[not again] catchall for akira

[fishingforcompliments]

Comments

[fishingforcompliments]

I am sure they would love to share a cup of coffee with you!

[she sounds pretty certain of that, actually]

[survivaltricks]

[so she does. . . giving her a curious look]

I know you talk to Shadows a lot, but do you talk to Heart a lot, too?

[fishingforcompliments]

Not quite as often as I have spoken with Black Shadows, but they seemed to enjoy having coffee with me, and I am not nearly so knowledgeable about the drink as you seem to be.

[she smiles]

But I have been trying to speak with all three of them. They have been put into a difficult situation.

[survivaltricks]

. . . yeah. I agree. And I believe that none of them want this.

[with the coffee made, Akira begins to collect some curry ingredients: a pot, some knives, some vegetables, etc etc]

Do you mind if I ask you a question about Shadows, Flayn?

[fishingforcompliments]

[she watches and memorizes what he's gathering - all the better to be able to recreate this later, she hopes.]

A question...? No, I do not mind. Ask me anything you like.

[survivaltricks]

[he is going slowly so she can observe, since they're chatting while he prepares]

Well, I mentioned to them that I was going to teach you how to make curry, but then they got a little awkward.

Is everything okay?

[okay that's it that's the PC Akira just wants the GOSSIP]

[fishingforcompliments]

...awkward?

[Flayn's brows knit together in concern.]

How do you mean?

[survivaltricks]

Hn. . . I guess it's hard to explain when we can't see their face, but they just seemed a bit awkward when I mentioned your name.

[glancing over at her, head tilted]

Nothing happened, right?

[fishingforcompliments]

...well.

[now it's

her turn to look a little awkward, honestly.]

I... we certainly felt closer to each other last week than we do right now. I think.

[survivaltricks]

[oh :(]

You definitely looked like you were getting along.

[Shadows held her hand and everything during the execution :(]

How can something like that change so quickly. . .?

[fishingforcompliments]

...I am not certain. And I do not mean to imply that I am not fond of them - quite the opposite, in fact.

[she looks down at her feet]

...but it does feel a little different now. I would like to spend more time with them, but if they are more comfortable keeping their distance, perhaps I should not push it.

[survivaltricks]

[huh. . . he seems surprised to hear that. but perhaps Shadows is the director he knows the least, out of all three of them]

What makes you think they want to keep their distance?

[fishingforcompliments]

...they felt a bit awkward to me, too, when I went to the camp store earlier this week. I had hoped that I was imagining it.

But, you said that they were awkward when you brought up my name... so perhaps it was not my imagination.

[ :( ]

[survivaltricks]

[oh no Flayn!1]

Awkwardness isn't a sign that they don't want to be close to you, Flayn. Perhaps. . .

[hm]

Maybe it's a sign that they want to tell you something but can't figure out how?

[fishingforcompliments]

But they can tell me anything. I would always be glad to listen.

[she should, perhaps, tell black shadows that and not akira. it's fine.]

[survivaltricks]

Tell them that. Not me.

[it's okay he is on it]

[fishingforcompliments]

[she smiles]

...perhaps if this curry turns out well I shall bring them some.

[survivaltricks]

Of course it'll turn out well. We're the ones making it.

[he is the coffee guru and she is his student!1]

Sorry for prying into your personal business, though. I guess I was just curious.

[he will leave it at that]

[fishingforcompliments]

[she's terrible at cooking, akira! don't underestimate her ability to fuck up...]

Oh, no - it is quite alright. You were concerned for a friend, were you not? I cannot fault you for asking.

[survivaltricks]

[sweats nervously]

. . . I guess I was a bit surprised after you had talked them up the week before.

[sheepish, he rubs the back of his neck]

But I'm sure it'll work out-- [uh] -- whatever "it" is.

[fishingforcompliments]

I hope that it does. I would hate to have made them uncomfortable around me.

[ :( ]

Everything I said about them before, though... it is certainly the truth. All awkwardness aside, I believe that anyone who is able to spend time with them ought to consider themselves very lucky.

[survivaltricks]

[a light laugh]

I'd agree. I don't know them that well yet myself, but-- I'm trying.

[another pause. and then, blunt]

Are you on their team, Flayn? And before you say anything, you really don't have to answer.

[he knows that is an invasive question, and for the most part he's been trying not to ask people. but this one time he has his reasons for not holding back]

[fishingforcompliments]

[!!

well, she wasn't expecting that question - though, thankfully, he follows it up with an assurance that she doesn't have to answer.]

I, um...

[...it's good she doesn't have to, because she doesn't seem to know how to.]

[survivaltricks]

[and immediately, he holds up a hand, palm facing forward]

Mmm, nevermind.

[IT'S OKAY HE WON'T PRESS. he will turn to the vegetables to start chopping them up!1]

I only asked because I don't know anyone on Shadows' team, while I've met a few people on Heart's and Winter's. It was selfish of me to put you on the spot, though-- so let's forget I asked.

[fishingforcompliments]

No, it was not selfish... it is natural to be curious.

[she glances down at the scrunchie on her wrist, then moves to help with chopping the vegetables. she goes slowly, but - since she isn't rushing, they're getting chopped to the right size, so. there's that!]

I wish we could all simply... tell each other. Keeping secrets such as this is exhausting.