[08 ~ Video]

[blahblahblah]

[Well. Rita sure looks like she's seen better days... There are a multitude of small cuts on her arms, her clothes are slightly shredded, and she looks a little tired... but she's grinning.]

Things have been a little crazy here... after we went to investigate the aer krene - basically a spring of aer, and we almost died while we were there - then when we got back, we got caught in the middle of barely-averted war between the guilds and the empire, and then we finally tracked down Yuri's aque blastia... and we had to take on the Blood Alliance, one of the master guilds, to get it back. But now...

[She takes a deep breath.] But now it's all over. I can get back to my research - I have an assignment from the Empire to find and research the rest of the aer krene. So I get to keep traveling for now; Yuri'll take Estelle back to the capital, since I'm going a different way.

[A moment passes, and she frowns.] So why am I so... unsatisfied? The aer krene could be what finally advance blastia research by years. But... as much as I want to do it, I... kinda don't want to, at the same time.

Comments

[lil_tanuki]

Maybe it's because you'll miss the others when you leave them?

[blahblahblah]

[Rita sighs.] You know, you're way too perceptive for your own good, Hayate. Yeah, I think that's pretty much it.

[lil_tanuki]

Well wouldn't missing your friends be a normal thing, Rita-nee?

[blahblahblah]

It would... but this is a little more than that. After traveling in a group for a while, it's hard to go back to being alone. Especially for someone like me, that has to go to dangerous places all the time.

[She shakes her head.] Not that that's the only reason.

[lil_tanuki]

Well, why don't you come stay with me for a while? And just worldhop back to your place when you want to go back. It would be a vacation probably.

[ video ]

[second_star]

Too used to what you already know, genius mage?

[blahblahblah]

That's... part of it. Having to relearn everything because we made new discoveries is annoying.

But that's... not really what I meant. [She's fidgeting a lot more than you've seen in a while, before she sets her face in a frown.] I definitely expect you to take this the wrong way, but I'm going to miss this.

[second_star]

[ At first, he has a surprised expression. ]

Never expected that coming from you. [ Though, to be honest...he himself agreed, even if he didn't admit it. ]

[blahblahblah]

Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, Yuri. I'd like to see you try living in a city where everyone hates you, but you're too important to talk down to. [She's trying not to sulk too much. Is it working?]

[mightletyouknowme]

Eh? You okay? It looks like you lost a few times.

[blahblahblah]

We're fine... there were a lot of close calls, and Ragou's damned chainsaw blastia powered by the aque blastia core was nearly the end of us all. Even after we got rid of it... he still nearly killed us.

[She takes a deep breaths, and lets it out slowly.] Nothing we can't handle, but... I'll be glad to stop being in life or death situations every five minutes.

[mightletyouknowme]

But it's too soon to be over.

[Instead of explaining, she'll offer a smile.]

It's good you're okay.

[blahblahblah]

Sure feels over to me... not that there's anything I can do about it.

[She smiles in return.]

Believe me, I expected much worse. If there's one thing I'll thank Yuri for, it's that he always gets us out of whatever mess he's gotten us in to.

[hunterofpeace]

Fighting? Don't you think you're a little young to be fighting?

[blahblahblah]

The alternative is me being dead right now, so I'm not sure I really have a choice in the matter.

[hunterofpeace]

Who's attacking kids?

[blahblahblah]

Well, let's see. Wild monsters, bandits, the Blood Alliance - but we just took care of that one - and I'm sure there'll be others.

video;

[entreats]

.. Sounds like you've been busy. Looks like it too.

[ Let's just avoid Yuri as a topic and it'll be fine, yup. Since she can at least just deadpan like usually for now. ]

[blahblahblah]

Yeah, I'm gonna need a new set of clothes, I think. Mine are... less than pristine, after everything. [She idly pulls at a loose string.]

But everything's over now. We got the aque blastia core back, so my name's clear once and for all... so I guess it's back to Aspio for me, once this research is done.

[entreats]

Seriously. Go take a bath or something too, might as well get fully relaxed before going.

And.. you decided to go back after all?

[blahblahblah]

I think I'll do that... that's a convenience I haven't had in a little while. After everything we just went through, I think I deserve the break.

[Rita sighs at the question.] For the time being, I've got an assignment, and I don't think the Commandant will let me out of this one unless I turn in my badge. But... Yuri and Estelle are going home to the capital. There's no place for me there.

[aquaticrush]

That sounds really sad, Rita-san... maybe something happened?

[blahblahblah]

Something... yeah, you could say that. It's been a long time since I've been close to people. Not having that anymore will be... different.

[aquaticrush]

I'm sorry. I'm sure you'll be okay. I mean, you're friends, right...?

[blahblahblah]

We are, but... Yuri and Estelle are going home, and since I have an assignment I can't go with them. I'm sure Karol won't come with me. So... it'll just be me, again.