Two worlds, one family--

[mombastic]

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

Comments

[mombastic]

He... complicated-- you didn't have a fight, did you? That-- no, but you said an agreement...

[ Leon?? ]

[discard]

[Mom???]

No, we did not fight. [Sheesh!!] He simply kissed me and then he left, after promising to visit. He is such a sentimental, emotional fool. Promising to bring me things from our world, as if I would need them--

[Leon, you skipped right on over the most important part pretty quickly.]

[mombastic]

He--

[ Wait a second. ]

He kissed you??

[ HOW DOES SHE FEEL ABOUT THIS... her two sons kissing each other, although maybe if she regards one as a son-in-law... ]

[discard]

[Sorry mom.]

Ah.

[Leon blinks, a little startled by her surprise, and then he registers enough to be embarrassed, glancing away with a soft cough.]

...Yes. He did.

[... And Leon promised him that there'd be more when he gets there, if implicitly, so... that's sure not changing.]

[mombastic]

... And it was mutual?

[ Okay, Leon, just... reassure her that you're okay with this. She didn't think he'd mention it if he wasn't, at least. ]

[discard]

I, it--

[That's the harder part, mom!!!

It was, but...admitting it is hard.]

...I suppose... yes, it was.

[mombastic]

Leon...

[ a pause-- before the tension in her posture eases and her concern softens into a smile. ]

Well... then I'm very happy for the both of you.

[discard]

[... Phew.

No judgement from mom.]

... I-- thank you, I suppose. Admittedly, I am not entirely certain what this all... means, but.

[...]

I am not unhappy.

[mombastic]

Well, normally it means that you're in the middle of an extremely long-distance relationship right now.

[ ... Leon, dating... a little hard to imagine, but if he's happy, she hardly minds. ]

[discard]

[Relationship...................

Relationship.]

That is not--

[Yeah, Leon, that's what it is.]

... Ah.

[mombastic]

Oh, is it not? That's exactly what it sounds like, though.

[discard]

[Mom...pls....]

I... I suppose it does. I am not...

[Help]

I am not particularly well-versed in relationships... of any sort.

[mombastic]

Well, that's not a bad thing. It means you're not fickle!

[ ... and he had no life, so that's also fine. ]

[discard]

[...]

I feel as though you are attempting to placate me.

[MOM...]

[mombastic]

Not at all. I actually think it's very sweet.

[ well, if she had to trust Leon's heart to anyone... ]

[discard]

[..... don't be sappy mom]

It is... what it is. That is all. There is no guarantee that he'll even be able to visit this world, regardless of what we were promised.

[But he'll wait for him anyway]

[mombastic]

Really... I don't think there's a force out there that could keep Stahn from fulfilling a promise.

[ And she firmly believes that. ]

[discard]

[Ughhh mom...]

...Well, it doesn't matter to me. Right now, we still have more important issues to take care of, and...

[...]

If Stahn truly is going to show up here, it will be after we've cleaned this up. Nothing else will be acceptable.

[mombastic]

... You're right. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, and I'd hate to get him involved in a mess that isn't his problem.

[ Fair enough. Demon beatdowns first. ]

[discard]

Precisely.

[He feels the exact same way about that, at least, so it's not even in question.]

Let's get to work, Otome.

[And then...they can worry about things like Leon's first kiss and Stahn's promises.]

[mombastic]

[ She's going to get all the details, just wait... but for now, right. Demon time. ]

You're ready to go back out there? You're not feeling tired, or hungry?

[discard]

[... Mom......please...]

I'm fine. I am used to much more difficult conditions than this.

[mombastic]

I know you are, but in every condition, it's important to be as well-rested and prepared as you can. Chaltier might worry otherwise, and if he didn't, I would.

[discard]

[... Excuse you.]

You do not need to guilt-trip me into this--I will take care of myself.

[mombastic]

I'm not trying to guilt-trip you. I'm always going to want to make sure my family is safe.