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(Setting) Teafluent (Part 2)
| >>799236
>Aikawa's given him nothing but whiplash. It's a shame, because, he wants nothing more than to see her smile again. Nano pulls Aikawa away from Oenone's touch and into his arms, tucking her head under his shoulder.
>>799273
>He looks at the lilim questioningly - But not accusingly.
| >>799573
>Hair damp and darkened with justice dispensed, cheeks hot and streaked with the salt of tears-- no matter what, her face has ended up wet, without her say-so. Silently, she upbraids herself for crying. Her fingernails threaten to carve new creases in her palms. What would Edgar find, were he to read these?
>>799837
>Aikawa lets herself be drawn into Nano's arms-- the cafe and it's patrons disappear, and are replaced by the warmth and softness of flannel.
| >>799837 >>799987
>There's a long, shuddering breath-- muffled by the fabric of Nano's shirt-- and, a quiet hiccup. Aikawa squirms in his grip as she tries to get a little closer to her partner's ear.
>"The... the EMP... in Glitz..."
>There is no force behind her words. It's almost more accurate to say she mouthed them, rather than whispered them. She hopes he can hear. She's not sure she can repeat herself.
| >>799989
>There's a pause of recollection before Nano nods into her hair. He'd squeeze her too, but there's only so much you can do with a tin in your hand, and he's not up for another bit.
"..."
>Instead, he gently kisses Aikawa's head, murmuring words of comfort. Honestly, it may just be the shirt, but he wouldn't even mind if he got soaked from head to toe.
| >Aikawa tries desperately to listen, to ground herself, clinging to what reality is immediately within her grasp. She clutches at Nano's shirt.
"..."
>... What if...
>... What if this is another hack? Reasons supporting this trample those few that don't, as they stampede-- competing with one another to challenge the limits of her skull.
>Are her senses betraying her, again? What is genuine? What is an illusion? She doesn't know, she doesn't know...
| >>800177
>There are figures here she doesn't recognize; the cafe is one she's never been to-- she repeats this to herself-- why would someone go so far as to invent an entire establishment to trap someone in their web of lies? It's so much more effort than what was expended in that attempt on her life 3 years ago...
>... But, what if he has help? Or, what if this is a barrier maze-- surely there are templates or base codes for those floating around in the dark edges of the 'net...
| >>800178
>Why change Oenone's appearance so drastically, if more recognizable ones are readily available in her memory? That doesn't seem worth it either... something in Aikawa's frantic thoughts tells her that the person standing in front of her-- the one she's labelling as her friend-- is real.
>But... it was her /voice/ that caused her to recognize the lilim. That could be faked. He did it with Roy's, back then. What's to stop him from using hers?
| >>800181
>Another fear circles her conscious, perhaps more terrifying than the rest. It's starving. It's been locked away for ages... it's teeth glisten, saliva dripping from it's jaws...
>They sink into her, deep. Really deep.
>What if this /is/ all in her head?
>What if she /is/ just fucking crazy? What if those statements from earlier-- meant to mock her, are true? Was evidence-- genuine /proof/ of the hack ever actually discovered...?
| >>800183
>... All that had been found when running a diagnostic was that /someone/ had accessed her cyberbrain that night-- or, had been granted access-- someone using /Roy's/ ID. That was it.
>The remainder is a bunch of fragmented memories... which, she knows are not infallible.
>That's what scares her most.
| >Falschen watches Aikawa with worry
>She places a hand upon her shoulder and gives it a reassuring squeeze.
>It's awkward, with too little strength put in, and her hand is as cold as always.
>But she's trying her best.
"You okay Ei? You look pale"
>She grimaces
>She remembers that night too, where she had to jump a counter and help Emily to stabilize the woman who would become her friend down the line.
>It seemed like ages ago now.
"..."
>She remained silent.
| >>800177
>Come that grasp, Nano rubs a line up Aikawa's back. He doesn't like how tense she is. How long would it take to work out?
>>800285
>When Falschen comes carrying similar intentions he rubs circles, hoping that it will help make her friend's touch less intrusive.
| >>800285
>Despite the fact that she's been rendered incapable of listening, Aikawa-- somehow-- manages to /hear/ Falschen. It's fortunate: were her friend's tone and grip any more than gentle, the reaction earned with that tiny touch would have been an explosive one. Instead, Aikawa merely flinches in response.
>>800533
>Time. /Lots/ of time. She's been putting off straightening out all of those knots and kinks for years. It's why she's in no shape to work on them, now.
| >>800760
>Nano grows more weary by the minute. He closes his eyes and exhales before addressing no one in particular:
"..I need to pay. I need to take her home."
| >>800789
> Edgar nods quietly, gesturing gently to the door.
"Don't worry. Come back later and pay then. It would be best if you got her home now."
> He smiled with a muted cheer.
"I wouldn't want any time wasted paying for something right now."
| >>800796
>Nano inhales. His head's mixed up. Didn't Aikawa do that already?
"..."
>Right. It doesn't matter.
"Thank you."
>He wants to apologize to them both, Falschen and Oenone, but he doesn't see any reason fit as to why. He bows his head at the more colorful of the two and hopes she'll understand.
| >And so. Bit by bit, little by little.. Nano guides Aikawa to the door. It's something of a slow dance. He has to wedge his foot in the door again.
>He talks to her all the way.
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| > The crowd buzzed around inside of Teafluent, some with hair wetted from a spray and others enjoying their tea in the quiet jazz that attempted to be heard over the din.
> Standing at the counter was the ever affable Edgar, his smile slightly askew and his cards draped over the counter as he read out a fortune for his newest guest.
> The night continued unabated.