Theater Kid's March Comes in Like a Lion

[thestarknows]

⭐ Who: Junna Hoshimi... and you!
⭐ When: Throughout March!
⭐ Where: In Yumemigaoka!
⭐ What: March catch-all!
⭐ Warnings: Junna's grappling with some heavy stuff, so... threads could get into parents not being great, some homophobia, and other things. There's also some implicit sleeping together (nothing NSFW though) in the Lisa and Junna thread, if that's a thing you prefer to avoid!

Comments

[thestarknows]

[Junna is surprised for just a moment. But then she hugs Jeanette back, and it surprises her how much she needed a good hug. She's struggling to keep her composure when she speaks. It's only kind of working.]

It's hard to feel like I didn't mess up, somehow. I know the Disturbance made it worse, or--or preyed on it, like you said.

[She sighs.] ...Forgiving myself is hard, still.

[darcangel]

Because you are very kind.

[ The hug will continue until morale improves. ]

There is no shame in that, either.

[thestarknows]

K-Kind? [That surprises her. But with everything going on... she's thought a lot of things about herself. She didn't think of herself as kind.]

I didn't let you down? When we shoveled ice, I acted like I had everything together. But...

[That's obviously not true.]

[darcangel]

You bore a great burden, but stopped to help. And even now, you worry for others.

[ Pat pat pat. She is now patting your back. It's okay. It's okay. ]

If that is not kind, nothing is!

[thestarknows]

I--but... the trouble that burden caused. The way I held onto it, until others had to carry it.

[She hugs that much tighter. And she sniffles, too.]

The fright I gave everyone who cares about me. It's hard to think that's kind.

[darcangel]

[ Pat. Pat. May she stroke the back of your head? Junna has started to sound like Angel-sama, who once apologized for telling Jeannette she could be a commander. It makes Jeannette's heart ache. ]

Those worries are your kindness.

[ Unkind people don't fret about being unkind. QED! ]

[thestarknows]

I...

[Having her hair stroked... actually, that does a lot. Junna relaxes a little. Then, there's a tiny laugh. It's a little muted, a little hesitant. But...

It helps.]

...It's hard to disagree with you, Jeanette-chan.

[darcangel]

I only speak when I am sure I am right.

[ And she smooths down Junna's hair some more. She'll hold her friend as long as needed, as long as it takes to carry some of the burden. It's not wrong, to share a weight. It makes it bearable. ]

[thestarknows]

[Junna pulls back after a second -- and then wipes at her eyes. It's a little reluctantly, but she wants to look at Jeanette. She smiles a little more, then.]

Thanks. I... needed to hear that. I've been trying to not beat myself up, but--ah...

[Well, Jeanette saw that Disturbance.]

[darcangel]

[ Jeannette already has a hankie half-out. Do you still need this...? ]

My angel does the same thing, Junna. You are in the grandest company.

[ You know the look on her face she got when she mentioned the St. Catherine's books when they shoveled snow?

Take that look, multiply it by some incredibly exponential power.

That's what she looks like when she talks about her angel. ]

[thestarknows]

[Yes, please. Junna takes the handkerchief and wipes at her eyes, gratefully.

Then she looks up -- and she blinks her eyes. Her angel... right, the conversation from yesterday...]

I'm glad to hear it. [She smiles, after a moment.] You're... really close to her, aren't you?

[darcangel]

Knowing her is my greatest treasure.

[ Platonic things to say about somebody. ]

[thestarknows]

[Super platonic. Junna blinks... then she smiles.]

...I'm glad for you. That's... a very valuable feeling.

[She might be thinking of a certain someone when she says that.]

[darcangel]

How blessed we are to have hearts that cannot fill. I can love my Angel dearly, and have room for my good friends.

[ Hug. You are brave and good and kind and strong no matter what you think of yourself, Junna! Jeannette believes in you!!!! ]

If...you don't mind....I should like that to include you.

[thestarknows]

Mm... yes. Yes, we're lucky. I-- [There's a blink, and then a bit of relief. It's wonderful to think she didn't drive a friend away.

Junna nods, quickly.] I'd like that very much, Jeanette. [She hugs Jeanette back.] Friends, then, through thick and thin!

[darcangel]

[ Jeannette squeezes Junna. Vive l’amitié!!!!!! ]

If there is anything I can do for you, a favor or simply lending an ear, you need but say. Should what you need hang from the clouds, I will retrieve it!

[thestarknows]

[Junna smiles -- even laughs a bit at the mental image, but it's a good-natured laugh.] Thank you. I will. And... I'll do better about asking when I need someone to lend an ear.

[A beat, then:] If you need the same from me, please reach out!

[darcangel]

Gladly. [ Honestly, seeing a smile from Junna does wonders.

....Perhaps, once Junna has seen her fight more, she can ask Junna about what Lisa said. About how she does not need to be given official command to become a leader and help everyone do their best. Junna reminds her of Angel-sama, so perhaps Junna is also wise. ]

[thestarknows]

[Junna nods, cheerfully. She doesn't know quite what problems those might be... though, what Jeannette said about her Angel... well, she has to wonder.

Then, she stands up from the bench, and dusts herself off a little.] Well... I think I should take another couple laps around the lake. I'm working up the courage to go talk to Lisa.

[darcangel]

[ A soft smile. There's that kindness again, worrying about people. And how much worse must it be when it's someone she cares for so deeply.... ]

I pray it goes well. For the courage is there.

[ She points at Junna's heart. You've got this, friendo! ]

[thestarknows]

[Junna smiles back. Even if the nerves are apparent; she won't feel 100% until she can talk to her. And maybe not after that, either, depending how it goes.]

Th-Thank you. I'll... do my best. And thank you again, Jeanette. I'll talk to you soon, okay?

[darcangel]

[ Jeannette nods. Or maybe it's a goodbye bow? ]

À bientôt!

[ .....a goodbye bow while speaking French. sasuga i guess ]

[thestarknows]

[A goodbye bow! Junna finds that delightful. She waves, beaming.]

Until then!

[And then... it's off to laps around the lake!

To build up courage!]