[Closed] The principal's office, so to speak.

[beyondtheblade]

Who: Tsubasa Kazanari, Chris Yukine
When: March 13th, after this whole thing.
Where: Susanoo's Temple
What: Senpai's a little annoyed, but for what reason, precisely?
Warnings: None presently, but will update if necessary.

[Truth be told, Tsubasa isn't sure if Chris understands just quite the level that she's annoyed. There's probably an inkling of the reason, but even then...

Well. She can only speculate so far, lest she make too many assumptions of her junior.

It's not without reason, or care. In fact it's very much in that vein. It's taken her a couple of days to get her own head on straight, but she's well versed in Chris's tendencies. Though certain things can absolutely fly over her head, and do frequently, there's a certain sense of the people around her where she's acutely perceptive.

Well, she hopes she's right this time, anyway.

Regardless, she had prepared some tea for herself earlier when Chris had come yelling. Yes, herself - she might be fairly close to it, but she's not COMPLETELY helpless. She has a new pot set on a short table before her, which she sits at, on the floor, legs folded beneath her. Her eyes are closed and she almost looks like she's meditating.]

Comments

[trustheart]

Maybe, but... you have your own life too. Don't make this turn into me lecturing you, senpai.

[But she nods, nonetheless, at what Tsubasa says next.]

Alright. That... makes me feel a bit better, at least. Though... it's making me realize something.

[beyondtheblade]

[That's where her brain comes screeching to a halt for at least a beat.]

Ah... of course, and I know that. I have! When I'm able, at least. [She'd sure spent a lot of time dealing with the Alchemists and Adam not able to really do anything BUT. Yet, there wasn't really a choice there.] Admittedly, this place throws a wrench in that, anyhow...

[She raises an eyebrow.] What does it make you realize?

[trustheart]

Well... why don't we go to the other shore sometime soon, then? Like, just to hang out. Humans don't really notice us there, and it'd be good to be in a place that feels a bit more... normal.

[She pauses to figure out just how to say it, before continuing.]

Rivalry... improving oneself... all that talk made me realize I've never tried to better myself outside of my obligations. Yeah, I've had hobbies, learned stuff on the side, made sure I was good at school, but I never thought about what I'd do for myself. Even when I came here I mostly thought about what I'd need to do to be the best God I could be.

...

And honestly, thinking about it now, with you here, and everything I've found out about what Shikyoin does... I wanna do what mom and dad did. Something with music...

[beyondtheblade]

That would honestly be nice, I do not think we've had much time to be "normal" for a little while. Every time we've made the attempt, I think we've been embroiled in some sort of an attack.

[Such as when Tsubasa arrived back in Japan, and they went out for some food, running into Hibiki and Miku and... whoops, Noise.

She listens intently to what else Chris has to say, though.]

Even gods here seem to be trying to make lives for themselves that are as normal as they can manage...

[Her eyes seem to perk up at that last part, though.] That seems like a fairly easy answer then, Yukine. Or at least it will, once I manage to figure out how to do similarly here.

[She smiles. Just. Genuinely, now.] Sing. Just as you did at Lydian.

[trustheart]

... Yeah. Well, at least we aren't doing something that seriously tempts fate like holding a concert, right?

[Chris snickers at her own joke... before she turns serious again.]

I don't really know where to start. I've watched what you've done, but you were at the height of your career already by the time we met. But... yeah. Singing. I know that's where I need to start.

[beyondtheblade]

[She frowns a little.] Now Yukine, I've had plenty of concerts that have not been a disaster.

[A sip of tea.] Just two that were, and one where everything blew up after.

But, consider this... we are very much in the same position, in this place. In spite of whatever experience I have, I have to make a fresh start. I will sing outside of battle here, but I'm at the starting gate again.

[She sets her cup down and looks her straight in the eyes, before stating with utmost confidence:] There aren't many other people I'd rather have at my side in that, if you're willing.

[trustheart]

You do realize that's more than how most concerts tend to end up, right?

... You... you really think I could do that? Sing on your level? Be an idol...?

[beyondtheblade]

Mm, perhaps - but given the state of our world, and our line of work, I would say it's still a manageable average.

[At that question though, she gives an immediate answer:] But... you already do sing on my level, Yukine. [She says it like she's explaining that the sky is blue.] Maria's, as well! It is no mistake that you are able to synchronize with the both of us so easily.

[She flashes a smile, and adds casually:] Besides that, it seems a shame to me that the only ones beside us who get to hear your song are our enemies, Yukine. A voice such as yours should be heard by people whose hearts you can touch.

[trustheart]

[Chris looks... horribly embarassed by what Tsubasa is saying, but also, something within her... it feels grateful, and also warm at hearing someone talking about her music like that. It's honestly the same kind of duality she often feels, the kind that leaves her heart beating extra hard and her ears burning, and makes friendship and receiving compliments both a struggle and something that can make her heart soar.]

I never... I never thought of my music that way. Seeing you both singing, so hard, with such faith in yourself... I never thought I could be like the both of you. I thought my songs were only for fighting, even after that performance at Lydian...

But. You really think I can do it. You believe in me. You've always believed in me...

[She looks up at Tsubasa, tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.]

Th. Thank you... Thank you, Tsubasa-senpai...

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa is at least a little bit surprised. She hadn't brought Chris here to make her cry, all admonishment aside. Though, she also seems happy - but one thing in particular sticks out...]

In much the same way that Tachibana does not wish to hurt people with her fists, I could never thing of songs as something merely for battle. Especially not for someone who truly loves music...

[She pauses, and then smiles a bit wider, and for Tsubasa looking surprisingly mischievous.]

I see you can use my name, though.

[trustheart]

And I do love music. I really do. It just... feels so good to be able to finally admit it, and that I want to make it.

[At her next comment, Chris smiles uneasily. She's still incredibly embarrassed, but her choice of words there wasn't an accident.]

W-well, why not? I use everyone else's now... I figured... f-figured it was time for it, you know? Don't get used to it like it's gonna be an everyday thing, though!

[beyondtheblade]

[That smugness washes off Tsubasa's face more or less, and she gives her a nod.] I... understand how you feel. Even as I was singing, it took quite a bit more for me to ... feel as though I would be comfortable making that my way forward. Eventually, one day. When we no longer have to fight, and I truly can lay down my sword.

[...and the smugness comes right back as she grins wider.]

Ah, of course - why ever would I think that, Yukine?

[trustheart]

[Chris nods. Maybe... maybe one day, she and Tsubasa could sing on the same stage at home too. The idea of all those eyes on her, though, feels intimidating, and she realizes she has a long way to go yet.

... But something else sticks out to her from the second part of what Tsubasa said.]

You... you know. You could always refer to me by my given name. I've never once heard you call me "Chris", you know.

[beyondtheblade]

[That actually gets Tsubasa, and she stares for a long moment.

She hadn't really... thought about that before, really. She was using her name, or any of their names, wasn't she? Their... family names anyway. A girl raised to originally covet her family and destiny above all else.

She refers to Maria and Kanade by their given names, but they were peers and partners on stage.]

I... suppose that is true...

[She frowns.]

I truthfully thought I was being respectful. Kanade and Maria were colleagues on stage in addition to being my friends...

[She tilts her head to one side, and gives Chris an honest look.] Does that... bother you at all?

[trustheart]

Well, no. It's just... we're changing things a lot, and I already made an effort to use your name, and...

[She smiles nervously.]

I think I'd like to hear it, at least once. It'd... it'd help me feel like I belong on the same stage as you.

[beyondtheblade]

Hmm...

[She shifts a bit where she's seated.]

If you say something like that, I expect you to take it very seriously then, ah- Chris.

[trustheart]

[Chris wears a smile as Tsubasa acquiesces to her request. Once she says her name... well...

You know how in a cartoon, when someone turns red from embarassment, it just seems to rise up from within them like the mercury in a thermometer?

That seems to be exactly what's happening with Chris.]

A-ah...

[She takes a deep breath, and nods quietly.] That. That felt good. Thank you, senpai.

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa notices her reaction, and is wondering why she, herself, feels more than a little embarrassed. Maybe it's just that she hadn't thought of her friends feelings there before, all while having lectured Chris on the very same thing... sure. That was it. She smiles nonetheless.]

Good, I am glad.

We're on an even playing field, but I'll hold you to it to stand on the same place as I plan to.

Consider that as something to work towards, hm, Yukine?

[Look she's not mean but she's not going to let her have it for good THAT easily.]

[trustheart]

[Chris nods, her embarrassment fading with each passing second. This is still gonna be on her mind later, but... she's gotta deal with what's in front of her right now.]

Yeah, of course... senpai. I won't disappoint you.

[Though she has to admit... she's a bit sad to go back to normal like this. But that can be yet another thing about their relationship she can keep to herself.]