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.
[ Prissy is a new one, and it almost makes her laugh, though she can see where it comes from. It's not like Maika knew the circumstances Aerith grew up under, after all. ]
[ Honestly, the second one is almost more troublesome. Just one more reason she can never really take her eyes off of Aerith; she knows she'll always find a way to be too close to problems. ]
Huh. Next time? Instead of one of these outings, we'll see if I can't teach you how to run faster.
[ Ruthless running training might not serve any practical purpose but maybe it would make negative associations between poking her nose into trouble. She can break habits! ]
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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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And unfortunately for you, I love trouble!
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[ Honestly, the second one is almost more troublesome. Just one more reason she can never really take her eyes off of Aerith; she knows she'll always find a way to be too close to problems. ]
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[ Though Maika can probably hazard a guess anyway. ]
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[ Ruthless running training might not serve any practical purpose but maybe it would make negative associations between poking her nose into trouble. She can break habits! ]
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[ She grins, letting out a little giggle. It probably sounds absurd, but maybe not to Maika. ]
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