2 ❧ ran to a tower where the church bells chime; I hoped that they would clear my mind

[headedforhope]

[ A | Home (briefly), Mayfield Public Library, Malt Shop, John Doe Park, Cosplay Cafe; Jacques' Roller Rink; Mami wakes up far earlier than she needs to on a Sunday. But then, it's not Mother's Day everyday, and right now she can't stand being inside the house longer than is absolutely necessary. All it will do is remind her of her own home, the

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C

[flameyedhunter]

[Have another girl sitting in the church, looking pensive.]

[headedforhope]

[After a time, when the moment of reflection has passed (but with it, none of the tightness in her chest) Mami lifts her head and becomes aware of the other girl's presence.

She doesn't say anything yet, though, just watches her warily.]

[flameyedhunter]

[Shana looks over to Mami, and says very quietly.]

Something wrong?

[headedforhope]

[Her eyes become hard enough to cut, just for a moment.]

I think that's something I should be asking you.

[flameyedhunter]

[She shrugs, and some of her self-possession returns.]

Fair enough. I was just thinking about my mother, and looking for the only person here who reminded me at all of her.

[headedforhope]

Isn't that painful?

[flameyedhunter]

Not really. It's comforting to see her and be reminded of home a little.

[She smiles at Mami slightly]

[headedforhope]

[She returns the smile even though hers is fake, rigid around the edges but otherwise perfect.]

I suppose we all have our differences when this holiday is concerned.

[flameyedhunter]

Hmmm, what does it mean to you then?

[headedforhope]

Aren't you being a little familiar, for a stranger?

[She smiles, but the warning couldn't be more clear. Mami leans back in the pew, eyes casing over.]

I'm just remarking on the fact. There are probably several here who can't wait for this day to be over and find every..."reminder"...to be something hurtful.

[flameyedhunter]

Probably. But this town forces a certain familiarity by the nature of our imprisonment here.

[She shrugs.]

I've learned to deal with it.

I can understand that, but... well, I never knew my -actual- parents anyway. Just the people who raised me, so my perspective is probably more detached to begin with.

[That and as a Flame Haze she just doesn't care all that much, most of the time.]

[headedforhope]

So it's something you just accept? Many would call that surrender.

Ah, I see. You have my condolences, if they'd help any.

[flameyedhunter]

The familiarity isn't so bad. The imprisonment itself is what I'm concerned about. Also, I've learned the danger of facing this town's dangers alone. It will get you dead, or worse.

[She nods, accepting the condolences with some degree of good grace.]

[headedforhope]

I would think that there are few things worse than death. [She says as one who fears it, who paid heavily- if unwittedly -to avoid it] Did you work alone before, at whatever it was that you did?

[flameyedhunter]

I'm never alone, actually. Because of the nature of what I do, I'm always with my contractor.

But beyond him, yes, I did for a while. It wasn't until other people reached out to me, that I started becoming as powerful as I had the potential to be though.

[headedforhope]

Then you're incredibly fortunate, miss. And I say that with complete sincerity.