driftfleet | Yadrolla System Mingle

[What is this fun you speak of.]

I can figure something out, but I'm not an entertainer. Certainly not in the spotlight.

[She can't help the giggle, shaking her head.]

Well, it was a thought. And it's not like you'll be figuring something out alone. I'm here to help you.

[There's an awkward pause before he admits, only because it's Kaname,]

I am finding it difficult to keep myself occupied these days.

[You can only take apart and reassemble the same stuff so many times, and he's seriously getting close to tearing apart the engine room to learn that next. He's never been a greasemonkey but outside of piloting it's something to do that might be useful, and working with his hands is nice.]

That's got to be remedied. We just need to look for the right things to keep your attention. [She thinks.] Even if you're unable to transfer to my ship, Sam has a decent sized collection of reading material. I'm sure he wouldn't mind sharing if you wanted.

[For as much as Messer's been around her ship, he's likely run into just about everyone on board.]

[Ugh, don't remind him of the transfer issue. He's still salty.]

I'll check with him, then. Something quiet and calming would probably be for the best.

[Much as he enjoys his action-packed shenanigans, he doesn't want to cause her any trouble.]

[Don't get dehydrated.

Nodding, Kaname thinks some more.]

Well, you can help me out in the gym or during dance practice. It's gotten a little lonely since Freyja left.

Of course.

[Oof... he should probably say something about that.]

I'm sorry she's no longer here. I know her presence was a comfort to you.

[Better at carrying a conversation, too.]

Ah... [Her smile turns a little sad now, one she'd only allow a few close to her to see.]

I know it's for the best, but I can't help feel somewhat directionless now that she's gone.

It's natural; we're unaccustomed to peace after so long.

[Something he can sympathize with- not just here with no immediate achievable goals ahead of him, or a captain giving him orders, but even back home after being reassigned from Delta. The thought of being instructor, staying out of combat, letting others bear the burden of facing the danger ahead... it grated at him. It's why he'd come back; his mission was clear. Protect Walkure, protect Kaname, at all costs. He couldn't bear the thought of doing anything else.

They've both been sent adrift, rudderless, without even the next generation to guide. It's daunting, and he gets it.]

...Have you considered auditions?

It's not even that, not entirely. Still, the most I can do right now is keep trying to improve on my own.

[She knows he feels it too. It's why she finds it easy to confide in him, one reason at least. She's grateful for it.

His question has her smiling again as she shakes her head.]

No, and I won't. Walkure is the five of us, and there's no way to replicate that. I won't start anything new, either. Besides, you already declined the idea. [Kaname nudges him.]

[The smallest of smiles.]

Only to spare myself the embarassment of being dismissed from the group. My fold receptors aren't up to snuff.

[Because, you know, that would be the reason he's not in a singing group.]

If nothing else, you'd be a wonderful back up dancer.

[It's good to joke with him. She's missed it more than she realized.]

[He coughs lightly and awkwardly into a fist.]

Mercifully out of the spotlight. The focus is better left on you.

Oh, I don't know. You might a draw a demographic that Walkure has yet to master.

[Heh heh.]

What demo- [-oh. ....Oh.

AWKWARDLY LOOKS AWAY. Don't blush, don't blush.]

It's... probably not good to split the audience...

How is that splitting the audience? We'd be in the same group. [This is too fun. She'll stop soon.]

...Kaname.

[Very slightly strained, which is practically a plea for him. Please... no more...]

Okay, okay, I'm kidding. [Obviously.]

But if it means anything, you are the only one here I'd feel comfortable on stage with.

What about Prompto?

[It's hard not to say his name without it being awkward - the untouched elephant in the room, so to speak - but it's not said with any sort of distaste. He's a good kid, just not someone who clicks easily with Messer's personality.

Plus the Kaname thing.]

[Messer's question catches her off guard for the sole reason of the topic being so... strange. She looks at him uncertainly for a moment before shaking her head and smiling softly.]

I trust him and care about him, but we're still new. Walkure, Delta Flight... you and I, we have a rhythm. I don't need to check where you'll be or what you'll do-- I just know.

[Kaname looks over at him.] You've been following me, watching over me for so long, I never question you'll have my back. More than on stage or in battle, we're there for each other. That's not something I can replicate so easily with anyone else.

[What she's saying without saying it: Don't doubt your importance to her, Messer.]

[Oof, heavy- but not entirely unexpected, either. A partnership like theirs is one of intense trust; for her, that he'll make sure she stays alive and safe on the field so she can focus on singing, and for him, that her voice will keep him sane and in sync with her position. Even out of combat they've given one another support, through simple presence or even reciprocated smiles and invitations. They weren't meaningless gestures, and they created a dynamic that isn't easily replaced or forgotten.

Prompto isn't a rival or replacement, not exactly, since it's always been Kaname's choice. But the acknowledgement that his own purpose in her life hasn't changed... it's... nice to be reminded.]

...Then, whatever you need from me, just ask.

[He can at least agree to try, anyway.]

Only if you do the same yourself. [Her smile's still in place, but her tone tells him she absolutely means it. Kaname knows very well that Messer isn't one to ask for assistance or favors unless he feels it's absolutely dire, and that isn't going to fly here. She's made it clear it's a second chance for him, that she wants him to try and let go of the need to shut her and others out.]

Promise me, okay? Even if it's just wanting to sit in the same room and read. I want you to tell me.

[It should be an easy promise, something that simple, but Messer struggles with it a little regardless. One of the things he'd promised himself upon joining Delta was to never inconvenience his team or Walkure with his shortcomings, so long as he could help it. It's why he'd always tried to solve his own problems alone and why, when that became impossible, he'd agreed to leave the team.

Breaking that promise by coming back had saved Kaname's life, and it had also cost him his own. (A worthwhile trade, of course, but still unfortunate and hurtful to those he cares about.)

All of that doesn't mean he has a valid reason to refuse - not one she'd accept, at least - and he doesn't want to disappoint her, so at last he nods.]

...Alright.

Good.

[And that's that. She knew it would be difficult, but once he's agreed to it, Kaname's certain he's going to do what he can to keep to his word.]

Yadrolla System Mingle

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