thatsthespirit

Yes.

[Her answer is immediate, of course.]

If that's what it takes to keep them from being alone, then I will.

[it's. . . the exact answer Milla expected from her, honestly. and one she admires. Yuna's tenacity and good-heartedness was one of her favorite things about her roommate]

[nevertheless]

Your injuries.

Are they healing? Last week, you insisted I stay inside because of mine. What if I insisted the same for you this week?

[She frowns pretty mightily at that, but she does understand where Milla's coming from... Still, she can't help but object.]

Mine weren't as bad as yours were in the first place, though, and even though everyone got so scared, I don't think they were ever that bad at all... [They were PRETTY BAD but like, she fistfought the sun once, her standards are in a weird place.] They're feeling much better now, too! I promise I won't go by myself this time, but I can't stay inside.

[the objection was also something Milla expected, and she can't help but smile a bit despite the conversation]

I thought you might say that. It's something I would say, too. I admire that strength you possess.

But. . .

[and that "but" hangs heavy in the air]

You know how dangerous it is out there. You experienced that danger last week. In your current state, could you really defend both yourself and the person locked in the stocks as well as you defended Shinnosuke?

[it's not every day Milla tries to talk someone out of doing something dangerous, but she really wants Yuna to remain safe]

[She doesn't answer this quite so immediately—not out of uncertainty, but because she wants to think this over, wants to be completely and utterly certain before she makes a promise she can't keep.]

I know I'm not in top condition right now. This isn't the worst I've ever been hurt, though, and this isn't the hardest I've ever had to fight.

[She says this slowly, carefully; there are secrets she's meant to keep and she still doesn't know how to best explain herself, but she would trust Milla with her whole universe. There's an intensity to her voice despite how soft her tone is.]

I won't go alone. If I don't, I can be sure whoever needs to be defended has enough strength with them to keep them safe. Even like this, though, I can still help, and I won't hold anyone back.

. . .

[uuuugh! as much as Milla admires that big heart of her roommate's, and as much as it makes her trust Yuna just as must as Yuna trusts her. . . if she were a little less determined this would be easier]

[Milla chooses her words carefully, but with the amount of strength she is putting into them and the way her gaze doesn't falter from Yuna's, it's clear she is being very serious]

Yuna.

You must stay alive, at all costs. Do you understand?

Edited 2017-02-16 04:57 (UTC)

Milla...

[Yuna's expression softens, and though her determination won't falter—has it ever?—she isn't quite so severe as she continues.]

There are a lot of people relying on me. Maybe more than you might know. I have people here I want to protect and take care of, and promises I won't be able to keep if I don't get out of here. I have to get home to my Hero Club, and to Togo.

Being a hero means protecting people no matter what, and it means never giving up, no matter what happens. I have to be willing to face dancer, but I still won't die so easily.

[it's like talking to a younger, bouncier version of herself!!]

. . . I understand. I know people are relying on you. [hessssitation] Believe it or not, I am one of those people.

I-- [nggggh. feelings? when was the last time she felt this way. . . when was the last time a fear of loss gripped her heart so tightly it made her chest hurt? come to think of it, the last time that happened, she totally volunteered to die in order to protect her friends]

I don't want to see anything bad happen to you.

Of course I believe you! [That's instant; Milla needs to know just how much faith Yuna has in her. Milla could tell her that the sky was green and Yuna would schedule an eye exam.]

I got really lucky. Lots of people here don't even like their roommates, but I feel like I made much more than a friend thanks to my assignment. Actually, I think this might be what it's like to have a sister!

I'd really hate to see you upset. There are lots of reasons I have to keep myself safe, and that's one of them.

[oh my god Yuna???]

A sister?

[a h. Milla has never had what one would call a "typical" family, and the closest thing she had to a sister was Muzét. she was still getting used to the idea of considering her fellow great spirit a "sibling." but for some reason, when Yuna says it, it makes her feel. . . happy]

[deep breaths, though she takes it slowly so as not to agitate her cracked ribs]

There are. . . many reasons I want to see you safe. The fact that I've greatly enjoyed your company these past few weeks is one of them.

[UNDERSTATEMENT. her voice is uncharacteristically soft]

So if you insist on guarding the stocks again, then I insist on going with you. [she knew this endeavor would be a failure from the very start, but she had to try] And I won't hear any arguments against it this time around.

[Not that Yuna isn't always some level of friendly, but when she smiles at Milla, it's so, so warm and soft. She nods, too—a sister. Her Hero Club members aren't exactly family to her when they're classmates her age, when Fu and Itsuki are each other's sisters, when Karin isn't quite used to even being a girl instead of a weapon, when Yuna doesn't quite have the words to describe her feelings for Togo. They're no less important to her for it; they're her everything. Still, there's a difference in the sort of dependability she finds in sisterhood, especially when she's an only child and all her friends are her age.

She loves Milla with her whole heart and soul. She couldn't be luckier to have her.]

It's a deal. We'll go together.

[and that satisfies her, for now. it doesn't help with the fear that still chills her to the bone, doesn't help with the knowledge that she knows she'll be less able to fight than usual due to the cracked ribs and bruises she bears. but it's still. . . something]

One of my comrades from home taught me a human tradition called the "pinkie promise." Do you know what that is?

[what the hell

milla is so cute

and Yuna wastes no time at all extending her pinky, positively beaming.]

I do! They're one of the most important kinds of promises, so I can definitely make a pinky promise to stay together!

[BLAME ELIZE FOR THIS ONE OKAY? GOD]

[extends her own pinkie though, linking it with Yuna's]

And a pinkie promise that you'll stay alive too, right?

A pinkie promise that I'm going to fight to stay alive, no matter what.

[It's the only I will she can offer. Yuna has made and kept impossible promises before, but...she knows herself. She knows what matters to her. She can't make a guarantee. Heroism means putting others first. It means sacrifice. From the very start—even before that, from the moment Fu told her she was a Hero meant to protect the Shinju-sama, she's been ready to do anything it takes to protect the people here, no matter what it means for her.

But her friends give her the strength to endure, to keep fighting. That's why she's renewing her resolve to live, here and now, her pinkie finger intertwined with Milla's.]

I'll give it all I've got as long as you do, too.

[once again, it's the answer Milla expected, especially since she knew she was asking for a promise neither of them knew she could keep. with their fingers linked, Milla gives their hands a shake and nods firmly]

Of course. I have said it since the very beginning, but I intend to survive this game.

[she has to survive. she needs to survive, for so many reasons]

You're the best, Milla!

[She loosens her pinky-grip but doesn't separate them entirely right away.]

When Thursday comes, maybe we can see if there's someone else who wants to stay with us, too. [because two injured idiots does...not make the best sentry......] We don't have to decide now. Was there something else you wanted to ask me, too?

Jason.

[his name comes up quickly and easily]

We'll ask him to come with us. I believe him to be capable.

[and then she shakes her head]

That's all I had, but you seemed like you had something to say as well when you first walked in.

[Yuna definitely perks up when Milla names Jason, and she nods.]

Me, too! He's really tough, and I bet he'll want to help.

[But she sort of shifts her weight back and forth in place now that it's her turn, briefly glancing away from Milla, but meeting her eyes again with familiar determined intensity.]

Actually, I got here so late because I was talking to Jason... Robin, too, but that was earlier today. [she means damian. she always does this.]

They told me about a bunch of stuff I didn't know about! Since they did, I can tell you this now. I feel really bad about keeping it a secret all this time, I'm really sorry... I had to keep it a secret for someone else's sake, though, but I got permission to tell you about it!

[She brings her hand up to her heart.]

Mister Sheriff gave me a role. I'm the Bartender.

[who the fuck is Robin!!]

[anyway this thread just got really fucking hilarious for reasons Milla is about to make very evident. please excuse her momentary surprise, before said surprise fades away into understanding]

. . .

I know you are.

And I know the details of your duty as same as well.

[SURPRISE there is another reason why Milla wants to keep Yuna alive]

...

Oh!

[welp.

welp!!!!]

...I guess I don't actually have anything to tell you, then.

[she's not even alarmed that milla knows or anything god yuna]

[look. look!!]

I only just found out earlier tonight. Ah. . . someone else told me. I would have brought it up, but I didn't want to alarm you.

[kiiiind of sheepish]

But since you were honest with me, I suppose I should apologize, because I've kept a secret from you these past five weeks.

I also have a role. I am a Bounty.

[because it's Yuna, she doesn't feel bad at all for revealing this]

That's okay! Robin told me that, too.

[NO ONE GETS TO KEEP SECRETS]

I didn't get to find out what the Bounties are for, just that you were one. I don't want you to apologize, though, okay? You didn't do anything wrong.

[WHO IS ROBIN WHY DO THEY KNOW SHE IS A BOUNTY???]

Yuna. . .

[help my roommate can't be this cute??]

Mmm. The Bounties have the ability to end this game early. That's what we've been trying to do for the past few weeks.

If we can find the Deputy, we can stop this charade in its tracks.

[She nods, but there's something souring in her expression.]

I was told the Bounty Leader had to kill the Deputy to end the game. [AND AS YOU CAN IMAGINE!! SHE DOESN'T LIKE THAT!!!!] Robin said he was looking for another way.

Now that you've found me and the Madame, though, we can finally help!

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thatsthespirit - 2017-02-17 19:49 (UTC) - Expand

[YUNA]

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