CICONIA: WHEN THEY CRY

[insinning]

It's a holy night. Silent night.

All is calm.

Everything is b r i g h t.

Comments

[insinning]

It's hard to say for sure because we don't know what this Shion person is like.

[He's trying to think and put everything together]

Mm...if they fought over someone and neither you or Sungjin know who it was they were fighting about, it would have been someone Aria not only thought was important, but someone she had to help, right? But that person probably doesn't even know.

[dissimulative]

[ ... ... ...

Oria merely stares at Sinclair for a while, quiet. ]

[insinning]

[Sinclair looks at Oria. Huh]

Or do you think that's a bit of a reach?

[dissimulative]

No, it's just...

[ How does he put this without feeling exasperated? Give him a moment. ]

... All those things you described sounds like you.

[insinning]

Me?

[Sinclair clearly has eliminated himself from the equation]

[dissimulative]

One, you're important to her.

Two, she definitely wanted to help you.

Three, you clearly didn't know about this.

Honestly, I can't think of anyone else who would fit. Anybody she's been seeing that I don't know of aren't probably that important to her either.

[ knox's first!!! take that!! ]

[insinning]

[Not Knox's first!!! ]

But...

[ What about you? Sinclair wants to say. But... despite Oria's problems with his mother, he wasn't in any danger, right?

He tries not to think about Oria's little dents, that awful voice that spoke through him...]

But why would she talk about me to this Shion person?

[dissimulative]

That's what we're gonna find out! I contacted him and we're meeting tomorrow. Do you wanna come too?

[ Emil Sinclair is confronted by a Visual Novel Branching Decision. ]

[insinning]

[ So a branching decision with only one real choice]

Mm. I'll go with you. We don't know what this Shion person is like, right?

[ Safety in numbers and all. He'll deal with the consequences as they come.

Do you need directions for your adventure?

no, no, no need.]

[dissimulative]

Based on a single conversation I had with him, it was difficult to actually talk to.

[ He shrugs and sighs. ]

Let's keep each other in check.

[insinning]

Yeah. [Sinclair smiles and holds Oria's hand] It's better that way.

[dissimulative]

Yeah!

[ Like how they've always been. Oria firmly grasps Sinclair's hand in his. ]

Not like we haven't talked to difficult people before.

[ ... but it usually ended in violence or one of them flouncing out of the conversation. ]

[insinning]

Mm. This time we're more aware, yeah? [He bumps his shoulder against Oria's] We can handle it better together this time.

[Sinclair can hold his temper better now, because he knows without a doubt Oria has his back. And Oria...]

[dissimulative]

[ ... seems pretty set on how to handle Shion. He turns his head to see Sinclair bumping shoulders. This really is a normal thing for them. It's just so normal to them when it isn't for others. ]

Love you, Emil.

[ He lightly bumps the side of his head with Sinclair's. ]

[insinning]

[The warmth from those words suffuses through him, starting with his cheeks. He feels safe and cared for with Oria. He has for ages now and even if Oria doesn't mean those words the way he wants to hear it, it's precious all the same. He leans his head against Oria's]

I love you too.

[dissimulative]

[ The nuance from those words is the reason why Oria knows he's not allowed to be upset—the love, it's there. Even if it isn't the kind Oria wanted to be reciprocated, it's still there. And that's why he can't get mad or sad about it.

Because Sinclair means so much to him as a person rather than a significant other that Oria wants.

Even if he has received the revelation from his mother.

Even if he won't be here in ten years, much less five.

Even if...

Even if, ]

Are you okay with just hanging out in the room today? You did just get over a nasty headache...

[ Or maybe a checkup is due? But he doesn't want to say that out loud. ]

[insinning]

[ Sinclair rests his head against Oria's shoulder. little more and nearly whines at the thought of having to leave]

I'd like that. I only really want to be around you right now.

[ He feels safe here; they're safe here. Even if it's just an illusion of the feeling, it's enough]

But I shouldn't stop you from doing anything you need to do, should I?

[dissimulative]

[ What Sinclair says makes his heart go dokyun or something. The idea of a clingy Sinclair is outrageously endearing to Oria too. Man. ]

I don't have anything else to do today, so I'm free. You get to have me allll to yourself today!

[insinning]

Really?

[ Sinclair brightens, and gives Oria's hand another squeeze. He feels sheepish but he's glad Oria is humouring him]

Then, should we watch more movies or play something...?

[ Or just half sprawl on the bed and talk]

[dissimulative]

Hm... Let's play some games. I wanna see how better you got!

[ We can continue this or jump straight into plot if you want!! ]

[insinning]

I don't know how much better, but hopefully enough.

[He will not lose!! and they can have a lot of fun bonding and timeskip away o7]

[dissimulative]

[ The next day eventually arrives after their fun little rest day. They meet with Shion at the picnic area in the park. He's seen sitting around a picnic table seating, spinning a pen while seemingly lost in thought. When he looks up to see Oria and Sinclair, he immediately frowns.

"This wasn't what we agreed to." ]

You never said anything about having to come alone. Besides, he's involved so it makes sense for him to come here.

[ Shion doesn't look very happy about the arrangement and he glares at Sinclair even though he's with Oria. ]

[insinning]

[ Sinclair flinches a little at the glare and he clasps his hands together to keep from fidgeting.]

... I'm sorry for intruding. But I wanted to hear this for myself too.

[ He looks at Oria askance... what did they end up talking about?]

[dissimulative]

[ Shion sighs, already tired of being here. Seems like he has a bad attitude or is just cranky. It doesn't explain the glare at Sinclair though, which he's still doing, by the way. ]

So, spill. Who were you fighting over?

[ "... What?" ]

Who. Were. You. Fighting. Over. With. Aria.

[ For that, Oria gets a crumpled up napkin to the face, which he sidesteps. Sorry if you get hit by it. ]

[insinning]

[Why is he being glared at?? Sinclair is so confused that he catches the napkin automatically, only to drop it with a squeak. Ew? Hopefully that wasn't used?]