"That - I mean, I'd be very grateful, but I don't think it's quite that simple. Just because I would be safe doesn't mean I'd - feel safe."

"That... does kind of make sense, yeah." Eva furrows her brow. "So I guess we'll just have to, you know, take it one step at a time?" She manages a smile.

Iris returns the smile.

"Yeah. I'm - sorry I'm not simple and straightforward."

"Honestly, I don't think you would be you if you were. So - don't apologize for it."

"I mean, I wasn't always this complicated. I'm - I don't want to say less than I was, because I'm not, but my growth as a person has not been universal victories in becoming better, and this bugs me a bit. The me that I was is still a very valid me. I'm sorry you didn't get to meet her."

"... I mean, it might be technically possible for me to meet her, but I don't think that would be a good idea. The mistakes are a part of who you are: you wouldn't be the you you are today without them."

"Not exactly mistakes in this case, but - yes, agreed. I don't want to create a fork of myself that only has the memories of up to before I had my arcany ritual - for one, she'd be incredibly annoyed about not knowing of everything that's going on, and more importantly..." She trails off, then looks away, toying with the hem of her jacket absently.

"It would be sort of like, saying that everything I am now is. Lesser. In comparison to who I was, before. And I don't think that's true, I'm not - broken beyond repair, or a write off, or - any number of other things I could be. And I don't want to act like I am. But I am a bit dented, and the dents are annoying, even if - something something being prettier for being through the fire."

Eva sighs. "Yeah, I've had this conversation with myself a few times, and it never gets any easier. I think... The thing to remember is that you're a different person from her, now. She's a root of your self-tree, but that's like saying that you're a monkey because you're descended from an ape, that doesn't mean either side is better... Ugh, I'm talking about this all wrong. The thing to remember is that she's in the past, which is a different country."

"Right. It would be complicated."

"Believe me, it is. That's why it's important for you to not stay forked for too long, otherwise... Well, you ought not to end up permanently forked over something as small as a single ritual."

"Not to worry," says Iris. "We'll both be fine with it if we don't end up merged again."

"I hope so!" Eva smiles, a little nervously.

"We will," assures Iris. "Our parents would be a bit weirded out but ultimately adjust, we understand the basic principles of the concept of sharing - and I mean, I don't exactly have a comparison point, but I felt that we got along very well, especially since we're kind of new to" she motions around them, "all of this."

Eva seems to relax a little, and manages a more genuine smile. "Those are good signs, yes."

"And besides, I can't imagine why we wouldn't tell each other everything about what happened in our day. Even if, say, I didn't want to talk, she could figure out the broad strokes of what happened based on how I acted. So - probably not going to drift apart. Not without being separated for years, or something."

"You might be surprised how fast small changes accumulate, but a few months is usually safe. And I mean, I do tend to accumulate new experiences faster than most."

Giggle.

"A bit. But yeah, fair enough. I'll let her know, and we'll watch out for it."

Eva grins, and takes Iris' hand in hers. Then she looks at her hand, and back up at Iris. "Um. Oops?"

Iris laughs.

"Handholding is allowed," she says, wryly. "Maybe don't, say - tackle hug me from behind, or something, but handholding's fine." Smile. "Encouraged, even."

Eva squeezes Iris's hand!

"Excellent!" She tilts her head. "Um, would you maybe like to fix your gravity now? I'm starting to get a crick in my neck looking at you like this."

"Oh. Oh, yes, of course."

Obligingly, she fixes gravity.

"That was very fun," she says. "Thanks for showing me."

"It was no problem, especially if it means I get to kiss an attractive Iris.~" Turning her head, she leans over and plants a chaste peck on the flower that nestles in Iris' hair.

Iris cracks up.

Eva cracks up as well, and maybe takes the chance to get a few covert nuzzles while she's leaning against Iris.

Aww, covert nuzzles. Iris can make these less covert and just - gently hug Eva. That seems like the thing to do.