locked away.

[repeatingfate]

[ Not real. Oh, god, it's funny at this point. So funny. Because every time things fell into place, things were ruined-- A perfect world demolished by Takano's machinations, and one last chance, one last time, and when everything reset, she was--

Here. A mental institute that said none of that was real. Oh, god, it was so funny. So funny that she screamed in their face outright, and despite being "such a little girl," she was sedated off the bat.

Yeah. So funny. ]

Comments

[atrabilis]

[It's a switch and a step, and Nigredo finds himself drowning not in confusion, not in shock, but apathy. For even as this one claims no hold on the one before, as the one before had gone about dealings with a more desperate and human bearing, Nigredo has lived this moment time and again since the Miltian Conflict.

It does one well, he assumes, to have the brother he has now. He continues without pause.]

My mistake, then. [A pause.] Still, I met a Furude Rika, and I owe her an apology.

[repeatingfate]

[ He owes that self an apology and sought it out from her. How faulty. How wrong. ]

Find a shrine--

[ She says. ]

And speak your words to the air. For, by now, that child is long dead. I'm the last to remain.

[ Nothing as simple as that, but let the dramatics ensue. Humans had no mind for anything beyond natural understanding, so let it be said: She is all that remains, and it's a truth in turn. One last chance was allotted to her life, and that was all.

That is all. ]

[atrabilis]

[There is a reference he barely grasps, a girl speaking of a shrine and a child long dead. Wonderful. Let him ignore it; he has patience enough to do so. His mind threatens to break into a headache, and the murmurs within him only grow to swell, but provocation is the last thing he needs.

Nigredo only sighs, like a tired parent.]

It's an explanation. For knowing one of your names.

[That is all.]

I know I don't owe anything to you.

[repeatingfate]

[ Ah, he's smarter than he seems. Enough so that Rika calms, quiets. Looks at him through blurred eyes to take in more details than a claim of knowledge.

He's as small as she is. She thinks of Satoko, and shudders once. ]

...Then it's simple. I'm Rika. Thank you for the acquaintance, Nigredo.

[ A mutter: ] Disregarding the location.

[atrabilis]

[She calms down, at least. The detail counts, enough for Nigredo to toss aside the past minutes in their entirety. It is simple, as she says.

He nods in acceptance.]

I'm guessing this is your first day?

[repeatingfate]

[ That gets a smile, cocked to the side and slightly skewed. ]

My first day.

[ An affirmation. Instead of being dead. Instead of being within the sea of worlds, being ready to move on to her final one.

Was this it? Her last chance. ]

[atrabilis]

[First day constitutes a thorough introduction to one's space and time. Nigredo, however, will spare the unnecessary and get straight to the point.]

The chemicals should wear off in about an hour.

[repeatingfate]

[ What a helpful child. But Rika could recall this now. ]

I know.

[ No. Perhaps that wasn't an appropriate response. ]

Thank you.

[atrabilis]

[A thanks could be an invitation to continue. Nigredo does not.]

It's...nothing.

[repeatingfate]

[ She wonders if this child meant anything. If his existence was as torn away as hers was. If he represented what was lost in her and what would fade away. She wonders... but perhaps it doesn't matter.

The girl drops her chin to her chest; her eyes sag close. ]

...Does anyone leave here other than death?