[Oh...! She isn't expecting the answering slyness in his own expression, and it's enough of a surprise that her own smile loses that quality, growing instead to something more genuinely delighted.]
Unlike the last one, this one's starting at super-speed. Maybe it was a bad idea? Possibly, yes, but like hell she's backing down, even if she absolutely misses the first few notes just because of how fast those arrows are rocketing up the screen. But Wave knows how to dance, so she knows how to find a beat, and once she catches on to the idea that it's like following a partner in a weird sort of way she'll actually start to do okay! ...until the arrows slow and stop altogether.]
What's--No!
[THE MUSIC JUST RESTARTS WITHOUT WARNING HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO PREDICT THAT THIS IS BULLSHIT]
[ It's the sort of pace that Fai isn't used to, especially when it comes to dancing. Waltzes, foxtrots... he can do those just fine. But this? This is something entirely different, and while he can find the rhythm and coordinate well with his feet, it's still a struggle.
So much so that he lets out a strained "ah!" when the music starts back up.
He's slightly out of breath when the song finally finishes, feeling like trying to keep up was the real work out. ]
.........honestly after about the first 20 seconds, Wave's just. Standing there.]
Why do they just keep getting worse?!
[But eventually they'll have DDR'd themselves out, whether that's because they finally figured out how to pick songs that aren't going to completely destroy them or they just gave up, who knows. At any rate it's time for some general hanging out time! How's Fai feel about heading out into the sun?]
That was all right, but I don't think I'll be going back for another round any time soon.
[Yessssss, good, Wave thrives in the sunshine, turning her face up to the light.]
You're not wrong... though I can't help but wish we could go a little further out. I'm having a good time here at the resort, but I'm starting to feel a little stir-crazy sometimes.
[It's not immediate, but the question still slips out of her before she has a chance to stop herself. It's the sort of question maybe she shouldn't ask, the sort of question that's too intrusive, but it's already been asked, so all she can really do is offer some sort of rationale:] I've... I was looking for a way to leave my world for a long time before all this. The guy who promised to help me never managed it.
[If he hasn't realized it already, Wave's face gives away a lot of what she's thinking. In this instance, he'll see the moment she realizes what he's saying--is that an offer...?--followed by the surprise that hits her like a brick wall, then a softening of her expression to a little soft smile, even as her gaze drifts away from him for a moment. Finally, she brings her eyes back to him, shaking her head.]
That wasn't why I was asking. Momo already told me we don't have to go back if we don't want to.
I just wanted to know how long Dusk had been lying to me about not being able to do it.
[ He smiles, more real than the smiles she's usually seen from him. ]
It's hard to say. Most magic users will have their magic completely wiped out by sending themselves or someone else to another world. That's why it's so complicated. It uses up a significant portion of one's reserves.
So it isn't so much the spell as it is the magic needed to power it? [Wave considers it.] I don't think that part would have been as much of an issue; when they're casting big spells, Veloi mages in Coriolis can tap into the power of the trees for more raw energy.
[It still hasn't lost its novelty, that knowledge; just like every other time, it fills her with a sense of buoyancy and warmth, and it might be obvious to Fai in that moment that even though Wave's smiles are by and large genuine, they're often just surface-level. But knowing she can do what she wants now? It'll be a long time before that stops giving her that rush.]
I haven't decided what I'll do yet. There are a few places I visited before that I could go back to, but I wouldn't mind going someplace new, either. I like going to new places and seeing new things.
Seeing new things and meeting new people has been a bright spot of traveling across worlds, to tell you the truth. I’d be happy to give you names of places, should you be able to wander about.
[ He smiles, the warmth in his eyes matching the warmth reflected in her smile. Traveling really has been a benefit to him despite everything else about it that he can’t help but be excited for her. ]
[Hey, does it feel like someone just walked over Fai's grave? Because he's just crossed into dangerous territory. Wave's smile fades from her face, an eyebrow lifting as she looks at him.]
Is that really what's best for them, or is that what you've decided is best for them?
He's been called out, hasn't he? He looks at Wave with surprise before finally letting out a sigh. ]
No, you're right. It's what I've decided is best for them.
[ The theme this week is honesty and he's tired, so he decides to expand upon that. ]
I tend to bring trouble to the people I'm closest to. I'm worried that my involvement in their lives will only bring them pain.
[ It's why he was so hesitant to accept his own feelings for Kaeya too. Everything tangles up together into this mass of connections that he's terrified to have. ]
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All right, let's see what they've got.
[MAX 300. I have to.
Unlike the last one, this one's starting at super-speed. Maybe it was a bad idea? Possibly, yes, but like hell she's backing down, even if she absolutely misses the first few notes just because of how fast those arrows are rocketing up the screen. But Wave knows how to dance, so she knows how to find a beat, and once she catches on to the idea that it's like following a partner in a weird sort of way she'll actually start to do okay! ...until the arrows slow and stop altogether.]
What's--No!
[THE MUSIC JUST RESTARTS WITHOUT WARNING HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO PREDICT THAT THIS IS BULLSHIT]
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So much so that he lets out a strained "ah!" when the music starts back up.
He's slightly out of breath when the song finally finishes, feeling like trying to keep up was the real work out. ]
Ah... that wasn't any better after all.
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Maybe you should pick the next one--if you want to keep going, that is.
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[ He gives Wave a grin before he turns over to the console, picking out a song.
Keeping up with the theme, Fai picks one that sounds fast. ]
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.........honestly after about the first 20 seconds, Wave's just. Standing there.]
Why do they just keep getting worse?!
[But eventually they'll have DDR'd themselves out, whether that's because they finally figured out how to pick songs that aren't going to completely destroy them or they just gave up, who knows. At any rate it's time for some general hanging out time! How's Fai feel about heading out into the sun?]
That was all right, but I don't think I'll be going back for another round any time soon.
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I don't think so either. I'm starting to wonder if games like that are really for me.
[ He much prefers board games or card games. There aren't any weird machines they have to step on. ]
But this little retreat is good for trying new things, if nothing else, so I don't regret playing.
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You're not wrong... though I can't help but wish we could go a little further out. I'm having a good time here at the resort, but I'm starting to feel a little stir-crazy sometimes.
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[ He totally would otherwise. It'd be nice to do some exploring. ]
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You can do that sort of thing?
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[ He smiles. ]
I don't use it often, though. It's a complicated spell.
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[It's not immediate, but the question still slips out of her before she has a chance to stop herself. It's the sort of question maybe she shouldn't ask, the sort of question that's too intrusive, but it's already been asked, so all she can really do is offer some sort of rationale:] I've... I was looking for a way to leave my world for a long time before all this. The guy who promised to help me never managed it.
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I've done it before. I should have more than enough magic to send you somewhere, but you need to be absolutely sure about your decision.
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That wasn't why I was asking. Momo already told me we don't have to go back if we don't want to.
I just wanted to know how long Dusk had been lying to me about not being able to do it.
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[ He smiles, more real than the smiles she's usually seen from him. ]
It's hard to say. Most magic users will have their magic completely wiped out by sending themselves or someone else to another world. That's why it's so complicated. It uses up a significant portion of one's reserves.
[ But Fai? He'd be fine. ]
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[ As a wizard, that intrigues him. But he knows now is not the time for that. ]
It seems like they didn’t want you to leave, in that case.
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The joke's on him now, though.
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You’re free to do as you please now.
[ While he doesn’t know the reason why she wanted to leave her world or why she was trapped, he’s still happy that she’ll get what she wants. ]
Do you know where you’ll go?
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[It still hasn't lost its novelty, that knowledge; just like every other time, it fills her with a sense of buoyancy and warmth, and it might be obvious to Fai in that moment that even though Wave's smiles are by and large genuine, they're often just surface-level. But knowing she can do what she wants now? It'll be a long time before that stops giving her that rush.]
I haven't decided what I'll do yet. There are a few places I visited before that I could go back to, but I wouldn't mind going someplace new, either. I like going to new places and seeing new things.
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[ He smiles, the warmth in his eyes matching the warmth reflected in her smile. Traveling really has been a benefit to him despite everything else about it that he can’t help but be excited for her. ]
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What about you? What are you planning to do once everything's over here?
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[ He smiles wearily. ]
I travel with companions, but I’d prefer to leave them be, since that’s what best for them.
[ With his role in everything… he should step back. It really is for the best. ]
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Is that really what's best for them, or is that what you've decided is best for them?
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He's been called out, hasn't he? He looks at Wave with surprise before finally letting out a sigh. ]
No, you're right. It's what I've decided is best for them.
[ The theme this week is honesty and he's tired, so he decides to expand upon that. ]
I tend to bring trouble to the people I'm closest to. I'm worried that my involvement in their lives will only bring them pain.
[ It's why he was so hesitant to accept his own feelings for Kaeya too. Everything tangles up together into this mass of connections that he's terrified to have. ]
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So you're choosing the brand of selfishness that spares yourself having to feel guilty later if something does happen.
[It's sharp, but her voice isn't intentionally harsh. It's just a fact, the way she sees it.]
From someone who's been on the other side of that situation? I'd take whatever pain came from it. I'd make that choice a hundred times over.
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