asgardmeridiem | END OF ARC 1: DAY 169-170 DOWNTIME

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END OF ARC 1: DAY 169-170 DOWNTIME

[The first battle is over, but the second will begin any time. For two days, the enemy forces will remain on the other side of the battlefield, working on strategy and tending to their wounded. Both sides have taken heavy losses, and the Arena is full of the hurt and dying.

The battlefield itself has turned to a bloody, muddy mess. The elves will be asking the Army Engineers group and anyone else willing to help them lay timber and gravel out to make the ground easier to walk on for the next battle.

What will you do in your breathing space? Keep working, mourn your losses, or retreat from the horrors of war?]

[ooc note: This log takes place IC on Days 169-170/Nov 4-7. Please be sure you've read the plot post and the battle log's starting info thoroughly. Make absolutely sure that you include the day/rough time in the subject line of top-level comments, as well as if your thread is open or closed.

In addition to the battle log, there is a full-event log for those hiding out in Folkvang here. If you have any questions, please direct them to the mod post so everyone else can see them!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Ah, really? I didn't see you there." Maybe because she was kinda busy fretting over learning everything that she didn't spot him, but at least he was safe and sound now, unlike the other time this kind of battle happened. That fact alone relieved her.

...

Oh, yeah, it was too good to be true. Not stepping into such matter as this moment of all times.

"... Just a part of it." Actually more than one part, but for now she'd lay low and see what he'd got to say next.

"Well, we were both busy so it's not surprising." he replied with a small shrug. He'd actually thought she was probably just staying clear of him. It was kind of nice to hear that it was just coincidence.

At her next statement he nodded. That too was actually a little better than he'd been expecting - he'd been dreading her remembering nothing.

"...well, I just... I wanted to tell you that I'm taking what you said to heart. No heroics or running around for me. I'm just staying here and helping with the things I can do, instead of trying to do things I'm less suited for. And that's what I'm going to do from now on. And I'm sorry for making you worry - I won't tell you you'll never find yourself worried over me. I mean, it's a war and things happen. But, it won't be because I was intentionally reckless."

Whatever concern Hanako had for this where this talk was going, vanished as he said all that to her. She wasn't that distrustful that she wouldn't expect him to reflect upon his actions eventually, but that still came as a pleasant surprise to her. Hisao could see her eyes brighten at that, out of that hollow state she appeared in whenever she attempted to talk with him.

He finally understood, and that... made her so happy, even in the middle of a life-or-death situation where there was very little to be happy about.

"Hisao... thank you." She was smiling, wearily but... she was smiling. "Thank you."

"It's fine. You're welcome."

He smiled back at her, his own smile as weary as hers. The temptation now was to ask about the OTHER thing they had discussed - albeit briefly - that night. Maybe she remembered what she'd told him about her feelings, maybe she remembered his reply. Of course he wanted to know - how could he not? But it felt weird to just drop those questions in there.

"....any word on how things are out there? I've been healing lots of people but I didn't want to bombard anyone with questions while they were hurt."

With that out of the way, Hanako could finally relax. It was like weeks and weeks of stressing over this situation with Hisao got off her shoulders in the span of one minute, even if the switch of subject wasn't the best one to talk about.

"I don't know much. I was told that we have allies from other cities that are helping our army..."

"I've heard the same and seen some wounded people who are definitely not native Agardians. I'm glad my healing magic works on them just as well as it works on others - Oh! Hey, I never got to tell you. I'm a second level healer now. My power increased after helping Hibiki volunteering at the hospital."

Hanako blinked, at how slow his level up process was going. He was more social than her, so she wondered why.

"Really? Congratulations then." She tried to make her smile return. "How stronger are your powers now? I don't think I ever asked any healer who got a boost."

"I can heal more serious injuries now. Deep cuts, fractures, that kind of thing. So long as it's not mortal or a bone that's completely smashed, I can at least make a good sized dent in the injury. Actually, even before this I helped a damage drain user heal a stomach wound that was probably deadly if not healed in time."

He wasn't surprised his progress was slow. Considering he still had some problems with the logic behind magic? He was lucky to have any working powers at all.

Aw, she would have tried to help him if she knew about it.

"Do you think you're expecting another boost soon? I have some experience, so I could give some tips." Actually, she didn't know how to help him about it at all, other than tell him to interact with more natives and use his powers more.

"Oh, gosh - I'm really not sure. The last boost I got was such a short time ago, I don't think it's coming any time soon, no. Though, I'm definitely getting plenty of practise with it, unfortunately."

He still wasn't a fan of this war even in the slightest amount.

"If you receive a further boost, you will definitely have an easier time healing people." Hisao should work out for it. If she managed to reach a point where she could build domes made of plants, he could do this too.

"Well, maybe. We'll see how it goes. I mean, if we win this war, we go home anyway and it's not like I'll get to keep these powers at Yamaku. Which is a shame - I could really help poor Nurse a lot if I did."

Hah - it had been a while since he'd even thought of the Nurse. What was that guy's name? Everyone just referred to him as 'the Nurse' or 'Nurse'. That goofy guy with jokes worse even than Hisao's and a lot of smiles for everyone. It seemed like years since Hisao had sat in that generic looking nurses office to have his heart checked...

...and remembering those times was far easier than admitting that they might actually LOSE this war.

"... We may return home, but what if it doesn't happen?" There was no reason to exclude that the gods may have lied to them, either. Nothing is certain when you're kidnapped and taken here to fight a war you weren't meant to fight. "I think it still matters that we do our best to improve for however long time we have left here."

"...you're right, I know."

That was a good point. He hadn't even thought that the Gods might not be true to their word and return them. Given the choice, would he even want to go back? He did miss Lilly and his parents, of course. And his other freinds and aquaintances from Yamaku - Hell, now that he was thinking about it, he even kind of sort of maybe missed Kenji a little bit.

"Well, if it comes to pass that we wind up staying, there's at least plenty to be done. Another thing I haven't had the opportunity to mention is that Sora, myself and Ritsu took over Ayame, being my Boss was sent home. Geeze, hopefully the place is still standing after this...."

If there was a chance to contact Lilly at all, Hanako would like to fully stay here. It was something she told a few people, so it wasn't new. There was really nobody else she was that much emotionally attached, except maybe the people at the orphanage.

"It's true... if the enemy forces invaded the districts, quite a few buildings might go down." She frowned, looking down. "I'm mostly worried about our House and the Library."

"Oh - yeah, the Library! I hope it's alright..."

The look of worry on his face was almost comical - he loved that Library like a second home. Frankly, he COULD live there. His own room was a worry too, he wouldn't want it to get smashed up, but the Library was a much greater concern.

"I wonder if I can get anyone on the bracelet who might know if the Library is still OK.... Maybe later if we hear there's been a lull in the fighting. I'm sure there are people manning the Odin district. I hope the Hrafin tea room is OK too...."

Hanako would consider it her second home as well, if she wasn't concerned about all her belongings... the chessboard and Lilly's doll especially, which she didn't have the time to nab away before the sirens blared.

"I guess we could check it out once the battle is over..." She didn't think it was the case to bother people with that question, since everyone was busy surviving on their own.

"Yeah. Best to keep our priorities straight, right?"

He frowned, an uneasiness settling into his stomach. He hoped they were winning. But what if they weren't? What if this was actually the last time he and Hanako spoke? If Ragnarok - the end of days - was really around the corner, what then?

"....I'm happy we're talking again. Really. Now that this is all going on, especially."

"... Yes." She admitted to herself that all those times she avoided him or spoke poorly to him hurt more than anything else, and she was starting to feel heavily guilty for it. The fact this reunion was happening in such a dramatic circumstance was ironic. It was like fact brought them back together before the end came.

"Perhaps this is the last time we'll get to talk like this..."

"I was kind of thinking the same thing. I mean, eventually I'll have to go back to healing people and you'll go back to making barriers and we'll be seperated so, if... we lose..."

His brows knitted close together and he could hear his own heartbeat as it raced. His mouth felt dry. Could he do it? Restate his confession a second time? Was it even fair to do so now that everything might be ending? Was it fair NOT to?

"Do... you remember." he managed to say. "Um. The other night, I told you one other thing. Before helping you get home. I wanted to know if you remembered."

"If I remember...?" Hanako couldn't pretend she didn't know what he was talking about. Is he... is he bringing up the confession? What they told ton each other, half of which was still hazy in her head thanks to the alcohol?

...

There was hesitation, her gaze wandering aside, conflicted. Then, a little, vague nod.

"I see."

....and where had he been going with that? His throat felt constricted and he tried to breathe evenly. The last thing he wanted to do was have a heart problem here. Why had this been easier when she was drunk? Would this be easier if he was drunk? Probably.

"Well... then... Do you still feel the same way?"

"..."

This was making her uneasy very quickly, not to mention he sounded like he would feeling sick. But... diverting the attention from their talk to his conditions would be seriously unfair. Especially now, such an important matter that they... should definitely clear out, before they had no longer a chance to.

Hanako had been mulling over and over about what she told him... she did remember she definitely said those three words to him. They were fed with alcohol, frustration, anger, strong emotions in general, but it wasn't only that. There was a hint of genuine sentiment, and that made her think, focus on it when her head cleared.

Hisao had become just as important as Lilly during the four months they had been here. They spent basically most of the time together, having breakfast together, going to the library together, taking walks in the park together, taking care of Nashi together, having dinner together. They did many things together, she lost the count.

Excluding the past month where they barely ever talked with each other... surprisingly enough, this period apart from him helped her come to terms with her feelings. She missed him, in the end. She drank, and yelled, and nearly beat him up because she missed him above all her other problems- and she couldn't take it anymore. The separation was slowly tearing her apart. She had control of her emotions when she opened her heart out to him, even for a few seconds, but that was it. Hanako loved him.

But... from reaching that conclusion, to actually tell him that yes, she felt that way, and she wanted to be with him as more than friends-- that was another big leap. She was afraid that she misunderstood his words back there. Maybe he was rejecting her. Who... who the hell knows. Even so, Hisao wouldn't be so cruel to confirm that fact by asking that question. Should she take the risk? Would she handle the hurt in case of a rejection? Would this be... the right time?

...

A loud voice in her head is shouting at her to screw it. Screw it all. They were all going to either die or return to their homes anyway. There wasn't going to be another chance like this anymore.

...

She nodded.

She nodded.

His heartrate soared and he closed his eyes, taking in deep breaths. He wasn't going to let this end the same way it had with Iwanoko. He'd come too far for that. All the stress of being in a war coupled with a lack of sleep and a lot of physical exertion - all these factors were conspiring against him. But he wouldn't let them win. The girl he loved just told him without words what he'd been yearning to know for so long now. And she was lucid, not drunk. She owed him nothing and had no reason to lie to him. The world was being brought down around their ears by Gods and Giants and the armies of men and elves, but knowing that she loved him... well. It was a bight spot in an otherwise bleak horizon and he was going to hold onto that no matter what his physical heart decided to do.

"....I love you, Hanako Ikezawa."

He opened his eyes and took a step forward. He was still pale and his breathing was a little labored, but the look of determination on his face was unmistakeable.

"I wish I was brave enough to tell you so before the world went crazy, and I wish I'd been the man you needed me to be before so we didn't have to spend the last month apart."

...

It wasn't a shocker, not as much as she might have seen coming. Her fear, though, overruled the certainty that Hisao felt that kind of love towards her. The fear of rejection, the fear that after this they would have been separated forever. It would come off as irrational after this, but... the the revelation brightens her heart even stronger, thanks to that.

"Hisao..." Hanako was speechless. As he walked towards her, so pale and rigid, her senses came back, and her hands reached a little forward to support him in case he was going to collapse right there.

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*FATE brought them together, I mean... typoooo

It is OK I figured that was what you meant

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