[ Maika pulls a face, expression a little wry — though real warmth flickers in her eyes too. It's a terrifying mental image, how well Aerith and Kippa would get along.
And a little terrifying, too, wondering if she's left herself with a permanent vulnerability there. Has she gotten so used to having that kind of warmth around her that she seeks it out now? More problems to think over later. ]
You know, they teach more or less the same thing in tactical school. You project optimism like a general projects authority. Did you learn that from your terrorist friends?
[ Tactical positivity... now there's a new approach. ]
[ Of course Maika would relate it to something like that. It makes her laugh as she shakes her head. ]
Nope. I learned it all on my own! You have to be positive when you grow up in the slums, y'know. Otherwise you'll never enjoy life.
[ Being grateful for what you have, enjoying the scenery that you've been dealt... that sort of thing. Though Zack was probably responsible for a lot of her positivity now, and an unreadable look passes across her face at the thought.
Is it wrong of her, to be enjoying time with someone else like this? She doesn't think her feelings for Zack are ever going to fade, but... that doesn't mean those feelings can't exist in tandem with anything else either. She had been wrestling with that thought when it came to Cloud too, after all. ]
People do that all the time. Give up on finding joy in things. Focus on surviving.
[ Not everyone, by any means. But it's one of the things that makes Aerith shine as brightly as she does. The determination — the courage it takes to hope for things, when you know how hopeless they can be, is no small thing.
Maika tips her head, willing her expression more sardonic and less introspective as she arches an eyebrow over at Aerith. ]
...So is that your plan for dealing with that burger? Just believing your way through it?
[ Because they still have that bearing down on them very imminently! ]
[ She's right about that. Many people in the slums have, too, but they end up having a much harder time for it. Finding pockets of joy makes survival a lot easier.
But the change in subject shifts her focus away from less depressing thoughts. ]
[ Maika gives a quiet snort, one corner of her mouth twitching. She's willfully not wondering how long it's been since anyone asked her something like that without a hint of irony. And she's definitely not wondering whether that says more about her or about Aerith. ]
Show me what you've got. But I'm still taking pictures.
Maybe it's Maika's preoccupation with that, and not her being Avrae's least favorite daughter that results in her own lackluster burger efforts (11). Still, she's actually smiling a little to herself as she pushes the remains of her plate away from her. ]
[ And she'll go right for that weak spot she sees! ]
I don't know about that... you're the one that comes to find me half the time, you know. I bet I can think positively about you finding me so we can do this again.
[ Unfortunately? That's also a charm point. Though Maika jerks her chin up a tiny bit, surprised to be bitten by the question. ]
I know how to live with that. It wouldn't kill me. [ But it's more in the tone of a reflexive grumble, not with any conviction. ] But despite what some people think, I wouldn't actually "cut off my own tail to spite my ass."
I don't know about that. I'm pretty happy with the friends I have here already.
[ She has a few that she would consider to be really good friends. ]
You included.
[ But there's... more to her connection with Maika than just friendship. Her smile twitches a little bit, something unsure settling in her eyes, but it disappears only a few moments later. ]
I wonder if you're still gonna think that after I post this picture of you with ketchup on your face.
[ Did she get any such picture? ...Perhaps. Lupine reflexes.
Maika tilts her head a tiny bit at the flicker of Aerith's expression, observed but undeciphered. For a moment she considers pressing further, but can't quite decide. ]
Can't let my guard down around you for a minute, can I?
[ She sounds way too excited about that. It teases another flicker of a smile from Maika, and she weighs the options before she leans forward a little. ]
What's on your mind?
[ "Direct" is still her preferred approach, but it's open-ended enough to be easily sidestepped. ]
[ Because it did change quite a lot. From week to week, even. Maika frowns, rubbing her jaw with her fingertips as she thinks. ]
Cheerful, a little prissy. That you'd try to get along with everyone because you felt like you should, but you'd lose interest pretty fast when it was too much trouble.
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And a little terrifying, too, wondering if she's left herself with a permanent vulnerability there. Has she gotten so used to having that kind of warmth around her that she seeks it out now? More problems to think over later. ]
You know, they teach more or less the same thing in tactical school. You project optimism like a general projects authority. Did you learn that from your terrorist friends?
[ Tactical positivity... now there's a new approach. ]
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Nope. I learned it all on my own! You have to be positive when you grow up in the slums, y'know. Otherwise you'll never enjoy life.
[ Being grateful for what you have, enjoying the scenery that you've been dealt... that sort of thing. Though Zack was probably responsible for a lot of her positivity now, and an unreadable look passes across her face at the thought.
Is it wrong of her, to be enjoying time with someone else like this? She doesn't think her feelings for Zack are ever going to fade, but... that doesn't mean those feelings can't exist in tandem with anything else either. She had been wrestling with that thought when it came to Cloud too, after all. ]
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[ Not everyone, by any means. But it's one of the things that makes Aerith shine as brightly as she does. The determination — the courage it takes to hope for things, when you know how hopeless they can be, is no small thing.
Maika tips her head, willing her expression more sardonic and less introspective as she arches an eyebrow over at Aerith. ]
...So is that your plan for dealing with that burger? Just believing your way through it?
[ Because they still have that bearing down on them very imminently! ]
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But the change in subject shifts her focus away from less depressing thoughts. ]
And what if it is? Are you gonna cheer me on?
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Show me what you've got. But I'm still taking pictures.
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[ She gives Maika a little grin before going in to attempt the burger...!
And honestly, Aerith does a shockingly good job at tackling it too (17). She's even managed to clear her entire plate after a little while. ]
I think some congratulations are in order here.
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[ Honestly, most angles flatter Aerith.
Maybe it's Maika's preoccupation with that, and not her being Avrae's least favorite daughter that results in her own lackluster burger efforts (11). Still, she's actually smiling a little to herself as she pushes the remains of her plate away from her. ]
...I can't believe that actually worked.
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The power of positivity and hope! Use this as an example.
[ A silly example. ]
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[ It being silly doesn't undercut the point, (un?)fortunately. Not that she's volunteering that. ]
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[ Tilting her head, she leans forward on the table, resting her chin in her hand. ]
I'm starting to get the impression that a lot of your "maybe"s are actually yeses.
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[ But if Aerith points out that Maika seeks out time with her as it is, well. She doesn't have any rebuttal that'll save her dignity. ]
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I don't know about that... you're the one that comes to find me half the time, you know. I bet I can think positively about you finding me so we can do this again.
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You're pretty cocky. I could stop doing it just to keep from getting too predictable.
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Won't you get a little lonely?
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I know how to live with that. It wouldn't kill me. [ But it's more in the tone of a reflexive grumble, not with any conviction. ] But despite what some people think, I wouldn't actually "cut off my own tail to spite my ass."
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Good to hear! I know that I would be lonely if you stopped coming around, so I feel reassured.
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Then this place really needs to bring in some more bodies for you.
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[ She has a few that she would consider to be really good friends. ]
You included.
[ But there's... more to her connection with Maika than just friendship. Her smile twitches a little bit, something unsure settling in her eyes, but it disappears only a few moments later. ]
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[ Did she get any such picture? ...Perhaps. Lupine reflexes.
Maika tilts her head a tiny bit at the flicker of Aerith's expression, observed but undeciphered. For a moment she considers pressing further, but can't quite decide. ]
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Or, she can leave things unsettled for now, resolute in the knowledge that maybe they'll be settled eventually. ]
So you're gonna do that for real, huh? I'll have to find a way to get revenge.
[ And the prospect of revenge... it sounds like she's excited for it. ]
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[ She sounds way too excited about that. It teases another flicker of a smile from Maika, and she weighs the options before she leans forward a little. ]
What's on your mind?
[ "Direct" is still her preferred approach, but it's open-ended enough to be easily sidestepped. ]
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Really, this is one of the things she likes most about Maika. ]
You, actually. I never thought we'd get along so well.
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Huh. And here I thought you would have just been imagining the best all along no matter what. But you're not what I expected, either.
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Nope. I'm pretty realistic, at least when it comes down to it.
[ Ah, but now Maika has her curious... ]
What did you expect?
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[ Because it did change quite a lot. From week to week, even. Maika frowns, rubbing her jaw with her fingertips as she thinks. ]
Cheerful, a little prissy. That you'd try to get along with everyone because you felt like you should, but you'd lose interest pretty fast when it was too much trouble.
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