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[flaredo]

"Heeey, you've reached Yang! Well, actually, you didn't reach far enough, 'cause I'm not here right now! But don't yang up! Just leave a message on this baby, and I'll get back to you soon enough, okay?"

[ Please specify VOICEMAIL, TEXT or CALL. ]

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[flaredo]

[ EMPTY LIKE HER STOMACH WISHES IT COULD BE-- but she slowly lifts her head. ]

W-what's the verdict?

[masakados]

Looks like we're tied...

[Wearily, he turns his cup to show her. Nice and empty. Urgh.]

...does that mean we should both give a secret? 'Cause I'm not gonna do a rematch. [Once was enough!!]

[flaredo]

Yeah... you know what, let's go with that. [ THEY FOUGHT A HARD BATTLE. ]

[masakados]

But first... just one sec. [He'll stand up, walking over to the counter... and returning with two bottles of water.]

Here you go. [He's going to chug his right down...]

[flaredo]

You're a lifesaver! [ AND SHE'S DRINKING HALF OF THAT before she pauses to speak, coughing a little first. ]

So... who's going first?

[masakados]

Mmm-- [He frowns thoughtfully, his mind puzzling over what he could tell her. It stops on that thing, the one thing he needs to tell her... but not right now. That... will be later.]

You can decide, if you want. I'm fine either way.

[flaredo]

You first, then... my throat's still kind of burning.

[ Thanks, Naoki. ]

[masakados]

Okay. [He smiles at her, taking another swig from his bottle of water before thinking again for a minute. So many of the secrets he has are so dark, so maybe something mild?]

Then... this horn. [He cocks his head.] You know how most animals don't feel anything from their horns, right? I can actually get sensation from it. [It's weird but it wouldn't be the only weird thing.]

[flaredo]

... Really? Is it sensitive?

[ Because she's going to reach behind him to lightly touch it. ]

[masakados]

So--oort of, [his voice drags in a surprised sound 'cause he saw her reaching but nope there she goes touching. It doesn't cause the same shivery sense as touching his marks does, but he can feel her fingers.

It feels just as warm as the rest of him, even if it's definitely a horn.]

But not too much.

[flaredo]

I hadn't even thought about that-- but then again, I guess you wouldn't want people just grabbing it out of the blue.

[ Like she just did. ]

[masakados]

Yeah, that's right.

[He lifts an eyebrow at her, amused. Exactly just like she just did but hey, it's Yang. She's an exception in many cases.] It'd throw me off.

[flaredo]

My lips are sealed, then. [ Complete with a wink and a press of a finger to her lips. ]

[masakados]

Thanks, I appreciate it. [He grins at her.]

So, how's your throat doing? Less burning?

[flaredo]

It might have nightmares tonight, but I think I'm good to go!

[ but now she has to think... ]

[masakados]

I wouldn't blame it.

[But good-- He'll fold his arms on the table, propping his chin on them as he watches her curiously. What've you got for him, Yang?]

[flaredo]

[ There's actually several long moments of silence as Yang ponders, sifting through the lighter things in her thoughts-- but when she recalls what she'd told Yata...

Maybe that's it. Naoki had trusted her with painful memories, and she'd told him that there were things, that she wasn't as cool. Now, she takes a breath, her voice growing softer as she settles back in her chair. ]

... I don't actually know the true reason why I want to be a Huntress. When I was asked, I gave some answer about being a thrill-seeker and being okay with never knowing what life was going to throw at me... but the thing is, that's shallow. Everyone else in my team has a solid reason for it, to prove themselves, to change how things are-- and then there's me.

[ Yang laughs, humorlessly. ]

What am I even fighting for?

[masakados]

[Naoki straightens up slightly, lifting himself from his arms when she settles back, when her voice softens like that. She's telling him about herself? He hadn't expected...

But as the slight surprise smooths away, he listens, expression settling into thoughtfulness.]

...D'you want to find a better reason to fight than the one you answered with?

[flaredo]

Yeah... [ It's still quiet, but her tone is firm. ] There's more to it than that... there's gotta be.

[ Otherwise, isn't she as shallow as that answer had sounded? ]

[masakados]

Then... fight to find out why you fight.

[Maybe it's a little absurd, but Naoki's expression is soft; he's not joking, not here.] There's nothing wrong with not knowing for sure, after all.

Not everyone has one, or... some let other people choose their reason for them, instead of trying to find it on their own.

[flaredo]

Really... I'm the only person on my team without a solid reason, and you can't even tell me how not cool I am-- [ But she manages a smile. ]

If nothing else, I'm used to fighting. I can keep doing that much.

[masakados]

I've... run into a lot of people with hypocritical reasons. And they couldn't see that themselves or, well, they didn't even try. Much less admit that they didn't know, or try to find something better.

I admire that you are, Yang. [With a smile.] You're the coolest person that I've ever met.

[flaredo]

...

[ Okay, she's honestly a little surprised when she feels her face heat up, because yes, she's used to being cool when she's on her motorcycle or in the middle of a fight or sauntering into a club, but right after ingesting some bizarre frozen yogurt challenge and admitting her own indecision?

It catches her off-guard, and it shows in her face, before she blinks rapidly and runs a swift hand through her hair. ]

I don't know, I think Yurlungur's got some pretty high cool levels.

[masakados]

[--did--

Naoki leans forward a little, bracing himself with his arms on the table, expression so curious. Did he manage to catch her off guard? Make her blush? A little bit?

Though that wasn't his intention, he was just being sincere...]

I don't think he really fits the person criteria, though. He'd probably be offended if I called him one.

[flaredo]

Coolest... creature?

[ no, she's regaining her cool, STOP STARING SO INQUISITIVELY. ]