i'll wait, so show me why you're strong

[ravagers]

[ Generally, people need time to cope and gather themselves after a... thing... like that. Unfortunately, that's not how Vanille sees it. Her thing is avoid, and once she gets out of that hellhole that's the courtroom, she makes her way to the supplies closet, then to the library. She spends some time setting up things, pushing things aside to make room. Once she's finished, and she's met up with the Party Brigade, she makes enough invitations for everyone. She slips them under everyone's doors, or hands them out if she sees someone walking around.



Inside the library, there are candles set up to provide some soft, comforting lighting. There are pots of tea, courtesy of Mercy, pancakes made by Viktor, and books (picked out by Estelle, of course) laid out on the surrounding tables. The others have provided their own touches, and Vanille's even managed to make something: sugar cookies, which are actually very good. They're flavored lightly with all sorts of flavors--not all in the same cookie, okay--and each plate is marked with whatever flavor she's put in them.

After a successful trial, it's healthy to indulge, right? Let's mingle. ]

Comments

[deofoled]

...

[ Well he doesn't really see a reason why not to, though it confuses him a bit.]

Your room is number 8, right?

[ But yeah sure, lead the way.]

1/2

[tsugomori]

It is. It's a good number too.

[ Mikazuki doesn't really know if it is, but he'd like to be as lighthearted as he can be. Especially now.

He'll lead Killia into his room, and probably even move to shut the door behind him. ]

2/2

[tsugomori]

... This is a little embarrassing, but I have a really hard time getting undressed and redressed in what I'm currently wearing, and need help!

[deofoled]

[ As soon as Mika goes to close the door, he tenses. He doesn't think he's going to try anything but what with just happened, he's just a bit on edge. And then Mika explains himself and he's met with an incredibly long silence. You can practically see the ellipses above his head.]

...

What?

[tsugomori]

Well, it is as I've said...you see, this clothing has so much complex buttons it's really difficult for me.

[ HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE SAYING HERE... ]

[deofoled]

So you can't undress yourself.

[.............................]

Why would you-

[ He has so many questions, like how did Mika get into his clothes the first place, why is he even wearing all of those layers then and-.

But that doesn't change the situation, and after another long pause.]

What do you need me to do exactly?

[tsugomori]

Thank you for listening to me.

[ He can tell the other man is bewildered. ]

Well, it's mostly in the back that I have trouble...

[ There is an explanation SOMEWHERE in here because this is actually really complex shit because Holy Crap why are Heian-era clothing like this? ]

... And you see, that's why it's hard to get it done. Since a lot of the buttons are also in the back.

[deofoled]

[ After listening to all of that, he moves around to Mika's back to start seeing how much of an effort this is going to be. You had to pick the person whose hands ends in claws didn't you Mika-- but he's actually completely capable of doing delicate tasks with them.]

Fine.

Do me a favor, though. If you ever run into a demon with pink hair named Seraphina don't tell her about this.

[ Because he would probably never ever hear the end of it.]

[tsugomori]

Oh, alright. Of course I won't.

[ He's pretty calm about that even though he doesn't understand why. Such is the life of this old man. Also, Mikazuki consistently forgets Killia has claws for hands, it was amazing he managed to keep track of some things mid-trial. ]

... I'm guessing she would be upset by it?

[deofoled]

[ He doesn't even accidentally scratch him while working all of these buttons and ties and things.]

She would. She thinks I'm hers, basically.

[tsugomori]

[ Then it looks like Mikazuki made a good choice after all! ]

I'm sorry to hear that.

Hopefully when we leave this place something like that can be settled?

[deofoled]

I doubt it, that's just how she is.

[ And more to fill the silence than anything else while he continues sorting through Mika's intricate outfit.]

She's a temptress, her Overload skill Balor Gaze makes all men fall in love with her, and unable to refuse any commands she gives them.

[tsugomori]

[ Yikes. Mikazuki feels like it may be best if he never encounters her himself. ]

Hopefully she's never used that on you?

[deofoled]

Is that good enough? [ Despite how nonchalant he seems to be about this, he really doesn't want to strip Mika all the way.]

She has multiple times, it never works. I think that's why she acts how she does around me.

[tsugomori]

[ He'll nod. Because after the whole first layer comes off the rest is actually pretty easy to take off (seriously thanks for helping him out). ]

Oh, so it doesn't always work on her target? Is there a reason for that?

[deofoled]

[ Good, he still step back and try to find some place less awkward to stand and look.]

It only doesn't work on me. I've seen her use it on other men and it works like it should.

I don't know why.

[tsugomori]

[ That's fairly interesting to him. Hmm. ]

Well, I think that's a good thing. It sounds like it could be quite troublesome.

[ Then he'll raise his arms a bit. Finally, he can wash up. ]

Either way, thank you graciously for your help, Killia. I was starting to really get concerned about this.

[deofoled]

Yeah.

[ To both things, and he's about to make his way out but then-]

...do you need help getting those clothes back on too?

[tsugomori]

Oh yes, I do.

[ He laughs, a little embarrassed, because he is a forgetful mess who forgot to mention that. ]

I'll probably let you know when? How does that sound?

[deofoled]

[ Another long pause, but he's committed at this point.]

Sure.

Do you just want me to wait or-?

[ Man, even in this strange place he can't escape awkward social situations.]

[tsugomori]

Well...yes! But only if you have nothing else to do.

[ Mikazuki is glad he came to Killia, seriously. He's a life-saver! ]

[deofoled]

Go ahead.

[ He doesn't say anything else as Mika goes off, and eventually finds a comfortable enough spot on the wall. He really doesn't do sitting too well, and there's a lot on his mind. And if Mika is quiet enough before he calls for Killia, he can hear what sounds like talking. Guess Killia likes talking aloud to himself when he's alone.]

[tsugomori]

[ Mikazuki finishes cleaning himself up at some point and when he's made his return, it's quiet. Well, his eyebrows furrow a little as he tries to listen in a little, and he'll definitely wait before he decides to call for Killia. ]

... Killia?

[deofoled]

[ It's hard to hear exactly what he's talking about, but Mika hears a few bits of sentences: "No it's nothing like that-" and "I haven't forgotten" can be heard. Which abruptly stops as soon he calls out Killia's name.]

I'm still here.

[tsugomori]

[ A bit of confusion comes over him here. ]

...Is everything alright?

[ He is just checking, and Mikazuki keeps just looking around. Is there a second person in his room he was unaware of? ]