're you. Please don't feel like you're standing in their shadows.
[Arianna is all set to protest. That the only kind of leader who matters is the kind people are willing to follow. That the age comparison merely makes excuses for her shortcomings, and if anything, confirms them. That on a practical level, their group needs people who can do things now, not someday.
But she doesn't. Because it's Yuuri. Even if everyone else really does think of her as lesser, Yuuri's faith in her is... well, it's not enough, but it means something. And it comes from experience, she knows that--even if there's still so much to the story she doesn't know, she knows enough to understand this. If nothing else, she can't stand the thought of metaphorically throwing it back in her face.]
Rii-san...
[She hugs her tightly, tears forming in her eyes.]
But she doesn't. Because it's Yuuri. Even if everyone else really does think of her as lesser, Yuuri's faith in her is... well, it's not enough, but it means something. And it comes from experience, she knows that--even if there's still so much to the story she doesn't know, she knows enough to understand this. If nothing else, she can't stand the thought of metaphorically throwing it back in her face.]
Rii-san...
[She hugs her tightly, tears forming in her eyes.]
[ Yuuri hugs her tight -- because of course she does, she's Yuuri -- but then she pulls back a little, just far enough to carefully hold Arianna's face in her hands and look her in the eye. Yuuri can't change the past -- she's certainly no time traveller or esper but she can at least stop it repeating.
There was no one around, in Megu-nee's absence, to tell her what she needed to hear. But Yuuri is here now, with Arianna and she can do what was never done for her. Can't she? ]
Listen to me, okay?
There's all different kinds of ways to lead people. Sometimes it's about standing up and telling them what to do. Giving out orders and making sure everyone gets everything done and keeping everyone marching in lockstep. Sometimes... that's exactly what people need.
And maybe you won't ever be like that. But that's not a bad thing.
When things are hard and they don't know what to do, sometimes what people need isn't orders. Sometimes it's just someone who can be bright and kind and who can guide the way for them. The kind of person who shows people what to do, leading by example by working as hard as they can and always doing their best. Even when it's hard. Even when they feel like nothing's working and they just want to give up.
Everyone needs someone like that, Arianna. Otherwise, we'd fall apart. You don't know how lucky we all are that we have you.
There was no one around, in Megu-nee's absence, to tell her what she needed to hear. But Yuuri is here now, with Arianna and she can do what was never done for her. Can't she? ]
Listen to me, okay?
There's all different kinds of ways to lead people. Sometimes it's about standing up and telling them what to do. Giving out orders and making sure everyone gets everything done and keeping everyone marching in lockstep. Sometimes... that's exactly what people need.
And maybe you won't ever be like that. But that's not a bad thing.
When things are hard and they don't know what to do, sometimes what people need isn't orders. Sometimes it's just someone who can be bright and kind and who can guide the way for them. The kind of person who shows people what to do, leading by example by working as hard as they can and always doing their best. Even when it's hard. Even when they feel like nothing's working and they just want to give up.
Everyone needs someone like that, Arianna. Otherwise, we'd fall apart. You don't know how lucky we all are that we have you.
[Yurika can be found milling about the house, taking some kind of inventory. New Year's cleaning, maybe?]
Oh, good morning, Yuuri-chan! What do you think we're doing for New Year's? A quiet night in like back home should at least help us recuperate from Christmas.
Oh, good morning, Yuuri-chan! What do you think we're doing for New Year's? A quiet night in like back home should at least help us recuperate from Christmas.
[Arianna listens intently to every word. She wants to hear everything. She wants to believe everything, believe Yuuri over her own doubts.
She doesn't quite manage it. Her doubts are loud and persistent, and they've had plenty of time to build strength. This isn't her first battle against them, and it won't be her last, either. But... it helps. People have expressed sentiments like this to her before, but Yuuri's words have a weight to them, because of what she's saying, because of who's saying it. She can at least doubt her doubts.]
I... thank you, Rii-san.
[She can't stop herself from crying. Why can't she stop?]
Thank you. I... I am most fortunate to have you above all.
She doesn't quite manage it. Her doubts are loud and persistent, and they've had plenty of time to build strength. This isn't her first battle against them, and it won't be her last, either. But... it helps. People have expressed sentiments like this to her before, but Yuuri's words have a weight to them, because of what she's saying, because of who's saying it. She can at least doubt her doubts.]
I... thank you, Rii-san.
[She can't stop herself from crying. Why can't she stop?]
Thank you. I... I am most fortunate to have you above all.
[ What a shock! For once, Yuuri isn't fussing -- in fact, she looks pretty relaxed for once, curled up as she is with a book. She's polite enough to shut it with her finger marking the page when Yurika speaks up, though. ]
Hmm... well, we'll need to get everything together for what we're eating over New Year's. We've all got different traditions, I'm sure, but there's no reason we shouldn't all be able to work out some kind of meal to eat together.
[ and if you think Proper Japanese Lady Wakasa Yuuri is missing out on her first proper osechi ryori in two years then think again ]
And of course, we'll need to make some mochi. It's just a shame we can't do it properly, but at least we'll have some to eat. Apart from that... what else do you think we need to do?
Hmm... well, we'll need to get everything together for what we're eating over New Year's. We've all got different traditions, I'm sure, but there's no reason we shouldn't all be able to work out some kind of meal to eat together.
[ and if you think Proper Japanese Lady Wakasa Yuuri is missing out on her first proper osechi ryori in two years then think again ]
And of course, we'll need to make some mochi. It's just a shame we can't do it properly, but at least we'll have some to eat. Apart from that... what else do you think we need to do?
[ Yuuri's smile is a little pained. It hurts to see Arianna like this. Arianna, who had done nothing but work her hardest no matter how out of her depth she was. It's not fair that she should be made to doubt herself by anything and Yuuri's relative powerlessness here is awful.
But she still smiles and leans in to gently bump her forehead against Arianna's and smooths her hair back from her face, to make sure it doesn't get wet. She won't tell Arianna not to cry, but she'll wait here until the storm passes. ]
That's right. We've both got each other, haven't we? Neither of us have to carry any of this by ourselves.
But she still smiles and leans in to gently bump her forehead against Arianna's and smooths her hair back from her face, to make sure it doesn't get wet. She won't tell Arianna not to cry, but she'll wait here until the storm passes. ]
That's right. We've both got each other, haven't we? Neither of us have to carry any of this by ourselves.
[It's what she needs, really. Well, she needs a lot of things, but Yuuri being there is on the list somewhere. It's something she's come to rely on over these months, and it's one of many reasons she isn't entirely looking forward to going home.]
Thank you. [For keeping her hair away from her tears.
It's a moment before she reacts to Yuuri's words.]
Yes, that is... I suppose we have established that as the theme for tonight. [She offers a small smile.] We are stronger together.
Thank you. [For keeping her hair away from her tears.
It's a moment before she reacts to Yuuri's words.]
Yes, that is... I suppose we have established that as the theme for tonight. [She offers a small smile.] We are stronger together.
You're absolutely right! Lots of food is perfect for this! Back home, we'd always have pickled chrysanthemum turnip in ours, even if it tasted a little weird grown in a space greenhouse, and definitely herring roe and -- oh, now I'm getting hungry... Cleaning, definitely, and it'll help since we're already getting ready to leave. We can't well leave Ein-san's house a mess! ...Maybe put some music on the TV. Your time had those idol performances everyone would watch at home on TV, right? And it'd be good to remind ourselves that there's more to television than the conspiracy that brought us in here.
[So it's been some time since Nari has actually talked to Yuuri. Not since their fight... It's been lonely without someone Nari once could call family to talk to, but nothing she could think of could heal those hurtful words. All she could do was apologize, but words are difficult, so all the redhead was able to come up with was a "I'm sorry" gesture the one way she knew Yuuri would understand where the others might not.
Early in the morning she heads out to find something that would work. When Yuuri wakes up, she'll find a small pot in front of her door with a few blooming flowers that resemble daffodils, and a small card with a cat drawn on it. Hopefully she'll know who that's from, because who nowadays leaves their name on a card.]
Early in the morning she heads out to find something that would work. When Yuuri wakes up, she'll find a small pot in front of her door with a few blooming flowers that resemble daffodils, and a small card with a cat drawn on it. Hopefully she'll know who that's from, because who nowadays leaves their name on a card.]
[ As awful as it is, Yuuri very nearly tips the poor pot over when she comes out of her room that morning. She's not expecting there to be anything at foot level but when she realizes her mistake, she stoops down to see what it is. There's a little smile on her face as she examines the plant that softens even more when she looks at the card and realizes... well, who else could this be from?
There's a little knot in her stomach at the realization of just how long it's been since they had a talk. Not since... well. Both of them know.
Yuuri should've done something about this sooner.
So, with the little plant still in her hands, Yuuri stands herself back up and heads off. Nari's obviously going to be somewhere around the house, right? ]
There's a little knot in her stomach at the realization of just how long it's been since they had a talk. Not since... well. Both of them know.
Yuuri should've done something about this sooner.
So, with the little plant still in her hands, Yuuri stands herself back up and heads off. Nari's obviously going to be somewhere around the house, right? ]
Of course! With a multinational crew, everyone's got to be accommodating! Some cultures have big parties, others stay at home -- there'll have to be a lot of different elements.
We'll have to keep that in mind for the rest of the year, too. It isn't for another month or so yet, but I don't think we'll be doing Setsubun this year... it might be a little in poor taste.
[ considering the man previously made of demons and soma the teenage vampire occupying their house ]
[ considering the man previously made of demons and soma the teenage vampire occupying their house ]
Oh, people are people wherever you go, even if they don't look like what you'd expect. Fantastic, really.
It's definitely reassuring. It makes me feel a bit less like... I don't know. An outsider?
[ even though, really, that's exactly what all of them are. None of them even belong on this planet, let alone in this world.
She glances back over at her shoulder, at the bustling crowds of people going about their business without a care in the world. It's still baffling to think how far from home she is. ]
Is that what it feels like for you, when you travel?
[ even though, really, that's exactly what all of them are. None of them even belong on this planet, let alone in this world.
She glances back over at her shoulder, at the bustling crowds of people going about their business without a care in the world. It's still baffling to think how far from home she is. ]
Is that what it feels like for you, when you travel?
Maybe not! Although Valentine's Day would work... for some of you.
Just... [sigh] Trying not to get too upset. Who knows what's going on back home. That Megumi-chan had better not make a move on my Akito again now that I've been gone for a year. Although they broke up last Christmas, so probably not...?
[ Yuuri tries very hard -- without total success -- not to remember that there's a someone back home she's worried about, too. If the network took three members of the School Living Club then it stands to reason they would've taken four, after all.
But worrying about it isn't going to change that. ]
You don't think she would, do you? Not if he's already dating you. And if he's the sort of person who'd fall for something like that when he was supposed to be dating you then really, Megumi-san can have him.
[ and also, if he upsets Yurika, everyone from season two will probably kill him ]
But worrying about it isn't going to change that. ]
You don't think she would, do you? Not if he's already dating you. And if he's the sort of person who'd fall for something like that when he was supposed to be dating you then really, Megumi-san can have him.
[ and also, if he upsets Yurika, everyone from season two will probably kill him ]
Oh, there's no way! I mean, I was worried for a while, but a lot of things have happened since then! I'm sure they haven't stopped trying to find us. That goes for everyone, too!
[Of course she will be. It's cleaning of the impromptu clinic day, so Nari will be in and out of the room she's claimed in the house to make sure everything is orderly. The windows are wide open despite whatever the weather might be. Pillows are all hidden under her table-bed, and it hardly looks like someone has been using it for anything other than checking on patients.
Yuuri will find her standing in the middle of the room, hands on her hips as she looks around. And then she casually toes a book on the coffee/exam table enough to make it and a few others tumble to the ground.
Everything looks good now.]
Yuuri will find her standing in the middle of the room, hands on her hips as she looks around. And then she casually toes a book on the coffee/exam table enough to make it and a few others tumble to the ground.
Everything looks good now.]
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