dappledleaves | CICONIA: WHEN THEY CRY

... that's horrible.

[ Sinclair hugs Oria again. His throat is tight, but he's angry too now]

Completely unfair. If they're going to do these horrible things, she should at least tell you the truth.

She should, but life is unfair that way. I can't make her either--I don't have any leverage against her.

[ He's hugged, but apart from Sinclair's usual warmth, he doesn't feel much in particular regarding the situation. ]

But I'm going to thoroughly live my life thoroughly as much as I can until then.

[ Sinclair huffs and pulls back, holding Oria's hands once more. ]

That's just like you too.

[ Between two years, to maybe seven...it was too little.]

Then we do have to make the most of it.

Yeah.

[ Despite that, he still won't confess to Sinclair in a way that would get it through his head that it's romantic, because Oria is fine with what he has now. What better relationship to have than a close friend? Of course there's a special tier for significant others, but a close best friend... one in an astronomical number.

Oria hears a helicopter on its way to their location. Whatever else they want to do or say should be wrapped up soon before AOU comes to pick them up. ]

I hate wasting time, after all.

[Is this how they both end up pining endlessly? Sinclair of course, is glad to have a best friend like Oria. Someone who loves him without judgement. He doesn't dare ask for anything else. He gives another squeeze of Oria's hands and glances up at the helicopter with a quiet huff]

Is that why you like to be impatient?

[ Boy, he confessed to you twice!! Oria also glances up at the helicopter as it tries to make its landing since it's difficult without a helipad. ]

Hey, it's not like I like being impatient.

[ He bumps his shoulder with Sinclair. ]

[Those were confessions? Oria, where is the atmosphere? The mood?? Sinclair bumps shoulders with Oria in return]

So it just can't be helped, huh?

[ Look... not all confessions can be arena-tier, okay. He's not romantic!! ]

Yup, because that's just how I am.

[ The two get Selcom transmissions from higherups, saying that they should just fly into the helicopter again. Oria figures it's because it can't land properly. It makes him laugh a little. ]

Damn, this is pathetic. Should we go or tease them a little more?

[they'll both work it out...maybe. Sinclair looks up, rubbing his arm with a sigh]

I mean, technically we could outfly the helicopter but...

[maybe they should behave. hm]

Imagine if we played tag with the government officials.

[ Oria imagines Sinclair frowning about that. Goody-two-shoes... ]

It's fine. Let's just go in. Besides, I can use some rest. If they're gon a lecture us all ride back, I'll just zone them out.

[ He holds out his hand after turning on the Gauntlet again. ]

Let's go.

[Please no government tag, Sinclair's stress levels can't handle that

Sinclair takes Oria's hand]

Okay. I guess it's time to face them.

[ The two fly over the helicopter. They don't get reprimanded right away because they have to wear headphones to block out the sounds while they ride on it. However, they do get their full lecture when they get there though. Oria is suspended from Gauntlet activities for several days, which is far more lenient than they should be, but they need him. They can't deny that.

So in those two days, Oria chills in his room unless Marimo gives him a reason. ]

[aaaah the lecture. Luckily for both of them, Limbus does have Sinclair's back in this situation and they argue a lot. Relentlessly. Back and forth. No they would not be returning Sinclair to the ABN, this was their investment.

Sinclair does need to sit in isolation for a little while, but he's left alone...and it's not like he can't access his selcom in isolation is it really isn't isolation at all. He'll just go to his private room with Oria and wait there for him to appear]

[ He is finally here!! And so am I. Kinda. Anyway, Oria is finally in their usual private virtual room. His avatar is the usual as it goes to slump next to Sinclair on a beanbag chair. ]

Emiiiiil.

[ whine ]

Oria! [Sinclair visibly lights up as he turns to Oria, reaching out to nudge him]

Are you okay?

[ Oria is nudged and he whines again before pulling Sinclair down onto him. Hi. ]

Noooo, I am soo bored. It's like being grounded except your mom is the military.

[Hii?? Sinclair stays flopped on Oria, but then adjusts with a tiny huff. He's not blushing. Shush]

Ahaha...I guess that sounds about right. My ears are still ringing from the lectures.

Like, what are we supposed to do? Just stand there and watch everything happen when we were literally trained to do things?

[ Yes, but Oria won't stand for that. ]

Can't stand them. Seriously.

[Sinclair imagines Oria standing still and listening without snarking and tries not to smile]

Mmm. What they wanted us to do was wrong to begin with.

[Of course, Oria going into rescue Sinclair against orders probably made it worse for Oria too]

[ He would blatantly yawn mid-lecture though. Fuck adults. Oria has been incredibly lucky that his "sentence" has been extremely light for what he did. ]

I knooooow. ABN really picked the worst timing for that too. People got to see AOU being dogs with tails curled to their bellies to prepare you on a silver platter, ABN being suspicious, and now forcing the spotlight on you for whatever reason.

[ Anyway, since Sinclair is on him, Oria rests his head on... whatever closest body part is available. Head? Sure. Back of head. ]

Haaah...at least the Limbus offfials are annoyed.

[ Sinclair huffs and tucks his head against Oria's shoulder. Better. Sinclair hadn't been present for the yelling matches but he knows it was intense]

Yup.

[ Oria lightly pats Sinclair's back. There, there. ]

Politics are gonna be an absolute more pain in the ass now. I'm so glad I'll never do this sort of thing.

[ He says that, but he's already mapping out a politics relationship chart in his head regarding advantages and disadvantages. ]

[ Sinclair pulls a face and nods, burrowing a little more]

Mm. It's annoying they can't be straightforward and just communicate properly without playing games.

[ Sinclair's patience, endless except it's permanently at zero for that.]

Yeah, because politics is all about power play--higher-ups thinking they're doing some grand 5D chess move, until they realize they've been playing the wrong game from the start and lose terribly. The forums have been full of complaints and some adults are actually protesting outside... probably like two blocks away? But I can hear them from how loud they are. Something about how AOU won't bow down to ABN. There are people not wanting you to go there just for that sentiment alone, so at least you kinda have support from the people.

[ It's not the sentimental kind of support that Sinclair probably wants, but it's... something. People are on his side, even if it's for the sake of their nationalistic pride. ]

Really? [It's definitely not the kind of support Sinclair wants, but it does move him a little. People out there care, even if it's not quite for the reasons Sinclair would like. He drums his fingers against Oria's arm] It's a little surprising. No one's gotten hurt yet, have they?

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