gocirclegogo | Because Erika

[She doesn't have to try that hard to be a prissy good victorian girl. As long as she wasn't screeching and ripping at the walls and letting her voice rise with her explanations like when she gets wrapped up in her own solutions. That would've been good enough of a pass.] He mentioned a dream once. Something about illegal moves.

[See how little he cares. So. Very. Little. A dream is a dream, even if it's shared, and his only saving grace is that he hasn't gotten that yet. Hopefully never.]

'Communication' title? [There's various types of witches, and their titles usually convey their powers. Some are only used by one witch, such as Certainty and Miracles, or they're titles and have nothing to do with their powers, like Beatrice was Endless, but her title was 'golden'. Some like Ressurrection, Origins, and Truth, are classes given based on a witch's source of power. While rare, it's possible to have multiples.

The thing to note here, is that when he repeats her, it's almost out of genuine confusion. Angels keep track of everything. Fragments, powers, titles, but he doesn't even need to repeat his thought for Erika to get it out of his voice. Communication? Never heard of it. So that means it's a one-time brand, like Bern's and Lambda's. Voyager in training. Which is bad.]

Normally I don't agree with you on your feelings... but that actually is interesting. I wonder what his domain was like.

[Erika's smile widens. Catching Will's interest in an open way is a much more difficult task and one to be proud of here. After all, she wouldn't mention it if she didn't think it was relevant or interesting and it is both.

So she waves a hand, palm up with a nod.] I did corner him into revealing his illusion. Well, you can't blame him, really. He didn't have a clue what he was doing and I personally would not want to face myself and Lady Bernkastel starting off like that.

At any rate, his illusion was based on the internet. An anonymous leader to a massive group. It was just a dream but considering his fading heart, that title hasn't stopped chewing on my brain like there is something I missed.

[Yeah yeah she said she missed something, shut up.]

[There's a slight frown here, because. Really. She's asking him. He knows why. But saying it damns a lot more people than just Mikado. In a way, maybe even Erika. She says she missed it, but that's because she's not aware of it herself. And it's mostly tact that wants to keep him from answering but... If Erika, of all people, admits she missed something, then it's worse to stay silent.]

...About that. Titles are... ironic might be the word. When a human ascends to become a witch, their power is based on the thing they studied for. The thing they most want. ...And the thing they'll never have.

[The witch of resurrection will never get her family back. The witch of origins will never have a universe to be happy in. The witch of truth will never get the answer she really needs. The witch of communication loses the people he desires to connect to the most.]

He might have crossed a line.

[Quiet as she tilts her head and her eyes shut. Not surprised, no, just disappointed in herself for missing that. Or maybe she didn't miss it. Witch of Truth, right? Truths about her, that she needs to know, well. Ah, that really is annoying.

Erika cracks one eye open.] Masaomi is the one he needs to be talking to and the one he won't. All of this put together is a little more serious than I thought.

[At least outside of nighttime visits, Erika prefers to seem unattached to anyone. Obviously not the case and a slight frown twitches.]

I don't think he would listen well to me even if I did voice concerns. And we both know my weakness. [Said casually but Mikado treats her very kindly. Even in a cold state, he wouldn't abuse the summon use. Why ruin the balance?]

[At the very least, her knowing the truth now means that she can use that in her reasonings. That if she can't figure out a truth, that's the reason why. It's the only solace such a knowledge can give.]

...It's not just Mikado. [So his problem is with Erika, because of Mikado's orders. A=B=C, the problem is with Mikado himself. And neither will make a move to break it. Idiots.]

Even if you wanted to voice concerns, I'd say not to. This is something those two need to sort out. [Even if he is tempted to force Mikado into it. If there really was a line crossed there, then... well, he gave fair warning what would happen.]

[Naturally, even knowing that won't stop her. Well no it might even spur her on. So there's something she'll never reach? Let her die with her hand stretched as far as possible, then, even if her fingertips never even brush it.

At least Erika is able to keep that sort of strength. Losing battles are sort of her speciality. But as far as this goes, she sighs-

-before flipping to a cheshire smile and leaning in.] Willard, I have heard you can read anyone's heart. Surely Lion's adopted brother wouldn't be a challenge for you?

[That kind of mindset already makes Erika better than the countless witches he's killed in his life. And maybe it would've earned her a compliment if she didn't ruin it by breaking into his space with her obvious attempt to spur on a challenge. Points to her, such a move would work for anyone she could name.

Except for those who know exactly what she's doing. He can read anyone's heart, including hers, which means he knows all of her moves. And he's not falling for it.] He wouldn't. Too bad something so easy isn't worth the time it takes to read it.

[Torn on being snappish or flippant. Flippant wins after a beat. She is getting free awesome uniform out of this.

Because like she cares.] Well I was just trying to stop the obvious trainwreck but momentum is a difficult thing to fight.

[She is. And it's nice she lands on flippant because it earns an almost calm expression as he shrugs.] Here's a hint. You're asking me to start from the wrong side of the problem.

[And she can get a few seconds to ponder that as the seamstress comes back and he leaves her to her thoughts to converse with her over something in quiet tones. Something decided on, then she goes back elsewhere waving at Erika to signal her to follow. She really is getting a snazzy uniform, maybe she'll be content enough to drop the conversation there.]

[If the conversation is dropped permanently is the really question. Definitely for now, as Erika has to keep up her gentle appearance and obediently follows. All she wants to do is bounce in excitement.

And Will can probably figure out her reaction when he hears Erika calling in excitement.]

Willard! Willard! [Her head pops out and obviously she's not done yet and look at all the shits she gives, it's like someone gave her catnip and bishoujo sparkle crack.] Thank you!

[Probably not permanently. The question is on if she'll go back to that or go back to ripping on him about the errands and uniforms, but whatever. She's gone from false manners and snarking to her genuine happiness at her gift/reward/not-bribe, so it works out. Even the seamstress is amused by it.]

You're welcome. [And mentally counting out what's left to do. Pick up the shoes and pins for the two secretaries, so add on Erika's because she'll probably ask for the same. Actually, better idea for the pins. Skip that for after she leaves. Then check to see if the office supplies delivered. Set up the offices. Oh, the things you do for blindly loyal manpower.]

[It probably has to do with finally feeling like an element of the story again. The clothes do matter. If she's really turning around some of her traits and sides, well, she needs fitting clothes.

So Erika is all sincere smiles as she bounces back out to Will and hangs off his arm again.]

Do we have a name or are you using the old one? What position do I get?

[Now she has her fitting clothes. Without the corset and the ruffles and the looking ridiculous in general. But it's less about the fitting clothes and more like she's bouncing around so ludicrously happy that it feels fine to wipe off thinking of it as a bribe and just a straight-up gift.

And Erika need no longer be jealous of Lion, since when she hangs from his arm is when he lifts it. Letting her hang from the ground like the weight of a person is fine. Strike against her being happy, he can't find it in himself to tell her that the two secretaries are nowhere near what she's picturing ~~yet~~, but it's fine. When's the last time she's been sincerely happy over anything. Really.]

Here I was thinking you would rather affiliate with the Eiserne Jungfrau. Or are you just an intern?

[Discounting any happiness she has to tsun over or cover in some way? Probably a really long time. Getting excited over a present is totally okay though and if it isn't then well she's not thinking about it right now anyway.

Erika rests her chin on Will's arm, grinning. He really does spoil his cats. But she has to think about that one seriously, head tilting back and forth.]

I would like that. I will say it is on a temporary basis, though. It wouldn't be fair if I wasn't accepted by the leader herself. An unofficial member for now?

[If getting blindly excited over a present is wrong, then he doesn't think it is. At the very least, he'd never hold it against someone. No one should have their happiness ruined over petty reasons. Money spent? Definitely not good enough ere. The fact that Erika's a rapist? Still a no.

She's enjoying herself. Thats fine left how it is. Even if it does mean spoiling cats.] Unofficial is fine. If you'd like to hold an internship, please fill out and file a request according to the official charters.

[Groaning.] I had heard rumours about that. Don't tell me you're adapting the system completely... I don't have five years to spend on a single formal request!

[She knows. She has heard everything. Or just stories. Same thing.]

[Oh, her face is perfect. With a reaction like that to the threat of paperwork, she really could pass for an angel. Erika's even earned the prize of a short bit of snickering at her expense. Totally worth it. It even passes for payment.]

For that? You don't have to file anything.

[Chalking up the laugh at a shared moment of how ridiculous that system seems since Erika would whine if she was laughed at. At least she's back to happy.] How gracious. Though, in all due seriousness, I do offer to help with anything you need.

[Because this sounds fun. That really is the only reason.]

[It was half at her, half at the system, and it's nice that she took the one with less arguing in their futures. And her offer is nice, even if it's doubtful anything will even come to that.] It's a lot more boring than what you're thinking.

[Not even a lie, but that's not as fun is it?] ...Well. If anything interesting turns up, I'll be sure to call you first.

[Bright smile. That really is good enough for her. Erika drops off his arm and curtsies - somewhat, anyway, still adjusting to her new attire - to him. While one of her trademarks, it's more sincere.]

I appreciate it. I am far too inactive for my tastes.

[Soon she'll be practicing how to do her moves in the mirror from the curtseying to the climbing up to break in windows. But she's happy enough. And with an Erika removed, he can lower his arm again.]

Not enough exercise in your life? What a horrible owner. [Said in jest. Though there's a few seconds here hopping from something to something internally. Then finally answering.] He just needs to find you something to do. Why not have him ask Lion?

[Unlike some people, Erika can follow logical jumps fairly well. Unless it's Battler logic and then it's walking a bed of needles barefoot. Still, the spark when she understands a second later makes it obvious how she feels.]

I think that would be excellent practice for our owners and some fun for us, don't you agree?

[Oh, Erika. This is probably one of the best days of your sad sad life. Free clothes and she gets to beat up an angel in her future. And it's still nice to have someone who catches onto conversations quickly. Even if it's an intellectual rapist cat.]

Why else would I suggest it? [She's bored, Lion needs practice, and it gives a nice chance to ~~kill~~ question Mikado on his recent antics. And maybe a bit of himself being bored on the side.] Besides. You always wanted to play a game against us.

[Against Dlanor, technically, but supposedly he's scarier than her. It'd still make for something interesting no matter the ending.]

[It truly is one of the best days in her miserable existence. Possibly that says more about her life than the things actually being offered but oh well. Happiness is a nice emotion to have.

Though she can't help laughing.]

Then I will be playing fantasy side? How troublesome. [For an ex-Witch, it might be an odd statement but she was born and died The Detective. Her role is greater than that temporary - if sadly accurate on all accounts - title.] But game theory requires thinking as your opponent in certain ways. It should be a fun challenge. I will of course advise Mikado.

[And she's thinking similar thoughts as Will. The kind of game one makes says a lot about their person and their feelings. With Mikado's current state of mind, it would be helpful to them all.]

Though sometime, we should try allowing you the fantasy side. Practice makes perfect, Willard.

[See, and there she proves one of his reasons he tolerates her, already catching on to why making Mikado set up a board first is a good thing. The rules behind a game board also put a person's heart at risk, depending on how invested or practiced they are. Since it's his first time? Banking on that he'll take it too seriously, keep it close to home to prevent mistakes, and leave himself open in the process.

Then Erika pulls her subtle stabbing out of nowhere, and a victory for her since it gets a quiet annoyed 'tch' out of him. Nearly inaudible, but hey, Erika got a reaction for once. It doesn't matter that he was already on a bad side, wiping out most of his own moves in the previous fight on top of facing someone who had the answer sheet he just gave. A loss is a loss. No choice but to take it.]

Maybe so. It's also not fair if you're the only one playing from a position you're bad at... I'll figure something out after Mikado's. Consider it payment. [For breaking silence about her master, and then leaving him open for punishment via gameboards. And, hey, it means less boredom for her after the fact.]

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