sleepover sleepover SLEEPOVER

[phantasmagorial]

[ With the handful of new Executors awakening after the first batch, Rei's starting to get a little bit dithery. They're getting to be a big group now and while she's more than grateful for the help (and the company), she still finds herself worried about the group's cohesion. After all, Lion had admitted that he'd lashed out when he'd first awakened, Kingslayer and Pariah were at each other's throats and Iris wasn't even sure she wanted to be here at all.

Not that Rei could blame her.

But if they're going to be a team, then they at least need to be civil with each other. And getting in a bit of bonding before they have to go down and potentially double-die couldn't hurt.

So Rei borrows one of the hotel suites – a 'luxury' suite, according to the receptionist but to Rei's eyes, it just looks tacky as all get out. But it's big enough for the whole group and after spending an afternoon dragging in all the blankets she can find (and a few mattresses – thank god there aren't any other actual guests here to complain about her pillaging their rooms), Rei makes one final trip to the conbini to get... pretty much everything she can carry. Alcohol is right out (sorry, wine grandpa) but she brings back bulging bags of sodas, sweet drinks of all kinds and pretty much anything that looks made to be chugged. After that comes everything vaguely snack and candy-like in the store and a few things that might not actually be good to eat, and Rei feels confident in saying she's done.

She'd mentioned to a few of the others that she was having a bit of a get together that night, so all she can really do is wait for them to show up. She's in her pajamas, she's looked up sleepover games in the library and snacks, there's a TV mounted on the wall and she has... never held a sleepover before.

This is gonna turn out just fine. ]

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[phantasmagorial]

[ Kingslayer might be turned away, but Rei stares at them for a moment – first surprised and then a bit of guilt starts to seep in. It takes her a beat longer than she'd like before she knows what to do, but then she reaches out and gently takes Kingslayer's armored hand in her own and gives it a tight squeeze. ]

... No. I'm sorry.

I've never thrown a party like this and I thought it'd be an easy way to make everybody get along. I didn't stop to think how hard it'd be for you. So I really am sorry.

But I'd like you to stay. Is that okay?

[pioailurophobia]

[Kingslayer stiffens when Rei squeezes their hand, taken aback.

Why?

They've told her, told everyone, over and over and over again, that they're just a weapon. Nothing more. Nothing less. A tool to use to achieve victory.

They weren't remotely human, in form or in function.

So why...

...was Rei showing compassion to a mere weapon?]

I...

[Kingslayer squeezes Rei's hand back.]

Yeah.

I... I think I would.

...

Thank you, Rei.

[Whatever it would take, whatever deeds that would need doing, whatever depths that were to be plumbed, one thing was certain:

Kingslayer will do whatever it takes to earn the compassion they've received from Rei.]

[phantasmagorial]

You don't have to thank me. If anything, I should be thanking all of you. I was all alone down here until you all showed up and...

[ And the training, the squabbling, the butting heads, the getting to know each other and the thought that maybe, just maybe, they might actually be strong enough to do this– ]

... It's been fun.

[pioailurophobia]

I don't know what I would've done if you weren't here, honestly.

[Kingslayer pauses, chuckles, and rubs the back of their helmet.]

...well, I probably would've wrecked even more buildings and made myself a general nuisance, but my point still stands.

You're right, it's... been fun.

[phantasmagorial]

Mmn. [ A soft, non-committal sort of noise. With their hands still linked, Kingslayer can probably feel the way Rei's fingers curl, her grip tightening just a little. ] I know it isn't going to stay like this for long – we've got too much fighting to do – but at least for now... I'm glad things are like this. And at least this way, none of us are alone.

[pioailurophobia]

[Kingslayer squeezes back, taking great care not to crush Rei's hand with their strength. It's hard to feel much through their gauntlets, after all.

But somehow, it's easier with Rei.]

...you know, I have a feeling that I didn't get many chances to just stop even for a few moments, in life or as a Heroic Spirit.

Much less share those moments with other people, [they say, a touch more quietly.]

So... thank you, Rei. [Kingslayer turns to look at her, really look at her, cocking their head to the side.

They don't have a face, but...

Rei can feel the strength of their smile pouring from behind their helmet.]

[phantasmagorial]

[ Something squeezes tight in her chest and the tightness finds its way to her throat as well, just enough to stop her from getting any words out. She doesn't know for sure if there'd been any Executors before her and maybe its selfish of her to be grateful for their absence right now – because otherwise, she wouldn't be able to have a quiet moment like this with any of them.

Is it okay, to want that to herself, just for now? ]

Then... [ she swallows hard to chase down that lump in her throat. ] We'll do our best. We'll work hard and do our best to make sure we can have more moments like this.

[pioailurophobia]

[If there's one thing Kingslayer has in spades, it's selfishness.

They'd do anything for more moments like this.]

And I'll do the same.

You have my oath as a knight on that.

[Despite their title, their words are backed up by the full, sincere weight of their soul, fully believing in the nobility of their title and the sanctity of their promise.]