Cracking Facade

[majestic_keiki]

1

[After they get back to base following the mission to the Kijin world, Kei did some basic cleaning up afterwards before going to the hangar to take a seat next to the immobile Grungust while waiting for Izuru to get out. She did think to bring a book to pass the time, but she's barely looking at the pages or much of anything, really.]


2

[For most of the day Kei kept up appearing normal, if rather unproductive while waiting for Izuru to come out, but not anymore. She's in one of the less used kitchens working on what looks like a half-finished sandwich that she stopped making. For once there are no attempts to be cool, no awkward attempts at maintaining composure, just a vulnerable kid finally breaking down into tears while nobody is watching.]

Comments

[majestic_keiki]

[Hearing how Ashe is talking, Kei finally speaks, very quietly.]

He said he loved her...

[booty_chaser]

....hooooooo, boy.

[Yeah, at that Ashe is going to sit down with Kei for support.]

Hey, Model A, can you float outside for a minute? I think this is going to be feeling stuff now.
Don't have to ask me twice! I'm outta here! [The little Biometal just skedaddles off. Feelings talk is boring, icky, and a pain!. Ashe, though, just looks at Kei, uncharacteristically serious]
Alright, Kei, tell me all about it, then. 'cause it's clearly eating at you. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, I promise.

[majestic_keiki]

[For a moment it looks like Kei is going to defensively explode at Ashe again. Instead she just deflates finding a chair to slump into. She isn't starting immediately, though.]

She's my friend...I shouldn't feel bad about Izuru saying that. [She falls silent for a bit again, speaking softly once more when she continues.] It should be about her...

[booty_chaser]

But you're still angry and disappointed and a little bit jealous, right? [In contrast to the near-exploding of Kei, Ashe is pretty calm. It's easy to forget sometimes, but Ashe is actually kind of mature despite only being a year older than Kei]

[majestic_keiki]

...Yes.

And guilty...And it just makes the grieving worse.

[booty_chaser]

[Ashe breathes deeply. The whole speaking thing was never her forte, but still...]

I don't think that's weird, Kei. Our heads can feel a lot of things at the same time. So even if mostly you're sad... there's still a little part of your brain that gets jealous. Sorta like little bubbles inside your head? The little bubble that had been hoping Izuru would notice is angry that he noticed Seta first, even if Kei the person just wants to cry.

I'm not really good at explaining things, am I. [Ashe looks a bit apologetic there]

[majestic_keiki]

[Kei relaxes a bit, falling quiet. She doesn't exactly look happy, but she does look better than before, at least.]