[ The realization of what she’s trying to say dawns on him quickly, and he immediately feels guilty for asking. He can read between the lines, thankfully, and pours himself more wine. Ordinarily, he’d pour more for Kougyoku, too, but maybe she doesn’t need anymore. ]
[ Among the music and mingling, never has she heard her heart beat so loudly. He doesn't invite her to drink, yet she chuckles. She doesn't mind; the wine in her glass remains untouched. ]
I suppose he's partly why I've drank so much. Is that not why people drink? To forget things. [ She lowers her head to hide her pout and her creased brow. ] But now I'm afraid I'll forget everyone I met tonight.
It is a reason for why people drink, it's true. But sometimes, when the night passes, it just makes the pain harder to deal with.
[ This is all separate from the physical pain of such heavy drinking, but that doesn't help either. Her response makes him sad, even sadder than before, and he decides that he can't possibly leave her alone for the rest of the night. It wasn't a matter of enjoying a cute girl's company anymore, but staying by someone's side when they felt... alone, and possibly afraid. ]
Don't worry. Who all have you met tonight? I'll get in contact with you tomorrow morning and make sure you haven't forgotten a single soul.
[ Vietnam of Vietnam… when she says it like that… he can’t help but laugh, too. He wonders if Vietnam encountered her in a similar state, or if Kou was more chipper before. ]
That is easy enough to remember.
[ But ah, this behavior… don’t drink anymore tonight, Kou!! ] Will you be alright?
[ He's nice enough to tag along, and for that, she's grateful. Not so grateful when he walks past the bathhouse, though. After a tug of his sleeve, she points at the shop and practically bubbles with excitement. ]
Here, here! I'm sure this is the place. Oh, there's only one door, though. [ ??? ]
[His head turns, looking towards the bathhouse she'd pointed out. He hadn't even known what he was looking for, it's no wonder he'd missed it. He's a bit confused what she means by only one door.]
Is that a problem?
[Even if it's a bathhouse, it's a business, and that's how you go in, right?]
[There he goes, dragged along by the princess whom of which he doesn't know is a princess. But he's starting to get the feeling that she's more than just a pretty red haired girl who has some demanding tastes.
Yes, he's starting to get the feeling she's crazy.]
[ Sheeeee's not listening. Instead, she's marching down the streets with him in tow, passing by an area with a good view of the Petrosian River. ]
I wasn't a Hero in Sindria, but at lease they had the decency to let me have a good soak in peace! And then I wouldn't have to miss the palace so much! [ STOMPS AND SCREECHES ]
[My goodness this girl is loud and what's she saying about a palace? That doesn't matter right now, because it's clear she's very upset. He picks up his own pace so she's not dragging him anymore, meeting her at her side.]
Miss? [He realizes now that he doesn't even know her name.]
Is everything okay...?
[He realizes that she's probably homesick or wishing she wasn't here after that rant just now. If that's the case, he doesn't blame her.]
[ She doesn't face Apollo even as she rubs her eyes dry. Even if her brothers and Ka Koubun aren't here, she should be strong. She still sounds a little choked up when she answers him: ]
I'm alright. I just want to take a hot bath.
[ Finally, she turns towards him and nods in greeting. ]
... I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Kougyoku. What is yours?
[ Because she had, in fact, been trying to prove herself worthy of her place in the imperial court. To repay Ka Koubun's kindness and become a princess everyone can be proud of is all she had been striving towards all this time. Her lowborn status made her almost invisible to the eyes of many, yet in a country of warriors, she showed the most potential.
Arriving in Blanc erased all that. Her record is a blank slate. Well! All she has to do is fill it in, doesn't she?
Removing the last of stray jewelry hooked onto her clothes, she keeps her eyes on the floor to gather her new resolve. ]
I have been given a purpose in this world. I have no doubt I can fulfill it. [ A beat. ] Um... thank you for helping me.
Nonetheless, she's once again taken aback by this behaviour. Had she been expecting more snivelling? Maybe a tantrum? She doesn't really know, only that what she's seeing now is unexpected. But not necessarily in a bad way.]
Now come, the master of the armoury will be expecting these to be returned.
[She's come to almost expect names in, for her, foreign languages by now. Still though, she doesn't attempt to repeat it, at least until she's heard others, or even Kougyoku herself, say it a few more times. Not quite one for making a fool of herself, this one. Not deliberately anyway. So for the moment, Kougyoku gets an acknowledging nod.]
My name is Vivienne, a Hero like yourself.[And here, she picks up a weapon or two to hand to Kougyoku, gathering the rest for herself.] But that too, I was coerced into.
[Again, more or less. This seems to be the most productive way of getting home.]
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july intro | jae-ha
[ Was she that obvious? She shields her face with the back of her hand, embarrassed to show Jae-ha this side of her. ]
N-no! I mean... He did. [ Then, hurriedly: ] But I've accepted that nothing will ever come of it, so I'm fine with being friends.
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[ The realization of what she’s trying to say dawns on him quickly, and he immediately feels guilty for asking. He can read between the lines, thankfully, and pours himself more wine. Ordinarily, he’d pour more for Kougyoku, too, but maybe she doesn’t need anymore. ]
He was a fool, then.
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I suppose he's partly why I've drank so much. Is that not why people drink? To forget things. [ She lowers her head to hide her pout and her creased brow. ] But now I'm afraid I'll forget everyone I met tonight.
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[ This is all separate from the physical pain of such heavy drinking, but that doesn't help either. Her response makes him sad, even sadder than before, and he decides that he can't possibly leave her alone for the rest of the night. It wasn't a matter of enjoying a cute girl's company anymore, but staying by someone's side when they felt... alone, and possibly afraid. ]
Don't worry. Who all have you met tonight? I'll get in contact with you tomorrow morning and make sure you haven't forgotten a single soul.
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Okay, maybe she also chuckles for no reason. ]
Thank you, Jae-ha. I don't remember too much, but Anna of Arendale and Vietnam of Vietnam come to mind.
[ She is still drunk. ]
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That is easy enough to remember.
[ But ah, this behavior… don’t drink anymore tonight, Kou!! ] Will you be alright?
1/2
[ She even sticks her tongue out, something she'd never do with a stranger, but the wine's been helping. ]
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[ Right now, she's alone. Afraid. His presence helps, though. If only for a while. ]
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[ Cute, don't make him poke that tongue!!
His smile widens, warms, and he leans forward, making himself more comfortable in his seat while pouring himself more wine. ]
I will stay until you get tired of me.
july intro | apollo justice
[ He's nice enough to tag along, and for that, she's grateful. Not so grateful when he walks past the bathhouse, though. After a tug of his sleeve, she points at the shop and practically bubbles with excitement. ]
Here, here! I'm sure this is the place. Oh, there's only one door, though. [ ??? ]
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Is that a problem?
[Even if it's a bathhouse, it's a business, and that's how you go in, right?]
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[ She tugs his sleeve once more and leads him inside. There's one door leading to the bath, just as she said. ]
There should be two doors that lead to separate baths here, but it looks like... [ Uh oh. Fear soon creeps its way across her face. ]
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Maybe this one is unisex? Or maybe it's for couples.
[Oh. Was that fear because she's here with him and that means...?]
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[ Aaaand that means Apollo's getting dragged downtown. By a girl in a big, poofy dress. ]
Ooh! Ooh...! I won't let my privacy be compromised! This should be illegal!
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[There he goes, dragged along by the princess whom of which he doesn't know is a princess. But he's starting to get the feeling that she's more than just a pretty red haired girl who has some demanding tastes.
Yes, he's starting to get the feeling she's crazy.]
How do you have such a strong grip?!
[Ah, life.]
1/3 I'M SORRY THIS IS LATE OMG
I wasn't a Hero in Sindria, but at lease they had the decency to let me have a good soak in peace! And then I wouldn't have to miss the palace so much! [ STOMPS AND SCREECHES ]
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Ooh...
NO IT'S OKAY I GOT EATEN BY WORK AGAIN SO I UNDERSTAND
Miss? [He realizes now that he doesn't even know her name.]
Is everything okay...?
[He realizes that she's probably homesick or wishing she wasn't here after that rant just now. If that's the case, he doesn't blame her.]
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I'm alright. I just want to take a hot bath.
[ Finally, she turns towards him and nods in greeting. ]
... I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Kougyoku. What is yours?
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I'm Apollo. It's nice to meet you, Kougyoku.
[He smiles warmly back at her.]
I wish I knew where to take you for a hot bath, but I'm pretty new here. Sorry that I haven't been much help.
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[Now that he thinks about it. That's the one thing they didn't do- ask for directions to a private bath.]
Why don't we head back there and find a native of Cassia to get us to where we want to go?
july intro | vivienne
... I suppose it's the same anywhere else.
[ Because she had, in fact, been trying to prove herself worthy of her place in the imperial court. To repay Ka Koubun's kindness and become a princess everyone can be proud of is all she had been striving towards all this time. Her lowborn status made her almost invisible to the eyes of many, yet in a country of warriors, she showed the most potential.
Arriving in Blanc erased all that. Her record is a blank slate. Well! All she has to do is fill it in, doesn't she?
Removing the last of stray jewelry hooked onto her clothes, she keeps her eyes on the floor to gather her new resolve. ]
I have been given a purpose in this world. I have no doubt I can fulfill it. [ A beat. ] Um... thank you for helping me.
[ She bows her head in gratitude. ]
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[More or less.
Nonetheless, she's once again taken aback by this behaviour. Had she been expecting more snivelling? Maybe a tantrum? She doesn't really know, only that what she's seeing now is unexpected. But not necessarily in a bad way.]
Now come, the master of the armoury will be expecting these to be returned.
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[ Once again, she looks like a fool. But at least she met someone along the way. ]
My name is Kougyoku. May I know yours?
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My name is Vivienne, a Hero like yourself.[And here, she picks up a weapon or two to hand to Kougyoku, gathering the rest for herself.] But that too, I was coerced into.
[Again, more or less. This seems to be the most productive way of getting home.]