[Akira grins, stepping back into the room to retrieve a special little something from the pile of wood shavings on his desk.]
Much better. We'll leave it at that.
[The nearest surface is... the couch! And that's where Akira will join him, plopping a little hand-carved Tatara onto the Sage's palm, the figure done up in a hero's flowing cape and shining diadem.]
Tatara likes this couch. His eyes follow Akira as he moves around the room, though he isn't expecting the figure in his hand, or the sentence that follows. ]
Is this for me?
[ He stares curiously at the figure, then back up at Akira. ]
[A burst of laughter, brief, splits Akira's grin.]
Why would I give you a gift? I'm gonna let you think that one over.
Robin and I have been hard at work inventing our very own board game. It's been a good mental distraction. I figured I'd give our one and only Sage a sneak peak.
[ Forgive him if his data set is a little skewed, because he's had friends (no random gifts), and boyfriend (gifts all the time).
He just looks at Akira curiously, and then back down at the figure. ]
Wait, that's me? [ Oh no! He gives a little laugh, because that's definitely not how he pictures himself. ] Wow, I'm touched... You'd trust me with a flashy cape and the power to rally everyone?
[ Asking again because he's got the wrong guy maybe?! ]
[Akira's smile widens— he knows Tatara isn't quite seeing the vision here, and that's alright. Not every heroic figure sees their true strength. That's why they have an army of little wizards to see it for them.]
You said yourself that you can't use magic. Still, you've led us successfully through a lot of different trials, haven't you? That sounds pretty heroic to me.
[ An awkward look crosses Tatara's face, like he's trying to keep his smile on out of politeness, but it falters when the compliment doesn't exactly land. ]
I don't think I could ever be a King, and I don't think I'd want to be if I got the chance... Could you pick a different compliment, Akira-san?
[Would it be rude to pry into Tosuka's love life a little? Considering what Khun has managed to weasel out of Kurapika, he doesn't feel too bad returning the favor.]
[ He doesn't like him, silly... he loves him! cue laugh track haha
Tatara leans back in his seat and in a rare moment, he seems genuinely sheepish. There's a little brush of pink on his cheeks, but he doesn't shy away from Akira's gaze. ]
He's like...fire. Blue fire. I have a feeling a lot of people might look at him and think ice, but he's the total opposite. He's passionate, and he could cover the world in his blaze if he put his mind to it. [ Said...positively? ] He's super romantic, and muscular, and really handsome...
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Much better. We'll leave it at that.
[The nearest surface is... the couch! And that's where Akira will join him, plopping a little hand-carved Tatara onto the Sage's palm, the figure done up in a hero's flowing cape and shining diadem.]
I was just thinking about you.
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Tatara likes this couch. His eyes follow Akira as he moves around the room, though he isn't expecting the figure in his hand, or the sentence that follows. ]
Is this for me?
[ He stares curiously at the figure, then back up at Akira. ]
Why?
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Why would I give you a gift? I'm gonna let you think that one over.
Robin and I have been hard at work inventing our very own board game. It's been a good mental distraction. I figured I'd give our one and only Sage a sneak peak.
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I'm already taken...?
[ Just murmuring that under his breath before he lifts the figure to give it a closer look.
But when Akira gives the explanation, his eyes snap to him, and he lights up. ]
Really? [ Ooh! ] Is this a piece from it, then?
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[And, because apparently it bears saying:]
I'm not hitting on you. Friends can give each other gifts too, if you weren't aware.
[Please, Tatara. He's just being nice, you gotta believe him... Anyway, he nods.]
Your class is the Lodestar. You're the hero in a flashy cape that everyone rallies behind. Figured it was a fitting role for you.
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He just looks at Akira curiously, and then back down at the figure. ]
Wait, that's me? [ Oh no! He gives a little laugh, because that's definitely not how he pictures himself. ] Wow, I'm touched... You'd trust me with a flashy cape and the power to rally everyone?
[ Asking again because he's got the wrong guy maybe?! ]
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[Akira's smile widens— he knows Tatara isn't quite seeing the vision here, and that's alright. Not every heroic figure sees their true strength. That's why they have an army of little wizards to see it for them.]
You said yourself that you can't use magic. Still, you've led us successfully through a lot of different trials, haven't you? That sounds pretty heroic to me.
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[ Tatara's expression takes on a sheepish hue, and he scratches at his cheek. Hello? ]
Wow, I'm touched, actually. You're gonna make me blush...
[ He's so embarrassed. He's not a leader. Help! ]
But thank you, Akira-san. Thank you for having faith in me.
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[But! From one leader to another...]
...It wouldn't kill you to have a little more faith in yourself. You're the King now, Totsuka.
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[ An awkward look crosses Tatara's face, like he's trying to keep his smile on out of politeness, but it falters when the compliment doesn't exactly land. ]
I don't think I could ever be a King, and I don't think I'd want to be if I got the chance... Could you pick a different compliment, Akira-san?
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No? Why not?
[He may be trotting through a minefield here, but he's curious.]
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[ It's not a terrible reason, but. He also doesn't really elaborate, because that's unfortunately how he is. ]
Can I be Prime Minister instead?
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[That's fine, man. Akira's not an elaborator himself. He'll let Tatara keep his secrets because he has bigger fish to fry here, namely—]
Isn't Khun your King now? That has a nice ring to it. King Khun.
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[ No one can replace Mikoto!! Even now.
Tatara thinks, though, because even if Khun could actually be a real king one day, he has something else in mind. ]
...He's more like my Emperor.
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[Would it be rude to pry into Tosuka's love life a little? Considering what Khun has managed to weasel out of Kurapika, he doesn't feel too bad returning the favor.]
What do you like about Emperor Khun?
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[ He doesn't like him, silly... he loves him! cue laugh track haha
Tatara leans back in his seat and in a rare moment, he seems genuinely sheepish. There's a little brush of pink on his cheeks, but he doesn't shy away from Akira's gaze. ]
He's like...fire. Blue fire. I have a feeling a lot of people might look at him and think ice, but he's the total opposite. He's passionate, and he could cover the world in his blaze if he put his mind to it. [ Said...positively? ] He's super romantic, and muscular, and really handsome...
[ He sighs as he pauses to think in earnest, ]
I think I'd let his fire consume me, too.