Story Reader / Affection / Lucia: Plume / Story
(Humming)
When you finally wake, you start at the sight of Lucia sitting in the corner of your quarters, calm as a lotus flower.
Commandant, you're finally awake.
First... I must offer you my apologies.
For the... "failed experiments" I made you eat. I should have known that there was more to food than its appearance.
Thank you, Commandant. I knew you would not hold it against me.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but... watching you faint made me realize a great many things about myself.
Not just the old me, but the new me, as well.
I had my doubts, but they won't be a problem anymore.
Not all of it, but the rest won't be a problem.
A lot of people have been turning up, looking for you for various reasons, Commandant. But I sent them all away.
Some important, some less so. But I took care of them all promptly.
Because the exhaustion must be piling up for you, what with our recent missions and... incidents. I took the liberty of safeguarding your rest.
There are no missions scheduled today, so you can rest easy. I will take watch.
Is that so... I can turn away—I guess that wouldn't help any.
Taking watch is rest enough for me, Commandant.
What's with that expression...? We've been together like this for long, Commandant, even if I wasn't always privy to your condition...
According to the records, you were the one person whom I have been with the longest. I am simply adhering to my past behavior.
So... in short.
I would like to share our time together, Commandant.
No, please don't answer. I did not express my feelings to elicit a reply.
As she speaks, Lucia presents you with a paper crane. It's been carefully folded countless times, and you can faintly make out scribbles in between the creases.
From the scribbles, you make out a set of groundside coordinates, close to the new HQ you set up together, and these words: "I hope that you'll be there, at the appointed time."
Simply put... I'm asking you out on a date.
