[KENOS] IC Inbox

[hauntedking]

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[hauntedking]

Wonderful-!

[ He smiles and flags down a server to order. Fortunately for her, his nose still works the herbal tea is good... so she'll be spared something like Flayn's cooking this time around. ]

[erbe]

[She manages to add a little order of pastries to their request. Delightful Cheese Danishes to compliment their tea.]

So, how long have you been here?

[hauntedking]

...a few months at the very least. Half a year, maybe?

[ He's trying to remember. He hasn't kept good count of the days, in all honesty. ]

[erbe]

[Oh, that... sounds very similar to the answer Gray gave her.]

Have things changed all that much in your time here?

[hauntedking]

...there have been more bearers appearing. And the tension between the two factions feels as if it's ratcheted up.

[ He sighs. ]

And this blight has become more prevalent.

[erbe]

Sounds unfortunate for someone like you.

[For the Meridians as a whole, right? Because it's filled with a bunch of optimistic weirdos?]

[hauntedking]

...why for me?

[ He doesn't quite follow. ]

[erbe]

Mm... you seem to be the type to get upset about conflict and would rather people just "talk it out". Am I wrong?

[Even if he can handle it she views him as the "bleeding-heart" type.]

[hauntedking]

I'd certainly prefer if we could find a peaceful solution to everything, yes.

[ Which doesn't mean he isn't willing to fight. ]

[erbe]

So I'm not wr—

[Oh! There it is. Their order. The wait staff sets their tea down before placing the small plate of warm pastries at their table.]

It does smell good.

[hauntedking]

You're not wrong about my wanting to find a peaceful solution.

[ He pauses as their order arrives and then he picks up his tea to take a long, deep inhale of the steam and then a slow sip. ]

But I will fight. [ That is said with an element of determination. No hesitation. ]

If my ideals have become truly irreconcilable... then the fastest and best solution is to end it in one strike.

[erbe]

Ah-haha... That's a little intense for tea-talk, isn't it? Are you really insistent that I don't get the wrong idea about you?

[She's just going to grab a pastry.]

[hauntedking]

Perhaps.

[ He shrugs and takes a sip of his tea. ]

I suppose I simply don't want to be misunderstood.

[erbe]

Ah, that is an admirable desire.

[Not one she possesses, though. She'd rather be underestimated so she could use that to her advantage.

Tohsaka takes a bite and hums approvingly as the sweetness graces her tongue. And for a moment she seems completely content.]

[hauntedking]

[ Dimitri smiles and settles in his seat, quite content to let her be content.

It's a good feeling. ]

I hope your time here ends up being productive. [ Whatever that ends up being. ]

And perhaps we can stay in touch.

[erbe]

[STAY IN TOUCH?! Are all Kenos men so clingy...]

And why is that? Surely my company isn't that engaging.

[hauntedking]

[ SHE CONTACTED HIM. ]

You shouldn't sell yourself short, Ayako.

[ He nibbles on a pastry thoughtfully. ]

I try to keep up with my acquaintances, after all. If you've no desire, I won't compel you.

[erbe]

[Rin would love to just guzzle down the tea, snatch the pastry basket, and take off. But "Ayako" has to be polite.]

Really? When we first met I a pretty big burden, and it took me until now to rectify that.

[hauntedking]

A burden? It's no burden to be of assistance to others, I assure you. You needn't think of yourself as such.

[erbe]

You're so incredibly sweet.

[She means that in the most derogatory way even though her voice is filled with sunshine.]

Just make sure you keep an eye on yourself, okay? I'm sure your friends would be upset if you overextended yourself with that ideology.

[LIKE SOMEONE ELSE SHE USED TO KNOW. She hates this. Tohsaka starts munching enthusiastically on her pastry. She needs to bounce.]

[hauntedking]

You needn't worry. I have several friends to keep an eye on me. And I've learned not to over-exert myself...

[ He is taking her absolutely at face value. ]

[erbe]

[Why... why is he looking at her like that? She's not been that nice. Stop looking at her like that!!!]

Well... good. That's good. People like yourself can be vulnerable to unscrupulous types, so you're lucky to have friends who will do that.

[hauntedking]

Mmm. I think it's less about vulnerability and more... choosing to try and build as good of a future as I can. If someone decides that means I should be taken advantage of... that's their own mistake. Their own burden to bear.

[ In like a month, he's going to remember this conversation and feel like an idiot. ]

[erbe]

...Do you really have so little to lose that you can say that so earnestly?

[They really are alike. How sad.]

[hauntedking]

I owe the people around me a great debt. And I have a responsibility to the people I pledged to protect. Whatever else happens... I am willing to give my all for them.

[ So, yes. He doesn't think he has much to lose. ]