Twenty-Second Strike - [Action]

[not_klonoa]

[End of classes usually signals happy, excited chatter and the footsteps of many different students, young and old, as they exit the school building to head home for the day and begin homework or other daily activities like work, chores, or just other hobbies. One student, however, lingers in the playground as the last of the people trickle out

Comments

[corrinesbell]

[Sheena is slowly making her way home today. She feels well enough to stand a move around, and she figured the walk home would be juuuust enough to allow her to put up with a few more days spent mostly in bed. Plus Zelos brought her proper clothes for winter, so it's not like she's going to freeze, this time.

She may not spot Presea right away, since she's focusing on the walk.]

[not_klonoa]

[Presea can hear Sheena rather than see her, and though she, too, is so deep in thought and trying to think of just what it is she could possibly do, Presea does quickly glance out of the corner of her eye. It's a quick glance, one that doesn't register the young ninja at that moment, but once it does, Presea turns her head and looks up, mild surprise on her face.]

Sheena? You have been returned!

[corrinesbell]

[she looks up kind of quickly, smiling when she sees who it is]

Hey Presea. ...Yeah, it was a couple days ago.

[is that an open adjacent swing? Also known as a seat? She's going to come and sit in it, weary already. She's still got some fading bruises]

Figures Zelos didn't tell anybody.

[not_klonoa]

[Presea was about to just go over and assist her friend, eyes already zeroing in on the blackened skin. Just a couple of days ago? And she was still in this condition? Sheena shouldn't be walking.]

You are injured...

[corrinesbell]

It's not as bad as it looks. [that might be a lie. She doesn't care right now, it's nice to just get out of there] And I'm on my way home to just get back in bed, anyway.

...How're you doing?

[not_klonoa]

[Presea nodded slowly, though she didn't seem convinced. Regardless of Sheena's appearance, the little girl would still accompany her home. Presea should head home anyway, she'd been out for some time after classes were supposedly let out, after all.]

I...am coping with what you have informed me of as best as I can. It is difficult, but...I will be all right.

[corrinesbell]

...I really messed things up for you by telling you all that, didn't I? I'm really sorry.

[not_klonoa]

No...it was not because of you, Sheena. I...I am thankful you informed me of everything. Had I still not known, I would have found answers from others. You are not to blame for the crimes other committed. I take no ill will towards you...

[Just the ones who tortured and killed Alicia. Somehow, some way, Presea would make them pay for it. For putting her sister through the same torment she went through.]

[corrinesbell]

[at least she was sparing on the details.]

...But you just don't seem okay.

[not_klonoa]

...I will be all right. It was very startling to discover. Do not concern yourself over me, Sheena. ...You should worry over your own injuries. You need rest once we have returned.

[She can even make something to warm her up, too.]

[corrinesbell]

I'm your friend, Presea. I can't just not care that you're feeling like that.

[not_klonoa]

I...I understand. [She pauses, gripping her hands together over her chest and looking away.] I simply do not know what I can do. More than anything...I want to punish those who tormented Alicia and took her life. ...But I cannot. I remain here. It is frustrating...

[Frustrating when you're trapped, and want revenge.]

[corrinesbell]

[...Oh man. This could go badly if she does find out who killed Alicia.]

Well...if it helps, we do find the answers eventually.

[not_klonoa]

[Presea looks up, staring at her friend for a moment, as if about to ask who it was or what happened. In the end, however, she closes her mouth and looks down again.]

...Thank you, Sheena, but I no longer wish to compromise my future by what I may learn from others. I may again seek answers to my questions, but...for now I do not wish to know more that I already do.

[She didn't want to have to cope with anything else. And she wanted to figure out the answers for herself. If she wasn't returned home in due time, then, once she's learned to cope a little, she may ask again.]

[corrinesbell]

I wasn't gonna tell you more than that. I just...didn't want you to think it'd be...unresolved forever.

[and that's it. Sheena looks down, too.]

[not_klonoa]

...I am glad you hear that.

[She really is. It takes a good amount of weight from her shoulders. So much so, that Presea almost seems to sag a little. If she at least saw that Alicia's killer was put to justice, then...then her sister could rest peacefully, right? That should be enough...right?]

Thank you, Sheena...for informing me as much as you have. I...I do not regret knowing.