TWENTY
Reduced to stillness, she can hear: Maria's soft, even breathing, faint, raucous laughter that is probably a tipsy Kirika, and a low, sad melody that is Chris's choice of lullaby. She also hears the inquisitive creaks of the house sounding out its current occupants with something akin to disbelief.
It makes her want to leave her bed in favor of walking the halls—to explore just as the house would like her to.
"Stop thinking so loudly," Maria grumbles, burrowing further into Tsubasa's side. "Sleep."
"I can't," she whispers her reply.
With a groan, Maria props herself up on an elbow to squint at her. "What's going on in that head of yours?" It's said with equal parts concern and exasperation.
She presses a finger to Maria's lips, murmuring, "Do you hear that?"
Again, Maria's breathing, Kirika's laughter, the mournful accompaniment, the groans of the house—and her own heartbeat. Somewhere within, Elfnein and Shirabe are ensconced in envelopes of relative silence, just as she and Maria are.
"You mean Kirika? Or the strangely sad music that Chris is playing?" Maria asks, lying back down and threading her fingers with Tsubasa's. "Does it bother you, that there is sound after such a long period of silence?"
There—that is the question.
"I'm not sure," she whispers again.
Does it bother her? Does it bother the house?
"No…?"
Maria chuckles and answers, "I think you're just not used to it—and maybe it feels like a dream, doesn't it?"
"A dream… I almost cannot believe that this is real," she says.
And perhaps it is—"Too good to be true."
"Really?"
"Yes." She turns to her side, seeking Maria's silhouette in the darkness. "I have never known the house to be so properly alive, as if people truly lived here."
Maria's grip tightens on her hand. "I always did think this place was a mausoleum," she confesses. "At least, back when he was in control." Years later, and Maria still burns with righteous indignation. "But just you wait until I'm home all day! Then you really will be annoyed," Maria laughs.
"And when will that be? So that I know when to make my hotel reservation," she teases back. Her eyes have adjusted enough that she can see Maria's smirk.
"How awful of you, Tsubasa!" Maria smacks her lightly, affecting offense. "Seriously, though. I get off on the 20th, and I'm sure the others will want to make the most of it…."
"Don't worry about me," she tells Maria, "I can handle a little noise. I do wonder, however, if Elfnein will mind."
Maria hums pensively.
"I hope she doesn't mind… but I'll talk to Kirika, Shirabe, and Chris to make sure they don't go overboard."
Perhaps Elfnein will have a response similar to hers—taken aback, yet content.
After all, Maria is right: the house has been a mausoleum for too long. She is certain that Elfnein understands this (even though she wishes that Elfnein had not had to know these truths long before her time).
"Tsubasa?"
"Hm?"
"You're thinking again," Maria chides her.
She laughs, and the house laughs with her.
a/n: the original version of this was completely different and then I decided it wasn't what I wanted so I scrapped it all in favor of some TsubaMari domesticity. I hope this chapter is satisfactory!
Mmm... I think I'll either not update tomorrow, or I'll keep it even shorter than usual (like, 200 words).
Anyone here watched Bodacious Space Pirates? Man, I love that anime; I just finished yesterday and I wish there was more! The fic archive is tiny, even smaller than Symphogear's, but it's /such/ a good show. 11/10 recommend!
Anyway, please review!