OVERFLOW;

[zerotohiro]

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A continuation of all things for cerealia

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[faithfulflame]

That sounds good to me. Ami and Minako are off entertaining Usagi-chan, and I needed a break.

[She smiles back, readily and cheerfully. Fighting an elephant wasn't exactly what she'd had in mind but it was something. And Hiro was good company all things considered and that had gotten her blood flowing.]

They can wait, just like Tadashi-san. I'm not quite ready to go back to the group. Usagi-chan drains my energy sometimes.

[zerotohiro]

[He can't help but laugh under his breath.] That doesn't surprise me at all. I've met her. She's...something. [Hilarious. Hyper. A lot younger than he thought?] We can take it easy then. I just want to look at stuff and scout out things to do later today.

[Things to drag his brother and Ruby to, most likely. He just likes Rei's company because they both appreciate just watching things and taking time in things like this.]

[faithfulflame]

You've met her. Of course you have. I'm surprised she hasn't...jumped all over every single person in the colony.

[Laughing good naturedly, she goes along, happy to have someone who understands.]

She's mellowed out, in my time. But when we first met a few years ago, this was her. Time...displaced. Like you and your brother.

[zerotohiro]

I found her in the swamp. Baymax and I rescued her. Hard to picture how she mellows out but I can believe it. [He makes a face at the thought.] Have you guys told her anything about what's happened since her time?

[faithfulflame]

[That...gets a look. Did Usagi tell him?] We've told her a little. We didn't want to stress her just yet.

[zerotohiro]

[A pause.] I told her I knew Mars and Mercury. I didn't want to tell her I knew you guys were one in the same in case it freaked her out. Guess I made the right choice?

[faithfulflame]

She knows who we are. All of us. But...you made the right decision. It is a secret, and you hadn't met her near us yet.

[Smart, Hiro.]

[zerotohiro]

Am I allowed to ask you a question about her? Or is that breeching the territory of "just make safe assumptions and be quiet"?

[faithfulflame]

You're allowed to ask. [Her lips quirk up wickedly. That's a dangerous question.] But I may not answer.

[zerotohiro]

Somehow I was afraid you'd say that. [Sigh.] She recognized the names of the senshi...she's one of 'em, too?

[faithfulflame]

We are famous, even if our human selves aren't. [Still smiling, she leans down low.]

She has her secrets, and I'm not willing to share them, since they're hers. But...that's a safe assumption. What you need to know is that she's my most important someone.

[Is that enough of a hint?]

[zerotohiro]

[Sure is. His eyes widen as his brain puts two and two together and he gives Rei the most bewildered look possible.]

Seriously? Her? [Sorry, Usagi.] ...whoa. That just makes everything even weirder.

[faithfulflame]

Yes. Her.

[Rei's not said anything out loud, but the comprehension on Hiro's face lets her know he got it.]

And make no mistake, she's more than meets the eye. And...I'll do anything to protect her.

[There's an emphasis on that Anything. There's literally nothing she wouldn't do, even die. Or kill.]

She's that important.

[zerotohiro]

[Mind. Blown. He's really not sure how to feel about that now and it's obvious as he fumbles for words.]

I don't doubt that. I remember everything you've told me about her. [And Rei's word means a lot in that regard.] ...in that case? We'll do everything to protect her, too. I know it's your job but having back-up isn't bad, right?

[faithfulflame]

That's the only reason I didn't shut down this conversation as soon as it started.

[The chill leaves Rei's voice, though, lips quirking in another of her quiet little expressions of amusement. She hums softly, happily.]

You're a good friend, Hiro. Probably the most worthwhile man I've met in Cerealia. [Yes, she called you a man. Will wonders never cease?]

You'll make someone very happy one day, when you start dating.

[zerotohiro]

[He lets himself relax again once he's sure this conversation won't blow up in his face and his expression lightens up as well. Rei's definitely a good friend, but it's nice to have the confirmation that it goes both ways.

Even more so that he's apparently grown enough to bump from boy to man. That's something to mull on.]

Thanks, Rei. [It means a lot coming from her. He knows that. However, she keeps talking and he pauses again, fighting off a sudden blush and quickly looking elsewhere so he can answer.] Maybe...yeah. Someday? [Ahaha...about that...maybe he should be honest with her about that, too.]

[faithfulflame]

[She's about to let that line of questioning drop...when she feels a sense of him wrinkle up a bit. Sorry, Hiro. You've inadvertently triggered psychic big sister mode.

Combat mode engage.]

Who are you seeing?

[zerotohiro]

[No why is this happening...why does his big sister figure have psychic powers this is almost unfair.]

Who said I was seeing anybody!? [Other than that delicate squeak to the end of his sentence.]

[faithfulflame]

[A long finger reaches down and pokes him right in the heart, and she cannot help but grin like the Cheshire Cat. No small feat.]

Your heart. And your demeanor. I feel like I caught you with your hand in the cookie jar.

[zerotohiro]

Ow. [He grumbles, pushing at her hand even if it didn't hurt at all. And before Baymax can interject he's waving a hand.] I'm fine, Baymax. [He settles on a small glare up at Rei though he knows she's right. It's pretty obvious to anybody paying attention when these things are brought up, and it's not his fault a lot of his thoughts center around Ruby lately.]

…that's probably because we haven't told a lot of people yet. It's a really, really…really new thing. Like. Two weeks ago kind of new.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei only laughs, a light titter quickly covered by a hand. She's not meaning to tease but the glare is about as intimidating as a puppy. A breath follows a nod and he gets a small dip of her waist.]

Well, whomever you like, I'm glad for you. I won't pry, I know you'll tell me when you're ready.

[zerotohiro]

[He can deal with Rei's teasing better than Tadashi's at least and he's actually pouting...which doesn't help the puppy-image, he's sure. But then again...would it be so bad for Rei to know? He considers that for a moment, staring at her from under his bangs before he responds with a nod of his own.]

It's just...you can't tell Tadashi. I don't think he's ready for that knowledge yet. [A beat.] That means no telling Ami either. [He knows by now that the senshi are the kind of friends who share everything.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei reaches a hand down to rest on his shoulder and looks him square in the eye. She understands, Hiro. She does. She had been nervous, telling Ami and Usagi about Minako. Hell, Athena too. Teasing was an irritant.]

It's not my tale to tell, unless it's relevant to a dangerous situation. I won't say a word.

[zerotohiro]

[He's nervous now, but it helps that she's taking this in stride. It was easy to tell Yu because he'd been drunk and it was easy to tell Dipper and Trowa because he'd been trying to push his friends to be more courageous, but Rei…it's the same way he'd feel about telling Tadashi and maybe that's why he's fidgeting a little.]

Right. [He wets his lips, still trying to look at her but settling for somewhere just past eye contact.] You know Ruby, don't you?

[faithfulflame]

[For what it's worth, she's not trying to make him feel off or anything. It's curiosity, and that's all. His answer, though, doesn't shock her at all. Ruby was cute. Extremely cute. And energetic enough to keep up with Hiro.]

Ruby-chan? Yes. I do. Not well, mind you, but she is someone I'm fond of.