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[lionly]

"Hm? Ah-- yes, this is Elza Clifford, vice-captain of the Gefreiter. Leave a message?

I guess?"


❧ video ❧ voice ❧ voicemail ❧ action

Comments

voice;

[immobileyes]

I-I won't... scream.

voice;

[lionly]

[Elza laughs gently.]

I'd be glad if you didn't. [Otherwise people will come running, maybe... either way, he'll prepare to go to where she is, not bothering with his armour or weapon, just in his plainclothes.]

action;

[immobileyes]

[ When he gets there and (hopefully) knocks, she'll answer it, disheveled and teary-eyed, because Mary never wakes up from nightmares gracefully. ]

Y-you're here...

action;

[lionly]

[But of course he knocks! Like a gentleman. He wouldn't barge right in-- But one look at her makes his heart hurt, so he reaches out to put his hand on her head. Let him just... sort some of this disheveled hair.]

I'm here. May I come in?

action;

[immobileyes]

[ Good luck. The two longer tendrils in the front twitch a bit, but they still as Mary nods beneath his hand and opens the door wider for him to enter. ]

action;

[lionly]

[??? Wait, was it his imagination or did her hair just move? Elza's caught up in a puzzled stare before he follows her inside, glancing around. Just as she said, it's empty in here...]

How are you doing now? Still scared? [He places his hand on her back instead, rubbing lightly.]

action;

[immobileyes]

I-I'm all right... [ she's not sobbing, at least, even if she's trembling ever so slightly. ] I just... panicked, I think.

action;

[lionly]

[Elza moves, leaning down slightly, moving to set an arm around her shoulders gently. His expression is serious, a small and troubled wrinkle between his eyebrows.]

You were alone when you woke up, too... [His voice is soft.] That certainly doesn't help much, does it?

Re: action;

[immobileyes]

[ Elza, that isn't helping her stay dry-eyed. Mary's shoulders hunch as her eyes well up again, and she shakes her head, voice emerging choked. ]

It's scary...

[lionly]

Ah-- I'm sorry. [Elza leans over slightly to place both hands on her shoulders.] But what I was going to say was... how about you come with me?

We have a spare room. [Though he'd understand if she were quick to say no... after all, they've only recently met.]

[immobileyes]

... R-really? [ Elza, you had her semi-trust since you became her knight or something. Even though she looks faintly uncertain. ]

[lionly]

Really... You don't have to, of course, if you don't want to. But you'd be welcome.

[And that way, she wouldn't have to worry about waking up all by herself...]

[immobileyes]

... I want to.

[lionly]

[Elza brightens up slightly and moves, to gather her hands into his own, clasping them.]

Then it's settled. Besides me... Nesso and Zara live there. Have you met them yet?

[immobileyes]

Nesso... [ and with that, she nods. Her fingers are a little cold, but she'll squeeze his hands. ] He's a knight, too.

[lionly]

[Like before, he thinks, recalling the coldness of her hands in the classroom. He wraps them in his in order to warm them.]

That's right. He's my captain--our squadron of knights is called the Gefreiter. And he's the strongest swordsman in the whole country.

[immobileyes]

[ She's reminded of that time, too, how warm his hands had been. It reminds her of Seto-- which hurts right now, so she'll hurriedly dismiss the thought. ]

... In the whole country? That's amazing... he seemed so normal!

[ she means that in a good way. ]

[lionly]

[Elza laughs at the words, picturing Nesso's face in his head...] He does look pretty normal, doesn't he? But he's impressive.

They even call him a god on the battlefield.

[immobileyes]

A god...

[ she's so wide-eyed right now. ]

[lionly]

You couldn't say that when he's off the battlefield, though.

[He grins, conspiratorial.] Maybe you noticed, but he can be silly. But with him and me around, you'll be even more safe. And Zara, of course. He's a rabbit.

[immobileyes]

[ AND A RABBIT... seriously, they're all amazing, aren't they? ]

And you'd really be okay with someone like me?

[lionly]

"Okay with"... [Surprised at her phrasing, Elza just shakes his head.]

Of course. We'd be happy to have you.

[immobileyes]

[ She really should just tell him-- but it's not exactly easy to bring up, so she offers him a tremulous smile instead. ]

Thank you, Elza.

[lionly]

[Elza returns the smile with a gentle one of his own, squeezing her hands firmly.] You're welcome.

But! I won't hurry you out of here tonight. So shall I stay the night?

[He glances about. Really, he could sleep on the floor, but a couch works too.]

[immobileyes]

Huh-- n-no, I can go with you! I don't have a lot to pack!

[ HE'S TOO NICE. ]