[42nd Replay]

[badend_replay]

[ private ; though, her housemates and anyone creeping outside the house may hear her talking to herself at around midnight, because she's saying this while chilling on the window sill... with grape juice. Though she's tempted to switch to wine again. ]

As I suspected. The figures of power in this town do not seem to work together. Even that

Comments

action;

[lotuslife]

[She owes an apology to Rika, too. So she gently pushes the door of her not!daughter's room open. She's holding two bottles- one is wine, one is vodka. The former is not of the brand Rika particularly loves, of course, but she gave it a try.]

Rika?

Re: action;

[badend_replay]

[ Rika turns to face her. She flinches, a bit scared. ]

Sen.
Why are you up at this hour?

[lotuslife]

...I have trouble sleeping.

[her head drops a bit.] Please invite me in.

[badend_replay]

[ She still hesitates. But slowly, uses her twisted logic to forgive Vietnam. This Vietnam isn't That one. ]

... Then you are welcome in my room. I myself am having difficulty sleeping.

[lotuslife]

[She's got a few cups with her, and sets about carefully setting everything down on Rika's desk. She uncaps the wine bottle and begins to pour, but her hand is shaking and she sets it down.

The moment she does that, though, tears begin dripping down her face. She's completely silent, not even shaking, and there's even a vague smile on her face- but it doesn't change the fact that she's crying. She turns away from Rika.]

[badend_replay]

[ Rika listens to the sound of the wine being poured. Seeing the older woman crying, however, breaks Rika's habit of just quietly watching. She was not expecting that. ]

Sen... [ And now realizes how selfish she has been, only pitying herself over this. ] ... I am sorry.

[lotuslife]

Please forgive me, Rika. I've been ungrateful. [she's still looking away.] I owe you a great deal here, and I have never shown it. I want to protect you, but I haven't been able to do even that.

[badend_replay]

You... [ Now Rika's looking down. She only knows she's crying because tears are dropping into her grape juice cup. ]

... have no reason to ask for forgiveness, as you are forgiven. I have been just as ungrateful, I... want to protect be able to protect you as well, yet I have been unable to do any such thing for you. I should be asking forgiveness from you.

[lotuslife]

...You don't need to feel that way, Rika. [she brushes the back of her hand across her eyes.] After all, I'm supposed to be your mother, aren't I?

[badend_replay]

... And I am meant to be your daughter.

[ she sets her cup down to dab at her own eyes. Seeing her tears makes her pause again. ]

...

I am glad that you are back to being yourself. I had missed you, Sen-mama.

[lotuslife]

[she turns towards Rika and holds her arms open, silently.]

[badend_replay]

[ She stares quietly for a moment. Then hops off her ledge and walks over to give Sen a silent hug. She's too tough to cry. ]

[lotuslife]

[She hugs her close, a hand settling gently at Rika's hair to stroke it soothingly.]