catchall for milla

[leaberator]

Comments

[tothemaxwell]

Oh? Are you not?

They certainly seem to look upon you that way.

[leaberator]

Noooooope. I'm not... I am not a person they look up to that way.

[ he's having a mental crisis ]

[tothemaxwell]

Are you certain? The photos on your device, the way they reacted to your injury, the way they look at you—you even told Namine to take Xion across the hall during our stripping check in a trial, and she obeyed easily.

I was merely reading the signs I was shown. It is up to you to clarify the matter for me.

[leaberator]

[ every single thing she lists is a direct blow to his mental state.

he stares at her for a long time. ]

We're just... friends.

[ this is his only defense. ]

[tothemaxwell]

Heh heh. I see.

[she's clearly charmed by this garbage deflection.]

And a group of friends can often be very similar to a family, don't you think?

[leaberator]

[ normally, he wouldn't mind agreeing, but considering he has been accused of being the parent friend

he decides it's absolutely time to change the subject ]

Anyway, my role's not that big a deal. I get a vague choice every week, an' whatever I pick can help or hinder us. The food that weekend was one of 'em, as were the puzzle boxes. This week I got that talisman that can call out lies. Just... stuff like that.

[tothemaxwell]

[She seems to perk at the change of topic, as if tickled even further by the avoidance of it—but doesn't pursue.]

Hmm. You have truly used your role to the best of your abilities. Well done, Lea.

Of course, it comes back to the matter of how I can do the same with mine. We are unable to chart the course of the corruption—I wonder if there is a way people who hold roles could combine them in some novel way...?

[leaberator]

Normally I'd enjoy anyone saying my praises, but that was mostly luck. The choices are random.

[ he cannot emphasize how much luck is involved, there. anyway, the rest of it intrigues him well enough ]

I dunno if mine would be any help, considering how it works, but Sol's always trying to push all of us with roles to talk with each other. There's gotta be a reason behind it.

[tothemaxwell]

I agree. Sol encouraged me to also not hide my power—or, at least, to share it with trusted sources.

Perhaps this calls for a group brainstorming. Only the each of us know the true width and breadth of our abilities—there may be something in that that we could link together. For example, it would be ideal if the Crescent role could be implemented in a way that does not simply end once it is used. I wonder if there is a way to carry it forward, or...?

[leaberator]

I know there's more than one role that's about protection. Could it be you guys are meant to work together?

[tothemaxwell]

Is there? In that case, I would very much like to meet with them. Do you know who it is, or anything about it?

Naturally, my interest is not malicious.

[leaberator]

Yeah, yeah, I know. [ he waves her off ] No idea how the power works, but I think Four's meant to be the other one who has it. Lune said hers was protection based.

[tothemaxwell]

I see.

I wonder if Minato's is, as well. That would certainly account for some things.

Perhaps I will see if I can speak to Four in confidence regarding it.

[leaberator]

Wouldn't know. This is the first I've heard about Minato having one.

[tothemaxwell]

That, I more or less gleaned from Shirasu and Akane's conversation with each other. Both sought Minato for some reason—and I am now almost certain that his potential role is the reason why.

He doesn't seem the type to hide things. I would like to take the opportunity to speak with both of them, if they will let me.

If we can all become stronger together, that is the ideal.

[leaberator]

Yeah. It is.

[ although. ]

... Did you talk to Emma about Minato having a role?

[tothemaxwell]

Not yet. It's currently new information—I've only told Shess and yourself what I've surmised, so far.

I'd like to confirm it first, before speaking with her again, but you are more than welcome to tell her what I've discovered. I trust you to convey it accurately—after all, you two are very close, aren't you?

[leaberator]

[ is he blushing. yes. yes he is. ]

... Sure. That's not why I'm asking, though. As far as I know, the first one Emma checked in this place was Minato.

[tothemaxwell]

[She beams—and pursues the second topic.]

Interesting. Then I wonder what, exactly, he possesses, if not that? It is definitely something worthy of multiple people's time and effort—to the point of murder.

Or possibly, he was given the role later?

[leaberator]

...No, I don't think that's it. I'm pretty sure it's because Minato sorta rolls with everything. It makes him an easy target.

[tothemaxwell]

Easily manipulated, is it?

I wonder. I will speak with him regardless, and perhaps that will play towards us. I owe him several taste tests, anyway.

[whatever? that means??]

[leaberator]

He's got good intentions.

[ why does he feel like he's defended minato way too many times recently? ]

But... taste tests? Is he still cooking?

[tothemaxwell]

Hopefully so—he was interested in experimenting with curry in a bread, and I was interested in trying out such a thing.

He simply seems eager to please. I pray that does not mean he is trying to sacrifice himself for another.

[leaberator]

[ on the one hand, it doesn't sound bad. on the other hand it's... Minato making it? he shrugs a bit ]

Have fun with that.

[ as for the other thing... Lea isn't sure. ]

I dunno. I'd like to think that's not it, but...

[tothemaxwell]

But you wouldn't count it out.

[Hmm.]

I will have to speak with both of them—Four, and Minato.