[Video] // [Originating from Police HQ roof]

[littlecrowgirl]

 [The feed clicks on to show Kay...although, she's not as chipper as she usually is.  She's not sad by any means, but more...solemn.  The party had gotten her spirits up considerably, but now that it had passed, she realizes something important.  Something she needs others to help with.  So she sits on her beanbag chair, arms resting on her knees as she gazes into the Link.]

I want armor.

[Why? Because it's dangerous here. Overlord proved that.]

Are there any metalworkers here?

And...I want to learn to protect myself.  In...in case someone can't do that for me.

Comments

[thxforthememories]

... Like before, you mean?

[He really doesn't want to say "with Overlord", so he leaves it as it is.]

[littlecrowgirl]

[She gives a nod.]

It's...it's not like I don't trust you...

[She did, but--]

Maybe I can help you next time.

[thxforthememories]

I... can't ask you to put yourself in danger.

[He shakes his head a little.]

Human beings can't be revived. Not like AI...

[As long as nothing crushes their heads, anyway.]

[littlecrowgirl]

...But you were revived...and your AI was killed, wasn't it?

[The thought of her dying makes her stomach turn, but...]

I don't want to be weak.

[thxforthememories]

[He looks away.]

I... I don't understand that. Gunmax said... he said my AI chip was destroyed. It shouldn't have been possible to...

[And he just trails off. It's still not easy to talk about.]

You aren't. You're human. It's greater than what I am.

[littlecrowgirl]

S-Stop that. You're not any less than me, Kagerou! You're strong, nice...funny.

And you're family.


My family.

And I won't lose my family...again.

[thxforthememories]

... Kay.

[Excuse him, while he kneels back down, and curls his hand around her. Like before.]

I don't know what to say... I don't mind protecting you. I promised that I would.

[littlecrowgirl]

[Those arms throw themselves around that hand, wherever it an.]

I...I want you to protect me. But I want to protect you too!

[thxforthememories]

[When she does that, he curls his other hand around her, too.]

I don't... I don't want you harmed, because of me.

[littlecrowgirl]

I won't. I promise.

[Pulling out the 'P' word on this one.]

I just don't want you to fight alone.

[thxforthememories]

Kay... you can't promise that. If you're going to be fighting...

[The thought of her being harmed is actually painful.]

And I don't want you hurt.

[littlecrowgirl]

Kagerou...what can I do?


[She looks down, running her hands along that finger.]

I want to be tough and brave like Miss Vandal...I want to be able to protect myself. Protect you, protect Soundwave...

[thxforthememories]

I don't... know.

[He says it more quietly than usual. While he understands how she feels... the last thing he wants is for her to be in danger.]

[He made a promise, after all.]

I wasn't created to be protected. I was created to... [He trails off, then thinks better of what he was about to say.] BP units are made to protect humans.

And I.. don't know how to train anyone who isn't Shadowmaru.

[littlecrowgirl]

[Her chin rests on that hand, almost defeated. There had to be something she could do. Watching from the sidelines was painful enough. She wasn't built for this...at least not yet.]

I...I have to at least try.

[thxforthememories]

[He moves a fingertip in careful circles over her back. In an attempt to be comforting.]

[What is he supposed to tell her? Why does it feel as if he's failed her?]

I...

What can I do?

[littlecrowgirl]

[At the question, she snuggles into that hand.]

Don't leave me.


Ever.

[thxforthememories]

[He nods. Firmly. He won't leave her, if he can help it.]

[But... his little smirk appears, at the corner of his mouth.]

... I have to leave you at times. I can't follow you into the bath.

[He -- did he just... make a joke.]

1/2

[littlecrowgirl]

...



[Did he just joke.]

2/2

[littlecrowgirl]

[Okay, that makes her laugh.]

Of course not, silly! Girls only!

[In fact, she curls up in a little ball in those hands of his, holding her stomach from the sheer thought of him TRYING.]

[thxforthememories]

[Seeing her laugh is... so much better than seeing her upset. He actually smiles a little.]

I wouldn't want to intrude. It's all yours.

[littlecrowgirl]

[The laugh felt nice. It got her mind off of everything that had gone down...It takes her a moment to catch up with her breath, but she looks up at him, eyes glittering.]

You need a car wash though.

Really badly.

[thxforthememories]

[He looks a little taken aback by that.]

I... do?

[littlecrowgirl]

Yeah, I think all the driving around got some gritty stuff on you.

We'll have to clean it off.

[thxforthememories]

I...

I don't like water.

[littlecrowgirl]

Too bad. You need a bath.