dappledleaves | CICONIA: WHEN THEY CRY

[Well, when Oria puts it like that. It makes sense]

Katherine? How is it working with her?

[Sinclair may not like her, and he may not like the idea of her trying to join the Striking Badgers, he still has enough empathy to know she's been put in a very uncomfortable position]

She's pretty good. It looks like she'll fit best into a Sniper or Fire Support, but she would probably fit better in a team that's like Grave Mole.

[ More defense-oriented. ]

I can tell Coach thinks so too, but he's not saying it out loud.

[Sinclair nods, understanding. Striking Badger had always been more aggressive after all]

Mmm...I guess he doesn't really have a choice but if that's the case, she really is a bad fit with how we are.

[Considering Sinclair's record with getting up close and personal...]

Yeah. We both like close-combat regardless of what our weapons are, so she'd be completely vulnerable. Aria was fine playing as a Supporter, since...

[ He thinks back on all the times when Aria won in a sparring match with him. The actual attacker! What the fuck. ]

... Anyway, Coach is gonna look into team dynamics and stuff too.

...even if it's not her, they'll try to push a third person into our kette, huh?

[He leans against Oria with a huff. Sinclair doesn't have the mindset to play support, probably. Aria really was that cool, huh? Sinclair Knew It]

[ Oria remembers all the praise going to Aria like "our current technology is wasted on her, so we have to improve the gauntlets quickly to match to her potential". He has extremely high P3 levels, but there was nothing like Aria's level.

He sighs, leaning against Sinclair in turn. ]

Yeah. Probably.

[ He stretches his arms out forward. ]

[He rests his head against Oria's shoulder]

I still don't like it.

[The tensions, the conflicts, fighting people they said were their friends...

Why do they need to be kette now? No one could replace Aria]

[ Technically, yes. No one could replace Aria in both meanings. Oria sighs. ]

Me neither. I was hoping Coach would also lay off with trying to find a replacement after I supposedly scared the staff here, but he knows us too well.

[Sinclair laughs a little]

I guess so...but that means he also knows what we're really capable of, right?

[ Maybe they should just stop holding back.]

I mean, if he doesn't know that despite being our "coach", then he'd just suck, wouldn't he?

[ He grins. ]

I think he knows. He just can't do anything about it. Higher-ups and all.

Mm...that's true. [It seemed a like of the coaches had their hands tied. They were the ones to work with the gauntlet knights the most and yet] Even if we make it difficult, they are that stubborn, aren't they?

Yup! Since they're not the ones directly dealing with us. It's really... always been like that.

[ Unfortunate for everybody involved. ]

That's why I needed to give them a piece of a mind while they were still here, so that they know they aren't dealing with brats.

So you think crippling them emotionally would work.

[Sinclair can't magine it. But also, Oria has rights]

Oh, that's actually a pretty good idea! I'll invoke it next time they come over.

[ No... Oria already thought of it, but has Sinclair really seen Oria be scary? He spits vicious words when he's angry, but... scary? ]

[Sinclair has not. Fortunately? Unfortunately?]

...I feel like I should discourage you just for the sake of it, but...

[It was less for anyone else and more out of concern for Oria, like how Oria usually held him back when he lost his temper]

Yeah, I'll probably get a demerit or something, but some things are worth it.

[ Like mouthing off the guy who has no respect for Sinclair. He hopes that guy can never enjoy sex again for as long as he lives. ]

[ Oria, please]

Just a demerit, huh...

[ Only Oria could say something like that.]

[ Yeah. He sure can. ]

I'll probably get a bunch to my record, but I don't think they matter in the long run. I can probably retire by the time I quit being a gauntlet knight for whatever reason too.

[ He sees that waaaaay into the future, and he is a present-sort of guy, more so than in other verses. ]

I'm being reasonable!

[ ok ]

[ mentally screaming over the idea of what he'd do if he got as many demerits as Oria... help]

Mmm...I guess so. I still think you should be a little careful though.

[ because people might gain grudges! sinclair would bite those people first but still]

[ His little attack sparrow... ]

I'm being careful!

[ That's the worst part. Oria could always be worse, but he's still restrained by most common sense and logic. Sort of. ]

It would be great if I can just let loose one day.

[ he will peck out the eyes of bastard adults!!!]

Maybe if there's ever someone who really deserves it.

[ This is why Sinclair is the best, hands down!! ]

Oh, don't worry. There are plenty of people who deserve stuff like this.

[ Oria laughs a little and quietly breathes out. There's a small frown on his face as he looks off into the distance, but in the direction of Sinclair's shelf. ]

[ Sinclair glances over, concerned. He leans on Oria gently]

... something wrong?

[ "I'm fine" is stuck in his throat because it's reflexive, but this is Sinclair that's asking, so it goes unsaid. ]

... Don't feel good.

[ He says quietly, words meant for Sinclair alone because he still has issues with vulnerability. ]

[ Sinclair's concern deepens and he reaches out to take Oria's hand]

Physical or...?

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