Different worlds teach us different things. [ Hermione tries to smile, soft and fond, thinking of a world she won't go back to. ] I learned magic, and the rest of it was just... Trial and error.
Not at all. I am saying your approach has brought you from a student to a Marchioness, granted you an amazing Servant and powers far beyond that of most people, and you're still this young.
That's how you got this far, I'm sure. Someone slow on the uptake wouldn't have made it through all the things you did. Especially if you're a good judge of character, as well.
[mostly. not a good enough judge to not hang out with GODDAMN GILGAMESH]
That is the truth... It is the most wicked who are best at hiding their true selves, after all.
[She remembers Abe no Seimei, herself- A hero of Japan who is still exalted even in modern times, but in reality he was a terrible person willing to damn innocents as demons for his own gain.]
I think good people try to hide, too. They try to be something they're not so they don't get hurt, or because they think it's easier... Or who they're supposed to be. It's not always true, though.
Or sometimes, they themselves do not know who they truly are.
[It sounds like she's talking about herself, but she's thinking about Hakuno- The magus with no memories who found out she was supposed to be just an NPC- Nothing more than background dressing for the war.]
But, no one can hide their true self forever, no matter how hard they try!
[ Hermione thinks about Dorian, who had shown her his portrait and thought she would abandon him. Gilgamesh, who was never ashamed to admit who he was but never saw the good in his heart. Luke, who thought he was just a thief and nothing else, all these people she loved and who were far more than they ever let themselves see. ]
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[... She sounds 100% serious.]
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[This young, says the girl who died at 20.]
But I want to hear you flirt now, too!
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[ She says that because she's been fighting since she was eleven. It's almost that many years, now. ]
And I can't flirt just like that! It's - that's not how it works!
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Hm, are you sure? Why don't you try?
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[ She leans back, thinking. ]
I've never felt like I really wanted to flirt with someone before.
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Well... Perhaps that will come in time. Spring comes for everyone eventually!
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You're going to watch me learn, aren't you.
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Of course. You learn quickly!
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[ Flopping back, she shakes her head. ]
Not just in school, but in the Drabwurld as well.
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[mostly. not a good enough judge to not hang out with GODDAMN GILGAMESH]
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[ Like Gilgamesh, or Kirei Kotomine, or even Dorian. ]
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[She remembers Abe no Seimei, herself- A hero of Japan who is still exalted even in modern times, but in reality he was a terrible person willing to damn innocents as demons for his own gain.]
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[It sounds like she's talking about herself, but she's thinking about Hakuno- The magus with no memories who found out she was supposed to be just an NPC- Nothing more than background dressing for the war.]
But, no one can hide their true self forever, no matter how hard they try!
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[ Hermione thinks about Dorian, who had shown her his portrait and thought she would abandon him. Gilgamesh, who was never ashamed to admit who he was but never saw the good in his heart. Luke, who thought he was just a thief and nothing else, all these people she loved and who were far more than they ever let themselves see. ]
It's good if they have someone to help them.
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[... Sorry Hermione, she's just completely incapable of staying serious for more than like three tags at a time.]
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[ She can't help her laugh, though, huffing a noise. ]
You are very beautiful, though.
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And you said you don't know how to flirt! You might be a natural!
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[ Shaking her head, Hermione tugs the other girl close. ]
Ridiculous.