“Hmmmm well to make this easier, let’s start with all the guys first. How about… Robin? Since, he is the tactician!” (And… I also pulled some strings to get him to pair me up with you.) “He will definitely play nice!”
*sigh* “Like I said, your choice.”
I put the mic on his clothes hiding it well too, and give it a firm pat.
Lon’qu: “!” *blush* “W-what gives…”
“I thought I was supposed to put it on you too?”
Lon’qu: “I…could have done it.”
“I beat you to it! Alright, you go out there! And, I’ll go home and listen.”
“Just listen…?” He eyes me suspiciously.
“Yes! My lips are sealed!”
I give him a wide smile and thumbs up as I leave his place. He shakes his head and leaves as well.
I listen to their conversation while I sit on my bed.
I stiffen. “It’s not like he’s saying that to me…”
“That makes two of us… haha…”
“Robin mentions Regna Ferox… I wonder if they really do rely on strength only…?”
I laugh when Robin asked Lon’qu to teach him some moves.
“He says he’s no teacher… but surely even he has taught me things.”
“Well… that was quick. He sure loves sparring.”
“Oh how… I wish I could watch his matches…”
I smile to myself at how humble he is when he thinks about himself. “Inexperienced he says, when he could easily destroy whatever comes in his path…”
“I definitely agree!”
“He really is tough on himself…”
“He… who…?” “Ah. Basilio.”
“A feather he says!! Then what am I fighting with. A piece of sand…”
“There he goes again… selling himself short.”
“He’s definitely opening up.” I smile to myself.”
“High praise from Lon’qu!” I sigh. “He definitely pushes himself too hard...”
I hear shuffling outside of my tent... *knock…knock* A breath. His breath in my ear from the earpiece.
My heart skips a beat. “Who is it?” I say automatically, even though I know it’s Lon’qu.
I open the flap of my tent when he says “Really.”
“Yes.” I laugh. “So… what brings you here…?”
Lon’qu: “Here… take your mic back.”
He puts the mic on my makeshift stand by the door.
“Did you want to come in…? Is that why you’re here…?” I ask sheepishly.
His face flushes. “…No!” “I just didn’t want you… spying on me.”
“Well… I haven’t spied on you outside of your conversations!”
“Then, why are you still wearing it since I left Robin.”
“Oh come on, you came like… immediately!” I take the mic out of my ear and put it down but the same makeshift stand. “There. See? No funny business.” I cross my arms.
Lon’qu: “…”
“…” (This silence. What am I supposed to say next…?)
I blurt out, “It’s only been a few days since we’ve done this for Robin. Good job out there by the way!!”
He eyes me suspiciously.
“I mean… nothing! It’s all confidential!!” “I did say that I won’t speak of any of it! Just listening!”
He looks at me and nods.
Lon’qu: “That… you did.”
“…” Another silence.
“Hmmmmm. What would be the best way to do this daily…?” I start to ponder and think while Lon’qu is still at my door.
“I’ll still come by in the mornings to give you a name… hmmmm… but maybe it’s best if you just keep the mic everyday now?”
He twitches. “So… you can hear me…?”
I blush because I totally would if I could. “I’m not going to spy on you…!” It comes out a bit guilty.
He looks at me. “…”
“I’ll respect your privacy! I’ll hide it, everyday, after we are done. I’ll stick it in a jar!!” I make a show of it by sticking the earpiece in a jar I had on the side.
“See? It’s done. You can even hide yours somewhere too. I’ll only take it out of the jar in the mornings after we figure out who you’re talking to next.”
“…Fine.” He takes the mic and sticks it in his belt for now.
“We have to trust each other!” I beam.
He sighs.
“I think it’ll be easier that way! Let’s just try it okay?”
“Not like I have a choice…”
A voice calls out some feet away.
Robin: “Lon’qu, there you are!”
“Well… I think Robin is calling for you. I can’t monopolize all your time.”
“…?”
I put my hands on his back and shove him out.
“Hey…!”
“Thanks for visiting me!” And, I close the flap of my tent.
I take a deep breath. “Listen to his conversations and don’t get in his way.”
“Listen to his conversations… and don’t get in his way.”
I repeat this to myself as a reminder of what this is supposed to be.
“We’re learning about the Shepherds!” (So… why do I feel like this…?) I smack the sides of my arms with my hands and shake my head.
(I need to change my perspective...)
“I get to learn more about Lon’qu….” This realization keeps me going.
“I mean I learned a lot today. How nice he is to spar when others ask him for it. He really is such a softie…” I laugh. “He would scold me if I said that to him…”
“He definitely pushes himself to become a better, stronger version of himself.”
I sigh.
“For now, maybe I should do some training too…”
