school: maya

[shaft]

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[shaft]

[ That doesn't surprise him. In any case, he's going to lead her up to her room, closing the door (sorry Rita), and guide her so that she can sit on the bed.

He stands there for a moment, and then just sighs and sits down beside her. ]

I realize that I brought you here but... do you want me to leave?

[feytality]

(That's my line...)

... If you want to stay, you can.

[ whatever he has to say, she'll hear him out. she owes him that much, at least. ]

[shaft]

[ He nods at that, relieved, reaching over to take one of her hands if she lets him. ]

I'm sorry if you thought that you couldn't talk to me about this. It must be a lot to bear.

[feytality]

[ she does, but she is just so very confused. she truly expected him to want to have nothing to do with her after the past few days ]

Don't... don't apologize to me. You didn't... you didn't do anything wrong.

[shaft]

Maya.

[ He looks at her, trying to meet her gaze. ]

Neither did you.

[feytality]

[ she's avoiding his eyes and she doesn't say anything to that ]

[shaft]

I know you don't believe it.

[ But I do. ]

It's not because I think you're innocent or a child or incapable of mistakes, but because I know you. You're not a villain.

[feytality]

[ she hugs her knees, making herself very small ]

I was one for the past few days.

(Why are you trying to comfort me? Am I that pathetic?)

[shaft]

... Do you think that only people who are pathetic deserve comfort?

[ Then what was I on Thursday night? ]

[feytality]

[ vehemently: ] No, of course not.

[ just, being comforted after u murdered.... from claude he told her on thursday he couldn't be responsible for her ]

I just don't deserve it right now, is all.

[shaft]

Okay, then you don't deserve it.

[ He says this with a tone of voice that implies that he doesn't believe that at all.

Especially since he follows that up by brushing back her hair and giving her forehead a kiss. ]

But I'm going to do it anyway.

[feytality]

[ apparently my tag didn't go through wtf ]

[ but she really has no idea how to react ]

You're really not... angry?

(I didn't think you would want me around even before the killing...)

[shaft]

No. [ He flicks a finger at her forehead. ] It would be hypocritical of me anyway.

[feytality]

Why?

[ was claude out killing too ..... ]

[shaft]

[ He wasn't!! ]

I've killed plenty of people in my lifetime, and even more have died because of the decisions I've made. [ He seems like he's contemplating something for a moment, before continuing. ] It's not easy to have a life on your shoulders, and I wish that you didn't have to bear it.

[feytality]

[ she knew all of this already, but.... ]

... I killed somebody important to you, though.

(Like the Professor. I hurt you. )

[ it was the last thing she ever wanted to do. hurt claude. and yet... ]

[shaft]

You're nothing like Byleth.

[ He says that with a little more vehemence than he wants, and he takes a breath. ]

You're hurting more than anyone else, Maya. I'm not going to blame you for something outside your control.

[feytality]

[ she kind of wishes someone would blame her, though, because she blames herself ]

[ luckily, mandi hates her now ]

....

I was scared that you'd hate me, even when I was.... [ makes crazy motions ] I didn't care if they executed me, but I just.... didn't want you to hate me.

[shaft]

Maya...

[ He draws her in toward his chest. ]

I couldn't. And I know that Manwol doesn't either. Whenever you're in trouble, I'll be in your corner. No matter how hopeless it feels.

[feytality]

[ she kind of slumps into the hug ]

I know. She only thought about saving me, the whole time I was.....

[ .... ]

Even after.... what happened to you, Thursday?

[shaft]

That wasn't your fault. That was... [ Maya will get this mental image as a treat.

Claude looks briefly ducked up as he thinks about it. ]

It wasn't a good trip. And I'm not well-trained in being seen when I'm hurt. I appreciated you caring for me, I was just too foolish to accept it.

[feytality]

[ maya has no idea what this image means but she tries to send comforting thoughts his way ]

.... I was just worried I was making things worse for you.

Are you okay now? You don't have to be.

[shaft]

[ He laughs a little, but it's mostly humourless. ]

No, that was me getting in my own head. I don't think I'm past it honestly, but I don't want to dwell either.

[feytality]

I just.... don't want to burden you at all.

[ that's what she was worried about ]

If... you want to talk about it now.....

[shaft]

A burden is something you shoulder unwillingly. I worry about you because you're important to me, Maya.

[ Gently squeezes her shoulder.

And then he... thinks about. ]

It's hard to explain. And don't feel pressured to say anything when you hear.