Watchers - IC [Closed]

[Luminesa]

"...I suppose that is similar to what I used to do...but doing that for a long time is also very unhealthy, you should know," he told her.

"No more so than killing children," she said, smiling thinly and glancing at Melody.

She had read the fact before she had been shot.

Melody Seren, unsurprisingly, was a murderer.

Ichiru was horrified. "Ah...Wh-What?!" The image Seren had just conjured shocked him. Then, as Seren's eyes moved toward Melody's, he stared down at her, suddenly anxious. "What do you mean by that? You have killed a child?" he questioned.

[Charlia]

"No more so than killing children," she said, smiling thinly and glancing at Melody.

She had read the fact before she had been shot.

Melody Seren, unsurprisingly, was a murderer.

Ichiru was horrified. "Ah...Wh-What?!" The image Seren had just conjured shocked him. Then, as Seren's eyes moved toward Melody's, he stared down at her, suddenly anxious. "What do you mean by that? You have killed a child?" he questioned.

"As I just found out recently," Seren said coolly. "When she was younger, about seven I'd guess, pushed him into the street. Quite exciting for a seven-year-old, budding sociopath, isn't it?"

[Luminesa]

Ichiru was horrified. "Ah...Wh-What?!" The image Seren had just conjured shocked him. Then, as Seren's eyes moved toward Melody's, he stared down at her, suddenly anxious. "What do you mean by that? You have killed a child?" he questioned.

"As I just found out recently," Seren said coolly. "When she was younger, about seven I'd guess, pushed him into the street. Quite exciting for a seven-year-old, budding sociopath, isn't it?"

He stared at her, aghast, for half a minute, before he slowly turned back to Melody. "...She pushed someone into the street...and the person was hit by a car?...Who did you find this out from?" he asked.

[Charlia]

"As I just found out recently," Seren said coolly. "When she was younger, about seven I'd guess, pushed him into the street. Quite exciting for a seven-year-old, budding sociopath, isn't it?"

He stared at her, aghast, for half a minute, before he slowly turned back to Melody. "...She pushed someone into the street...and the person was hit by a car?...Who did you find this out from?" he asked.

"I found it out from her, of course. Not that she'd tell me anything, but..." Seren tapped the side of her head, smiling, "I have ways of finding things out. I'm not your normal, everyday Watcher, you understand..."

Thank goodness. It must be so boring, not being me... Wouldn't wish it on anyone.

[Luminesa]

He stared at her, aghast, for half a minute, before he slowly turned back to Melody. "...She pushed someone into the street...and the person was hit by a car?...Who did you find this out from?" he asked.

"I found it out from her, of course. Not that she'd tell me anything, but..." Seren tapped the side of her head, smiling, "I have ways of finding things out. I'm not your normal, everyday Watcher, you understand..."

Thank goodness. It must be so boring, not being me... Wouldn't wish it on anyone.

"And I'm not your normal, everyday Supernatural I suppose...But is that what you truly want? You want the ability to be able to kill a child and to not bat an eye?!" he demanded.

[Charlia]

"I found it out from her, of course. Not that she'd tell me anything, but..." Seren tapped the side of her head, smiling, "I have ways of finding things out. I'm not your normal, everyday Watcher, you understand..."

Thank goodness. It must be so boring, not being me... Wouldn't wish it on anyone.

"And I'm not your normal, everyday Supernatural I suppose...But is that what you truly want? You want the ability to be able to kill a child and to not bat an eye?!" he demanded.

"What I want," she said, "is to not be weak. To prove myself! To prove that--well, it's none of your business, is it?" she said, forcing coldness and turning aside.

Lock up the emotions. Don't be affected by them.

[Luminesa]

"And I'm not your normal, everyday Supernatural I suppose...But is that what you truly want? You want the ability to be able to kill a child and to not bat an eye?!" he demanded.

"What I want," she said, "is to not be weak. To prove myself! To prove that--well, it's none of your business, is it?" she said, forcing coldness and turning aside.

Lock up the emotions. Don't be affected by them.

Ichiru's eyebrow twitched downward, as he became infuriated with her stubbornness. "What are you trying to prove? That you're cold and heartless enough that you could kill a child without batting an eye, and that you should be admired for that? That is not a strength, Seren. That is complete and utter foolishness. Not only do you have not any idea what you are implying, but you are so caught in your delusions of grandeur that you don't even see how unreasonable they are. That is not the mark of an adult, of a young woman. That is the mark of an irresponsible, selfish brat," he declared, coldly.

[Charlia]

"What I want," she said, "is to not be weak. To prove myself! To prove that--well, it's none of your business, is it?" she said, forcing coldness and turning aside.

Lock up the emotions. Don't be affected by them.

Ichiru's eyebrow twitched downward, as he became infuriated with her stubbornness. "What are you trying to prove? That you're cold and heartless enough that you could kill a child without batting an eye, and that you should be admired for that? That is not a strength, Seren. That is complete and utter foolishness. Not only do you have not any idea what you are implying, but you are so caught in your delusions of grandeur that you don't even see how unreasonable they are. That is not the mark of an adult, of a young woman. That is the mark of an irresponsible, selfish brat," he declared, coldly.

"Delusions of grandeur?!" she spat. "Oh, it's not grandeur. Don't you get it? No..." She paused. "Of course you don't. You're like everyone else. You don't understand, and you never will, so you might as well stop trying!"

[Luminesa]

Ichiru's eyebrow twitched downward, as he became infuriated with her stubbornness. "What are you trying to prove? That you're cold and heartless enough that you could kill a child without batting an eye, and that you should be admired for that? That is not a strength, Seren. That is complete and utter foolishness. Not only do you have not any idea what you are implying, but you are so caught in your delusions of grandeur that you don't even see how unreasonable they are. That is not the mark of an adult, of a young woman. That is the mark of an irresponsible, selfish brat," he declared, coldly.

"Delusions of grandeur?!" she spat. "Oh, it's not grandeur. Don't you get it? No..." She paused. "Of course you don't. You're like everyone else. You don't understand, and you never will, so you might as well stop trying!"

"There is nothing left to understand. You dream of being strong enough that nobody will ever be able to call you weak ever again. That you will be able to defeat and overcome your sister. But in the process...you will become a tyrant, and all tyrants have one fatal flaw...At a distance, they are powerful and untouchable...but come close to one..." He walked toward her, lowering his voice as he did so. When he stood inches in front of her, he leaned over so his eyes were on level with hers.

"...And they will fall apart...is that what you want?...This glass imitation of true strength? This castle of glass, this palace of ice for you to lock yourself away in, making yourself think you are powerful until someone with real strength comes along and shows you your follies all in plain sight?" he whispered.

[Charlia]

"Delusions of grandeur?!" she spat. "Oh, it's not grandeur. Don't you get it? No..." She paused. "Of course you don't. You're like everyone else. You don't understand, and you never will, so you might as well stop trying!"

"There is nothing left to understand. You dream of being strong enough that nobody will ever be able to call you weak ever again. That you will be able to defeat and overcome your sister. But in the process...you will become a tyrant, and all tyrants have one fatal flaw...At a distance, they are powerful and untouchable...but come close to one..." He walked toward her, lowering his voice as he did so. When he stood inches in front of her, he leaned over so his eyes were on level with hers.

"...And they will fall apart...is that what you want?...This glass imitation of true strength? This castle of glass, this palace of ice for you to lock yourself away in, making yourself think you are powerful until someone with real strength comes along and shows you your follies all in plain sight?" he whispered.

The wisps of smoke that obscured her eyes due to Liai's runes seemed darker than usual.

"And is that person with real strength you, Ichiru Hashimoto? Do you really think you have what it takes to change me? I made myself this way. It won't be so easy for anyone to change me back."

[Luminesa]

"There is nothing left to understand. You dream of being strong enough that nobody will ever be able to call you weak ever again. That you will be able to defeat and overcome your sister. But in the process...you will become a tyrant, and all tyrants have one fatal flaw...At a distance, they are powerful and untouchable...but come close to one..." He walked toward her, lowering his voice as he did so. When he stood inches in front of her, he leaned over so his eyes were on level with hers.

"...And they will fall apart...is that what you want?...This glass imitation of true strength? This castle of glass, this palace of ice for you to lock yourself away in, making yourself think you are powerful until someone with real strength comes along and shows you your follies all in plain sight?" he whispered.

The wisps of smoke that obscured her eyes due to Liai's runes seemed darker than usual.

"And is that person with real strength you, Ichiru Hashimoto? Do you really think you have what it takes to change me? I made myself this way. It won't be so easy for anyone to change me back."

"...I cannot change you. I cannot force you to become something you do not want to be. But I can show you what can happen when you allow foolishness like your idea of true strength to control your life..." he replied.

[Charlia]

The wisps of smoke that obscured her eyes due to Liai's runes seemed darker than usual.

"And is that person with real strength you, Ichiru Hashimoto? Do you really think you have what it takes to change me? I made myself this way. It won't be so easy for anyone to change me back."

"...I cannot change you. I cannot force you to become something you do not want to be. But I can show you what can happen when you allow foolishness like your idea of true strength to control your life..." he replied.

"Oh, really?" she said sarcastically, crossing her arms.

"Go ahead, then. Show me. See if it makes any difference."

It won't.

[Luminesa]

"...I cannot change you. I cannot force you to become something you do not want to be. But I can show you what can happen when you allow foolishness like your idea of true strength to control your life..." he replied.

"Oh, really?" she said sarcastically, crossing her arms.

"Go ahead, then. Show me. See if it makes any difference."

It won't.

Ichiru stared at her for a moment, and then he smiled sadly. "This is not something I can show you on a whiteboard in a single day. I wish I could. It would save you and I both so much pain. But unfortunately, this is not a lesson I can teach you that way...Your mentor will be someone far crueler than I..." he told her quietly.

[Charlia]

"Oh, really?" she said sarcastically, crossing her arms.

"Go ahead, then. Show me. See if it makes any difference."

It won't.

Ichiru stared at her for a moment, and then he smiled sadly. "This is not something I can show you on a whiteboard in a single day. I wish I could. It would save you and I both so much pain. But unfortunately, this is not a lesson I can teach you that way...Your mentor will be someone far crueler than I..." he told her quietly.

"Oh, really?" she repeated. "And who is that?"

This should be interesting, to say the least.

[Luminesa]

Ichiru stared at her for a moment, and then he smiled sadly. "This is not something I can show you on a whiteboard in a single day. I wish I could. It would save you and I both so much pain. But unfortunately, this is not a lesson I can teach you that way...Your mentor will be someone far crueler than I..." he told her quietly.

"Oh, really?" she repeated. "And who is that?"

This should be interesting, to say the least.

"...Are you so dense that I truly need to give that answer?...Experience, Miss Seren. It is the cruelest of teachers, the one who taught me and made me who I am now. She will hurt you, berate you, and taunt you until you are left alone...except she will never leave you alone. And so you will learn. I can speak to you until the Second Coming of Christ, but it will never hit your ears until you see for yourself the damage your mindset will cause...When you see that you will never understand when someone finally loves you regardless of your faults, because you use them to fulfill your own selfish goals...When you finally murder in cold-blood and find-out that nobody is truly afraid of you...When you're dying alone in a jail cell...I cannot give you these things and tear you off your wicked path...But I can assure you that you will not like what you consider will bring you happiness..." he answered.

[Charlia]

"Oh, really?" she repeated. "And who is that?"

This should be interesting, to say the least.

"...Are you so dense that I truly need to give that answer?...Experience, Miss Seren. It is the cruelest of teachers, the one who taught me and made me who I am now. She will hurt you, berate you, and taunt you until you are left alone...except she will never leave you alone. And so you will learn. I can speak to you until the Second Coming of Christ, but it will never hit your ears until you see for yourself the damage your mindset will cause...When you see that you will never understand when someone finally loves you regardless of your faults, because you use them to fulfill your own selfish goals...When you finally murder in cold-blood and find-out that nobody is truly afraid of you...When you're dying alone in a jail cell...I cannot give you these things and tear you off your wicked path...But I can assure you that you will not like what you consider will bring you happiness..." he answered.

"Happiness is an emotion," she said calmly. "Nothing can bring it to me. And let me just ask you one thing... Did I ever say that I actually wanted to murder someone? I've caught a few murderers in my time. I solve murders. Not commit them."

Oh... When someone finally loves you regardless of your faults, because you use them to fulfill your own selfish goals?

Heh. I remember that. That was definitely an interesting time.

Human error. He made a mistake and I took advantage of that. No guilt.

[Luminesa]

"...Are you so dense that I truly need to give that answer?...Experience, Miss Seren. It is the cruelest of teachers, the one who taught me and made me who I am now. She will hurt you, berate you, and taunt you until you are left alone...except she will never leave you alone. And so you will learn. I can speak to you until the Second Coming of Christ, but it will never hit your ears until you see for yourself the damage your mindset will cause...When you see that you will never understand when someone finally loves you regardless of your faults, because you use them to fulfill your own selfish goals...When you finally murder in cold-blood and find-out that nobody is truly afraid of you...When you're dying alone in a jail cell...I cannot give you these things and tear you off your wicked path...But I can assure you that you will not like what you consider will bring you happiness..." he answered.

"Happiness is an emotion," she said calmly. "Nothing can bring it to me. And let me just ask you one thing... Did I ever say that I actually wanted to murder someone? I've caught a few murderers in my time. I solve murders. Not commit them."

Oh... When someone finally loves you regardless of your faults, because you use them to fulfill your own selfish goals?

Heh. I remember that. That was definitely an interesting time.

Human error. He made a mistake and I took advantage of that. No guilt.

"You do not have to say it. You want to be like Melody, you think it was cute that she killed a child...I cannot keep you from going down the road you want to travel down, but I can at least warn you of the pain and the misery you will feel going down that road..." he told her.

[Charlia]

"Happiness is an emotion," she said calmly. "Nothing can bring it to me. And let me just ask you one thing... Did I ever say that I actually wanted to murder someone? I've caught a few murderers in my time. I solve murders. Not commit them."

Oh... When someone finally loves you regardless of your faults, because you use them to fulfill your own selfish goals?

Heh. I remember that. That was definitely an interesting time.

Human error. He made a mistake and I took advantage of that. No guilt.

"You do not have to say it. You want to be like Melody, you think it was cute that she killed a child...I cannot keep you from going down the road you want to travel down, but I can at least warn you of the pain and the misery you will feel going down that road..." he told her.

"Cute?!" she said in disbelief. "Where are you getting that I approve of what she did? Where are you getting any of this? You do not decide what I want for me. You're not telepathic, and you can't tell me who I am and who I want to be."

[Luminesa]

"You do not have to say it. You want to be like Melody, you think it was cute that she killed a child...I cannot keep you from going down the road you want to travel down, but I can at least warn you of the pain and the misery you will feel going down that road..." he told her.

"Cute?!" she said in disbelief. "Where are you getting that I approve of what she did? Where are you getting any of this? You do not decide what I want for me. You're not telepathic, and you can't tell me who I am and who I want to be."

"I never said I was a telepath. I do not want to be one, either. Yet listen to how you speak. You obviously showed no actual distress about what she did. However, you do show significant distress when I point-out the flaws in your plans," he answered.

[Charlia]

"Cute?!" she said in disbelief. "Where are you getting that I approve of what she did? Where are you getting any of this? You do not decide what I want for me. You're not telepathic, and you can't tell me who I am and who I want to be."

"I never said I was a telepath. I do not want to be one, either. Yet listen to how you speak. You obviously showed no actual distress about what she did. However, you do show significant distress when I point-out the flaws in your plans," he answered.

Of course I do! Her plans hardly ever have flaws!

"I'm not stupid! I was never stupid! I'm smarter than all of them, and someday I'll be as smart as you!"

"I'll pay you for that. Because it will never happen."

"I hate you!"

"Emotions. You're so emotional. It's no wonder you're so stupid, really."

"I'm not stupid!"

"You're a very stupid little girl. Get used to it."

No.

I'll be just as smart as you, Melody. I'm not stupid. I'm clever!

"I hardly knew the child, and he was a bully. Why should I be so distressed about her past? It's hardly any of my business."

[MEGA ULTRA DESTRUCTO LORD TOPIA]

Deep inside the aviary, Quartz Ernst entered the room that was the most well-protected, hidden space in the entire workshop, and it housed the most valuable items in his possession. Behind the two elaborately styled and embellished doors, a beautiful, green garden was revealed, a garden of knowledge, of wisdom, of tranquillity. Quartz’s shoes left dark imprints in the luscious, long grass beneath, as he passed by beds of vividly colourful blooms. A small park bench sat in the middle of the sight, watching over the rolling hills covered in thousands of flowers, each and every one unique in its own way. Painted a deep, dark brown, the bench had the appearance of wood, but was more, yet less in a way. Quartz took a seat and exhaled slowly, calm flowing through him.

“Good evening, Makkathran, Wise One of the Raiel.”

“And in return, I greet you, Quartz Ernst the Traveller. As time and time before, I welcome you upon your return to my sanctuary.”

"It is an honour to be in your presence.”

“As it is to be in yours.”

The voice, soft, edgeless and infused with warmth, sounded smoothly from all around Quartz, reassuring and relaxing. At his feet, thick roots wove their way through the ground, half-buried in the dirt, somehow each covered in their own flowers. Quartz gazed at the sight, and let his eyes follow the long trail. Not too far away, a grand oak tree rose from the soil up and up, where its thick and leaf-covered branches disappeared deep into the room’s ceiling, where they extended far away from this little room Quartz stood in. The tree was radiant and gloriously healthy, and when his eyes fell upon it, a feeling of warmth embraced him. The voice spoke again from nowhere, and everywhere.

“You know, Quartz Ernst, that in my sanctuary there is a large place for sentiment. This garden is a garden of thoughts, dreams and knowledge. Thoughts and experiences grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful as the power to know all. For flowers bring to the liberal and noble mind the remembrance of honesty, comeliness and virtue. The garden is a haven, where all knowledge dwells, safe from misconception and the greed of human eyes.”

“The time you spend in my sanctuary allows you to seek a fellow’s knowledge and intelligence to aid your and our quest in for understanding. For every new discovery, every breakthrough, you come, for the God-Killers, for Everton Tallow. It feels as if every time you enter, you grow closer to rivalling the collection that I once held, long, long ago. Tell me what you bring to my attention today, for I will enjoy sharing what I can to aid you untainted by human nature. ”

“I need your opinion on current matters, and how you would deal with them.”

The roots underneath Quartz seemed to twist, shifting the soil and the rocks around it.

“You come for advice then, do you? I suppose that is my greatest proficiency, and the one activity that I enjoy most in our company, for advice is a gift upon those who listen to it, and a curse upon those who ignore it. I would be pleased to assist you in whatever problems you’re facing. Tell me what you have come here for.”

“Kiri is nearing the end of her apprenticeship. From my observations done during her time with the Uncivil, she is close to becoming a full Watcher, Hat and Cane attached. I worry about the day it will arrive when she will leave this workshop, as it is uncustomary for an apprentice to continue living with their masters after completion. Even though she effectively is family, I wish that she could stay here for more...”

Quartz kneeled onto the thick roots below him, and reached out and laid his palm out against the smooth bark. Memories of him watching Kiri’s battling during the Uncivil’s attack appeared and disappeared, flowing between the two, shared and received.

The branches swished as if there were a wind blowing through the garden, rustling the leaves gently, and the flowers swayed, but there was no wind, only the creature’s thoughts, listening intently.

“I agree with your observations, Quartz Ernst. It does appear that Kiri Masiah is a very capable member of the Watchers and will protect your race just as well as any of her future peers. As for her leaving, what comes to be comes to be, and while her leaving is not certain, and I do doubt that she will leave in the standard way for Watcher apprentices, you should prepare yourself for this time. I am sure you will be able to confide in Everton Tallow your fear, as he is also attached to her like you.”

The creature fell silent for a moment. One of the flowers’ colours intensified and changed to stand out from the rest.

“I understand that it is the norm for humans to leave their family once they reach adulthood.”

“You are correct.”

“I believe that Kiri Masiah will be an exception. While her constant happiness and optimism confuses me, it is clear that she will stay with you due to relationship you have founded over the last many years, a relationship that I have observed and through it I have seen a great difference between her and what I know of human nature. According to your records, there has not been a Watcher with her level of purity and innocence for a very long time. Do not worry, Quartz Ernst, for your family will not leave you.

“I thank you for your advice. I no longer have reason to worry.”

“You have no need to thank me, after all this time the rifts between us have closed over, although it is pleasant to hear your kind words. Is there anything else you need assistance with, or to engage in conversation about? It is wonderful to talk with you again.”

Quartz smiled sadly at the creature’s remarks. “These exchanges we have are very different from our first meeting, I remember. What a time that was for me and you, a defining moment.”

“It is hard to give a creature such as myself and my long-gone kindred a defining moment, especially at this time in my life. I hold the memory of that fateful day lying softly and sweetly inside one of the most beautiful flowers that I cultivate here, as one of my most precious discoveries. It reminds me of how you were only a novice runesmith those many human-years ago. You were noble and your intentions were kind. The anger I felt at being separated from my race, and the method in which I hurt you in that fit of rage… For you, so much time separates these events, and yet to me it is only the blink of a human eye…”

“The pain then was worth it in the exchange for the wisdom that we have together shared and gathered over the years.”

“To suffer for knowledge and understanding is righteous, for ignoring wisdom in return for comfort is a condemnation upon everything, past, present and future.”

“Indeed. I also wish to ask you about the events that are unfolding in the Watchers’ mission at this time.”

“I have observed these events through Everton Tallow, sadly without his knowledge.”

A flower rose towards Quartz, a white rose. Immaculate in every way, at the peak of its bloom.

“[i]From the memories I read and write, I find that the Watchers are fractured, and many of your colleagues appear to be consistently infuriated towards each other. Your numbers fall, and your mission has been interfered with many times by outside-”

Makkathran stopped abruptly. The roots and branches twisted violently.

“Everton Tallow has returned. He has none of the human confidence and arrogance of his character. Quartz Ernst, you should leave and discover what is wrong with him. I worry.”

“Thank you, Makkathran, for the honour.”

“I am happy to assist you… I hope for your return.”

Quartz stood and left the garden, ignoring the doors slamming behind him. The screams of the aviary’s prisoners resumed, falling on deaf ears. He stepped out, and the vault closed, locking away his secrets once more.

---

-snip-

Everton stood up from Kiri’s arms and straightened, patting down wrinkles in his jacket. He seemed to sway slightly, and his eyes drifted slowly without energy or purpose.

“No, I’m alright, I… just need some time to heal… What happened was… uh… quite impacting.” He smiled warmly at Kiri.
“But I’m happy that you’re safe and back from your mission… You…” He paused.

“You did well, Kiri. I think you’re quite close to ending your apprenticeship…”

Kiri reluctantly stepped away from the shaken up and disheveled Everton before giving him a bright smile.

"I'm glad you're okay, you definitely gave me a huge fright." She said, a slight tremble in her voice.

She wiped her tears away before turning to face Alicia.

"WAHHHHH!" She cried jumping into the little girls arms at full force. The sudden weight added to Alicia sent the two girls sprawling onto the floor. She continued to hold tightly to Alicia as if she were a body pillow, bawling her eyes out from the surprise that they had just overcome.

"Everton just came back, and he's all beat up and he's sad!"

She continued to sprout complaints in between her fits of bawling.

"And he looks smelly and... And."

She stopped for a moment to stop herself from suffocating.

"he didn't bring me a present!"

The Little continued to complain and cry mixing in a bit of anger into her fit. A single white rose cocked it's head in confusion to the events that were transpiring before it. Overwhelmed by this sudden change in personality Everton and Alicia continued to stare at Kiri, unaware of the little rose staring at them from behind the corner.

[Luminesa]

"I never said I was a telepath. I do not want to be one, either. Yet listen to how you speak. You obviously showed no actual distress about what she did. However, you do show significant distress when I point-out the flaws in your plans," he answered.

Of course I do! Her plans hardly ever have flaws!

"I'm not stupid! I was never stupid! I'm smarter than all of them, and someday I'll be as smart as you!"

"I'll pay you for that. Because it will never happen."

"I hate you!"

"Emotions. You're so emotional. It's no wonder you're so stupid, really."

"I'm not stupid!"

"You're a very stupid little girl. Get used to it."

No.

I'll be just as smart as you, Melody. I'm not stupid. I'm clever!

"I hardly knew the child, and he was a bully. Why should I be so distressed about her past? It's hardly any of my business."

"'And the LORD said onto Cain, 'Where is Abel thy brother?' And Cain answered, 'I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?'" Ichiru replied, calmly.

[Charlia]

Of course I do! Her plans hardly ever have flaws!

"I'm not stupid! I was never stupid! I'm smarter than all of them, and someday I'll be as smart as you!"

"I'll pay you for that. Because it will never happen."

"I hate you!"

"Emotions. You're so emotional. It's no wonder you're so stupid, really."

"I'm not stupid!"

"You're a very stupid little girl. Get used to it."

No.

I'll be just as smart as you, Melody. I'm not stupid. I'm clever!

"I hardly knew the child, and he was a bully. Why should I be so distressed about her past? It's hardly any of my business."

"'And the LORD said onto Cain, 'Where is Abel thy brother?' And Cain answered, 'I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?'" Ichiru replied, calmly.

She just stared at him blankly.

"What are you talking about?"

[Sindrya]

"'And the LORD said onto Cain, 'Where is Abel thy brother?' And Cain answered, 'I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?'" Ichiru replied, calmly.

She just stared at him blankly.

"What are you talking about?"

"You don't know about Cain and Abel?", Walter piped in. He made a disgruntled expression, before commenting, "No wonder you're still behind your sis."

A sudden ringing went off in his head. It was like a bell tinkling. He grinned.

"Well, well." He fixed his top hat. "Sounds like a costumer had just finally decided to use my service. I don't know why, but I think I'm one of those people who are actually glad when there's a person dead near my house. Because that means money."

He drew a teleportation rune in the air. A few seconds later, the air around the rune rippled, before turning into a circular portal with green outlines. "Well, I'll be seeing you later, everyone!", he announced, before disappearing into the portal, reappearing behind the desk inside his funeral parlor.

True, a costumer had just walked in. That looks on the person, is exactly the looks of someone who had just saw a dead man. He put that grin on.

"Welcome to Walter N. Usher's Funeral Parlor. Who am I supposed to bury?"

[Luminesa]

"'And the LORD said onto Cain, 'Where is Abel thy brother?' And Cain answered, 'I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?'" Ichiru replied, calmly.

She just stared at him blankly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Why should you be distressed with your sister's past? Because she is your sister. She is your family," he told her.