View source for 584/After the Fire

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/11/15
|Location=Nakajima Family Safehouse "Summer Garden"
|Synopsis=Ikuto and Mikoto hash out the consequences of a mixed-up mission. A 'Hatched Plans' side scene.
|Cast of Characters=77, 102
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>A few minutes ago, Amulet Spade had hit Ikuto and Mikoto with a 'Negative Heart' attack, a burst of positive energy. Mikoto seemed relatively unaffected, but Ikuto took it quite badly. It was time to stop messing around, and either go, or hurt the heroes. So Mikoto decided to teleport them away. <br /><br />The teleport fades the pair back into reality in a small but comfortable apartment, somewhere in Tokyo. It's one of several safe-houses her family maintains, they having occasional need for one or another member to be out of sight for a while, so places like this are provisioned and maintained against such emergencies. Looking out the windows would reveal a very nice view of a city part from about the 30th floor, but the window-blinds are closed, letting only a bit of light in. The room in general is furnished in western style, to an open plan, with a small kitchenette at one end and a pair of sofas surrounding a large television at the other. <br /><br />It's one of these sofas that Mikoto hobbles towards, Ikuto's limp form almost a dead weight on her shoulders. She settles onto the cushions slowly, guiding him down to a seat, not wanting to jar him when he might be injured. Or worse.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>That's all right about the view... Ikuto's not looking out anyway. His head's still down, and he's deathly silent. Yoru's been hanging onto him the whole time, ensuring he hadn't been left behind. As the apartment fades into view and the teleport disappears, he releases his death-grip. And his first thought? "...Ikuto, are you okay-nya?" There's no answer.<br /><br />Ikuto doesn't look like he's injured, actually. There's no visible cuts or bruises on his body. But then, that's not what's bugging him. This fits squarely into the 'or worse' category. He is no help at all in guiding him toward the sofa aside from putting one foot in front of the other. And when Mikoto guides him to sit, he does so, his hands resting palm-up at his sides on the couch.<br /><br />His head remains down, his hair covering his face. And he just stays utterly silent. What could that attack have done to him? And why didn't Mikoto get hit by the same effect...?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>It's hard to explain the workings of some magics. Especially when you don't know much about the person casting them or what style of magic they use. Mikoto has an inkling of this, and she knows that Ikuto's (and Amu's) magics are different from hers, by a great deal... <br /><br />... but she really doesn't know just what that last burst hit her with. All she really knows is that ''she'' felt better, after it. More... protective of her - her friend, if anything. But ''he'' collapsed. <br /><br />"Hey... Ikuto-chan..." She reaches up to his forehead, checking for a fever. "You alive in there?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Ikuto's forehead isn't unpleasantly warm. In fact his skin is actually quite cool to the touch. He's sweating, though-- a cold sweat. Closer examination will show that he's shaking very slightly.<br /><br />"He's alive-nya," Yoru insisted. "If he wasn't I'd die too. I don't understand what's wrong with him though-nya..."<br /><br />What exactly '''is''' wrong with Ikuto? Depression. Nerves. He's upset. Encouragement and love from Amu, someone he had to fight... and he didn't show it but every time he heard Tadase take that tone with him, every time Tadase looked at him like that, he wanted to run to him, hug him, and tell him everything. But that would force him to choose between Tadase and his sister... and that wasn't a choice he wanted to make...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mikoto sighs, softly, and stands up helping to turn Ikuto so he can lie down on the couch, head resting on the armrest. "Looks like he's in a bit of shock," she murmurs. "Hang on here, I'll get a blanket." She steps away for a moment, rummaging in the bedroom, hunting for the spare blankets. <br /><br />She doesn't really know what it's like, to have to choose between two people you love that way. She may have walked away from her family, but she hasn't really abandoned them, and while they put their own pressure on her, it isn't overbearing. <br /><br />Well, not very often, anyway. <br /><br />She returns soon enough with the promised blanket, and spreads it over Ikuto's immobile form, before pulling up an ottoman beside the couch to perch on. She takes his hand in both of hers and holds it, gently rubbing the fingers, as if trying to restore circulation.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>While she goes and gets the blanket, Yoru grabs hold of Ikuto's shoulder and tries with all his might to shake the boy. He can't manage too much, even with all his strength. "Ikutoooo..." he whines. "Ikuto! Come on, wake up-nya!" Yes, he's worrying Yoru. But he's not really able to help it.<br /><br />He seems to wake up when Mikoto starts rubbing his hand. When he realizes it, he draws in a surprised breath and quickly pulls his hand back. "Ikuto?! Are you okay now-nya?!" Ikuto nods, but curlsin on himself a little. He's still not talking, but he's moving, so there's that.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"That's it," Mikoto mururs. "Look up at me. Your little friend here has been very worried about you." And so has she. She reaches out for the hand again, fingers tracing it gently as she watches him. <br /><br />"If you don't wake up, I'm going to call those two and tell them where to find you," she threatens, finally, grinding her teeth. "Wake up!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"...I'm fine," Ikuto states dully as he tilts his head up again. Big fat lie, obviously.<br /><br />He's shutting down, is what he's doing. Trying to shut himself off emotionally. So he doesn't have to deal with it. That's what he's been doing up until now. Should be fine to keep on that way, right?<br /><br />He also tries to pull his hand back from Mikoto's again. This is a full-on emotional shutdown he's enacting here.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Obviously you aren't," Mikoto snaps, her temper already fraying. She's been stifling it out of concern for him, but this kind of behavior is really pushing her buttons. She hates it when people won't talk to her. <br /><br />She lets his hand go. He's at least talking, even if it's just to be all stubborn ''boy'' about things. <br /><br />It's time to decide what course of action to take, then. How she's going to try to pull him out of this. She needs a minute to work herself up to it, because if she does this, then she's making her own feelings clear. <br /><br />And she's still a little nervous about doing that. Sure, they've had a couple of really fun dates. But she knows he's a stubborn, secretive little alley-cat. And she knows he's in trouble with something big. She ''wants'' to believe that he's a good person under it all. She's ''almost'' certain of it, in fact. But there's still that core of uncertainty that makes her hesitate. <br /><br />And then she looks down at Yoru, and the way the little chara has been acting, so concerned for his partner. No one truly bad could inspire that kind of concern, could they? <br /><br />She hasn't even really made up her conscious mind when she moves. Leaning in close, the still-present cat-ears flicking forward, she does it. Her lips brush against his, a brief kiss, warm and soft, held for a single eternal moment... before she flushes bright red, her ears flick back, and she stumbles back into her seat again.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Ikuto doesn't respond to Mikoto's anger. He's used to people being angry with him. He's spent the better part of three years making people angry with him, after all. He's always told himself it's to protect them. It's to keep the people he cares about away from Easter. But... they'll tangle with Easter anyway, even if it's to stop him. But it'll be easier for them believing he's too far gone to help...<br /><br />And then his thoughts are suddenly derailed QUITE FIRMLY when Mikoto kisses him. His eyes go wide, and the surprise is clear when she leans back. He's also quite clearly blushing. He still doesn't say anything, but this time it's out of surprise instead of him being upset.<br /><br />- Somewhere just off-frame, Yoru has wide eyes and a fluffed-up tail, his little limbs flailing to his sides. "EEEEH?!" -<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mikoto drops back onto the ottoman, cat-ears still flicked back, but starting to perk up as she watches his reaction. She's still flustered, a little embarassed and uncertain of her choice of course. <br /><br />It's the 'negative heart', she tells herself. That's what made her do it. She likes him, sure, but ''like'' like him? Really? (She completely ignores the fact that she kissed him once before, with no Amulet girl around to give her an excuse.) <br /><br />"You are such a ... a ... such a BOY!" she yells, finally, hand waving as if she's about to produce a rolled-up newspaper (or more likely one of those folded-paper fans) to whap him across the head with.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Ikuto has time to recover as Mikoto's reconsidering her course of action. However, as she starts to scold him, Ikuto settles down again. It's almost as it it's familiar to him, so it calms him down. Odd. He leans forward, propping his elbows on his knees. And he smirks in response to her words. "You act like girls aren't difficult," he teases.<br /><br />But he sighs a moment later. "...I've got my reasons in this case..." he says. At least he said that much about it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>His answer is what it takes to snap Mikoto out of her self-recriminations. "''Bad'' reasons," she snaps back. "You keep this up you're going to end up getting killed by someone. Quite possibly one of them. I could see how much they care about you... you're their friend, their teammate, aren't you?"<br /><br />She gets up from her seat and snarls something wordless, stalking about the room. "Just what is that - thing that you were, you know..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Ikuto's smile fades then, and he turns his head to one side. It's anybody's guess what he's looking at, since the blinds are closed. in another situation that wasn't so tense, it might almost be funny how many cat mannerisms he really has, even when he lacks feline traits. Cats stare at the wall for no reason, for hours at a time, don't they?<br /><br />"...It's better than the alternative," Ikuto replies, closing his eyes. He doesn't speak again for a moment, not until she asks him about the gem. Then that same evil-ish smirk appears-- he's trying so hard to look like an evil person, but he just can't quite pull it off; maybe he can convince Amu and Tadase, but not someone who knows what it looks like when someone smiles evilly. "I told you. A trinket I needed for a plan of mine."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"No, it actually isn't," Mikoto insists, still stalking back and forth before him. She's quite a sight, her long legs shown off by the short skirt of her costume, her hair flying as she turns her head side to side as she talks. <br /><br />"A trinket. Right." She snorts, looking away, the long braided hair all that's to be seen, her face hidden. "A trinket that knows it's being stolen and calls for help so loudly I can hear it from three blocks away." She didn't exactly ''hear'' it. Not in so many words. But she certainly felt its need. <br /><br />"Pull the other one, it's got bells on."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Ikuto huffs a chuckle through his nose. But he doesn't elaborate. Instead, he turns the conversation around to Mikoto. "So. I was stealing. Illegal business at best, immoral at worst. Why would you help me? you know the kind of trouble you'll get into if anyone finds out you're involved in helping me get away?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Illegal. Immoral. That does not mean that simple ''common courtesy'' does not require that you keep your ''partner'' in the loop!" Wow. She really is taking it seriously. <br /><br />"I just put myself on the line and scared the ''crap'' out of that little girl. For '''you'''. I'd appreciate knowing what I was doing that ''for''." <br /><br />She stops pacing and turns to look at him, her cloak whipping around her from the speed of the movement. "Start talking, cat-boy."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>When faced with the possibility of someone getting involved to help him, Ikuto generally has a very immediate kneejerk reaction.<br /><br />To act like a complete and total jackass.<br /><br />And so he leans back against the couch, crossing his legs at the knees, and then his arms over his chest. "Where did this 'partner' thing come in? I don't remember asking for your help," Ikuto states.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mikoto has two ways of dealing with jackasses. One way involves bodily harm. Usually committed by means of pushing them into the kendo dojo and beating them upside the head with a bokken. ... That's not exactly practical, here. <br /><br />So she leans back on path number two. Blame the jerk. <br /><br />"You did, when you agreed to be my date for the dance, remember? And all the time we spent talking about working together and trusting each other and having someone you can talk to about things."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I didn't realize one date meant I was your partner for life," Ikuto replies, raising a brow. He's really trying to look like something other than a petulant boy-child. It's not working. And he's missing Mikoto's point for smaller things.<br /><br />But above all things, the most accurate gauge of his mood right now? Looking at Yoru. Yoru's sort of hanging in the air near the couch, arms hanging limply at his sides, ears drooping, face sad. He knows what Ikuto's doing. And he knows that...<br /><br />...Ikuto doesn't want to do this. He doesn't want to have to push away another person that could understand him. But he doesn't have a choice. He doesn't want her to end up owned by Easter too. What other choice did he have but to push her away?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mikoto stalks back to the couch and sets herself down on the ottoman again. "At least you're up and talking, now," she snaps out, curt and angry. "You keep trying to drive everyone away, every time this comes up. That's just ''stupid'', cat-boy." <br /><br />She reaches out, grabbing him by the shoulder, if he allows it. "You can't keep doing this, Ikuto. Whatever this is, if it's got you this scared... you can't handle it alone. You don't want to try. I can tell how much it's hurting you..."<br /><br />She squeezes his shoulder, leaning close, almost into a hug. "Please. Tell me. ''Let me help you''."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Ikuto pretends to be unmoved. But the clues are there, if Mikoto's able to see. When she leans in, Ikuto emits a quiet, choked sound. His fingers tighten where he's got them resting on his arms. But he's silent.<br /><br />Yoru's ears raise just a little, and he looks on the interaction between the two with interest. He doesn't know whether he hopes more that Ikuto will agree or hopes that he'll refuse.<br /><br />It's a long moment of silence Ikuto lets pass. Long enough that it might appear he's not going to answer at all. Finally though...<br /><br />"...I can't."<br /><br />Well, it's an improvement at least-- 'can't' over 'won't', or 'I am a jackass'.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mikoto stares into his eyes, watching his reaction, waiting impatiently as he hesitates. And then he answers. <br /><br />*CRACK* No, that isn't a cup shattering in her hand, or the wall cracking under the force of her Killing Intent. She doesn't do that sort of thing. This is a much less shonen sort of world. <br /><br />No, that's her palm impacting Ikuto's cheek. "Oh, yes, you can. And don't you ''dare'' give me any guff about 'it's too dangerous'. I faced down one of those White Flower girls last night and walked away with my head still in one piece, I can handle this."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>*CRACK*<br /><br />Ikuto emits a sound of surprise and pain at the impact to his cheek. And he raised a hand of his own to put it over the red mark on his face, turning to look at Mikoto in surprise. He wasn't surprised she'd do it. Just surprised she did it right then. Her words, though, get a frown.<br /><br />"Fine," he growls. "You want the truth? It's for Easter. An organization that steals the hopes and dreams out of kids because '''we''' think we can use them better. It's for them. I work for them. I've '''given''' myself to them and their cause." Not entirely true, but they do own him, so it's not too far off.<br /><br />It's a 'yes, I'm evil' speech. All that's missing is an evil cackle. But Ikuto would probably puke if he tried that. Those are harder than people might think.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mikoto whirls away from you, stalking up and down the room again, muttering to herself about idiot cat-boys and silly disrespectful girls and crazy evil conspiracies. <br /><br />"You are an ''idiot''," she finally says aloud. "If you really believed that, you wouldn't be pushing me away. You'd be selling me on whatever your project is. You'd, you'd have a story, a good reason, a plan that might actually work... something convincing, something that'd make me want to ''help''." Okay, and just where did she get that from? The latest issue of ''Dragon Jump''? <br /><br />"Believe me," she finishes. "I've seen Evil. I've seen the kind of man who can cut a child's throat and walk away smiling. You aren't that kind of man."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Bam. That's his argument, shot right in the tenders. Ikuto's never really had someone call his bluff before. Usually just a few evil looks, an admission that he was evil, maybe an insult here or there, is enough to throw people off the scent.<br /><br />So... let's try another insult. "Maybe I don't want your help," he says. "Or do you want to see what I do? Do you want proof?" He sort of made another mistake there, though... because if he wasn't so desperate to convince her, he wouldn't be giving her that opportunity.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Of course I want proof," Mikoto answers him. She's willing to give him a chance to explain, once he's actually willing to ''talk'' about it. Instead of constantly repeating 'you don't want to get involved, I'm too afraid you'll get hurt'. <br /><br />"Why don't you start by showing me the thing you were... were stealing, and what it's for?" <br /><br />Damn, those cat-ears keep moving, giving away her mood. They're flicked forward, now, to hear him better, curious to see what he has to say. Maybe she should rethink using them as part of her outfit.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>If Ikuto can see the ears and their tattletelling ways, he hasn't mentioned it. He just reaches into his pocket for the large gem. He looks at it. There's just one problem. He doesn't know what it's for. He was just told to get it, that's all. Easter rarely tells him anything about their plans.<br /><br />He's gotta make SOMETHING up. "...It'll make a fine power source," he decides. It DOES radiate magic, so there's that. He's going to feel dumb if this is the focus or refractor or something else....<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>((Commencing scan)) Carnwennan knows what Mikoto wants even before she can ask it. <br /><br />"Alright, just put it down on the table, carefully," she says, her eyes following the gem, now. She steps back a bit, to give Ikuto room, and perches on the other couch, across the table from him. <br /><br />"So, what're they holding over you?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"...What says you aren't going to make off with it as soon as I put it down?" Ikuto inquires. He's extremely interested in not losing the thing, for obvious reasons.<br /><br />And at the question he frowns. "... Nothing." But the response is too sharp, to quick. There's a bitter edge to it. It's something, but he's not saying.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"That's why I'm over here," she says, "And you're over there." She's not interested in getting him into trouble with Easter. She just wants to know what they're after. <br /><br />And she's not exactly going to let that go, not now that she has the edges of the story. She wants the rest. "Bull pucky."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>More or less convinced, Ikuto sets the palm-sized gem on the coffee table. But he keeps an eye on it. The expression of disbelief, though, gets a blink. "...Bull what?" That's a very distinctly not-Japanese phrase. But he does actually know what prompted it. He's stalling for time.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>".... Kamis dammit, Reese, you're infecting my vocabulary now." Must be that American driver of hers, the one who took them both to the restaurant, and then Ikuto home, after the ball. <br /><br />"You know what I mean," she insists. She wonders what will happen first: He'll quit stalling, or Carnwennan will finish scanning the rock.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>As it turns out, the scan is finished first, because Ikuto just lapses into silence, watching the stone as if he was afraid it'd disappear. He doesn't want the damn thing, but it's important. It's a one-of-a-kind item, that's for sure. A magical signature, too. But it's extremely vague and doesn't really seem to have a function that can be discerned.<br /><br />Yoru's curiosity, though, cannot be contained. He flies over to Mikoto, peering at the Device as if it had a display that he could see. "What's it say-nya?!" he asks excitedly. That's telling too. Ikuto would have told Yoru what it does, wouldn't he? That is, if he knew...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mikoto eyes the display Carnwennan provides for her, reading over the scan data while she waits for Ikuto to screw up his courage and tell her what's going on. It's kind of disappointing, really, it doesn't match anything in the ancient Device's databases, and she can't gather any particular possibilities from the partial matches it suggests. <br /><br />"You first," she tells Yoru. "You're the one who's been with him every step of the way, after all." And then she moves on to bribery. Opening up a jar on the side table next to her sofa to reveal... nice little foil-wrapped Hershey Kisses. She tosses one to Yoru, angling it deliberately towards the little chara. <br /><br />Mikoto is a cheating cheater who cheats.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Ikuto's eyes go a bit wide when he notes the bribery. Yoru's eyes go wide at the fact that there is a CHOCOLATE flying at him! Catch! Unwrap! Nomf! Perhaps unsurprisingly he shares that in common with Ikuto too-- he likes chocolate. "I just try to keep him outta trouble-nya," Yoru replies. "He's stubborn and don't like it when people get involved in his problems. He doesn't even like his own sister getting involved-nya. But she's got problems of her own--"<br /><br />"Yoru," Ikuto pipes up quickly, looking cross. Probably too late, though; there's what they're holding over him.<br /><br />"But but but! Chocolate-nya!" Yoru protests. Ikuto narrows his eyes. There will be SO many noseflicks later.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mikoto mutters a curse under her breath as she realizes the implications of what Yoru has spilled. This takes things from 'annoyingly dangerous' to maddeningly so. She actually grinds her teeth as she works her way through her first reactions so as not to explode in violence in such a nice place - or at a person she cares about as much as she does Ikuto. <br /><br />"Your sister," she finally says. "I take it she's as ... involved... as you are?" She's giving him a chance to come clean, to tell her the truth... she really hopes he takes it. <br /><br />"Unless they've got a tag directly on you, we're safe from eavesdropping here. Talk to me..." She closes her eyes, looking down, hands clenched until her knuckles turn white. "... ''please''."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Ikuto suddenly finds the floor incredibly fascinating. He's torn. He doesn't want to get her involved too. There's a reason he's been keeping Tadase and Amu away from it. Because it's dangerous, for one. He doesn't want to be responsible for another person getting wrapped up in Easter beyond their ability to get out.<br /><br />But at the same time he wants to talk to someone. And he knows as much as they haven't had a lot of interaction, he knows Mikoto could understand him. But that just makes him want to protect her more. She has her own problems. He doesn't want to be responsible for ruining her life.<br /><br />''Nobody should get near the Black Cat of Misfortune...''<br /><br />He remains silent a moment longer, gaze on the ground. "...Will you promise to stay out of it if I tell you?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>It's kind of ironic, really. Mikoto certainly has her own secrets to keep. Like the true identity of 'Ms Blue', for instance. Or her real reasons for working with Hannah and WPA. But here she is insisting that Ikuto spill everything. <br /><br />Some people would say it's the girl's prerogative in a relationship. She tries not to pull that kind of game. Most of the time. <br /><br />It's too bad, really. She's yelling at him because she cares about him. Because ''she'' wants to protect ''him''. It's what a Knight ''does'', after all, by the way Jethri was trained. Jethri protected her nation by killing its enemies. Mikoto has yet to go very far down that path. Fortunately. <br /><br /> It takes her a moment to consider, before she answers him. But the answer is simple. And obvious, to anyone who knows them both. It's one simple word. <br /><br />"No."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"...I see."<br /><br />Really, that's what he expected. He leans forward and picks up the gem, and then stands, slipping it back into his pocket. He's pulled his expression back under his control, and it is the unreadable expression that it had been before. "Yoru." The Guardian Character looks at him with an inquisitive look. "We're done here."<br /><br />He heads for the window, takes a look through the blinds, and then heads for the door that looks like the exit, Yoru following. He pauses at the door though. "...Thank you for your help. But don't throw your lot in with me again. If you keep helping me I can't guarantee you'll come out of it unscathed." His voice is flat now, holding in the emotions he's feeling.<br /><br />Ikuto doesn't really even understand what's happening. But he doesn't think about it right now. He's got a job to do. And he doesn't want someone else wrapped up in this.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mikoto turns to watch him go. The door is locked, but it's easy enough to figure out how to unlock it from this side. She doesn't get up, doesn't reach out to stop him. She knows that she can't do this that way. <br /><br />Or, she should. <br /><br />She gets up, finally, just as he reaches the door. <br /><br />Reaches her hand out to him. <br /><br />"Ikuto...." she says, trailing off, looking for something that will make him stop. There are so many things she could say. So many that she already has said. But this stubborn cat just won't listen.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>It's not any easier for Ikuto. But he knows it's got to be done. He can't let anyone else get wrapped up in all this. It's the same reason he's been pushing people away, and even avoiding his sister, since Easter came for him while he stayed with Tsukasa overseas. But now? The excuse rings hollow for some reason... even though he knows it's absolutely true.<br /><br />Her call of his name does stop him. Yoru watches, concerned, wondering what Ikuto would do. Somehow as much as the little feline Character knows about him-- being made of Ikuto's dream and all-- he can't always predict Ikuto's actions. Mainly because Ikuto is acting in a way that an idealized version of himself wouldn't.<br /><br />Ikuto pauses when he hears his name, yes. But only for a moment. He unlocks the door. Pauses again. "...I'm sorry." Why did he say that? He wouldn't ordinarily. He'd just leave. But... he felt the need to say something, even if he didn't look at her. He knew what he'd see, and he didn't want to see it.<br /><br />And then he opens the door and exits, Yoru following. Yoru too, pauses for a moment, to look back at Mikoto with sad yellow eyes, before following Ikuto away, his ears drooping again.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Ikuto..." she calls after him, plaintive, soft. <br /><br />She could run after him. <br /><br />Cast a binding spell. <br /><br />So many options. So many ways to ''make'' him stay and talk. <br /><br />But that isn't what she wants. It isn't ''him'' trusting ''her''. It's her ''bullying'' him. And she can't bring herself to do that. ''It's for his own good'', she tells herself, ''he '''needs''' the help'', but even that doesn't move her to action. <br /><br />A single tear drips down her cheek. <br /><br />The door closes.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:77|Ikuto Tsukiyomi (77)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The door closing was felt more than heard, at least for Ikuto. It's a symbol. Of him shutting another person out of his life. Of him shunning help in favor of letting Easter use him longer. They'd be done with him one day... but he knew where that road would lead. He'd be able to find a way out before then. But not if he kept letting people get involved in his problems.<br /><br />Holding in his feelings is second nature now. He does it without knowing it most of the time. Oh but this time he definitely knew. But if it's second nature now, if it's so easy, if it's the right thing to do...<br /><br />Why did it hurt so much?<br /><br />Ikuto scowled. ''Stop that. Just get back to your house. Tsukumo's going to complain if you don't have that gem in at 8 a.m. sharp.'' A look to Yoru, and then he canted his head in the direction of the street.<br /><br />Though it was an alley he found his way into. There was a pop and a sparkle, and his cat ears reappeared. He leaped up to the roof of a nearby building, and then he started to make his way back to his house.<br /><br />...Good luck getting to sleep though.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:102|Mikoto Nakajima (102)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Behind him, Mikoto's eyes close, as that single crystalline tear drips down her cheek, hesitates for a moment, and falls to the ground. The sword she put away is drawn, its point driven into the carpeted floor. <br /><br />''Why won't he listen?'' <br /><br />Mikoto has no answer for it. Her fingers clench on Carnwennan's hilt. <br /><br />Something within her has an answer, though. That dark place that she has come to draw on for inner strength. The memory of another person, another life. ''He doesn't understand. Doesn't believe.'' it tells her. It knows only one choice: to be as steel. <br /><br />She falls from the seat, the Device-blade clattering to the floor beside her. ''Be as steel.'' Hah. There is no steel here. Only a human heart.<br> <br>
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