meritocracy | appointments

appointments

APPOINTMENTS FOR NATALIA
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"I will do everything in my power as the
Princess--no, as a citizen of Kimlasca."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...Of course you'd say that. [wryly, before she offers a slight smile]
Aren't I more likely to burn something down, Asch? I admit I've improved but..yes, I know what you mean. I'll take care of him. [she lowers her eyes]
I don't doubt your abilities but..--you know I'll worry anyway, right? [she offers him a small smile]

...Hm. Do whatever you want.

[Asch shrugs it off; it bothers him that she's going to fret even the slightest bit, but he should really know better by now. It's just how she is, in particular - though he doesn't like to admit it - when it comes to him.]

There's something else. This month, February, has some kind of special holiday that the Malnosso use for their own entertainment, usually at our expense. Be careful.

An event? What sort of holiday? [she turns to eye him warily over her shoulder]
I have no interest in being used as some sort of toy.

Neither do I. This one happens every year- people are forced to- [....B-blush. He's trying to hide it, but... it's been awkward.] ...Temporarily... fall in love.

[GREAT SCOTT SHE DROPS HER TEA SPOON. EXCEPT NOT REALLY SHE JUST SORT OF OPENS HER MOUTH LIKE WHOA. ]

...Oh..my.

Yeah. So you should be careful. [SO VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. After four years he's been through enough of these to be wary.]

..I'll keep it in mind.
[she flushes a bit more delicately]
Goodness..this place really is beyond words.

...Yeah. You have to be careful about who you talk to this week. Avoid Van and Sync, especially.

[He can't imagine the awkwardness if- ...ugh.]

...[she just stares at him as her face sort of blanches, walking towards him with a cup of tea. yes, it smells good. look she has to not kill people while living here okay. ]

But you'll be unaffected since you're going on a mission, correct?

...I assume that's the case. [And if it's not, then he's screwed, because he'll be stuck in love with either robots, their captors, or an enemy... none of those are acceptable options.]

..I'm glad to hear that. I'd like you to be spared at least. [so honestly said, as she smiles a little, staring down at her teacup]

...I hope they'll leave you alone as well. [If someone screws around with her feelings, he'll be awfully peeved.]

Either way, I'll be fine. I won't allow myself to be used too deeply even if I were. [she offers him a reassuring smile]

How much time do you have until you must leave?

[Oh, Natalia. Strong as ever. He has to duck his head to hide the slight smile.]

A few hours at most.

..Would you mind spending some of that time here? I'd like to hear how you've been.

[she folds her hands together]
It's been a while since we've spoken like this.

...Alright. [When she's asking with that look on her face, he can't really say no, can he?] I don't have anywhere else I need to go.

[You certainly can't. She just smiles. ]

Then I suppose I'm fortunate today. [she tilts her head]
What have you been up to?

Very little. [Trying to figure out how to deal with a dying replica.] It's... been a while. [Since he saw her, anyway.]

..It has. [she glances down at her hands briefly, before she looks up.]
I'm sorry for that. I--I think I needed some time to adjust.

There's nothing to apologize, Natalia. I was- [-Dead-] ...gone. It was expected.

...I shouldn't have wasted time like that. [she furrows her eyebrows]
I..--[a helpless smile twitches at her mouth as her hand goes to the side of her face, smiling down at her teacup. ]
I didn't mean to make you feel--uncomfortable. I'm sorry for that, as well.

I told you, don't apologize. [The last thing he wants her to do is worry about something so pointless.] Just forget it, Natalia.

..You're right. [she glances up at him with a serious look on her face]
Asch. There's something..I'd like to ask you, if that would be alright.

[He hesitates - briefly - then glances over at her, his expression a mixture of wariness and curiosity. Why so serious all of a sudden?]

What is it?

[she bites her lip before she looks up seriously]
Asch. Would it be alright if--[a pause. a silence.]
If we try again? I realize..I did a great wrong to you--back on Auldrant. Not seeing who you were until it was..far too late. I never told you that I had acknowledged the path you had chosen. There were so many things--that I didn't know.

You watched over me. You supported me when I doubted myself, and in turn I held you back with a promise that..no longer was valid, didn't I? It was cruel of me. It..must have caused you pain. I am sorry. I was so thankful to you--I kept thinking I had time to say what I wanted but--in the end I was afraid. [she swallows.]

And that was how..we said goodbye. Both of us are different people now. --[she won't cry. instead she just looks up with a hopeful, almost helpless smile.]

We can't go back to that promise or that future that we dreamed of as children. But that doesn't mean..that I don't want to meet the person in front of me, just as he is.

..Can I get to know you once more?

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