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[sealeted]

You should know best of all how little I mind fixing things.

[Goodness knows she's patched him up enough times. She wrinkles her nose at him teasingly.]

I still have to cash in on that week of lessons we never had time for.

[guerrilla]

...

[Wait, what is that supposed to mean? If he knows best how okay she is with fixing things, then...

He looks a little irritated for a few seconds before letting it slide. She pressed a pretty sore spot, but it doesn't look like it was on purpose, and it's more productive to work toward being a little more reliable than it is to get mad, anyway.]

The only things I won't teach you are traps and assassination, so if you have any other requests I'm all ears.

[sealeted]

[Well, now the scales are evened. He lashed out when he had no reason to, and carefully grit his teeth and bore it when he could have kicked up a fuss. She hadn't meant anything bad by it, that much is true. It's more a credit to him than a mark against him, from her perspective. Robin is one of the most self-preservative people Hakuno knows; for all the damage he takes over time, it's self-evident just how hard he works.

But it's awkward to say so out loud.]

Identifying edible plants from dangerous ones, and... um...

[She falters, her cheeks going pink.]

...you can't laugh at me.

[guerrilla]

[That's a good one. He wonders if anything in particular inspired the first request, briefly recalling that damnable cursed forest.]

...You know starting with something like that is going to make it really hard not to laugh, right?

[But he'll do his best. It's a rare treat to see her so flustered, so he's in something of an acquiescent mood.]

[sealeted]

....

[Well, that's as close to a promise as she's going to get, probably.]

Do you... know how to tie up a hammock?

[guerrilla]

Why do you...

[He was expecting...well, he isn't sure what he was expecting, but a hammock wasn't it.]

Why do you want to learn how to do that?

[He can't imagine it's for anything weird, but he just really wants to know, since it's pretty far out of left field.]

[sealeted]

Nothing. It's dumb.

[She hunches her shoulders, looking away. But... no, she's the one asking a favor here. She can't just brush him off like that.]

...they look comfy. And I've tried out a bunch of other types of beds already, so...

[guerrilla]

They're not comfortable at all, unless checking the knots every thirty minutes until you're so tired of worrying you pass out is your idea of comfortable.

[Whenever he slept in a hammock, they were usually highly-suspended to avoid detection, so his view of them is more than a little skewed.]

But if you want to learn so bad, I don't really see a reason not to teach you.

[sealeted]

As long as they aren't hard, it will be a worthwhile experiment.

[God, does she hate hard beds.

Still, her expression finally brightens noticeably for the first time since entering the room.]

They had a few different types up for sale in Capablanca, so maybe we'll find one that you like too.

[guerrilla]

["We," huh...a few months ago, Robin would've been annoyed at the easy way the word tumbles from her lips, as though the two of them doing something together were a matter of course. Now there's a soft, small comfort in it.]

...If we're going to Capablanca anyway, is there anywhere else you'd like to go while we're out of town?

[They should probably decide when they're going first, and he's not actually expecting her to say yes. He's not even really sure why he's bothering to ask.

But it would be nice if she agreed, he thinks.]

[sealeted]

...you're going to call me masochistic but...

[She heaves a small sigh.]

You remember how much the ocean used to unsettle me? I've gotten over it, but I want to make sure I'm not... That I'm still making progress. The aquarium sounded pretty familiar. I won't ask you to go in if you don't want to, because that's a big request, but if you could just... be outside, just for a while, I think that would help. Ah, and I wanted to check out some of the shops and cafes too, since Jumin and I were considering that as a location. Aside from that, maybe some normal sightseeing would be nice.

[guerrilla]

No, I'll go in with you.

[He seems to surprise even himself with his prompt response, but it's too late to take it back now, so - ]

Even if I don't have to drag you out of the aquarium, I like animals, you know? Seeing new ones is interesting.

[So a trip to the aquarium and a cafe or two...Hakuno's not the only person whose limits will be tested here. She's still the only person whose cooking he's really comfortable eating.]

[sealeted]

[Her expression dawns into something bright and brilliant. It means a lot, that he's willing to do this, given their respective hangups and aversions.]

...for the record, we only have to scout the cafes. We can bring our own lunch and have a picnic somewhere, if you'd like.

[guerrilla]

If you're going to look one of your worst fears in the eye, it'd be really pathetic if I couldn't even take you out for tea and cake to celebrate. A basket lunch sounds good, but if there's somewhere you want to go for dessert, we're going.

[It seems like most of his attempts to better himself have gone more smoothly with Hakuno around, so he might as well take advantage of that while he can.]

[sealeted]

Thank you.

[She says it, and means it, and feels that warmth in her chest expand, spreading all the way down to her toes.]

I'll keep an eye out for a good place, then. So, wherever we go next can be your pick, for fairness.

[guerrilla]

I don't really care where we go.

[It takes him a moment or two to realize that what he's just said can be interpreted really badly, and he nearly stabs himself again trying to re-word it.]

I mean, anywhere's fine with good company, right? I'll tell you if I see somewhere I want to go, but if you find somewhere first, just let me know.

[He gives the cloak in his lap a scrutinizing look, then holds it out for Hakuno to inspect.]

Here, I need your eyes again. I can't tell if this looks neat anymore or if I'm just ruining the seam.

[sealeted]

Okay. I'll keep that in mind.

[It's stunning, how easily he can call her 'good company' these days.

She moves back over, leaning down to inspect the cloak. She's seen it day in and day out for weeks upon months, so she hadn't really noticed the damages piling up. There's a stark contrast now, and after a bit of thoughtful examination, she nods.]

It looks good to me right now. Put it on?

[guerrilla]

[Robin nods, pulling it over his shoulders and standing in one fluid movement. He pulls it shut for a moment or two, trying to gauge whether or not the hem is even. It looks good enough to him, at least.]

I haven't decided how I want to synthesize it, but it would suck if I gave it defensive properties and then tried to go at it with a needle and scissors, right?

[Or briefly disappeared "whenever it took damage," which is what he's aiming for.]

[sealeted]

Good thinking.

[Hakuno crouches for a better look at the hem now, but ultimately gives him another thumbs up when she rises again. It's always a good idea to err on the side of caution when enchantments are involved.]

So, are you done now, or are your fingers still in danger for a little while longer?

[guerrilla]

There are a few more alterations I wanted to make, but I don't know if I'll be able to concentrate now, so it's fine.

[He wants to add a few more pockets to the inside. If Hakuno happens to get another glance at the desk, he's got a few leatherworking tools out for the bracers she got him, too, though he doesn't seem to have done anything yet.

He holds out his hands, briefly wondering if he should've taken the bandages off first.]

...Maybe in exchange for the lessons, you could teach me a little about magic. I don't know that I'd be good at it, but it has to be better than always relying on you.

[sealeted]

Mm.

[She's not entirely sure that she likes the way he phrased that, but goodness knows she's not about to discourage him from taking care of himself.]

Good idea. I'm always happy to help, but Kings have a penchant for attracting trouble. As glad as I am about becoming more reliable, if I get taken out of commission again then I would prefer it if that didn't drag you down too. I started learning from a King basically the second day I arrived, so I can definitely cobble together something for beginners. Plus, we do happen to be in a school where resources for that sort of thing are easy enough to get. If there are specific spells you want to focus on, that's fine too.

[She carefully takes his hands in hers, calling up the necessary mana and erasing the small, throbbing stab marks in no time at all.]

There. Does anywhere else need to be looked over?

[guerrilla]

[He's not sure he likes the way he phrased that either, but it's too late now. It was intended as more along the lines of "I don't want to burden you," but now that it's hung in the air for a moment, he realizes it didn't sound like that at all.]

Trying for another chance to ogle my chest, I see.

[His response is an immediate deadpan, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smirk. She brings up a good point about being in a magic school, though; he'd considered taking a course, but Hakuno already knows what he'd be looking to do with magic. Quick heals for torn muscles in the arm, an antidote spell just in case, fire to ignite his arrows...

It sort of makes him look like an idiot for going to her instead of learning from a professional regardless, and he'd never admit his reasons without being asked about it. So a bad joke it is.]

[sealeted]

Don't flatter yourself. If anything, your arms are way more of a charm point than your chest.

[That... came out a lot more honest than she intended. She can feel the knife-thin line of teaser and teasing target trembling beneath her feet.]

But I guess I'll take that as an 'I'm fine' for now.

[guerrilla]

Is that so? What would you do if I said one of my shoulders hurts, then...?

[They don't, obviously, but he's not the kind of person who gives up an opening like that.

He just got back a certain sleeveless outfit for Cherima, too, so maybe he'll surprise her with that, if only so he can give her hell for it.]

[sealeted]

Is it the bone or the muscle? I know spells and a few massage techniques.

[Mostly for rehabilitation purposes, but relaxation too. She hasn't worked up the nerve to ask people to let her practice on them just yet, however. Teasing aside, she's not an overly forward young lady, when the states aren't toweringly high.]