[audio] - backdated to the 6th, a few hours after Kloe's post

[angha_firebird]

[A frustrated, enraged scream is heard first--sounding mostly reptillian. Then deep, rasping breaths as Aara tries to calm down.]

This has to stop. These deaths... these attacks, they have to stop!

[A strangled whimper is drawn from Aara's throat.]

What good is this doing us? We could very well be all we have left.

[The blood. The countless,

Comments

[Audio]

[lightyourway]

Aara?

[For a moment, Kairi is so startled by the scream that she isn't even sure it's Aara.]

Are you okay?

[Audio]

[angha_firebird]

[A deep, calming breath as she tries to center herself.]

I am whole, and in one piece, if that is what you are asking.

[Aara winces. Her anger is making her sound harsh. She hesitates to a moment, awkwardly, wondering what she could say.]

How do the people of your world deal with death? Revenge? Is it not supposed to be hard for everyone?

[There is a hitch in her breath, a soft vulnerability in her tone.]

[Audio]

[lightyourway]

[It wasn't what she was asking, and for a moment Kairi frowns at the tone.]

Mm, it's hard. People change.

[They give in to anger and hate and resentment, bitterness and rivalry. And they risk everything that's important to them along the way. But she can't talk about that. She'll never talk about that.]

Sometimes there's nothing you can do. You just have to believe it'll get better and be there to help them find the way back.

[Audio]

[angha_firebird]

Change for better or for worse, I wonder? Even so, how does one stay strong?

[Aara's tone was quiet as she pondered that aloud.]

The way back...

[Audio]

[lightyourway]

Hope.

You have to keep hoping. That keeps you strong.

[angha_firebird]

...

...

Hope...