[ It took a moment to answer the door. Monika had other things to do that evening and couldn't be there, but Chariot had assured her she'd be fine on her own. But it did take some time to get around with the cane.
When she opened the door, the scent of tea came through keenly. As close an approximation as she could get to Diana's favorite in Aefenglom. ]
[Diana steps inside, taking a quick look at her surroundings. She'd been here a couple of times already, wanting to check up on her teacher during her recovery. And speaking of...]
You're moving much better than the last time we saw each other.
They... did say you would fully recover, right?
[She'd likely asked that question before, but Diana couldn't help but worry.]
Well, Mio said she'd do as much as she could for me, at least... [ A sigh. Diana wouldn't take manufactured expectations well, no matter how positive they were. She had to be straightforward with someone like her, as always. ]
There is... a real possibility I won't be able to regain my mobility as it used to be. But I'll be as close to how I used to be as I can get, once she's figured out the antitoxin I need.
[Was Diana concerned about the "real possibility" actually becoming true? Of course she was. But instead of worrying about a future that wasn't yet set in stone, Diana would continue to focus on the present.]
And I'm sure you don't need me to remind you that I'm willing to help with anything you may need.
But honestly, there's something else I wanted to speak with you about.
... You're not necessarily being polite by not being direct, either, Diana.
[ It was a little tit for tat, perhaps. But if Diana wanted an honest answer, she needed to ask an honest question. They didn't need to speak in coded language. They both knew what this was about. ]
[ Yeah that's... what she thought this was about. And she can't help but feel part of why Diana didn't understand was, despite her maturity, came from her youth. It was always easier to see things the way one did, when one still had so little experience. She remembered feeling like things could be that simple, once. ]
It's... not that simple, Diana. These things don't just go away that quickly.
[ She sighed, stepping aside and making her way to the kitchen of the small apartment, pulling some tea from the cabinet and preparing to set on the kettle. ]
You don't just... recover from years and years of guilt and anxiety so smoothly.
[Everything had happened so fast, before, it was only after arriving in the city that Diana's life finally slowed down.
She had to really consider this. Akko and herself were only a fraction of the ones affected by the performances. Considering Shiny Chariot's popularity, it was only natural to assume that countless others had been drained of their magical powers.]
Very little. I've let some things slip, but no one really knows about that person.
[ She still talks about them as a separate person, even...
Maybe that was for the best. "Shiny Chariot" didn't need to exist, any longer, after all. Her role in inspiring Akko and Diana was important, but it wasn't something that needed to be retread or revisited for others. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Shortly...
There's a knock on the door.]
no subject
When she opened the door, the scent of tea came through keenly. As close an approximation as she could get to Diana's favorite in Aefenglom. ]
Please, come in...
no subject
[Diana steps inside, taking a quick look at her surroundings. She'd been here a couple of times already, wanting to check up on her teacher during her recovery. And speaking of...]
You're moving much better than the last time we saw each other.
They... did say you would fully recover, right?
[She'd likely asked that question before, but Diana couldn't help but worry.]
no subject
There is... a real possibility I won't be able to regain my mobility as it used to be. But I'll be as close to how I used to be as I can get, once she's figured out the antitoxin I need.
no subject
[Was Diana concerned about the "real possibility" actually becoming true? Of course she was. But instead of worrying about a future that wasn't yet set in stone, Diana would continue to focus on the present.]
And I'm sure you don't need me to remind you that I'm willing to help with anything you may need.
But honestly, there's something else I wanted to speak with you about.
[It'd been on her mind for some time, now.]
Why do you insist on hiding, Ursula?
no subject
[ Chariot laughed nervously, well aware she was 'caught', and that Diana would have a particular interest in why that was... ]
W-well... Humans are creatures of habit, you know.
[ That felt like an excuse. It kind of was. ]
It was just... more comfortable being 'Ursula' in a strange, alien place, you know?
no subject
[And really, would that have been any different than her usual behavior?
She just knew that there had to be more to it than that.]
So no, I don't think I really "know" what you're referring to.
no subject
[ It was a little tit for tat, perhaps. But if Diana wanted an honest answer, she needed to ask an honest question. They didn't need to speak in coded language. They both knew what this was about. ]
no subject
Do you still feel responsible over what happened?
Akko and I have already forgiven you.
[Ah, but that was it.
It was just the two of them, when Chariot's reach had affected so many more.]
no subject
It's... not that simple, Diana. These things don't just go away that quickly.
[ She sighed, stepping aside and making her way to the kitchen of the small apartment, pulling some tea from the cabinet and preparing to set on the kettle. ]
You don't just... recover from years and years of guilt and anxiety so smoothly.
no subject
She had to really consider this. Akko and herself were only a fraction of the ones affected by the performances. Considering Shiny Chariot's popularity, it was only natural to assume that countless others had been drained of their magical powers.]
Does living as "Ursula" help you at all?
no subject
[ Chariot watched the kettle, fingers wrapping and unwrapping along the head of her cane. ]
If it's any consolation, the people closes to me here know who I am.
no subject
If it's that much of a comfort for you, then I suppose it's not my place to judge or tell you to stop.
I just hope you find the peace you're looking for.
[...]
Exactly how much do they know about Shiny Chariot?
no subject
Very little. I've let some things slip, but no one really knows about that person.
[ She still talks about them as a separate person, even...
Maybe that was for the best. "Shiny Chariot" didn't need to exist, any longer, after all. Her role in inspiring Akko and Diana was important, but it wasn't something that needed to be retread or revisited for others. ]
no subject
Then I suppose there's no need for me to change any of that.
We likely won't have to worry about them ever knowing of your performances, either.
[Ah, to be so innocent.]