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[fujimaru]

It's Ritsuka! I've either fallen asleep or couldn't find my phone in time, so leave a message.

[ text / action / etc]

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[fujimaru]

[ DEEP BREATH........... ]

I feel like I'm a homewrecker.

Even if it's not the case, I still feel like it.

[davincible]

... Having received bits and pieces of Stoat's data and paying attention to things myself, I think a lot of people here could be considered homewreckers.

So your options, if you wanted to be involved with someone, would be to go with someone who's similarly unattached or you try to... hm. Speak with the other partners?

[fujimaru]

I think most people are fine with the way things are--that's just how I feel.

[ She might have Da Vinci's allergy to considering herself a viable partner, but she also (unfortunately) has Roman's embarrassingly deep romantic streak. ]

I'm friends with his partners? I like to think I am, anyway--so it becomes weird. I know it's this whole trope about like, oh no, ruining a friendship by telling someone your feelings, but--it just feels extra weird.

...And even if--even if I think it'd might be nice, it's--...

[ ... ]

It's been a long time since I've had a friend my age, Da Vinci-chan. I love Mash, but I just--want a friend that I don't have to be an example for, either.

[davincible]

[ ... I can't believe I have to encourage this for Saturn, the man I currently want to throttle-- ]

Well, is your friend aware of this? I think before anything, before you immediately shut down the idea, you should let this friend of yours hear from you. Like you said, not everyone feels like a homewrecker. There's no guarantee they'll think of you as some kind of seductive hussy.

Or... multiple friends. However many friends your age you're worried about this affecting.

[fujimaru]

[ You're a good dad, Da Vinci. ]

I don't even know how you start a conversation like that. I don't even know if it'll go anywhere? What's even the protocol for something like this? Can we just stage a jailbreak? I hear Greece is nice this time of year.

[davincible]

Deep breath, you're escalating.

[ With a soft huff. ]

Also no, it didn't go very well the last time. But I can safely say there is no protocol. Which opens you up to countless avenues of creativity!

[fujimaru]

[ She automatically takes the deep breath when prompted, then slumps when she lets it out. ]

I don't want to be creative right now, Da Vinci-chan... I'm too tired for creative. This isn't something where I can throw myself off a roof and it works out.

[davincible]

And I dearly hope you weren't considering that as an option. So here's my genius advice.

[ She shifts, if just to free up her arm to rub Ritsuka's back soothingly. She can still lean. ]

Speak to them as your friend, before anyone else. Not as Saturn's [ grimace ] potential girlfriend having some kind of tentative truce with another of his partners, but as Ritsuka, the girl who's friends with Mysterious Individual. Your strength is that you're Ritsuka. Use it.

[fujimaru]

[ No she just did that to Kaine at one point! she does not say, because she's too busy grinding her forehead a little against Da Vinci's arm. ]

It doesn't really feel like a strength or anything right now. I have no idea what I'm doing.

[davincible]

No one really knows what they're doing here. The longer I'm here, the more I'm certain of it.

What do you want to do, Ritsuka? Strip off the "ifs" and "buts". What's left?

[fujimaru]

...

I want to live.

[ But that's more than just the actual physical act of it, too; she's known that since the first time she screamed it at the end of the world, when it had been only her and the Beast of Pity. ]

[davincible]

...

[ Gently, leaning over to kiss the top of her head. ]

Then live. Live as hard as you can. With everything that comes along with it.

[fujimaru]

[ She's quiet for a moment, then reaches out to grab Da Vinci's sleeve. ]

Is it really okay?

[ It's a silly question, and she knows it, but it still feels vitally important in a way she can't articulate. Is it okay to ask for things for herself, in spite of everything else she needs to do? ]

[davincible]

...

[ She smiles, softly. ]

Yes. It's really okay. And when have I ever lied to you?

[fujimaru]

You probably have at some point, I just don't know about it.

But that's okay.

[ Because where and when it matters, Ritsuka trusts her wholeheartedly. ]

[davincible]

Wow. I'm going to count this as you still having faith in me. Done running now?

[ she says this dryly but fondly. ]

[fujimaru]

Probably?

[ She's not in any hurry to straighten from leaning on Da Vinci just yet, though. ]

I want to at least sleep on it. Be my best self for whatever happens next.

[davincible]

Good call. I endorse it.

[fujimaru]

I'll text her tomorrow or something.

...What about you? Are you--I saw you got a gold star, but I really dunno where they got the idea you were dangerous...

[davincible]

I drove two men to tears and flustered a lot of other people in some way, shape, or form.

[fujimaru]

...So, like, business as usual. Who did you make cry? Should I also make them cry?

[davincible]

No, no. They didn't do anything wrong. And it happened for different reasons, but ironically, it was the twins.

[fujimaru]

Ehhh...

[ She's both surprised and not, considering that. ]

...is this what you meant, when you said there was stuff you couldn't avoid, either?

[davincible]

Exactly that. Well, things have kind of gone beyond my own expectations, too. But for today, I've done all that I could.

[ It's out of her hands now. Which is almost a relief. ]

[fujimaru]

Ah...

So like, things that I should be careful of? Or do I need to get a shovel?