Come As You Are // Open Post

[therealbrianna]

P.Y.T. [ Pretty Young Thing ]

(Taken during THAT mission that we do not speak of.)

Comments

[redemancy]

No. They basically forgot that I had ever existed.

[And she's not the only one who did but, but... well. That is Elias Tagabigay's story to tell.]

[therealbrianna]

[ Her eyebrows are furrowed, trying to fully grasp Aria's situation. ]

Seems like a lot of hunters naturally lose their families.

[redemancy]

You could look at it that way, yes. And it doesn't always involve circumstances like mine.

[Taking another drag.]

It's a hard life. Most people don't understand that, and some people never try to.

[therealbrianna]

[ Nodding in agreement. ]

Yeah, you can say that again.

[ She wonders if Aria's latter statement is coming from a certain experience, or is speaking of a certain person. ]

[redemancy]

[Tilting her head now, looking curious.]

If you don't mind me asking... have you been able to really sit down and talk to your own parents about being with Netsach yet?

[therealbrianna]

Hm? What do you mean?

[ Completely glides over her head. She's already with Netsach, and they seemed happy about her initiation. She even came home to a celebration. It really never occurred to her how her parents really felt about it. ]

[redemancy]

I mean asking them how they feel, now that it looks like you'll be doing this for the rest of your life.

[A lot of parents with kids in Balamb go through that with their own children. Many of them think that it's just a phase, that their sons and daughters will quit or are simply training in order to get a handle on their powers. When the truth really sinks in, though...]

[therealbrianna]

Well, they said -

[ Huh. Hm. Right. Now that she thinks about it, she pauses for a quick moment, looking quite dumbfounded. Rest of your life, girl. ]

... I don't.. know exactly.

[redemancy]

[Ah.

Gently:]

Maybe you should take some time out to talk to them about it. It doesn't have to be now, but it's good to have everything out in the open.

[therealbrianna]

Yeah, I uh, I will.

[ How did this conversation get here?! o_o ]

Thanks. [ Smiling at Aria gratefully. She didn't ask for anything, or for any tips or advice.

Aria is just so damn nice. ]

[redemancy]

[Blinking a bit at that, and then chuckling, looking sheepish.]

Sorry, I shouldn't keep giving unsolicited advice. Bad habit from being a part of Wolf's Choice and teaching here, I guess.

[therealbrianna]

[ Looking at Aria reassuringly. ]

No, it's okay. I don't think anyone from my blade would have talked to me about it anyway.

[ Cause half of them don't have family anymore, and the other half has at least one supernatural in their family.

In Brianna's case, she's kind of the supernatural torch-bearer of the family. ]

[redemancy]

Really? Even Estanislao, or Brigade?

[They seemed like the default dads of the blade, all things considered.]

[therealbrianna]

No, not really.

[ A short pause. ]

I think we're all just distracted with our own personal things to really think about some fundamental things that matter, yknow?

[redemancy]

[There is that.]

I think I get what you mean. Things have been pretty busy for all of you, especially with this trouble in America.

[And, being as it is, two blade mates who are American and with real ties to Valkyrie.]

[therealbrianna]

[ Nevertheless, chin up. She doesn't mind. ]

Yeah. Maybe in due time. We're all dealing with so many things, after all.

[ Speaking of dealing.... She's looking at Aria, but she won't say anything. ]

[redemancy]

[She doesn't notice immediately, if only because she's lighting up another cigarette. When she does, though, have a curious look in Brianna's direction.]

What is it?

[therealbrianna]

[ Ehe, innocent girl card. ]

What's what?

[redemancy]

[But you looked like you had wanted to ask something... should she?]

Oh, you just looked like you wanted to ask me something. It's okay, though. [Looking ruefully at the cigarette.] I think I've kept you here for WAY longer than planned.

[therealbrianna]

[ WHEW okay Aria just gave her a chance to escape this, especially since Brianna just isn't ready to admit that she's a bit concerned about Aria just yet.

She's patting her bag, making sure she didn't leave anything. ]

Oh, it's nothing. But I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?

[redemancy]

[Smiling and nodding. It's a calculated gesture, really: if the girl didn't want to talk, then that's okay.]

Sure thing. Take care!

[therealbrianna]

[ Smiling sweetly at Aria.

Maybe next time. Brianna really doesn't know a lot about Aria yet, so she doesn't know where to place herself.

.... not that she makes it a habit to know her place anyway. ]

Thanks! See you! It was a nice chatting with you.