The Edge of the Clouds

The winds play lightly with Cyrus' coat as he sits on the edge of Fort Ouph, with a rope and chain buckled to his belt as is often done by Adventurers who want to take a look down at the skies. Landers don't generally bother with such dangerous matters. But the youth enjoys this sense of vertigo a little bit. To see the clouds and birds down beneath. Spiders are a big no for him. But heights? He's okay with heights to an extent, as long as he feels like he's safe.

As Mikage comes back up from the long stairs along with some of those who'd just visited the one beneath Fort Ouph, he raises his hand and calls out to her; "Miki!" Motioning his hand a bit to guide her to come sit with him on the edges.

When she finally joins up with him, he's looking up at her and offers her a chain if she wants some security at the edges of Fort Ouph like that. "How'd it go? I didn't see any sorrowful faces, so that means it must have gone pretty well." The youth offers to her.

While Cyrus takes the extra measure to make sure he is attached and safe from any potential falls, Mikage doesn't seem particularly worried. In other circumstances, it would be an obvious sign that her monster heritage isn't bothered by heights or afraid of falling. Since sharing her monster identity with him, the Were Fang girl seems less apt to hide these sort of things around him, taking comfort in simply being herself as much as possible with what the game has given her.

He is right that her expression is not sorrowful, but there is something there. It is like a ghost behind her eyes. Something that he might have seen from time to time in this young woman, who often walked the fine line between wanting to live fully in this world, and missing those who were so important to her back home.

She settles, seeming thoughtful in that moment. It takes time for her to form words. "I wish you would have come with." Mikage finally says, giving him a sideways glance. "Maybe you would have understood things better than I did. Mostly I felt pretty useless in the whole thing. I've never been the social one." She hesitates then, "And things were... more up your ally down there, than mine."

"Are you okay?" As she settles in and joins at his side, he puts a hand on her shoulder. Indeed, there is no sorrow. But Cyrus has learned to read Mikage far better by now. And he's come to understand when there's something bothering her. Or, even if not bothering, at least when there is something on her mind.

When she mentions him coming along, he nods; "I know, I would have. But while Mac Anu is still under control, I didn't want to take the risk." He answers her. "I don't know what's down there." He explains to her, giving a bit of a grimacing look. He did want to come along to this. After all, to explore the unexplored places of this world isn't just something she enjoys doing. Cyrus shares the same focus.

"Maybe. Want to explain what you saw down there? Maybe I can make something off of what you describe." Cyrus offers to her.

"Just... missing home a bit more than usual, I guess." After traveling together for as long as they have, Cyrus would have learned about the close relationship the girl had with her father. The two were tight-knit, and he, more than anyone else, is her reason for not quite being fully invested in a new life in this world. Her brows furrow a little, rubbing at her hands in a distinct way that she often does when trying to sort out her thoughts.

"It's... like stepping into another world down there. Chimlinks don't work. Everything just feels different." Her eyes, which had previously been looking out over the horizon, lift and look up towards Cyrus. "It was..." She doesn't know how to explain it. "We stepped out into Tokyo Tower, looking out over the city. But... it didn't /feel/ right to me. You know? Like it was a shadow. The creature down there called it a Remnant of the Old World." This has her brows furrowing.

"Of course, given our Alliance's tendencies, you can guess where most people's thoughts went. But the creature didn't really confirm anything. She was... strange. They're called Kunie or... something." Lore is not Mikage's strong suit and never has been. Not to mention the whole experience had left her unsettled.

His hand grips a bit more firmly into her shoulder in a supportive manner, and he leans in a bit. He then releases her shoulder and instead places one hand around her waist, and touches her rubbing hands with the other. "Hey." He whispers to her, "I understand." He starts, when she says she's missing home a bit more than usual.

But then she explains stepping into another world. "Different?" He asks at first, but she's already explaining. So he quiets and listens to her talking about Tokyo. THe city. "Kunie." Cyrus repeats after her.

"Oh, I remember that term." He then adds; "That creature down below - the one that Spatjahr introduced you to beneath that island. The one that opened the way. That was a Kunie too. A 'Machina' Kunie, remember?" He asks. "Guess there's more of them than just that one. I figured, since that one was Machina, they'd be some kind of monster type. What did that one look like?" He asks her. It seems he's circumventing the topic of the Remnant of the Old World - no doubt trying to distract her from those feelings of homesickness.

"I don't know." Mikage's fidgeting seems to ease a little when his hand lays over hers, looking down at the touch and then back up towards him. For someone who has gone without contact from others much of her life, those small gestures mean the world to her, even if others would barely notice. "Everyone else seemed onboard to accept that seeing Tokyo there meant that the real world was gone or something. For me... it just didn't feel like home."

It's a struggle for her to put those sort of feelings in to words. "When I dream, sometimes, I'm back home. Except I can move and walk and be normal like I am here... that feels more real to me than I did down there. I don't know if that makes sense at all."

She shrugs then, leaning a little into him. "This one looked like a reject from Gwen's fashion shop. Ridiculous high heels, the sort of dress that announces 'please stare at my cleavage'. You know the sort?"

"This world does seem to try and pull on peoples' hearts and minds in many ways." Cyrus answers Mikage, grimacing ever so slightly. As she looks up at him, he traces his hand along her own and tilts his head ever so slightly. A sweet smile gazing back at her. He can feel her nervous energy, and it overcomes himself as well a little. But right now, he's the one supporting her, so he doesn't let it get the better of him in that moment.

"If it doesn't feel like home, it isn't home." He tells her. "Dreams are probably more alive than what you were explaining. Some kind of 'lifeless' version of Tokyo would probably feel super alien. Like one of those really bad survival anime that were on back in the late 2010s." He remarks.

As she leans in, his hand moves from her waist to her head and he touches through her hair, letting her lean against his shoulder. "Hmm - yeh. Ehm, probably a Gyaru style?" He asks her. "Loud loudstick, even louder nail polish?"

"Yeah, no kidding." Though Mikage laughs, there is no humor to the sound. The fact that her monster form so closely resembled her Angel seems just one of those ways in which the game played upon people's memories and emotions. "I guess, it just unsettles me sometimes. How easy it is for a lot of people to jump on any sort of hint that this might be our new life, our new world." The girl lets out a sigh, "Sounds silly coming from someone in a group that is pretty much all about that, right?"

This isn't the first time she has struggled with where she belongs. In many cases, it did feel like she truly didn't belong anywhere, which is why Mikage had taken to wandering and eventually started traveling with Cyrus. They could make their own home wherever their feet took them.

"Something like that, yeah. Totally not my style by a long shot." In all this time, Mikage had never even worn a dress in Cyrus' presence. The closest had been a kimono and that had only been once for one of the Festivals. "She seemed more than capable of taking care of herself, and thought the worry was kind of useless." Reaching into her pocket, though, she takes out what look to be a series of stones and tiles. "Just incase, I nabbed these from the puzzle room. You need to count them to get the right number to get inside. With some missing, it will trip up anyone who tries to get in."

"No, I get it. We're all human. Some people are more ready to let go of the old world. Others less so. There's all kinds in the various Alliances. I am sure that there are those in Scale Emblem Alliance who are fine with just letting this be their world, but are working on climbing for the sake of their friends who seek to be reunited with family." Cyrus proposes to Mikage. There's a subtle little shake of his head. "It's okay." He traces his fingers to her hair and draws her a bit closer, so he can kiss the top of her head.

"Hmm, they probably don't understand how dangerous their enemy is. Or, they were just pretending to be okay. It takes all sorts." Cyrus then adds. "I'm quite certain that your visit has at least forewarned them to be careful. And sometimes, a forewarning is all you really need." He leans back and releases her hair a bit. Letting her toy with her pockets, and looks at the stones and tiles.

"Hah! Nice." Cyrus grins at her. "Nothing as annoying as a puzzle that can't be finished."

"I just... miss my dad." It's a familiar sentiment, one that Mikage has shared more than a few times. "If he was here? Fuck it, I'd probably let the rest of the world burn and let this be my life." She looks out again, eyes sweeping over the expanses from the view from Fort Ouph. "I'd never have to worry about going back to a body that doesn't work right. Or back to a world that doesn't always think people like me have a place in it." Her blue eyes flick to him, holding there for a moment. "To a world where I worry that I'll be a burden rather than a partner. That I won't be good enough."

It is a strange juxtaposition that Mikage lives. In this world she is strong and capable and definitely the fighter amongst the two. However, in the real world? That just isn't the case, and she still struggles with the self-esteme of someone who has lived that life, rather than this one.

"The strange thing is..." She changes the subject. "It almost felt like that puzzle was put there for us. For Adventurers. It... felt like one of those 'Escape Rooms' that they do in team building exercises." Mikage laughs then, the memory returning, "We did one once. Oogata-san messed up and Icchan-sama made him eat powdered green tea." The laugh becomes more genuine then, "He got some up his nose and then sneezed it everywhere."

By the time Mikage is done talking, Cyrus is seen sticking his tongue out and giving her a filthy look. "Eat powdered green tea? Your boss truly is a /demon/." Cyrus remarks, making a couple of disgusted faces and even shaking his head a few times in order to get the image out of his head. "Yech. Ugh." He grimaces a bit more, before coming back to the other subject.

"But yeah. I wish your dad was here. Not because I want you to just accept this world and all that. But just... you know. I'd like to meet your dad." He remarks. "Every time you talk about him, I see this smile on your face. A bit of a homesick smile, but still a smile." The youth tilts his head a bit to the side.

"I wouldn't worry too much about the burdens on other people in that world though. As I've said before, everyone is at least a little bit of a burden. It's the duty of friends and partners to help elevate those around them. To lift burdens together."

"He is, but he's the best kind of demon." Mikage confirms with another of those soft laughs. "I feel a bit bad for Oogata-san, though. He was always sort of a follower, and without Icchan-sama I know he's feeling like there's no one to keep him on course." She does, afterall, still keep in touch with those individuals from Piffle Princess who were trapped in Elder tale. There weren't many, but there were some.

"Oh, my dad is a great guy, but... I imagine he'd be grilling you with a hundred questions. First of which being something along the lines of: What are your intentions with my daughter?" Her voice deepens as she says it, taking on a very traditional Japanese parent mannerisms. "Probably a good thing he isn't here. You'd be constantly under pressure to prove yourself, and I'd be constantly having to prove that I can take care of myself."

She leans forward a little, not enough to be precarious but enough that she can feel the wind in her hair. "I love my life here. I love being with you. I love my father. Those things can't all live together and I know that. That's why I just live one day at a time and try to appreciate what I have."

Cyrus playfully puts his hand on his chest and draws back a bit. "M-m-my intentions?!" He declares boisterously, before he quiets back down to his usual polite and soft spoken Japanese ways. "Well, to date her, and see where things go naturally, sir." He then adds, in a way that shows he's thought about this question before. "It's not a great answer, to be honest. But I don't want to push anything beyond what is comfortable at this moment in time." He then adds, though if that is still meant for the 'fake dad' or Mikage is anyone's guess.

He smiles as she mentions that she loves so many things. Including himself. "I love you too." He answers her as if it's on reflex. Which it probably is at this point.

"I don't mind the traditional father figure to be honest. My dad is pretty much the same way really." He proceeds to explain to Mikage. "Grew up in a rural situation and all that." He adds. "Probably for the best too. I was a bit of a troublemaker when I was younger."

"Pssh." Mikage lets out an amused sound. "You don't need to explain to me. I just... know my dad was always protective of me. I know he always wished I could find someone, just so that I wouldn't live my life alone." She looks over at him again, nudging her head against him, "I think he'd like you. Probably. After a few stern looks and a billion questions."

She clasps her hands together again in front of her. "It's okay if you were  a 'troublemaker'. I think the only thing that would bother me is if you were the type of kid who picked on people like me." Mikage seems to think about that, "Then again, people grow and change and... I know you're not like that." She shrugs.

"I was an easy target as a kid. Anyone who wanted to look big and tough would go pick on the crippled girl." She seems pensive, uncertain talking about this sort of thing. "I had a friend when I was little. I don't remember much about him but... he used to get into fights with the other kids to keep them from bothering me. He gave me my first real hug from someone other than my dad. But... he left. Moved or something."

"Well, I'll take a few stern looks and a billion questions if it means I get his approval." He answers Mikage as he leans his head back against hers and lets out a bit of a sigh.

"And nah, I actually was a troublemaker because I started fights with people who picked on others. I had this whole big 'justice' thing going on. I think I watched a few too many Kamen Rider and Super Sentai shows back in the day." He tells her while looking off into the blue together with her. "But you know... starting fights means that a bad punch can have some bad consequences. So I got pulled out and we moved to Tokyo because... well..." He motions his hand.

As things line up a bit.

And there's the sounds of dial-up noises in his brain.

"You wouldn't happen to have been going to..." That same place she's thinking of right now.

"I think we lived near Chiba at the time. Not in the city proper but out a ways. I didn't go to the regular school but there was a park nearby there and dad used to take me there sometimes." Mikage answers, seeming to fidget again while pulling up that particular memory. "We lived there for a few more years and then we moved to Tokyo after the divorce when I got accepted at Eriol Academy for junior highschool."

He might be having dial-up noises in his head as it starts to make connections, but Mikage seems oblivious to what might be going on in his head. Sure, there were similarities there, and that's probably why she felt safe with him.

That has to be it, right?

"So..." Cyrus mumbles, biting his lower lip. "I used to live near Chiba - out in the boonies so to say. The park - by any chance did it have like... a slide that looked like an elephant with like - the left ear missing, a climbing rack, and a bathroom where the light in the women's bathroom was /always/ broken - no matter how often the park authorities tried to fix it?"

At first, what Cyrus is saying doesn't quite impact Mikage other than a slight tightening of her brows as she looks towards him, her head ever so slightly tilted to one side. "How do you..."

While memories tend to fade over time, it almost feels as if that one snaps into place in that moment. A small, frail, dark-haired girl sitting in the sandbox at the playground. They had met when a couple of kids were teasing her by crushing the sand structures she'd built. After that, the two had become friends.

That little girl had never liked using the other playground equipment, because her unsteady movement drew attention. She hated when people stared. But sometimes, when there wasn't other people at the park, she'd sit on the swings. The girl had seemed... lonely.

The young woman sitting next to him doesn't share many of the features of that little girl. The girl's fail features a contrast against Mikage's strong and healthy ones. Her black hair against Mikage's stark white. Yet there was something similar there, in the young woman's eyes. Those look strikingly the same.

"Yeah, I would punch them again without question or second thought." Cyrus answers Mikage, when he sees this bit of recognition begin to fall into place behind those eyes of hers. The youth tilts his head a bit to the side and smirks; "Guess that makes us childhood friends. I will bet you that the shipping board did not have that trait on there for us." He points out to Mikage as he lets out an amused sound.

He's taking this rather in stride on the surface. But internally, there's this little part of him that is going 'what the fuck, what are the actual odds of that happening?'. But it would not be proper to go and comment on that. Rather, it's easier to accept this as the red string of fate binding these two to find eachother.

"How... how is that even possible?" Mikage's voice takes on a soft, almost whispy tone to it. There is something vulnerable in that expression of hers. It almost seems like a phantom of that same lonely girl who had been so isolated all those many years ago.

This version of Cyrus does not look much like the boy that she knew. So she she seems to be searching him for some sort of recognition in his features. In the end, though, she just lets out a soft hint of a laugh. "For the first time, I'm starting to wonder if any of this is real. Like... this is the sort of thing that people make up in bad fanfiction."

There is some worry that crosses eyes, because this is the exact sort of thing that a brain might conjure up in a dream. Connecting a stranger to someone you knew and making it feel real. "I... feel like I'm about to jump down a really bad conspiracy theory rabbit hole." She admits.

"Red string of fate? The same kind of nonsense that has been selecting the perfect avatars for people? It's clear that the system we were connected to - are connected to - has a way to dig deep into one's memories. One's self." Cyrus' expression turns more firm as he stares straight on into the sky. "I think we've only seen the tip of the iceberg at this point..." He remarks, showing that the youth has been thinking about things like this a lot more than he usually gives away.

"This is definitely real." He then adds, "But I don't really feel any malice behind any of this. Sometimes, when I observe this world, it feels like there are forces at play in a big tug of war." He expresses. "Tugging on the Adventurers, tugging on the monsters, tugging on the Landers and the world around us. I think this particular tug, if it was one, is one made to feel us more welcome." The youth touches his chin and rubs a finger along his lips, considering this for a moment.

"I suppose it doesn't make it any less like a conspiracy theory. But don't you sometimes feel like there is more at hand in this world than in ours? Something that guides?" He inquires with Mikage.

He then releases that tension in his shoulders and laughs a bit; "Pfft - hear me being all serious. Maybe I've been hanging around people like Merek too long." He chimes; "It's probably just chance. It's not like chance meetings are impossible. I mean, let's be honest. The odds of people of our generation being on ETO at launch time was pretty high. Everyone was in the same down, so proximity restrictions on odds are lowered as well. And we already were friends - even if we didn't realize it. So becoming friends a second time... I suppose that just makes sense. Sure, the roll of the dice was low, but at least it was in our favor."

It's been a long time since Mikage has gone quiet in the way she used to when they had first begun traveling together. It's one of those character traits that likely is an expression of the person she had once been, prior to finding herself reborn into this world. She seems to be taking in what Cyrus is saying, weighing it in he rmind, and trying to form together what she wants to say before even attempting to put words to it.

"The game knew about Rei. My Angel. You might call it coincidence but... she isn't just a gargoyle monster from the old Elder Tale. She was a humanoid version of one, built on the angel base." The way she appears in her monster form is strikingly similar in a way that is more than a little uncanny.

She gives a glance towards him then, her lips tight. "Rama found you, remember?" As much as the lynx is a part of Mikage, he is also an NPC character. He is a part of the world. He had been the one to stumble on Cyrus and the one to bring them together. "So... maybe you're right that the game has some sort of plan in place." Her brows furrow.

Then, as he compares himself to Merek, she shakes her head, "You're not like him. Not by a long shot. You value your life, and that's important to me. I don't want to see you slip away." She offers in that quieter tone. "If nothing else, it's one more reason to get to know you better. We were friends before... we're more now. I don't know if it's fate or not, but... it seems something worth following, right?"

Cyrus can't help but quirk his lips as Mikage reminds him of exactly who found him. Who'd connected them. That lazy Lynx, far younger then, laying on him and refusing to let him move.

"Maybe." He repeats as she comments on the game having some kind of plan. He then rubs a hand behind his neck and kind of scratches at the edges of his messy hair, before drawing his hand down again and looking her ways.

As she points out that he's not like Merek for the fact that he values his life, he can't help but snort-laugh a bit. "Pfft - no, no -- not like Merek in that way. Definitely not like that. I think I may value it a bit too much sometimes in fact. Bit of a scaredy-cat." He admits to Mikage. "But like you say, I don't want to slip away. And I don't want that for you either." He presses.

He then nods his head. "It's worth following. It certainly has been for the past... almost two years now."

The youth touches his hand down to hers, interlacing his fingers with hers.

"A toast to the red string of fate, hmm?"

"It's okay to be scared. None of us know how long we have." It's a sentiment that applies both to the real world as well as to the game. They had all experienced a 'wake-up' call with the information brought to them by the Palace Landers. The real impact of their mortality.

Her hand squeezes his lightly, offering a small smile. "I've always wanted to live a life free of the constraints my body placed on me. Here, I have the chance to do that." Mikage has always seized every opportunity and experience she could milk out of her time here. "But you're right, I don't want to lose myeslf in the process. If I go out, I want to still be me."

She closes her eyes briefly, then looks out at the horizon before coming back to their joined hands. "Here's to it. And to whatever next steps lie beyond it. You're a part of all this, and I don't plan on letting you or anything else go easily."

"If anything, it's brought even more importance to sharing the real world, and what makes us... well... us." Cyrus answers her. "That way, even if we lose something. Other people are out there to remember it for us. Even if it ends up feeling strange." He expresses to Mikage.

THere's another very soft squeeze of her hand, as he looks down at their joining. He then pulls a motion with his left hand, and pulls a pair of drinks from his inventory. Just some flavored water from one of the Adventurer 'cafes'. But at least it's not alcoholic. Offering for her to take the other.

"A toast." He chimes playfully.

"And may anyone or anything that tries to take you away from me be aware."

"We... should probably talk more about the things that are important to us. Our memories from the real world." Mikage throws the suggestion out. "I know that a lot of people in our Alliance want to let go of all that but... it is part of what makes us who we are." Her head tilts, "That way, like you said... even if we forget, someone else remembers, right?"

As the drink is offered out to her, she takes it, giving the liquid a sniff. It's been in his inventory so it's probably questionable, and there's always the worry that it might be one of his potion creations and they taste downright nasty. Still, she touches the glass against his and drinks. Then lets out a sigh of relief when it doesn't taste horrid. The things you go through for love.

"The problem is, I don't even know what's important to talk about." She considers this. "I mean, I know you worked in medical research, and that you were a troublemaker when you were younger, and that you protected people from bullies." She offer sup, wondering if there's anything else he might offer to fill in the gaps.

"You just thought it was one of my potions, didn't you?" He gives her an accusatory look when she gives that touch to his glass. Maybe he SHOULD start learning how to brew. But on the other hand, the looks she makes when taking his potions are sometimes... well... hilrious.

He takes a sip himself, and then nods. "It's... hard to tell. I guess... my addiction back in the days to Fragment. Some of my friends, who pulled me back into ETO?" He rubs his head. "The fighting against bullies..." Pause. "My real name. Could I really forget something like my real name? My family's?" He asks, looking away for a moment.

"Yes!" Mikage answers emphatically, since he is very well aware of her feelings in regards to his potion-making abilities. Oh sure, they are functional, but they certainly taste like death. "It's always a coin flip with you. Something tasty, or death to my taste buds." The girl sticks out her tongue and shudders just from the thought, thought it is clear she is exaggerating for humor sake.

When he asks about names, she simply offers up, "Mikage Kimura. I didn't want to change it too much when I made the character." Then, she seems to consider, "You know about my dad and how horrible my mom was. The shit she put me through."

After a pause, she looks over at him. "You know I played Angelic Layer, and I was damn good at it. It was what got me my job working for Piffle Princess." She seems to be trying to think of other things, but like most people, it is hard to sit and identify what memories are important or not.

"Okada Takeshi." Cyrus raises his hand while saying the name, almost like he was being called during a class period, or being mentioned in a meeting of sorts. "My parents named me after a Football player from the sixties. Written as... hill of rice." He mumbles, rubbing his head a bit at that admission. A rather simplistic name to be expected from a family that used to live out in the outer reaches of Japan.

"Yep, your mom was bad, dad is cool. I think your mom tried to run away with your college fund, right?" He asks, making sure he remembers that. "And I do remember you being good at Angelic Layer. I did think I ended up watching some of your matches." He points out. He then proceeds to mention the place he works at, and going through Tokyo University. He also mentions his ex's name finally, whom he generally prefers to really not talk about.

"And of course, my cat's name is Miki." He adds. "Who my parents are hopefully taking care of."

"Okada." For Japanese, using given names is something that usually only happens with people who are very familiar with one another. But, they have taken to calling each other by their in-game names in a very western way for over a year, so it comes naturally to her. "I like it, but... I like you so I'm also biased." She smiles softly, trying to be supportive as he shares those bits and pieces of his life.

The one she knows is hardest for him revolves around his ex. That woman had always been a sore subject, and it is likely a shadow that looms somewhat over their relationship in some ways. Mikage squeezes his hand again when he mentions it, just a simple gesture to tell him that she isn't going anywhere. She even leans her head in against his shoulder, seeming to savor that closeness.

"I wonder if some part of you remembered me... and named that cat after me." She seems amused by it, "I always wanted a cat." Of course, now she has Rama. There is a bit of quiet that follows as she nods. "Yeah, my mom stole most of my college money because she didn't think I needed it. She also tried to put me in a special needs school. It was... hard." Remembering being there is difficult. "Most were non-verbal, or violent, or had other extreme disabilities that made them take up most of the teachers' time. I hated it. Thankfully my father pulled me out pretty quickly after things blew up with my mom and I ended up at Eriol."

"I appreciate the bias. It's my name though, so I've just come to accept it as... well... me." He notes. "It doesn't need to be fancy to be me. Trust me, in the real world, I dress like your average Japanese person from Tokyo. I don't..." He motions to his big thick coat and his wild hair.

"... you know?" He feels he need not explain.

He then relaxes his gesture and seeks her hand back out and squeezes it back, leaning his head onto her head as she savors their closeness. The youth closing his eyes and just letting the moment be what it is.

"Maybe." He answers her. "I don't think I thought long about her name. She just... looked like a Miki." He tells her. "You should have seen her when she was small. Tiny white kitten, trying to very hard to join me on my bed. And she'd sleep on my chest all the time." He explains to her. "Even when she got bigger - at which point it made sleeping a lot harder." He adds.

"Maybe you might look like your average Japanese salaryman, but..." She whispers, leaning close to his ear, "I know the truth." She reaches up with her free hand and ruffles his hair. "And don't worry, if we find each other again in the real world, I'll make sure that side comes out from time to time." Unlike his ex, none of this seems about trying to change him, simply a way of encouraging him to be who he is, despite expectations.

"She sounds adorable, though. The cat." She smirks, "I don't think it would be comfortable if Rama slept on you. But you're always welcome to snuggle up with him if you want." That, however, seems ot remind her. "Speaking of that, it's been a long day. Do you mind if we turn in early?"

"Gasp! The truth!" Cyrus playfully gasps and leans back. He lets her ruffle his hair, and then begins to work on unchaining as she mentions turning in early. "Yeah, let's get out of here and head to sleep. We'll talk more about what to do about the Palce Landers in the morning." He then offers, and gets up - offering his hand to her.