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[She gives him a Look and sighs softly.]

...hello Crow. Have a seat.

[There's tea!]

[He's here, escorting the sulky bird.]

Hey Towa. Do you remember Rufus?

[ Sulky Bird is just going to have a seat and take some tea without speaking for now. ]

[Her eyes widen a fraction—— after a short moment, she nods.]

...Yes, I remember him.

[Hm.]

He's on Zreal now. He told me something interesting. Which I can repeat but I think Crow should explain.

[ You know, right now Crow thinks that slow torture would be more merciful. He rubs the back of his head and sighs. ]

There's a few things I didn't explain when I told you about being a Divine Knight. One of 'em is about mana. You see. A Divine Knight needs mana in order to function, usually through contracting with an Awakener. There's alternative ways we can get it, but it's not actually all that good as a long-term deal.

[She folds her hands together and she listens. When she finally speaks, her tone is soft, but tense.]

...I knew there were things you didn't want to tell me. But I at least thought that if there was something you needed, you would tell me.

I'm not sure which one of us is the bigger idiot here.

[He's going to sit and take over pouring tea for all of them, quiet for now, thinking.]

It's not you.

[ He stares down at his cup of tea. ]

There's someone I was gonna ask at one point, but he got transferred out before I could. So I kept putting it off.

...even if you didn't think I could do it, I could have helped you look.

[She puts her own hurt feelings aside with a deep breath.]

If something happened to you again and I wasn't there-- If I didn't do anything, I... I don't know what I'd do. I could never forgive myself.

Most of my criteria for asking someone's pretty subjective. I decided I'd rather not make anyone worry until I'd found someone.

And what happens if you don't find someone good enough? What happens to you then?

[ He glances at her. ]

If it were about being "good enough," I would've asked you or Rean already.

What is your criteria then?

There's three things— One qualifier and two disqualifiers.

[ He holds up a finger. ]

First, do I trust you?

[ A second finger goes up. ]

Second, are you a weapon?

[ And another. ]

And the third.... has to do with personal observations.

[...yeah, she can see exactly where things fall apart and frankly, she has a guess what it might be Crow isn't saying. But she she can't be certain. So instead--]

I don't know what it is that's holding you back-- but this isn't something you have to do alone. Please... Let us help you. Even if it's just temporarily.

[He looks... thoughtful.]

You mentioned you're not used to relying on others anymore. Not that you were great at it in the first place.

But... whatever you've been through before, we're not going to let you off bring alone, okay?

It doesn't have to be either of us. But I want to know that you're leaning on someone, Crow.

[ He looks down at his tea once again, considering very carefully. After a long, quiet moment he looks up at Rean. ]

I was actually gonna ask you when you first showed up. I was reluctant when I realized how much you were already going through, but.... if I'm honest, it's what I really want.

[ He glances over at Towa. ]

Towa... you're one of my oldest, dearest friends and the most dependable person I've ever met. But... I can't ask you for this. I know that "it's not you, it's me" is the stupidest, most cliché thing I could possibly say but... unfortunately, sometimes the clichés are true.

[Serenity closes her eyes. If she's honest, it kills her.

But she has no intention of being honest. She knows this can't be easy, and she's not about to ruin it for her own selfish feelings. So she immediately opens them again and smiles.]

...it's okay, Crow. I understand. The important thing is that you'll be safe. And I know Rean can do that for you.

[She picks up her tea between her hands and stands to leave.]

I'll let the two of you talk.

[He meets Crow's eyes, frowning and then when Towa stands he reaches for her, but stops before he touches her.]

Towa. Sit down.

Crow explain your third criteria. I've got my own suspicions.

[ He sighs, rubbing the back of his head. ]

You're really gonna make me say it, huh....? It's like this— If I think someone's already carrying more than enough burdens, then I'm not interested in asking 'em to be my Awakener.

[She's hesitant, but she sits back down. And Aidios did she wish she didn't have to.]

...so whether or not you think it's a burden they're able to bear...

[Stares intently at her tea.]

It makes sense.

Okay.

What makes being your awakener a burden?

[ He's quiet again for a long moment. He's not looking at either of them anymore, and when he speaks it's with as little emotion as he can possibly manage. ]

The relationship between Divine Knight and Awakener binds our souls together, usually to the benefit of both— the Awakener sustains the Divine Knight with their mana and the Divine Knight offers them their power. In a city where all one's normal power is cut off, a Divine Knight has nothing to offer. It's a one-way road... asking to sustain my existence while offering nothing in return.

[She's not particularly loud herself, but her words are firm.]

We aren't here because we want something in return.

[She sets her cup down and looks up finally.]

We're here because we're worried about you. Because we want to make sure that no matter what, you'll be safe. That... no. You are not a burden.

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