Sure. Do you have any place in mind? This is the first time I'm really exploring this area...but we could always go back to the study, or anywhere else.
[Arm and arm, Ion lets the space between them fall into a comfortable silence, the only sounds being their footsteps falling around them. There's a small smile on his face despite Luke's seeming apprehension--or maybe even because of it, as if he can lift up the mood for both of them.
Before long, they reach the bookstore, and Ion stops.]
[When they stop at the bookstore, he almost laughs, despite himself.]
You would choose somewhere full of books. Come on.
[He pushes the door open, closing it behind the two of them. After a moment of thought, he turns the lock, too. It takes a minute or so, but he manages to find two step-stools for grabbing books off higher shelves, and carries them to wherever Ion is, popping it down for him, then perching on his own.]
[A part of him wants to take a look around, but Luke, of course, takes full priority, and Ion smiles encouragingly as he sits down in one of the stools.]
She's a really good person—but I guess you already knew that, right? She actually came to apologize to me for what happened when I summoned her! Kinda beat us to it, huh?
I'm so, so happy to hear that! She really is a lovely person. Sometimes, she can be abrasive, but I know she feels badly about it afterward. I consider her a friend, and I hope with time we'll become even closer.
[He wants to save her, from herself...]
She must really like you, too, to trust you enough to reveal that much about herself.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[beat;]
Nice, though. Weird and nice. Do you?
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[Silent for a moment, he can't help thinking about that home. Auldrant feels almost like a dream.]
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[In the same moment, Luke watches Ion's face, feeling certain of where his mind was. Home. Not quite home, but...]
--Uh. Tomorrow.
Do you want to have dinner with us?
Me and Guy, I mean.
Only if you want to.
If we can find somewhere private, around... [he gestures, with his free hand.] ...here.
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I'd love to. Is there anything you'd like me to bring?
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Besides yourself? [...] An... appetite?
[ha ha ha.]
Oh, maybe... is there anything you miss? Maybe Guy could cook...
...It's really better if he cooks, actually.
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[Weh!]
As long as I'm sharing with good company, I don't mind what we have.
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[Other than you.
It's so quick, he almost skips it—and if he hadn't talked to Ambition, he would have.
You're so sappy when it comes to him.
He falls silent, the snowball of a sentence rolling gently into a slow, slipping avalanche of thoughts.]
...Hey, Ion...
[He swallows, making extra time for himself—enough time to lose his nerve, switching sentences at the last moment.]
--You know that rule this week? The secrets one. I was hoping maybe I could figure that out with you.
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[His smile brightens as he squeezes Luke's arm.]
Your secret will be safe with me.
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...Maybe we can find somewhere else? A little more private. I know Ishikirimaru uses the shrine a lot...
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[a quiet forest glade?
he quashes the idea and image mentally, running a hand through his hair.]
The study's fine, if it's not too far! Just as long as it's just the two of us.
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[Arm and arm, Ion lets the space between them fall into a comfortable silence, the only sounds being their footsteps falling around them. There's a small smile on his face despite Luke's seeming apprehension--or maybe even because of it, as if he can lift up the mood for both of them.
Before long, they reach the bookstore, and Ion stops.]
It looks quiet in here. What do you think?
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You would choose somewhere full of books. Come on.
[He pushes the door open, closing it behind the two of them. After a moment of thought, he turns the lock, too. It takes a minute or so, but he manages to find two step-stools for grabbing books off higher shelves, and carries them to wherever Ion is, popping it down for him, then perching on his own.]
So.
[...]
Uh.
Secrets!
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[A part of him wants to take a look around, but Luke, of course, takes full priority, and Ion smiles encouragingly as he sits down in one of the stools.]
Don't be nervous, it's just me!
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It's because it's you that I'm so nervous! I actually care about--about your opinions, and stuff, you know?
[he fidgets with his hands for a minute, then brightens.]
Oh! Okay, actually, how's this? Ambition took off her mask for me!
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Oh, that's really great! She has a hard time making friends, so I'm happy for both of you! Did she tell you her name?
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[he beams.]
She's a really good person—but I guess you already knew that, right? She actually came to apologize to me for what happened when I summoned her! Kinda beat us to it, huh?
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[He wants to save her, from herself...]
She must really like you, too, to trust you enough to reveal that much about herself.
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[he'd vacillated between the two for a while before realizing Ambition was somewhere in between, with their self-destructive powers combined.]
We had a really good talk. I felt like I really got to know her! And...
[he hesitates, wondering if he should even say it. But it's Ion. It's okay, right?]
...She said... even if I wasn't on her team... if she won...
[...]
...She'd help me with my wish.
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[His smile softens, eyes growing more gentle. Ion looks at his hands, his head nodding in thought.]
...good. I'll have to thank her for that, too. I'm glad you told me.
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[he watches Ion's face, smiling as he does.]
I think she really cares about you, too.
[For a moment, he seems like he wants to expand on that—but mentally drops it, changing topics, pressing his hands together between his knees.]
Okay, your turn. Got any juicy secrets?
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[He wasn't expecting to have a turn, but...it's only fair! He laughs, his cheeks flushing.]
Well, I don't know! Is there anything in particular you're wondering about?
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Oh, uh, not really. Nothing in particular! Just... go for it!
[he's suddenly flighty, waving his hands around, gesturing the question to answer itself.]
Whatever you want to share!
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You know, it does seem like you have something on your mind, after all.
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[ION???]
I'm just-- you know, I can't think of anything!