vatheon | routine open villa log

[Of course her instincts tell her that the thing to do in response is to find Stein and hurt him. Grievously.

But that's a foolish endeavor, she couldn't fight against Stein then, she wouldn't be able to now. That would be asking to get killed.

Instead, Maka shakes her head slowly, clenching and unclenching her hands as she trembles with anger.]

That bastard. He doesn't have the right to do that. Nobody said he was allowed to terrorize people that aren't his students.

[She swallows, her throat suddenly very tight.]

Killing intent is for someone that wants to kill you, if he did that--then--then--[Ah well, there goes the pot that Rin went to the trouble of replacing, because Maka is punting it straight into a decorative rock where it shatters into pieces. She's going to feel that later.]

THAT STUPID ASSHOLE!

M... Maka... holy shit...

[That... had to have been the maddest he had ever seen her. And while he's grateful as hell that it wasn't at him it's still terrifying and he can't help but feel a little guilty that he still managed to cause it.

He took a small step back, trying to keep out of the path of any other potential projectiles. He could worry about the flower pot and Shiemi's flowers later... right now he had a furious girlfriend to deal with.]

What're... what're we gonna do about this... ? He's not gonna let up... I think he's intent on makin' me fight back. I don't think I can handle another soul punch, my chest still hurts...

[What to do, what to do...

She looks at the shattered remains of the pot, breathing shallow, then turns her eyes to Rin.

What can be done.]

He won't listen to anybody but Kid. Kid's the god of death, our leader. Professor Stein has to listen to him.

Y... yeah okay, I get that... b-but...

[Oh god women are terrifying. Why does he have this urge to cover his man bits? Not that he does but-- did his tail just go between his legs?

Please breathe normally, Maka, you're frightening your boyfriend. Those eyes...]

Kid already stopped him, though. You really think he's gonna go at him again just cause we said to... ?

HE DAMN WELL SHOULD IF STEIN'S GOING TO BE HARASSING YOU!

[Oh god the rage never ends]

[Christ it's like an erupting volcano.

Man up, Okumura! Stop her before something else breaks!]

Maka! Calm down!

[There's a chance that if he touches her, he might wind up hurting for his efforts, but he's willing to take that chance. He grabs her by her shoulders, trying to get her to look at him.]

If you go at him like this you're just gonna start an argument and we don't need that right now!

I KNOW!

[Her voice breaks, she shoves at him to let go of her.]

You think I'm an idiot, don't you! You're not the only one that's been threatened to be sliced up by him, he actually drew diagrams on me! He's impossible and the fact that I have to go running to Kid to ask him to talk to my own goddamned teacher makes me sick!

[That all being said--]

If I were strong enough to fight him, to protect anybody from him, I would, and I would have that "killing intent" that he's after from you.

[Being shoved wasn't nearly as bad as he was expecting, but her shrill words are enough to push him in to further action. He doesn't let go of her, and in fact pulls her in to a hug, ignoring that it also helps with the cold from the curse since really there's more to be concerned about than some stupid thing the coral is doing.]

I do not think you're an idiot. You're not an idiot for wantin' to protect people, okay?

[Silence follows and--

What's that warmth dripping down?

Oh, it's tears. Tears of frustration, tears of helpless grief, tears because she can't vomit blood when she's stressed like Kid.]

H-how could he [hic] do that...? I told him to leave you alone...why are dads so awful...

[Oh no...

He did want her to calm down, but hearing her cry like that... it hurts a lot worse than having her scream. Especially since he knows he's the source of this, if indirectly.

He pulls her tighter, hands rubbing against her back gently and face pressed in to her hair.]

I don't know, Maka... I wish I knew. I really do... but I think you're right, we should probably talk to Kid about this.

[He moved back after that, cupping her damp face with his hands and rubbing his thumbs across her cheeks.]

Whatever he says to me next time, I'm gonna walk away. I promise. It won't happen again.

Nn...

[Promise? Promise...people use that word so much, does it actually mean a thing anymore?

Of course it does, it has to mean something to someone.

She nods minutely, eyes looking away from him.]

Don't...don't expect him to take mercy. He doesn't know the meaning of that word.

[Rin does try to make it mean something, and to his credit he has kept a lot of his promises when it came to the ones he made to Maka. Even staying out of trouble as much as he conceivably can, as hard as that can be some times. Even the last time he was around Vanitas and shit actually did go down, the worst he got out of it was a black eye (that he gave back to Vani in kind) as opposed to something worse.

Really the fight with Stein has been the first true fight he's been involved in in quite some time, and the first time he's been truly hurt in months.

It's not easy, no, but when it comes to some one he loves he does want his words to mean something and not just be empty echos.]

I won't. I know better'n that...

[He let one hand fall to his side, but the other moved down to touch Maka's chin, turning her head in hopes of getting her to look at him again.]

I do wanna be strong enough. To protect you and everyone I care about. But... to protect myself, too, y'know? You... you and Kid both give me reasons to not just throw myself at a fight and forget that I need to come outta it okay, too.

I got a lotta reasons to stay alive, but you two are the most important ones.

[She does, eventually. Though it doesn't do anything to diminish her guilt.]

I would have died from neglecting myself if I never met you. Died and kept dying, because I still couldn't care for someone like me.

[Basically she's saying he gave her a reason to want to forgive herself and keep on living.]

You won't get stronger if you're running around swinging your sword against a three-star Meister more experienced than you.

I'm not gonna stand here and say that you should care for yourself 'cause even I know that's a stupid argument. But... I'm glad I gave you a reason to keep goin'...

[Sighing heavily, his hand moved to fiddle idly with the end of one of her pigtails.]

I know. Y'know what pissed me off the most about all that, though? That no one ever bothers to ask me if it's what I wanna do, or if I really feel I'm ready for it. It's always "Rin, get better. Rin, get stronger. Rin, stop being so reckless. Rin, train more." I mean, how bullshit is it that I can't even say no to sparrin' with some one without bein' told that I can't protect my friends or that I'm weak or a coward for it?

...[That awkward moment when the clarity hits you and you realize that adults have been subtly pressuring you all your life.]

Adults are like that.

Ah but...you'll be 18 soon, you can assert your independence. They really should ask what you want before going ahead and forcing you into doing things that you don't feel comfortable with.

[YEAH OOPS. Sorry Maka.

But Rin has been down that road too, even before the academy.]

It'd be nice... 'cause I do wanna train, y'know? Just... more on my terms. And with less... soul punching.

[Because seriously that fucking hurt worse than being tortured, and he actually knows what that's like.

He's even rubbing his chest a little. Does it still hurt or is he just imagining it?]

...Yeah. It takes a while to get used to direct attacks to your soul.

[She could...see if she could help along the healing process but he still doesn't know a thing about soul resonance and why would he want to learn about it.]

[except that he kind of... does... want to learn about it... ?]

I'unno if I'm ever gonna get used to it. No one back home can do somethin' like that! Not even another demon! It's crazy and I still feel like there's somethin' wrong even though I shoulda been healed by now...

[And

she paps him on the head, shaking her head insistently.]

You're just not used to it! The pain will go away eventually, but um...if you wanted it sped along, I could try reaching out to your soul with mine?

[Oh god Maka that sounds stupid you're stupid everything about you is stupid.]

Ahh--... geez...

[It wasn't even that hard Rin god you're whiny lately]

... if you wanna.

[Well if you're going to be so enthusiastic, Rin.

She hugs him first, then gradually lets the wings of her soul envelop his. Slowly, carefully, leaving no room for error or distress at the contact. In that gesture itself, there is love and trust blooming from her soul and seeping those feelings into his.]

[Hey he didn't say he didn't want it.]

Thanks...

[Quietly, he wraps his arms back around her in a relaxed embrace. The touching of their souls follows shortly after, and with it, a gentle sigh through his nose escapes, leaving him calmer than he had been.

He can't sense souls any more, or even use them the way they can, but he still manages to bump back against hers in a gentle motion. It's odd that he can even do that still, but he supposes he picked up something in those days when he got to feel what it was like to be a part of their world for a short time.]

routine open villa log

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