Love of mine, someday you will die, but I'll be close behind

[feistytrader]

Please join us in the greenhouse should you feel able or need company. There will be food and comfort. None of us should be alone right now.

-Hanyuu, Jasper, and Silver

[That's the note that gets slid under everyone's doors after such a somber and saddening trial; it's not like it's going to be a big ordeal anymore given how few of them there are, but that doesn't mean that they should spend it alone.

The location of their setup is the greenhouse! ...The greenhouse has had a new addition; there is a massive blanket fort set up using an absurd amount of rope, blankets, and duct tape. The blankets span across three trees to make a considerable amount of space roughly shaped like a triangle for them to hang out under. Under the fort is a small pile of scissors taken from the sewing and art rooms. Next to them are a couple of flower crowns. They're relatively simple and don't involve many different flowers, but they're good examples of what the pile of scissors are there for.

There's also food, of course; a blanket is laid out on the floor with a large set of plates, a massive amount of eggs and rice, some of Elda's spicy fries, and... Sandwiches. Jasper's made everyone sandwiches, and the sandwiches are absolutely absurd in size due to how many cold cuts she's stacked into them. But don't worry! They aren't all meat. There's a lot of mustard, too. Luckily, they're still of a reasonably edible size.]

Comments

[oyashiromama]

[Well, she'll reach over and place her flower crown on Elda's head.]

It doesn't erase what's happened, or how you've thought, or any of the tragedies. But whatever the circumstances, any positive change is something to take credit for, to be proud of.

[matchbreaker]

You shouldn't speak so highly of me, it's not like I've forgotten or even forgiven. [ Okay, this crown is basically done. With one more finishing touch, she turns to Hanyuu, careful not to knock off the one on her head as she places one on Hanyuu's. ... It looks a little busy, what with the horns and the Alani flower there. ]

I've just begun to wonder how much of a difference there is, that's all. I'm never going to be among them, like you desire. But perhaps, I could stomach being beside them.

[ In essence, for her... maybe it's hard to be proud of it. Because it's hard to think of it as a fully positive change. Even if Hanyuu would say it was. Even if James would say it was. ... Hell, all of her family would probably agree. It's just, for her, if she stops to examine it, it's almost like a rearrangement of identity. It's probably why she's deflected off it ]

[oyashiromama]

You don't have to do either of those...especially not forget. To forget the past, that's to stumble into it again.

[But she listens and she...will respect that, with a little nod.]

Beside, that's enough, I think. I... Yes, that's more than enough.

[She will never want to be apart from humans, especially not after she's finally found a place that accepts her. Now...she wishes to hold on to that.]

[matchbreaker]

[ And then, proud or not, once the crown is on...

She has something she needs to discuss with Hanyuu. But that can wait for when they're in private. For now, she can swoon a little, kiss her forehead, and, ]

But I want to be with you.

[ Swoon a little. In a very mushy way ]

[oyashiromama]

[Ah...! Well, that's fine enough. Hanyuu blushes and leans in a little, and then offers a kiss of her own, a small one on Elda's lips. She'll pull away before it can go any farther, she really is a shy one for PDA.]

Well, then with me you can be, yes? I want...to be with you too.

[matchbreaker]

[ Oh good. Oh. That was really something which made he swim for many long seconds, and when she pulls back, she looks up. The Fort is blocking the view of the ceiling but... ]

. . . When we're free of here, the sun will be some concern, I suppose.

[oyashiromama]

Aah...

[She...hadn't thought of that, honestly. So many vampire myths have been debunked here, by Elda herself, and she knows they've talked about the sun, at least in a one-off, off-hand sense, but any actual thought, she hadn't...]

Yes, that is something to think about...but I'm sure...it's something that can be managed. ...and it's hard to plan for anything now, anyway.

[matchbreaker]

Yes... Yes, I know, it's the wrong time to plot out something like that.

[ Promised future or no, right after they killed Mikazuki and Orihime was killed herself? It seems... not quite insensitive, but ...

Well, it's probably not right to delve too deep into the differences between diurnal and nocturnal people in couples. No. Besides, she- She shakes her head and nudges the crown on her head. ]

... So who will wear those hairpins you took from her?

[oyashiromama]

[Oh, that. She pauses, for a moment. She dropped the hairpins off in her room, placing them carefully in the desk. That's where they sit, and...]

No one. I... I'm simply keeping them safe, for her. Orihime, she... She didn't specify that she wanted anyone to wear them. They're an important...memento for her, so...I'm just keeping them safe.

[matchbreaker]

Ah...? Ah, I suppose that's for the best. [ She nods, having only really read her own note ] If you were going to, I was going to insist you let me. Your hair would be far too busy with both them and the flower.

[ . . . Apparently symbolic accessories can be passed off like that??? ]

[oyashiromama]

...When we next receive letters from them, I will ask her.

[Because they have to. They have to.]

I'll speak with her then, okay?

1/2

[matchbreaker]

A...Ah. Please do.

[matchbreaker]

And I will write my own letter, of course.

[ She hums, reaching up to her head to touch the crown Hanyuu put there. ]

Now, I had best collect my plan for Estelle. I'll meet you in the room, tonight?

[oyashiromama]

[She nods, careful for the crown not to fall, and smiles.]

I'll...be waiting for you there.

[matchbreaker]

[ THAT NIGHT.

Elda has talked with basically everyone she wanted to by now, including an extended stay with Estellise were she got the girl drunk on accident. ... Oops. There's actually a little wine on Elda's breath as a result, even if she didn't have any effects from the alcohol. Which was probably a good life lesson to learn all things considered. That rules out Killia's cocktail, or perhaps she just needed something stronger?

... Well, she'll think on it later. Once in the room, assuming it's unlocked, she'll kinda shut the door behind her and look for her girl. Or if it is, she'll knock ]

[oyashiromama]

[It is, naturally, unlocked! Hanyuu's already undressed and gotten into her pajamas, and she sits at her desk, reading over...well, a letter from Orihime. She tucks it away when Elda arrives, and she offers a tired smile.

The flower crown sits on the desk as well, next to Alani's flower, soaking in a bowl of water.]

How...did it go?

[matchbreaker]

About as well as can be expected. I... At least got he to the point of being angry at the man. In my eyes, that's better than nothing.

[ Elda's crown was still on her head. she takes it off as she comes into the room. ]

[oyashiromama]

...It is. [Hanyuu sighs.] I hope...Estellise will be alright. The poor girl's gone through so much.

[matchbreaker]

Nor more than Jasper. Or Silver. Or you, for that matter.

[ elda says this as she strips down out of her current clothes to put on the pain splattered ones she uses as jammies Silver made for her ]

[oyashiromama]

[Ah... Hanyuu awkwardly glances down, and she sees all the names on her arms.]

We've all had our share.

[matchbreaker]

[ . . . As she gets on the new top, Elda: ]

... Hanyuu. Indulge me by allowing me to speak without your response until I finish, alright?

[oyashiromama]

[...]

Of course. I will sit here, and I will listen.

1/3 I HOPE THIS MAKES YOU FEELS

[matchbreaker]

Earlier today, after the trial... I'd actually considered apologizing to you. I imagine now, you don't know what I could be referring to. I didn't make much of an ass of myself at this trial as compared to many others - at worst, I could be called offensive to the dead for my admission I would prioritize the living over them. Perhaps...

No, no, I should not put words in your mouth. I will not assume you could know, but I will also not assume ignorance either.

[ Now dressed, she glides towards the bed. She's hanging her head a little. ]

... I was going to apologize that I held you back from what duties you feel you must fulfill. How... How unlike me, I know. But it is the truth. But I--

TW: Suicide talk from here on

[matchbreaker]

[ And she falls to her knees, collapsing at the foot of the bed and running her hands through her hair, gripping her scalp as she completely loses her shit, tbh. ]

I know that you cannot help but see what happened today as there being two deaths where there could be one! I know that you hold their sins and their regrets and I know that even now some part of you wishes that you could go back and have killed yourself back then! Do not think to deny it, I at least know you that well, to imagine some regrets that you have deep within your heart!

Lusamine said I must confront you! I... I still do not feel prepared to say this! Silver said I ought not forgive you, and I do not think I am capable of such a thing, when it comes to someone I love! But I-

I am terrified, Hanyuu! I always knew I would die before James, that man was soft in all of the ways I admired and I knew he would starve for it, someday, if I could not keep him alive. I knew, I knew! But I cannot endure that again- no, I will not endure that again!

[ She yanks at her hair, tears going down her face - hot, angry tears born out of this terror ]

Because as long as you think that, I know that it is possible, and that you could leave me behind-

3/3

[matchbreaker]

[ And finally she looks up. She knows this is her at her most selfish. It's a character flaw, she knows it's a character flaw. She knows, she knows, she knows, she knows- ]

I will not be left behind twice! I don't know how much someone like me can trust a promise you will not think that way again, when I've already doubted your proclamation of love for me's ability to stop it. But I- [ Inhale. ] I swear to you, that I refuse to be apart from you! If ever you die, Hanyuu, I will follow you to that side, I promise that is what I will do!

It will still be two, so bear that- In mind!