hearted | IC Inbox: empatheias edition

[Rei blinks in surprise and peers around the blonde to see that she is, in fact, reading a book. Her senses tell her more, that she's being honest. Minako Aino was studying?! Usagi Tsukino was wanting to open a business?! What in God's name is going on with this place...?!

Mumbling in surprise:]

I...actually can't recall the last time I saw you studying...

[Minako laughs nervously]

You could say it's really important this time. The teacher's fair, but strict, and I want to impress her!

[She smiles guiltily. Yes, the only way Minako will study is to impress a cute flirting target.]

[...Rei peers further into the room, trying to get a good look at the book.]

You're studying for a girl. Uh...what, exactly, are you studying?

[She rubs the back of her neck, sliding that book way back on the desk.]

Oh, traditions...you know that culture festival coming up?

[Minako breathes lightly, whistles...okay. Maybe if she's just honest she won't be quite as in trouble. She speaks in a barely audible rush.]

It'stheteaceremony.

[Rei lets out a little wheeze when Minako denies her the sight she wanted, focusing instead on the blonde's sparkling baby blues, and waits expectantly for an answer.

An answer that she had not expected.

Rei takes a step back and presses a hand to her cheek in surprise...]

Minako...you...[...wait.]

You're trying to impress me?

[She smiles sheepishly. Maybe she's not totally about to die, but it's hard to relax completely.]

Guilty as marked. I thought maybe you'd enjoy a taste of home...but it's still a work in progress.

[Rei lowers her head, chuckling drying and reaching her hand out to her friend's shoulder.]

You don't have to do that. Really, I can make my own tea. I appreciate the effort, but I know that it's not really your specialty. I wasn't serious the other night about making you do it.

[A beat, and her mouth quirks up slightly.]

I'm impressed you even thought to do it.

[That reassurance breaks over Minako's face like the light of sunrise. She smiles gratefully.]

If you're sure---but that just means I'll have to find something else to make for you! Charm bracelets are dangerous, I'm not so good at food...but it'll be something, just you wait.

[She winks, clearly pleased with herself.]

[Quite literal sunrise, as rays of ambient light start floating over both of their heads.]

I can wait.

[A pause, and she pulls Minako closer, into a quick but ferocious hug.]

But you don't have to do anything, not for me.

[Minako's response is a surprised squeak, almost like a plush toy's. She really isn't expecting that from her cool and collected Rei...but she'll respond with a quite-warm hug, maybe a moment too late.]

But I want to...do you think I ask just anybody to dance?

[There's a lilt in her voice at the question.]

Actually...[Rei trails off with a wry smile, because she doesn't necessarily want to spoil the moment. This is strange behavior from the normally flirtatious Minako, and she kind of likes it. Putting her off balance is definitely fun.]

I think you'd probably ask anyone to dance that you thought was good looking.

[Teasing now, and perhaps with a little more self-consciousness in her voice than normal (because Minako's making her feel pretty warm) Rei adds:]

Do you think I'd agree to dance with just anyone?

Well, okay, yeah. I would. But...

[She clings when she hears Rei's answer.]

Maybe it's hard to tell, but you're...different. More.

[Rei's even more surprised to hear that lilt, with the clinging. She pulls her head back and looks into Minako's eyes, curiosity shining behind them. This was different, new, even for them. They'd been through a lot together, connected on a deep level, and she often thought of Minako as her best friend. Which only made the heat rising in her chest all the more perplexing. This was just how the blonde showed affection, sure, but this time felt...different.

Did she...like...Minako that way? Was that what this was?]

W-Well I try to be. I'm here for you, and you're here for me. You're dear to me, you know.

Edited 2016-08-12 19:49 (UTC)

I know, Rei. And you're so much to me...my friend, my partner. I just wanted to be sure you knew that.

[There aren't quite hearts in her eyes when she pulls back, but the little golden glow's now shining from them.]

So what are we doing today?

[Rei laughs, a little awkwardly, clearly taken by this display but also not sure where this is going.]

I know. And you're mine.

[Bowing her head, she lets out a breath she didn't know she was keeping in.]

I actually wanted to talk to you, about something. I'm going to be gone after tomorrow for a couple of days. Someone I know invited me to help tend to some baby wyverns in Shaarnath, and I wanted to go. It's a chance for me to learn a little bit more about the creatures in this world...and maybe form a bond, like with Phobos and Deimos.

[Stepping back, she grins.]

It may even help me remember the past more clearly. Think you and Usagi can hold down the fort without me until Sunday?

[Minako swallows and nods.]

Of course we can. Take care of yourself, okay?

[Rei stops in her tracks and smiles impishly.]

I'll do just that. I'll be with friends. And I'm going to get paid for it. It'll be good, and it's something I want to explore about myself. There's so many opportunities, and I can't ignore them.

[And then just as quickly, she shifts forward and grabs Minako into a hug. She's not sure what exactly's come over her, but she can't help but feel this is what Minako wants, maybe what she needs.]

When I get back, I'll treat you both to a big dinner. It'll be just like with the chimera, where I came back with all that money.

[She'd definitely gone out with a couple of adventurers and killed a monster for a lotta money.]

I have faith in you, dear. [She smiles teasingly, pulling away very slowly.]

Just please don't burn my room down, alright?

[Minako hides her surprise with a laugh, clinging tight for a minute.]

You got it. But wait, why would I do that? I'm not the one with fire powers...

Frustration. Don't forget, your emotions can get you into trouble...

[Rei laughs back, tapping Minako on the shoulder and letting go.]

Now, I think I should go pack, alright.

OH! Yeah. I'll...keep a lid on it.

[She giggles and steps back.]

I'd better see you back here in one piece, got it?

Always, dear. I'll see you soon.

[And off she goes. Very, very puzzled about what just happened.]

IC Inbox: empatheias edition

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