likethelight | IC Contact @ Deer Country

[ but oh, she's so relieved to hear he's okay. lysithea is nice too from what ahiru remembered of her. and he had a place to stay. ]

Mmm. I'm glad you're all right.

[ There's a pause, and an audible smile. The sort that makes someone's voice sound lighter and airy. ]

Mn. You too.

Ahiru-- [ a light pause ] Thank you. I'll be okay, you don't have to worry.

You'll let me know if you ever need anything or don't feel safe though, right?

Edited 2021-11-09 04:33 (UTC)

I will.

[ she trusts him. that hasn't changed. ]

I think I'll stay as a girl for now. It's just . . . easier, I think.

[ Ah-- ]

Do they know, your friends?

[ there's a long pause, unnaturally long for a ~~duck~~ girl like ahiru. ]

No. You're the only one who knows. Telling people . . . it's scary.

Mm... [ It's thoughtful, and he's taking his time to consider that. ]

I think I can understand that. [ And actually, speaking gently but simply, it sounds like he actually might. ]

But you like them though, right? They seem like nice people?

[ her smile is in her voice. ]

They all seem very kind and helpful. It's really nice.

[ Good. ]

Then I think it's alright to take as much time as you need to feel comfortable telling them.

That's a scary sort of thing to tell anyone, especially people you've just met. I think they should understand that.

[ her fingers reach to grasp her pendant tightly. ]

I don't think I want to tell them. Who wants to know the girl is actually a duck? Ducks can't — do anything. They can't talk to people or make friends or dance . . .

[ Dance? ]

Don't you, though?

You became my friend before I knew you were a girl.

[ there's a swishing sound of hair, ahiru shaking her head. ]

That was more you than me. You listened.

You had a lot to say. [ It's a little cheeky.

Still... He hesitates before saying anything else, because that actually begs a good question. ]

Do you... want to just be human? Or a duck?

[ Or both. ]

[ ah. the conundrum. ]

I . . . like being a girl. You get to talk and sing and dance . . . It's so nice to do all those things.

But I'm not really a girl. It's not real.

[ Is he overstepping and being rude with someone he only recently met, even if they spent the day together? Maybe. But it seems like any time something like this comes up a shadow comes over her and she gets so sad and uncertain, so he can't very well leave it alone.

So he hesitates, but there's a quiet sort of smile in his tone when he speaks. ]

To me, I think Ahiru is Ahiru. Whether when you're a duck or a girl, the effect you have on people is the same. Didn't you say so yourself?

"I'll help you feel less alone when you need it." Duck or girl. [ And he gives a small and thoughtful hum, content and certain with that sentiment. ]

Both are "real" because you're still yourself as both. And I couldn't think of the Ahiru the duck as different from the Ahiru that's a girl, and both are my friend. Even if one can dance [ ? she must really love dancing ] and one can't. So it's okay.

Being one doesn't make you any less of the other.

[ my feelings are my own, she had told drosselmeyer, it's the same for all of us.

she sniffles. she's not sure she's ready for all of it to end. she hasn't helped mytho get back his smile. she hasn't helped rue come back. her story is not over but it does loom so heavily like a cloud.

she sniffles, tears in her voice. ]

You really think so?

[ It isn't missed, the sniffle in her voice, and it's a shame he can't be there to try and wipe it away. He hates making someone cry.

But he smiles and his tone is warm from it. ]

The thing that defines humanity is the strength of their feelings. Their heart. [ And that he says so simply but so knowingly. Like an absolute truth he's repeated many times before.

As a living weapon embodying those feelings quite literally, he would know after all. With or without all of his memories intact. ]

So, yes. Completely.

[ more sniffling. allen can probably hear the rustling of cloth before she speaks up again. ]

I-I still don't think I'm ready yet, but I-I won't forget that!

I'm glad. [ It's quite gentle, nothing expectant about it. That's okay. It takes as long as it has to.

It's something he's terribly bad at, too. ]

Ne, Ahiru. [ His tone has shifted though, becoming brighter and a little conspiratorial. ]

Do you like apple cider doughnuts?

I don't know. I've never had them.

Oh! But I likes apples and I like doughnuts, so I'd probably like them together too!

Mn, it's a natural combination! [ Does he sound excited about food? Yes he sounds excited about food. And also very serious about it. But his tone drops a bit then, a little more serious but still warm. ]

Miss Lysithea makes really good ones. We should go get some later.

[ Because it's important even when struggling with big, scary things to still take time to enjoy something like that and keep smiling. ]

Edited 2021-11-11 05:21 (UTC)

[ she smiles. ]

I like that. And I'd be happy to meet you there.

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