onerous | IC Inbox

[Rei, for once, doesn't hesitate. She pushes off of the door and into Yuri's arms, burying her face against her friend's shoulder. The tears come pretty quickly, warm silver streams leaking down her cheeks, and she holds on.]

I...hate it. I couldn't do anything for her. She just...bled so much.

[Wishing she had Usagi's gifts, perhaps for the first time in her life, is unusual. She has never once felt she'd rather have any other talent but now? After losing someone...]

...She died in my arms. I don't...I don't know what to do...

[She remembers seeing Fuyuhi bleeding out from the wound on her throat, the horror and the sick feeling to her stomach. She doesn't know what to do here. She's never been particularly good at comforting anyone.]

Here-- [She tugs at Rei to walk with her, not letting her go, until they can get to the living room and sink onto the couch together. It's just bound to be more comfortable like this.]

Let it out, Rei. It's alright. You're safe here. [Her hand rubs along her back, prepared to just sit here with her as long as it's needed.]

[Rei lets herself be led, basically flopping down with Yuri, leaning all the more heavily as they sink into the couch. And she does cry. She...really, really just lets it go.]

I just...earlier we were having such a good time...and then we went...god...

[She buries her face against Yuri's shoulder, shaking for a moment before she manages to get more words out. A slow, rambling collection of them.]

...It's...hazy. We had drinks and went to her home and she was very nice and patient with me...and then I think we ended up deciding to go back out. I know...I know we...were just happy for each other's company...but the horses were scared. and they started flying and then...then those things came! And they cut her, and we fell...and then it was all over...

[She hopes, somehow, this is helping. Seeing Rei breakdown like this honestly shocks Yuri, though she knows it reasonably shouldn't. Even the strongest, most put-together seeming people break sometimes, but knowing that doesn't make it easier to come to terms with.

She just listens, rubbing Rei's arm, her back, stroking her hair. Anything to try and offer her some comfort.]

I... I'm sorry, Rei. I'm so sorry. You don't... You don't have to keep talking if you don't want to. [It's fine if it's helping her, Yuri just doesn't want Rei to feel like she's obligated to explain herself or anything.]

No...no I need to...I need this.

[Some sort of outlet for the torrent of feelings she's dealing with. Tonight has been like being struck with a temple bell's hammer, over and over. An emotional peak and then a mauling like this. It's a lot to take in, even for her, especially for her. Curling up into a ball at Yuri's side, she holds on, crying subsiding a little during the emotional ebb and flow.]

Something. I just...I've fought people before. People I like have died...but...god, I should start at the beginning but it's hazy.

[Clutching Yuri's arm, she looks up, teary but regaining some control thanks to those soothing hands.]

We...we drank. A lot more than I think I've ever had, if how warm I felt was an indication. Then we...she...god I hope you don't think less of me...we slept together. it just happened, and I'd never done it before. Then...she suggested a carriage ride. With those thestrals. Have you seen them...?

[Yuri feels her face heating up, and she's about to stammer out that Rei doesn't need to tell her that much, but the words stick in her throat. It's catharsis, in a way, for Rei. At least, that's what Yuri figures. So despite her mild embarrassment, she shoves the feelings away to focus on this.

Rei's emotions wash over her, forcing Yuri to concentrate on not accidentally delving in and pulling memories out or anything like that. She wonders if she can find Justine's body or spirit and take that pain too. Maybe that will help, somehow?

She doesn't know.]

The horses? [Is that what they were really called?] I have, yeah. I went on a carriage ride too, with Majima-san, but... None of that happened... [She doesn't know why that makes her feel guilty, but it does.]

And no, I don't think any less of you, Rei. [In case Rei needed to hear that too]

[Rei would apologize but Yuri is absolutely right. This is cathartic, and it's an admission. She needs to make it, get it out, push out all of these feelings. With a soft, almost inaudible sigh, she closes her eyes. She had been a little worried her friends would think less of her for drunkenly sleeping with someone. Yuri most of all, though she can't put her finger on why yet.

Swallowing thickly, she continues, letting her thoughts continue.]

It...may have been because something was wrong. I don't know. But they got scared and took off, and you've seen that they have wings. They...ah...carried us into the sky. [Shaking a bit, she scoots closer to her friend, unable to avoid a tremble in her hand. Not from fear, but more from knowing what came next and what she needed to get out.]

Creatures appeared from somewhere. Like shadows on the moon. I don't know what they were, but I couldn't defend Justine and the Thestrals. [That part comes out smoothly at least.] One of them got her while I was concentrating on the horses. so...we wouldn't crash. Only once that happened, the carriage...it broke apart and we fell.

I don't know how I survived. [She lies, but only out of habit.]

Something happened, a flash and a voice in my head, and I was on the ground...and she was...she was gone.

[Her grip on Rei tightens a little as she keeps going, just... being there for her, as best she can be.]

I'm sorry. [The words don't feel like they're nearly enough though and she shakes her head, wishing she could say or do more.]

A voice in your head?

[Rei nods weakly, fabric rustling against Yuri, taking solace from this girl in a way she hadn't thought she could need again.]

Mmhmm...yes. It just said Stop, and everything froze for a minute. I don't remember much more than that. I know it sounds strange but...that's what happened?

I believe you. It's just... [She trails off, not wanting to really distract Rei from it all, but--]

Whoever that was would have to be pretty powerful to stop it all just like that. It's just curious, I guess. That's all.

Godlike. Easily. I just...I don't know what it was. I hope that it's not our enemy though.

[She's very rarely felt small, but she did now. Very, very small.]

[She doesn't know what it might be, but...] Maybe it's something related to why we're here...

[She sort of wishes she'd gotten a chance to try and see it herself, but she's not about to go seeking it out right now either. Not after what Rei said.

Anyway.]

This is a dream, or something like that, isn't it? Maybe Justine woke up after that. It's possible... [It's possible she's okay, somehow. Yuri'll try to be hopeful, at least, for Rei's sake]

No...

[Rei shakes her head, feeling very tired all of a sudden. Very, very, very tired.]

...No she's going to revive here in a few days. That's what happens. Majima knows that much, he's said it happened and seen it.

[With that...demon? whatever that guy Leo was. And someone named Bucky.]

[Yuri pauses, taking that in. That's... different. She's not sure how she feels about that, though she knows it's good that Justine will be coming back and all.]

That's... that's good then, right? Maybe you can talk to her, then. [Get some better closure, or something.] If Majima-san says it's happened, I'm inclined to believe him...

[Rei isn't sure she likes how it sounds either. But she has to accept it. And right now it sounds great.

Snuggling a little closer to Yuri on the couch, she nods meekly.]

...Would...it be okay if I stayed here tonight? I don't want to be alone.

Of course. [The response comes automatically, Yuri not even having to pause and think about it.]

You can stay as long as you want. Um... I have a spare room, if you'd rather go there instead of staying here? [Or she could stay here, it doesn't matter to Yuri, she just wants Rei to be comfortable.]

I don't care. Whatever is less of a burden to you. [Truthfully, she's just fine right here, if the way she's resting close to Yuri is any indication. Just. Fine.] Thank you. Really...

We can stay like this then for a while.

[She settles back to get comfortable too, fully prepared to doze off with her.]

Thank you.

[Stretching out a little, she quietly starts to doze off too, grateful beyond belief for Yuri's support.]

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