2018-10-13 - ... Submission
| Title: ... Submission | |
|---|---|
| Summary: Mikoto dreams, and strives to take care of everything. | |
| Who: | |
| Where: Tokyo | |
| OOC - IC Date: 2018-10-13 - 2015-05-21 | |
<Soundtracker> New Model Army - Lullaby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5EkpwgPG1E
Pressed into Mai, Mikoto curls, a hundred eldritch monstrosities she thought long-defeated infringing on her nightmares. She tosses and turns, and finds herself not against her side any longer, that protective warmth an inch and a lifetime away. In the cool of the night, dreams become memories, old things from long ago and far away.
...
... and the little girl called Mikoto puffs as she collapses to the ground, permitted to stop as the moon lights the grass. She has been training since the morning, and it is evidenced in the sheen of sweat, the way her lips part for hungry breath.
She is getting better.
It isn't easy.
Her Lord Brother smiles, crouching down to ruffle her hair, and suddenly it doesn't matter how hard it is. "You did well, Mikoto. I'm so proud of you."
Mikoto smiles, joy in her tired eyes, and she reaches for him. He accommodates her in gentler fashion, now, sitting down beside her. She lays her head in his lap, kept between him and the black blade beside her.
His muscles do not tremble like hers, as he tucks a braid behind her ear. He is calm and collected, as he always is. "Hey..." She ventures, unsure, as she looks up with those adoring eyes. "Lord Brother, training... why only me?"
He considers the blade occasionally. It is not a daily affair. Not like her. She cannot fathom why.
He smiles. "Oh, Mikoto. I have my own studies. You are made to fight, and I am made to lead. I have to be able to make hard choices, even when others would disagree. It can get very complicated, and it may not always make sense to you... but that's why I'm focusing on making these decisions, and you're learning how to carry them out."
Mikoto glances away, with a thoughtful noise. It's impossible to make decisions he disagrees with. She can't imagine how hard it must be for him to have to do such complicated things. Especially when he sees to her training so often...
He sees her uncertainty, and strokes her hair. "Don't worry, Mikoto. So long as you trust in me, I'll always have the strength to do what I must. And so will you..."
It's such an easy thing, and she laughs in her relief. "Yes, Lord Brother!" It is right, and good, and just.
"I'm so glad I have such a reliable little sister. It's you and me, Mikoto," her Lord Brother smiles. "Just you and me."
To stand together with him against all opposition is the most natural thing. "I won't let my Lord Brother down!" She can do nothing but acquiesce, with a smile on her face.
"You're such a good girl, Mikoto..."
The dream fades, and in the way of obsidian dreams, it slips into her memory even as she forgets.
...
It's a different type of warmth against her chest now. Mikoto curls in on it, a hand reaching up to cup the pendant against her chest. A lifetime away, her eyes are still tired when they open.
The dawn is new, just as he'd wake her.
She looks to Mai, and slips from their bed silently. She dresses without disturbing her. She has to work harder to fulfil all her promises. She has fulfilled this one already; she came back home at the end of the day.
Because even if the Shepherds might turn against her, Mai never would. This is home, because Mai is here, and Mai is the girl Mikoto loves most. There is only one greater.
Her smile is gentle, and unseen, and she makes her exit without waking the first friend she made in the whole world. She leaves a note. It's a shame to miss out on Mai's breakfast, but she needs to keep moving.
And she can't involve Mai in this.
She goes to the streets of Tokyo, and she searches. After two years, the pattern is familiar. She will know when she finds him, and so she examines their faces, their silhouettes. There is no recognition at all.
Even as she comes back around to Ohtori, as school begins, she is more focused on the search than her studies. She finds Mai, at least, and an omelette-heavy bento she left too early to collect. She's late into class. Ten minutes off an exam she already doesn't understand. Mai would be disappointed if she didn't try, so she does her best. It's hardly sufficient.
And then the sun moves towards the west quarter, and Mikoto abandons her midterms, because she said she would be there to keep watch over the thing which was once Sayaka.
She has to prioritise. School isn't that important.
Because she's prioritising, she's still a little late to the airport.
She tried to find him on the way there.
If only she could find him, everything would make sense. If only she could find him, she wouldn't have to think about frightening things any more. If only she could find him, he would know what to do.
Promises on promises on promises, and there is one which stands above all others.
But she has made so many promises...
