[ the concept of viola and iris is complicated, definitely, but it's good to hear iris talk through it. he can definitely recognize the differences, having spent so much time with both versions of the girl next to him, but... at the same time, that sweetness is something that he's seen from iris, too. this one's better, though, because it's her. good, bad, whatever - it's still her.
as she continues to talk, says things like i think all of you are my heart that goofy smile returns, and he can't help it this time, huffing a little laugh. not because it's funny, but just because - well, he's happy. he's really happy to. hear that. ]
Yeah? [ because it is family. because winter has been ichiro's closest comfort, here. he struggled through riku's memories with three of them. he's done stupid things like otome nights and prank wars with them, he's fought with some of them, he's mourned their deaths. they're a family, as tight as tight can be, even in this hellish place.
if she's embarrassed, it's okay - ichiro isn't. he doesn't feel any shame in feeling that kind of big, warm, important love, the kind that effuses out of your body, that you feel in every breath you take.
his smile widens a little further - he's clearly really happy to hear that. ] I'm glad.
You - you definitely helped, Iris. You really brought us all together, you know. [ mm. ] You've sure as hell helped me.
[she sounds a little wondering at that - a little bit in disbelief. because she can easily say all the ways that winter has helped her. all those who have checked on her, who haven't let her hide away by herself when she's the most upset. they reach out to her in a way that's bold and bright, that even her own attendants don't have the forwardness to do, given the way that their hierarchy works.
but winter doesn't care about that - they're so brilliant that she finds nowhere left to hide from their light. she thinks similarly of the expression that ichiro wears now, and how it pulls warmth from her as well.]
Then consider it even - or at least, my attempts to make it even. I really...
[ . . . it's hard to express in a way that doesn't say too much - it's hard for her to find the words, a softer way to say: Some days, it feels like you keep me from falling apart.]
You're irreplaceable to me, Ichiro. And to so many others. Please remember that, no matter what's to come.
[ really funny of read this tag while i'm rolling single digits for injury chances on this cyoa
the warmth in iris's voice is easy to pick up on. even if she doesn't express it the way she wants to, the care is obvious. it's genuine, and it makes ichiro happy, too - though, a line like you're irreplaceable does get him to blush, from his cheeks to his ears, and he has to hide his boyish smile for a second.
he ducks his head, almost a little sheepishly, blatantly and obviously touched... even if "no matter what's to come" does twinge a little bit of worry and anxiety, if thinking about the rest of their time here. but... he's trying to be optimistic, and optimism is something sorely needed. right now, there's no time for unrest - this moment is a gentle one. ]
's really sweet, Iris. I'll do my best.
[ to remember that, anyway. he can't die here - his brothers, his home - they need him to return safe and sound. ikebukuro needs him.
he tilts his head a little to peek at her again after that, though, red and green eyes soft. not quite shying away from the weight of the moment, but maybe just a little unused to being... delicate, in this way. to handling something handed to him so carefully, like it was made of precious glass. he's got trouble getting sappy, but sometimes, there are things that are need to be said. ]
...even though this place sucks, I'm really, really glad I met you.
[said with confidence - she's sure of it. iris is someone who adores excellence in others, often surrounds herself with highly effective people, and she feels like her time her with winter is no different. they are just as much her precious family as anyone else, and her smile is both easy and contented as she places a hand over her heart.]
... someone asked me what the most worthwhile part of this experience was and - I answered that it was getting to meet all of you. I've never gotten to really have such casual relationships before...
[even in her first life - she was a shut-in, a recluse, who ended up having all her relationships fall apart. then as iris, even though she had her precious family, there is a certain hierarchy that most of them adhere to. people normally don't feel like they can speak freely to her, or touch her casually. while an understandable thing....]
... it'll be hard going back, now that I know this. I know that I'm a difficult person at times but...
[ . . . she leans lightly against ichiro's side again, letting her head rest on his shoulder if only briefly. a small little gesture of physical affection, that she hopes does no cross the worrying boundary that they've set.]
... thank you for staying with me.
[ - it's temporary though. she backs off quickly afterward, not unlike a nervous deer.]
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as she continues to talk, says things like i think all of you are my heart that goofy smile returns, and he can't help it this time, huffing a little laugh. not because it's funny, but just because - well, he's happy. he's really happy to. hear that. ]
Yeah? [ because it is family. because winter has been ichiro's closest comfort, here. he struggled through riku's memories with three of them. he's done stupid things like otome nights and prank wars with them, he's fought with some of them, he's mourned their deaths. they're a family, as tight as tight can be, even in this hellish place.
if she's embarrassed, it's okay - ichiro isn't. he doesn't feel any shame in feeling that kind of big, warm, important love, the kind that effuses out of your body, that you feel in every breath you take.
his smile widens a little further - he's clearly really happy to hear that. ] I'm glad.
You - you definitely helped, Iris. You really brought us all together, you know. [ mm. ] You've sure as hell helped me.
no subject
[she sounds a little wondering at that - a little bit in disbelief. because she can easily say all the ways that winter has helped her. all those who have checked on her, who haven't let her hide away by herself when she's the most upset. they reach out to her in a way that's bold and bright, that even her own attendants don't have the forwardness to do, given the way that their hierarchy works.
but winter doesn't care about that - they're so brilliant that she finds nowhere left to hide from their light. she thinks similarly of the expression that ichiro wears now, and how it pulls warmth from her as well.]
Then consider it even - or at least, my attempts to make it even. I really...
[ . . . it's hard to express in a way that doesn't say too much - it's hard for her to find the words, a softer way to say: Some days, it feels like you keep me from falling apart.]
You're irreplaceable to me, Ichiro. And to so many others. Please remember that, no matter what's to come.
no subject
the warmth in iris's voice is easy to pick up on. even if she doesn't express it the way she wants to, the care is obvious. it's genuine, and it makes ichiro happy, too - though, a line like you're irreplaceable does get him to blush, from his cheeks to his ears, and he has to hide his boyish smile for a second.
he ducks his head, almost a little sheepishly, blatantly and obviously touched... even if "no matter what's to come" does twinge a little bit of worry and anxiety, if thinking about the rest of their time here. but... he's trying to be optimistic, and optimism is something sorely needed. right now, there's no time for unrest - this moment is a gentle one. ]
's really sweet, Iris. I'll do my best.
[ to remember that, anyway. he can't die here - his brothers, his home - they need him to return safe and sound. ikebukuro needs him.
he tilts his head a little to peek at her again after that, though, red and green eyes soft. not quite shying away from the weight of the moment, but maybe just a little unused to being... delicate, in this way. to handling something handed to him so carefully, like it was made of precious glass. he's got trouble getting sappy, but sometimes, there are things that are need to be said. ]
...even though this place sucks, I'm really, really glad I met you.
[ and this is one of them. ]
no subject
Then your best will be more than enough.
[said with confidence - she's sure of it. iris is someone who adores excellence in others, often surrounds herself with highly effective people, and she feels like her time her with winter is no different. they are just as much her precious family as anyone else, and her smile is both easy and contented as she places a hand over her heart.]
... someone asked me what the most worthwhile part of this experience was and - I answered that it was getting to meet all of you. I've never gotten to really have such casual relationships before...
[even in her first life - she was a shut-in, a recluse, who ended up having all her relationships fall apart. then as iris, even though she had her precious family, there is a certain hierarchy that most of them adhere to. people normally don't feel like they can speak freely to her, or touch her casually. while an understandable thing....]
... it'll be hard going back, now that I know this. I know that I'm a difficult person at times but...
[ . . . she leans lightly against ichiro's side again, letting her head rest on his shoulder if only briefly. a small little gesture of physical affection, that she hopes does no cross the worrying boundary that they've set.]
... thank you for staying with me.
[ - it's temporary though. she backs off quickly afterward, not unlike a nervous deer.]