Title: your shine (inspires me)
Rating: G
Fandom: Ar tonelico, specifically AT3
Relationship: Cocona Bartel/Sasha
Wordcount: 450
Short summary: Sasha gets to congratulate Cocona again when Cocona stops by after her performance.
Sasha was in the midst of fiddling with a gear when she hears a familiar voice say her name. She leaps up and greets the purple-haired girl eagerly. “Cocona, you’re back here?”
“Yeah, Aoto wanted to make a few more things before we made the final trip,” Cocona explains. “So I wanted to come back and thank you once again, Sasha, for everything.”
“No, I should thank you! For putting on such an amazing performance, among other things.”
Cocona laughs. “Well, I guess I did pretty good. I don’t think I want to do that again though.” She lets out a loud exhale. “It was exhausting. I’m nothing like Cloche or Luca. Especially Luca… I can’t see myself putting a concert just for fun after all.”
“You really shined though!” Sasha insists. And it was true. Sasha had seen Cloche and Luca sing so it’s not like she was completely biased towards Cocona, and Cocona put on a performance that was truly moving. Croix and the others, if they had been here to see it, would have been extremely proud.
Cocona, though, takes Sasha’s praise modestly. “Thanks, Sasha.” She chuckles. “As I said, it’s all thanks to you. You really are amazing with all that tech stuff.”
“You’re welcome, Cocona.” Sasha feels the flush of happiness from Cocona’s words. “You’re my inspiration…well, sort of…”
Oh no, she was too happy from Cocona’s words that she let a few extra slip!
“Sasha?” Cocona looks at Sasha curiously.
“Um…” Sasha blushes and grips onto the gear in her hand tighter. “Don’t think too much about that! It’s nothing important!”
Cocona stares at Sasha for a moment before letting loose a chuckle. “If you say so…” She pushes her twintails back and stands up a little straighter. “Well, if there’s something I can help out with, just let me know! I feel like my debt to you just keeps getting bigger and bigger with all these things I keep asking you for.”
Sasha smiles. “Don’t worry about that. I enjoy making these things…helping you…” Making you smile…laugh…give me praise…
“I’m glad.” Cocona grins. She gives Sasha a light pat on the arm. “Well, I need to get back to the others. See you around?”
Sasha nods. “Yeah. Good luck and stay safe out there, Cocona.”
She watches Cocona leave with a bounce in her step. Just seeing Cocona energetic and smiling makes Sasha believe everything will be alright. Yes, she might still be keeping her feelings for Cocona deep in her heart, but there will be a time for that in the future. Sasha believes in Cocona and the others. They will succeed, and one day, Sasha will have her chance to say…