[He really should tell her that she's injured - but for now she accepts this easily. The closeness, the words that she'll hold onto, humming softly even as she remains latched onto him with zero intention of pulling back or letting go. Her head rests against his and she seems to take a moment to consider her words. Her eyes shut and she can't help but think it's a bit sweet - to not be forgotten.]
You did...? [still with a bite of awe, her face growing warm with both embarrassment and pleasure - she does like to hear that.] Mm... That makes my heart warm to know.
Я тоже. I missed you too. Everyone is gone so I... I did not always know what to do, or how to help. Hearing from you and knowing what you are doing... Полегче. It made it a little easier.
[She rests her head against his shoulder then, shoulder shaking with a brief laugh.]
I am happy if you are here. Riding is still good... but I just want to be with you while you are here, if that is okay to say.
Just hearing from you always made me happy, too. [ He hesitates, then rubs gentle circles into her back. Soft, careful. ] It reminded me that I wanted to be able to come back and tell you how brave I was...
[ That's a little boastful, but it's true. Ayano's right that he could've fought it... but. She hasn't realized yet that he's a total doormat, he's pretty sure. Tsukasa smiles slightly, successfully resisting the urge to kiss her temple or something equally incriminating of his feelings; his face still reddens at the thought, at her words, but he keeps his lips to himself. ]
And... yeah, um, of course it is. I really don't have anyone else to visit... [ Granted, it might be good to check in on a few other people, but he's sure they're busy visiting their own loved ones. He had two very important people left behind in the city though, so he's absolutely decided they get his day today. ] I'll see my family when I go home later after all.
[ unless him and hinata end up having a sleepover but that's not really the point, he still has to go there for supplies ]
Whatever you want, Anya. I'll grant any wish of yours right now—just say the word.
But Anya will pause at that - and wonder gently how selfish she can be. Yato was the person she wanted to see most today - and sure, there are others, but they have their families and other loved ones to look after. If Tsukasa really says it's okay for them to be together...
She'll believe him. It soothes the dull ache of loneliness in her heart to know that he'd be willing to be with her.
When he says he'll grant her a wish, she lifts her head and her expression grows fond - ]
Падающая звезда... Just like a shooting star? [A hum.] Not here for very long, but bringing me joy and hope when you are.
[It's sweet.
She thinks she wants to be like that, a little bit.
She pulls back - just a little bit, just so she can get one hand back to follow the line of his arm until she can interlace their fingers. Her smile is confident.]
Оставаться... "Stay with me" is too selfish of Anya to ask... so maybe "stay safe" instead. When we are apart too, so I do not have to worry. We will both try to be brave.
[ It gets easier and easier to lace his fingers with hers, even if he still feels a swell of embarrassing warmth unfurl and wash over him when it happens; he knows his face is still heated up and wants it to stop, but at the same time, it's impossible right now, when the girl he's wanted to see the most is right in front of him.
The thought that she'd want him to stay with her is so much— if she wanted to be selfish with him, he wouldn't mind. He wants to stay with her too, and the thought that this work he's doing is just voluntary, that he really could just stay if he wanted to...
Would he?
...Maybe, but it feels wrong to, to not see his responsibilities through. He'll feel better being able to come back having helped in some way—having proven that despite his lack of skills, despite everything, he can still do something. He hasn't quite resigned himself out of the dream of having an ordinary school life, but the feeling of being utterly helpless from Goro when they spoke about his ordeal... it isn't something he likes.
Liked. Likes. He slowly, unthinkingly, brings their joined hands up and— almost kisses the knuckles of hers, remembers himself soon enough when it's in his line of sight that he just squeezes instead. ]
I will. Don't worry about that... I haven't really been chasing stuff that's too dangerous anyway. My first task, I helped out a lot of workers, right? I got a reward from them too. [ It was a small metal cat statuette. For his bff. ] And then my next one, we went to a ladder that was supposed to be infinite... Like, it'd loop around as you went down it, and if you could figure out how to step off of it, you'd become something like a god. It was just really long though, which was sort of disappointing. The people I investigated it with were ve~ry fun though.
[ A shy smile, before he lowers their hands again. ]
And what has Anya been getting up to...? Please don't tell me you've been getting into any trouble. I think my heart would give out.
It doesn't escape her notice, because Anya is the type to watch the people she likes very closely. So she blinks in confusion, tilts her head ever so slightly. A kiss on the hand is fine but it's - well, princely. Charming. Did he want to do that to make her feel better? Ah, he's doing a lot to try to make her feel better...
She catches up on his story a little bit late, but still tries to tune in.]
Ah...
[And she laughs faintly - ]
Нет... No... Anya has been a good girl. Everyone would get mad if I was not careful when they were away so... I have been with Katya - my best friend. Staying with the people who are here...
[ . . . and she can't do anything about the monsters. Or the mayor.]
... I am proud of you, for helping. Help enough for Anya too, okay?
[ Tsukasa is stupid—anxious, but stupid, except being around Anya worsens the second one even as it (gently, like stoking a fire place) betters the first. He doesn't notice she's thinking, not when he's much too happy to be holding her hand like this, standing in her doorway for real, having her so close when just last night he'd been feeling so sorry for himself not being able to take her out on a Valentine's date...
...a Valentine's friend date, because he made a mistake, but it's probably better like this, for now. If he keeps thinking that, maybe it'll come true. ]
Of course. I'll pick a safe, but important, task next time as well... This Tsukasa Suzakura will do his best for the both of us. [ That makes it sound so cheesy...~ ] For now, though... Allow him to escort you to wherever your heart desires. I'd like to be out while the sun is, after all. Not that the dark is bad, but there's a lot of it underground...
[ Besides, Anya looks best under natural lighting ♪ ]
[Anya gives him a smile at that - nodding easily even as she goes to shut the door of her home behind her. She doesn't need much, everything that she could really need is already on her person. Phone, check. House keys, check! So she'll otherwise squeeze his hand in hers and hum happily.]
Then to the sun we will go.
Лошади? We can still go see the horses? Does Tsukasa still want to?
Of course. I promised I'd take you riding, didn't I~? And I never break my promises. [ At least, he tries not to. So...! Off they go, hand-in-hand, Tsukasa never happier—there's probably small chat, he's totally telling Anya about Hinata wanting to go roller skating for his birthday
but, most importantly, the stables. Tsukasa's quick to get things sorted out and he tugs her back to the horses (and, on another side, the chocobos). Ahem. ]
Any of these are available for riding... Please pick whichever one catches your eye. Or, um, that you feel a connection with... If you find one like that. [ ...He's sort of drifting over to a butterscotch-colored one. Whom is named Butterscotch. Everyone is clever here. ] We can sign them out after that. It isn't too cold, so I think we'll be able to use the outside paddock.
[Whichever one she feels a connection with - well Anya is a creature of habit to be honest. She immediately drifts over to the one that she'd met the last time that she'd visited - ]
Tourmaline...!
[ARMS OPEN, READY TO GIVE THIS HORSE A BIG HUG]
Здравствуйте! Hello...! Anya is happy to see you again. Are you happy to see Anya?
[ Tourmaline seems to be, leaning her head out of her stall to press it to Anya's chest. Tsukasa smiles and finishes getting Butterscotch out, carefully leading her over so he can slip into Tourmaline's stall and get a lead on her, too. He'll give that one to Anya ♪ ]
I'm glad you picked her... ♪ Tourmy gets huffy whenever I talk about you, probably because she wants to see you not hear about you. Um, not that I talk all the time about you or anything but... Little comments and things. Nice stuff, I promise.
[ ...Tourmaline is also giving him the stink-eye, so he laughs weakly and uh. He'll get the rest in order, saddle them up, all that good stuff... They're going to a larger paddock, and Tsukasa'll pause once they're both in and he's shut the gate. ]
Right, so... Getting up's pretty easy—just put your foot in the stirrup there and pull yourself up with the saddle—but it can be a little tricky for first-timers, so... Do you want some help?
[ Butterscotch and Tourmaline exchange a glance like booooooooy. ]
Anya glances over at Tsukasa for a moment and giggles - he talks about her? Ah, she had guessed that before... but that's sweet! Tsukasa must be very affectionate with his friends, then. She watches him closely as he gets everything ready - as if she's ready to mimic this if she visits again? - but at the offer for help, she'll glance between Tourmaline and Tsukasa.
She considers the height... and - well, she'd rather not cause more trouble for him if she doesn't get it right. So.]
If that is okay? Anya will learn quickly, promise!
[ these horses know tsukasa doesn't usually help people up personally. he usually gets a mounting block instead. ]
You can take your time learning. [ But alright, alright ♪ He'll move closer. ] It'll be a little bit of a reach, but do juuust as I said before... Um, I'm going to push you up though, so you don't have to just pull yourself up... Okay?
[ He'll be hooking his fingers in the saddle ring, his other arm ready to sort of be a rest for her thigh (✨) he can push up with (✨✨). ]
Well okay. Anya just nods as she reviews the instructions over in her head again, moving to put her foot in the stirrup as directed and mentally prepping herself to take this step. She's also going to completely trust Tsukasa? Because why wouldn't she.... So she manages a little nod to herself and - ]
[Sure, she can do that! She'll swing her leg over and settle on the saddle, finding her balance as best as she can and making a small noise of excited delight - ]
[ Some genuine applause, and he'll go one-two-three pull himself up on Butterscotch. Like an expert or something. ]
Good job! Ah, and thank you for being patient as well, ladies. [ The horses, he means. ] Alright... Sit up straight, hold onto the reins—not too tightly, though—and instruct her to walk when you squeeze her sides with your heels. Gently.
[ He'll demonstrate~! Look at him and Butterscotch go; he tilts the reins here and there to guide her so they can turn around and face Anya and Tourmaline, and he gets her to stop with a little tug and a instruction to. ]
We're just going to walk around the area first so you can get used to how it feels.
[AMAZING. Anya's eyes sparkle with delight and amazement as she watches Tsukasa closely, listening to his instructions and moving to mimic the same with Tourmaline. There's a noise of surprise - giddy surprise - when Tourmaline does move and Anya praises immediately:]
[ Tourmaline's going to learn Russian before he does...
.......actually. ]
Kru... Kora... Ah, I'm not going to even try pronouncing it—but is that what that means? Amazing? [ Tsukasa glances at her, then scratches his cheek idly. спасибо was a lot easier to say. ] ...I wanted to learn some so we could, um... Well, I wanted to learn... An-anyway, if you'd be willing to teach me, I could hook you up with some more riding lessons...~?
[ ...does he just use riding lessons as a bartering tool? yes. all the time. ]
[Oh...! Her eyes are drawn to him as soon as she hears him trying to pronounce and she'll - carefully.... - try to guide Tourmaline to move closer to Tsukasa, at least close enough that Anya can hold onto the reins with one hand as the other reaches out to him. Slowly:]
Хо - ро - шо! It is... to say very good? Something that is nice.
[And she giggles at the offer - ]
Anya would teach you for free... but if there are more riding lessons, then I will get to see Tsukasa more? [Her expression turns a touch playful as she winks - ] I like that more.
[ tsukasa's ghost is what had a sleepover with hinata later and also went on to complete his work in respartum.
He mouths the word a moment, just to distract himself from blushing too hard at her wink, and gently takes her outstretched hand. ]
W-Well, I think a trade's fair... Um, it's... Хоро...шо. [ He's trying. It's still clumsily said, and he looks even more mortified-embarrassed at his own pronunciation, but. ] ...I'm very sorry for butchering your language, Anya.
[Did she play too much... Anya tilts her head a little bit - Tsukasa has a crush on someone else, doesn't he? So it's okay if Anya plays with him a little... maybe it was too much.....
But her expression still smooths into something gently amused, closer to endlessly fond.]
You do not need to say sorry...
When Anya tries new words in English or Japanese, I feel like it is the same. Нервный... Or when I meet a new person, who does not know the way I talk. It is scary. Maybe they will laugh at me....
[So she shakes her head and gives his hand a squeeze.]
If you want to try... that is already xорошо. [Gentle repetition, still slow, enunciated carefully so he can catch all the parts.] Already good.
[ Ah, be still his heart... He squeezes her hand right back, terribly regretful that he can't just keep holding it while they're riding. That's dangerous. ]
...Thank you. I think it's xорошо [ slowly too, purposeful, a little better] for you, too. Um...
[ ...mmm, yes, he can do this much. ] If you ever want to practice Japanese, I can help with that. I'm sure you have plenty of chances to practice English, so... This is really all I offer.
[That is super dangerous and probably not the best idea of Anya's first time riding - but she smiles wider when he tries the word again. Wonderful! She loves just hearing the sound of other people trying Russian. It makes her feel more and more at home.
She switches to Japanese briefly:] Thank you, Tsukasa.
[And then back to English.]
I would like that. I will keep trying to get better and better at everything.
[ Heeeee, she sounds so cute in Japanese...!!!!! He's trying not to beam, he's turning his face away, oh gosh. Just for a moment. Phew. Back to looking at her, he's good, she's fine. ]
Everything, hm...~? Me too. [ y'all don't fucking enable each other like this ] Riding first, then.
[ He, a little reluctantly, pulls his hand away and grips his reins again. ]
If you want to go faster than a walk, just squeeze Tourmaline's sides with your heels again while you're walking—that'll be a trot. After that is a canter—my favorite speed—and then gallop... I think trotting should be our limit for today though. It's only a little faster than a walk, and Tourmaline's experienced enough to handle it... Ah, right. If you start getting sore, let me know too, okay? We can stop.
[So much to learn... Anya memorizes it, repeats in her head over: walk, trot, canter, gallop. Ah, how exciting! Just likes in all the stories that she'd read when she was small... She smiles and does as directed, encouraging Tourmaline back into a walk - and then further into a trot.
It's an odd feeling to move with the horse, but she learns the rhythm as best as she can and adjusts carefully.]
Tourmaline...! Спасибо... Thank you for listening to Anya. ♪
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You did...? [still with a bite of awe, her face growing warm with both embarrassment and pleasure - she does like to hear that.] Mm... That makes my heart warm to know.
Я тоже. I missed you too. Everyone is gone so I... I did not always know what to do, or how to help. Hearing from you and knowing what you are doing... Полегче. It made it a little easier.
[She rests her head against his shoulder then, shoulder shaking with a brief laugh.]
I am happy if you are here. Riding is still good... but I just want to be with you while you are here, if that is okay to say.
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[ That's a little boastful, but it's true. Ayano's right that he could've fought it... but. She hasn't realized yet that he's a total doormat, he's pretty sure. Tsukasa smiles slightly, successfully resisting the urge to kiss her temple or something equally incriminating of his feelings; his face still reddens at the thought, at her words, but he keeps his lips to himself. ]
And... yeah, um, of course it is. I really don't have anyone else to visit... [ Granted, it might be good to check in on a few other people, but he's sure they're busy visiting their own loved ones. He had two very important people left behind in the city though, so he's absolutely decided they get his day today. ] I'll see my family when I go home later after all.
[
unless him and hinata end up having a sleepover but that's not really the point, he still has to go there for supplies]Whatever you want, Anya. I'll grant any wish of yours right now—just say the word.
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But Anya will pause at that - and wonder gently how selfish she can be. Yato was the person she wanted to see most today - and sure, there are others, but they have their families and other loved ones to look after. If Tsukasa really says it's okay for them to be together...
She'll believe him. It soothes the dull ache of loneliness in her heart to know that he'd be willing to be with her.
When he says he'll grant her a wish, she lifts her head and her expression grows fond - ]
Падающая звезда... Just like a shooting star? [A hum.] Not here for very long, but bringing me joy and hope when you are.
[It's sweet.
She thinks she wants to be like that, a little bit.
She pulls back - just a little bit, just so she can get one hand back to follow the line of his arm until she can interlace their fingers. Her smile is confident.]
Оставаться... "Stay with me" is too selfish of Anya to ask... so maybe "stay safe" instead. When we are apart too, so I do not have to worry. We will both try to be brave.
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The thought that she'd want him to stay with her is so much— if she wanted to be selfish with him, he wouldn't mind. He wants to stay with her too, and the thought that this work he's doing is just voluntary, that he really could just stay if he wanted to...
Would he?
...Maybe, but it feels wrong to, to not see his responsibilities through. He'll feel better being able to come back having helped in some way—having proven that despite his lack of skills, despite everything, he can still do something. He hasn't quite resigned himself out of the dream of having an ordinary school life, but the feeling of being utterly helpless from Goro when they spoke about his ordeal... it isn't something he likes.
Liked. Likes. He slowly, unthinkingly, brings their joined hands up and— almost kisses the knuckles of hers, remembers himself soon enough when it's in his line of sight that he just squeezes instead. ]
I will. Don't worry about that... I haven't really been chasing stuff that's too dangerous anyway. My first task, I helped out a lot of workers, right? I got a reward from them too. [ It was a small metal cat statuette. For his bff. ] And then my next one, we went to a ladder that was supposed to be infinite... Like, it'd loop around as you went down it, and if you could figure out how to step off of it, you'd become something like a god. It was just really long though, which was sort of disappointing. The people I investigated it with were ve~ry fun though.
[ A shy smile, before he lowers their hands again. ]
And what has Anya been getting up to...? Please don't tell me you've been getting into any trouble. I think my heart would give out.
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It doesn't escape her notice, because Anya is the type to watch the people she likes very closely. So she blinks in confusion, tilts her head ever so slightly. A kiss on the hand is fine but it's - well, princely. Charming. Did he want to do that to make her feel better? Ah, he's doing a lot to try to make her feel better...
She catches up on his story a little bit late, but still tries to tune in.]
Ah...
[And she laughs faintly - ]
Нет... No... Anya has been a good girl. Everyone would get mad if I was not careful when they were away so... I have been with Katya - my best friend. Staying with the people who are here...
[ . . . and she can't do anything about the monsters. Or the mayor.]
... I am proud of you, for helping. Help enough for Anya too, okay?
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...a Valentine's friend date, because he made a mistake, but it's probably better like this, for now. If he keeps thinking that, maybe it'll come true. ]
Of course. I'll pick a safe, but important, task next time as well... This Tsukasa Suzakura will do his best for the both of us. [ That makes it sound so cheesy...~ ] For now, though... Allow him to escort you to wherever your heart desires. I'd like to be out while the sun is, after all. Not that the dark is bad, but there's a lot of it underground...
[ Besides, Anya looks best under natural lighting ♪ ]
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Then to the sun we will go.
Лошади? We can still go see the horses? Does Tsukasa still want to?
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Of course. I promised I'd take you riding, didn't I~? And I never break my promises. [ At least, he tries not to. So...! Off they go, hand-in-hand, Tsukasa never happier—there's probably small chat, he's totally telling Anya about Hinata wanting to go roller skating for his birthday
but, most importantly, the stables. Tsukasa's quick to get things sorted out and he tugs her back to the horses (and, on another side, the chocobos). Ahem. ]
Any of these are available for riding... Please pick whichever one catches your eye. Or, um, that you feel a connection with... If you find one like that. [ ...He's sort of drifting over to a butterscotch-colored one. Whom is named Butterscotch. Everyone is clever here. ] We can sign them out after that. It isn't too cold, so I think we'll be able to use the outside paddock.
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Tourmaline...!
[ARMS OPEN, READY TO GIVE THIS HORSE A BIG HUG]
Здравствуйте! Hello...! Anya is happy to see you again. Are you happy to see Anya?
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I'm glad you picked her... ♪ Tourmy gets huffy whenever I talk about you, probably because she wants to see you not hear about you. Um, not that I talk all the time about you or anything but... Little comments and things. Nice stuff, I promise.
[ ...Tourmaline is also giving him the stink-eye, so he laughs weakly and uh. He'll get the rest in order, saddle them up, all that good stuff... They're going to a larger paddock, and Tsukasa'll pause once they're both in and he's shut the gate. ]
Right, so... Getting up's pretty easy—just put your foot in the stirrup there and pull yourself up with the saddle—but it can be a little tricky for first-timers, so... Do you want some help?
[ Butterscotch and Tourmaline exchange a glance like booooooooy. ]
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Anya glances over at Tsukasa for a moment and giggles - he talks about her? Ah, she had guessed that before... but that's sweet! Tsukasa must be very affectionate with his friends, then. She watches him closely as he gets everything ready - as if she's ready to mimic this if she visits again? - but at the offer for help, she'll glance between Tourmaline and Tsukasa.
She considers the height... and - well, she'd rather not cause more trouble for him if she doesn't get it right. So.]
If that is okay? Anya will learn quickly, promise!
[But sure, she'll accept help this once.]
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You can take your time learning. [ But alright, alright ♪ He'll move closer. ] It'll be a little bit of a reach, but do juuust as I said before... Um, I'm going to push you up though, so you don't have to just pull yourself up... Okay?
[ He'll be hooking his fingers in the saddle ring, his other arm ready to sort of be a rest for her thigh (✨) he can push up with (✨✨). ]
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Well okay. Anya just nods as she reviews the instructions over in her head again, moving to put her foot in the stirrup as directed and mentally prepping herself to take this step. She's also going to completely trust Tsukasa? Because why wouldn't she.... So she manages a little nod to herself and - ]
On three...!
[AND SHE'LL JUST COUNT IT HERSELF - ]
One, two, three! ♪
[MAYBE A LITTLE LESS FEARLESS, ANYA]
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And he pushes her up, grinning a little. She's so brave ♪ and cool ♪ ahh, he really likes her...
rip tsukasa]There we go~. Just swing your leg over and get comfy, Anya.
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Высокий! Tsukasa - it is so high up!
[she loves it]
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Good job! Ah, and thank you for being patient as well, ladies. [ The horses, he means. ] Alright... Sit up straight, hold onto the reins—not too tightly, though—and instruct her to walk when you squeeze her sides with your heels. Gently.
[ He'll demonstrate~! Look at him and Butterscotch go; he tilts the reins here and there to guide her so they can turn around and face Anya and Tourmaline, and he gets her to stop with a little tug and a instruction to. ]
We're just going to walk around the area first so you can get used to how it feels.
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Хорошо!
[Tourmaline's going to learn Russian.]
Amazing....!
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.......actually. ]
Kru... Kora... Ah, I'm not going to even try pronouncing it—but is that what that means? Amazing? [ Tsukasa glances at her, then scratches his cheek idly. спасибо was a lot easier to say. ] ...I wanted to learn some so we could, um... Well, I wanted to learn... An-anyway, if you'd be willing to teach me, I could hook you up with some more riding lessons...~?
[ ...does he just use riding lessons as a bartering tool? yes. all the time. ]
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Хо - ро - шо! It is... to say very good? Something that is nice.
[And she giggles at the offer - ]
Anya would teach you for free... but if there are more riding lessons, then I will get to see Tsukasa more? [Her expression turns a touch playful as she winks - ] I like that more.
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He mouths the word a moment, just to distract himself from blushing too hard at her wink, and gently takes her outstretched hand. ]
W-Well, I think a trade's fair... Um, it's... Хоро...шо. [ He's trying. It's still clumsily said, and he looks even more mortified-embarrassed at his own pronunciation, but. ] ...I'm very sorry for butchering your language, Anya.
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But her expression still smooths into something gently amused, closer to endlessly fond.]
You do not need to say sorry...
When Anya tries new words in English or Japanese, I feel like it is the same. Нервный... Or when I meet a new person, who does not know the way I talk. It is scary. Maybe they will laugh at me....
[So she shakes her head and gives his hand a squeeze.]
If you want to try... that is already xорошо. [Gentle repetition, still slow, enunciated carefully so he can catch all the parts.] Already good.
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...Thank you. I think it's xорошо [ slowly too, purposeful, a little better] for you, too. Um...
[ ...mmm, yes, he can do this much. ] If you ever want to practice Japanese, I can help with that. I'm sure you have plenty of chances to practice English, so... This is really all I offer.
[ At least on the language front. ]
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She switches to Japanese briefly:] Thank you, Tsukasa.
[And then back to English.]
I would like that. I will keep trying to get better and better at everything.
[ . . . everything.]
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Everything, hm...~? Me too. [ y'all don't fucking enable each other like this ] Riding first, then.
[ He, a little reluctantly, pulls his hand away and grips his reins again. ]
If you want to go faster than a walk, just squeeze Tourmaline's sides with your heels again while you're walking—that'll be a trot. After that is a canter—my favorite speed—and then gallop... I think trotting should be our limit for today though. It's only a little faster than a walk, and Tourmaline's experienced enough to handle it... Ah, right. If you start getting sore, let me know too, okay? We can stop.
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It's an odd feeling to move with the horse, but she learns the rhythm as best as she can and adjusts carefully.]
Tourmaline...! Спасибо... Thank you for listening to Anya. ♪
[well she's having fun]
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