idolpro | Nemesis Heart

["A tutor?" Julia turns to her father, eyes wide. "Daddy, had you known that she was doing that bad at school?"

The man's brows ridge; seems like he had not. He leaves dinner be, and comes closer to Shrike, frowning. "She in trouble again? Guess so, or you wouldn't've come all this way, ah?"]

Oh, no, it's more just—supplemental? Intended to be more, er, career-focused? It's not trouble, but I wanted to, er—well, also, meet her family, since I haven't yet, and also get...

[ uhhhhh what are words she learned from the delinquents game ]

...your permission for her to go on the class outing?

[Julia stares back, visibly unsure about the words and Shrike just in general; her father seems to accept this easily enough, though frowns about something different.

"Sounds expensive. All the way to Disney? I don' know if we can do this."]

Oh, um, it's being sponsored, after all—

...ah, it turns out your younger daughter is quite the athlete, which is part of the reason why.

[He brightens, eager. "She is? Lookit that, Amorzinha, our baby girl has a skill, she says."

Julia smiles as well "Well, that's certainly a change of pace! We all know brains aren't her strong suit." Julia steps forward, crowding a bit into Shrike's space. "So then, is that all you're here for, Ms...?"]

Ah, it's Shrike—I'm surprised you're not aware, though, since it seems like she uses her athletic shoes and her bike quite a bit.

Speaking of which—I did think I saw her shoes in the entryway, so is she home, too?

["Ms. Shrike, alright, what an honor to meet you," Julia simpers, advancing further into Shrike's personal space.

"Oh my gosh, it sounds like you have such a good relationship. I would've thought she'd have said something about you ever, we could've put together such a nice dinner or something! But--well, you know how she can be." Her voice goes lower here, as if sharing a secret. It is probably much more obvious how she seems to be herding Shrike towards the door.]

She's quite private, yes.

[ ... ]

Julia, in fact, would you mind if I speak with you for a moment? It seems I've taken enough of your time already, and I wouldn't want to get in the way of your mealtime.

However, there was something I want to ask you about, as it turns out Nemesis has already told me quite a bit about you.

[Her expression drops for a beat before the persona snaps back into place, her smile going brighter, eyes crinkling cutely.

"...I'm sure she has. But of course, ma'am. Anything for my baby sis." She turns back to her father, waving him back to the kitchen. "You can finish up on your own, right, Daddy? Thaaank you~"

She moves on towards the front door, not escorting you out of it, but certainly not inviting you to sit or anything.

"So, Ms. Shrike. What do you need my help with?"]

I'm an older sister, you know. My younger brother and I never got along at all, so I know it can be very difficult in the household when it's a stressful time.

[Despite a definite physical resemblance to Nemesis, Julia seems to have her tells a lot more under control. She only cocks her head, polite.

"Oh? That must have been so hard for you, especially so long ago! You're so strong~"]

[ there's like

a beat

and in a tone that seems slightly affected, like she's borrowing it from someone else, flat: ]

Don't be patronizing. It's unbecoming for someone of your apparent accomplishments.

[ and then more like herself: ]

What I regret the most is not having solidarity with my brother in a way that could have helped both of us in a situation that was neither of our faults.

Where I'm going with this is that it seems you've never made this house a home for her, but regardless of whether she has skills or not, she'll always have a place with us.

[Her expression stutters; when it comes back up, it's to the same airy tone, but somehow more obviously false.

"...That's some interesting assumptions. And such big ones, too! But then--I guess you can't really help it, can you."

She cocks her head to the other side, smile bright. "Anyways, didn't you say you had something you needed me to know? Not that your history lesson isn't super fascinating!"]

[ with a tired sigh: ]

You're horrible.

Why do you want me to leave so badly?

[Plainly:

"Why would you want to stay? There's nothing for you here. This isn't your place, just like it wasn't hers. Why not make it easier on all of us?"]

It makes it seem like you're hiding something. Why are her shoes and her bike here?

["Oh, were you going to take that unnecessary junk, Ms. Shrike? You're so helpful!"

With a smile, Julia pads over to open the door, then offering the grubby tennis with a beatific smile]

[ i don't even have the right icon for this, because has anyone seen her make this deeply exasperated of an expression before?

the answer is no. ]

I'll put them in their rightful place.

[ she takes the tennis shoes with one hand, sighs, and then just backhands julia. ]

[oh shit]

[It takes an second for her to stumble back into some furniture, as if physics itself can't imagine Julia actually being attacked like this.

For her part, Julia stares up at Shrike, wide-eyed and--for once--without anything to say.]

[From the other room, Igarashi senior peeks his head out. "What was that? You girls okay?"]

[ pleasantly: ]

I was just leaving, sir. I hope you and your daughter have a lovely rest of your day.

[ and she's taking the bike and the shoes and leaving. ]

[He waves, confused but friendly; she still seems too stunned to move.

The bike doesn't really roll straight--looks like it's been run over by a truck or something--but you are very strong and can easily tuck it under your arm and go.

That said...where are you headed?]

[ she gives a cheerful wave to dad and heads back the way she came, the bike tucked under her arm.

watch the politeness passive-aggression master work, julia!!!! ]

[And even Julia learned a lesson this day]

[As you continue down the path, eventually you end up back here.]

Nemesis Heart - R1

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