[2011-04-23 20:32:22] <Axel_Wildfire> = =
[20:32:37] <Axel_Wildfire> Wednesday late morning, Miyami's manor -
[20:33:30] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko had vanished early that morning and was only just now arriving back, letting herself in and calling up. "Miya, I'm back~" Of course, she hasn't mentioned that she has Saki in tow now, but she takes a moment to crouch by her somewhat-reduced friend. "You'll be here from now on, okay?"

[20:34:19] <Athon> Saki only blinks looking around and trying do identify that new place. "..."

[20:37:18] <Axel_Wildfire> She ruffles Saki's hair. "And don't vanish for so long again, okay, Saki?" Kenoko hugs her briefly. "I was worried."

[20:37:43] <Athon> "... Gao."

[20:38:04] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko sighs. "How am I gonna get through to you..."

[20:39:40] <Athon> She tilts her head. "Gao."

[20:45:41] <Verloren> Miya starts heading down from upstairs. "Welcome back, Kenoko-!" She pauses just at the end, seeing the new arrival. "...this is the one you're taking care of, right...?"

[20:46:04] <Axel_Wildfire> "That's right. Her name is Madoka Saki." Kenoko directs Saki's attention to Miya. "Saki, this is Miya."

[20:53:59] <Athon> She simply stares at the other woman, making no sound.

[20:54:22] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko nudges Saki. "She's a friend."

[20:55:03] <Verloren> Miya looks a bit nervous. "...she doesn't like me much, does she..."

[20:57:11] <Athon> She growls again. This time in a much... happier tone.

[21:00:09] <Verloren> The girl sort of blinks, having never heard a happy 'growl', before. "Um..."

[21:01:16] <Athon> She simply rubs against Kenoko, making no other sound.

[21:03:07] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko smiles a little. "Well, she seems to like you a bit at least..."

[21:04:23] <Verloren> "...she doesn't talk much, does she..." This observation seems to confuse Miya more than anything else about her.

[21:04:48] <Athon> She keeps rubbing against Kenoko's legs.

[21:05:12] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko pets Saki's hair gently. "Saki's... a friend of mine from a long time ago. She's been living wild in the forest for decades."

[21:08:01] <Verloren> "Sh-she what?!" Miya's eyes widen in confusion, and she takes a step backward.

[21:08:32] <Axel_Wildfire> "You heard me." she sighs. "I found her a week or so ago."

[21:10:10] <Athon> "Gao."

[21:10:59] <Axel_Wildfire> "She's... not entirely intact." Kenoko kneels again, sighing.

[21:12:29] <Verloren> "...I'm sorry."

[21:12:47] <Axel_Wildfire> "Don't be, it's not your fault. I just wish I knew what happened."

[21:12:53] <Athon> "Gao."

[21:13:15] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko looks up at Miya, awkward. "She can stay...?"

[21:14:00] <Verloren> "Of course... and maybe we'll be able to figure out why dog noises of all things." She smiles weakly at Kenoko, trying to give her whatever hope she can.

[21:14:17] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko pounces upright and hugs Miya tightly. "Thank you!"

[21:14:49] <Athon> This causes Saki to actually... whimper.

[21:15:08] <Verloren> She blushes wildly, but hugs back, smiling. "What kind of person would I be if I didn't help?"

[21:15:15] <Axel_Wildfire> "Hm?" she lets Miya go as soon as she hears the noise, turning to Saki. "What's wrong?"

[21:17:01] <Athon> She simpled walked past Kenoko, looking around the house.

[21:17:25] <Axel_Wildfire> "Saki?" Kenoko calls after her. "Don't gnaw on anything, okay?"

[21:18:28] <Athon> And...
[21:18:36] <Athon> She started bitting at the sofa.

[21:19:15] <Verloren> "..."
[21:20:01] <Verloren> "...I don't think that chewing on something as old as that is going to be good for her health..." Miya comments nervously.

[21:21:50] <Axel_Wildfire> "She's a Showaborg like you and me." Kenoko laughs and goes over to pry Saki off the furniture.

[21:23:19] <Verloren> "...I can eat sofas?" That seems to confuse Miya even more.

[21:23:44] <Axel_Wildfire> "You can eat almost anything." she crouches and flicks Saki's nose gently. "Stop."

[21:24:11] <Athon> "Gao." She turns around, simply ignoring Kenoko and gnawing at it again.

[21:26:55] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko pulls her away, roughly this time, and her voice goes stern. "No, Saki."

[21:27:39] <Athon> "..." She whimpers. And turns around again.

[21:28:13] <Verloren> "...this seems awkward."

[21:32:00] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko pulls Saki back to face her, frowning. "What's wrong?"

[21:32:39] <Athon> She advances, as if wanting to nuzzles against Kenoko. But chooses not to, trying to recoil.

[21:34:37] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko rolls her eyes and pulls Saki into a firm hug. "It's not like you to be willful, Saki."

[21:34:43] <Athon> "Gao..."
[21:35:40] <Athon> She nuzzles against the other woman, getting confortable in her arms.

[21:36:47] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko strokes Saki's hair comfortingly. "Better?"

[21:36:54] <Athon> She shakes her head.

[21:37:03] <Axel_Wildfire> "Then tell me what's wrong."

[21:37:08] <Athon> "Gao."

[21:37:43] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko sighs, looking down at Saki; she seems tired all of a sudden. "Tell me how to help you, Saki. Please."

[21:38:17] <Athon> She whimpers again, looking sad.

[21:40:55] <Axel_Wildfire> "Ah, no, don't do that!" her reaction to Saki's expression is almost comic. "Cheer up!"

[21:41:46] <Athon> ".... Gao"

[21:44:55] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko sighs... and then something suddenly clicks in her mind. "Oh god why am I so fucking stupid." she mutters out, fishing in her uniform jacket for her phone, which she fumbles with for a moment before putting a direct call through to Haruka. "Pick up, pick up, pick up~"

[21:45:38] <@Haruka_Emmerich> The line clicks on, with a bit of a yawn. "...whozit?"

21:46:26] <Athon> "Gao?"

[21:48:05] <Verloren> "Who are yo-" Miya cuts off, remembering enough to not interrupt someone on the phone.

[21:48:12] <Axel_Wildfire> "It's your dumb muscle. You busy?" Kenoko mouths 'Haruka' at Miya.

[21:48:58] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Putting breakfast together, but it's something I can eat and run with. What's up, Ni'Chulainn?"

[21:49:37] <Axel_Wildfire> "I just realised that you're probably the best way to unfuck Saki's mind."

[21:57:22] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Thought you said I was off-limits."

[21:58:56] <Axel_Wildfire> "Yeah, well..." Kenoko glances at Saki, shaking her head. "... I can't stand seeing her like this."

[21:59:28] <Athon> "Gao."

[22:00:29] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Well, it...WOULD make it easier for her to do the usual walkabout. I can be over in twenty."

[22:01:51] <Axel_Wildfire> "Yeah, we're over at Miya's... manorthing..."

[22:03:38] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Gotcha."

[22:06:30] <Axel_Wildfire> "Thank you." Kenoko hangs up and pockets her brickphone of a mobile. "... christ."

[22:07:14] <Verloren> "...so who was that?" Miya didn't exactly have a good lipreading ability, after having forgotten so much.

[22:09:12] <Axel_Wildfire> "Haruka." she scratches under Saki's chin gently.

[22:09:54] <Athon> Purr.

[22:13:27] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko smiles sadly. "That's a good noise."

[22:14:06] <Verloren> "...do I know her?" She wonders, trying to think back.

[22:14:29] <Axel_Wildfire> "It would greatly surprise me if you haven't met her by now. White hair, German, corset, kinky as fuck."

[22:15:13] <Verloren> "I... don't think so..." <I'd probably remember someone like that...>

[22:15:22] <Athon> "Gao."

[22:17:41] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Shortly later, the chime of one of those long-winded eight-note doorbells fills the room.

[22:18:34] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko stands up from her petting of Saki and gets the door, shaking her head. "Hate those doorbells, remind me of home..."

[22:19:32] <AdventFalls> The door opened to reveal Yukari Arukama. "Mornin. Just stopping by real quick before All-Riders; Haruka asked me to come by."

[22:21:07] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka follows soon after. "So...THIS is where our lost little Showa resides. You pick 'em well, Kenoko."

[22:21:25] <Verloren> "U-um, welcome... Please make yourself at home, and try to ignore the dust..."

[22:22:12] <Athon> "Gao!"

[22:22:26] <AdventFalls> "Trust me, this isn't the worst apartment I've visited- now Hill's apartment, that was goddamn depressing."

[22:25:10] <Verloren> "It's not an apartment, but it doesn't seem like I was able to take care of this all on my own, so it's falling apart more than a bit..." Miya looks more than slightly embarrassed at having three new people inside her house before it could get fixed.

[22:26:07] <AdventFalls> "Right, well. Should we get started, Haruka?"

[22:26:14] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Right. So...Saki." A deep breath as honeycomb glass overtakes Haruka's skin from the neck down. "...Kenoko. I'll try to keep it platonic, but mind that I'm not used to wholesale memory rooting-about."

[22:26:21] <Athon> Saki just blink, watching the newcomers.

[22:28:27] <Axel_Wildfire> "I can punch it out of you if you go too far." Kenoko suggests dryly.

[22:29:28] <Verloren> Miya looks confused for the tenth time today, and just waits to see.

[22:29:32] <AdventFalls> "That or I could just drag her to the bathroom."

[22:30:41] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Either way's fine by me." The white-haired girl's eyes close as she focuses on the redhead. /Saki...Saki, can you hear me?/

[22:30:45] <Verloren> "Why the bathroom?" She asks innocently.

[22:31:02] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko grins, but it's not pleasant. "Don't ask, Miya."

[22:32:29] <Athon> Pure fear enters Haruka's mind... but it's quickly changed to pure pain.
[22:32:48] <Athon> The red head whimpers recoiling in her position.

[22:33:33] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Nnnngh..." The flesh of the Sirknight Fangire solidifies as Haruka grits her teeth. /Saki...Saki, it's all right. You're with friends. Kenoko's your friend. Miya's your friend./

[22:34:03] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko crouches by Saki, putting a comforting hand on her back.

[22:35:22] <Athon> There is another flash, this time of a certain man. Soon folowing, Haruka saw the entire process that made the redhead a showaborg.
[22:35:50] <Athon> Saki was awake during the whole time. And feeling each second of it.

[22:36:57] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "K-k..." /I-it's all right, Saki. He's...he's gone now. Friends remain./

[22:38:20] <Athon> After some moments, something answered Haruka. /Who are you?/ A faint voice, raspy from the lack of use answered her. /Have you come here to make me suffer again?/

[22:39:26] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \No. Don't want suffering.\ A shiver. /Suffered enough myself. Don't want anyone else to./

[22:41:22] <Athon> More time, before the next answer. /I won't fall for your sweet words again. I have spilled enough blood for you already. Both mine and of innocents!/
[22:42:31] <Athon> The girl recoiled again in Kenoko's grasp, shivering and shaking.

[22:43:15] <Verloren> "Is she going to be okay...?"

[22:43:27] <AdventFalls> "Give her time...."

[22:43:43] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko steadies Saki, holding her tightly. "It's okay." she murmurs.

[22:43:48] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \I AM NOT HIM!\ Haruka's psychic voice suddenly takes a stern turn. /I AM NO MAN WHO BUILDS MACHINES TO KILL A GIRL!/

[22:45:08] <Athon> Saki's answer was in an equal tone. /THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE TAUNTING ME AGAIN? HOW MANY TIMES WILL I HAVE TO BECOME THAT BEAST AND KILL THE LITTLE GIRL AND HER DOG?!/

[22:47:51] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \You don't have to. I don't want you to be in pain.\ The lady seems to begin to soften. /I just...I just want you to live. As you. And I'll...be a monster in your stead./

[22:49:03] <Athon> Saki chuckles in Kenoko's grasp. /My body is the one of a monster. It is too late for someone to take my place./

[22:50:23] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \The definition of a monster's changed in sixty years.\

[22:50:42] <Athon> "S-sixty..." /Years...?/

[22:52:39] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \Yes. Kosei is gone. The Void is gone. And those of us who remain, man and monster, join hands to make sure such atrocities never happen again.\ A tear streaks down Haruka's cheek. /Please...Saki...Live. With us. With Kenoko./

[22:54:45] <Athon> "..." /The shadow... of Amazon... of the people I killed... will haunt me no more?/

[22:57:13] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \It is a part of you...but it need not harm others. You need not fear it.\ A sniffle. /You are you. Amazon is Amazon. The twain only need meet if you desire them to./

[22:58:10] <Athon> For the first time in years, Saki's eyes recovered their glint. "... I... am... me."

[22:58:21] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko's eyes widen. "Saki..."

[22:59:08] <AdventFalls> Yukari blinked. "Is she..."

 

[23:11:05] <Athon> The woman stirred, blinking sometimes. "W-where...?"

[23:11:28] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko's grip becomes an almost-crushingly-tight, tearful hug. "Safe. I promise."

[23:11:46] <Verloren> "S-she talked." Miya blinks in surprise.

[23:12:06] <AdventFalls> "You're damn right she did."

[23:12:37] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka exhales deeply as she breaks off the psychic connection, returning to human form. "I...that kind of pain...to think it didn't only exist in my own heart..." She paws at Yukari's thigh for support.

[23:12:54] <AdventFalls> Yukari held Haruka close, patting her on the head.

[23:12:56] <Athon> "... Ke...no...ko?"

[23:13:36] <Axel_Wildfire> "Saki..."

[23:14:02] <Athon> She gasped painfully, wheezing. "... The fuck did I smoke?"

[23:15:40] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko lets off her hug a little, very hesitant to let Saki go. "... you're back..."

[23:15:56] <AdventFalls> "Your vocal chords are probably getting used to speaking again."

[23:16:24] <Athon> "I was gone?"

[23:17:17] <Axel_Wildfire> "You were..." Kenoko dissolves into tears, hugging Saki tightly again.

[23:24:27] <AdventFalls> "Saki. How are you?"

[23:25:29] <Athon> "Why are you crying for? It can't be that long..." She blinks, turning to the other woman. "who... Are you?"

[23:25:52] <AdventFalls> "My name is Yukari Arukama. I'm the president of Development and Pioneer- and we're not with THI."

[23:27:08] <Athon> "THI?" She grimmaces, face contorting in pain.

[23:27:30] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka purrs momentarily at Yukari's side before drawing herself up to her full height. "No. Not with them. We're our own group. Our own Riders."

[23:27:49] <AdventFalls> "THI. Tachibana. They were the big megacorp back during the Void Hour sixty years ago. It's when everything started for us."

[23:31:14] <Athon> "Sixty years? What the hell are you talking about? My fight in interschools was just yesterday..."

[23:31:40] <AdventFalls> "....Saki. I don't know how to tell you this. ...But that was sixty years ago."

[23:32:28] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka's own expression goes dour. "...I've got a theory. But to actually say it would undo all the work we've done to bring you back."

[23:33:59] <Athon> "if this is your idea of a prank..." She turns to the only really familiat face in the room. "How can sixty years have passed if me and the fake dyke here look the same?"

[23:34:13] <AdventFalls> "...Kenoko is a Showaborg."

[23:34:28] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "She got fucked up, just like you did."

[23:34:55] <Athon> "huh?"

[23:35:50] <AdventFalls> "...Kenoko, you wanna take this one?"

 

[2011-04-24 08:31:14] <Fionna> Kenoko takes a deep breath. "It's been sixty years, Saki. I promise I'm not making this up." she wipes away her tears, taking her friend's hands gently in her too-warm ones. "... you vanished and never turned up for your fight at the nationals."

[08:31:44] <Athon> "... What? But..." She blinks, her eyes glazed. "This... I remember... fighting..."

[08:33:06] <Fionna> "... do you remember that company that was making all those big moves? THI?"

[08:34:11] <Athon> Another cringe. The redhead taking her hands to her head. "Yeah... I do..."

[08:36:48] <Fionna> Kenoko draws Saki into her arms. "... they... the long and the short of it... do you remember the tales from long ago? When SHOCKER threatened the world?"

[08:37:13] <Athon> A sharp cry in pain.

[08:38:23] <Fionna> She squeezes tightly. "Ssh. It's okay now. I promise it's okay."

[08:39:23] <Athon> She hisses, shuddering. "Go... on..."

[08:41:30] <Fionna> "... I... don't know what happened to you. They picked me up for a new generation of Riders. I won't go on about that, but they... they turned out to be SHOCKER and... they turned me into their bitch." Kenoko murmurs. "And... you, too."

[08:42:12] <Athon> Another moan of pain. "I... d-don't... know."

[08:44:03] <Fionna> "And... Haruka here helped me, like she helped you just now. I picked you up out of the forest a couple of weeks ago..." Kenoko's grip tightens. "I'm sorry, Saki. I should have died instead of you."

[08:44:47] <Athon> "... I never died... did I? I... am right here... in your arms..."

[08:47:19] <Fionna> "... I can't imagine any reason why you would miss a fight, short of dying, Saki."

[08:47:35] <Athon> She shakes her head. "I was... there. I am sure."

[08:49:55] <Fionna> "You probably... fought a lot... when THI made you like me."

[08:51:09] <Athon> She shakes her head. "I-it... hurts... too much... to think about it..."

[08:52:31] <Fionna> "Then don't." Kenoko hisses. "I know it hurts. I know exactly how much it hurts."

[08:53:35] <Athon> She only shudders, closing her eyes and resting agasint Kenoko. "You're still warm..."

[08:54:03] <Fionna> "... I got fixed recently." she tangles her fingers in Saki's hair, pressing the redhead's face into her neck.

[08:57:42] <Athon> "It seems like it was the other day we were punching each other naked."

[08:59:49] <Fionna> Kenoko blushes, stunned by the change in topic. "Y... yeah."

[09:01:43] <Athon> "I always liked it in you, y'know? You were so easy to startle..."

[09:02:00] <Fionna> "I'm... more jaded now."

[09:02:43] <Athon> "Really?" Saki was visibly getting sleepy, her arms around Kenoko.

[09:05:17] <Fionna> Kenoko glances up at Miya. "She can use the bed, yeah?"

[09:08:55] <Verloren> "Which one? We have several, though I don't know how many are clean..."

[09:12:00] <Fionna> "Ours, cause we know that one won't cave in."

[09:13:24] <Verloren> "...so where are we sleeping?"

[09:14:06] <Fionna> "It's still morning." Kenoko stands, scooping Saki up in her arms like a bride and making for the stairs. "Haruka, Yukari, wait here; I'll be back down shortly."

 

[20:52:06] <Athon> "Nnn... I kinda feel like a bride now." A lazy chuckle.

[20:56:57] <Axel_Wildfire> "Not when you're wearing my black coat and precious little else, you're not." she mutters back, taking the stairs gently so that Saki doesn't get shaken up like a mixer. "... 's the last thing you remember?"

[21:04:21] <Athon> "Told you. The fight."

[21:05:57] <Axel_Wildfire> "That's... really the absolute last?" Kenoko shoulders open the door to the room she's been sharing with Miya.

[21:08:14] <Athon> "Yup. Pretty sure."

[21:11:41] <Axel_Wildfire> She sighs and gently lowers Saki to the bed. "... you're probably not going to want to sleep in my coat."

[21:12:26] <Athon> "Won't lie. Like your smell."

[21:14:59] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko blushes again. "Stop that."

[21:17:20] <Athon> "Hmm. I missed it."

[21:19:20] <Axel_Wildfire> "... missed what?"

[21:19:47] <Athon> "It..." She stops, blinking. "... I don't know why... but it seems like it has been so much time... since I felt your smell..."

[21:21:35] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko reaches out and ruffles Saki's hair tentatively. "Sixty years, Saki."

[21:22:05] <Athon> "... It has really... been sixty years?"

[21:22:57] <Axel_Wildfire> She nods sadly.

[21:26:02] <Athon> "... I... What have I done... in sixty years?"

[21:28:59] <Axel_Wildfire> "... I don't know. I found you living wild in the forest, Saki."

[21:32:31] <Athon> "... Oh wow... And why do I feel so... weightless?"

[21:33:14] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko tucks Saki in and sits on the edge of the bed. "... we're not human anymore."

[21:35:25] <Athon> "... Yeah... I thought so." She sighs, shudering and grimmacing again. "I have... these flashes..."

[21:35:45] <Axel_Wildfire> "Don't think about it." she hisses urgently. "Don't."

[21:36:53] <Athon> "Too late." A sad chuckle. "... I guess sixty years of memories must really have a toll."

[21:37:41] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko bites her lip and just nods slowly. "I'm... probably worse than you. I guess it's a good thing Haruka never mindscanned me."

[21:38:13] <Athon> "I have... to give her... a hefty present for bringing me back..."

[21:38:41] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'll work something out. You get some sleep, okay?"

[21:39:06] <Athon> "Dun wanna."
[21:40:11] <Athon> The strong woman Kenoko knew... wasn't there. Only a scared girl, afraid of the monsters inside her head, stared at her, holding at the sleeve of her shirt.

[21:44:19] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko cups Saki's cheek gently. "I know it's scary, Saki."

[21:44:36] <Athon> "Then stay with me."

[21:46:42] <Axel_Wildfire> She sighs. "I need to talk to Haruka."

[21:47:09] <Athon> Saki sighs and nods. "Go... ahead. I'll be okay..."

[21:49:35] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'll be back soon. I promise." Kenoko leans in, hugging Saki to her briefly. "I won't let you be abandoned like I was."

[21:50:11] <Athon> "... Don't worry. I... am a strong woman. Really."

[21:50:26] <Axel_Wildfire> "The strongest." she murmurs back.

[21:52:29] <Athon> She hugged her best friend as tight as she could. "... I will try not to leave again... At least not for this much..."

[21:53:56] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko squeezes back gently. "That's my line. Get some rest, okay? You sound like you need it."

[21:55:17] <Athon> And before Kenoko could say anything else... the red head was snoring lightly.

[21:56:28] <Axel_Wildfire> "Sweet dreams, my Saki." she murmurs, rearranging the sheets a little before slipping back downstairs, looking exhausted.

[21:58:16] <AdventFalls> Yukari looked at the stairs, nodding. "How is she?"

[21:58:42] <@HarukaEmmerich> Kenoko finds Haruka having pulled away from Yukari's thigh in the interim, perched in a chair and breathing slowly.

[22:00:10] <Axel_Wildfire> "She'll be okay if we keep an eye on her." Kenoko crouches by Haruka, looking up at her. "Are you okay?"

[22:00:37] <@HarukaEmmerich> "Yeah, just...that kind of pain...like looking in a mirror..."

[22:00:57] <Axel_Wildfire> "Good thing you never peeked inside of my head." she mutters.

[22:01:30] <AdventFalls> "She'll be okay if I keep an eye on her," Yukari nodded. "I wish I could stay, but I have All-Riders to attend. ...Keep up appearances."

[22:02:04] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'll do it."

[22:02:38] <AdventFalls> "Keep an eye on Haruka?"

[22:05:18] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko nods. "I'm part of JUNKER, right? It's about time I started pulling my weight."

[22:05:39] <AdventFalls> "It's your call, Kenoko. I trust your judgment."

[22:05:53] <Axel_Wildfire> "Then get moving."

[22:06:04] <AdventFalls> "Alright. I'll be back in time for supper, ok?"

[22:06:45] <Axel_Wildfire> "Sure. I'll cook."

[22:07:10] <@HarukaEmmerich> "'s all this about keepin' an eye on me?"

[22:07:15] <AdventFalls> "See you later, Haruka. I love you."

[22:07:36] <@HarukaEmmerich> "Love you too." A gentle wave.

[22:07:43] <AdventFalls> With that, Yukari was off.

[22:08:04] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko slumps against the arm of Haruka's chair, burying her face in her forearms. "That was exhausting."

[22:08:53] <@HarukaEmmerich> "Quite. I haven't pulled such a prolonged psychic contact on anyone but...myself."

[22:10:18] <Axel_Wildfire> "... you should try me sometime."

[22:11:44] <@HarukaEmmerich> "You offer enough of your mind as is, I'm not gonna bother reading it."

[22:12:21] <Axel_Wildfire> "Wuss."

[22:15:01] <@HarukaEmmerich> "I'm winded as is. What happens if the strain gives you a peek into MY head as well?" Haruka lets out a brief smirk. "If you knew what REALLY goes on in there, half of Japan would be levelled in your interminable rage."

[22:15:49] <Axel_Wildfire> "You can take me out with one hand tied behind your back."

[22:16:54] <@HarukaEmmerich> "I can compel you to tie my hands behind my back. But let's not go that route when you've got your own to look after now, hmm?"

[22:17:40] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko flushes. "Smartass. I'm just curious."

 

[22:23:49] <@HarukaEmmerich> "Fine, I'll just root around for a bit and I'll stop when either of us has had enough. Should be good practice for Libera, anyway..." Haruka closes her eyes, exhaling once more as Kenoko begins to feel a warm pressure against her mind.
[22:23:55] <@HarukaEmmerich> \Knock knock.\

[22:26:04] <Axel_Wildfire> She blushes, relaxing against the chair; the door to her psyche is flimsy at best. /... you're warm./

[22:27:12] <@HarukaEmmerich> \I try.\ Haruka's consciousness begins tiptoeing about, faint jitters and shivers resounding in the back of Kenoko's head with every step.

[22:32:04] <Axel_Wildfire> When she pushes through, though - Kenoko's psyche has a 'shape' compared to Saki's; a black mountain, lit only by the sun called Hope that just barely peeks out from behind the tip - and that's only enough to reveal that the mountain is made up of dark shades of unbreakable metal, Despair and Pain and Sorrow held together by golden veins of Determination. It hurts almost physically to look at it, and it shifts and quivers like slime, threatening to drown anything that gets too close.

[22:34:21] <@HarukaEmmerich> "Nnnnngh..." /Agh...head...going nuts here.../ The Fangire struggles to steady herself in the face of the image, mind's eye rapidly blinking to refocus on one portion of the impossible image before her. /Told you...I'm pushing it doing it twice in a row.../

[22:38:10] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko's hand finds Haruka's and squeezes gently - she's landed on the rusty, throbbing red Pain, which can't seem to decide if it's metal or lava or a dragon that sounds like sawblades and Tomoe's laughter when it roars. /It hurts, Haruka./ It's not a complaint. /I know how much it hurts./

[22:42:31] <@HarukaEmmerich> \You don't know the HALF of it.\ The amorphous construct of anguish is soon stared down by still another draconic thing - a hydra of something shifting between tar and blood with every quaking step, heads suspended on a thousand necks - some familiar, like the Inoue siblings, some not so much - all baying for the hide of whoever dares to defy its warped sense of righteousness.

[22:47:19] <Axel_Wildfire>  /Don't I?/ Her own dragon melts, flooding around the legs of Haruka's hydra - it burns and holds fast, suddenly becoming as quicksand. /You had people, Haruka. You can't seem to ever value them enough, but they're there. The world turned on us both, but my allies abandoned me in the face of it./

[22:55:46] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \It doesn't compare. IT COULD NEVER COMPARE.\ The beast - no doubt Haruka's Doubt - begins lashing at the amorphous blob with whatever heads it can spare. /WHEN THE WORLD TURNED ON YOU, IT DIDN'T DO SO TO PROVE A POINT! IT DIDN'T TURN ON YOU JUST TO *OBJECT* TO THE IDEA OF YOU BEING COMPETENT!/

[23:00:54] <Axel_Wildfire>  /Maybe not in those words./ Each hit seems to be making it stronger; Kenoko's voice is strained. /It objected to me falling in love with someone so far above my station. Everything after that was just punishment for daring./ The sky darkens, though the sun refuses to be covered; Pain retreats and is replaced by a thunderstorm of Biblical proportions, the kind of monsoon that threatens to...
[23:00:56] <Axel_Wildfire> ...flood the land. The rain sounds like laughter - Asuka, Aoki, Gally, Sakura - while the thunder overhead is chastisements; Faruko and Tomoe and Alex at their most disappointed. It's hard to keep your head above the freezing water; the blue tide threatens to overwhelm and drown you.

[23:05:45] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka's psyche is barely managing to tread water at this point, but a cool blue light begins to pulsate underneath the chitinous hide of her Doubt. /...Worst of all...worse than any of this...is how I dealt with it last time. My darkest secret./

[23:10:00] <Axel_Wildfire>  /You ran away. It happens./ There's a flash of lightning and the ocean of Sorrow freezes solid. /Just like I did, Haruka./

[23:12:20] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \Damn right I did. I ran further than you. Further than anyone in this world possibly could.\ The hydra's skin collapses, head upon head smacking into the water as the jewel of her Shame casts its light on the mindscape. /I ran so far, so fast, I smacked into the very gears of the universe. And I TURNED THEM./
[23:13:00] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \I had to MAKE a world where doing the right thing paid off. Where you didn't suffer for the sake of suffering.\
[23:13:09] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \And I DIDN'T GET IT RIGHT.\

[23:18:12] <Axel_Wildfire>  /I think that's brave. But Haruka, we wouldn't be fighting or growing if you'd succeeded. The word for a creature that doesn't change is 'dead'./ The base of the mountain, black and oily, seems to pulse; it radiates gentle warmth, inviting you deeper... and this one has a voice, soft and sweet and seductive, a divine tone that could get you off if you listened to it for more than a few words. "Come here. Lie deep and comfortable inside me, and never worry about anything again." /Do you know that's the part that scares me the most, Haruka? That's Despair./

[23:20:50] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka finds herself QUITE taxed with resisting that voice, as if Kenoko's id had modulated it to mimic Yukari's voice just to spite her. /D-dammit...Kenoko...I gotta...break off.../

[23:25:10] <Axel_Wildfire>  /This is me every day, Haruka. And it had me. For sixty years. It's so easy and so nice to just curl up down there and never think about anything./ Kenoko talks over her. /And every goddamn day it comes back and tries to draw me back in./

[23:32:42] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \Tch...you and...me both...\ Haruka grunts as she wrenches something out from within her ego, holding it up for all these psychoses to see.

[23:42:19] <Axel_Wildfire>  /I understand, Haruka. I know I'm just the dumb muscle, but even I can understand that much./ There's a throb of... self-loathing, maybe.

[23:45:54] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \Then let's...find something meaningful together...\ The light around Haruka's offered object subsides, revealing it to be a tattered photograph - the date is somewhere in the 2070s, the subjects a happy foursome, three in wedding dresses, one in groom's tuxedo. /...the only time I've ever smiled at a wedding. Because it was for her happiness./

[23:50:17] <Axel_Wildfire>  /Idiot./ Kenoko's own warmth is hot and hard, but supportive. /First, take better care of that kind of thing. Second... Haruka, you say 'together', but you're always just trying to do things on your own./

[23:52:36] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \Who else will take initiative? Who else will...do the right thing...knowing what lies beneath?\ A tear. /Even here...in a world of my making...they still.../

[23:54:47] <Axel_Wildfire>  /Hello, idiot. Even the dumb muscle here knows how to charge off and do stuff./ She squeezes slowly.

[2011-04-25 00:00:00] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \BUT THEY'LL BITCH! You'll do the right thing, and after sixty years of the right thing to do being appreciated, they'll still bitch!\ Haruka's own despair seems to spill from within her, yet there's a faint ache to hang onto Kenoko, a niggling wish for everything to be right, for it to just WORK...

[00:03:36] <Axel_Wildfire> A tighter squeeze, this time. /So what?/
[00:03:48] <Axel_Wildfire>  /It's not their approval I want. It's yours./

[00:06:16] <@Haruka_Emmerich> The photograph dissipates into motes of memory as Haruka begins to squeeze back. \And I want so bad to give you...my approval.../

[00:07:50] <Axel_Wildfire>  /Then what's the fucking problem, Haruka?/

[00:22:24] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka's response is about twenty seconds of incoherent psy-blubbering. It's a hell of a blur, but Kenoko can at least pick out a few choice remarks about 'couldn't be there to save her fast enough' and 'invalidated out of fucking nowhere' and at least one or two remarks about someone's rape fetish.

[00:26:05] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko's warmth is so tight it's almost suffocating. /I'm sorry./

[00:35:35] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \...\ The sound of gentle weeping drowns out what remains of the maelstrom in the connected minds. /...I just wanted her...to be free.../
[00:35:50] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \...why did that have to become so wrong?\

[00:38:07] <Axel_Wildfire>  /Yukari? She looks pretty free to me. There's nothing wrong with that, Haruka - just people who are scared of the free screaming about it until even you began to believe it was wrong./

[00:43:14] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \I never believed it was wrong, I just...\ Some faint sniffling as Haruka begins to dim. /...why? Why was it so important...that she never be allowed to become her own person? That she never be allowed to live the way she wants to?/

[00:45:57] <Axel_Wildfire>  /Because the weak fear those who can rise above them, and set out to drag them down at every opportunity./ The tight squeeze becomes something like a slow massage; Kenoko's soothing heat melts into Haruka's mind.

[00:51:05] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \They weren't weak. They were as gods; they were MADE gods. And I had to REWRITE REALITY just to stop them.\ The warmth surrounding the Fangire is a far cry from the complacency of the duo's despair, and yet Haruka's essence continues to prickle. /I'm...I'm tired, Kenoko. Tired of having to go so far, tired of being the only one who CAN go so far./

[00:54:13] <Axel_Wildfire>  /You think that makes them strong? The weak can rise to power, Haruka, but that doesn't make them strong./ Slow squeeze. /You don't have to be anymore. Not tired, not alone. We all want to help you, and we're all willing to go that far for you./

[00:56:41] <@Haruka_Emmerich> \...want to make sure...so i...can rest...\

[00:57:32] <Axel_Wildfire>  /Trust me. Trust us, Haruka./

[00:58:32] <@Haruka_Emmerich> A nod as the mental connection begins to fade, Haruka's body beginning to slump against the Showaborg's.

[01:00:09] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko kneels up properly, holding Haruka kind of awkwardly, but still... "... are you okay?"

[01:01:31] <@Haruka_Emmerich> It comes out weakly. "...so stupid..."
[01:01:52] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Should've...seen it earlier..."

[01:02:37] <Axel_Wildfire> "'It'?" she queries gently.

[01:03:18] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "When Yukari asked you...to look after me..."

[01:05:05] <Axel_Wildfire> "... yeah?"

[01:08:21] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...I really don't...have to do it alone..." Her head droops.

[01:10:15] <Axel_Wildfire> "Idiot. You were saying that to me all along." Kenoko lays Haruka back in the deep armchair. "Get some rest."

[01:10:48] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Something resembling a chuckle escapes Haruka's lips as she nods off.

[01:15:08] <Axel_Wildfire> "Christ. When did I become everyone's spirit guide?" she stands slowly, rubbing at her eyes, and crosses to a basket in the corner, retrieving the least moth-bitten blanket and spreading it lightly over Haruka. "Oh, right, when I started Crystal Fire... Miya?" Kenoko looks over at the doubtless-confused girl.

[01:15:47] <Miya> "...yes?" She's just kind of left them to their buisness, having headed over to a chair to sit down a while ago.

[01:16:24] <Axel_Wildfire> "There's a market a few blocks down from here, if I write out a list and give you some cash, can you go shopping for me? I need a goddamn nap."

[01:18:07] <Miya> She nods hesitantly. "...I hope so... I'll do my best."

[01:20:48] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko crosses to the table, tugging free a scrap from a notebook and quickly scrawling down a fairly impressive shopping list, which she passes to Miya, along with some rather large notes and her mobile phone. "Head out, turn left, walk three blocks. I used to do all my shopping there, so... well, anyway. Check the contacts on my phone and call Haruka if you get in trouble, I'll take lend of her mobile since it's not like she's going to be answering calls anytime soon."

[01:23:47] <Miya> "...o-okay..." She accepts the objects, and heads out, uncertain how this trip is going to go.

[01:24:20] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko smiles. "You'll do fine. You can't hang onto me all the time. Get out and try for yourself."

[01:29:11] <Miya> "Okay..."

[01:31:10] <Axel_Wildfire> "Shoo." she gives Miya a brief hug. "And thank you."

[01:36:10] <Miya> "Any time..." She hugs back, blushing, and leaves, venturing into the city on her own for the first time.

[01:38:37] <Axel_Wildfire> Kenoko watches her go with a nod and then leans against the wall, finally letting the wave of exhaustion show itself. "Fuck." she mutters, slumping back to the table and scrawling a quick note for Haruka - "Borrowed your phone and gone to look after Saki; come wake me/curl up with us when you wake up" - which she leaves on the table, before gently (and worryingly professionally) rifling through Haruka's pockets for her phone before finally heading upstairs, stripping off her uniform and curling up next to the still-snoring Saki. Maybe she'd finally done something useful.
[01:38:41] <Axel_Wildfire> Maybe...
[01:38:43] <Axel_Wildfire> = =