[ Ruby's grown up into the most beautiful girl Ai's ever seen.
But of course, she'd think that no matter what she looked like. She's a true doting parent - especially so here and now. Getting to be here at all is a gift and having Ruby by her side elevates it into something that she surely doesn't deserve to have. And maybe thinking that way makes her monstrously selfish, when things are so terribly dangerous, when people are being hurt and killed every week - but maybe that's the price she has to pay for this.
So she shamelessly indulges them both, sliding as easily back into doting as if nothing has changed. And of course, everything has changed - but maybe this is what both of them need. To make up for the time they would have had to do this. The complications can all come later, because the important part to Ai is reminding Ruby over and over what she'd failed to say for entirely too long.
It can't last forever. Ai knows better than anyone that idols have mercilessly short shelf lives. But even if it only lasts one extra day, it's more than enough for her.
She's... unsettlingly calm at the motive announcement. She has the tablet in her hand and her eyes flicker over it but her expression doesn't change at all. Just the same tightly restrained concern she wears every time they're herded out here. But she is still there. Still alive, still breathing.
And - when she lifts her eyes and catches Ruby's gaze - still smiling. As if nothing at all is wrong. ]
Ruby. [ Her voice is fond and composed. ] Should we go get ourselves some breakfast?
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But of course, she'd think that no matter what she looked like. She's a true doting parent - especially so here and now. Getting to be here at all is a gift and having Ruby by her side elevates it into something that she surely doesn't deserve to have. And maybe thinking that way makes her monstrously selfish, when things are so terribly dangerous, when people are being hurt and killed every week - but maybe that's the price she has to pay for this.
So she shamelessly indulges them both, sliding as easily back into doting as if nothing has changed. And of course, everything has changed - but maybe this is what both of them need. To make up for the time they would have had to do this. The complications can all come later, because the important part to Ai is reminding Ruby over and over what she'd failed to say for entirely too long.
It can't last forever. Ai knows better than anyone that idols have mercilessly short shelf lives. But even if it only lasts one extra day, it's more than enough for her.
She's... unsettlingly calm at the motive announcement. She has the tablet in her hand and her eyes flicker over it but her expression doesn't change at all. Just the same tightly restrained concern she wears every time they're herded out here. But she is still there. Still alive, still breathing.
And - when she lifts her eyes and catches Ruby's gaze - still smiling. As if nothing at all is wrong. ]
Ruby. [ Her voice is fond and composed. ] Should we go get ourselves some breakfast?
[ And talk. is the unspoken subtext. ]