video; Ishtar, March 13th

[trustheart]

[The video feed is a first person view of a bunch of purple stuffed goats, mounted on wheeled platforms, chasing after someone who's running. Some of them have ribbons around their necks, some of them has attachments connected to their platforms for a variety of jobs. For those that know of them, they'd be recognizable as Hibiki's spy goats.

The camera moves to show Chris's face, who looks both winded and angry as she shouts at her device.]

THEY'VE BEEN AFTER ME ALL DAY! SOMEONE SEND HELP!

SHIKYOIN, DON'T THINK I KNOW THAT THIS IS YOUR FAULT!

Comments

[trustheart]

I'm not... I'm not gonna use my powers on a bunch of adorable robots! It's like kicking a damn puppy!

Why are you dressing me down?! I didn't do anything wrong! I only drew on the first one cuz it wanted me to!

[beyondtheblade]

Then you are not in danger.

[trustheart]

What.

[That also doesn't sound like a question.]

What do you mean I'm not?! If I'm not in danger, then what do you call this situation?!

[beyondtheblade]

The field of battle is dangerous. Politics are dangerous.

This seems like a minor inconvenience.

[A beat.]

Why did the one want you to draw on it?

[trustheart]

...

It may have... caught me scribbling on this decoy of herself that Shikyoin left lying around.

And I told it I was giving it make up to cover my ass.

[beyondtheblade]

[Another breath is let out.]

Yukine...

[The tone is... distinctly annoyed.]

Precisely why did you do that?

[She says it in a sharp and precise enough way that the words are very clear on her lips. She could have been muted, and it would be super clear just how much she's demanding a direct answer.]

[trustheart]

I thought it would take her down a peg! What's wrong with that?! Have you met her?! If you did, you'd understand!

[beyondtheblade]

[There it is.]

I did.

She may come across a bit odd, but seemed nice enough.

[trustheart]

...

...

...

[There's only one response Chris can manage here.]

How?! She's so full of herself! She's, she's- she's annoying!

[It sounds so childish once the words are past her lips.]

[beyondtheblade]

...

...

...

[Sigh. She reaches for a cup of tea for a moment, before continuing.]

Yukine.

Ask yourself if you want me to lecture you in a public forum whilst you are running from an army of plush goats.

[trustheart]

...

...

...

No.

[Because she kind of just did, and Chris is terrified of what a dedicated effort might look like.

In any case, a canned "Maaaaa" sound resounds, indicating that they're gaining on her.]

[beyondtheblade]

...

...

...

[Ahem.]

I will say I am going to make you start running with me in the mornings. You really should have paid more mind to the Commander's regimen.

[Come on Chris, Tachibana would have left those things in the dust by now.]

[trustheart]

You really are your uncle's niece, aren't you?

[beyondtheblade]

[Something like that, yes.]

Are you really incapable of losing them on your own, regardless?

[trustheart]

This doesn't reflect well on me, but they're a lot more persistent than they look, senpai.

[beyondtheblade]

[Sigh.]

Where are you?

[And you should know full well you will NOT be able to avoid any lectures should she come to your rescue.]

[trustheart]

... Ya don't have to come save me. If they catch up to me I'll handle it.

[She doesn't want Tsubasa to think she hasn't learned anything from all this.]

[beyondtheblade]

...

Very well, if you truly do not need my assistance.

[She frowns.]

When you are done, I would like to see you at my temple.

[trustheart]

Uhm. Okay. Can you tell me the reason?

[Chris feels a bit like she's been called to the principal's office.]

[beyondtheblade]

I think you will figure it out, Yukine.

[Because your instinct is correct.]

[trustheart]

... Alright. I'll be there.