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I-I never said I didn't want it! Of course I'm keeping the title! [He's so flustered now. Stop making assumptions! There's the occasional puffs of smoke appearing above his head.]

Just, you addressing me as "Sir" is too strange.

[ At least it's getting a bit brighter in the attic. Naruhodou being flustered never fails to amuse him. He chuckles, shaking his head. ]

It stands to reason that if you keep the title, I should address you respectfully, shouldn't I? . . . Sir.

You're my best friend!! [That was louder than he needed to be.] You don't need to do that around me! Argh, I shouldn't have said anything. [He stomps his way over to the couch and flops onto it with a huff.]

[ Okay, okay, he can't keep this up. Asougi laughs again, sitting back down on the couch, next to him. ]

Don't be like that. So? How was it, exactly? Did I miss a ceremony?

[He gives Asougi a look and then sighs.] Well, I didn't know what being knighted actually meant until I was summoned. I thought being knighted meant you became an actual knight. [After he no longer had a sword to even be a somewhat passing as a knight.]

But...there was a ceremony. She detailed my strengths and achievements, before tapping me with her sword and giving me the title "Knight of Defense".

[ Meanwhile, he has two swords which is probably two too many for any human being, but at least they're currently not on his person — though Karma is propped up right by his door, clearly in his line of sight if he looks for it. He shakes his head. ]

It's a title. Like I was saying before, it's a way of conveying respect for someone. Holding them in esteem. But "Knight of Defense" . . . [ Asougi's voice trails off as he considers that, and then he nods firmly. ] It suits you.

[He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, staring at the floor in front of him.] T-Thank you... I think it does too. [Rather than disagree, he actually smiles a little.]

A lot has happened...since that day we were in court together, when I was defending myself without a clue to what I was doing. [It was reckless, his life to save his best friend's exchange program. It's funny, thinking back on it.] Now I've somehow successfully handled five cases since then. Heh, I didn't realize I've done that much already.

. . . hmm. I'd imagine that your eyes aren't darting around as frantically in court any more.

[ But despite that teasing remark, Asougi actually looks somewhat proud of him. He really had grown, ever since that first trial. ] Time goes by quickly, doesn't it.

[His shoulders slumps, looking rather guilty.] Oh, well...maybe not as often? [He doesn't pay attention unless someone points it out to him! And he feels like no one has quite as often lately? He doesn't know.

He leans back in his seat.] ...Yea. Wish you could have been there for most of it.

[ His face immediately falls at that remark, and it's his turn to look guilty. Asougi rolls his head back, glancing off to the side — anywhere but at Naruhodou, really. ]

. . . So do I.

[Ah, oh. He probably should have kept that remark to himself. He frowns, not wanting to upset Asougi like this, not when they're together again. Staring down at his lap, he leans into Asougi.]

...You can watch me here, we can still have the adventure we promised together.

[ That gets him to shift his gaze back over to Naruhodou. Asougi pauses for a moment, then chuckles softly as he adjusts his position slightly so he can draw an arm around him. ]

Hmm, that's right. This is a big town after all, isn't it?

[The tension he had been feeling slowly starts to melt away when he felt Asougi's arm around him. Safety, assurance that yes, his best friend is still here for him. The frown turns into a small smile as he fully leans into being held like this.]

It's not the only town either. There's a desert town just beneath us, a city of the arts and another in the mountains full of pirates! [...] Hm, maybe we can skip out on that last one.

[ It's like he releases a breath he'd been holding for awhile when Naruhodou leans in fully to him, and he relaxes as well. This was familiar, this was normal. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed it these past few months until now.

Asougi raises an eyebrow at the mention of pirates. ]

Pirates? . . . You know I'm going to ask about that.

Mmm. [He doesn't seem particularly up to explaining, but he will anyway.]

Well we only ran into them, because they tried to steal our amulets and the crystal powering this city. The city they're from, Briarlan, they use something else to power their city and it hasn't been working for them. So they tried to steal from us and there was this big retrieval mission.

[There's a look of dread on his face.] I was part of that expedition too. In the end, we did get the crystal back and now we currently have a trade deal with them. [He doesn't sound too please at the idea.]

The amulets that people need to survive around here? [ He frowns at that. If they were basically condemning them to die, then . . . there was no excuse.

A look of concern briefly crosses his face when he mentions that he went on the retrieval mission, but Asougi is quick to shake his head, as if to shake it off. Naruhodou's grown, it's fine. Of course he'd help with something like that. ] . . . I'd heard whispers around town about Briarlan, though I hadn't realized the reason behind the tenuous relationship was something like that.

They were desperate, they were willing to do anything to save their city.

[He crosses his arms.] Which is why I find the whole trade deal negotiations a bit...troubling. Mind, nothing has happened since then, but we can't be too certain they won't try something.

No, it's something to keep an eye on. Desperation is a powerful thing, after all. [ There's a brief pause, and then he gives him a smirk. ] Well. Nothing you can't handle, "Sir Naruhodou."

Right. [A nod.

Wait.]

H-Hey! I said don't do that! [He looks up to Asougi with a pouting face.]

[ He can't help it — he starts laughing again, shaking his head. ]

What? Am I wrong?

Well--no? Not really? [He has no idea. Why are you doing this to him?]

This is a city of pirates we're dealing with here. I can't just easily handle that!

[ He is a good friend and a good person and you missed him very much, clearly. Clearly. ]

You'd figure something out. [ A beat. ] With words, of course. It's a lost cause if we're talking about hand to hand combat.

Hah? [He gives Asougi his most offended look. Did you really have to go there? He groans as he elbows Asougi. Not cool.]

You didn't need to put it like that. And I know a little more about combat than I did back home. [So. there.]

[ He only gives him a small, satisfied smile in response to the elbowing, but the room seems to get quite a bit brighter at that. ]

Do you really? [ He sounds skeptical at best. ]

Well I did say I have been taking self defense lessons. [After a moment of pouting, his gaze then softens.]

...I have to be able to protect myself somehow, in this dangerous world. [He didn't have Asougi to depend on, and he didn't want to trouble others for his own shortcomings. It was more out of necessity, not a desire.]

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