[It has been a week, and still there has been no sign of either Odette or Ashelin. They're gone, and from what Phoenix has seen, it's unlikely that they'll come back
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[Silence can be the worst punishment if all. Silence gives you time to think and reflect, to replay everything on your mind. Things you've done, things you've left undone, and things you can't change. Its stifling, thundering, and unforgiving - and sometimes filled with screams only she can hear
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[The relief Phoenix feels when Anna opens her door is quickly eclipsed by startled alarm at her appearance.]
Anna?
[He steps forward and reaches out to take hold of her shoulder, peering into her eyes. His expression sharpens with worry when he notices the dark circles under her eyes, her pale, unhealthy skin, and the hollow deadness in her eyes.]
[She doesn't meet his eyes, and she doesn't register his hand on her shoulder. Instead, her eyes are fixed in a blank state somewhere over his left shoulder.]
I'm fine.
[ Her voice cracks, and it sounds hollow, even to her.]
[If Anna is hoping that Phoenix will believe that, she's even worse than appearances would seem. Phoenix frowns, then steps into her room, toward her, and presses a hand to her neck. Does she have a fever? How strong is her pulse?]
No, you are not. Are you cold? Hot? Do you feel any dizziness or nausea? When was the last time you ate?
[She opens her mouth to protest him coming into her room, but then his hands are on her, and he's showing her concern she knows she doesn't deserve. Anna can feel herself flinching, shrinking back and away from it. She's cold and clammy, but not 'sick' in the normal physical sense.]
I-I'm fine, truly.
[It's such a horrible lie, but its best her go. It isn't safe for anyone to be around her anymore. For the first time since her arrival, Anna wants to go home.]
[It's a terrible lie, and Phoenix doesn't even dignify it with a response. Instead, he reaches back to close the door, the starts to guide Anna toward her bed.]
You should sit down. Do you have a glass in your room, or a bottle of water?
[She is moved in the direction of her bed, but she is far too weak to put up any sort of resistance.]
You...you should go. It would be best.
[Even as she says it, her eyes are stinging with tears that are threatening to spill, and it feels like her heart has shattered into millions of fragments.]
[Those gathering tears do not escape Phoenix's attention - but they do, however, change his course of action. No, perhaps she isn't sick. But there is still obviously cause for concern.
As he guides her to sit on her bed, he sits down as well, then shifts his arm to wrap around her shoulders.]
[He's going to hate her, this she knows. The second he finds out she lost control, he'll hate her, despise her, and never speak to her again. It's no less than what she deserves, but the thought is enough to make the tears fall, especially as she feels arm an slip around her.]
It...I didn't mean -
[She shudders, and shrinks away from him, moving to curl into a fetal position as far from him as possible.]
[Something is very wrong. Phoenix gravely considers her for a moment, but he doesn't try to stop her from pulling away. Instead he shifts his position to sit closer to her side, then he reaches out to run his fingers through her hair. Without saying a word, he slowly and gently unravels the tangles, occasionally letting his fingers brush against her shoulders and neck. Maybe she just needs a chance to be soothed.]
[He isn't leaving, and Anna buries her face into a pillow, muffling her sobs. She can't seem to stop her tears now, and the fact he is being so kind to someone as unworthy as her only fuels her emotions. She would have never wanted anyone to see her like this, but she finds it doesn't matter anymore. Soon enough, everyone will know her for what she really is.
Eventually, she manages to stop the rain of tears for a few moments.]
[He isn't going to leave without a good reason - and maybe not even then. Regardless, he continues his task with singleminded and methodical patience. For a moment, he wishes he'd brought his comb.
[He can feel the condition of her hair, neglected and unwashed, and her pallor and weak resistance make it difficult for him to think that she's eaten much at all anytime recently.]
[She goes quiet. Phoenix is right, it really isn't best for her, but then again...it really doesn't matter what's best for her.]
...
A...little, yes.
[Extremely thirsty, but...she hadn't moved much since returning from the blackness of death to here on her mattress, completely nude. It hadn't mattered about that, she hadn't had anything on her when she died. Keeping silence was what had mattered, avoiding people to keep those she cared about safe.]
Wait here. I'll come back with something to drink.
[She had not answered the question about a glass or bottle of water, but Phoenix trusts that she, like him, will likely have obtained one or the other so that she would have have to go all the way to the nearest buffet or restaurant simply to get a drink.
Sure enough, when he gets up and checks the bathroom, he finds a glass by her sink. He fills it most of the way, then comes back and sits on the edge of her bed, holding it out for her.]
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Anna?
[He steps forward and reaches out to take hold of her shoulder, peering into her eyes. His expression sharpens with worry when he notices the dark circles under her eyes, her pale, unhealthy skin, and the hollow deadness in her eyes.]
What happened? Are you ill?
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I'm fine.
[ Her voice cracks, and it sounds hollow, even to her.]
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No, you are not. Are you cold? Hot? Do you feel any dizziness or nausea? When was the last time you ate?
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I-I'm fine, truly.
[It's such a horrible lie, but its best her go. It isn't safe for anyone to be around her anymore. For the first time since her arrival, Anna wants to go home.]
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You should sit down. Do you have a glass in your room, or a bottle of water?
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[She is moved in the direction of her bed, but she is far too weak to put up any sort of resistance.]
You...you should go. It would be best.
[Even as she says it, her eyes are stinging with tears that are threatening to spill, and it feels like her heart has shattered into millions of fragments.]
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As he guides her to sit on her bed, he sits down as well, then shifts his arm to wrap around her shoulders.]
What is it? What happened, Anna?
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It...I didn't mean -
[She shudders, and shrinks away from him, moving to curl into a fetal position as far from him as possible.]
Please...just...go, mon ami.
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Eventually, she manages to stop the rain of tears for a few moments.]
You...should go.
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[He isn't going to leave without a good reason - and maybe not even then. Regardless, he continues his task with singleminded and methodical patience. For a moment, he wishes he'd brought his comb.
No matter. His fingers will have to do.]
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It...it would just be best for you to do so. Please.
[She doesn't want him too, but he needs to, for his own safety.]
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[He can feel the condition of her hair, neglected and unwashed, and her pallor and weak resistance make it difficult for him to think that she's eaten much at all anytime recently.]
Are you thirsty?
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...
A...little, yes.
[Extremely thirsty, but...she hadn't moved much since returning from the blackness of death to here on her mattress, completely nude. It hadn't mattered about that, she hadn't had anything on her when she died. Keeping silence was what had mattered, avoiding people to keep those she cared about safe.]
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Wait here. I'll come back with something to drink.
[She had not answered the question about a glass or bottle of water, but Phoenix trusts that she, like him, will likely have obtained one or the other so that she would have have to go all the way to the nearest buffet or restaurant simply to get a drink.
Sure enough, when he gets up and checks the bathroom, he finds a glass by her sink. He fills it most of the way, then comes back and sits on the edge of her bed, holding it out for her.]
Here. Drink it slowly.
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