73 [Video]

[marsfireignite]

[Rei is sitting on the floor, her knees to her chest. Her back is pressed against an invisible wall -- a chamber, of sorts, made out of energy. She is perfectly still, breathing slow and even, her eyes fixated on whatever is in front of her

Comments

[offline]

[iceandivory]

No, you're not.

[Hino, you're trapped in a box. On a public feed. Saying you're fine.]

[offline]

[marsfireignite]

[She doesn't bother tossing him the withering look that she knows is in her somewhere. Instead, her shoulders slump and her fingers press into her forehead.]

I'm in my right mind.

[It's said tiredly, as a correction.]

[offline]

[iceandivory]

I suppose.

[He sighs from his spot a short distance away.]

Are you so sure this is your right mind, and not what happened before.

[offline]

[marsfireignite]

[She's silent for a moment or two before putting her hands in her lap, letting her legs stretch out in front of her, and she looks away.]

...everything I told her was true. All of my actions were things I've wanted to do, but didn't. The only affected part of me was my self-control.

I would have killed her if you hadn't stopped me.

[She sounds disgusted with herself.]

[offline]

[iceandivory]

I wouldn't have minded.

[i.e. You're the one who cares here, Rei. That's the difference between then and now.]

[offline]

[marsfireignite]

[That gets a lip-twitch, barely, before she pulls her knees to her chest again, to rest her chin on top of them.]

...I'm not a murderer.

[She sucks in a quick breath.]

I -- thank you.

[offline]

[iceandivory]

Never let that change.

[Ignoring the thanks. At least one of them has to be able to keep saying they're not a murderer. And it's way too late for Hitsugaya.]

[offline]

[marsfireignite]

[She's silent for a long moment, fingers curling into her legs. She idly wondered whether or not it would be possible, in this place -- to never take a life. Self-defense was different -- Rei had always stoutly believed that. But to lash out in revenge -- or a premeditated strike? The thought made her skin crawl. The responsibility and burden of that life follows you.

And it had nearly been Jinx.

Finally, she nods, exhaling shakily.]

I won't. -- I can't.

[offline]

[iceandivory]

[Most people, Hitsugaya wouldn't set free until this entire ordeal is over. Most people, Hitsugaya would expect to put on an act and drop it the moment they're able. But Hino Rei isn't most people.

He closes his eyes, lifting two fingers near his nose. After softly muttering a few lines, the bakudou dissipates.]

[offline]

[marsfireignite]

[She nearly tips backwards -- but catches herself as the cage breaks apart, her hands landing soundly on the ground to steady herself. Rei looks startled -- she honestly hadn't expected him to release her until she proved herself more than capable of being able to handle whatever was happening.

She doesn't get up quite yet, though, and Rei shifts to properly sit against the wall, making no movement to leave.]

...thanks for not locking me up in ice instead.

[offline]

[iceandivory]

I'm going to kill you to stop you from being killed.

[offline]

[marsfireignite]

Shut up.

[It's said tiredly.]

...he needs to be stopped, Toushirou.

[offline]

[iceandivory]

Not by you. And not by your unprofessional posse of angels.

[His tone is even, determined not to give anything away.]

[offline]

[marsfireignite]

I don't care who it is.

[She closes her eyes suddenly. Idly poking into Castiel's future. But nothing appeared. He was still lost to the Animus.]

He needs to be stopped.

[offline]

[iceandivory]

Of course.

[offline]

[marsfireignite]

[Rei is quiet for a few more seconds.]

...Cas didn't stand a chance against whatever killed him.

[It's quiet, and Rei looks away.]

I need to find who did it.