young_oldman | IC Inbox: Empatheias

Hm... [ She seems to consider this for a moment. But then she shakes her head and smiles. ] I can't just give up that easily, Lu Meng!

[ She is quite hopelessly optimistic. ] Besides, in a case of an emergency-- [ It's true, she's grateful for his questions. They actually get her to think more about what she's trying to decide to do. At the end of the day, however, she doesn't wish to give up sword play. She's beginning to like it, even if she's terrible at it and is only a beginner.] ...Wouldn't you be the one to protect me?

[...for a few seconds there's no response; if not for the sense that they're still connected through the crystal, Sanae may well think Lu Meng has left the conversation.

But eventually, there's a reply. A quiet one, full of emotion.]

Yes. So long as I draw breath...I will protect you with everything I have.

[And then...a drop of sorrow leaks from his thoughts, sending ripples like a raindrop from the sky that strikes the surface of the pond.]

[ She might have followed that up with a joke-- something along the lines of "then you better get back here quick to stop me from challenging my teacher!"-- but the sudden, if small, amount of sorrow tinges the connection a melancholy blue. ] Ah, --Lu Meng?

[ The concern is back in her voice. ]

[He needs...a moment. The wall he'd built to keep his emotions at bay is cracking, and he's losing control.]

...I'm sorry, Sanae. That was rather silly of me, to feel sad for no good reason. I suppose I'm a bit more lonely than I thought I would be.

When I return, I'll give you some tips on swordplay. You'll have to show me what you can do.

[ That she's mentioned how he would be the one to protect her shows just how much she's learned with her own experience with Peromei. She can comfortably say that she's grateful for her friends who are able to help her, and who don't think she is weak for asking. He, too, was among those friends that guided her to this point.

And it seems he'll be supportive in helping her learn something new! She's truly grateful to have him as a friend. ] Do you promise?

[He does intend to help her, and there's nothing difficult about giving her a few pointers. Logically, it's a promise that he can keep...so long as his gamble pays off and he returns to the city after Ayumi is finished with him.

Somehow...somehow this feels different. He can't reconcile the facts with his emotions and his instinct, and his instinct is telling him that this isn't a promise he should be making.

But to deny Sanae would be suspicious, and so he can't really say no, can he?]

I give you my word.

[ For a moment, there may have been some ounce of suspicion from her-- a skeptical pause that only exists because she's grown. But then she smiles again at that, and through the amulet he'll feel a warmth coming from her heart. It's trust she feels for him, and the promise solidifies it . ] Right--! So.

I'll see you.... soon, hopefully! [ She nods, clapping her hands together. At least he'll notice that she's now reassured with something as only given words. ] Have a good day, Lu Meng! [ With that, she'll cut the communication. ]

Be well, Sanae.

[And just like that she, and the warm, friendly presence she brings with her, is gone. For one weak moment, he'd been tempted to beg her to stay. And he desperately considers it even now; it's truly a sign of how much the past weeks have completely destroyed him

But he cannot. He cannot risk any more lives.

And so he remains silent.]

IC Inbox: Empatheias

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