「a little birdie told me something special, something secret」

[descendend]

specify what it is (action/voice/image/text) and the date (ie 5/10, 12/19) in the subject line

Comments

[descendend]

What, you didn't cozy up to me enough before? [ She rolls her eyes--flattery is going to get him nowhere. Or perceived flattery isn't. Except it has, continuously, because Milla's a sucker for compliments, even if she doesn't feel like they're entirely warranted all of the time.

Only pet the cat when it lets you etc etc. ] I'm just saying she's--you know. [ Amazing? Wonderful? Better than her in every way, why the hell would anyone sincerely prefer her over her prime counterpart after they met her?

Elle aside. Elle... Kids just get attached too easily to one thing, and Elle in particular is the most stubborn brat she's ever met. It makes sense for her. Anyone else in their right mind, though.

Anyone... else... she stares at Ludger, contemplating it, but--no, she doesn't want to know. She doesn't! She really

honestly

doesn't. ] Anyway, that's that. Happy with your bribed information?

[mahouchrono]

I wouldn't say it's a bribe. We're getting business done.

[Duh! Business, not pleasure. But no, he really doesn't know. It's hard to compare the two, so...]

You two aren't the same.

[descendend]

[ "Business." ]

Yeah. They all couldn't stop making that abundantly clear. [ OUR MILLA this OUR MILLA that. ] What the hell kind of business is this?

[mahouchrono]

"Trying to cheer you up" business?

[descendend]

That's going well. [ ...she

shouldn't be so hard on him, should she. ] I don't need cheering up, you know. I'm fine. I've been living next to the lot of them for the past half year, and...

[ This is where she pauses though, because it's not something she wants to say, but. She did the "and", he'll probably press her about it. His consideration can only go so far if he thinks there's something actually getting her down. ] I found out something a few months ago that, if it's true, explains a couple of things. Or--more than a couple of things. A lot of things.

[mahouchrono]

[She found out something... ? Huh. He doesn't know what exactly, but that's why he's going to ask.]

What was that?

[He has no idea what it could even be, unless it's something he doesn't know either.]

[descendend]

That the prime dimension's Milla was created by the real Maxwell to be bait for Exodus, and only became Maxwell after she died and was pulled out of the reincarnation cycle by the Four.

[ She slumps a little. This still hurts to think about. She was played for a fool the entire time--gotta be explaining why she doesn't claim her Lord of Spirits title as much anymore though, actual Lord of Spirits residing in Empatheias aside. ]

It's likely that I was the same way, except my big sister was sent along with me to make sure that our mission was carried out. When we were finished, I dismissed the Four--or I thought I did. It's more likely that the real Maxwell called them back to the spirit realm. The person my big sister must've been trying to talk to at the Hallowmont must've been him too. [ Milla squeezes her arms, closing her eyes. She'd hate to see him pity her, even for a second. ] I've been living a lie for the past twenty-one years of my life, and I got to hear it from Miss Maxwell herself--along with the story of the woman her and I were named after, Milla Kresnik.

[mahouchrono]

I'm sorry.

[Even if she doesn't see his pity, he's doing pretty well of voicing it. He knew about the story of Milla Kresnik, but was that really a surprise, given his own last name? He even met Maxwell himself, even if it was just a fossil.

He's not even sure what to say, other than that. What can he say, other than sorry? There's not much else to say when someone's life ended up being a lie.

But he can think on it, for a bit, at the very least.]

[descendend]

Don't pity me. [ Reflexive.

But she nods. There really isn't anything else to say. ] It's... fine. That was a while ago.

[mahouchrono]

Mm.

[Yeah. This is pretty awkward. He has no clue what to even say to all of this.]

You still had control of them, even if for a brief time. That's more than most can say.

[descendend]

[ There isn't anything he can say! So they should just... move along........... ]

I guess so. I doubt they'd do anything I asked now though, "Milla Maxwell" or not. [ They're the proper Maxwell's after all. Hm... ] ...er... thanks. For making dinner and all. And hearing me out, I guess. Even if this whole thing was a waste of your time.

[ Because talking about your feelings is a waste of time! Yeah... yeah.... ]

[mahouchrono]

You're welcome, but I don't think it was a waste of time.

[Especially since, knowing Milla, this is probably the only time she's been able to properly vent about this.]

[descendend]

I seriously don't see how you can say anything you do with a straight face.

[ Ugh. That kind of reassurance is nice though, and she barely gets her hand up in time to cover a smile trying to peek out. Please don't say anything, she's not smiling because of him. ]

[mahouchrono]

[Sure, sure.]

I have plenty of practice.

[descendend]

That stupid brother of yours. [ She remembers this. She does. ] Are you sure you weren't just born shameless?

[mahouchrono]

It's possible, but I somehow doubt it.

[descendend]

[ She was born controlling the Four Great Spirits and he doubts being able to be born shameless??? Please... ]

What's so good about being able to be so... [ What's the word. Hold on, she'll think of it. ] ...obnoxiously straightforward?

[mahouchrono]

It helps in situations like this, right?

[descendend]

Really. [ Forgive her if she doesn't quite believe him. ] How often do you get "situations like this"?

[mahouchrono]

Not often, but it's not necessarily an uncommon situation either.

[descendend]

[ Guess not, with the group he's picked to hang with.

...which includes her. That means more to her than she is willing to admit. ]

Well, whatever. [ Time for her to turn the tables though. ] What do you think of her? [ She pauses.

And crosses her arms. ] You got to ask me, so I'm just returning the favor.

[mahouchrono]

She's not you.

[That's pretty much what he thinks about it.]

I don't mind her, but it's definitely weird to have her around.

[descendend]

...That's it? [ She's kind of.

Hm. Disappointed? He spent time with the woman; he's gotta have some sort of opinion on her. The way he says it makes her feel like he'd prefer her company to Milla Maxwell's, which is flattering and very ??!! at the same time--she's going to hmph. ] It can't be that weird. She's meant to be there.

[ And so was she, the way she was. Silver gave her that thought a while ago. It's still hard to swallow, because it doesn't feel like something she deserves to have a right to. Even if she does. Sanae keeps telling her she has a right to any happiness--this is so much. ]

An--anyway, really? Weird? That's such a childish way of putting it.

[mahouchrono]

It's not childish.

[Hey... !]

You were there first, for me. So naturally it would be weird.

[descendend]

[ It's totally childish!!! ]

Weird, though. [ It's okay, Ludger, if it's any consolation nothing you could've said would have been right. This is probably the best you're getting. ] Fine, fine. Just... Just don't say it like that, all right? It sounds like you'd rather have me around than her.

[ okay that may be a weird way to put it but she doesn't know how else to put it. ]