Long May I Reign

[REACTION] Ai | I/Ai Have Spoken

Ai burst out of her room at the scream, fingers running through her hair to comb it.

Princesses must look presentable at all times, moreso in times of crisis.

And when she saw the body…

“…oh, dear.”

“…He was a good man…This is too cruel.”

It may have sounded odd for a yakuza to speak like this, but this was just how she was. Yes. Ai took a breath through her nose, a hand going to her chest. Right. She had a job to do.

It would not be pleasant. It would end with another death. But it had to be done.

She must help see to that.

“Right then. Let’s begin.”

#chapter two

#lol dying #chapter two #sad days #ic #event

Ai | Thanks But... [REACTION]

Ai stood there silently, head tilted slightly to one side. She didn’t say anything for some time, instead thinking and pursing her lips.

And when she finally did speak…

“I do appreciate the offer, but I will decline for the time being. I Have nothing to ask yet.”

Yet? So she is saving it for later?

“…I trust everyone here. There is nothing I am currently dying to uncover.”

Ai | Maxed-Out Grace |

#jiro #chapter two #lovely days

shslphysician:

Oh, good! She was brightening up again. Jiro’s smile widened in response, although he kept quiet in favour of allowing her to speak until finished.

“..Ah, I fear I am far too self-centered to be a good man. But if I was at all able to assist, then I am glad I had happened to arrive at the time that I did.”

He paused thoughtfully, scratching his chin as he considered the other things she had said.

“But, well… I imagine if one was particularly good at both carrying a regal air and being spoiled, then they would be most befitting to be hailed as a Princess. Hope’s Peak was never very specific on their guidelines of what is seen as ‘the best at what one does’.”

A soft chuckle escaped him.

“In fact, why wasn’t I offered the title of Super High School Level Cat Enthusiast? I feel that would be a more appropriate description of what I offer the world.”

Self-centered? He hadn't seemed like it.

A self-centered man would not have at least made an attempt to spare Katsurou's life. A self-centered man would not have seen to the injured or unwell at the trial. A self-centered man would not have said the things he did in the chat room, or here in person. A self-centered man would not have sat down beside her.

No, she did not believe he was.

But the subject was already changing, and--

"Ah, your profile did mention cats," she said, hands over her knees. "I...I apologize if this comes out the wrong way, or it seems I am trying to... But I did like that you were so fond of cats. I'd always thought of having some in the ca-- in my home."

Ai | Maxed-Out Grace |

#jiro #chapter two #lovely days

shslphysician:

Oops. He… hit a sore spot there, didn’t he? Nodding quietly in thanks as she made space for him, he allowed the next minute to pass in what would no doubt be perceived as an awkward silence before he spoke again.

“…If it is of… any consolation, most of them come around eventually. Perhaps not immediately, but time and acting by example often move even the hardest of hearts.”

He fiddled with the cuffs of his sleeves, moving his attention to the lobby around them.

“And if not… I heard that the principality of Sealand was selling off titles. You may not be a princess, but you could at the very least legitimately be a Duchess.”

He offered her a small grin. Hopefully that… helped, in some measure.

She couldn't help it.

A genuine laugh (okay, closer to a giggle) escaped her, her hand coming to cover her mouth.

Thanks, Jiro.

"I do not know how Sealand would feel having a yakuza girl as a Duchess, but I appreciate the sentiment, Jiro-kun!"

"...to be honest, though...I really do not mind if I truly have a title or not. The 'princess' part of my talent is strictly symbolic. Or perhaps," she added, in a more thoughtful tone, "a little teasing. Father did spoil me, very much."

She did hope - no, she wished he was right, about time healing and helping. But she doubted it would really work...Bland had made it clear that she was something to be feared, at least to him. She could only imagine how many others were privately thinking the same thing. They were in the right, of course, but... It hurt a little, knowing that those moments of kindness could not occur again.

"...Thank you. By the way. For your words in the chat room...my decision had not come easily, and I was beginning to fear that... Well. I really do thank you. You're a good man, Jiro-kun."

Ai | Court(yard) | Closed for Fiyero

#fiyero #chapter two #lovely days

fiyero-deamorte:

“Why can’t you?”

Looking the other way, he carefully tried to take her other hand, lace the fingers together. “What’s stopping you. Family? Family…what they think, it doesn’t matter, right? Like…be your own person.”

Smiling softly, he looked back to her. “You are special, Angel, you really are.”

Lifting the hand, he gently kissed the knuckles. “You’re right, I don’t want to be tied down, but, like, not because my family- because it’s what’s, like, right, you know? Like for me and stuff…I don’t know, like, wordy stuff is totes not my thing or whatever,”

Sighing, he let out a small laugh. “I think about when we first met a lot. You really stood out to me- I haven’t figured out why, but, you did. And I think I know it’s in a good way now.”

"I...I do wish to be my own person, Fiyero-kun. I am trying to do that now, but... In doing so, I am learning there are some things I cannot do. I cannot be as...free or casual with words or actions or...as you are, and..."

"And 'I can't'...take it. All the time... I think..."

But this was just.

Really confusing.

Complicated.

And now he was bringing this up? But all she'd done was speak to him and offer her help and

it was just finding his room, that was all.

"I had simply done what anyone would have done, Fiyero-kun...it is...hardly something that should make me stand out..." Unless-- “I was...I was likely the first person you saw, is all...”

Ai | Metal Princess - Royal Idol | ATTN: Sayuri

shslgothicmetalsinger:

Honestly Sayuri was almost a little sad! She wondered how busy Ai’s life must have been as a princess that she really didn’t get to play many games. But that was alright! Sayuri liked teaching people new things.

“Of course, as you like! It’ll be fun.”

She walked over to the wall, grabbing a couple of cues. She smiled, handing one to Ai.

Ai took the stick cautiously. She did not want to break it somehow...She really didn't know how fragile or strong these things really were.

Still, she couldn't help but turn it over a few times in her hands, weighing it in her palms a little.

"This is rather exciting! Father never allowed me to play, but I saw it on television from time to time!"

"Ah, we're supposed to rub the ends with a little blue cube, yes?"

Ai | Metal Princess - Royal Idol | ATTN: Sayuri

shslgothicmetalsinger:

She giggled a little, no offense taken. Ai had a point after all!

“I’ve never heard of “mancalal” before..maybe they have it here? Can we play it? Or anything really! It’ll be nice to just spend some time together.”

With that, she turned around to exam the shelves. And then a thought came to her.

“…it occurs to me that I’m not sure they have any board games besides chess. There’s pool though! Or the arcade machines, if you want to try those.”

"I have not played video games, either..." Ai admitted sadly.

Jeez, Ai had not played much of anything, had she?

But then her eyes lit up.

"Ah! But I've always wanted to try pool! Shall we play that, please?"

Ai | Court(yard) | Closed for Fiyero

#lovely days #chapter two #fiyero #ai.exe has shut down

fiyero-deamorte:

This was…this was…

Maybe he really did screw up this time.

How was he supposed to handle this, he would have been gone by now, another town over, country over, he wouldn’t have to deal with it, see their face, remember how often his would be the same. Holding back tears, because tears aren’t pretty. Smiling because it hurt so much.

Because people like him only felt sad when directed to.

“Angel, you could change everything about yourself and I would feel the same about you. I know I would, I know myself very well, you, you probably saw that in me. “

Standing, he tried to lock eyes with Ai, but…that wouldn’t work. That really wouldn’t work. “I don’t know if I love you, I don’t think I would know even if I was, but Angel, please, please don’t…” Sighing, he rubbed the back of his neck, keeping one hand connected to Ai.

“You are special, Angel, I know that. I know that. I’m not quite sure what it is, what you are to me, but, I know you…you are special. The fact, the fact you’d say this I think is why.”

Deep breaths.

“Like, I don’t…I’m sorry. Angel, this isn’t your fault, like, just…it’s how I grew up, ya know?”

Then it hit him. The water, the, the…great brain. Thanks for firing up where you don’t belong. But he got it now, he got it…”Angel, whatever you tell me, even if you don’t tell me, I promise it won’t change what I think about you.”

Throughout this all, Ai just listened. One of her hands came up to cover her mouth, fingers curled slightly as she tried to keep her lips from twitching.

She must not cry more than she was. She must not. She had to be stronger than that.

"Fiyero-kun..."

She didn't know what to say anymore. What should she even say? What was there to be said?

"I thought...I thought I might have done something. Made you think I wanted something - wanted what you want-- You do not want to be 'tied down' yes? And I just can't..."

Breathe.

"I just can't..."

She was special, right? He said so. But he treated everyone like this so--

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry..."

Ai | Metal Princess - Royal Idol | ATTN: Sayuri

shslgothicmetalsinger:

“..Actually it’s my first time in here too! But it seems nice, so I’ll probably make a habit of coming here.”

She laughed back.

“Ah, I suppose it isn’t extremely popular in Japan. Which…are we still in Japan? But..have you ever played shogi? It’s like that.Difficult at first, but fun!”

"Shogi...?"

Ai frowned, putting her fingertip to her lips for a moment. The game's name she knew, but...

She shook her head, an apologetic smile on her face.

"I'm sorry...Father did not allow me to play that. I have played only very simple games, I'm afraid..."

"Actually, wait. One of my tutors once taught me to play a game called mancala!" A short pause. "Would you like to play something? It may be fun than standing here and reciting games."

Not an intention to insult you, Sayuri!

Ai | Maxed-Out Grace |

#jiro #chapter two #lovely days

shslphysician:

Well, at least she had it in her to laugh. Or, at least feign something close to it. Although… the question admittedly caught him off guard. Shit.

“That… may be a better question for another. You appear perfectly fine to me, although I am hardly a… style guru? Fashionisto?”

He reaches up, scratching the back of his neck.

“…You may wish to ask Whittaker-san or Akagi-san. I have been told multiple times I would not know beauty if it slapped me across the face.”

…Although that may have been on account of the fact that said beauties then proceeded to do just that on more than one occasion. History suggested it wiser to keep his pattern to flattery, although somehow he felt that she had likely experienced enough emptiness in that regard throughout her time here.

…Still, he did have something on his mind beyond that, and now seemed to be as good a time as any. He gestured to the spot beside her on the couch.

“…May I? I don’t think I’ve ever actually sat on one of these before.”

Ai looked away for a moment when he mentioned Bland.

Honestly...she wasn't sure he'd want anything to do with her now. She was sure that if she approached Bland now, he'd turn and run. He was afraid of her now. It...was honestly a bit sad. She'd liked speaking with him in the chat room, and he was so great in the trial.

"I don't know about that..." Was she referring just to Bland, or the comment about Jiro and beauty? Both. Both, very both.

She looked back up, lowering her hands back to her lap as demurely as ever. See, not everything about her had been fabricated.

"Oh - oh, yes, of course, go right ahead," she said, and scooted over just enough so Jiro could sit and still have some space.

Ai | Maxed-Out Grace |

#jiro #lovely days #chapter two

shslphysician:

As much as Katsurou’s death had weighed on him, Jiro had, at the very least, tried not to beat himself up too much about it. He had to remain… well, not as edgy as he wanted to be. Perhaps he wasn’t able to help them and Mei-san, but there were other people counting on him to continue his work. Like… the lady before him, apparently. Jiro straightened up a little upon being spoken to, turning to the source.

“Ah, hello, Chouka-san.”

She seemed… a bit despondent. Given the situation and… well, everything that had happened thus far, that likely shouldn’t have been strange, but… well, he had made his way into this conversation. The least he could do was attempt to continue it. He paused a moment, as though studying her, before the words came to his tongue;

“… Did you perhaps get a haircut?”

… And?

“…And an eye change?”

No, Jiro.

Ai blinked, mildly startled.

Then she laughed - sorta of, it was mostly a quiet "hee" sound - and shook her head.

"N-No...No, I had a wig before. And contacts."

The contacts were now on her nightstand, and the wig in her closet.

She shifted in her seat, anxiously taking a lock of hair between her fingers, then glancing up at the doctor. (She'd wanted to speak to him for a while, too, come to think of it. Funny that this was their first chance one-on-one.)

"It...it does not look bad, does it?"

Ai | Court(yard) | Closed for Fiyero

#fiyero #chapter two #lovely days

fiyero-deamorte:

Well, that…

Guilt was not something that happened very often to Fiyero. He never felt bad about what he did, he just did them and let Maria figure out how to clean up the mess. It wasn’t his job to not hurt people, it was people’s job not to get hurt. That was how it worked.

Right?

Right. That was how it worked. But then…why did, did it hurt right now?

You’re spending too much time with Starlight. He’s making you thi-

Not going down that road, not now, not ever. No matter how much things ‘changed’ he was not letting that part.

How did he even start this? What did he even say to this? ‘Sorry my whole personality and outlook on life gives you great pain’? That, no, no, that wasn’t going to work.

God, she was crying, he’d never been good with crying. You saved tears, they were a power move, and, this wasn’t something…something for the camera, there was no camera.

What did he even do? Could he even do?

“We’re not together, Kitty, or…or Starlight and me. He made that very clear with me.”

Do not sound bitter Fiyero do not sound bitter.

“I can promise, Starlight won’t get jealous.” His finger swirled gently on the back of her hand. “I promise. He won’t get hurt either.”

Now was not the time- te he. La di da, happy happy camera happy.

“Like, Angel, you are special. I give special people nicknames. People who I talk to regularly, you know? That I have a connection too.”

Sighing, he gently leaned against her, head lying atop hers. “I compliment you because you deserve compliments. I don’t ever lie about those. False compliments hurt.”

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Close eyes. Then smile. Then open eyes and all was new again. Right.

“I don’t want to stop. I want to be close with you, really, like, I really want to have fun with you. There is something special about you, Angel, I can’t put my finger on what the feeling is, but it’s there. I know it’s there.”

With a slight huff, he closed his eyes again. “You’re free as you want to be, Angel. Spread your wings. Nobody can hold you back, really, you…can be whatever you want to be. Do what you want to do. So be free, don’t, don’t care so much about what people think.”

Oh Bland would get a kick if he heard this, wouldn’t he.

“I like you a lot, Angel, I really do.”

False compliments hurt.

Yeah. Yeah, they do.

They really. Really. Really did.

Ai sat quietly, keeping her eyes shut in hopes that the tears would stop. They hurt her eyes, she'd need to check her eyes later if she cried too much. She shouldn't even cry or show weakness anyway - princesses were stronger than that.

But...

"I...I mean I cannot...

I know you give nicknames to people you care about, but sometimes...Sometimes, you speak as if you care about me most. Sometimes, you speak like you are in love with me. And I wonder if you are. But then others get nicknames as well. And then you say things to others in the chat-room and I do not know anything anymore. I do not...I do not know how special I truly am to you."

'Be free' he said.

But if she was, it would mean disaster.

"...and I wonder...I can't help but wonder how much of whatever you're feeling would stay if something changed in me.

I am afraid sometimes, Fiyero-kun. I do not know what to think anymore about you."

Ai | Court(yard) | Closed for Fiyero

#fiyero #chapter two #lovely days

fiyero-deamorte:

“Angel…?”

This was not what he was going for.

“Angel, I, I didn’t, like, mean to make you upset…” Slowly, he unwound the arm from her waist, and instead used it to gently take her other hand. “Is, like, everything okay?”

Biting his lip, he slowly started to sit on the edge of one of the flower beds, trying to get her to sit next to him.

Fiyero was no stranger to heartbreak. Others or his own. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t break as many hearts as he had his broken. After it happens enough times, you stop reacting to it, it stops being ‘pain’ and starts being a little buzz in the back of your head telling you to go take another selfie instead, that maybe if you kept your pretty mouth shut, if you just listened instead of-

Shush. Not the time.

“Angel, please, you can talk to me, like, really, like, I promise I won’t judge, anything like that. Just talk to me.”

"Fiyero-kun, you..."

They were sitting. That was good. That meant it was a serious talk. Full attention.

Good...good, that was good...

Ai kept her eyes (her stupid damn eyes that Fiyero kept complimenting and it was starting to hurt so much) downward. She opened her mouth a few times, then closed it as if thinking better of her words. This had to be right, this had to be right...

"I...apologize...for my actions and behavior when we first met," she finally murmured. "I was not thinking clearly...so perhaps I gave the wrong impression of myself. And...I cannot..." Deep breath.

"...Fiyero-kun. I do care about you. With all your...complexities, I do still care about you. But I cannot... ...I cannot do this anymore. I cannot have you call me your angel, or 'sweetie,' or dance with you, or hear so many compliments... ...knowing that you do this with everyone."

Her throat felt tight. This wasn't why she had come to this castle.

"I know you say it is fun. You want me to have fun. But I cannot...I cannot hear such things when I know I am not special. I cannot enjoy myself while I also fear that Tamika-chan or Bland-kun will be jealous or hurt by this. I cannot...I cannot be as free as you.

I care about you. But if I am not special to you, then please...please just...stop."

Her head was still down. Her bangs were shielding her face and. Wait. Wait, no.

That was a tiny droplet of water falling to the grass.

Ai | Court(yard) | Closed for Fiyero

#fiyero #lovely days #chapter two

fiyero-deamorte:

Humming under his breath, he continued to step lightly in time, voice soft as he gently sang an off line or two. “Time’s a simple concept when you learn to let it fly…”

With a small laugh, he stopped using the words, as he pulled her slightly closer, spinning the two of them together. “I’d like to think we were a little more than friends, hm?” Smiling, he gently cupped her cheek. “Right, my Angel?”

Then he pulled away the hand. “Is everything alright?” Tilting his head, he batted his eyes at her, eyes drifting a moment to her lips. “You seem tense. You know, that offer to help work out the stress is still open.”

Biting his lip, he looked up. “Pink and soft, pink and soft…” His eyes seemed to almost glow this time, unlike before when someone asked him questions, but it quickly dimmed. “LIke, hm…I don’t know…blush?”

Yeah, like, that seemed totally the right choice! Totally. Like, that was what it meant. Yeah. Sure.

She wanted to keep having fun.

She wanted to keep dancing. To keep being happy and carefree.

To look after her friend.

But...

"I’d like to think we were a little more than friends, hm? Right, my Angel?"

But all of this...how quickly the conversation had gone in another direction. How she’d likely led him on when they met. How he treated all the others as well as her, then turned around and...

"....Fiyero-kun..." she sighed, shoulders tensing somewhat.

The bag, and the guessing game, was briefly forgotten even as Fiyero made another guess.

"Fiyero-kun, listen, I..."

"I cannot..."

"......do this...I am sorry..." her voice trailed into a whisper. The tone might have been heartbreak.

Ai | Metal Princess - Royal Idol | ATTN: Sayuri

#lovely days #sayuri #chapter two

shslgothicmetalsinger:

Honestly, she would have curtsied, but she wasn’t sure how much reverence she had to give to Ai! She certainly didn’t want to do anything At her question, the singer glanced back at the bookshelf.

“Really, I wish I could give an answer! There’s so much to read, I’m having trouble deciding. Not to mention all the other activities in here. Games and arcade machines and such. And a chess board!”

Only Sayuri could be excited about a chess board.

"I admit I haven't come in here much yet--" Technically true. The only time she remembered coming here was during investigation. "So I haven't been able to see any of this!"

"It seems you're certainly enjoying it, though," she laughed, briefly covering her mouth with one hand. "So...you play chess? I've never done that; is it very difficult?"

Ai | Court(yard) | Closed for Fiyero

#chapter two #lovely days #fiyero

fiyero-deamorte:

“Just because things haven’t changed, doesn’t mean things haven’t happened, hm?” Twirling her once more, he gently laid his arm across her waist, tilting his head carefully to the side. While his voice, mannerisms, tone, all that had stayed the same, there was still a change in his eyes since the trial, pupils dilated, searching constantly. “Is this okay? Like, want to be sure, you know?”

With a giggle, he started to loop them through the gardens. Ai had made a mark with him, since that first time, before any of this turned to…well, any of this. Before it took double the effort to further half of the cause. Ai, Ai had stuck with him in his head, there was something about her. What it was, how he felt he didn’t know- it’s not your job to think about this, Fiyero, Maria will tell you how you feel about this later- but…It was something.

Probably a good something?

“I see you brought a little gift.” His eyes flashed down to the bag, then back up. “Hm, give me three guesses. Is it a bag of flowers?”

What happened to his eyes? Was Fiyero-kun ill? Dai had said there was no alchohol, so surely he wasn't drunk...

Well, if he started to sway or get dizzy, Ai'd get him to medical assistance. Or contact Jiro on her ID.

"It's...it's fine, Fiyero-kun," Ai said, though something in her expression seemed off. "This is how you show friendliness, so it's all right."

She wondered if maybe she ought to be harsher with him. But she didn't quite know how to be harsh. That would have to be fixed once she got out of here.

"Hmmmm...it's not a bag of flowers," she finally laughed a little, moving the bag so it was partially hid behind her back. "But I can give you a clue: something in here is pink, and something else is brown. Both are quite soft."

Ai | Metal Princess - Royal Idol | ATTN: Sayuri

shslgothicmetalsinger:

Sayuri quickly turned around when Ai greeted her, a smile spreading on her face. She really enjoyed occasionally talking to her in the group chat! It was so disappointing that the first time they interacted face-to-face involved Sayuri implying Ai was doing something suspicious. So this was a good chance to fix that! She put the book she was investigating away on the shelf and gave a small bow. Was this appropriate? Honestly, it’s not like the singer had any experience with royalty.

“Hello to you! It’s nice to finally get a chance to talk. Well, away from all the stress of. You know.”

Honestly, Sayuri, Ai didn't think much of the bow at all. This was Japan, after all. Now, if you'd curtsied, that'd be a different story, but...

In any case, Ai nodded as she stopped in front of Sayuri.

"I know what you mean...It's good to see you in person again. I think the only other times we've interacted was in a large group setting, yes?"

And even then, they barely interacted. They were just. In the same space. Ai really needed to fix that - she wanted to know as many people as she could.

"What were you reading, if I may ask?"