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

Comments

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.

A

[imoutosnake]

[ Nadeko just happens to be making a walk in the park at the same time as Mami is - she doesn't have any special connection with Mother's day, even if she does miss her own mom a little. But a walk outside in the fresh air is enough to clear her mind from that.

When she spots the other girl, a tiny smile appears on her face. She doesn't know that much people here yet, so it's good to see someone whose name she at least knows. ]

A-ah, Tomoe-san! Good afternoon!

[headedforhope]

[Mami turns gratefully, a little too quickly toward the sound of her name spoken in Nadeko's voice; she was here to be distracted, if just for awhile, and she'll take whatever she can get.]

...Sengoku-san, hello! Isn't today such a pretty spring day?

[imoutosnake]

[ The smile is a little contagious, so it doesn't take much for Nadeko to smile as well. She doesn't even really notice that it might be a bit too eager from the other girl's side. ]

That's right.. It's only May, but the weather is already nice, isn't it?

[headedforhope]

Yes, perfect for being outside...I'm so glad it's the weekend, you know? I'm not sure I'd be able to concentrate if I had to be in a classroom, knowing that I'd be missing out on this.

[breathes in deep with obvious satisfaction; the air is warm, full of the scent of things growing- picturesque.]

C

[expiatrice]

[If she spent more time at "home" - as artificial it was, and bothered to take a single moment to ask any of her two "siblings", Mami would have been informed that her assigned mother rarely came home before dinnertime even if school ends early in the afternoon for a simple reason, and it's not secret in the least

[headedforhope]

[After a few more moments of quiet thought, before Ciel begins her return to the front of the building, Mami tilts her head back to stare up at the ceiling. Her eyes are blank, empty of supplication for the cosmos to change the fabric of her life into something sweeter; this is a church, but there's no God. She knows that, knows that even if such a self-aware power exists in hidden and secret ways, it won't help her. The weight of her perceived sins and failures is one she has to carry alone, until she dies or is absolved- and Mami is fatalistic enough, even at this young age, even while trapped in a town that renders the finality of death meaningless and temporary, to think that only the first option is within her reach.

Her face tenses and there's the sudden, rising urge to cry. She wants her mother back- she wants her life back. But both are lost to her forever, and at the quiet sound of Ciel's footsteps, that swelling feeling is controlled. Repressed. The muscles go slack. Later, maybe later she'll resort to that- alone. For now

[expiatrice]

[She speaks up before getting to Mami, but she won't stop until she gets to her row.]

You shouldn't force yourself if it's painful, Tomoe-san. [The voice is much softer than she can recall - or maybe it's just because they're in a Church? If she looks up, she'll be met with patient but concerned eyes, and she should recognize her now, if she didn't suspect a thing before. ]

[headedforhope]

[A slow lifting of the head, a reluctant meeting of eyes. Her breath comes out in a soft hiss despite herself when the epiphany hits. She had tried to avoid this person, after all, the one assigned to be- to replace -her mother; an idea that stung too much to be bearable. And yet here Ciel was anyway, daring to be comforting. Tempting. It was like the cosmos were laughing at Mami's efforts to twist away from the things that hurt, even for a little while.

Mami collects herself quickly and smiles. Her gaze becomes carefully blank.]

Painful...? Nothing's painful, Miss Ciel. I just wanted some peace.

Sorry about the mess; I'll clean it up right away.

A

[politerudeness]

[ At the Cosplay Cafe- Japan is standing at the entrance today, too, looking all business-like in his nice suit. Well, mostly. There is something strangely distracted in his expression and he looks vaguely tense. He's trying to act completley normal, though- but when he sees a young girl coming up to the cafe, he automatically bows. Very, very deeply. More so than normal. ]

W-welcome! I sincerely hope you will enjoy yourself here- i-if there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to ask! I will be of any assistance possible!

[headedforhope]

[She curtsies in return; wrapped up as she in her own secret worries, Mami doesn't really notice Japan's vaguely-off demeanor.]

Ah, I'm sure I will have a wonderful time- I always seem to, after all! Oh, you're Mr. Japan, right? I've seen you around this place quite often, but I don't think we've ever actually talked before.

[politerudeness]

Ah, that is correct. That would be me. Then, it is a pleasure to meet you- um...

[headedforhope]

Mami Tomoe, and the pleasure's all mine. You know Miss Taiwan, don't you?

B

[hwamei]

[Taiwan is a little busy admiring the flowers herself, but she catches her.]

Aiya, watch where you're going. If you're not careful, people will get mad.

[headedforhope]

[COMES TO and backs

away kind of roughly]

...Sorry!

[wow Mami lame response]

[hwamei]

[ what happened to mami-senpai ]

Haha, it's nothing! Is Mami looking for a Mother's Day present?

[headedforhope]

[ISSUES

vaguely tense smile]

You could say that. I'm having trouble picking something, though. There's a lot of options!