makibeni

[makibeni]

Ch. 68- A Life I'll Make with You

Her movements were sluggish, the serenade continued as water rushed into the room, faster and faster, distant creaking providing a disharmonious break in the rhythm of play. The woman's expression began to grow distant, the crescendo neared, an act she'd been preparing for, but one she never truly could be ready to face.

"You should run while there's still time for you"

She spoke calmly, an understanding tone saved until the end, her selfish desire keeping the girl close for as long as her heart could manage.

"I don't wanna go... if you won't come with me..."

Empty platitudes she'd expected, words backed by air so thin it was suffocating. This too she'd prepared for, to snuff out the flame and let the flower bloom anew, absent her barbs and poison.

"I can't go, and you can't stay, that's how it has to be. I'm glad I got to play you my last song, now go before there's nowhere left to run to"

In lethargic defiance, the girl dragged herself closer. She lacked the strength for words, feeling weaker the closer she stepped towards her, but persisted in her advance none the less. Back to back she stood behind her, slumping beside the woman as she continued to play.

"I am forever grateful for this indulgence you've given me, but I don't want to see you gone. Please, while there's still a chance, go, and let me have hope..."

The girl's breathing was heavy, the water was now up to her waist as she sat slump against the chair on which the woman sat. She blinked here eyes, slowly, filling her lungs with a gasp of salty air.

"I don't want to do this anymore... not again... not without you... if this is it then... I'm happy where I am..."

With shaken fingers she continued to play her somber tune. There was a pearl of joy, locked deep within her heart, a shrouded want to accept this token of devotion for what it was and embrace it, but she couldn't bring herself to to pay the price. She strained, the choked back tears filling her throat, and sheltered ambition finally began to sprout.

She stood, taking the girl by the arm and dragging her through the raging torrent as sea water crashed through growing cracks in the ship. The two ran as best they could, making their way back towards the deck. They found scores of empty life boats, awaiting passengers that would never come to need them, and a pair of lovers who each thought themselves undeserving, saving each other from the deep's embrace.

The woman pushed her aboard, reaching for the rope to lower her down, a fatalistic end for one who saw no other path, defied by a girl who'd had enough of sailing upon the whims of an uncaring world.

"I told you, didn't I...? I don't wanna go... If you won't come with me..."

The pair drifted, peaks of waves carrying moonlight atop their crests like rolling hills. Distant glances at the infinite expanse, nowhere to go but closer.

"Why did you want to die so bad..."

A wave crashed against their little boat, the gentle sway and cool night breeze took up the space as the woman thought of what to say. There were secrets she kept close, a putrid shadow that had festered with her silence, but ones she was still unprepared to speak of.

"I didn't... I just don't know what else there was..."

She pulled herself tight, knees pressed against her chest and fearful look at the distant horizon.

"I knew what I had to do, even if I didn't want to, I knew how it would go... But I don't know what's out there..."

"I don't either... but... when I'm with you, I want to find out..."

[makibeni]

Ch. 68- A Life I'll Make with You

Her movements were sluggish, the serenade continued as water rushed into the room, faster and faster, distant creaking providing a disharmonious break in the rhythm of play. The woman's expression began to grow distant, the crescendo neared, an act she'd been preparing for, but one she never truly could be ready to face.

"You should run while there's still time for you"

She spoke calmly, an understanding tone saved until the end, her selfish desire keeping the girl close for as long as her heart could manage.

"I don't wanna go... if you won't come with me..."

Empty platitudes she'd expected, words backed by air so thin it was suffocating. This too she'd prepared for, to snuff out the flame and let the flower bloom anew, absent her barbs and poison.

"I can't go, and you can't stay, that's how it has to be. I'm glad I got to play you my last song, now go before there's nowhere left to run to"

In lethargic defiance, the girl dragged herself closer. She lacked the strength for words, feeling weaker the closer she stepped towards her, but persisted in her advance none the less. Back to back she stood behind her, slumping beside the woman as she continued to play.

"I am forever grateful for this indulgence you've given me, but I don't want to see you gone. Please, while there's still a chance, go, and let me have hope..."

The girl's breathing was heavy, the water was now up to her waist as she sat slump against the chair on which the woman sat. She blinked here eyes, slowly, filling her lungs with a gasp of salty air.

"I don't want to do this anymore... not again... not without you... if this is it then... I'm happy where I am..."

With shaken fingers she continued to play her somber tune. There was a pearl of joy, locked deep within her heart, a shrouded want to accept this token of devotion for what it was and embrace it, but she couldn't bring herself to to pay the price. She strained, the choked back tears filling her throat, and sheltered ambition finally began to sprout.

She stood, taking the girl by the arm and dragging her through the raging torrent as sea water crashed through growing cracks in the ship. The two ran as best they could, making their way back towards the deck. They found scores of empty life boats, awaiting passengers that would never come to need them, and a pair of lovers who each thought themselves undeserving, saving each other from the deep's embrace.

The woman pushed her aboard, reaching for the rope to lower her down, a fatalistic end for one who saw no other path, defied by a girl who'd had enough of sailing upon the whims of an uncaring world.

"I told you, didn't I...? I don't wanna go... If you won't come with me..."

The pair drifted, peaks of waves carrying moonlight atop their crests like rolling hills. Distant glances at the infinite expanse, nowhere to go but closer.

"Why did you want to die so bad..."

A wave crashed against their little boat, the gentle sway and cool night breeze took up the space as the woman thought of what to say. There were secrets she kept close, a putrid shadow that had festered with her silence, but ones she was still unprepared to speak of.

"I didn't... I just don't know what else there was..."

She pulled herself tight, knees pressed against her chest and fearful look at the distant horizon.

"I knew what I had to do, even if I didn't want to, I knew how it would go... But I don't know what's out there..."

"I don't either... but... when I'm with you, I want to find out..."

[makibeni]

Ch. 67- An Unfamiliar Memory

A warm salty breeze carrying the distant cries of seagulls awoke her. She sat on the deck of a ship, an empty seat at the table beside, the afternoon sun creeping closer to her as it crawled it's way along the sky and past the meager shade she'd been provided. She wore clothes she didn't remember, yet knew as her own all the same, a white sundress and a wide brimmed straw hat covering her head. She shot a glance across the deck, it was large, larger than she'd been on, or at least in so far as she could remember, and as much as she could tell, empty. How she got here was unclear, and where here even was more so. Another look across the bow showed stillness, gentle waves slowly crashing against the unmoving ship, it's anchor sunk beneath them in the murky depths, and nothing but blue as far as she could see around her.

She felt an anxious touch scrape across her spine as her head filled with questions, all obvious and empty, having not the means nor even notion on how to answer them. She remained there for a while longer, in her shaded seat under the descending rays, pleading for an answer to come, and wondering if she could last long enough for one to come to her.

A distant melody began to fill her ear, one who crept with an inviting tone, beckoning her, and dissuading her worries. Like the clothes she wore she didn't recognize it, but knew it, the whispered notes like fingers plucking at the strings of her memory, conjuring forth feelings for which she had no faces, places for which she had no names, sights and sounds for which she had no sight, a life she knew but couldn't recall. An eerie, creeping dread settled in the pit of her stomach, a warning to reject the cloying symphony, but it's hooks had already dug themselves into her ear, reeling her closer to the sound.

She walked along, the tamping of her feet adding a resonant beat to the melody, the sound of ocean and distant birds falling by the wayside as disharmonious noise abandoned her with every passing step.

Her body moved on it's own, enthralled by the siren song enough to ignore whatever protests she may have still carried, but her mind was still her own, along with her sight. She spun her head around the halls as she walked closer, peeking into rooms and down corridors, searching for a thread to pull, but there was nothing. Aside from the conspicuous absence of people, everything seemed in perfect order.

Her body finally stopped as she reached a large door, a prompt, but one she had to act on, the rondo on the other side awaiting her answer. She thought about it for a moment, nothing about this was right, but it didn't feel wrong. She could hear a hum from the other side, a voice she felt familiar, and finally one she recognized, the first true comfort in this maze of questions. With arms outstretched she pressed against the door.

She sat across the way in a long flowing dress, her red braided hair draped across her shoulder as her fingers danced across the piano keys and a soft song escaped her lips. The girl made her way closer, each step bringing darkened clarity, erasing her confusion but offering no truth, as water slowly filled the room.

[makibeni]

Ch. 67- An Unfamiliar Memory

A warm salty breeze carrying the distant cries of seagulls awoke her. She sat on the deck of a ship, an empty seat at the table beside, the afternoon sun creeping closer to her as it crawled it's way along the sky and past the meager shade she'd been provided. She wore clothes she didn't remember, yet knew as her own all the same, a white sundress and a wide brimmed straw hat covering her head. She shot a glance across the deck, it was large, larger than she'd been on, or at least in so far as she could remember, and as much as she could tell, empty. How she got here was unclear, and where here even was more so. Another look across the bow showed stillness, gentle waves slowly crashing against the unmoving ship, it's anchor sunk beneath them in the murky depths, and nothing but blue as far as she could see around her.

She felt an anxious touch scrape across her spine as her head filled with questions, all obvious and empty, having not the means nor even notion on how to answer them. She remained there for a while longer, in her shaded seat under the descending rays, pleading for an answer to come, and wondering if she could last long enough for one to come to her.

A distant melody began to fill her ear, one who crept with an inviting tone, beckoning her, and dissuading her worries. Like the clothes she wore she didn't recognize it, but knew it, the whispered notes like fingers plucking at the strings of her memory, conjuring forth feelings for which she had no faces, places for which she had no names, sights and sounds for which she had no sight, a life she knew but couldn't recall. An eerie, creeping dread settled in the pit of her stomach, a warning to reject the cloying symphony, but it's hooks had already dug themselves into her ear, reeling her closer to the sound.

She walked along, the tamping of her feet adding a resonant beat to the melody, the sound of ocean and distant birds falling by the wayside as disharmonious noise abandoned her with every passing step.

Her body moved on it's own, enthralled by the siren song enough to ignore whatever protests she may have still carried, but her mind was still her own, along with her sight. She spun her head around the halls as she walked closer, peeking into rooms and down corridors, searching for a thread to pull, but there was nothing. Aside from the conspicuous absence of people, everything seemed in perfect order.

Her body finally stopped as she reached a large door, a prompt, but one she had to act on, the rondo on the other side awaiting her answer. She thought about it for a moment, nothing about this was right, but it didn't feel wrong. She could hear a hum from the other side, a voice she felt familiar, and finally one she recognized, the first true comfort in this maze of questions. With arms outstretched she pressed against the door.

She sat across the way in a long flowing dress, her red braided hair draped across her shoulder as her fingers danced across the piano keys and a soft song escaped her lips. The girl made her way closer, each step bringing darkened clarity, erasing her confusion but offering no truth, as water slowly filled the room.

[makibeni]

Ch. 66- Out of Sight of Starlight

She bit her lip, eyes shut in anxious trepidation, hoping to avert an outcome by simply refusing to acknowledge it for long enough. She'd had some notion of where to go, a route planned out with destinations on the way, but so far the first two were already closed, and as they neared the third she feared the worst. Admittedly, the ideas she'd gathered weren't so strictly original, and the context she'd typically seen them in the sun was usually still up.

"Looks like it's closed"

Makima stated, unshaped herself though eying Kobeni with some concern. The girl seemed upset, though she never remembered her expressing much interest in visiting an arcade before.

"I can see about taking a personal day if you wanna come here some other time"

The insinuation of taking time off for it did not serve to calm her nerves.

"N-NO! Ah! S-sorry I mean... No, it's okay, I just assumed they'd be open, it's not really a big deal..."

Her head dropped a little, a touch of acceptance mixing with disappointment as the realization crept in ever closer. Makima thought to step closer, reach out a reassuring hand and offer consolation, but to her surprise the girl wasn't quite finished. She took a deep breath, puffing her chest and steeling her resolve, the first few spots may have been a wash but she still had one more locale picked out. Even if the night hadn't gone perfectly, there was still time to salvage things. She turned around and nodded, a gesture met with a somewhat confused tilt from Makima, though the woman followed it up with a comfortable smile just the same.

The girl's hand felt cold, distant and unwelcoming, her eyes set upon the next hopeful goal without mind for the present. It was nice at first, Makima thought, getting to see her so soon after work. It had been arduous of late, an influx of attacks and zealous new recruits meant more and more tedious paperwork for her, pointless busywork she'd grown tired of and disinterested in, her long days filled with only with a desire of conclusion so she could finally go home and see the person who could start up her heartbeat again. When she saw her there, waiting for her, or so she presumed, it was a moment of true bliss, so simple yet so filling to her needs, the one she wanted, there and waiting for her. But now she felt so distant, occupied with these trivialities that pulled her gaze away, all for them to sputter into nothing, and only grow the weary sorrow upon the girl's face. She wanted to tell her to stop, slow down and enjoy the moment they had like she wanted to, but she knew the only words she had to offer were daggers upon already open wounds she was gashing with her own fruitless expectations. Makima had walked home alone in the dreary hours of the night many times before, she knew what these streets held past twilight, the city wasn't bereft a night life, but everywhere Kobeni seemed the urge to go was long since closed.

Though she loathed to admit it, on some level this was the preferred outcome. These little outings were a fun distraction but all she truly craved was the girl, her time, her attention, her love, all else was ancillary, a way to communicate things she already knew. It was her she wanted to spoil, shower in luxuries and smother in her affection, things she'd held back for fear of overwhelming her or corrupting their bond. It wasn't fair...

"I'm sorry..."

She looked up, adjusting her expression and hoping the girl hadn't noticed the dower turn upon her brow.

"Sorry for what?"

Her concern for the girl always managed to outweigh whatever else was on her mind, even if the pangs of guilty would likely not subside for a while.

"I thought it would be nice to walk home together... but everything keeps going wrong..."

She shook the shuttered gate with a frustrated hand, enough to rattle the metal chain holding it closed. It was another bust, or so it seemed.

"Hmmm..."

Makima turned her head as Kobeni looked down, clenching her fists and sewing her eyes, the ball of frustration in her chest finally built up and ready to escape.

"The dessert shop, the boutique, the arcade, even the park? Why's everything closed... Himeno said I should be more spontaneous... I think that's what she meant? Maybe I got that wrong too... Ugh... this sucks... I'm sorry, I know you had a long day at work, I shouldn't be giving you all this on top it's jus-"

Makima's hand gently brushed against the girl's chin, her thumb giving it a gentle stroke and pulling her eyes up to her. Small pearls of frustration pooled on the edges, ready to adorn her cheeks with streams of despair, but the woman turned her head to the side. The reef was calm, gentle waves slowly rocking back and forth with the breeze, the warm air caressing the pair with a welcoming embrace. The stars reflected in the midnight black stared back at them, like a field of flowers who's resplendent beauty defied the pitch dark. Makima punctuated the sight with a kiss, a warm ripple upon the girl's face that slowly grew, standing her hairs on end.

"Maybe not every day... but I wouldn't mind doing this again sometime"

[makibeni]

Ch. 66- Out of Sight of Starlight

She bit her lip, eyes shut in anxious trepidation, hoping to avert an outcome by simply refusing to acknowledge it for long enough. She'd had some notion of where to go, a route planned out with destinations on the way, but so far the first two were already closed, and as they neared the third she feared the worst. Admittedly, the ideas she'd gathered weren't so strictly original, and the context she'd typically seen them in the sun was usually still up.

"Looks like it's closed"

Makima stated, unshaped herself though eying Kobeni with some concern. The girl seemed upset, though she never remembered her expressing much interest in visiting an arcade before.

"I can see about taking a personal day if you wanna come here some other time"

The insinuation of taking time off for it did not serve to calm her nerves.

"N-NO! Ah! S-sorry I mean... No, it's okay, I just assumed they'd be open, it's not really a big deal..."

Her head dropped a little, a touch of acceptance mixing with disappointment as the realization crept in ever closer. Makima thought to step closer, reach out a reassuring hand and offer consolation, but to her surprise the girl wasn't quite finished. She took a deep breath, puffing her chest and steeling her resolve, the first few spots may have been a wash but she still had one more locale picked out. Even if the night hadn't gone perfectly, there was still time to salvage things. She turned around and nodded, a gesture met with a somewhat confused tilt from Makima, though the woman followed it up with a comfortable smile just the same.

The girl's hand felt cold, distant and unwelcoming, her eyes set upon the next hopeful goal without mind for the present. It was nice at first, Makima thought, getting to see her so soon after work. It had been arduous of late, an influx of attacks and zealous new recruits meant more and more tedious paperwork for her, pointless busywork she'd grown tired of and disinterested in, her long days filled with only with a desire of conclusion so she could finally go home and see the person who could start up her heartbeat again. When she saw her there, waiting for her, or so she presumed, it was a moment of true bliss, so simple yet so filling to her needs, the one she wanted, there and waiting for her. But now she felt so distant, occupied with these trivialities that pulled her gaze away, all for them to sputter into nothing, and only grow the weary sorrow upon the girl's face. She wanted to tell her to stop, slow down and enjoy the moment they had like she wanted to, but she knew the only words she had to offer were daggers upon already open wounds she was gashing with her own fruitless expectations. Makima had walked home alone in the dreary hours of the night many times before, she knew what these streets held past twilight, the city wasn't bereft a night life, but everywhere Kobeni seemed the urge to go was long since closed.

Though she loathed to admit it, on some level this was the preferred outcome. These little outings were a fun distraction but all she truly craved was the girl, her time, her attention, her love, all else was ancillary, a way to communicate things she already knew. It was her she wanted to spoil, shower in luxuries and smother in her affection, things she'd held back for fear of overwhelming her or corrupting their bond. It wasn't fair...

"I'm sorry..."

She looked up, adjusting her expression and hoping the girl hadn't noticed the dower turn upon her brow.

"Sorry for what?"

Her concern for the girl always managed to outweigh whatever else was on her mind, even if the pangs of guilty would likely not subside for a while.

"I thought it would be nice to walk home together... but everything keeps going wrong..."

She shook the shuttered gate with a frustrated hand, enough to rattle the metal chain holding it closed. It was another bust, or so it seemed.

"Hmmm..."

Makima turned her head as Kobeni looked down, clenching her fists and sewing her eyes, the ball of frustration in her chest finally built up and ready to escape.

"The dessert shop, the boutique, the arcade, even the park? Why's everything closed... Himeno said I should be more spontaneous... I think that's what she meant? Maybe I got that wrong too... Ugh... this sucks... I'm sorry, I know you had a long day at work, I shouldn't be giving you all this on top it's jus-"

Makima's hand gently brushed against the girl's chin, her thumb giving it a gentle stroke and pulling her eyes up to her. Small pearls of frustration pooled on the edges, ready to adorn her cheeks with streams of despair, but the woman turned her head to the side. The reef was calm, gentle waves slowly rocking back and forth with the breeze, the warm air caressing the pair with a welcoming embrace. The stars reflected in the midnight black stared back at them, like a field of flowers who's resplendent beauty defied the pitch dark. Makima punctuated the sight with a kiss, a warm ripple upon the girl's face that slowly grew, standing her hairs on end.

"Maybe not every day... but I wouldn't mind doing this again sometime"

[makibeni]

Ch. 65- Take Me Home With You

"Use my heart... what does that even mean?"

She sat on the shaded bench, hiding from the last rays of sunlight before the evening clouds replaced them with a cool breeze. She'd been there for some time now, longer than she'd care to think about, but the thought of looking at a clock filled her with more anxiety than knowing would bring relief. She'd crumpled and straightened the same empty snack bag countless times by now, having emptied it of it's contents about a few short minutes after she'd arrived. Makima was usually late, especially lately when work had piled up, arriving over an hour early probably wasn't the smartest move but she wanted to be safe. The doors swung open again, another pair of faces she vaguely recognized departing along with the quickened pulse as she retracted her excitement. They gave her a friendly nod, one seeming to have even half remembered her name and even felt the need to ask if she was waiting for someone. The answer was obvious given how long she'd been sitting there but it also felt wrong to confirm his suspicions so a flat "No." was all he received, albeit delivered with less conviction.

The brief interaction was enough to break her from her spell, and a new batch of anxieties awaited her return. Strictly speaking, she didn't know when exactly Makima got off work, or if she'd be using this door, or if she'd even want to walk home together. She didn't want to spoil the surprise so said nothing that would give it away, but that meant she was operating completely blind, and the cracks were starting to show. Her movements came now with more force, the way she dug her fingers into the bench and anxiously bit her lip, an urge to feel something more intense she couldn't justify or explain. She darted her eyes away from the door, at the ground, at passing cars, at drifting clouds, anything to try and keep her mind off it while she waited.

"She's probably not coming..."

Something about vocalizing the thought made it easier to accept, a preemptive softening of the blow, although she'd still have to wait till nightfall. She'd get home late again, chest filled with excuses she was in the process of dreaming up. Telling the truth would be easiest, it might end up a funny anecdote for the pair to reminisce on later, but that seemed presumptuous. She felt guilty about lying, embellishing was probably fine, if she found something that could reasonably occupy an afternoon and went by it could count, but then what if she got found out? Makima always seems to know everything, and with all the people that saw her sitting here it's at least plausible that one of them might say something...

"Waiting for someone?"

She knew the voice but her mind was too deep in a muddled haze to process it beyond familiarity.

"N-no, I... M-MAKIMA!"

The woman gave her time enough to compose herself, waiting as the girl shook her head and took a deep breath while finding her words again.

"S-sorry, you startled me, u-um no... I-I mean yes? No I... I was... Yes, I was waiting for you, actually... sorry..."

Makima knelt beside her, grabbing her hands and gently running her thumb over the girl's fingers. She counted as she went, slowly up to ten in a hushed murmur until Kobeni's focus was drawn from her tangled sentences back to her.

"Better?"

"Better..."

"Did something happen at home? You can just call me, you know?"

Kobeni shook her head, calm enough now to form more cogent replies.

"I um... w-wanted to walk you home, i-if you want that is..."

She stood to obscure the blushing excitement and curled grin that formed at the sound of those words.

"I'd love that..."

Before she'd hardly uttered her reply the girl stood up and took her hand, staring into her rippled eyes expectantly though seemingly without notion as to what to do afterwards. The two awkwardly stood there for a moment before Makima finally took a step back, raising her hand and gesturing to the girl to lead the way.

"...Kobeni, the station's this way"

The girl stopped in her tracks after just a few steps, an uneasy pit in forming in her stomach she decided to try and push down.

"I-I know but um... I-If you're okay with it I uh... h-had a little detour in mind? U-Unless you're tired from work! Actually it's late, you are probably tired... sorry, w-we can go straight home, that's okay, it wasn't anything i-important just somet- mmph!"

The quickest way Makima had found to stop her girlfriend's anxious tirades was to take her lips, a task for which she had a very adept set of skills for.

"I think I've got enough left in me for a little adventure, what did you have in mind?"

She wished the kiss had lingered for a moment longer, but she understood the purpose behind it's brevity. With her resolve restored Kobeni bowed her head and the pair took off hand in hand.

[makibeni]

Ch. 65- Take Me Home With You

"Use my heart... what does that even mean?"

She sat on the shaded bench, hiding from the last rays of sunlight before the evening clouds replaced them with a cool breeze. She'd been there for some time now, longer than she'd care to think about, but the thought of looking at a clock filled her with more anxiety than knowing would bring relief. She'd crumpled and straightened the same empty snack bag countless times by now, having emptied it of it's contents about a few short minutes after she'd arrived. Makima was usually late, especially lately when work had piled up, arriving over an hour early probably wasn't the smartest move but she wanted to be safe. The doors swung open again, another pair of faces she vaguely recognized departing along with the quickened pulse as she retracted her excitement. They gave her a friendly nod, one seeming to have even half remembered her name and even felt the need to ask if she was waiting for someone. The answer was obvious given how long she'd been sitting there but it also felt wrong to confirm his suspicions so a flat "No." was all he received, albeit delivered with less conviction.

The brief interaction was enough to break her from her spell, and a new batch of anxieties awaited her return. Strictly speaking, she didn't know when exactly Makima got off work, or if she'd be using this door, or if she'd even want to walk home together. She didn't want to spoil the surprise so said nothing that would give it away, but that meant she was operating completely blind, and the cracks were starting to show. Her movements came now with more force, the way she dug her fingers into the bench and anxiously bit her lip, an urge to feel something more intense she couldn't justify or explain. She darted her eyes away from the door, at the ground, at passing cars, at drifting clouds, anything to try and keep her mind off it while she waited.

"She's probably not coming..."

Something about vocalizing the thought made it easier to accept, a preemptive softening of the blow, although she'd still have to wait till nightfall. She'd get home late again, chest filled with excuses she was in the process of dreaming up. Telling the truth would be easiest, it might end up a funny anecdote for the pair to reminisce on later, but that seemed presumptuous. She felt guilty about lying, embellishing was probably fine, if she found something that could reasonably occupy an afternoon and went by it could count, but then what if she got found out? Makima always seems to know everything, and with all the people that saw her sitting here it's at least plausible that one of them might say something...

"Waiting for someone?"

She knew the voice but her mind was too deep in a muddled haze to process it beyond familiarity.

"N-no, I... M-MAKIMA!"

The woman gave her time enough to compose herself, waiting as the girl shook her head and took a deep breath while finding her words again.

"S-sorry, you startled me, u-um no... I-I mean yes? No I... I was... Yes, I was waiting for you, actually... sorry..."

Makima knelt beside her, grabbing her hands and gently running her thumb over the girl's fingers. She counted as she went, slowly up to ten in a hushed murmur until Kobeni's focus was drawn from her tangled sentences back to her.

"Better?"

"Better..."

"Did something happen at home? You can just call me, you know?"

Kobeni shook her head, calm enough now to form more cogent replies.

"I um... w-wanted to walk you home, i-if you want that is..."

She stood to obscure the blushing excitement and curled grin that formed at the sound of those words.

"I'd love that..."

Before she'd hardly uttered her reply the girl stood up and took her hand, staring into her rippled eyes expectantly though seemingly without notion as to what to do afterwards. The two awkwardly stood there for a moment before Makima finally took a step back, raising her hand and gesturing to the girl to lead the way.

"...Kobeni, the station's this way"

The girl stopped in her tracks after just a few steps, an uneasy pit in forming in her stomach she decided to try and push down.

"I-I know but um... I-If you're okay with it I uh... h-had a little detour in mind? U-Unless you're tired from work! Actually it's late, you are probably tired... sorry, w-we can go straight home, that's okay, it wasn't anything i-important just somet- mmph!"

The quickest way Makima had found to stop her girlfriend's anxious tirades was to take her lips, a task for which she had a very adept set of skills for.

"I think I've got enough left in me for a little adventure, what did you have in mind?"

She wished the kiss had lingered for a moment longer, but she understood the purpose behind it's brevity. With her resolve restored Kobeni bowed her head and the pair took off hand in hand.

[makibeni]

Ch. 64- Use Your Heart

She stirred the drink with her straw, some cloyingly sweet concoction so packed with ice there was hardly anything left in the actual glass. It wasn't her usual pick, she preferred something simple or something stiff, but seeing as this was neither her choice of venue nor time she'd conceded the beverage as well. She'd needed the excuse to occupy her mind with something, her thoughts recently had been stagnant on issues she still hadn't fully grasped, and maybe ones she didn't really have the inclination to. Try as she might emotions were fickle things, and she couldn't keep the pink haired devil from her thoughts, nor how she'd made her feel...

"Himeno? Um a-are you l... listening?"

A bubble burst as the meek voice from across the table finally reached her and snapped her from her stupor. She donned a flustered smile in reply.

"Yeah! Of course... but just for posterity, what were you talking about?"

The girl sighed, too determined or simply too committed to withdraw her line of inquiry on account of Himeno's momentary inattentiveness.

"It's... about Makima..."

She spun the glass in front of her awkwardly, summoning up the will to speak.

"S-she's um... well I'm not really sure..."

It was times like this she found herself slipping back into her old self, overwhelmed and hoping her interlocutor could somehow transcribe her intent from her floundered gestures.

"Relationship troubles?"

She flinched, a misunderstanding but a thought that always made her tense up whenever she had to dissipate it from her thoughts.

"N-NO! N-nothing like that... I don't... think..."

Himeno took note of the girl's panic. In spite of her prior interest, her observations of their relationship didn't extend far beyond making sure Kobeni was safe.

"Hey! I was joking! Don't take it too seriously, alright? Now, what's up with her?"

Her words were often enough drenched in sarcasm and irony that she could pass off sincerity as it's inverse when pressed.

"R-right... sorry..."

The girl did her best to recompose herself. She knew what to say, vaguely, enough to communicate her feelings, she'd just have preferred to not have to speak if at all possible.

"S-so... she's um... hiding something? No not... she's not ready to talk about it... and she might never be... and I-I said that was okay and I meant it... b-but now..."

The thought had been there of course, she'd spoken her beliefs and was willing to stand by them, but how much of a promise could she truly make over something she didn't understand?

"Now you're worried it might be something really bad and you're not sure you can stay with her?"

The girl gesticulated her hands in opposition to the statement so fast she nearly knocked over her glass.

"NO! N-not at all! It's just... if it's something serious I wanna help her out... I don't want her going through whatever it is on her own"

"Ah."

"She's helped me with so much... I feel like I'm actually able to live my life now! A-and I wanna give that to her too... or something like that..."

With a sip of her drink Himeno readied another remark of dubious sincerity.

"So you want my help to spy on her and find out all her secrets?"

Kobeni looked at her for a moment, unclear if she was considering the offer or simply baffled by the suggestion.

"Um... n-no... a-actually I was wondering if you had any advice on how to... comfort her? I-I'm not really sure what I'm suppose to do in this situation..."

She sighed, bobbing the now half melted ice in her glass with her straw, staring a bit too longingly at the ripples they left behind.

"S-sorry I kinda assumed you'd have better advice..."

"Tc- Hey!"

Himeno's light-hearted indignation masked the hint of actual discontent in her voice.

"A-ah! I didn't mean it like that! It's just that well... you've dated people before... I think, a-and I haven't so... I assumed you'd know this kinda stuff..."

She curled into herself a little, slouching her back and shoulders into that typical crumpled pile she seemed most comfortable adopting.

"You really love her, huh?"

For the first time Himeno spoke with a clear sincerity in her voice, carrying the weight of come contemplation with her.

"Yeah..."

The affirmation, however small, was enough to perk her up a little. She wasn't her old self anymore, even if it was easy to forget how far she'd come in the presence of bright lights, loud noises, and social expectations.

"...then you're farther along than I ever was..."

A mumbled half-whisper that Kobeni still caught, though even with it in her hands she found herself unsure of what to do with it.

"Use that."

She felt Himeno prod her chest with an outstretched finger, prompting an embarrassed flush of red.

"W-what?"

"Your heart!"

Kobeni replied with a queer eye and a raised brow while Himeno simply grinned confidently, ready to reveal her hand.

"You're overthinking this, if you think she needs a supportive partner then just support her, whatever it is she's dealing with she'll tell you when she's ready, and whatever it is it'll be a lot easier to deal with when she's got someone like you to come home to."

The sentiment seemed nice but... simple, what was a day of care and affection compared to the lifetime she'd been given with her shackles finally broken? How was it fair that the most she could offer was a kiss and a kind word?

"Y-you think so?"

"I know it'd make my problems a lot easier to deal with."

She brushed it off with a slanted glance at the table and a cocky smirk before noting the girl still needed some convincing.

"Look, I get it, you want some big sweeping gesture to pay her back for everything she's done for you, but that's not how relationships work, give her what she needs not what's gonna make you even"

She fell a pit in her stomach as the idea that this had all been some self serving aggrandizement couched in selfless martyrdom. She didn't think she was doing this for her own benefit, although at the end of the day that wasn't what mattered. Maybe Himeno was right, maybe what Makima needed was just someone at her side to keep her upright. She felt the gentle press on her shoulder as the hunter extended a reassuring pat.

"You're gonna be just fine kid, trust me..."

[makibeni]

Ch. 64- Use Your Heart

She stirred the drink with her straw, some cloyingly sweet concoction so packed with ice there was hardly anything left in the actual glass. It wasn't her usual pick, she preferred something simple or something stiff, but seeing as this was neither her choice of venue nor time she'd conceded the beverage as well. She'd needed the excuse to occupy her mind with something, her thoughts recently had been stagnant on issues she still hadn't fully grasped, and maybe ones she didn't really have the inclination to. Try as she might emotions were fickle things, and she couldn't keep the pink haired devil from her thoughts, nor how she'd made her feel...

"Himeno? Um a-are you l... listening?"

A bubble burst as the meek voice from across the table finally reached her and snapped her from her stupor. She donned a flustered smile in reply.

"Yeah! Of course... but just for posterity, what were you talking about?"

The girl sighed, too determined or simply too committed to withdraw her line of inquiry on account of Himeno's momentary inattentiveness.

"It's... about Makima..."

She spun the glass in front of her awkwardly, summoning up the will to speak.

"S-she's um... well I'm not really sure..."

It was times like this she found herself slipping back into her old self, overwhelmed and hoping her interlocutor could somehow transcribe her intent from her floundered gestures.

"Relationship troubles?"

She flinched, a misunderstanding but a thought that always made her tense up whenever she had to dissipate it from her thoughts.

"N-NO! N-nothing like that... I don't... think..."

Himeno took note of the girl's panic. In spite of her prior interest, her observations of their relationship didn't extend far beyond making sure Kobeni was safe.

"Hey! I was joking! Don't take it too seriously, alright? Now, what's up with her?"

Her words were often enough drenched in sarcasm and irony that she could pass off sincerity as it's inverse when pressed.

"R-right... sorry..."

The girl did her best to recompose herself. She knew what to say, vaguely, enough to communicate her feelings, she'd just have preferred to not have to speak if at all possible.

"S-so... she's um... hiding something? No not... she's not ready to talk about it... and she might never be... and I-I said that was okay and I meant it... b-but now..."

The thought had been there of course, she'd spoken her beliefs and was willing to stand by them, but how much of a promise could she truly make over something she didn't understand?

"Now you're worried it might be something really bad and you're not sure you can stay with her?"

The girl gesticulated her hands in opposition to the statement so fast she nearly knocked over her glass.

"NO! N-not at all! It's just... if it's something serious I wanna help her out... I don't want her going through whatever it is on her own"

"Ah."

"She's helped me with so much... I feel like I'm actually able to live my life now! A-and I wanna give that to her too... or something like that..."

With a sip of her drink Himeno readied another remark of dubious sincerity.

"So you want my help to spy on her and find out all her secrets?"

Kobeni looked at her for a moment, unclear if she was considering the offer or simply baffled by the suggestion.

"Um... n-no... a-actually I was wondering if you had any advice on how to... comfort her? I-I'm not really sure what I'm suppose to do in this situation..."

She sighed, bobbing the now half melted ice in her glass with her straw, staring a bit too longingly at the ripples they left behind.

"S-sorry I kinda assumed you'd have better advice..."

"Tc- Hey!"

Himeno's light-hearted indignation masked the hint of actual discontent in her voice.

"A-ah! I didn't mean it like that! It's just that well... you've dated people before... I think, a-and I haven't so... I assumed you'd know this kinda stuff..."

She curled into herself a little, slouching her back and shoulders into that typical crumpled pile she seemed most comfortable adopting.

"You really love her, huh?"

For the first time Himeno spoke with a clear sincerity in her voice, carrying the weight of come contemplation with her.

"Yeah..."

The affirmation, however small, was enough to perk her up a little. She wasn't her old self anymore, even if it was easy to forget how far she'd come in the presence of bright lights, loud noises, and social expectations.

"...then you're farther along than I ever was..."

A mumbled half-whisper that Kobeni still caught, though even with it in her hands she found herself unsure of what to do with it.

"Use that."

She felt Himeno prod her chest with an outstretched finger, prompting an embarrassed flush of red.

"W-what?"

"Your heart!"

Kobeni replied with a queer eye and a raised brow while Himeno simply grinned confidently, ready to reveal her hand.

"You're overthinking this, if you think she needs a supportive partner then just support her, whatever it is she's dealing with she'll tell you when she's ready, and whatever it is it'll be a lot easier to deal with when she's got someone like you to come home to."

The sentiment seemed nice but... simple, what was a day of care and affection compared to the lifetime she'd been given with her shackles finally broken? How was it fair that the most she could offer was a kiss and a kind word?

"Y-you think so?"

"I know it'd make my problems a lot easier to deal with."

She brushed it off with a slanted glance at the table and a cocky smirk before noting the girl still needed some convincing.

"Look, I get it, you want some big sweeping gesture to pay her back for everything she's done for you, but that's not how relationships work, give her what she needs not what's gonna make you even"

She fell a pit in her stomach as the idea that this had all been some self serving aggrandizement couched in selfless martyrdom. She didn't think she was doing this for her own benefit, although at the end of the day that wasn't what mattered. Maybe Himeno was right, maybe what Makima needed was just someone at her side to keep her upright. She felt the gentle press on her shoulder as the hunter extended a reassuring pat.

"You're gonna be just fine kid, trust me..."

[makibeni]

Ch. 63- My Predestined Tragedy

A puff of smoke fills the air and joins the clouds above as the sky begins to turn from pitch to murky blue. Himeno stared out at the waking city below her, the first signs of life slowly stiring as night begins to give way to the dawn. She'd slipped from bed, slowly so as not to rouse her bundled companion who seemed to still be deep in the throws of slumber. Her thoughts meandered in a cyclical haze, where normally she'd try to think her way out of a problem she found herself spinning her wheels unsure where to even begin. The sensation wasn't new, or at least not so novel she couldn't bring herself to understand it, and yet she had no notion of what to do with these feelings. Her life was a tragedy that had already been written, new faces appear then die, hope arises only to be snuffed out, the time she has with them is short and precious, but ultimately finite and ephemeral, and then she mourns. Mourns the loss of what was, what could have been, what never will be, a sea of possibilities that let her dreams bloom into fantastical realities, pine for truths that only exist in her heart as memories of things that never were. To many, hope was a promise, an object of faith, a light to guide them in the darkness, something to strive for and believe in, but to Himeno it was something very different. Hope existed within acceptance, a predestined path she walked along, imagining a brighter world she knew she'd never see, to walk towards that guiding light, knowing that every step closer is another moment of it's life snuffed out, because there was no other way to walk. She'd seen this flame flicker, closed her eye to seal it's embers in memory and find another, but when she'd opened it, the flame still burned. She'd had a sense of when death was near, that shiver turned to a familiar breeze, blowing at her back and signaling the end was near, and without resentment she'd accepted it each time, but now the breeze had come and gone and the devil still stood before her. Scarred, sad, and angry, but there none the less, and for the first time since she'd seen a flame snuffed out she felt her heartbeat again.

"Someone's up early"

The door to the balcony slid open, and a groggy Power stepped out, tangled strands of hair washing over her face like a waterfall as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"It got cold..."

Himeno raised a curious eyebrow as the devil sat down in the chair opposite to her and bundled her arms close, rubbing them for warmth as foggy breaths escaped her toothy maw.

"It's colder in bed wrapped in blankets than out here before the sun's even up?"

Power responded with a frowned glare, already putting up with the spiteful scorn of nature's bitter chill, her companion's light-hearted ribbing failed to offer reprieve.

"The blankets got cold!"

The hunter smiled, taking one final drag from the half finished cigarette and putting it out against the railing she was leaning on before flicking it a distance towards the ground. The pair watched it fall with moderate interest before the pink haired girl once more turned her eyes upward.

"Why'd you put that out already?"

She didn't respond at first, instead watching the streets below for a moment, wondering herself where these feelings came from and just what to do with them. Was this a second chance, or had she been so blinded by her ghosts she'd seen tragedy where there was none to come? What if this was nothing but a postponement, if the end was still near but just biding it's time?

"Cause I know you don't like the smoke"

Power squinted at her, scanning her face for hints of deception. She was an expert at lying, and thusly could easily deduce when the same was done to her. The signs were simple to pick out for a master like her, of course, and they go without saying, of course, if you know you need not be told, and if you don't that's not her problem. Her words bore no falsehoods, or so it may appear, though something was still odd, so the devil kept a close eye on her companion.

"You think the all mighty Power fears smoke?"

She crossed her arms and puffed her chest for a haughty delivery, but Himeno was unmoved by the display. She simply stared at her with that frozen look of contemplation.

"I know..."

Her words too felt distant, as though spoken for someone far away never meant to hear them. She walked closer, sitting on the edge of the table and brushing strands from Power's face, wrapping them around her finger and gazing at them.

"Don't touch my hair!"

She struck the woman's hand away, seeming to finally snap her from whatever delusions she was wandering through. The unsettling look on her face turned slowly, but she hadn't donned the mask that Power was use to seeing yet. For a moment she saw her as she was.

"What's up with you? You're acting weird."

With a flick to her forehead Himeno composed herself, the sly grin found it's way back to her lips as she stretched out her arms behind her back.

"Sorry... I'm just not use to seeing people around after I'm done mourning I guess."

She spoke in a sarcastic tone but there was an odd sincerity behind her words. Power took note, shooting her a sideways glance but Himeno deflected it with a cocky smile and a wink, seeming unwilling or unready to open up further.

"If I die for real you're gonna have to mourn a lot better than that. And where's breakfast? I'm hungry!"

Himeno stood, placing a hand on the devil's head and brushing through her tangled locks, considering a further step, but holding herself back. If this was something more than a fluke it deserved something more.

"Right away, oh great and mighty Powy~"

[makibeni]

Ch. 63- My Predestined Tragedy

A puff of smoke fills the air and joins the clouds above as the sky begins to turn from pitch to murky blue. Himeno stared out at the waking city below her, the first signs of life slowly stiring as night begins to give way to the dawn. She'd slipped from bed, slowly so as not to rouse her bundled companion who seemed to still be deep in the throws of slumber. Her thoughts meandered in a cyclical haze, where normally she'd try to think her way out of a problem she found herself spinning her wheels unsure where to even begin. The sensation wasn't new, or at least not so novel she couldn't bring herself to understand it, and yet she had no notion of what to do with these feelings. Her life was a tragedy that had already been written, new faces appear then die, hope arises only to be snuffed out, the time she has with them is short and precious, but ultimately finite and ephemeral, and then she mourns. Mourns the loss of what was, what could have been, what never will be, a sea of possibilities that let her dreams bloom into fantastical realities, pine for truths that only exist in her heart as memories of things that never were. To many, hope was a promise, an object of faith, a light to guide them in the darkness, something to strive for and believe in, but to Himeno it was something very different. Hope existed within acceptance, a predestined path she walked along, imagining a brighter world she knew she'd never see, to walk towards that guiding light, knowing that every step closer is another moment of it's life snuffed out, because there was no other way to walk. She'd seen this flame flicker, closed her eye to seal it's embers in memory and find another, but when she'd opened it, the flame still burned. She'd had a sense of when death was near, that shiver turned to a familiar breeze, blowing at her back and signaling the end was near, and without resentment she'd accepted it each time, but now the breeze had come and gone and the devil still stood before her. Scarred, sad, and angry, but there none the less, and for the first time since she'd seen a flame snuffed out she felt her heartbeat again.

"Someone's up early"

The door to the balcony slid open, and a groggy Power stepped out, tangled strands of hair washing over her face like a waterfall as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"It got cold..."

Himeno raised a curious eyebrow as the devil sat down in the chair opposite to her and bundled her arms close, rubbing them for warmth as foggy breaths escaped her toothy maw.

"It's colder in bed wrapped in blankets than out here before the sun's even up?"

Power responded with a frowned glare, already putting up with the spiteful scorn of nature's bitter chill, her companion's light-hearted ribbing failed to offer reprieve.

"The blankets got cold!"

The hunter smiled, taking one final drag from the half finished cigarette and putting it out against the railing she was leaning on before flicking it a distance towards the ground. The pair watched it fall with moderate interest before the pink haired girl once more turned her eyes upward.

"Why'd you put that out already?"

She didn't respond at first, instead watching the streets below for a moment, wondering herself where these feelings came from and just what to do with them. Was this a second chance, or had she been so blinded by her ghosts she'd seen tragedy where there was none to come? What if this was nothing but a postponement, if the end was still near but just biding it's time?

"Cause I know you don't like the smoke"

Power squinted at her, scanning her face for hints of deception. She was an expert at lying, and thusly could easily deduce when the same was done to her. The signs were simple to pick out for a master like her, of course, and they go without saying, of course, if you know you need not be told, and if you don't that's not her problem. Her words bore no falsehoods, or so it may appear, though something was still odd, so the devil kept a close eye on her companion.

"You think the all mighty Power fears smoke?"

She crossed her arms and puffed her chest for a haughty delivery, but Himeno was unmoved by the display. She simply stared at her with that frozen look of contemplation.

"I know..."

Her words too felt distant, as though spoken for someone far away never meant to hear them. She walked closer, sitting on the edge of the table and brushing strands from Power's face, wrapping them around her finger and gazing at them.

"Don't touch my hair!"

She struck the woman's hand away, seeming to finally snap her from whatever delusions she was wandering through. The unsettling look on her face turned slowly, but she hadn't donned the mask that Power was use to seeing yet. For a moment she saw her as she was.

"What's up with you? You're acting weird."

With a flick to her forehead Himeno composed herself, the sly grin found it's way back to her lips as she stretched out her arms behind her back.

"Sorry... I'm just not use to seeing people around after I'm done mourning I guess."

She spoke in a sarcastic tone but there was an odd sincerity behind her words. Power took note, shooting her a sideways glance but Himeno deflected it with a cocky smile and a wink, seeming unwilling or unready to open up further.

"If I die for real you're gonna have to mourn a lot better than that. And where's breakfast? I'm hungry!"

Himeno stood, placing a hand on the devil's head and brushing through her tangled locks, considering a further step, but holding herself back. If this was something more than a fluke it deserved something more.

"Right away, oh great and mighty Powy~"

[makibeni]

Ch. 62- A Coward and her Ghosts

She stared at her bandaged arm in the pale moonlight, though her thoughts were elsewhere. She sat on the floor, legs crossed and back against the bed frame, drifting in the murky darkness, though tonight she wasn't alone. Himeno sat beside her, her mind too was distant, offering proximity if not companionship.

"If I left... could you find me... could you bring me back?"

There was a haze that wafted over the room, a feeling akin to floating in a shallow pool. Upon occasion a thought would brush against her, she could pick it up, examine it, then discard it, leaving it forgotten in the depths below, or, if she wanted to, speak it aloud and conjure it into being. This was one such thought, uttered without intent, but spoken none the less, and in the presence of a listener.

"No..."

Ghostly white fingers reached from below the waves to grab her by the throat and pull her under as the echo in her cave spoke back to her.

"If..."

The words were caught in her throat, as if she was too afraid to say them now after the blow had already been struck.

"If it gets so bad you don't wanna stay... I think, when you come back, you should have a better life than what I can give you..."

Her voice carried with it resignation in it's tone, as though she'd readied herself for this, expected it somehow, mourned a soul she'd yet to even lose. Power's lip quivered, her teeth gritted against each other as twinkling droplets emerged from her eyes and anger scowled across her brow.

"You worthless fucking coward..."

She clenched her fists in rage, feeling the burning warmth of every ounce of blood inside her body reaching a boil.

"You think you can do all this to me then just leave me to be someone else's problem?"

Himeno sat beside her and took every word, her eyes empty, her mind somewhere far away, speaking to a ghost of regrets she could no longer undo.

"You're right... I am a worthless co-"

*SLAP*

"STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP GIVING UP ON ME!!!"

She screamed, fury spilling from her mouth as frustrated tears streamed down her cheeks.

"First you break me now you won't even try and fix me? Am I not even worth the effort? Huh?? Is that it???"

The bitter cocktail of exasperation she'd been brewing in her heart had been unleashed, and every ounce of discontent she'd poured in there had fermented into a murky brine of wrath. Everything now made manifest, arrows to pierce the heart of the one who dared to wound her.

"Power... I-"

Himeno stood no chance, she couldn't stammer out a satisfactory rebuttal even if she had the will to do so, right now all she could do was take those words, every cut another weight added to the burdens she already carried, another she'd have to carry to ease another's pain.

"SHUT UP! I don't wanna HEAR IT!! You promised! You gave me your WORD that you'd try! And now you wanna give up??"

Another she let down, another she couldn't save or protect, another she'd have to cry for, and another set of empty parting words whispered to a ghost.

"I just wanted you to be happy..."

Power pushed her back against the bed frame, grabbing her arms and slamming her forehead into Himeno's.

"Stop pretending like this has anything to do with me, you're just SCARED, too scared that YOU'RE gonna mess up, that YOU'LL have to feel bad for what YOU did to ME, YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ME!!"

Brushing the quiet stream of tears from her eye she finally returned to the present, pushing the devil off herself and rising to her feet.

"That's not true."

She stared at her, their gazes finally crossed she finally acknowledged all the pain that Power carried, not something abstract or unknowable, a foreign grief that others dumped in her lap so they could live their lives free from memory, this was something she had to finally acknowledge.

"Then prove it."

The devil stood to meet her, grabbing her by the collar and pulling her down to eye level, sharp teeth spitting words at her as though trying to bite her.

"Prove you care about me, don't give up on me, stay with me till it stops hurting, then I'll decide if I wanna stay."

She pushed a finger into the hunter's chest and issued her challenge. Himeno paused for a moment in stunned silence, but slowly a smile grew on her lips, blooming into laughter.

"Yeah... That sounds fair..."

The pair fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling with their thoughts again a jumble. It was different now, the murky depths of isolation this place had come to represent had been illuminated, a flickering swarm of fireflies graced her abyss and brought with them a chance at miracles, fragments of worlds that could yet be reached, and the will to find them.

"Getting sleepy?"

Power replied with a tired grunt of affirmation, the soft bed upon which she found herself calling her name.

"Alright, I'll give you space..."

Himeno stood to retire to the couch, almost reflexively at this point, but a tug at her shirt stopped her advance.

"No... You'll sleep here tonight..."

The little devil mumbled through groggy determination, her finger already twisted around the loose bit of fabric she managed to pull into her grasp.

"You sure?"

She waited for a moment, perhaps pondering her response, or just summoning the energy to speak again.

"Yeah... just don't hog the blanket"

[makibeni]

Ch. 62- A Coward and her Ghosts

She stared at her bandaged arm in the pale moonlight, though her thoughts were elsewhere. She sat on the floor, legs crossed and back against the bed frame, drifting in the murky darkness, though tonight she wasn't alone. Himeno sat beside her, her mind too was distant, offering proximity if not companionship.

"If I left... could you find me... could you bring me back?"

There was a haze that wafted over the room, a feeling akin to floating in a shallow pool. Upon occasion a thought would brush against her, she could pick it up, examine it, then discard it, leaving it forgotten in the depths below, or, if she wanted to, speak it aloud and conjure it into being. This was one such thought, uttered without intent, but spoken none the less, and in the presence of a listener.

"No..."

Ghostly white fingers reached from below the waves to grab her by the throat and pull her under as the echo in her cave spoke back to her.

"If..."

The words were caught in her throat, as if she was too afraid to say them now after the blow had already been struck.

"If it gets so bad you don't wanna stay... I think, when you come back, you should have a better life than what I can give you..."

Her voice carried with it resignation in it's tone, as though she'd readied herself for this, expected it somehow, mourned a soul she'd yet to even lose. Power's lip quivered, her teeth gritted against each other as twinkling droplets emerged from her eyes and anger scowled across her brow.

"You worthless fucking coward..."

She clenched her fists in rage, feeling the burning warmth of every ounce of blood inside her body reaching a boil.

"You think you can do all this to me then just leave me to be someone else's problem?"

Himeno sat beside her and took every word, her eyes empty, her mind somewhere far away, speaking to a ghost of regrets she could no longer undo.

"You're right... I am a worthless co-"

*SLAP*

"STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP GIVING UP ON ME!!!"

She screamed, fury spilling from her mouth as frustrated tears streamed down her cheeks.

"First you break me now you won't even try and fix me? Am I not even worth the effort? Huh?? Is that it???"

The bitter cocktail of exasperation she'd been brewing in her heart had been unleashed, and every ounce of discontent she'd poured in there had fermented into a murky brine of wrath. Everything now made manifest, arrows to pierce the heart of the one who dared to wound her.

"Power... I-"

Himeno stood no chance, she couldn't stammer out a satisfactory rebuttal even if she had the will to do so, right now all she could do was take those words, every cut another weight added to the burdens she already carried, another she'd have to carry to ease another's pain.

"SHUT UP! I don't wanna HEAR IT!! You promised! You gave me your WORD that you'd try! And now you wanna give up??"

Another she let down, another she couldn't save or protect, another she'd have to cry for, and another set of empty parting words whispered to a ghost.

"I just wanted you to be happy..."

Power pushed her back against the bed frame, grabbing her arms and slamming her forehead into Himeno's.

"Stop pretending like this has anything to do with me, you're just SCARED, too scared that YOU'RE gonna mess up, that YOU'LL have to feel bad for what YOU did to ME, YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ME!!"

Brushing the quiet stream of tears from her eye she finally returned to the present, pushing the devil off herself and rising to her feet.

"That's not true."

She stared at her, their gazes finally crossed she finally acknowledged all the pain that Power carried, not something abstract or unknowable, a foreign grief that others dumped in her lap so they could live their lives free from memory, this was something she had to finally acknowledge.

"Then prove it."

The devil stood to meet her, grabbing her by the collar and pulling her down to eye level, sharp teeth spitting words at her as though trying to bite her.

"Prove you care about me, don't give up on me, stay with me till it stops hurting, then I'll decide if I wanna stay."

She pushed a finger into the hunter's chest and issued her challenge. Himeno paused for a moment in stunned silence, but slowly a smile grew on her lips, blooming into laughter.

"Yeah... That sounds fair..."

The pair fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling with their thoughts again a jumble. It was different now, the murky depths of isolation this place had come to represent had been illuminated, a flickering swarm of fireflies graced her abyss and brought with them a chance at miracles, fragments of worlds that could yet be reached, and the will to find them.

"Getting sleepy?"

Power replied with a tired grunt of affirmation, the soft bed upon which she found herself calling her name.

"Alright, I'll give you space..."

Himeno stood to retire to the couch, almost reflexively at this point, but a tug at her shirt stopped her advance.

"No... You'll sleep here tonight..."

The little devil mumbled through groggy determination, her finger already twisted around the loose bit of fabric she managed to pull into her grasp.

"You sure?"

She waited for a moment, perhaps pondering her response, or just summoning the energy to speak again.

"Yeah... just don't hog the blanket"

[makibeni]

Ch. 61- Scars I Can't See

Time heals all wounds, but the scars remain, a reminder that even when regained, trust once lost is built on cracked foundation. She sits alone in a darkened room, surrounded by pitch night save for a slit of starlight gleaming through a crack in the window. She finds comfort in this isolation, where she is blind to memory, secluded from those scars, in a moment of stillness. A cat sleeps in her lap, her one constant who has never strayed from her side, as much a part of her as the blood in her body, and no more her own. She didn't know how much time she still had, but when obscured in often flowed against expectation. If she anxiously awaited something, seconds turned to minutes turned to hours, while if she disregarded it, then it ran away from her, disappearing before she'd even had it. The lock began to turn, signaling the end of her quiet serenity, with closed eyes she took a breath and stood, clutching her pet for reassurance, it's soft body wrapping into her arm understandingly.

"Powy~ I'm hooooome!"

She felt a quick twitch run down her back, reflexive, pestering. She wished to overcome her feelings but they wouldn't leave her side, in a bout of frustration she took a step towards the door.

"Oh, shit, sorry, were you taking a nap? I-I didn't mean to wake you! Look, I gotcha' something on the way home"

She wrestled boxes from the plastic bag she'd set on the table, silvery plumes of steam escaping from their edges. It was difficult to dislodge the thought from her mind, the memories, the half drunk insincere apologies... but there was no occasion, simply kindness carried on a whim. Through fanged teeth she smiled.

She wasn't use to these scars, the kind you couldn't see but feel, the kind that opened up every time you remembered them. She didn't want them, she wanted to move on and forget, do her best to just ignore them, so they both played along. The devil made her way onto the couch, pulling closer the box that Himeno handed her, opening it up to reveal a delicious bounty of meat. She recognized the scent too, it was from a place the hunter didn't often go, far from home but good, very good. She pondered why she might have gone to the trouble, or if she simply found herself close by, as she happily grabbed a slice of sauced beef and brought it to her lips.

"Hey! Not with your hands, I told you to use chopsticks didn't-..."

Her barks came quick, reflexive and thoughtless, and by the time she'd caught her words they'd already slipped from her tongue.

"W-wait no, I'm sorry, fuck, it's... sorry... h- UGH! Why can't I get this right..."

With neutered resolve Power placed the food back onto the plate and picked up the chopsticks as requested, taking small and unenthusiastic bites. Himeno tried to speak, find the right time and the right words to say to lighten her mood but knew her place, an honest effort but another wash, their silent dinner concluded uneventfully.

Himeno made her way to the balcony for a smoke, she'd taken a liking to these little breaks, secluded in her thoughts, like checkpoints through the night. It was a chance to reset a little, let the waters settle and start over again, with a gentler and more attentive touch. In practice, it often meant she grew more distant as time went on, pinned down with stakes of fear and anxiety. She went over things again in her mind, finding where it went wrong and how to fix it. The day started off well enough, work was mundane, slow and with little paperwork, just how she liked it. Power was more energetic lately, regaining some of her lost stride, but it wasn't much more than barking at the interns in truth. She might have been putting up a front at work, which made Himeno wonder what her motive could be. The simplest way was to ask, but a question could just the same be an accusation, and without more to go on it could set her back even further. The best she could do was take it at face value, if it wasn't real progress it was at least a sign she was trying, and that's something worth supporting if nothing else. She went home early as usual, while Himeno went on her little detour to give her space. She'd wander around town, loitering around in parks and taking in the sights, then picking up dinner on her way home. It seemed to help, at least in some ways, Power seemed calmer when she had time to herself to do whatever it is she did. She turned her head, blowing a final puff of smoke and putting out her cigarette before walking back inside.

A growl wisped through her gritted teeth as she finally managed to draw blood. She pulled her fangs from the wound and watched the crimson liquid seep to the surface and run down her arm. It stung, a wave of pain slowly billowing from the bite mark, a feeling she could see as the sanguine bounty trapped within her body spilled from her. She watched it, understanding it's simplicity, an injury draws blood, a marker, signifying with it's presence the source of hurt, and when the blood ran dry the pain usually subsided. Where then was the blood from her scars, she'd never seen it, never felt it's burn upon her skin, and yet the hurt persisted, every time another reminder, another ache, another carved open wound with no marks left behind. When would these wounds finally close for good, when would she not jump at simple words, why must she wallow in this weakness, why must she know this wrong kind of pain.

"No good, no good at all..."

Another shudder ran down her spine as a hand through the darkness grabbed her own. She went to pull away but there was no resistance, and a conscious choice overcame the fear. A damp cloth met her skin, wicking away the blood while the other kept her steady.

"I know it hurts... I'm sorry"

[makibeni]

Ch. 61- Scars I Can't See

Time heals all wounds, but the scars remain, a reminder that even when regained, trust once lost is built on cracked foundation. She sits alone in a darkened room, surrounded by pitch night save for a slit of starlight gleaming through a crack in the window. She finds comfort in this isolation, where she is blind to memory, secluded from those scars, in a moment of stillness. A cat sleeps in her lap, her one constant who has never strayed from her side, as much a part of her as the blood in her body, and no more her own. She didn't know how much time she still had, but when obscured in often flowed against expectation. If she anxiously awaited something, seconds turned to minutes turned to hours, while if she disregarded it, then it ran away from her, disappearing before she'd even had it. The lock began to turn, signaling the end of her quiet serenity, with closed eyes she took a breath and stood, clutching her pet for reassurance, it's soft body wrapping into her arm understandingly.

"Powy~ I'm hooooome!"

She felt a quick twitch run down her back, reflexive, pestering. She wished to overcome her feelings but they wouldn't leave her side, in a bout of frustration she took a step towards the door.

"Oh, shit, sorry, were you taking a nap? I-I didn't mean to wake you! Look, I gotcha' something on the way home"

She wrestled boxes from the plastic bag she'd set on the table, silvery plumes of steam escaping from their edges. It was difficult to dislodge the thought from her mind, the memories, the half drunk insincere apologies... but there was no occasion, simply kindness carried on a whim. Through fanged teeth she smiled.

She wasn't use to these scars, the kind you couldn't see but feel, the kind that opened up every time you remembered them. She didn't want them, she wanted to move on and forget, do her best to just ignore them, so they both played along. The devil made her way onto the couch, pulling closer the box that Himeno handed her, opening it up to reveal a delicious bounty of meat. She recognized the scent too, it was from a place the hunter didn't often go, far from home but good, very good. She pondered why she might have gone to the trouble, or if she simply found herself close by, as she happily grabbed a slice of sauced beef and brought it to her lips.

"Hey! Not with your hands, I told you to use chopsticks didn't-..."

Her barks came quick, reflexive and thoughtless, and by the time she'd caught her words they'd already slipped from her tongue.

"W-wait no, I'm sorry, fuck, it's... sorry... h- UGH! Why can't I get this right..."

With neutered resolve Power placed the food back onto the plate and picked up the chopsticks as requested, taking small and unenthusiastic bites. Himeno tried to speak, find the right time and the right words to say to lighten her mood but knew her place, an honest effort but another wash, their silent dinner concluded uneventfully.

Himeno made her way to the balcony for a smoke, she'd taken a liking to these little breaks, secluded in her thoughts, like checkpoints through the night. It was a chance to reset a little, let the waters settle and start over again, with a gentler and more attentive touch. In practice, it often meant she grew more distant as time went on, pinned down with stakes of fear and anxiety. She went over things again in her mind, finding where it went wrong and how to fix it. The day started off well enough, work was mundane, slow and with little paperwork, just how she liked it. Power was more energetic lately, regaining some of her lost stride, but it wasn't much more than barking at the interns in truth. She might have been putting up a front at work, which made Himeno wonder what her motive could be. The simplest way was to ask, but a question could just the same be an accusation, and without more to go on it could set her back even further. The best she could do was take it at face value, if it wasn't real progress it was at least a sign she was trying, and that's something worth supporting if nothing else. She went home early as usual, while Himeno went on her little detour to give her space. She'd wander around town, loitering around in parks and taking in the sights, then picking up dinner on her way home. It seemed to help, at least in some ways, Power seemed calmer when she had time to herself to do whatever it is she did. She turned her head, blowing a final puff of smoke and putting out her cigarette before walking back inside.

A growl wisped through her gritted teeth as she finally managed to draw blood. She pulled her fangs from the wound and watched the crimson liquid seep to the surface and run down her arm. It stung, a wave of pain slowly billowing from the bite mark, a feeling she could see as the sanguine bounty trapped within her body spilled from her. She watched it, understanding it's simplicity, an injury draws blood, a marker, signifying with it's presence the source of hurt, and when the blood ran dry the pain usually subsided. Where then was the blood from her scars, she'd never seen it, never felt it's burn upon her skin, and yet the hurt persisted, every time another reminder, another ache, another carved open wound with no marks left behind. When would these wounds finally close for good, when would she not jump at simple words, why must she wallow in this weakness, why must she know this wrong kind of pain.

"No good, no good at all..."

Another shudder ran down her spine as a hand through the darkness grabbed her own. She went to pull away but there was no resistance, and a conscious choice overcame the fear. A damp cloth met her skin, wicking away the blood while the other kept her steady.

"I know it hurts... I'm sorry"

[makibeni]

Ch. 60- A Truth Unspoken

The theater was nearly empty, save for a disinterested scattering of disinterested shadows. Kobeni had taken a moment to excuse herself, leaving Makima alone with her thoughts. Overall the date was going well, she thought, the girl enjoyed her meal, and the two had exchanged a quite pleasant conversation throughout. It had been longer than she'd realized since they'd had the chance to just talk, exchanging simple words and laughter over topics of no import. It had been a refreshingly sobering reminder that love was more than suffering and grandeur, that there was so much joy left to be found in the company of her beloved. It was then when a drop of sour tinged her sweet smile, as it appeared beside her. She'd hoped for it's resignation, or at least a reprieve for the night, but it's spiteful darkness slid it's way through the shadows like a morose ooze, tainting the air around itself. The displeasure on Makima's face only grew as it seemed disinterested in anything besides looming, an uninvited guest she couldn't be rid of. It spoke no words, it never had, lacking the inclination or perhaps the ability, though she'd never found it hard to understand. There was a time when their goals had aligned, where she saw no other path and the dim glow of it's septic eyes proved a light to follow, the only guide she'd ever known. But she'd found a new light, one which shun brighter and with a resplendent warmth to chase away the shadows, one which she'd abandoned it for. She glanced at it, only for a moment, pulled in by it's sickening glare, every thought spared for it bringing her mood down, but it's writhing shadow wouldn't let her go.

"W-what's wrong?"

Makima turned, snapping from her brooding as the girl's voice filled her ear.

"Oh... nothing, I just... remembered something unpleasant"

Kobeni took her seat with a worried look, unsatisfied with the woman's vagueness. She thought about pressing the issue, not wanting to let Makima wallow in whatever stupor she'd fallen into, but anxiety kept her best intentions at bay. Offering what support she could muster she slid her arm along the seat rest and grabbed hold of Makima's hand, the gesture receiving a longing look and a slight smile from the woman's face. Kobeni turned her attention to the screen, satisfied for the moment that even if she was unable to provide solutions she could at least offer reprieve. As the film went on, she could feel her emotions, how she'd squeeze tighter as the tension built, her expression excitedly dancing along with the characters, never letting go of the girl's hand all the way. It was endearing, a side of Makima she rarely got to see, but delighted in just the same.

As the night wound down the two made their way to their final destination, a walk along the shoreline, flanked by icy black waves of moonlit sea. It was peaceful, the distant sounds of the city washed away by the rhythmic wash of water along the sandy beach. Yet even now, everywhere she turned she saw it, staring back at her with it's vexing persistence.

"Makima I... I can tell you're upset... please, could you just tell me what's wrong?"

She didn't turn to face her, casting her gaze towards the ocean and her thoughts to the hurricane brewing inside of her. The date was almost over, she only had to keep herself together for a little longer, soothe the girl's worries and finish on a high note...

"It's nothing I haven't dealt with before, I'll be alright, really."

Kobeni grabbed her arm, insistent upon her concerns and unwilling to let the woman simply brush off her struggles, not while she had the chance to intervene.

"That's not the point I... I wanna be there for you too... I wanna be someone you can rely on... please..."

Makima turned to her, wrapping her arms around the girl in a cold and awkward hug. There was a reluctance, a fear of insincerity that kept her at bay, as though she feared deception through an act of affection was a line too far, and floundered at what to do.

"I never want to lie to you, I just... don't know if I'm ready to tell you the truth yet..."

Her words seeped into the girl's ear like venom, a blooming seed of anxiety blossoming into a grove of second guessing and worry.

"W... what do you mean...?"

Kobeni pulled herself away, the woman showing her back once more, digging her fingers into the railing beside her to try and regain a measure of composure

"M-Makima? W-what do you m-"

The girl pulled on her arm, enough to catch a glimpse of the tears streaming down her face and cut the words from her own tongue with a quiet gasp. Makima retreated back, shutting her eyes and gritting her teeth, trying as she could to stem the tide of tears. It was all falling apart, words slipping from her tongue like a frustrated cry now bringing forth retribution for her incapacity. If only she'd been stronger, if only she hadn't faltered begged for help, she could be happy, she could have had her, and now she was slipping from her fingers as the thread unwound. The light began to fade, leaving nothing but darkness and the pale yellow dots before her, just where they'd always been, awaiting her fall. Then suddenly, she felt a warmth around her waist.

"I don't know what's wrong but... I wanna be with you... I wanna help you however I can... y-you can tell me when you're ready... okay?"

The girl held her tight, declaring her sincerity and her love as the tears streamed down Makima's face. Her breathing was relaxed, her heartbeat steady, a reassuring fixture to guide the woman back to shore.

"What if I never will be..."

She closed her eyes again, unsure and unsteady, disbelieving in her own capacity to accept a love so freely given.

"That's fine too... as long as I can be with you... that's all that matters to me"