2024-05-09: Open Communication
- Log: 2024-05-09: Open Communication
- Cast: Kikka Kobayashi, Leina Ashta
- Where: Von Braun City - Greenery
- OOC - IC Date: May 9, 0099
- Summary: Worried that something might be bothering Leina that she hadn't mentioned, Kikka arranged a talk with Leina before their next date. They set their respective boundaries, and by the end of it, feel comfortable to move forward together. Leina warns Kikka of the sheer power of a potential Newtype bond and the effects it could have on a Newtype who lost sensitivity over time, like Kikka. Kikka takes it to heart, but asks Leina to trust in her if such a thing were to happen.
<Pose Tracker> Kikka Kobayashi has posed.
It's been about a month or two since Leina and Kikka spent the evening in Barcelona - a first date that went quite well. At least, Kikka was pretty happy with how it went... but she feels like there's some lingering concerns, and she's heard plenty of times that the best way to address those is good old fashioned communication.
With Leina as an ace pilot of Cathedra's Dominicus Corps, and Kikka acting as an intelligence agent for the enigmatic Terminal, on top of both attending different universities, their schedules inevitably overlap quite a bit, of course... but that's certainly something to communicate when entering a relationship, too.
So, after a rather typical day of classes for, Kikka decides to just open Vertex and send the text. She doesn't need to be at Magallanica this week, which means it's a lot more convenient to see Leina.
[VERTEX] just got out of class, are you free today?
[VERTEX] if you're not busy i wanted to talk face to face
[VERTEX] it'd be nice to see each other and
[VERTEX] i wanted to talk about us dating and moving forward
When she shares her location, it shows that she's at the park and artificial greenery area of Von Braun City... one of
the only areas of the industrial city that isn't metallic. She'll be waiting on a bench, underneath some trees, one
literature schoolbooks slid into the messenger bag they picked out on their last date, the other about effective writing
still on her lap.
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
It takes a bit for Leina to reply, whether it's because of being out on a mission - or in class, it's difficult to say.
[VERTEX] theater_girl_wp: hey <3
[VERTEX] theater_girl_wp: sure id love to
And after the location was shared!
[VERTEX] theater_girl_wp: making the arrangements right n and just what is wrong with just booking a commercial shuttle
Enzo not everything has to be a Benerit shuttle it's just a quick flight to the moon you're making a big deal out of
nothing
...
...
...
...
[VERTEX] theater_girl_wp: sry voice to text accident
[VERTEX] theater_girl_wp: be there soon
When Leina walks up, she's wearing a simple white button up top with a peplum waist and puff sleeves. A black pair of
cutoff jean shorts, and some sandals with rather secure buckles.
Over her shoulder she's brought a purse, because she inevitably left her bag with her school work back on the Shuttle.
With a wave and a waggle of her fingers, she sits down beside her and slides off her purse, "Glad we could meet up like
this." She says, all smiles, but there's a vibe like she understands this is more serious than just some casual
planning.
"I've definitely been thinking about you."
She could go for a discussion of small talk, the back and forth of 'How've things been going' and the sort but...
"Well, I'd love to hear all about how things've been for you recently but-"
There's a momentary pause, a smile and- "Well, honestly. It sounded important to you that we talk and- it's of a
subject I find very important. So we can skip right to that if you'd prefer."
She's definitely a little nervous, certainly she must be if she's asking to go right into it.
<Pose Tracker> Kikka Kobayashi has posed.
Kikka waits a bit for Leina to reply, understanding she might be busy - it will be a while before she has to get her own shuttle, and she'd really rather not rush this anyways. When she gets a response though, her eyes do light up.
[VERTEX] great! i'll see you there <3
Kikka can't help but chuckle at the voice-to-text misfire. Leina's Cathedra security detail really is strict about these
things... but she still appreciates that they're looking out for her beyond a token effort.
[VERTEX] no worries
[VERTEX] (a sticker of a haro and accompanied by a floating thumbs up
[VERTEX] see you soon!
Kikka's dressed on the professional, yet casual end herself having just come out of classes, with a simple pale pink
long-sleeved button-up and casual black dress pants. Seeing Leina, she waves and gestures for her to take a seat.
"Hey Leina! I'm.. really glad you could make it today," She starts, clicking her phone off and gently pushing it into
her bag. "It's always good to see you, and..." Leina says she's been thinking of her, but if it's important they can
skip right to what she wanted to talk about.
"I'd love to hear what you've been up to lately, too." Kikka agrees. "But since you're offering... why don't we get into
it?" She suggests, with a hint of nerves of her own. But she was the one who made the call... so it's only right that
she starts.
"Okay! I think I should start by saying... I want to be with you. I had a really good time last month, and I'd love to
keep going, if you feel the same." Kikka says, completely serious despite being nervous just putting it out there.
"But at the same time, like I told you, this is my first serious relationship, so.. I want to make sure I understand
what your boundaries are. We're both living very different lives right now, and while I think we can make it work... I
think it's worth talking about?" She adds. Kikka is the type of person who feels 'understanding without
misunderstanding' isn't always possible, even if you're a Newtype.
"And... if there's something /you're/ worried about I'd like to hear about it, too. Is that okay?" She rustles her bag
against her legs - in-between anxious and relieved that she's talking about it.
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
Leina still keeps a well-worn smile on her face as she tells her she'd like to catch up too, but agrees to get into it.
There's some notable relief at what she says next, as if some tension unwinds from her as she takes a breath as she smiles a little more. "I do... want to be with you, that is."
However, she's had a lot of serious talks herself, and understands that a 'But' is implied so she doesn't entirely relax.
Just a little, because that's a great thing to springboard the 'but' off of.
Kikka brings up boundaries, and there's a thoughtful look, like she's already trying to think of - what boundaries to set.
When...
'if there's anything you're worried about'
Her eyes dip, it's obvious that there is something, but whether it's bad or not. "Hmm. Okay." And she nods, turning her posture a little more towards Kikka on the bench.
"Boundaries first. ... So I've been in a lot of relationships, so physically - I think my comfort zone is much higher than yours. Because of that, I want to go at your pace. What you're comfortable with. I don't want to pressure you - push you into something before you're ready."
A warmer smile, not even with a hint of teasing, just - genuine, sincere, "But - just for the record - you have no idea how much I want to kiss you."
She let's that settle in, and process, after all Kikka might be embarrassed, but then it's her turn to be embarrassed because - the much tougher boundary... "Emotionally, I'd say the biggest boundary I'd need to set is... I have a bad habit of taking myself for granted in a relationship. My needs... to put my partner's before my own. To... allow them to enable that."
There's an awkward shift in the seat, as she crosses one leg over another, and sighs, "It's... I need to be with someone that doesn't let me take myself for granted, because I will, and while I have to take responsibility for that myself - I need someone to check me too. To push back, to challenge me, to just not accept it when I do that. And especially not to accept it so much that they- stop checking."
There's a little discomfiture there, at that admission but she has gone into it some with Kikka in the past, regarding Banagher.
"If you're comfortable with that then I think I'm good with trying to move forward."
There's something in her green eyes like she's working up to - the next topic, but for now at least, "You next on boundaries I think.
<Pose Tracker> Kikka Kobayashi has posed.
As Leina confirms she feels the same, that she wants to be with her, Kikka relaxes a little herself... even if she knows that isn't just where the conversation ends. "I'm really glad you do..." She gives off one last upbeat smile, before getting into the next, more 'serious talk' part of it...
Kikka waits patiently, as Leina considers her own boundaries to set... though she notes those averted eyes when she brings up Leina's own potential worries. Her fingers curl up against her bag, while Leina speaks up, and she listens thoughtfully.
"Yeah... I really appreciate that." She nods, when Leina says she wants to set things at Kikka's pace. "I'm not really... you know, opposed to trying new things. I don't really feel pressured at the idea of it. More excited, really?" She confirms. "But if it ever comes up, of course I'll let you know."
Having made that clear, she softly smiles, and then...
'But - just for the record - you have no idea how much I want to kiss you.'
Kikka blinks, not quite sure how to process that at first, because of course it's embarrassing! But understanding the warm, genuineness of it... she leans her head into Leina's shoulder. "Then why don't you show me?" She asks, with not quite the smooth delivery she intended, but it's definitely affectionate.
The conversation feels like it's going well so far, but she leans back out just a little when they continue discussing boundaries. This one, about putting her partner's needs above her own... isn't fully a surprise to hear. "Yeah... I'd say I agree on that much." Kikka's folds her arms down on her leg.
"What I think is... I want to see you at your best. At your happiest, both inwardly and outwardly. If I think something's deeply wrong, or you're holding something back... it's hard not to want to challenge it." Despite her firm words, her blue gaze on Leina is gentle. "So I think I'm comfortable with it, and I'll do my best to keep it in consideration."
She pauses, to see if Leina has anything to add, and considers the question on her own boundaries. "I think keeping things to my own pace on physical boundaries is a good start. But emotionally, I guess one thing I'm worried about is just... suddenly losing you? And how I would.. even process that if we became really close." It might make sense - considering how many close connections she made that were just.. cut off. And Leina is a fighter, and Kikka is decidedly not.
"It's hard to really set that one other than to tell you to 'be careful in battle', and that's obvious. But it's something I've been thinking about a lot... and I've decided I'm okay with the risk. I just thought... I'd put it out there since you made yours clear."
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
There's almost like this audible spike in Leina's energy, good cheer as Kikka says she's excited, but she answers quickly, "Please do. Any time. Promise I'll never be upset about that."
However, as Kikka leans her head into her shoulder, Leina actually looks, momentarily surprised, but then, there's just such warmth in her seagreen eyes.
For someone like Kikka with so little relationship experience, such things are never quite as smooth as one would like - but perhaps it's just the perfect amount for her.
"If you're sure." She says softly, a hand brushing through Kikka's blonde hair, just lightly, just away from her face, like she's leading up to the moment.
She let's her talk, she doesn't act quite yet, doesn't try to cut her off. "My best and my happiest..." She echoes quietly, "... Well, I think - you've always been very good at bringing that side out of me, even when we were friends. I can't promise all the time, there's been a lot of sadness in my life. Sometimes I'm just the type of person who soaks in it... I think, I'm trying to work on that, little by little."
Leina just gently thumbs her cheek, "I won't put my happiness on you. It's not on you to make me happy. It's on me to show you that - I'm happy, because we're together, okay?" There's a smile at her.
Kikka however speaks upon her fear, and... Leina takes it seriously, there's a quick nod, "I think I can't promise I'll always come back or something like that. I wish I could promise that, but you deserve better than a promise I can't keep. What I can promise - is that I'll do everything in my power to try and come back, every time. That I am doing everything in my power right now to ensure I do come back."
There's a sheepish look on her face for a moment, but a warmth in her smile, "I have a lot of living I want to do..."
Leina leans in, her hand against her head, and Kikka can feel the warmth on her breath as sh