78 [Video] Forwarded to the dawn.

[marsfireignite]

[When she had seen the image, she had thought it wasn't real. Why would she believe it? The very nature of this event was to see people die -- it was just a hallucination. A horrific, horrid, terrible hallucination, but a hallucination all the same. Still, Rei had a feeling in the very bottom of her heart that something was not right -- so she set

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[marsfireignite]

[She draws her coat a little closer around her, to give her hands something to do. She knew he was right. The likelihood of Toushirou forgetting her -- her, of all people -- is low. But what if it is? They were the ones who first organized the infiltration into the Inner City, to disturb the Animus. What if they decided to enact revenge on them just for spite?

-- she was being stupid. But she can't help it.]

I don't even know why we get along.

[It's said suddenly, as she tightens the coat a little more. There's only another pause before Rei starts talking. It's fast, and she's really just talking just to talk, but the more she talks, the thicker her words get, until by the end of it, she's trying not to cry.]

He's an idiot and stubborn and reckless and takes himself way too seriously and it's his way or no way at all and he's a jerk and we spend most of our time yelling at each other and he needs to get punched in the face on a good day and he can't take a joke and half of the time he just lectures me on stupid things that I already know because he's a captain and he knows things and --

[She sucks in a breath before she presses her head into her hands, fingers threading into her hair, before she mumbles the rest.]

I can't deal with this place without him.

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[wingsandwill]

[He's silent, letting her just talk; he doesn't know what to say, and he remembers when Anna left such a short time ago, how just talking itself was somehow enough. When she finishes, he looks over at her again, still not speaking for a few moments.]

You could. But likely you will not have to.

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[marsfireignite]

[She quite nearly laughs, but it doesn't quite make it. Toushirou would kill her if he ever heard any of this -- why would you say something so meaningless and stupid? -- but the thought of him not coming back makes her heart ache. Physically ache. And Rei tries to think of any fight she's had to fight where she didn't have to ask Hitsugaya Toushirou for help and her response comes to a big... fat zero.

She even went to Hitsugaya to ask whether or not Castiel was trustworthy. Not that Cas ever needs to know that. But she did. And he told her no. Good to know he's not infallible.

She's quiet for a moment more.]

If he's gone for half as long as you were, I'm going to kill him again when he gets back.

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[wingsandwill]

[He gives her a look at that comment, and his version of a shrug. As much as he doesn't like Hitsugaya, it's for minor reasons; he doesn't think the shinigami is in any way bad, and clearly he means something to Rei. So eventually he responds with a simple comment.]

I find it unlikely he would choose to be, so retribution would be unwarranted.

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[marsfireignite]

[Her lip twitches slightly, into a tiny smile, and she sniffs quickly and wipes her eyes.]

Unwarranted, right.

[It's quiet, and faintly amused, before she takes a deep breath, to calm her nerves.]

He made me cry, I think it's warranted.

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[wingsandwill]

[Castiel thinks seriously about this a moment.]

It might be.

[Sorry Hitsugaya, he's changed his mind. Making Rei cry is indeed a bad thing.]

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[marsfireignite]

[She snorts to herself slightly, brushing her hair out of her face with a barely there smile.]

Maybe. We'll see how I feel when he wakes up.

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[wingsandwill]

[He nods, then sits there next to her silently for a few minutes. At least she'd smiled, if barely.]

Is there... I'm supposed to offer something.

[What, he's not sure. Help? Condolences? He doesn't bother to guess, just telling Rei flat out he doesn't know. She'll understand.]

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[marsfireignite]

[She looks over at him, as he spoke, before a tired laugh escapes.]

You ask someone 'Is there anything I can do?' when someone is upset. And you're already doing it, before you ask.

[A hug and someone to listen to her is really all she needs in order to not go completely insane.]

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[wingsandwill]

[Oh. Okay. At least he's already helping, though, apparently.]

I will remember that.

[He says it mostly because he doesn't know what else to say in response.]

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[marsfireignite]

At least it's a good thing to remember.

[She pauses before leaning on his shoulder, drawing in a breath.]

Don't go near anyone dangerous this week.

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[wingsandwill]

I don't intend to. I have seen enough of this event.

[And he feels like he should keep an eye on her. She's stuck with him the rest of the week; he has sigil work to do anything. Screw the outdoors and the stupid gravestones.]

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[marsfireignite]

I think everyone has.

[She's quiet before closing her eyes.]

I talked to my mom. She looked different from how I remember her. I guess it's how she looked before she got really sick.

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[wingsandwill]

[He glances over at her.]

Is that good?

[He doesn't know and he can't tell; he would think it might be, but Rei certainly didn't seem pleased about the event or about her mother being here, in a way.]

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[marsfireignite]

She shouldn't be here. It's wrong.

[Pause.]

But it was nice to say hi, I guess. Even if it wasn't real.

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[wingsandwill]

[He's quiet again at that.]

I haven't tried speaking with one of the hallucinations.

[But now, he's tempted. One in particular comes to his mind; his brother, Uriel. Things are so different now, and Castiel wonders, truly, why Uriel had done what he'd done. Maybe he'd understand if he had a chance to listen, even if he didn't agree.]