Ω → seven

[oforder]

Characters: Wilhelm and Shiro... possibly Wretched Egg?
Setting: Libary.
Format: Prose.
Summary: Wilhelm makes good on a promise.
Warnings: Should be relatively innocent... unless Wretched Egg comes out.

White Day. Wilhelm almost never even paid the tradition dating back to Japan on Jerusalem any mind until now, until Valentine's Day came one month prior. Shiro gave him a present, and asked for one in return. Wilhelm may not be the nicest guy ever - depending on who you asked, anyway - but how could he say no to something that harmless? Besides... Shiro interested him. So did the Wretched Egg, for that matter, but for entirely different reasons.

He didn't need to remind Shiro where he'd be. As childish as she seemed on the surface, there was no way she'd forget something like being promised a present. If anything, she's smarter than she lets on.

He slowly reached into his desk, and withdraws a small, white hair-ribbon. Where he did he get it? He actually made it; it was made up of ripped fabric found in the infirmary - hey, they throw that stuff out all the time - and sewn into a hair tie. It wasn't big, or particularly fancy, but it was the best he could do given the materials. And Wilhelm wasn't much of a fashion designer.

She'd be here any minute. And he'd be more than happy to give her what he promised.

Comments

[oforder]

"I do. And I am certain that I am not the only one who would."

She seems very happy. Good... very good. It's amazing how different Shiro and this 'Wretched Egg' are. Near polar opposites.

[taintedwhite]

"Other people would like to hear Shiro sing? What people?"

She is happy. She's not trying to hide it. Maybe it has to do with the fact that Shiro craves happiness the very same way Wretched Egg craves pain.

[oforder]

"I imagine anyone who would hear you sing." In other words... she should do it more often. And around more people than just him. He can see how happy she is, and, well... at least now Wretched Egg can't say he isn't keeping his promise to her.

[taintedwhite]

Shiro seems to hesitate. And eventually she stands up. "Shiro doesn't think she would like to sing for just anyone. Wilhelm thinks Shiro would make more friends if she did record a song for the people in the Tower to hear?"

No, Wretched Egg would agree he's been keeping his promise. So far.

[oforder]

"I don't see why not. Many people here like you. And you have a natural talent for singing." He tilts his head to the side. "And the ribbon looks very nice on you. Wouldn't you like others to see it?"

After all, all she seemed to want are friends. She could make several more very easily.

[taintedwhite]

Shiro grins as he mentions the ribbon again, and her fingers reach out for the little braid she's made in her hair. "Shiro would! When people see it, they'll know Wilhelm is Shiro's friend."

Yes, that was what she wanted. True friends that wouldn't leave her alone or forget about her.

[oforder]

"Yes. I am." Poor Shiro... if it wasn't for that dangerous split personality she appears to have, she'd almost certainly have everyone in the Tower fawning over how adorable she is. He didn't know everything about her, obviously, and it was doubtful that her power would be particularly useful in saving his own world, unlike Haruhi's clearly was. But that didn't mean he still couldn't be interested in her for other reasons.

"Have you told the others where you are? I don't want them to get worried."

[taintedwhite]

That confirmation earns him yet another hug. "Shiro is so happy!" But this one is shorter, though. And she doesn't even wait for him to return it.

"Wilhelm doesn't have to worry about that. No one ever worries about Shiro." But she doesn't sound sad about it at all. She's smiling and just saying this matter-of-factly.

[oforder]

The hug again somewhat takes him by surprise, but she pulls back before he has an opportunity to return it. "Nobody?" he asks, his tone only slightly curious. This is still Wilhelm; he's still painfully deadpan.

"What about 'Toto?' Or Tohko? Or 'Aceman?'"

[taintedwhite]

Shiro ponders this a moment. "Aceman always knows where Shiro is." As for Toto and Tohko... "Toto is never far. And Tohko is very busy." She shrugs. "But that's okay. Shiro is strong. Shiro can take care of herself."

[oforder]

So, Wretched Egg does remain conscious, even while Shiro is the personality that is manifesting itself. Good. He was curious about that. He kind of figured that about Toto, and as for Tohko... busy with what? Now he's curious.

"That is little comfort to those who care about you, and worry that you could get hurt." Of course he knows she's strong; and even if she did get hurt, it would take a lot to do anything permanent, or it would require her being on a floor where her powers didn't work. And even then, Wretched Egg would likely take over to protect Shiro. But... there's a bit of an ulterior motive at work, here.

[taintedwhite]

Now Shiro looks puzzled. "Who are those?"

[oforder]

"Do you mean to tell me that us four are the only people here who care for you?"

[taintedwhite]

"Four people is not enough?" She's honestly not sure who else really cares about her. And four people caring full time about her sounds already a lot to Shiro.

[oforder]

"Only you can answer that." Some people need everyone to like them. Some people need two, three, four people. Some just need themselves. Shiro, however, seemed plenty sociable.

[taintedwhite]

Shiro's had such a lonely life that not being left alone anymore is all that matters. "Shiro doesn't know the answer to this. Not yet. ...But Shiro will do her best to find out!"

[oforder]

He would have smiled if he had the ability to do so. His hand pats her mitten-clad hand. "I'm certain you will." He never doubted her for a moment. In many ways, Shiro was stronger than Shion ever was. And that was a very, very promising sign.