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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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[undaunts]

[.... and, more calmly and quietly:]

I feel a little lightheaded.

[flaredo]

Believe it or not, that's progress.

[ She pushes herself up now, stepping closer-- just to plop herself by her sister and ruffle her hair. ]

So, is it such a terrible thing that you like him?

[undaunts]

Yes!

[A beat.]

Well--no! I mean-- I don't know!

[...]

It's complicated.

[flaredo]

In what way?

[ Yep, go on. She'll walk you through this. ]

[undaunts]

I mean... he's my friend.

[That's really what it boils down to, right?]

And he really gets me, and I like being around him, and what if...what if this makes things weird?

[flaredo]

... I think, with everything the two of you have been through, admitting that you like the guy isn't going to end the world. I mean, you already liked him, right? The like's just a little stronger now, and it's not like that's weird.

[ Except it's like her baby sister's first crush, wow. ]

Naoki and I were friends before we were anything else, and falling for him... just kinda seemed natural, you know? Whether you want to say or do anything about it is up to you... but how you feel, there's nothing weird about it.

[undaunts]

It's... not weird?

[For once, her feelings are normal? That's a weird thought. But Yang's telling her that this is how it was for her too, and... that actually helps. It makes Ruby feel like all of this is less strange and uncomfortable.

She smiles a little, weakly and tentatively.]

...Yeah. I like Hiro a lot. I mean, I've always liked Hiro, but I just keep liking him more and more.

[flaredo]

See? It's just the next step. And Hiro's a good kid, too-- it makes sense you guys would get close.

Something like this? Your friendship's gonna be just as strong still, trust me.

[undaunts]

... Okay.

[... She still has a lot to think about re: Hiro and what she's going to say (should she say anything?) and what she's supposed to do (how do you date?????) but she does feel better even so.]

... Sorry I tried to take you down with a pillow.

[flaredo]

... I'll forgive it juuuuust this once.

[ If just because this will eventually give her teasing material for days. ]

[undaunts]

And um...

[...]

Thanks. [...] Y'know, for the advice and stuff. I feel better.

[flaredo]

What are sisters for? I've got tons of advice for stuff like this!

... And you know, I bet Naoki'd be good to talk to, too.

[undaunts]

[She ducks her head at that, sheepish.]

I... don't know if I'm ready to talk about Naoki about this.

[She likes Naoki a lot, but Yang's on a completely different level when it comes to confiding in for embarrassing topics. Because she's always been there to confide in.]

[flaredo]

It's okay. This can be just girl talk.

[ Naoki himself would probably get flustered, come to think of it... ]

[undaunts]

I'm... not very good at girl talk, but... that sounds pretty good to me.

[She really likes the idea, at least, it seems.]

[flaredo]

It's something you get better at with practice, trust me. You'll be a pro in no time.

[undaunts]

I don't know if I want to be a pro at this though...

[??? she's really unsure.]

So uh.... I guess I should tell Hiro then.... right?

[That's still kind of scary though.]

[flaredo]

That depends on you. If you want to tell him, it doesn't have to be immediately or anything. Just when you feel like it's right.

[ Which could be at any point. ]

[undaunts]

How am I supposed to know something like that?

[That's so...vague!!!]

[flaredo]

It'll be like... well, you know how you always wanted to be a Huntress? It'll just happen. You'll know.

[undaunts]

[... Wow. That's a pretty intense feeling, then.]

Like how I knew I wanted to be a Huntress...?

[That's something that... well, that she's definitely trying to imagine. But at least it gives her a better idea of things.]

... Okay. I'll wait for a feeling like that then.

[flaredo]

Just don't feel like you have to rush anything, okay? This sort of thing takes time. [ Sisterly shoulder pat. ]

[undaunts]

Right...

[She has no idea what she's doing, but sure.]

"This sort of thing".

[Whatever...this sort of thing is...] Um, I don't think I could rush it if I tried. [She doesn't know how.]

[flaredo]

... Yeah, I'm pretty sure you couldn't.

[ She sure sounds relieved about this. ]

[undaunts]

You... didn't have to agree so fast.

[sheesh....]