[Dead is the first thing she thinks as she looks out over the landscape. The ravaged shell of the town, houses destroyed, lawns dismembered, establishments--establishments no more. A chilly breeze blows across her bare shoulders (the town is fond of keeping her wardrobe full of long, thin, lacey, sleeveless white nightgowns) and she shivers. It's easy to dismiss the shiver as the cold and not any sort of emotional reverbration.
She has always been an excellent scholar of denial.
She swallows hard, unfocuses her painfully clear gaze, and spreads her long, dark hair across her pale shoulders to warm them. (The benefits of having so much of the purple tresses.) She doesn't know what's going on, but there is a cool sort of collected, calm panic that flutters in her stomach. She is waiting for something. She doesn't know what.
A figure appears--or was it always there? It's hard for Izumo to distinguish. Her entire thought process is currently a little blurred. The town, out of focus, shifts--bright and dark--happy and sad--alive and
( ... )
Why? [She whispers and turns to Paku a miserable mess with tears streaking down her face.] Why me?
[Paku's face no longer has a smile, but is at impasse.]
Why couldn't I stop it?
Because you are weak, [Paku's voice is serene though the words are devastating.] Because you can't protect the people you care about. Don't you remember that time at the baths, Izumo-chan? You couldn't protect me. You couldn't help me. Your best friend would have died if not for the help of other people. You were useless.
[Izumo shakes and releases Paku's hand, stepping back.]
That can't be true. [she whispers.] I'm going to be an exorcist--
No, [interrupts Paku softly,] you aren't. Even if you could have survived the Impure King's explosion--which you couldn't have--there would be no one to train you. The Order would be wiped out. Because of you.
[Izumo remains silent.]
But. [says Paku, extending her hand.] But you can stop it, Izumo-chan. I know you don't mean to be a doomsday device--I know you. I know you don't want any of this to happen. So you
( ... )
She has always been an excellent scholar of denial.
She swallows hard, unfocuses her painfully clear gaze, and spreads her long, dark hair across her pale shoulders to warm them. (The benefits of having so much of the purple tresses.) She doesn't know what's going on, but there is a cool sort of collected, calm panic that flutters in her stomach. She is waiting for something. She doesn't know what.
A figure appears--or was it always there? It's hard for Izumo to distinguish. Her entire thought process is currently a little blurred. The town, out of focus, shifts--bright and dark--happy and sad--alive and ( ... )
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[Paku's face no longer has a smile, but is at impasse.]
Why couldn't I stop it?
Because you are weak, [Paku's voice is serene though the words are devastating.] Because you can't protect the people you care about. Don't you remember that time at the baths, Izumo-chan? You couldn't protect me. You couldn't help me. Your best friend would have died if not for the help of other people. You were useless.
[Izumo shakes and releases Paku's hand, stepping back.]
That can't be true. [she whispers.] I'm going to be an exorcist--
No, [interrupts Paku softly,] you aren't. Even if you could have survived the Impure King's explosion--which you couldn't have--there would be no one to train you. The Order would be wiped out. Because of you.
[Izumo remains silent.]
But. [says Paku, extending her hand.] But you can stop it, Izumo-chan. I know you don't mean to be a doomsday device--I know you. I know you don't want any of this to happen. So you ( ... )
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