You can be addicted to a certain kind of sadness

[leekspin]

WHO: Orihime Inoue, OPEN
WHAT: FOREVER ALONE
WHEN: January 4, 2013 - Dusk
WHERE: Genessia - Garden Park Apartments - Roof

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[frozenrosedrops]

The snow around the building slowly got thicker, so much so that it would be hard to notice, especially if someone was sitting outside the building, just watching it come down. Gradual and soft, it got colder for just a moment or two as the moon poked through the clouds, shining a little light on the roof and the town.

In front of Orihime, something flapped suddenly, a flurry of feathers covered in snow. But it appeared again, gliding this time, coming to rest in front of her, not a snow-covered bird, but a snow falcon, of white feathers and intelligent eyes, coming to a stop in front of her, cocking its head to the side. It made a small warbling noise, as if making sure it had her attention.

[leekspin]

Orihime raised her head, blinking. A hawk? But what would a hawk be doing up here on the rooftop? There was nothing for it to eat.

"What's this?" she questioned softly, more than a little curious. She held herself very still, not wanting to scare the creature. She'd never been this close to a large bird of prey before.

Perhaps if she'd seen the warning video given a few days ago, she might have known better than to just sit and stare at the falcon.

All she knew was that she had some unexpected company, and that was kind of nice, in that it took her mind off of her guilt for the moment. "Ah, sorry, I don't have any food for you!" she apologized with a sheepish grin.

[frozenrosedrops]

The falcon peered at her again, and then shook out its wings, before leaping into the air again. It did not go far though, coming to land upon the shoulder of a beautiful woman who was standing on the roof with Orihime. Her long hair, in graceful curls down her back, was pure silvery white, almost blending into her gown and her cloak.

Her lips, red as a rose, were almost touched by a smile, and she had an aura about her that made her fascinating. She reached up one hand and stroked the bird's feathers, the falcon chirping again, nuzzling her hand.

"All is well, Maltese."

Looking back at Orihime, she walked forward a couple of steps, "But that was quite kind, offering him food in a storm."

[leekspin]

Orihime stood up, blinking. There was someone else up here? Well, the woman was all dressed in white, so it could have been that she'd been here all along and Orihime just hadn't noticed. Still, it was surprising!

Maltese... Oh, so it wasn't a hawk, it was a falcon. Orihime felt a little sheepish about that, but at least she hadn't mistakenly called him as such. It was actually pretty cute, too, displaying so much affection.

"Oh. Thank you," she smiled wryly, rubbing the back of her head. "I'm glad Maltese-chan has someone to look after him. Hunting in winter is probably very difficult."

[frozenrosedrops]

"He is better at it than you might suspect," the woman replied, still moving forward, slowly.

Her expression changed, one of gentle sadness, the closer she got to Orihime. "But I doubt you were here to look for the random snow falcon. This place...this is a place for sadness. For solitude and quiet reflection. I know such places very well."

The woman's hands glowed blue, and a cloak of white fur appeared in her hands. Walking forward, so close that even in the whirling snow that was now getting ready to scream around them, so violent and blinding it had become. She draped the cloak over Orihime's shoulders gently, making sure it was carefully fastened in place.

"There you go. You looked a little chilly."

[leekspin]

Orihime's eyes widened a little, before her gaze dropped with a subdued bob of her head. The lady was very perceptive. "I was thoughtless in the way I treated a friend of mine. I ruined our friendship because of it."

She paused in her confession (why was it so easy to open up to this person?), watching in dumbfounded amazement as the heavy fur cloak was created out of thin air. As soon as it was on her shoulders, she felt warm and loved.

She smiled, looking up at the woman in white. "Arigatou," she said. "Do you want to come inside for some tea? Maltese-chan can come too."

[frozenrosedrops]

"Grief, it can be so painful. And strangely enough, that kind of pain should kill us, and yet we live through it. We survive. And it rests there like a sliver of glass in our hearts."

That strange little almost-smile returned after putting the cloak over her shoulders, "You're very welcome, Orihime."

The woman wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders, "A very kind offer, but I think we should visit my home. My palace is but a simple trip away. We'll be there before you blink twice. And then I will show you something amazing."

[leekspin]

Ordinarily, Orihime wouldn't have had a problem with this. She liked the woman, and she liked the falcon. She'd also grown more comfortable with her own abilities and powers.

But somehow this person had known her name. She was beginning to think that the snow lady wasn't merely 'perceptive'. Had she been monitoring Orihime all this time? Was she in league with that strange white-eyed man who had taken everyone hostage?

Orihime looked up at her. "How did you know my name?"

[frozenrosedrops]

"Forgive me, that was rude," the woman said without skipping a beat.

"Some people can know what another is thinking. I have always been able to know what is in a person's heart. Everyone who knows who they are carries their own name in their heart. I apologize for startling you."

She attempting another smile, though it was sad, pained, "You may call me Snow if you wish. An old nickname from many years ago. But the offer still stands. I love sharing the beauty of my home with others."

[leekspin]

'Snow?' Orihime supposed that was about as appropriate a name as one could get, all things considered. Still...

Still...

The woman seemed genuinely sad, even lonely. Considering her own mood, Orihime was loathe to reject someone with similar feelings. "I suppose a visit would be okay," she smiled, and inclined her head. "It's nice to meet you, Snow-san." She wasn't sure if -sama was more appropriate, so she decided to err on the side of normality for now until she was corrected.

[frozenrosedrops]

That was all that Orihime had to say. The snow flurries got thick around them, but that arm around her shoulders kept her warm. When they parted, they were somewhere else entirely, a castle that looked as if it were made of crystal, though it was truly just clear, pure ice.

It was cold, but the cloak about her shoulders was warm and comforting, and the woman next to her took her hand gently, her skin chilled, as if there was no life in it at all.

"This is my home, Orihime."

The hallways and rooms were beautifully decorated, as a castle should have been though all the furniture and wall hangings were in blue, silver and white. There were also mirrors everywhere. She guided the girl to a set of steps.

"At the top of the tower is the most precious thing in this entire castle. Will you come see it?"

[leekspin]

So this was a real castle. Orihime liked it far better than most castles she'd been too (only Axel's was nicer), but the vast amounts of white decor weren't exactly comforting. Hueco Mundo had been mostly white too.

Nonetheless, she couldn't deny that the furnishings were elegant and very beautiful. She admired everything openly with wide eyes.

Her biggest concern was just how cold Snow's hand seemed to be. She looked down at the slender fingers that grasped her own, and out of a need to help, she put her other hand on top of Snow's in hope of driving off the chill. Just how long had Snow been out in that blizzard?

As they came to the steps, Orihime looked up. "If you like, I'd be happy to see it. What is it?"

[frozenrosedrops]

"The...apple of my eye," Snow replied with one of her almost smiles

[leekspin]

Of all the things Orihime had expected to see, this was not one of them. "Your son..." she repeated in a soft hush. She didn't question why she was being shown the child. She could think of a number of good reasons -- Orihime was adept at healing, for one; for another, Snow had said that she could see into the hearts of people so perhaps this was her way of sharing their regrets.

It was no wonder Snow smiled so sadly. It was a wonder she smiled at all.

Orihime stepped forward, looking at the child. "What happened to him, Snow-san?" she asked quietly. "Is he sick?" She didn't want to ask if he was deceased.

[frozenrosedrops]

"He was cursed. I suppose we all were."

Snow released the girl's hand and stepped back, as if watching for something to happen. But nothing really did as Orihime stepped forward, closer to the suspended coffin. The woman behind her sighed quietly.

"He'll sleep forever, until I can find the purest of pure hearts. But it seems you are not the one to break the spell."

The air got colder in the tower, though the cloak would keep Orihime warm enough against it. Snow's fingers found her shoulder again.

"One more failure."

[leekspin]

"So that's why you invited me here." Orihime looked at the boy's sleeping face. She couldn't feel angry or resentful because of that. Any true parent would go to any lengths to rescue their child, and no harm had been done.

Orihime looked over her shoulder with an apologetic smile, and inclined her head. "I'm sorry. I could try to use my powers, but I don't know if they work against curses." A lot of what she could do seemed to be lessened without the ability to utilize her willpower along with it.

"Ne...who delivered this curse? Are they here in this world?"