[video] | Week 3; Day 4

[idkmybffchappy]

[The light in the room isn't as bright as it should be, considering Rukia has been sleeping here for four days now. But from where the Hitomi is placed, Rukia can't been seen. But her shadow makes it into the feed. She's sitting on the floor, on her knees. Some noises are made that the device is able to pick up. There's a bit of shuffling and

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( Voice )

[idkmybffchappy]

[Her words sound a bit broken and quiet. Considering the distance between her and the Hitomi, thankfully the emptiness of the room carries her voice.]

How can.... you honestly say something like that?

{Well, they're not exactly supposed to be known, but if Abel observed what has been going on, I'm sure it's easy to piece together. We can work with this o/}

( Voice )

[idkmybffchappy]

I'm... not some sort of murderer. I just--

By my hands, he... I wasn't myself. But that's no excuse.

[Video]

[guerrilla_morph]

What are you sorry about?

[Video]

[idkmybffchappy]

The things I've done, to put it lightly.

[Video]

[guerrilla_morph]

Well, the best thing to do is to move on and try to live, I suppose. Only option you have, really.

[Video]

[idkmybffchappy]

I don't think... I can move on that quickly.

[Audio | Private]

[dramatic_cape]

[ Lelouch had only been able to watch. First, Rukia's dreams in death, over the network, and then the aftermath. The aftermath.

(when he'd seen her emptied out like so many other people

except, he hadn't done it this time)

That hadn't been Rukia doing those things. Only her body. Her meat.

The responsibility falls on the ones who lead. ]

No one blames you, Rukia.

[Audio | Private]

[idkmybffchappy]

No one blames me because... no one witnessed it. I... blame myself.

[Audio | Private]

[dramatic_cape]

You're wrong.

I saw you in Tsuchisato.

And I say this not out of pity, but out of pure conviction:

You were not responsible for your actions that night.

[Audio | Private]

[idkmybffchappy]

You saw-- [That only makes her want to feel worse. But she can't. The will of this scroll is over her.]

I am... responsible. Even if I was not myself that doesn't change the fact that I took someone's life without reason.

[ Video ]

[sakurabito]

[He knows that voice. He knows, even if it's so soft that it's hard to register and it's the only reason he does not brush it off. That dream. He had passed it off as illusion because it was not the first time a dead person had 'dreamed'. There's no use repeating the same thoughts and rules about death that he's always allowed himself to believe as fact

[ Video ]

[idkmybffchappy]

[She's never forgotten about her brother's presence for a moment. But it definitely wasn't a voice she was expecting to hear so soon. She freezes for a moment and her breath hitches. Instantly, she's thinking back on when she fought him. He even released his bankai against her.]

N-- nii...sama...

[Rukia doesn't know how to answer this simple question because she doesn't know what Byakuya is making reference to.]

[ Video ]

[sakurabito]

[He didn't expect her to answer. Just as he had the last time, he expected nothing but silence, this specter refusing to give him any sort of answer. It would have been much easier if it had. He could approach it like he had in the past--indifferent to its suffering.

But she has. And it can't be a she when he listens to the sound of her voice.]

How are you alive?

[It's one question of many he has. It's not even the most important, but he cannot rush into anything. He cannot assume, cannot hope because there is something he must understand before he gives into something he does not want to give in to.]

[ Video ]

[idkmybffchappy]

I... I am unsure.

...All I know is that I am.

[And she stays silent. She has a feeling that Byakuya, as others, may not know or understand how she was alive. They knew she died, but... she was here now. How could she prove such a thing to her brother?]

[Video]

[incisive]

[ Valeria recognizes the shape of that silhouette. She recognizes what emotions can be gleaned from that voice, too, and those words. It's quiet, too quiet, like them, and she knows Rukia's apology is not meant for her, but... she doesn't like it, how somber the air. She doesn't like it, not knowing what has brought about this change in the woman. She imagines the week prior has something to do with it, but imagining and knowing are not the same thing and there is only one way to find out. To inquire or not to inquire is the question and her heart moves her forward, to open her mouth. ]

For what, Rukia?

[ Her voice is soft, her concern bleeding lightly through, for her acquaintanceship with Rukia is not a professional relationship. She is not required to stay her emotions about her tone as she is with Balthier... and even if she had been, here and now, she wouldn't have. Stern formality and professionalism is something she doubts either of them will miss here. ]

[Video]

[idkmybffchappy]

My actions. [It's said softly, lightly]

[Video]

[incisive]

[ Too short.

(Too soft, too light, too short)

Valeria frowns at Rukia's words, uncertain as to any meaning beyond the base of her words. ]

What do you mean?

[ She pauses. ]

I'll understand if you don't want to talk about it, but...

[ But she's concerned, even though they've spoken all of once and don't know one another well. After this last week... ]

[Video]

[idkmybffchappy]

I-- attacked my Byakuya nii-sama and I I killed someone... I have... no right to have a second chance at life because of this....

[She places a hand to the side of her face.]

I can't... be forgiven for these actions.