( week three ) ➙ akira

[rightfully]

[ For the second time in however many weeks, she finds herself knocking on his door. There are a few key differences; first, and more prevalently, is the somewhat awkward nature of the knock. She's still getting her bearings with her non-dominant arm.

Patiently, Lucina waits, if he even wants to open his door to her.

The investigation was quite harrowing, but has opened her eyes to a few things. ]

Comments

[jokered]

[it doesn't really matter what kind of knock it is; it doesn't really stop akira from wasting no time to actually answer it.

somehow... he's expecting lucina even less than he was the first time he did it, especially because they really haven't spoken since wednesday.]

Lucina... hey.

[? he'll step aside so she can come into the hut, at least.]

[rightfully]

Good evening, Akira.

[ She steps in, but doesn't go far. Looking around the inside of his hut briefly, she's unsurprised by how much it resembles hers. They all look the same, she supposes. ]

I hope I'm not disturbing. I wanted to thank you for looking after Magilou on Thursday night.

[ That's not the only reason she's here, but... it's a good place to start. ]

[jokered]

[the differences are minor, but they exist. at the foot of his bed sits yato's shrine; next to it is the small jar that houses haru's ashes. so there's that.]

I don't mind, on either count. [he's not busy at the moment, and looking out for magilou is just something he'd do anyway.]

Glad I could help, so she doesn't have to worry about not having an alibi.

[even if alibis are mostly meaningless here anyway.]

[rightfully]

[ She sees the two incongruent item but doesn't comment on them, in the end. It's none of her business. ]

Regardless, it's very kind of you, to worry so on her behalf.

[ Hesitating, and then... ]

I'm afraid I might need to impose on you further, ... again, on her behalf.

[jokered]

Impose? How so?

[there's no way he's going to see anything lucina asks of him, especially with regards to magilou, as an imposition.

but still, he wants to know what it is specifically she's asking of him, even if there are some guesses he can make for himself.]

[rightfully]

I imagine it's not much secret that I'm at a disadvantage now.

[ She used to be the strongest soldier among her peers, now she can't even get her sleeve sorted without Magilou's help. It's hard not to be hyper aware of the distinction, even if she's trying to push forward without pitying herself.

There's a difference between acknowledging when you need help and ... whatever else. ]

I wanted to protect Magilou from the dangers of this island, but I can no longer do so on my own.

[ In tone, she sounds remarkably matter of fact, as if she's reciting her favourite poem from memory. ]

[jokered]

[ah.

he can't say he doesn't understand that. though he's sure lucina is probably still capable in many ways, she's without her sword and her sword arm.]

...And you want me to help protect her?

[it's more a surprised curiosity that she came to him with that. even if it makes sense, given how much time they spend together... and well.

he wanted to do that anyway.]

[rightfully]

Yes. That is, at your discretion.

[ She's certainly not going to put any pressure on him, or - is trying not to. Some of it is a matter of opinion. ]

I don't wish to see anyone come to harm, but Magilou ... she's different.

[ Not just because their fates are irrevocably linked now. ]

[jokered]

...I agree.

[she's different. she's... special, in her own way. lucina won't get an argument out of akira for that, because his feelings about magilou are definitely different too.]

I would have done that without your urging, so you can count on me for this.

[rightfully]

[ ... Tinily, she breathes a sigh of relief. Some of the tension seems to leave her body, making her look shorter. Full heighted, yes - but staunch worry has a way of lengthening her. It might be a defense mechanism. ]

Thank you.

[jokered]

You don't have to thank me for something I want to do. One day, she really might do something reckless if nobody looks out for her.

[and he doesn't want to see magilou get hurt or killed either, honestly.]

[rightfully]

Yes, I've... worried over that myself.

[ Not just because Magilou is well meaning and too observant; not just because of the sleep-stricken nights they've had to endure since becoming roommates.

The girl lets her whims move her feet. It's alarming. ]

Truthfully, I'm glad I have you around when I can't temper her singularly.

[ TRIAL BATON PASSING, MAGILOU STYLE ]

[jokered]

I don't want to see anything happen to her either.

[so naturally, he'll help. he knows how important magilou is to them both, so it's the least he can do.]

I think between the two of us, we can keep her from floating off-track too much.

[rightfully]

[ Lucina blinks, a bit surprised by this new revelation. ]

I did not know she could float, too.

[ Um... ]

[jokered]

Ah...

[lucina, no.]

It was a figure of speech.