[It's absolutely Taf who notices Susato; while her vision is beginning to return, it's mostly shadows. But Alisaie stops, watching her for a moment before approaching and calling out quietly, hesitantly.]
Right. Would they have had the time to hide it? Or do you think it more likely it was thrown somewhere at random? If you know whence they began, we might trace the route they took to find it.
That's quite a lot of ground to cover. [She lifts a hand to her chin in thought, then looks back at Susato.] Would you prefer to search together to be thorough or separately to find it faster? I can go back to the ballroom and start from there.
[She might ask a little more later. But were she in Susato's shoes, the last thing she'd want to do is stop for explanations, so she won't demand them now herself.]
[As soon as Susato said they could split up, Alisaie turned to go. But at her second sentence, she half-turns back, the corner of her mouth turning up in the smallest wry smile.]
Please. I think I'd be more offended if you didn't.
[She'll give her a small smile. Anyway, timeskip. They can both look for a while, but the sword is actually somewhere near the gates, so either she or Alisaie will find it. Maybe around the same time.]
[Timeskip! It's hard searching somewhere unfamiliar, but she and Taf give it her best shot. It's definitely a relief when she hears Susato's voice and Taf gives her a visual idea of the scene.]
You've found it? Good. [Coming on over to join her...!] I don't understand why someone would have stolen it from you in the first place.
[She's not certain if it's welcome, but Alisaie reaches out to offer Susato a hand nevertheless. Given what Susato's saying, she's not going to make any assumptions and take it, but... it's there, if she's open to it.]
'Tis not foolish. I may not have the context necessary to fully understand, but that it affects you in such a way is enough.
I only pray that one day it will be easier for you.
[Good. She'll twine their fingers together, giving Susato's hand a gentle squeeze.]
You say that as though the rest of us haven't behaved similarly at one time or another. Loathe as I am to admit it, I made quite a spectacle of myself when Alphinaud was missing and we were locked in the courtyard.
[Alisaie shakes her head, a small smile coming to her face as she brings them a little closer together--holding hands across a gap is weird, you know!! It makes much more sense to be closer, where their joined hands can naturally fall between them.]
Believe me, I understand all too well. But... it does much to hear you say it.
[Is this a bad idea, given everything that's gone on tonight? It might be. But the timing's never been right, is never going to be right with all they're facing.]
Susato...?
[It's a slow movement, Alisaie reaching up with her free hand to try and cup her jaw. Much as she'd like to be able to judge this moment on her own, she's relying on Taf every step of the way to tell her if Susato's responding poorly, because she doesn't mean to force it if Susato is uncomfortable or unwilling.
But if she's allowed, she'll gently guide Susato back so that Alisaie can lift up on her toes to kiss her.]
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...Susato? Is there something wrong?
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[She glances up when she sees Alisaie with a frown. Taf may notice she's bleeding, just a little - a cut lip, another one near her eye.]
. . . My sword. The one Xie Lian gave me.
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But in spite of that concern--]
I'll help you look. [Just striding on over.] What happened before you noticed it missing?
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I think it may have been stolen by someone.
[Ryutaro is hopping around, scurrying off as far as the tether will let him and sniffing before running back.]
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[DISLIKE???]
Pray tell me all that happened. ...Or, as much of it as you'd prefer to share.
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Someone stole it from me. But I suspect they left it behind.
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Right. Would they have had the time to hide it? Or do you think it more likely it was thrown somewhere at random? If you know whence they began, we might trace the route they took to find it.
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[She nods, grateful that Alisaie accepted her complete lack of explanation.]
They would have stolen it from just outside the ballroom, and then probably made their way at some point out the gates.
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[She might ask a little more later. But were she in Susato's shoes, the last thing she'd want to do is stop for explanations, so she won't demand them now herself.]
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We can split up, if you wouldn't mind. Though I oughtn't keep you so late.
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Please. I think I'd be more offended if you didn't.
I'll let you know if I find it.
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[She'll give her a small smile. Anyway, timeskip. They can both look for a while, but the sword is actually somewhere near the gates, so either she or Alisaie will find it. Maybe around the same time.]
Oh, thank goodness.
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You've found it? Good. [Coming on over to join her...!] I don't understand why someone would have stolen it from you in the first place.
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[She will sheath the sword by her side.]
Xie Lian gave this to me - I did not wish to lose it.
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That was kind of him. I would not want to lose such a gift either.
Has he been teaching you to wield it?
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I had a wish to learn, so we have been practicing.
[. . .]
Alisaie, I am sorry for running off on you earlier. It was rather ungracious of me.
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You needn't apologize. If anything, I should be apologizing to you--what I said was clearly too much for the moment. I ought to have realized that.
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[She hesitates, folding her hands together.]
It may seem foolish, but it is hard for me to listen to such things right now.
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'Tis not foolish. I may not have the context necessary to fully understand, but that it affects you in such a way is enough.
I only pray that one day it will be easier for you.
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I already feel rather ridiculous for carrying on this way.
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You say that as though the rest of us haven't behaved similarly at one time or another. Loathe as I am to admit it, I made quite a spectacle of myself when Alphinaud was missing and we were locked in the courtyard.
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[She squeezes the hand back.]
I was glad that you asked me to come. I wouldn't want you to think otherwise.
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Believe me, I understand all too well. But... it does much to hear you say it.
I hope you'll allow me to ask again in future.
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. . . I would like it if you asked again.
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Susato...?
[It's a slow movement, Alisaie reaching up with her free hand to try and cup her jaw. Much as she'd like to be able to judge this moment on her own, she's relying on Taf every step of the way to tell her if Susato's responding poorly, because she doesn't mean to force it if Susato is uncomfortable or unwilling.
But if she's allowed, she'll gently guide Susato back so that Alisaie can lift up on her toes to kiss her.]
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