Mana Academy (IC) (Open, Fantasy)

[Luminesa]

That smile was not a happy smile. He could almost smell the poison darts waiting behind that sweet little smile. John shook his head. "Kasumi, if Professor Ruta comes to see Soleil, I'll have to ask you to please step out of the room. When he gets here I need to speak to him. I am the doctor, I am the one who is trying to make sure that Soleil gets better. If you mouth him off, you'll only make it harder for me to do my job, and you'll make it harder for him to recover. So please, I beg you. You can chew him out in the morning if you want, even, but please...tonight, when he gets here, I need to speak to him. Please do not make this harder for me than it already is," he persisted.

Kasumi blinked twice, and then said, "Ruta-sensei does not need to recover. Don't worry. I won't speak to him in front of Soleil-kun. You will be free to continue your work in peace. You may even speak to him first, but then he and I will have words as well. I'm afraid you won't be able to convince me as easily as you seem to think. After all, Ruta-sensei put Soleil-kun into this condition. For that, I cannot forgive him."

"I meant Soleil, not Professor Ruta. Though I am sure Professor Ruta is also rather worn himself...I have no idea why he ran away like that and didn't come back for the entire day...I do want to ask him about that," John answered, partially to her and partially to himself. He then added, "...And...Ruta is not solely to blame for this. This boy has suffered his entire life. He has faced some incredible abuse, to make him this fragile to begin with, and thus this is only one mishap in a long line of mishaps this boy has faced. Besides, I doubt Ruta meant to hurt him. So please...go easy on him, if you can."

[Chrome Legion]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


Liz took a moment to decide which group to follow, she wanted to ensure Soliel was alright, and do what she could to help heal him, but she wished to have words with Ruta as well; and she really should put some clothes on, as hard as it was to find something that allowed for wings.. As much as he blamed Soliel for what had happened, he did the same thing wandering off alone and leave his charges alone, endangering both them and himself. She wasn't happy with what Soliel had done, but she understood it more than Ruta's actions. It seemed both of them still needed to learn that they could, and should rely on others. It would have been easy for Liz to lock her self away in her plane when the transformation had begun, and stayed until she had built a new body. But she didn't, she stayed with the people that would need her help, and made sure they knew what was going on. Now it seemed like the teachers had just as much to learn about honest communication with each other as the students. Being honest with her self, her first instinct was to try to beat some sense into the, but there was no way that would make things better, this was not a time for harsh confrontations.
So, wearing a long, backless dress, on that would have looked more like it came from bourbon's collection than her own, Tsukuyomi went do to see how the child was doing. Some how she got the feeling that this nights events would have much further reach then they should.

"Hello Kasumi, Henry. John, how is he doing? Can I aide you in any way? You seem to be using a lot of you mana. I can't perform any healing magic now, but I can provide the mana that you can shape to heal him."

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

"I agree."

Near the door, the young nobleblood stood looking at the Japanese girl and the doctor, while looking at Soleil. It was a hard task, after all. Henry calmed himself down before proceeding, knowing that the situation was a delicate one after all.

"Kasumi, do it for Soleil. I need to discuss something about him with you."

"...Fine. I'm listening," Kasumi said coldly, her hands clenching into fists. "So talk. What do you need to say?"

And why should I listen to anything you say? WHY?! After you let Soleil-kun get hurt like this?!

Henry Von Kressel

Pulling up a chair, he sat next to Kasumi, his eyes staring at her expression full of rage. Undoubtedly, she had something against him, and it wasn't going to disappear slightly.

"I know you're not European, so certain names that carry an impact to us might not affect you in the same manner. You know his surname. Rise. I believe that surnames don't define people, as I suffered from it and I will always suffer. But the family leaves a permanent impression on someone's life and way of thinking.

Soleil born into a House where the values he finds good are abominations. Since I was a child I heard tales of what they did. If anyone different from them appear inside their family, they beat it down until it adapts to their world vision. It isn't about being a good person, or being in peace with yourself. It's about being a good Rise or a bad Rise. Simple as that.

Among this chaos, Soleil was born. A Light Mage in a clan notable for its involvement with Dark Magic. Now, I want you to think for a second what he's been through. How many fights and scenes no human being should see he saw and was present during it. How much strength it took to keep being himself.

And then, there he is. The Soleil you love, I guess. He doesn't need your anger, Kasumi. Or you rage. He can find bad feelings because of things he did inside his family. Maybe with his mother? With the Lord or Lady of the House? We both know that it wasn't his fault, but he'll see it that way. And it will keep breaking him.

Another question. How long you think he can keep it up? Hit after hit, scolding after scolding. This breakdown is a warning. I'm almost certain, and John correct me if I'm wrong, that Saturninus went through the same way. But there's a difference here. Us.

Me, you, Hikari, even little Natalie. We are the people that can give him what he so eagerly searched throughout his whole life. Love. Friendship. Compassion. Support. So, if you like him, when he wakes up, don't scream at him. When Ruta passes through that door, don't shout and start a fight. Soleil doesn't need any fighting between the people he admire, the people he love. And I'm also sure you'll understand what I say."

It took every fiber of his being to say such things to Kasumi. It was partially his life, it was a part of the questions he did to himself while he was alone being transplanted into his friend's situation. Now, all he could do was hope that she would understand his point.

[Charlia]

"...Fine. I'm listening," Kasumi said coldly, her hands clenching into fists. "So talk. What do you need to say?"

And why should I listen to anything you say? WHY?! After you let Soleil-kun get hurt like this?!

Henry Von Kressel

Pulling up a chair, he sat next to Kasumi, his eyes staring at her expression full of rage. Undoubtedly, she had something against him, and it wasn't going to disappear slightly.

"I know you're not European, so certain names that carry an impact to us might not affect you in the same manner. You know his surname. Rise. I believe that surnames don't define people, as I suffered from it and I will always suffer. But the family leaves a permanent impression on someone's life and way of thinking.

Soleil born into a House where the values he finds good are abominations. Since I was a child I heard tales of what they did. If anyone different from them appear inside their family, they beat it down until it adapts to their world vision. It isn't about being a good person, or being in peace with yourself. It's about being a good Rise or a bad Rise. Simple as that.

Among this chaos, Soleil was born. A Light Mage in a clan notable for its involvement with Dark Magic. Now, I want you to think for a second what he's been through. How many fights and scenes no human being should see he saw and was present during it. How much strength it took to keep being himself.

And then, there he is. The Soleil you love, I guess. He doesn't need your anger, Kasumi. Or you rage. He can find bad feelings because of things he did inside his family. Maybe with his mother? With the Lord or Lady of the House? We both know that it wasn't his fault, but he'll see it that way. And it will keep breaking him.

Another question. How long you think he can keep it up? Hit after hit, scolding after scolding. This breakdown is a warning. I'm almost certain, and John correct me if I'm wrong, that Saturninus went through the same way. But there's a difference here. Us.

Me, you, Hikari, even little Natalie. We are the people that can give him what he so eagerly searched throughout his whole life. Love. Friendship. Compassion. Support. So, if you like him, when he wakes up, don't scream at him. When Ruta passes through that door, don't shout and start a fight. Soleil doesn't need any fighting between the people he admire, the people he love. And I'm also sure you'll understand what I say."

It took every fiber of his being to say such things to Kasumi. It was partially his life, it was a part of the questions he did to himself while he was alone being transplanted into his friend's situation. Now, all he could do was hope that she would understand his point.

"...Fine," Kasumi said grudgingly. "Only for his sake, though. And if I get even the slightest hint that he wants me to stand up for him, I will. I never stood up for the other person I care most about, and because of that she suffered things I can't even begin to imagine. I'm not making that mistake again. Not for you. Not for Ruta-sensei. Not for anyone except the people I love most."

[Luminesa]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


Liz took a moment to decide which group to follow, she wanted to ensure Soliel was alright, and do what she could to help heal him, but she wished to have words with Ruta as well; and she really should put some clothes on, as hard as it was to find something that allowed for wings.. As much as he blamed Soliel for what had happened, he did the same thing wandering off alone and leave his charges alone, endangering both them and himself. She wasn't happy with what Soliel had done, but she understood it more than Ruta's actions. It seemed both of them still needed to learn that they could, and should rely on others. It would have been easy for Liz to lock her self away in her plane when the transformation had begun, and stayed until she had built a new body. But she didn't, she stayed with the people that would need her help, and made sure they knew what was going on. Now it seemed like the teachers had just as much to learn about honest communication with each other as the students. Being honest with her self, her first instinct was to try to beat some sense into the, but there was no way that would make things better, this was not a time for harsh confrontations.
So, wearing a long, backless dress, on that would have looked more like it came from bourbon's collection than her own, Tsukuyomi went do to see how the child was doing. Some how she got the feeling that this nights events would have much further reach then they should.

"Hello Kasumi, Henry. John, how is he doing? Can I aide you in any way? You seem to be using a lot of you mana. I can't perform any healing magic now, but I can provide the mana that you can shape to heal him."

John saw Tsukiyomi's new form, and it shocked him. She did not look human at all. She looked...alien. Like a being made entirely from magic that had finally revealed her true form. He had to blink for a moment, when he first saw her, but then he recognized her voice. "Oh, Tsukiyomi...ah, thank God. I didn't recognize you, for a second there. I really could use the mana, if you don't mind...this may take several hours into the night, and I don't know if I will have the mana all on my own to completely heal him," he answered gratefully.

With Tsukiyomi back at the hotel, and with Quartz standing a bit far from Ruta and Rabbit, the two were finally alone in that cold, crooked corner of the city. The masked professor slowly stood, as everyone disappeared, and he glared calmly at Ruta from behind his mask. The air around him was just as cold as the air around Ruta. They were two forces of nature, two figures of coldness and darkness that were determined to stand against each other to the end. Yet despite all odds, despite this seemingly-fatal opposition, Rabbit still had a faint desire in his heart to reach-out to the Professor, to find his heart. Yet now it seemed that doing so would require breaking it, and Rabbit would not hold back until the man was in pieces.

"...How do you feel now, Antonius?" Rabbit started softly, with a hint of almost-compassion in his voice. "...Are you tired? In pain?...Afraid?"

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

Pulling up a chair, he sat next to Kasumi, his eyes staring at her expression full of rage. Undoubtedly, she had something against him, and it wasn't going to disappear slightly.

"I know you're not European, so certain names that carry an impact to us might not affect you in the same manner. You know his surname. Rise. I believe that surnames don't define people, as I suffered from it and I will always suffer. But the family leaves a permanent impression on someone's life and way of thinking.

Soleil born into a House where the values he finds good are abominations. Since I was a child I heard tales of what they did. If anyone different from them appear inside their family, they beat it down until it adapts to their world vision. It isn't about being a good person, or being in peace with yourself. It's about being a good Rise or a bad Rise. Simple as that.

Among this chaos, Soleil was born. A Light Mage in a clan notable for its involvement with Dark Magic. Now, I want you to think for a second what he's been through. How many fights and scenes no human being should see he saw and was present during it. How much strength it took to keep being himself.

And then, there he is. The Soleil you love, I guess. He doesn't need your anger, Kasumi. Or you rage. He can find bad feelings because of things he did inside his family. Maybe with his mother? With the Lord or Lady of the House? We both know that it wasn't his fault, but he'll see it that way. And it will keep breaking him.

Another question. How long you think he can keep it up? Hit after hit, scolding after scolding. This breakdown is a warning. I'm almost certain, and John correct me if I'm wrong, that Saturninus went through the same way. But there's a difference here. Us.

Me, you, Hikari, even little Natalie. We are the people that can give him what he so eagerly searched throughout his whole life. Love. Friendship. Compassion. Support. So, if you like him, when he wakes up, don't scream at him. When Ruta passes through that door, don't shout and start a fight. Soleil doesn't need any fighting between the people he admire, the people he love. And I'm also sure you'll understand what I say."

It took every fiber of his being to say such things to Kasumi. It was partially his life, it was a part of the questions he did to himself while he was alone being transplanted into his friend's situation. Now, all he could do was hope that she would understand his point.

"...Fine," Kasumi said grudgingly. "Only for his sake, though. And if I get even the slightest hint that he wants me to stand up for him, I will. I never stood up for the other person I care most about, and because of that she suffered things I can't even begin to imagine. I'm not making that mistake again. Not for you. Not for Ruta-sensei. Not for anyone except the people I love most."

Henry Von Kressel

"I didn't expect nothing less of you, Kasumi. But please, remember what I've told you. Don't mistake any signs. I've got to go now. John, Kasumi, Allistor, if you need anything, please tell me. I'll go to my room now. Have a good night. And... Thanks for what you are doing Kasumi. I know it must be hard for you."

Who am I fooling? I'm not going to sleep tonight. I'm almost passing out. Yet, I must keep going... Bourbon is still around. Soleil is recovering.

Finally, he entered his room. The formal suit and tie gave place to comfortable black pants and a black shirt, before Henry laid down on his bed, once more drifting away in a sleep that seemed more like he passed out than a simple session of sleep. Undoubtedly, the day took his toll on Henry, who had a last thought before he slept.

Why Hikari wanted to know about him and Aria? One more question appeared in Henry's already confused mind, who finally got some rest, as he prepared himself for the next round.

[Rhomaia]

"...How do you feel now, Antonius?" Rabbit started softly, with a hint of almost-compassion in his voice. "...Are you tired? In pain?...Afraid?"

Antonius Ruta

Ruta watched with barely opened eyes as Soleil broke down in front of him after letting those words slip from his mouth, those hushed, raspy, harsh words that he had barely the strength to repeat, those words that had so easily broken the kindhearted Rise who bore countless scars and burdens upon his back. The boy, with only the purest of intentions in his fragile heart, had yet again tried his hardest to reach out to the Professor, to the father figure that he had never known before his tenure at Mana, only to be pushed away as he had been oh so many times before, this time by the one man whom he had trusted and cared so very dearly for...

The Jaegar, having once again shed his mask of warm humanity for the hunter's cowl, had perhaps meant the words that he had spoken...But that was not to say he felt the boy's actions were pointless. Surely, he was angered by Soleil's ignorance of the rules and order that were set in place to protect him, or by the simple fact that the boy had gone by himself into the streets of the most dangerous city in Europe for Ruta's sake alone, but he did indeed feel a pang of regret. His words, like so many times before, had come out wrong and with their meaning misconstrued, and this time had far worse consequences for him than that of a simple slap on the back of the head or being subject to ridicule. Yet, in the dark haze of blood loss, exhaustion, and mana over consumption, it had been so simple for those thoughts to pass his lips, and shatter the boy's heart...

To the Rabbit, he barely gave a second glance. The masked professor may as well have been non-existent in the scene had it not been for his ind words, once again calling out to the Jaegar out of concern and the goodness of his supposed heart. However, thanks to the morning's incident, the hunter was wise to who the Rabbit was, or so he thought. In the hunter's eyes, he was nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing. A murderer, fiend, and a Jaegar hunter no better than the ones Ruta and Tsukuyomi had dispatched moments earlier. Had it not been for his past deeds, the Jaegar would have had no qualms with killing him where he stood.

And yet, the Jaegar made little response to the Rabbit other than to again take the massive black greatsword in his hands again, slinging it over his right shoulder as if it were a weight that he was meant to carry, and turning his back to him. The great raven's wing that was borne on his left shoulder receded into his black, bloodstained cloak, the feathers folding and becoming solid like steel. It was only after a long, long moment of silence that Ruta finally gave a verbal reply to the Rabbit, whose words he regarded as nothing but lies.

"...If only I could have asked you the same question on that day so many years ago..."

[Chrome Legion]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


"Very well, I will begin. I don't have fine control of my mana, so it could be a large amount to deal with at once. You will have to regulate the amount of mana, then you can shape it into what you need to do to heal him. Make sure to let me know immediately if something goes wrong, if you need me to slow or stop the flow."

Liz moved into position at Soliel's head, placing her hands on his shoulder. She took a moment to gather herself, not wanting anything close to a repeat of what happened to Cecily. Slowly, she began to release her mana, making sure it was an even constant flow. Liz wasn't purely focused on that work though, instead she was also using this as a chance to probe his mind and body, curious about that other that she had felt during the fight. She felt she needed to know more. There was something there, and it was sure to be important.

[Luminesa]

The masked professor nodded to Ruta's answer, as though it was something he had expected to hear. Some sort of hostile rebuke or scoff. He boiled inside, with all of his repressed emotions finally beginning to seethe forth as he stood some feet away from them, listening and waiting for his turn to speak. "...While we have been in Paris, Antonius...I have done some thinking...some rather deep contemplation...and I have realized something...you and I are not very different at all..." Rabbit stepped forward and slowly approached him, standing behind him as he began to speak. "...We have both been hated since we were little children...touted as rejects, as weapons, as monsters that should have never been born...We both grew-up alone, afraid of the world, did we not?...The world was just as harsh of a place when you were a child as it was for I..."

He paused for a moment, and then he began to walk around the Headmaster as he spoke, as though he was indeed a wolf preparing to go in for the kill. "We grew up wanting to give ourselves to something, to someone who could make us feel like we belonged, that we were not the abominations we were told we were...we would do anything to be loved, even horrid things such as murder...You became a Jaëgar...I was a child soldier...And we both killed. And killed. And killed. Until we thought our pain had been washed away with all of the blood...and upon realizing this did not make us belong, we began to look for something else, did we not?"

Rabbit stopped in front of Ruta, about a foot from his face. Leaning even closer to his face, so that their noses were inches apart, he whispered, "...Love. That dreaded poison and healing medicine we all seek. We sought to fill the holes where our hearts should have been with this, and so we sought it wherever we thought it could be found. We were constantly thrown to the dirt for it, were we not? I certainly was, and I know you were. Every soul who we handed our hearts to broke them and left the pieces for us to put back together. Even the one...the one who we loved above everything, who we left our hearts with and have never taken them back from..."

His cold, calculated tone now softened, just for a moment. Rabbit cocked his head to the side, as though he was curious about something Ruta had done in the past. "You have not taken yours back from Yona since the day she died...I have not taken mine back from my own, since she died...It is the most painful thing in the world, to hand your entire life to someone, only for them to smash it and to regard doing so as nothing, is it not? To watch them die and know that you can never have them. You and I both know this pain...and yet..."

Almost as soon as he had started acting kind, he reverted almost immediately back to his colder tone, moving-in for the kill. "And yet here comes one who now sees you in that light...One who has suffered all you have suffered, who has been rejected all their life and who only seeks to find peace. They have handed their heart to you, asking nothing from you but for you to take it and to love it. To let it know it is safe...and you instead do what they have all done to you, and you smash it in front of their eyes."

Finally, he paused one more time, as his passion was beginning to catch-up with him, and he had to control his emotions as much as he could. Yet still his words shot forth with all of the sharpness of falling stalactites of ice, sharp, cold, and fatal. "Has your pathetic thirty years of life taught you nothing? All of the pain, all of the suffering alone, all of the loneliness, all of those moments where you called for someone in the darkness and nobody ever came, it is all reflected in Soleil's eyes. It has stared back at you, back at me, and back at you again, and again, and again, since the first day he came to Mana. And now it begs you for reprieve, and you give it no quarter?...There is no death more insidious than that of an innocent child, of an orphan who longs for nothing more than a father's love. You of all people, who have seen children die at the hands of unspeakable creatures, should know this. And yet you have turned him down and thrown him back into the streets. You have done the one thing that his mother, his aunt, his entire wicked family could not do. You have killed him. The person he turned to in order to give him life, and you killed him mercilessly.

Now tell me, and tell me the truth. Tell me if he ever deserved such a fate. If he indeed deserves such a fate, so do you."

[Luminesa]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


"Very well, I will begin. I don't have fine control of my mana, so it could be a large amount to deal with at once. You will have to regulate the amount of mana, then you can shape it into what you need to do to heal him. Make sure to let me know immediately if something goes wrong, if you need me to slow or stop the flow."

Liz moved into position at Soliel's head, placing her hands on his shoulder. She took a moment to gather herself, not wanting anything close to a repeat of what happened to Cecily. Slowly, she began to release her mana, making sure it was an even constant flow. Liz wasn't purely focused on that work though, instead she was also using this as a chance to probe his mind and body, curious about that other that she had felt during the fight. She felt she needed to know more. There was something there, and it was sure to be important.

"That's not a problem," John answered, as he watched her join in. He indeed took the mana into his hands and began to flush it through the boy, using it to heal his mana points that were damaged. "...I told Henry before...Soleil's mana-points in his shoulders and forehead are both severely damaged...not to mention he's suffered some serious internal damage. It seems he was hit hard enough that some of his mana leaked into his bloodstream. That needs to be extracted so it doesn't cause harm to his organ systems...Yeah, this is going to take maybe eight hours minimum. Unbelievable..."

Meanwhile, as Tsukiyomi began to probe Soleil-her to-be son and apprentice-she began to see some of the images in his mind, to hear some of his thoughts. She saw a tiny child running after his mother, as she walked into another room, only for the child to be slapped to the ground as the mother walked away. She saw a boy practicing building constructs in the woods, and opening his hands as he let out a stream of butterflies. She saw the way his eyes met Ruta's, when Ruta had first told him that he had talent, how the boy's eyes sparkled with hope and wonder, as he saw the person he thought could be his father.

You stupid...why can't you...Go to sleep, Soleil...Insolent little brat! How could anyone love you?!...You wasted your mana making this?!...Soleil!...I love you, Soleil...It means nothing...it means nothing...it means nothing...I want you to be my heir, my apprentice...It means nothing...You don't have to be me...I wonder if you were meaning to get yourself killed...

There were many voices to be heard. Solaine's, Blanchefleur's, Kasumi's, Shaun's, Allistor's, Ruta's, even her own. They all filled his head in fragments, like pieces of a vase that clashed against each other and broke each other further. All the while, Tsukiyomi saw various colors of mana-red, blue, green, orange, purple, and white-all flowing through him, powerful and silent. A tiny child stood in front of her in his mind, his face in his hands as he wept, as he bled from a set of new scars in his back.

[Charlia]

Who am I fooling? I'm not going to sleep tonight. I'm almost passing out. Yet, I must keep going... Bourbon is still around. Soleil is recovering.

Finally, he entered his room. The formal suit and tie gave place to comfortable black pants and a black shirt, before Henry laid down on his bed, once more drifting away in a sleep that seemed more like he passed out than a simple session of sleep. Undoubtedly, the day took his toll on Henry, who had a last thought before he slept.

Why Hikari wanted to know about him and Aria? One more question appeared in Henry's already confused mind, who finally got some rest, as he prepared himself for the next round.

Hikari couldn't fall asleep. Her mind kept whirling with thoughts about what she had planned, one more desperate attempt. You can be useful this way, she consoled herself. If he's more relaxed and calm, less emotional turmoil, then he'll be able to do better in the tournament, right? You're helping your school.

This is what you're good for, after all. It's not a big deal. Not for you.

Besides... maybe you can feel a little better, too.

She couldn't put it off any longer. Swinging out her legs, bare feet on the floor, she walked out of the room silently. She knew how to sneak, a talent she picked up a long time ago. She opened the door silently, lifting it up a bit to keep it from grinding against the floor, and left her room.

She knew where Henry's room was, and found it easily. It wasn't far from her own. Slowly, carefully, she opened the door. He was sleeping, but that was okay. He'd probably wake up at some point. She certainly wouldn't be able to sleep.

She carefully unbuttoned the top two buttons of her nightdress, enough to offer a little view, and climbed onto the left side of the bed. Sliding underneath the covers, she lay down on her side, resting her head on the pillow. With a quiet sigh, she carefully adjusted herself into a position that she judged to be the most advantageous for the boy next to her.

Well... nothing more to do than just wait.

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Who am I fooling? I'm not going to sleep tonight. I'm almost passing out. Yet, I must keep going... Bourbon is still around. Soleil is recovering.

Finally, he entered his room. The formal suit and tie gave place to comfortable black pants and a black shirt, before Henry laid down on his bed, once more drifting away in a sleep that seemed more like he passed out than a simple session of sleep. Undoubtedly, the day took his toll on Henry, who had a last thought before he slept.

Why Hikari wanted to know about him and Aria? One more question appeared in Henry's already confused mind, who finally got some rest, as he prepared himself for the next round.

Hikari couldn't fall asleep. Her mind kept whirling with thoughts about what she had planned, one more desperate attempt. You can be useful this way, she consoled herself. If he's more relaxed and calm, less emotional turmoil, then he'll be able to do better in the tournament, right? You're helping your school.

This is what you're good for, after all. It's not a big deal. Not for you.

Besides... maybe you can feel a little better, too.

She couldn't put it off any longer. Swinging out her legs, bare feet on the floor, she walked out of the room silently. She knew how to sneak, a talent she picked up a long time ago. She opened the door silently, lifting it up a bit to keep it from grinding against the floor, and left her room.

She knew where Henry's room was, and found it easily. It wasn't far from her own. Slowly, carefully, she opened the door. He was sleeping, but that was okay. He'd probably wake up at some point. She certainly wouldn't be able to sleep.

She carefully unbuttoned the top two buttons of her nightdress, enough to offer a little view, and climbed onto the left side of the bed. Sliding underneath the covers, she lay down on her side, resting her head on the pillow. With a quiet sigh, she carefully adjusted herself into a position that she judged to be the most advantageous for the boy next to her.

Well... nothing more to do than just wait.

Henry Von Kressel

His tiredness prevented him from waking up at the entrance in his room, and Fawkes didn't recognize the girl as a threat, simply staying quiet at the girl's intrusion. Slowly, Henry noticed the body at his side, but couldn't discern exactly who was at his side. However, it was smaller than him, and was redheaded, leading to a mistake that would be a grave one: Instead of seeing Hikari, he saw who he wanted to be there: Aria.

Slowly, he placed his hand around her waist, pulling her closer and planting a protective kiss in her forehead, as he pulled her nearer and hugged her.

"I'm... Happy that you're here, Aria..."

[Chrome Legion]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


Half there with John and half inside Soliel's mind, Liz took a moment to respond to John. "If you believe it safe, feel free to draw as much mana as you need. I will not run out any time soon. Now, I have to focus very hard on keeping the flow steady, and pure, I would like to avoid any more distraction." Now Liz was the one keeping secrets, but there was something deeply private about the connection she was making. It was not something you involved other people in. Shifting her focus back to Soliel, she approached the figure of him in his own mind. She still appeared as she did in the real word, but through this connection there was no chance of her being mistaken for anything but who she was. Liz could have been more invasive, pushing at prodding at the things she saw. Instead she went to join Soli's mental figure, sitting down next to him, draping an arm over his shoulder.

[Luminesa]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


Half there with John and half inside Soliel's mind, Liz took a moment to respond to John. "If you believe it safe, feel free to draw as much mana as you need. I will not run out any time soon. Now, I have to focus very hard on keeping the flow steady, and pure, I would like to avoid any more distraction." Now Liz was the one keeping secrets, but there was something deeply private about the connection she was making. It was not something you involved other people in. Shifting her focus back to Soliel, she approached the figure of him in his own mind. She still appeared as she did in the real word, but through this connection there was no chance of her being mistaken for anything but who she was. Liz could have been more invasive, pushing at prodding at the things she saw. Instead she went to join Soli's mental figure, sitting down next to him, draping an arm over his shoulder.

The little boy shuddered, as he saw Tsukiyomi sit next to him, but he looked up at her and wiped his eyes. He could not be any more than six. "...Professor..." He recognized her immediately, but it sounded strange to hear such a small voice speak to her in such a way, rather than the older, slightly-lower-pitched voice of Soleil in the present day. "...M-Mother...she beat me...I don't understand...I don't...Wh-What did I do wrong?...A-Am I a bad person?...M-Mother said...i-it was because I was not practicing my magic...D-Does that make me...a-a bad person?" he implored of her.

As he spoke, however, multiple figures-all of which were quite a bit taller-all glared at Tsukiyomi from the darkness. They were all clones of Soleil, but their eyes all glowed different colors, the colors of the mana she had seen in his manastream. They seemed very intent on going to meet her, as she spoke to the little boy-the real Soleil-and as he finished and continued crying again, they all stepped forward, standing in a circle around the two.

Look at her. Freak. Is she really going to fight all of us?

I hope she tries. It would be fun to kill her. Just look at her! Can you imagine how much blood she must have?

How morbid of you. We do not need to make her bleed.

What he said.

I have to agree. Such a pretty body, there's no need to cut it open. There are other ways to deal with one such as herself.

What are you implying?

Eloquence is the best way to conquer, not brutal violence. A lovely face can kill far more people than a harsh warrior.

Five of the clones all spoke to each other and argued about how to deal with Tsukiyomi. Their eyes could be seen glowing in the darkness, as they looked at each other and interacted with each other. Yet one-the one whose eyes glowed white-remained silent and edged toward the scene, nervously. He was not sure if Tsukiyomi would hurt him if he got close, but he walked toward her anyway, and he knelt next to the tiny Soleil as he cried. He did not speak, but simply looked upon him, not with resentment or with anger, but with...love? Concern?

[Charlia]

Hikari couldn't fall asleep. Her mind kept whirling with thoughts about what she had planned, one more desperate attempt. You can be useful this way, she consoled herself. If he's more relaxed and calm, less emotional turmoil, then he'll be able to do better in the tournament, right? You're helping your school.

This is what you're good for, after all. It's not a big deal. Not for you.

Besides... maybe you can feel a little better, too.

She couldn't put it off any longer. Swinging out her legs, bare feet on the floor, she walked out of the room silently. She knew how to sneak, a talent she picked up a long time ago. She opened the door silently, lifting it up a bit to keep it from grinding against the floor, and left her room.

She knew where Henry's room was, and found it easily. It wasn't far from her own. Slowly, carefully, she opened the door. He was sleeping, but that was okay. He'd probably wake up at some point. She certainly wouldn't be able to sleep.

She carefully unbuttoned the top two buttons of her nightdress, enough to offer a little view, and climbed onto the left side of the bed. Sliding underneath the covers, she lay down on her side, resting her head on the pillow. With a quiet sigh, she carefully adjusted herself into a position that she judged to be the most advantageous for the boy next to her.

Well... nothing more to do than just wait.

Henry Von Kressel

His tiredness prevented him from waking up at the entrance in his room, and Fawkes didn't recognize the girl as a threat, simply staying quiet at the girl's intrusion. Slowly, Henry noticed the body at his side, but couldn't discern exactly who was at his side. However, it was smaller than him, and was redheaded, leading to a mistake that would be a grave one: Instead of seeing Hikari, he saw who he wanted to be there: Aria.

Slowly, he placed his hand around her waist, pulling her closer and planting a protective kiss in her forehead, as he pulled her nearer and hugged her.

"I'm... Happy that you're here, Aria..."

Hikari felt a rush of warmth and happiness as she was pulled closer into an embrace, her forehead tingling as an aftereffect of the kiss. She'd missed this feeling more than she wanted to admit. Being held like this...

...It had felt good, until things had started to go sour. Until she started realizing the truth. But she missed that feeling of being loved that she'd had at the beginning. She'd missed feeling like this--

"Aria..."

Her eyes went wide. Did he really think she was Aria? That hadn't been her intention at all! Her heart sank as she realized that the affection wasn't meant for her. Not for any part of her.

...But... I can still feel it, right?

No... it wouldn't be fair unless he knew...

Pulling away slightly, cringing at the ache it caused in her heart, she shook her head, whispering, "I... I'm not Aria..."

Closing her eyes tightly and trying not to let herself cry, she waited for his reaction.

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

His tiredness prevented him from waking up at the entrance in his room, and Fawkes didn't recognize the girl as a threat, simply staying quiet at the girl's intrusion. Slowly, Henry noticed the body at his side, but couldn't discern exactly who was at his side. However, it was smaller than him, and was redheaded, leading to a mistake that would be a grave one: Instead of seeing Hikari, he saw who he wanted to be there: Aria.

Slowly, he placed his hand around her waist, pulling her closer and planting a protective kiss in her forehead, as he pulled her nearer and hugged her.

"I'm... Happy that you're here, Aria..."

Hikari felt a rush of warmth and happiness as she was pulled closer into an embrace, her forehead tingling as an aftereffect of the kiss. She'd missed this feeling more than she wanted to admit. Being held like this...

...It had felt good, until things had started to go sour. Until she started realizing the truth. But she missed that feeling of being loved that she'd had at the beginning. She'd missed feeling like this--

"Aria..."

Her eyes went wide. Did he really think she was Aria? That hadn't been her intention at all! Her heart sank as she realized that the affection wasn't meant for her. Not for any part of her.

...But... I can still feel it, right?

No... it wouldn't be fair unless he knew...

Pulling away slightly, cringing at the ache it caused in her heart, she shook her head, whispering, "I... I'm not Aria..."

Closing her eyes tightly and trying not to let herself cry, she waited for his reaction.

Henry Von Kressel

With a jump, Henry woke up, sitting in his bed while looking at Hikari. It was clear that he was somewhat scared of what he came near to do, and Fawkes accompanied his reaction, squawking continuously until Henry commanded her to stop.

"Hik... Hikari, what were you trying to... Why?"

For a moment, he saw the pain in the girl's eyes, knowing that it was a desperate attempt. What was she searching? Why, of all men in Academy, she chose Henry? In a reflex, he slightly picked her up, hugging her while her head laid on his chest, he held her, knowing that she might needed the affection.

"I... Won't be angry, I promise, but... Why?"

[Charlia]

Hikari felt a rush of warmth and happiness as she was pulled closer into an embrace, her forehead tingling as an aftereffect of the kiss. She'd missed this feeling more than she wanted to admit. Being held like this...

...It had felt good, until things had started to go sour. Until she started realizing the truth. But she missed that feeling of being loved that she'd had at the beginning. She'd missed feeling like this--

"Aria..."

Her eyes went wide. Did he really think she was Aria? That hadn't been her intention at all! Her heart sank as she realized that the affection wasn't meant for her. Not for any part of her.

...But... I can still feel it, right?

No... it wouldn't be fair unless he knew...

Pulling away slightly, cringing at the ache it caused in her heart, she shook her head, whispering, "I... I'm not Aria..."

Closing her eyes tightly and trying not to let herself cry, she waited for his reaction.

Henry Von Kressel

With a jump, Henry woke up, sitting in his bed while looking at Hikari. It was clear that he was somewhat scared of what he came near to do, and Fawkes accompanied his reaction, squawking continuously until Henry commanded her to stop.

"Hik... Hikari, what were you trying to... Why?"

For a moment, he saw the pain in the girl's eyes, knowing that it was a desperate attempt. What was she searching? Why, of all men in Academy, she chose Henry? In a reflex, he slightly picked her up, hugging her while her head laid on his chest, he held her, knowing that she might needed the affection.

"I... Won't be angry, I promise, but... Why?"

...I knew it, I knew I shouldn't have done this, stupid, stupid, stupid little whore...

"...I... I wanted to help," she started, her hands shaking. "You seemed upset and worried so I thought... I thought I could help you relax a little bit... and forget about things, just for a while... So you could do better in the tournament, and such... So I could be helping the school, just a little bit... and maybe... maybe it would help me, too... because I want someone to love me... but the only way I can get anyone to love me is..."

She choked.

"I'm sorry," she whimpered. "If... if you wanted me to pretend I was Aria, I... I could do that... I'm sorry..."

[Chrome Legion]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


"I suppose I was expecting to find others in here, but this multitude? My you have a busy little head Soli." Liz stood up, and with three pairs of eyes managed to keep one on all of the other mental images. "I'm afraid I have no blood. I'm sure you must realize what is going on out side of here, and that I'm not really here. You might be able to force me out of Soli's mind, but you certainly can't kill me here. None of this is why I'm here, so why don't we all just sit down and have a little chat. I would love to get to know you all. And why you're here."

Tsukuyomi also had other ways to stop what ever these things are. She doubted they could survive with out a host, and with the condition Soli was in, it wouldn't be hard to make him an unsuitable host, or if she needed to, to protect herself and her other charges, kill him. All it would take would be a extra surge of mana, and the boy's system would collapse. With out any defenses there was no way he would survive, and it was highly unlikely John could do anything to stop it. She could also attempt to over come his mana with her own, driving out all of his natural mana and replacing it with something that would be impossible for these being to survive on, but it could disable his ability to generate mana again. Liz was holding such extreme measures in reserve, either of them was the last of last resorts.

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

With a jump, Henry woke up, sitting in his bed while looking at Hikari. It was clear that he was somewhat scared of what he came near to do, and Fawkes accompanied his reaction, squawking continuously until Henry commanded her to stop.

"Hik... Hikari, what were you trying to... Why?"

For a moment, he saw the pain in the girl's eyes, knowing that it was a desperate attempt. What was she searching? Why, of all men in Academy, she chose Henry? In a reflex, he slightly picked her up, hugging her while her head laid on his chest, he held her, knowing that she might needed the affection.

"I... Won't be angry, I promise, but... Why?"

...I knew it, I knew I shouldn't have done this, stupid, stupid, stupid little whore...

"...I... I wanted to help," she started, her hands shaking. "You seemed upset and worried so I thought... I thought I could help you relax a little bit... and forget about things, just for a while... So you could do better in the tournament, and such... So I could be helping the school, just a little bit... and maybe... maybe it would help me, too... because I want someone to love me... but the only way I can get anyone to love me is..."

She choked.

"I'm sorry," she whimpered. "If... if you wanted me to pretend I was Aria, I... I could do that... I'm sorry..."

Henry Von Kressel

Now he knew why. Now he knew why she came to his bedroom, and slowly sneaked to his side. She was searching for love, at the only form she possibly knew. Henry kept holding her, as he felt she needed it, at least for now.

"Hikari, I... I deeply appreciate your concern, but... I can't believe that the only way you can get someone to love you is this way. You're such a beautiful, young and unique girl, that I can only see it as a lie.

And no, I don't want you to pretend that you are Aria, Hikari. Be... Yourself. You helped the school once, at the invasion, right? I heard about it. You were brave. See how many ways one person that isn't that close to you can find to describe you, Hikari? See how many qualities do you have?

I don't know your story, Hikari. But, recently, I knew of a story... Where a person believed that it was a bad one because people made this person feel that way, when it was the other way around. What I see in you here, right now, it's a good person that probably met with bad people, who... Used your good side and made you believe that you were the guilty one. That you were the bad one.

And how I know this? You could have answered like you were Aria. Instead you chose to tell me the truth. Now, I know that it... There's no way of saying it without sounding like someone with second intentions, but if you feel the need, you can sleep here. Seriously, I'm not angered at you."

[Luminesa]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


"I suppose I was expecting to find others in here, but this multitude? My you have a busy little head Soli." Liz stood up, and with three pairs of eyes managed to keep one on all of the other mental images. "I'm afraid I have no blood. I'm sure you must realize what is going on out side of here, and that I'm not really here. You might be able to force me out of Soli's mind, but you certainly can't kill me here. None of this is why I'm here, so why don't we all just sit down and have a little chat. I would love to get to know you all. And why you're here."

Tsukuyomi also had other ways to stop what ever these things are. She doubted they could survive with out a host, and with the condition Soli was in, it wouldn't be hard to make him an unsuitable host, or if she needed to, to protect herself and her other charges, kill him. All it would take would be a extra surge of mana, and the boy's system would collapse. With out any defenses there was no way he would survive, and it was highly unlikely John could do anything to stop it. She could also attempt to over come his mana with her own, driving out all of his natural mana and replacing it with something that would be impossible for these being to survive on, but it could disable his ability to generate mana again. Liz was holding such extreme measures in reserve, either of them was the last of last resorts.

Most of them did not seem as though they wanted to talk about why they were there. When she asked the question, the ones who stood in the darkness simply stared at each other. The one with the purple eyes merely giggled nervously, before answering, "You see? I told you there would be no reason to kill her. She has no blood!"

"LIAR!" The one with red eyes stepped forward, ready to fight. His teeth were barred, and it was rather startling to see Soleil with razor-sharp teeth. "We're only talking if you tell us what you're going to do when we tell you!"

The orange-eyed one and the green-eyed one nodded to this suggestion. The blue-eyed one merely remained silent and cold.

However, as the white-eyed one listened, he sensed that Tsukiyomi was not a true threat unless they decided to fight. Staring up at Tsukiyomi, he did not even stand to speak to her. It seemed he was far more comfortable on his knees. "Our mother has placed us here, teacher..." he spoke, so quietly that it seemed he was not used to talking, "We are here because she wants us here. I do not know why."

[Charlia]

...I knew it, I knew I shouldn't have done this, stupid, stupid, stupid little whore...

"...I... I wanted to help," she started, her hands shaking. "You seemed upset and worried so I thought... I thought I could help you relax a little bit... and forget about things, just for a while... So you could do better in the tournament, and such... So I could be helping the school, just a little bit... and maybe... maybe it would help me, too... because I want someone to love me... but the only way I can get anyone to love me is..."

She choked.

"I'm sorry," she whimpered. "If... if you wanted me to pretend I was Aria, I... I could do that... I'm sorry..."

Henry Von Kressel

Now he knew why. Now he knew why she came to his bedroom, and slowly sneaked to his side. She was searching for love, at the only form she possibly knew. Henry kept holding her, as he felt she needed it, at least for now.

"Hikari, I... I deeply appreciate your concern, but... I can't believe that the only way you can get someone to love you is this way. You're such a beautiful, young and unique girl, that I can only see it as a lie.

And no, I don't want you to pretend that you are Aria, Hikari. Be... Yourself. You helped the school once, at the invasion, right? I heard about it. You were brave. See how many ways one person that isn't that close to you can find to describe you, Hikari? See how many qualities do you have?

I don't know your story, Hikari. But, recently, I knew of a story... Where a person believed that it was a bad one because people made this person feel that way, when it was the other way around. What I see in you here, right now, it's a good person that probably met with bad people, who... Used your good side and made you believe that you were the guilty one. That you were the bad one.

And how I know this? You could have answered like you were Aria. Instead you chose to tell me the truth. Now, I know that it... There's no way of saying it without sounding like someone with second intentions, but if you feel the need, you can sleep here. Seriously, I'm not angered at you."

"...You really mean that, don't you?" Hikari whispered, managing a tiny smile. "Even after this, you really think... that I'm something better than what I am. I wish I could believe that. But instead I just proved to both of us what I've known for so long... Thank you, anyway. I... I should go... I don't want to be a burden. If I can't help you... then I'll go."

[Saldinado]

Shaun Calhoun

As the coolness of the night breeze blew across his face and messed up his hair slightly, Shaun walked along the sidewalk alone in the dark with only the lampposts lined up neatly as they were his only source of light. While walking, he tried to take deep breaths as he was still unnerved by what happened between him and Dominique. As he strolled along with his footsteps only being the source of sound, Shaun began to talk to himself.

"I-I didn't want to do that; I didn't want to...But he just...And I...Argh! What if he hates me?! I mean, I don't blame him. I mean, it was all my fault that this happened. If I would've just left it as it was before, then none of this would've happened. But nooo, I had to do it; I just had to let my pride get in the way. And now look where it got me. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Or was I stupid? No, I wasn't! It was all his fault! If he wouldn't have brought Soleil into the topic, then everything would've been all fine and we could work everything out! But I did call his dad a monster...But it wasn't on purpose! So he had no reason to get mad with me that bastard! Or did he...I-I don't know! I just don't know..."

He was at an absolute crossroad with this. He did know who exactly was at fault for this. Was it him or Dominique? This was just another thing to add on to the list of complete screwups that was caused either by him or someone else. Soon after another ten minutes of walking, he finally saw the lights of the city and soon the large hotel that he was staying at. Standing in front of the doors, he looked up as he shook his head and sighed before walking in the doors quietly as he didn't want to hear anything or anyone; it was already passed ten, and he knew that this bloody tournament was going to start a few hours from now. But he knew that he couldn't sleep. He would guess that after everything that has happened today, he would be completely passing out on the floor right now in tiredness. But he was just too stressed to relax; plus his insomnia was starting to affect him now. Walking passed the receptionist desk and seeing the golden bell sitting there, Shaun stopped and walked towards it and stared at it for a moment. "What makes you so intrigued by this bell?" He said softly before raising his hand up and softly ringing the bell; the gentle ringing of object filling his ears and the room around him. With a weak and tired chuckle, he brought his hand back towards his head and combed his hair now with a faint smile on his face. "I guess why you would like it; but still strange."

Stepping back and looking at the bell once more before sighing and turning around, he placed one hand in his back pocket before walking to an elevator and getting on as he was transported to his floor. Once getting there he walked along the corridor which seemed to never end due to his vision and senses being distorted from his tiredness. However if one were to ask if he was tired, he would simply say 'No, I am not tired.' and go about his business. Once he made it to his room, he yawned greatly as he took out his key card and placed it in the slot; hearing the small 'beep' of approval of the door and the flashing of the green light, he placed his hand on the door handle and turned to as he forcefully tried to open the door. His energy was now completely gone as all of the sugar that he ate earlier wore off, leaving him feeling drained and completely exhausted. Once he got it opened, his vision was once again weak as he saw several distorted and blurry figures in his room. They were talking about something as his hearing was now absolutely nothing but muffled sounds. Then he remembered something: Soleil was still sleeping in his bed. And these people were here. Getting paranoid once again and angered, Shaun closed the door behind him as he locked at and looked at the ones standing near what appeared to be his roommate's bed and softly growled; the bunny that was sitting on the nightstand next to Sol was still watching him as it placed it's two front paws together to clean it's face before it suddenly stopped. With it's beady eyes, the blackness of them with a small golden flame was soon replaced by a sudden flash of light purple as it then hopped off of the nightstand and soon transformed into what appeared to be a big cat of sorts. Standing on the other side of where the dark figures were, the large cat softly rumbled and purred in anger as it stared at the ones near Soleil's bed with it's bright rose-colored eyes.

"...Here we go again with the standing in my room; now I would've been fine with only me in here, but seeing as a certain someone is in here as well, I think that there are absolutly no chances that I can take with him here." Shaun softly growled as the same malice that was with Allistor was now in his voice; this time with more force. "Now I want you to step away from that bed right now and get the hell out of this room in the next three seconds before I make sure that that cougar across from you make your already disgraceful, pitiful, and unwanted lives short-lived. Now let's start the countdown right now..." Shaun said as the cougar construct growled softly as it crouched down with it's bright rose eyes waited for the signal to pounce on it's prey. "One....Two...." He slowly said in his delirious and tired state.

"Three!" He exclaimed as soon after, the cougar construction growled loudly as it pounced on an empty bed, getting tangled up in the blankets and panicking, causing it to fall on the floor with a load thud. Looking in shock, Shaun blinked his eyes as his eyes were brought back to their original focus; he soon realized that here was nobody there but him and his construct. He rubbed his eyes and he looked around the room to see that there was nobody there with him. The dead silence that hung over him was only interrupted by the sudden sound of the air conditioning turning on.

"...What the hell just happened?" He said to himself as he leaned against the door and slid down, thinking about what just happened. He rubbed his face with his hands before deeply sighing. "Was I just hallucinating or something? I mean, I can't be that tired, can I? No...However...." He then looked up at the empty bed that Soleil was sleeping in and raised an eyebrow at it. Soon, his eyes grew bigger and he softly gasped. "What if he wasn't in his bed this whole time!? What if I just made the whole thing up!? Is this all just a dream? Have I've been dreaming and making up these Soleil, Allistor, Dominique people this whole time?!" He said as he got up from the ground and turned and opened it. "Am I on some type of drug!? Yeah...That has to be the case. I'm just in some asylum and the pills that the doctors gave me some pills to take? And this is the side effect?! That's it! I've gone insane!" He exclaimed as he opened the door to his room and exited it, trying not to panic. As he walked along the corridors, he began thinking about everything that has happened; everything that he had done in the past. Was it all just a facade? Was he really just imagining all of this? Slowly walking down the hallway of the hotel, he began to wonder whether or not if even this was all a dream. He felt along the walls to see if they were real. They felt real, yet he wasn't too sure anymore. He then began to panic, sweat excessively as his heart rate began to beat at a rapid pace. It looked as if he actually did take a drug and was suffering from the side effects. Making his way down several flights of stairs, he started to knock on the doors in the corridor, seeing if this was all just his imagination. Making his way to Rabbit's room, he knocked on the door and stood there, waiting to see if it were to answer. Not an answer. He knocked again, this time harder. As he anxiously waited for the door to answer, his hands began to sweat profusely as well as shake as he was met by only silence once more. I'm insane. I've gone completely insane. Rabbit was all just a figure of my imagination. Aria, Henry, Kasumi, everyone! It was all just my mind!

Shaun soon began to grow paler as he slowly walked to the next door. Standing in front of it, the pale, wet, and completely nervous wreak of the boy weakly knocked on the door next to Rabbit's and stood there, before sliding down the door and wrapping his arms around himself, still sweating, shaking, and breathing heavily. "It was all a joke....They weren't real...None of this is real...This was all just a figment of my twisted imagination...." He softly said to himself as he waited to wake up from his nightmare.

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

Now he knew why. Now he knew why she came to his bedroom, and slowly sneaked to his side. She was searching for love, at the only form she possibly knew. Henry kept holding her, as he felt she needed it, at least for now.

"Hikari, I... I deeply appreciate your concern, but... I can't believe that the only way you can get someone to love you is this way. You're such a beautiful, young and unique girl, that I can only see it as a lie.

And no, I don't want you to pretend that you are Aria, Hikari. Be... Yourself. You helped the school once, at the invasion, right? I heard about it. You were brave. See how many ways one person that isn't that close to you can find to describe you, Hikari? See how many qualities do you have?

I don't know your story, Hikari. But, recently, I knew of a story... Where a person believed that it was a bad one because people made this person feel that way, when it was the other way around. What I see in you here, right now, it's a good person that probably met with bad people, who... Used your good side and made you believe that you were the guilty one. That you were the bad one.

And how I know this? You could have answered like you were Aria. Instead you chose to tell me the truth. Now, I know that it... There's no way of saying it without sounding like someone with second intentions, but if you feel the need, you can sleep here. Seriously, I'm not angered at you."

"...You really mean that, don't you?" Hikari whispered, managing a tiny smile. "Even after this, you really think... that I'm something better than what I am. I wish I could believe that. But instead I just proved to both of us what I've known for so long... Thank you, anyway. I... I should go... I don't want to be a burden. If I can't help you... then I'll go."

Henry Von Kressel

"You didn't prove anything, Hikari. Who am I to judge you before I even know you properly? I don't have such... Authority. And yes, I really mean that. You are from Ignis as well, if I'm not mistaken. More than that, you're the... 'mother' of one of the most sympathetic beings I've ever known, Natalie, and someone dear to a person I consider as a younger brother. You're not a burden, Hikari. And I wish you could perceive in yourself what I just said."

Somewhat worried about what she could do to herself, Henry tried to make her stay, as he slightly pulled the blankets to the height of her shoulders, tucking her in.

"As I said before, you can sleep here if you want. Sleep, and don't mind about the rest. If you need anything, I'm here."

There wasn't much to do. It was clear to him that she lost faith on herself, and it was always a dangerous thing. He wasn't about going to ask about her past, but he knew it was certainly bad enough to leave such emotional scars on her.

[Charlia]

"...You really mean that, don't you?" Hikari whispered, managing a tiny smile. "Even after this, you really think... that I'm something better than what I am. I wish I could believe that. But instead I just proved to both of us what I've known for so long... Thank you, anyway. I... I should go... I don't want to be a burden. If I can't help you... then I'll go."

Henry Von Kressel

"You didn't prove anything, Hikari. Who am I to judge you before I even know you properly? I don't have such... Authority. And yes, I really mean that. You are from Ignis as well, if I'm not mistaken. More than that, you're the... 'mother' of one of the most sympathetic beings I've ever known, Natalie, and someone dear to a person I consider as a younger brother. You're not a burden, Hikari. And I wish you could perceive in yourself what I just said."

Somewhat worried about what she could do to herself, Henry tried to make her stay, as he slightly pulled the blankets to the height of her shoulders, tucking her in.

"As I said before, you can sleep here if you want. Sleep, and don't mind about the rest. If you need anything, I'm here."

There wasn't much to do. It was clear to him that she lost faith on herself, and it was always a dangerous thing. He wasn't about going to ask about her past, but he knew it was certainly bad enough to leave such emotional scars on her.

"...Thank you," she whispered again, and allowed herself to relax slightly, lying back down and closing her eyes.

"Thank you for not being angry with me..."

I wish I could believe you.

I wish I could believe... in anything...

[Chrome Legion]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


All six of Tsukuyomi's eyes snapped to focus on the one challenging her. Her mouth opened in a wide smile, far wider than a human mouth would allow, and her own rows of razor sharp teeth showed. Her butterfly like wings fluttered and twitched behind her.

"Now child, what exactly do you think I'm lying about? I will gladly explain. And now you say that you mother placed you here? I assume you mean Solaine Rise? That is certainly interesting."