She told me that she's been here before. That's kinda why we became friends…she worked with Tadashi and she got how weird it was that people knew previous versions of us. [Ruby's been Hiro's confidant for a lot of things in the colony. The only other person besides Yu who knows what happened after Tadashi's death. The only person he's willingly allowing himself to maybe be a little more emotional around. Ruby's changed a lot of the way he thinks.] She'd probably think Mars is really cool, too, knowing Ruby. She really idolizes heroes because of the hunters and huntresses back in her world.
[All the more reason he wants to be a hero here, too. He whines slightly, ducking under her hand with a "Rei, stoooop!" and swatting as he dances away.] I never thought having a hugs-a-lot bot would really help me pick up girls. [He rolls his eyes before settling on something else.] I want to do my best for her…is that weird?
Yeah. I know that was hard on some people. Yosuke-kun most of all, of the people I've gotten to know. [And that's entirely on her. She and his predecessor had been extremely close, and he was trying, still trying, to wrap his head around that.]
And I know she would. She told me some about her world, as did a guy named Mercury, but he's been gone forever. It sounds pretty dreary, all things considered. But she's obviously quite happy anyway.
[Whiners get double punished usually, but she's not going to tease when he's talking all serious. At least not much.]
No? It's not at all strange. I want to do my best for Minako, and I know she's the same for me. I'd say that's completely normal, Hiro.
Yu's best friend, right? [That's the only Yosuke he knows.] It wasn't too bad for me...according to Mosley Tadashi and I were just footprints. We weren't here that long, and Athena and Mary said the same thing.
Mercury? [This is new. It's a name he stores for memory to ask later.] I mean...fighting the Grimm can't be easy but it's what she wants to do. It's what they're all going to school for and I know she'll do it.
[Please no. He'll behave...mostly. He runs a hand through his hair, still embarrassed about this conversation but finding it's not as bad as it could be to discuss this with Rei.] You and Minako have known each other for years though. I just met Ruby a couple of months ago. [Neck rub.] I guess I just don't want to scare her off with everything. I mean I know that's not gonna happen but...y'know. Sometimes things are bad and I don't know if I can be the best for her. [...annnd he's scrubbing his face. He knows Rei. He knows Rei won't let him get away with this.] Sorry, never mind. You know what I mean. That's why it's weird. But if it's normal then...I'll figure it out.
Correct. [She has to smile, nod a couple of times.] On both counts. Mercury Black. He was...weird. I didn't like him much, but he was useful at times. [As a human shield.
His self-deprecation gets a warning look even as he corrects himself. Smart boy. Very smart.]
And...you know exactly what I'm going to say about that. Sometimes things are bad, but you'll keep doing your best. And that's the best thing for her. That you keep doing what you can. That's what's most important in a relationship. That you do right by them, and I know you will. You've got a good heart.
What a weird name. [He wrinkles his nose before focusing on the other topic...and cowing just a bit. Right. He knows.]
...she knows about Tadashi. She knows everything about home, too, and she's handled it like a champ. I'm sort of impressed. [And grateful. It's what he's needed without realizing it.] She doesn't need me to save her since she can save herself, but we're gonna be good at saving people together. That's the best I can do. Even if she still makes me nervous. [He looks up at her then, considering.] ...the word "girlfriend" stops being weird after a while right?
[Focusing on the serious for a moment, abandoning thoughts of that annoying young man, Rei takes all that in. Yes, Ruby was incredibly capable for a human her age. She saw a lot of similarities between the younger girl and the Senshi when they’d first started out, and that garnered immediate attention and respect. Much like Hiro, who’s words are only adding to the esteem she holds him in. He’s stupidly selfless sometimes, a rare trait in people, and it’s nice to see him honestly finding someone he can connect to.
She doesn’t really have a lot to say. It’s hard to really put into words what she’s thinking, but she does beam and lay a hand on his shoulder, putting a good bit of weight into what little she does say.]
Having someone you share that kind of bond with at your back can do a lot for you in a fight. Morale is as important as strength, and being with someone you care about helps in ways I can’t even describe. [She looks down into his eyes for just a second, a glittering laugh just on the tip of her tongue.] It does get less weird. All of it does.
[And out of everything, that's the thing that makes him feel better. He fully relaxes after that, unable to stop the small smile flitting across his features as he mulls over those words. Most importantly he believes her when she says all of that, knowing it to be true based on how he's always felt about Ruby.]
Then I hope I get to be with her for a long time to really see it. [He can admit that much.] ....thanks, Rei. [He can't help but laugh slightly.] Why is it that somehow you make this stuff make sense? [Not so much make sense, but rather how she can phrase it so it sits well with him. It's a talent, he thinks.]
[Her eyes close in a genuinely happy little smile. She gets you, Hiro. She's seen people like you before, she knows how to talk to them, too.
But she can't restrain a laugh.]
Because I know how to read you. [You opened the door for that one.] I've been an adviser, tactician, and diplomat for longer than recorded history, remember? I'd like to think I know a few things about people.
[Humans, aliens, the works. All of the Senshi are capable of his sort of thing. Rei's just better at diplomacy than them thanks to her maturity.]
And I'm a priestess too. [Winking at him.] What's what we're supposed to do, you know.
That's almost like cheating. [Not that he minds. He's well aware he needs people that know how to interpret him and that Rei's had thousands of years of experience and lifetimes to figure it all out.] ...but if you can't use your skills on other people what's the point?
[Shrug!] Come on. Let's go see what's out there before our friends catch up.
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[All the more reason he wants to be a hero here, too. He whines slightly, ducking under her hand with a "Rei, stoooop!" and swatting as he dances away.] I never thought having a hugs-a-lot bot would really help me pick up girls. [He rolls his eyes before settling on something else.] I want to do my best for her…is that weird?
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And I know she would. She told me some about her world, as did a guy named Mercury, but he's been gone forever. It sounds pretty dreary, all things considered. But she's obviously quite happy anyway.
[Whiners get double punished usually, but she's not going to tease when he's talking all serious. At least not much.]
No? It's not at all strange. I want to do my best for Minako, and I know she's the same for me. I'd say that's completely normal, Hiro.
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Mercury? [This is new. It's a name he stores for memory to ask later.] I mean...fighting the Grimm can't be easy but it's what she wants to do. It's what they're all going to school for and I know she'll do it.
[Please no. He'll behave...mostly. He runs a hand through his hair, still embarrassed about this conversation but finding it's not as bad as it could be to discuss this with Rei.] You and Minako have known each other for years though. I just met Ruby a couple of months ago. [Neck rub.] I guess I just don't want to scare her off with everything. I mean I know that's not gonna happen but...y'know. Sometimes things are bad and I don't know if I can be the best for her. [...annnd he's scrubbing his face. He knows Rei. He knows Rei won't let him get away with this.] Sorry, never mind. You know what I mean. That's why it's weird. But if it's normal then...I'll figure it out.
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His self-deprecation gets a warning look even as he corrects himself. Smart boy. Very smart.]
And...you know exactly what I'm going to say about that. Sometimes things are bad, but you'll keep doing your best. And that's the best thing for her. That you keep doing what you can. That's what's most important in a relationship. That you do right by them, and I know you will. You've got a good heart.
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...she knows about Tadashi. She knows everything about home, too, and she's handled it like a champ. I'm sort of impressed. [And grateful. It's what he's needed without realizing it.] She doesn't need me to save her since she can save herself, but we're gonna be good at saving people together. That's the best I can do. Even if she still makes me nervous. [He looks up at her then, considering.] ...the word "girlfriend" stops being weird after a while right?
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[Focusing on the serious for a moment, abandoning thoughts of that annoying young man, Rei takes all that in. Yes, Ruby was incredibly capable for a human her age. She saw a lot of similarities between the younger girl and the Senshi when they’d first started out, and that garnered immediate attention and respect. Much like Hiro, who’s words are only adding to the esteem she holds him in. He’s stupidly selfless sometimes, a rare trait in people, and it’s nice to see him honestly finding someone he can connect to.
She doesn’t really have a lot to say. It’s hard to really put into words what she’s thinking, but she does beam and lay a hand on his shoulder, putting a good bit of weight into what little she does say.]
Having someone you share that kind of bond with at your back can do a lot for you in a fight. Morale is as important as strength, and being with someone you care about helps in ways I can’t even describe. [She looks down into his eyes for just a second, a glittering laugh just on the tip of her tongue.] It does get less weird. All of it does.
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Then I hope I get to be with her for a long time to really see it. [He can admit that much.] ....thanks, Rei. [He can't help but laugh slightly.] Why is it that somehow you make this stuff make sense? [Not so much make sense, but rather how she can phrase it so it sits well with him. It's a talent, he thinks.]
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But she can't restrain a laugh.]
Because I know how to read you. [You opened the door for that one.] I've been an adviser, tactician, and diplomat for longer than recorded history, remember? I'd like to think I know a few things about people.
[Humans, aliens, the works. All of the Senshi are capable of his sort of thing. Rei's just better at diplomacy than them thanks to her maturity.]
And I'm a priestess too. [Winking at him.] What's what we're supposed to do, you know.
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[Shrug!] Come on. Let's go see what's out there before our friends catch up.
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[And away they go. Hopefully without any more incidents.]