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How uncouth.

[ Yet... Haru isn't surprised. His so-called apology to her hadn't been heartfelt or sincere at all. Simply rehearsed. ]

The first time he and I spoke was when I had arrived. I... spoke without thinking, telling him a little bit about my family. It was an error of judgment, though I don't know if he picked me because of that or it was simply random.

[ She sighs, leveling her gaze. ]

Futaba-chan and I won't let him do anything to you again. You will always have the Phantom Thieves on your side.

[Uncouth. That's one way to put it. Once Haru mentions her own experience with Woden, though, her stomach tightens itself into knots. She doesn't know anything about Haru's family, but she knows all too well how it can be a person's weak spot, and she can't help but feel a new wave of disgust at the thought of Woden taking advantage of that.

However, her anger is tempered by Haru's promise. She looks up, taken aback; when was the last time someone had promised to take care of her? When was the last time she allowed herself to be the one protected, instead of the one her protects others?]

Haru-chan, I...

[A warmth spreads through her chest at the thought of them both at her side. However, her memories, her duties, begin to chill her. This isn't just about her, is it? And besides, how can she stand idle and let them do all the work? Didn't she say that she didn't want to get her hands dirty? And didn't she agree that she was ready for this? She breathes in and looks back at Haru, meeting her gaze]

Thank you. I mean it, really, but-

[Her voice cracks, overcome with emotion, and she swallows the lump in her throat]

I'm not just worried about me. I can fight back. But everyone else here - the natives, they were a target, too. They don't remember, but... did you ever hear about the bombs? He wasn't responsible, but...

[There's a bitter edge to her voice again, and she nearly spits the last few words out]

But he had some fun with it.

[ It's been some time since that summer and it's not that Haru wants to forget about it, but it's always... a strange and uncomfortable weight on her chest when she thinks not just about losing her entire identity and being someone's puppet, but the mass death the other members of her "Pantheon" had been responsible for.

She and Keith had managed to stay out of it, but violence had broken out of their own show. She can still recall the surge of anger, hot blood coursing through her, the urge to hurt the people who were only trying to help her and Keith.

There's a chance Haru could have been responsible for someone's life back then; she's already reeling from watching the Narrator suffer at the hands of Kylo while she stood by, unable to do much.

It's... a sickening feeling. She feels responsible enough for the Narrator and she didn't deliver the killing blow.

But to someone like Woden? She doesn't doubt Utena's words about him having "fun" with it. ]

Everything is a twisted game to Woden. I am not sure he is capable of remorse.

[Haru is sweet. Haru is gentle. Haru is one of the kindest people she knows. But Haru gets it. Utena didn't want to get anyone else involved, but maybe, just maybe...]

That's why we need to find some way to stop him. Stop him for good.

[ Although this conversion brings up a storm of emotions to the surface, the following sentence catches Haru off guard completely.

She sits up straight, blinking owlishly as if she misheard. ]

... Utena-chan?

[Utena may not always be the sharpest tool in the shed, but she's sharp enough to catch onto the change in Haru's mood. She's just not sure why. She stiffens and stares back, uncertain]

Yeah?

[What.... what are you going to say Haru]

[ Haru stares back at her, her worry clear as crystal on her face. ]

What do you mean by stop him for "good"?

[ Perhaps she's misunderstanding the implication? ]

As in... sending him to prison?

[She goes silent, breaking Haru's gaze to stare down at the kitchen floor]

He wouldn't stay in jail for very long. No imPort does - he'd be stuck there for a couple months, then he'd just be let out again, free to do whatever he wants.

[Her voice is quiet and strained, as she struggles with the helplessness of it all. If they can't stop him the legitimate way, then... well, that limits their options, doesn't it?]

[ Haru does feel genuinely sorry, understanding Utena's frustrations. Back home she had to watch corrupt adults get away with literal murder, these people untouchable by the authorities and others.

And here it's almost the same with those like Woden. He did all that and... well, he was stopped temporarily.

Maybe she needs to convene with Cassandra about this. ]

There are the power dampeners. We can't... you can't do that, Utena-chan. [ Her voice is just as quiet, almost afraid to say the word. ] The nanites in our bodies bring us back.

I know! I know-

[The timer interrupts her and she startles, her nerves wound tight from the conversation. She takes a deep breath and turns it off, and yanks the teabags out of Haru's mug]

But we can't force him to wear a nullifier all the time. And we can't throw him in jail, and we can't-

[Funny. Back during the time loop she had been able to do the deed, and would have finished it if the reboot button hadn't set in time for him. But like Haru, she can't bring herself to say the actual word.

She breathes out and dumps the teabags in the teabags into the trash can]

There has to be something we can do.

Stealing his heart would have been the optimal decision.

[ But Haru's own heart sinks thinking about the rest of the Phantom Thieves, worlds away. She doesn't have that power, neither do Futaba or Goro as far as she knows.

She wishes Akira were here.

She flinches a bit at the aggressive yanking of the teabags. She can sense Utena's anger and attempts to quell it. ]

I'm not sure what can be done, but we should at least talk to Cassandra. She's one of the real Pantheon who's dealt with Woden before. She's an adult we can trust.

... I don't want you to do something you would regret. Futaba-chan would say the same, I'm certain.

Cassandra...

[Her name is enough to soothe Utena, allowing Haru to soothe her anger as she brings sense into this conversation.]

Yeah... if anyone would know what to do, it would be Cassandra, right?

[Her voice is quiet and tired, her temper extinguished like a candle that drowned its flame in its own melted wax. She walks to the fridge to grab some cream (does Haru like cream with her tea? Well, there's cream, if she wants it), but as soon as she mentions Futaba, she can feel a stab of guilt. Futaba wouldn't want her to do something stupid, but... Futaba isn't a fighter. She's not helpless; she's clever and smart and talented, but she's the brains, not the brawn. Utena doesn't want to think about what could happen to her if Woden drags her into his business.

She doesn't slam the fridge shut, but she lets it close with more force than necessary]

But if there's anything I'd regret... I don't think there's anything I could do that I'd regret more than doing nothing.

I think we should think on this when our heads are clear.

[ Haru offers a smile, doing her best to alleviate the tension in the air between them.

She understands wholly the urge to fight back, to seek revenge against the cruel adults who hurt them, but... this time it's different. This is now life and death they're potentially playing with and as Phantom Thieves they don't grapple with such matters. ]

[But her head is clear, she wants to say. Or clear enough, at least. Utena opens her mouth, but thinks better of it; this conversation has been pretty tense. Intense. Both? Either way, a break couldn't hurt, could it? She sighs and takes a deep breath, calming down]

You're right. We can think more about this later.

[A pause, and she remembers the canister of sugar she just picked up]

-oh. I never gave you your tea, did I?

No, you did not, but it's alright.

[ Haru offers her a smile, but she files away the conversation for later. She also needs to speak with Futaba as soon as she can. ]

Are you more of a tea of coffee person yourself, Utena-chan?

[So, they're going to switch topics just like that, huh? Utena sets the thing of sugar down, before deciding to just roll with it]

I guess I'd say tea - it's what we always drank back home. Oh, by the way, how do you like your tea, Haru-chan? We have sugar, cream...I think I saw some honey in the cupboard...

[Yep. Just like that.]

I'll take some honey, thank you.

[ Just like that. ]

You mean you and your family?

[ When she thinks on it, she doesn't know a lot about Utena's personal life, does she? Even though they live together now... how shameful! ]

Oh, uh... not exactly. I don't really have a family, you see. My parents died when i was little, and I was an only child so...

[She shrugs, speaking rather casually for someone who lost their family. It's a story she's had to tell others before, and it's a story she'll have to tell others again. That's simply how it is, and she moves past it quickly]

But you're kind of right - I've been living with a friend from school and her brother, and they were the closest thing I had to a family back home. She always made tea for the two of us, too - I didn't realize just how special it was at the time, but sometimes when I drink a cup of tea, I can't help but think of her.

[She smiles to herself as she grabs the honey, a smile that's soft and bittersweet, and she brings the plastic honey bear and the cat mug over to the table for Haru]

[ Haru's expression falters, but she can tell Utena doesn't want sympathetic looks and heartfelt apologies, as much as Haru wants to offer those condolences. She's strong and so brave for someone so young, it's no wonder Futaba is charmed by her. Honestly, there's something princely about her that Haru could easily see herself enamored by her. ]

Sometimes it's the small things, isn't it? A warm cup of tea, shared between loved ones...

[ She knows the feeling. Whenever she has a hot cup of coffee, she thinks about her beloved grandfather. ]

A good reminder that you're never alone.

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