jester-shadows

[jester-shadows]

She blinks a few times. Nothing visibly changes, though she instinctively pushes her hair out of her eyes.

…Yume beams.

”Thanks, Miss Raina!!”

Aaaand runs off!

she waves as she leaves.

[jester-shadows]

”…I just want to see what I’d be without it.”

she nods and does it, she doesn't do any fancy gesture, she's grown a bit tired of that.

[jester-shadows]

”…i would like to ask you to take it away, just for a few days. Nothing more.”

okay..

She's fine with taking it off but the thought of putting it back on her bothers her a bit.

[jester-shadows]

”…um. I would like to request a favor. You…know my curse, right?”

yeah? Have you changed your mind about it?

[jester-shadows]

iiits…Yume?

“Um…good evening, Miss Raina.”

she's in much more casual clothes than she's ever seen her in.

Do you need something?

[jester-shadows]

knock knock

yeah?

[jester-shadows]

Lance knocks on raina's door before entering without waiting for a response. Raina looks towards the door, sitting on her bed facing the wall. 

…hey

What do you want?

I think you know…icia told me what happened

Raina stays silent…

I want to know more, I’m worried…

I don’t-...I’m sorry…

I- I know…

The silence stays for a while, as lance sits on the bed.

I want you to tell me the truth, please. That's all I ask, just please be honest with me.

Why- RAINA I don't care, I want you to tell me the damn truth. I’ll- I’ll tell you anything you want to know just please for the love of god..

….

Did you do it on purpose?

….yes….

The answer caught him a bit off guard but he expected it…

…why?

I….I wanted help and- … I didn’t want anyone to get involved….

What- raina you know it’s alright to-

Ask someone for help with a job IM supposed to do-

It never should have been your job in the first place!

Raina stops and stares at him.

What?

I’m going to find somebody else to rule the kingdom-

What- YOU CAN'T DO THAT-

Raina-

THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY THIS IS WHAT I CHOOSE TO DO YOU CANT TAKE THAT AWAY-

Raina 

I'M NOT GOING TO LET EVERYONE DOW-

RAINA!!!

She freezes.

You’re already letting everyone down and you dont even fucking realize it.

No I-

You’ve stopped taking care of yourself, I hardly even see you around recently. I barely saw you at my wedding for fucks sake.

….

Lance sighs before he’s silent for a bit…

Is this really what you want?

Yes I need-

I didn’t ask if this is what you needed, I asked if this is what you wanted? Did you really want to be the ruler of the kingdom?

I-

…no

No, I didn't, but everyone kept telling me that everything would be fine, and it never ended up fine. Nothing was ever fine, I keep thinking something is wrong with me, that I’m doing something wrong all the time. I can’t just leave them, but it doesn't even feel like they want me here. I don't know what to do, I just kept thinking that everything would be okay but it’s not and I don't know what to do anymore…

Raina is crying by the time she finishes. Lance touches her shoulder, she flinches before he brings her into a hug.

…I think you need more time, I don't think this was put onto you right at all. It was rushed and sloppy and poorly handled…

We’ll find someone else to take over for a little while, and when you’re ready and want to, you can come back…I promise It’ll be okay this time…

I’m sorry…

It’s okay.

…can we stay like this…

Lance feels his heart ache a bit when she says it like that…he nods though, continuing to hug her. As much as this feels wrong, It feels too right for him to not.

I’m sorry..

…for what?

That I've always kept my distance from you….

…

…It’s alright…I get it….

…Would you care if I started treating you like her?

I think-...

…I think I would like that actually…

[jester-shadows]

New phone who dis?

lee̸a̷v̵e̴ a message after the tone.

[jester-shadows]

Hehehehe

[jester-shadows]

”I think you’re doing a pretty good job. You’re a great decorator.”

thanks!!

[jester-shadows]

”You’re almost as new as I am.”

and I have to run this place! Heh.

[jester-shadows]

He laughs a bit.

“Yes, all good things.”

that's good!

She is very relieved about that

[jester-shadows]

“I’ve been told a decent bit about you.”

I'm glad!..they are good things right?

[jester-shadows]

”Oh! You’re the- ah- moderator, yes?”

yep!

[jester-shadows]

”Hi- I’m Charles. The. Uh. Doctor.”

nice to meet ya! I'm Raina the AI!

[jester-shadows]

”Oi- oi!! Sorry about them, uh-“

oh no it's fine!

[jester-shadows]

more caw.sfx

Why are there so many

she definitely didn't make this many...or any really..?