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Post by Utaku Hisui on Apr 25, 2018 1:55:48 GMT -5
"Live by the pool? That's..." She blinks at the idea, looking at Akane. "Well, it's very much like you to think that. Just...try to remember to lock the pool at night, hmm?" She giggles, not like it would matter.
Then there's that curios look. She wonders what goes on in her friend's head. What ideas Akane had pop into her head that Hisui would either agree to wholeheartedly or try to talk her down from. A difficult prospect, given the end of the world probably encouraged all sorts of recklessness. "Yes, it is. So what about that has you thinking like you're trying to figure if Yoko-chan replaced your sugar with salt?"
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Post by Ryudo Akane on Apr 25, 2018 2:18:02 GMT -5
"Well, I was kinda thinking it means my last chance to ask this..."
She puts a hand on one of Hisui's, "Would you go on a date with me?"
Before Hisui can answer Akane holds up a finger on her other hand, "...on the realization that it is not heading anywhere, that I am super excited for you and Fuyuko-sama getting married, and that you might even need to ask her. Still, and maybe it's just this all being a dream, part of me just wants to see what it's like. To be with you, just the two of us, no worries or problems and just happy together."
She lowers her finger; The fact Akane is not looking at her as she talks is definitely different.
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Apr 25, 2018 2:58:08 GMT -5
Observant courtiers might one day have taken classes on how to read the emotions of bushi with minimal court training by watching how Hisui reacted. First, there's shock at being asked out, especially with the awareness that Hisui was getting married the next day. There's the expected anger, because Akane ought to know better than to ask something like that. The assurances push that down a little, and she calms a bit. She breathes, clears her head, calms down.
And notices that Akane isn't looking at her. Unusual behavior.
She pauses, trying to see her friend's face. Get an idea of what was going on in that head. "I know this is all a dream, that we're not the real Akane or the real Hisui. That the marriage is about as legally binding as a handful of pool water on a blank piece of paper. But it's real to me. To this dream Hisui who loves a dream Fuyuko, but is still trying to be a good friend to dream Akane."
"I don't want you to feel like I'm pushing you away by saying no. But I don't want to hurt her by saying yes. If I say yes, do you know what it looks like? It's Kuneho-chan all over again. Beautiful Akane coming in and taking yet another woman she loves away from her." She stops, hoping this is sinking in. "And even if that's not the case, I'll feel like I'm betraying her just by asking her if she's alright with it."
"In another life, another time, I might have said yes, just to see if I could love you that way. But I don't right now. And it's too late to test the waters to see if I could. I'm sorry. I can leave, if you'd rather I not stay." She bites her lip. "But if you want to come tomorrow, you're free to. I still think if you as a friend. Practically family."
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Post by Ryudo Akane on Apr 25, 2018 3:18:03 GMT -5
Akane listens, staring up at the mural on the pool wall. She says nothing, hands on her elbows with her arms crossed on the pool's edge. As she listens, her heart sinks a little; She hadn't meant it like that at all. But... she understood. Here she was acting on instinct and nearly breaking someone's heart.
Still, Hisui seemed calm, though Akane could hear the conflict in the other woman's voice. As she wraps up, Akane turns to her, shaking her head, "Of course I don't want you to leave; And of course I understand why you're saying no. Thank you... for putting up with me, and letting me part of your life. Even when I keep doing stupid stuff like this."
Akane is tearing up, but she hope's her face being wet will hide it, "I will be at your wedding and cheer both of you on with all my heart... and try to keep my mouth shut."
She gives Hisui a tiny smile.
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Apr 25, 2018 3:36:52 GMT -5
Hisui shifts positions, pulling closer and trying to do the awkward thing of hugging Akane as tightly as she could while still remaining afloat. It is probably not an easy task, but Akane wasn't the only one in the water to do reckless things or act on instinct. Besides, even if she couldn't keep afloat and instead drowned, she had someone there to save her.
"Thank you. I didn't want to lose either of you. And you will always be part of my life, Akane-chan. I' always going to worry about you, even if I know Mako-chan has the sense to do the same thing," she says, smiling as best she could. Comforting. "And you're not doing anything stupid. That wasn't stupid. If there's anything I've learned over the years, it's that sometimes you just have to reach out and take the risk. I can promise you, if you'd found me before Fuyuko did, I'd have said yes. I don't know where that will lead or if we'd be happy, but I'd try."
If she sees Akane crying, she makes no move to indicate it. Instead, she just reflects the smile back at Akane. And then, displaying a recklessness of her own, she kisses the former Lioness on the cheek. "I want you to be there. You're important to me, alright?"
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Post by Ryudo Akane on Apr 25, 2018 3:51:01 GMT -5
Akane nods a little, giving a sniffle, "Hai. ...I'm going to go swim a few dozen laps now... if that's okay."
She wanted to elaborate and such, but she didn't have the mental coordination or clarity at the moment for any of it.
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Apr 25, 2018 3:59:31 GMT -5
"Only if you don't mind me smiling from the edge to cheer you on." She hopes Akane wasn't too hurt or felt rejected. She tried to soften the blow without sugsrcoating how she saw it, but she didn't know if she got it right. "I admire you, you know. There's so much about you I wish I had."
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Post by Ryudo Akane on Apr 25, 2018 4:11:57 GMT -5
"I'd like that. Only if you don't actually wanna swim yourself though; It's the school's pool, and you're as much of a teacher as I am. To day the least."
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Apr 25, 2018 5:53:05 GMT -5
"I'm alright." She says as she gives Akane's hand a squeeze. "Besides, I might learn something if I watch you. You're the only person I know that can outswim a fish."
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Post by Ryudo Akane on Apr 26, 2018 19:53:09 GMT -5
Akane chuckles, "Hopefully it's a lesson to remember then? And sorry, one last time; I really did not mean to offend you and Fuyuko-sama's relationship by asking for a play date. But you were patient and understanding, even though you looked irritated with me, just like you always are with me."
She smiles, "So sorry, but... thank you, at the same time. Now... I'll do a speed lap!"
Akane pushes off the wall without waiting for an answer, going into a textbook butterfly stroke as she fluttered through the water.
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