1.12 Day 12

Life is pretty good for Nozomi. Fresh laundry...

Friends...

Nice house...

A gig. 

She wishes it could always be like this. 

Taras went to the coffee house to help Nozomi set up for her show, but his plans got a bit derailed by Somer Loving going into labour. 

Like any good Simnation citizen, Taras freaks the hell out. 

"Is anyone going to help me!?"

Taras finally comes to his senses and accompanies Somer to her car. 

"Do you need to borrow my phone? Is there someone I should call for you?" he asks anxiously. 

Somer shakes her head. "No, I just need someone to come with me to the hospital." 

Taras obliges. He finds it weird that Somer insists on driving herself, but at her wide eyes and growling voice, he didn't feel he was in a position to argue. 

Since he barely knows the woman he doesn't accompany her into the delivery room, but he does wait until she makes it safely inside the hospital. 

"Nozomi, you will not believe the morning I just had..."

"Also, Somer says hi..." 

He comes home and recounts the exciting morning to his wife. 

"...and seeing her with her daughter in her arms made me think... I'd like to know that feeling someday..." 

Nozomi bites her lip. Seeing Somer last night herself provoked similar thoughts, but having a child is a huge commitment. What if they mess up?

She decides not to answer right away. 

This is the first time since that night they've gone all the way. 

However, unlike that night Nozomi's blush is not due to embarrassment or shame, and Taras's eyes are not filled with regret. 

Despite her earlier state of relaxation, Nozomi quickly becomes agitated. This is not the background music she chose!

Taras shoots her an encouraging look. She loosens up a bit and calls a member of the audience. There's a new trick she wants to try! 

"Step inside the box of destiny... if you dare."

She sure has a flair for the dramatic. 

Unlike her other tricks, she can't use her real magic here- the person inside the box would either be aware the sword is phasing through them, or would have to be translocated, which with a sentient being would cause too many questions. She has to be extremely careful. 

Looks like she wasn't careful enough. 

Peter Ottomas is not amused. 

No matter how many times she apologizes, she knows it won't be enough. 

Tia gives two thumbs up, but her smile is weak. She's just glad that man wasn't injured! 

The proprietor is starting to wonder if hiring this woman was really worth it. 

From then on, not even her safer tricks work properly. 

Everything she touches dies. 

Why do I suck so bad, Nozomi wonders. For a moment, she forgets where she is and her weak facade crashes. 

She can't even bring herself to bow before she sprints off stage.  

Taras feels a painful squeeze in his chest as he watches Nozomi run off. He doesn't know what he's going to do to make her feel better, but damn it, he will try. 

AN: Poor, freaking Nozomi! I have no idea why she always fails so badly at stage performances! I thought her dismayed expression with the box of swords was a part of her act, but she actually stabbed the guy! 

I was hoping Somer was going to go into labour when Nozomi was around but eh, close enough.