hisguardian | Tanagura Inbox

[It was wrong. Those words take away some of the bite to her anger -- she's never had someone tell her that before. After all, not once did those murderers show any remorse for killing Mommy. They didn't apologize for killing Ion either. But Peony... did he feel bad about it? About lying to her?]

[She sniffles between sobs, rubbing at her eyes with her sleeve.]

...you lied to me. You told me you were my friend... but you never even told me you were the Emperor! [A fact she learned from Ion -- could she even still call him that?] I... I-I trusted you!

[There's a little hesitation, but since she seems just a bit calmer he reaches into his pocket and takes out the handkerchief he had ready in case she started crying to hold out to her. It's not good for her to rub at her sleeves like that, she'll get them all slimy like Saphir when he was a boy.]

I said it before, didn't I? That our titles don't mean anything here. I try to not tell people here who I am back home, because... honestly, I wish that I weren't a lot of the time. But that was wrong, too. I'm sorry. You aren't just another person here, you were born in Malkuth. I should have said something. Still - I really do mean it, you know. I want to be your friend, and if we can all go home together, I want to stay together. Even Liger.

[She actually reaches out for the handkerchief for a moment, but stops just short of grabbing it. She doesn't have a lot of experience with people wanting to be her friend. And right now, Peony is one of the few people from her world to treat her so kindly, and like an equal. Aside from Ion, the only people who ever treated her that way did so out of fear or subordination.]

...I-I don't know if I can trust you again. And Ion... [She tries to take a calming breath, but it's still shaky and edged with tears.] W-What am I supposed to do now?

[Peony places it within her reach so that she doesn't have to take it from him directly. Near the teacup, though the tea has definitely cooled by now.]

It's all right if you can't. Forgiveness isn't something someone can demand. I'll be your friend even if you can't trust me.

[Funny that she's asking him what to do when she just said she doesn't trust him, though.]

...What you do next is up to you. He really does care about you. If you need some time to yourself to think about it, I don't mind if he stays with me so long as he's still technically yours. If not, you two can stay together as you are, can't you? He isn't your Ion, but... in a way, he is his little brother. It wouldn't be strange to still want to look out for him.

[The question wasn't really directed to Peony. She's never really been in a situation like this, where she was free to choose where to go from here... even when she disobeyed orders, there was still some general direction she knew she needed to move in. Like a string tugging her around for some unknown purpose.]

[But this world was different. She had no loyalties, no obligations. And as far as she could tell, there was no Score. She could choose to do whatever she wanted... but what did she want? She thought she knew, but now she wasn't so sure.]

I... I-I promised I would protect him. [It was a non-answer, really. She promised she would protect "Ion"... but who was that, now? Averting her gaze, she rubs at her eyes again.]

But... there's still something I need to know. [She looks back up at Peony.] Could you... not tell him that I know? Just for a little while. I-I... I need to figure something out for myself.

[It's already been a couple days since he spoke with Ion. Peony had wanted to wait until the last traces of anything from Lupercalia faded away to speak with Arietta to ensure neither of them were under the influence of anything at the time. The poor boy must be sick with anxiety waiting for him to do it. But... if this is what it takes for her to accept things, then they'll just have to manage.]

All right. For a little while should be fine.

[Here's to hoping Ion doesn't worry himself sick in the meantime, and that seeing him doesn't keep tearing her wounds open.]

[She doesn't thank him -- she only nods. Maybe someday she'll thank him for telling her, but not while the wounds are still so fresh.]

[She turns in her seat and stands, keeping her gaze away from Peony. Her hair is a mess and her face is still red from crying... she knows she can't go back to the apartment now. But she also can't stay here anymore.]

...is that everything you needed to tell me?

[Is it? He can't think of anything else, but if there are other things lurking about it would be better to come clean now. Unfortunately, he's never actually seen her interact with Jade or he would think to mention that they know each other and apologize for his actions.

As it is, dealing with the fallout of all this has been overwhelming and it doesn't come to mind.]

Yes, I think so. Let me know if you need anything. And just... send Ion here if you need to, okay?

[Letting her go off like this makes him a little anxious, but he really doesn't think she'll hurt Ion. Not physically, at least.]

I... I'll think about it.

[Though given what she needs to figure out, sending him away wouldn't really help. But thankfully, she doesn't need Ion out of the apartment to find time to herself. And right now, even through all the feelings of loneliness this information has given her, that was what she needed most of all.]

[Without any more fanfare than that, she turns and walks out of the room, leaving Peony alone in the apartment.]

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