Catch-All for Milla

[specialdog]

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Week 0 | Post Trial

[specialdog]

[ Akane returns to her shared house with Milla in the early evening, after the trial. It hasn't been too much time since the trial, but she did spend a little bit of time out wandering around and having other conversations.

... Sorry that she's a little bit rude, just heading straight for the bed where she plops down, sitting on the edge. She peels off her tights and then just. Flops backwards. After laying there a moment, she speaks up. ]

For the record, I don't think you did anything wrong.

[tothemaxwell]

[Milla sits on the couch with a stack of books beside her, only having nodded an acknowledgement when Akane walked by her and inside.

It's only at Akane's voice that she turns around, eyebrows raised.]

Oh?

[specialdog]

It would have helped prove if it was the kid, after all. And it was.

Just because she's little doesn't mean we can't pursue the truth in all this. It's what we have to do.

[tothemaxwell]

[For a long moment, Milla stares are Akane, face neutral to the point of danger.

And then smiles, a true, satisfied smile.]

That is exactly how I feel.

Thank you, Akane. It is reassuring to hear someone else support my mission.

[specialdog]

[ briefly... scary... ]

It's a little scary to speak up against such a big crowd... You're so brave.

Next time, I'll have your back properly!

[tothemaxwell]

[Milla laughs lightly, but nods another smile. Although the intensity never seems to fully leave her expression, her body language is considerably softer, more congenial.]

Thank you, Akane. That's very kind of you, and I appreciate it.

However, you shouldn't feel pressed to offer your assistance—I encourage you to speak your mind clearly and truthfully, even if it is against my own.

[specialdog]

You'd rather I was honest than just side with you? That's probably best, really, but...

[ kind of surprises her, since so many people would rather just win and be stubborn. ]

[tothemaxwell]

Of course. I value people's honest opinions over unthinking repetition.

Does that not make us stronger as partners, as well?

[specialdog]

But having one less person backing you up makes your swaying power to the rest of the group weaker, doesn't it?

Strategically, isn't it better the other way?

[ ... that said, Akane sounds pretty pleased with the permission to be honest and disagree with Milla. ]

[tothemaxwell]

Strategically speaking, that is so.

But in reality, how much sway does someone who is not wholly convinced themselves hold within the group? They would have to be an outstanding liar. I would prefer to have honesty and true belief in my purpose on my side.

[specialdog]

How interesting.

[ she says, as if this is... Rare? Or like she doesn't entirely believe that sincerity would sway people more than numbers. ]

[tothemaxwell]

Is it? Good.

I find that interesting people attract like company.

[specialdog]

And is that what you want? More and more interesting people?

[tothemaxwell]

I certainly wouldn't say no!

[specialdog]

Sounds exhausting...!

[tothemaxwell]

Ha ha. It certainly can be.

But I think that's what keeps a life interesting.

[specialdog]

I would rather have things go smoothly than be interesting.

[ Like... she'd rather have people just agree with her blindly??? Yeah. ]

[tothemaxwell]

Really? I suppose going smoothly is the ideal course of action—but realistically, I find that things very rarely go as planned!

Perhaps I have begun to cherish the "interesting" moments based on that?

[specialdog]

... You're right. It's not realistic.

[ Which she looks weirdly annoyed by as she averts her eyes? That shouldn't be a big deal. ]

That just makes me want it more.

[tothemaxwell]

I don't think it's terrible to want things to proceed in an event-free manner.

In fact, isn't that what most humans claim to desire? A trouble-free lifestyle?

[specialdog]

But everyone's vision of that is different, so there's always going to be conflict.

So it just becomes about deciding who is worthy of not experiencing that conflict.

[tothemaxwell]

[There's a pause—and she smiles again, roses in her cheeks.]

You're correct.

And what is your vision, Akane?

[specialdog]

[ Akane laughs, which makes it hard to say if she's just kidding or being serious, here. ]

My vision is to be the one who doesn't have to go through any conflict.

[tothemaxwell]

A nice, peaceful life, is it?

I'm not entirely certain how possible that is, here...

[specialdog]

I think the best I can hope for is to survive this, and achieve that peace somewhere else.