bertall | Iɴʙᴏx ✉ Vɪᴄᴛᴏʀʏ Rᴏᴀᴅ

[ Yohane has settled her face on Mari's shoulder, dozing off while things get Heavy since they bore her. Her personality matches her namesake perfectly. ]

Mmhm. [ Part of her figured. That 'best friend' he'd talked about before who bore a striking emotional attachment-based resemblance to Kanan hit it on the nose. Unfortunately. ]

I have someone like that too. I've told you about her a little.

What's kept me from really saying anything is maybe waiting to hear from her or have her land in New Bark. And I--... I don't think that's going to happen. Why put myself on hold forever--

[ It strikes her that this is Dramatic and probably a 'No' and she should scream in Sasha's direction for having her talk her into it.

Lord. ]

This was dumb. I'm sorry.

_{[She's--

Oh, gods. She's the same, isn't she? For a few moments, all Bertolt can do is stare at his 'gear, and then she's apologizing and he nearly drops it on the floor. A quick scramble and juggling saves it, and he doesn't realize how much his voice raises--]}

No! Don't--

_{[Okay, he's loud and Bertolt cringes a little at himself. Even his Aggron rumbles, but the big lug barely moves his head.]}

S-Sorry, I... Don't apologize, it's not-- I-It's not dumb. I didn't...

_{[Just take a breath, breathe, and look at this from another view now. It shouldn't be reassuring that it's so easy for her to understand, should it?]}

If she ever showed up, what would you do...? If we... Y-You know.

If she ever showed up, I'd...

[ It doesn't take her too long to actually find the answer. Maybe because she's been mulling over it. ]

What's done would be done. We would still be friends, but I'll know that I've moved on and I'm happy.

... With you, of course.

I follow my heart and I haven't had it be wrong yet.

Would you want to be with her?

_{[It blurts out before he even fully realizes it, and he can feel his ears starting to go red. That probably came out wrong.]}

I-I mean, if... If she showed up and she had feelings for you, and... I don't know if it's even permitted since it's sort of frowned upon back where I'm from, but if you still loved her, I'd... It'd be okay, wouldn't it?

No.

[ Which doesn't sound nearly as cold as someone would read it from maybe a normal person who isn't Mari who wears her heart and her words on her sleeve. ]

I'm not going to put the cart before the horse like that. I don't dwell on things that might not happen. I still love Kanan very, very much, but I can't lose sleep over variables. If you do that... It only hurts in a way you could one hundred-percent avoid if you just stopped worrying.

Life is way too short.

But if.

_{[If is always good.

Her comment about life being too short pulls at his heart, and he debates on whether or not he should tell her about that too, but he decides against it for now.]}

...Do you think it's possible to love two people like that regardless? I-I mean, is it okay? I don't think I could ever stop caring about Reiner, but it's... You said it yourself; I can't put myself...

_{[He can't spend his entire life waiting.]}

Feelings for someone you love are never going to go away.

If that were to happen, I think you can love two people like that. [ She clearly agrees that 'if' is good by the nod of her head. ]

Until then, though...

Until 'if'...?

...We could try and figure it out when and if we have to cross that bridge?

_{[A beat, and he looks at his Aggron's tail and gives it a gentle Nudge with his foot.

He doesn't remember it being this nervewracking with Reiner, but that's got to be a good sign, right? Right? Breathe.]}

Um... Together?

[ Together?

Does that mean.......... ]

Absolutely. Together.

I promise.

E-Even if I'm terrible at this? I, uh... I've never... dated... anyone outside of those weekends with Reiner.

_{[Is dating even the right word? Help him, romance novels. Help him, tacky soap operas.]}

Even if you're terrible at it. Mari knows a thing or two. It's in her blood~

[ Yohane perks up again, wiggling her ghosty tail and letting out a tiny waaaail. ]

Trust me, okay? Like when we were at the Contest?

I-It's not in mine, that's, uh... Everything I know comes from books and TV.

_{[--He can do that, though. That's the easy part.]}

I-I can do that. O-Only this time you'll catch me, right?

_{[METAPHORICALLY...]}

[ She bursts into a fond little laugh. Yohane joins. ]

I think I'm strong enough to hold you up.

Thank you, Bertolt.

_{[Pure. That is a good laugh, and he likes that.]}

I should be the one thanking you. For, um... For understanding.

_{[WHO WOULD'VE GUESSED THEY'D BE IN THE SAME BOAT.]}

Of course I understand.

I told Sasha that I believe in love over all things in the whole world. It's so important.

It-- Wait, you talked to Sasha?

Yeah! We talked a whole lot. I wanna meet her and take her out for a fun night on the town.

She needs some lovin'~

Why?

I could see if she'd want to head over towards Kanto when we stop to resupply and everything. I've got plenty of money to get us across with the train in Goldenrod.

_{[A beat, and Bertolt cocks his head a little.]}

Um... What do girls do when they go out on the town, anyway?

Maybe we can all hook up and I can go back with you guys? If that's okay!

It's been pretty lonely out here.

[ how does he NOT know?? typical boy. ]

Haha~ You know, shopping, getting our nails done, hair done, talk about boys, go to dinner, all that stuff.

I'd be okay with it.

_{[His house does have three bedrooms, and he's only using one right now! There's definitely plenty of space!]}

You can do all of that in a day? Really?

Sure can~ Never underestimate what I'm capable of.

It doesn't sound like she has a whole lot of experience being pampered and fancied up. I'd like to give that to her for one day if she'll let me.

None of us do, honestly. Reiner and I came from this little village no one had ever heard of and I don't even think it was on most maps, and from what I understand Sasha's from Dauper which was a little hunting village. If anyone wanted to be pampered, they had to either have a lot of money, live close enough to Wall Sina, or both. ...Usually both, I'd guess.

_{[And then they'd also have to try ignoring all of the stares from the rich folk within Sina itself which isn't an easy task.]}

I had a friend who lived there and she bought Reiner and I some... really weird things once. I still don't know what she was thinking, but uh... I can give you guys my wallet if you really want to go all out. She likes food, so that might help give you some ideas.

Your wallet??

Gosh, no. As sweet as that is, I only let boys pay for dates. This will be all me.

I want to buy her some cute clothes. I bet she cleans up beautifully.

At least let me chip in for the hotel room wherever you two do this. I don't know anything about these things, but I'm guessing having me in the room would be a no-go. I could even just pay for the room service.

_{[He has no idea how these things work!!]}

Just, uh... Try not to overwhelm her too much, okay?

Okay, okay. You can pay for the room.

No boys allowed though~ Soooo~ooorryy!

Iɴʙᴏx ✉ Vɪᴄᴛᴏʀʏ Rᴏᴀᴅ

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mari singing popular from wicked to sasha

yes good

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