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[intelligencia]

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[intelligencia]

[She's quiet for a bit, because she knows that you don't like being left in the dark about stuff. She's the same; it's probably a Brennan Thing.

Then, in an attempt to make you feel a bit better:]

If it helps, you're not REALLY the last? I mean, I just found out now from some common friend who's just too happy to share the news.

[larue]

[ And he's resting his cheek atop her head at that. He'll let you go in a bit, Cindy. He just needs something to hold onto for now. ]

I'm just glad I caught him before he ran.

[ He pulls back at that. ] He said i deserved better. That I could have better.

[intelligencia]

[There is only way to describe the look on her face.

... :\]

Did you smack him for it?

[She sure hopes you did. Among other things, ahem.]

[larue]

[ This, among other reasons, is why he loves you. Very much.

Laughing now, even as he bites his lower lip. ]

After a fashion.

[ With his mouth. Before they were interrupted.

A sober look crosses his face though. ] I'd never seen him so thrown. Or torn. It was like he was so convinced that... [ Shaking his head now. ] I get it though.

Things have been hard.

[intelligencia]

And you're out to prove him wrong anyway.

[A light shrug, like it's no big deal at all that her brother's apparently dating the Wolf of Zangyaku, and - if she's going to take his word for it - said Wolf of Zangyaku is rather taken with him.]

It's always a work in progress, right? Relationships.

[larue]

Yeah, [ a nod. ] The right ones always are.

[ Fiddling with his lighter now. ]

So... you're okay with this, right?

Because it matters. To the both of us, that you are.

[intelligencia]

Of course I am.

[Why wouldn't she be? o_o]

Do let him know, though, that I reserve the right to punch him if he screws up with you.

[Protective little sister is protective...]

[larue]

[ Oh, Cindy. ]

I think he's afraid of that.

[ That's said quietly. ]

Screwing up.

[intelligencia]

Anybody who cares about the other party would be.

[That is her opinion, anyway, but she has a lot of proof for it.]

And if he's just a little more afraid than he should be... [Looking up at you now, all earnest.] It's a good thing he fell in love with you.

[You do, after all, have a way with people.]

[larue]

[ Hearing that from you means more than words can ever express.

Gathering his sister close again now, and he might be a little choked up when he goes: ]

I am so glad I did right by you.

[ It was, at one point, all he ever wanted. ]

[intelligencia]

[She's hugging you right back, because if there's anything she's learned over the past couple of months? It's the value of time, of taking what you can before it all disappears.]

You always have. I love you, bro.

[larue]

[ Dropping a kiss atop Cindy's head at that. Smiling, and then holding on for a while longer before he lets her go. ]

You want to head back? [ A tilt of the head. ] Because if you're not in a hurry we should walk.

I want to show you one of the routes Rethe showed me when I first got here.

[intelligencia]

I'm more concerned about dad, but if this will be quick...

[Sure. She loves wandering around, and she loves big cities. You know this well, brother.]

[larue]

[ Nodding at that. ]

This won't take long. [ And because he knows it'll make an interesting entry point for conversation: ] We're only walking Makati. Not all the way to Antipolo.

[intelligencia]

[Wait, what?

Okay, you so owe her a story. Hopping off the bench now.]

Tell me about it while we're going around?

[larue]

[ Yeah, he does.

Chuckling now, as he loops his arm through your own and starts it off with how Rethe Kyriff saved him the embarrassment of sparring with his now significant orher by inviting him out for a "tour of the town." ]