[ ??? That walk was so short. He hasn't been expecting it at all considering it's across the campus, but he accepts it as part of the dream, possibly even something Elizabeth forced because of what he said.
He's mentally berating himself, but tries to keep a leveled head and neutral expression. ]
Yeah... So lunch after? We can check out a music store during your break, too. Then you can check to see if you like pianos or keyboards better.
[ Despite having solid people to hang out with for several months now, it's still always a pleasant surprise when she gets invited out..... So she smiles slightly at him, a little more genuine-feeling than before, and
a shitload of paper rains on them from above, swooshing down the hallway and smashing against doors. It's like a steady rainfall of them, with the sound of pencils rolling around rumbling above like thunder, and the smile slips as she rubs her arm. ]
It'd... seem I'm rather busy, Aki... I just remembered I have a lot to catch up and work through, so I'll have to decline. [ The invisible wall between them turns a little dusty. ] My apologies. It's important that I do as much work as I can though... It's not quite a secret, but I'd like to graduate from here as soon as possible.
[ Why is this happening—the flood of paper startles him back, but the look of concern returns, at least until he notices another thing. It's getting dusty? At first, he thinks it's his glasses, but realizes its the invisible walls. He brushes it away before sifting it between his fingers.
Is there something waiting for her after graduation? What's the rush? ]
All right. Though you have to make it up to me somehow.
[ Since the walls are here, he's knocking on one of them for emphasis. These? They're a problem. ]
[ ...At least she has the grace to look a little embarrassed. ]
In truth, I...
[ ...it's. difficult to say it, especially because she doesn't usually talk about things. She keeps a nice, neat distance between herself and everyone else, particularly emotionally... but Akira at least deserves something resembling an explanation, and she feels better if she gets to give it instead of it being forced out of her with irritating jabs, Silver. ]
I prefer for things to be like this. [ She gives the wall a little gesture, habitually tucking her hair behind her ear after it. Yes, the walls are a little more... actually physical here, but the fact she puts them up at all is the point here. ] It's simply easier.
[ He would tease her about that expression, but it's not the time for it. Instead, he's surprised that she's coming around to tell him the truth... She seemed so dismissive before, but this comforts him that there's something he can do. At least somewhat.
Slipping his hands into his pockets, it's almost odd to hear this from someone else. He understands completely. ]
I know how that feels. I've always thought that, too... Life is easier when you keep people at arm's length, if you just watch rather than participate in the lives of others.
[ ... ]
But that isn't what you actually want, right? It's been fun.
[ Maybe she should have dismissed it; it's the first thought that comes to mind, and she has half a mind to do even if that'd be blatantly backtracking, but Akira's words circle in her thoughts.
She does want to stay like this, but at the same time, he's right. It's been fun, spending time with everyone, and teasing people, and living with Silver and Goro... Being friends with people has been fun.
Still, though.
Still, graduation hangs over her, and her plans do, too. She's going to be leaving anyway, so is there a point to making friends? Is there a point to participating if the bonds they've made are going to fade away into nothing, just like always. Elizabeth worries her lip, curling her fingers around her books, and shakes her head. ]
Akira, I'm going to be leaving as soon as I graduate, and I know better than anyone else that friendships do not last after separation. It's easier, then, if I do not entangle myself too closely with anyone... for myself and for everyone else. I don't wish to hurt anyone, after all. [ She's a kind girl, after all. ] I don't mind having fun with everyone, and I don't mind having friends, but I don't want to become close with anyone... Does that make sense?
[ Just like she doesn't want to be a child, so she doesn't get mad and upset over things she can't control and just lets things be as they are. ]
[ He spends time with Elizabeth and does notice how surprised she gets when she invited to spend time, but he never thought it would be influenced by something this deep. It's awfully nostalgic... It should make him frown, but he continues to smile.
It's difficult. That situation makes it all hard. ]
Isn't that what makes things even more beautiful? Even more meaningful? These passing faces, the momentary kindness... Instead of keeping your distance, you can cherish those moments, the people you care for, and the limited time you have before you graduate.
[ He wonders if he should stop preaching anytime soon, but he feels strongly about this—determination lights up in his eyes and fuels his smile to turn into a grin. Genuinely, wholeheartedly, he believes they don't need to be ghosts. ]
I'm not going to tell you how to live your life, Elizabeth, but when you leave... Just try to keep in contact? That's a favor I'm asking. I'll make sure to respond and I'm sure Silver and Goro would, too. Goro, especially, is a social media nut. I think all the praise he gets online for his modeling goes straight to his head, but my point is we're in the age where distance essentially means nothing. The barriers that keep us apart are the barriers we set up ourselves.
[ It seems like while he lets her live her life, he's going to assert his existence onto her, anyway. ]
If you don't even try, you can expect spam of messages from me.
[ Like people haven't promised that before, she almost snaps back, but—no, she supposes after a time, people didn't really say that to her. Polite but distant, she can't remember talking to many of her classmates outside of what was necessary, or if they engaged her first. She thinks about lunches taken by herself and books, so, so, so many books, and laughs quietly. She was never really lonely, she'll hold to that, not after a while.
But that's more because she got used to it. Family, friends... They don't mean anything to someone whose existence is so transient, but maybe she'd like them to mean something. ]
Now that I'm thinking about it... I believe Akechi told me the same thing when I wandered into a dream of his. [ ...She was supposed to be comforting him, and he ended up aggressively bunsnuggling her. It's a long story. ] Rather, he promised to keep in contact with me, though I'm certain he'd spam me, too. You two are quite alike.
[ Which isn't a bad thing, and she fidgets as the conversation lulls; she can't say she believes Akira, because she didn't exactly believe Goro, either. She appreciates the thought, and the unspoken promises, and all of that, but... It's harder, trusting that something like that would actually happen.
Though, then again, both of them had sent her texts in August when they were all separated... Maybe she should have a little more faith in how relentless they are. The wall between them thins bit by bit until it's only about window-pane thickness—not gone, but... closer. It's hard to simply get rid of it, so... ]
Thank you, Aki. Even if you can't uphold your end of the deal, I appreciate the thought, truly.
[ Like, to Akira, he thinks it's overall good, but he isn't sure how Elizabeth sees Goro. For now, he'll assume it's a compliment and nothing more. He rubs the back of his head awkwardly as he chuckles a bit—is it him? Or does it feel a little more spacious in his personal glass box. It's nice. A lot more comfortable. He thinks that he's kind of around this level in reality, too. It only reminds him how far he still has to go. Elizabeth, too.
But her words are still defeating. Ahhh, he sighs, but it's fine. No worries. ]
Well, I can't complain. Baby steps. [ But he knocks on the glass again. ] Read my spam first.
[ She adores Goro, Akira, it's a very good thing. ...It does mean you are embarrassing and someone she's likely to tease in the future as a result, but it's a good thing!! Take your lumps. ]
I read my messages alphabetically by sender, so... [ ... ] I suppose I will.
[ She fidgets again, for a moment, then rests her hand on the glass. ]
I would like to practice with you, though. Cellos have a lovely sound, and I'd like the excuse to spend time with you, too. [ Even though friends don't need excuses—
but that seems to be the end of this; an unsatisfying point to end at, but dreams usually do, and besides, it was peaceful. It was nice. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
He's mentally berating himself, but tries to keep a leveled head and neutral expression. ]
Yeah... So lunch after? We can check out a music store during your break, too. Then you can check to see if you like pianos or keyboards better.
[ Take 2. ]
no subject
a shitload of paper rains on them from above, swooshing down the hallway and smashing against doors. It's like a steady rainfall of them, with the sound of pencils rolling around rumbling above like thunder, and the smile slips as she rubs her arm. ]
It'd... seem I'm rather busy, Aki... I just remembered I have a lot to catch up and work through, so I'll have to decline. [ The invisible wall between them turns a little dusty. ] My apologies. It's important that I do as much work as I can though... It's not quite a secret, but I'd like to graduate from here as soon as possible.
no subject
Is there something waiting for her after graduation? What's the rush? ]
All right. Though you have to make it up to me somehow.
[ Since the walls are here, he's knocking on one of them for emphasis. These? They're a problem. ]
no subject
In truth, I...
[ ...it's. difficult to say it, especially because she doesn't usually talk about things. She keeps a nice, neat distance between herself and everyone else, particularly emotionally... but Akira at least deserves something resembling an explanation, and she feels better if she gets to give it instead of it being forced out of her with irritating jabs, Silver. ]
I prefer for things to be like this. [ She gives the wall a little gesture, habitually tucking her hair behind her ear after it. Yes, the walls are a little more... actually physical here, but the fact she puts them up at all is the point here. ] It's simply easier.
no subject
Slipping his hands into his pockets, it's almost odd to hear this from someone else. He understands completely. ]
I know how that feels. I've always thought that, too... Life is easier when you keep people at arm's length, if you just watch rather than participate in the lives of others.
[ ... ]
But that isn't what you actually want, right? It's been fun.
no subject
She does want to stay like this, but at the same time, he's right. It's been fun, spending time with everyone, and teasing people, and living with Silver and Goro... Being friends with people has been fun.
Still, though.
Still, graduation hangs over her, and her plans do, too. She's going to be leaving anyway, so is there a point to making friends? Is there a point to participating if the bonds they've made are going to fade away into nothing, just like always. Elizabeth worries her lip, curling her fingers around her books, and shakes her head. ]
Akira, I'm going to be leaving as soon as I graduate, and I know better than anyone else that friendships do not last after separation. It's easier, then, if I do not entangle myself too closely with anyone... for myself and for everyone else. I don't wish to hurt anyone, after all. [ She's a kind girl, after all. ] I don't mind having fun with everyone, and I don't mind having friends, but I don't want to become close with anyone... Does that make sense?
[ Just like she doesn't want to be a child, so she doesn't get mad and upset over things she can't control and just lets things be as they are. ]
no subject
It's difficult. That situation makes it all hard. ]
Isn't that what makes things even more beautiful? Even more meaningful? These passing faces, the momentary kindness... Instead of keeping your distance, you can cherish those moments, the people you care for, and the limited time you have before you graduate.
[ He wonders if he should stop preaching anytime soon, but he feels strongly about this—determination lights up in his eyes and fuels his smile to turn into a grin. Genuinely, wholeheartedly, he believes they don't need to be ghosts. ]
I'm not going to tell you how to live your life, Elizabeth, but when you leave... Just try to keep in contact? That's a favor I'm asking. I'll make sure to respond and I'm sure Silver and Goro would, too. Goro, especially, is a social media nut. I think all the praise he gets online for his modeling goes straight to his head, but my point is we're in the age where distance essentially means nothing. The barriers that keep us apart are the barriers we set up ourselves.
[ It seems like while he lets her live her life, he's going to assert his existence onto her, anyway. ]
If you don't even try, you can expect spam of messages from me.
[ A wink here because this is punishment. ]
no subject
But that's more because she got used to it. Family, friends... They don't mean anything to someone whose existence is so transient, but maybe she'd like them to mean something. ]
Now that I'm thinking about it... I believe Akechi told me the same thing when I wandered into a dream of his. [ ...She was supposed to be comforting him, and he ended up aggressively bunsnuggling her. It's a long story. ] Rather, he promised to keep in contact with me, though I'm certain he'd spam me, too. You two are quite alike.
[ Which isn't a bad thing, and she fidgets as the conversation lulls; she can't say she believes Akira, because she didn't exactly believe Goro, either. She appreciates the thought, and the unspoken promises, and all of that, but... It's harder, trusting that something like that would actually happen.
Though, then again, both of them had sent her texts in August when they were all separated... Maybe she should have a little more faith in how relentless they are. The wall between them thins bit by bit until it's only about window-pane thickness—not gone, but... closer. It's hard to simply get rid of it, so... ]
Thank you, Aki. Even if you can't uphold your end of the deal, I appreciate the thought, truly.
no subject
[ Like, to Akira, he thinks it's overall good, but he isn't sure how Elizabeth sees Goro. For now, he'll assume it's a compliment and nothing more. He rubs the back of his head awkwardly as he chuckles a bit—is it him? Or does it feel a little more spacious in his personal glass box. It's nice. A lot more comfortable. He thinks that he's kind of around this level in reality, too. It only reminds him how far he still has to go. Elizabeth, too.
But her words are still defeating. Ahhh, he sighs, but it's fine. No worries. ]
Well, I can't complain. Baby steps. [ But he knocks on the glass again. ] Read my spam first.
no subject
I read my messages alphabetically by sender, so... [ ... ] I suppose I will.
[ She fidgets again, for a moment, then rests her hand on the glass. ]
I would like to practice with you, though. Cellos have a lovely sound, and I'd like the excuse to spend time with you, too. [ Even though friends don't need excuses—
but that seems to be the end of this; an unsatisfying point to end at, but dreams usually do, and besides, it was peaceful. It was nice. ]