sightreading | IC CONTACT

[Arietta was being careful. It's been so long since she felt free to reach out to Ion that she almost didn't know what to do with herself. He was so close now, she could see him whenever she wanted...!]

[And then she didn't see him for a few days days. She was still figuring out how to work her palm reader, but she figured it'd be best to just try and visit Ion in person before doing bothering with that thing. Of course, the fact that Luke's name wasn't listed anymore in the directory made her think that maybe it had been hidden or something! So she searched. But there was no sign of the room where Ion was supposed to be staying.]

[But this place was too big to search on her own. So she had to figure out how to send him a message! It... took a while. So she sounds rather frazzled when she finally gets it to work.]

I-Ion!! Where are you!? Are you still in the tower? I-I'm worried about you...

[...]

Did it send right...? Hmmm...

_{[Oh it works alright. When Ion gets the message he instantly feels a wave of guilt hit him. He had been meaning to tell Arietta where he'd ended up, he just hadn't gotten around to it thanks to all the commotion. Still, that wasn't really a good enough excuse, was it?]}

Arietta? I'm sorry, I should have contacted you sooner. I'm not in the tower any longer. Luke is gone and so I had to move back to Midas.

I-Ion! [Hearing his voice perks her up considerably, but then everything he says--]

Wait... but why are you back there? Are you not allowed to stay in the tower without him?

No, I'm not. Remember when I told you that I became part of his property? Now that he's gone I'm no longer recognized as such.

But you were living there too! They can't just kick you out of your home like that...

They can, Arietta. In their eyes it wasn't my home but Luke's.

That's not fair! I hate the people here!

[But complaining won't get her anywhere, unfortunately. No matter how much she hates the way things are here, she's already had to learn that that's the way things are.]

Can't you just stay here with someone else?

Only if an elite were willing to take me into their custody once more.

Well... why can't you just stay with me? Then I could make sure to keep you safe!

[She's not really aware of the gravity of what she's asking here.]

It isn't so simple, Arietta.

Why not? That way, you'd be able to stay in the tower, right?

Yes but that would require me to become your pet, Arietta.

_{[He hadn't wanted to use the word before but it doesn't seem he has much of a choice to avoid it now.]}

[She's been here long enough now to have heard that term by now. But really, maybe it would have been better to go with that one in the first place. After all--]

What's wrong with that? That's what you used to call me!

_{[Wait what? Seriously, what? That was definitely not a detail that had ever come up in conversation before. Why would his original have any reason to call her his pet?]}

...When was the last time I called you that, Arietta?

...I know it's been a while. You stopped after I wasn't your Fon Master guardian anymore.

[Did she insult him? By implying he would be the pet instead? She's worried now... she doesn't want to upset him and make him treat her coldly again.]

But it would just be in name this time! Just so that I can protect you.

_{[She hasn't insulted him. If anything, he's a bit unnerved. Just what about his original had been kept from him?]}

...Are you sure you want such responsibility, Arietta?

[She's quiet for a second, thinking. Does Ion not trust her? Or is he worried about her?]

...all I ever wanted was to be by your side. I know I can protect you this time.

[She'd never betray him like Anise did. Or put him in danger, like those people who killed mommy.]

Please... let me help you, Ion.

_{[How many times has he had it drilled into his skull to avoid her? Don't go near her, don't speak with her, act cold - they were all things that went against his personality and yet he had to for her sake. If she found out his secret...then what? Would she discard him? Hate him? Hurt herself or even him? It isn't his side that she wants to be near, but she doesn't know that.]}

Will you give me a little bit of time to think about it, Arietta? It won't be long, but I do need to think.

...okay.

[She doesn't like it, but she also doesn't want to argue with him. If Ion says he needs time, then she'll give him it.]

I'll wait as long as you need, but... please stay safe. I-I don't want to lose you again!

I'll be okay, Arietta.

[Her only reply is a soft sound of confirmation that she heard him. She's still going to worry. Everything she's heard about Midas has been negative -- which is no doubt a result of her living in Tanagura, but still. She just can't bring herself to believe him.]

[But for now, she doesn't really have a choice.]

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