84 [Voice]

[flameandpassion]

[There is a pause before the girl that was in a dozen pieces begins to speak. Her voice is quiet, free of the normal conviction and bravado that she would normally have in such a situation.]

Tell me where I'm needed.

[She has no right to call the shots when this is half her fault.]

Comments

[hisbutler_bound]

I'm not sure exactly what you did but seeing as she addressed you by name, it must be your fault.

[flameandpassion]

I said no, Sebastian.

[Quietly, with an edge to it.

She'll accept and hold her responsibility for what's happening and she'll allow the city to do what it wants with her after this is done -- but she can't sit back and do nothing.]

[hisbutler_bound]

You shouldn't be involved. Haven't you done enough already, whatever it is you've done? It would be better to stay out of the way so people can focus less on hating you at the very sight of you.

[flameandpassion]

[ -- that gets her to shut up completely, save for her breathing, and it quickens, because he's probably right, and -- ]

My friends don't hate me.

[It's faint.]

I'll stop this. With or without your permission.

[hisbutler_bound]

You don't sound so sure.

[He chuckles a bit, leaning forward closer to the device]

Be glad it is not up to my permission or not, because I would ensure your legs would be broken in order to prevent you from further screwing up what damage you've already created.

[flameandpassion]

You're nothing but a demon, Sebastian.

[Quiet, but with a hint of anger right at the end of every syllable.]

I will fix this. But if you get in my way, I'll lock both you and Aelia in a room together and watch the fight with entertainment.

[hisbutler_bound]

You're nothing more than a foolish human girl, Rei.

[Being a demon was worth more to him than what she thought]

I would never fight such a magnificent lady without needing to. Humans are so easy to provoke reactions out of things they do not understand. If you need an example, just look around you. This is your work.

[flameandpassion]

I'm not explaining or justifying what I did to scum like you.

[A quiet snarl.]

[hisbutler_bound]

Do you honestly believe they will truly forgive you, Rei?

[He chuckles and will follow her if she tries to cut the feed.]

You're a traitor now. You've summoned this onto all of us. Just like with me, they'll smile, act polite and pretend to care.

[flameandpassion]

I don't deserve an ounce of forgiveness.

[With mounting tension in her tone as she fights the urge to just end the feed. It's not worth it. It's not worth the argument, but running away is just as pointless.]

But call me a traitor again and you won't have a tongue.

[hisbutler_bound]

That doesn't answer my question. You're useful, I won't deny that, or at least I should say Sailor Mars is. But Rei Hino, I could honestly do without. Tell me, won't you, the answer to my question? They need your power, your wards, so they'll pretend they don't distrust you.

[Sebastian can't help the way his lips are curved into that tight knit little fox grin]

Whether you've done it on accident or not, someone will consider you a traitor, because you are.

[flameandpassion]

[She is silent for a long moment after that, because what can she say? He's right. All of it is right. But at the same time -- ]

I have at least one person who doesn't.

[Suddenly, and defiantly.]

And if Hitsugaya Toushirou thinks I'm worth keeping around for the next day, then that's enough to keep me fighting until I can solve this.

Shut your mouth and move along.

[hisbutler_bound]

Yes, I'm aware of what that short little brat thinks. Even he knows how useful you are.

[For once he's not amused and is being rather blunt] No, I won't be silenced. The truth of the matter is, no one needs you to solve this. You've done enough. Someone else will figure out how to fix your mistake for you.

[flameandpassion]

[She ignores the insult. Hitsugaya never bothers with what he doesn't think is worth it. And if he feels telling Sebastian to leave her alone is worth his effort, then it's worth his effort. Which means that at least one person in this city has enough faith and trust in her to mend what she's done. And that, more than the countless dismissals of 'oh, I don't blame you' and 'I know you're sorry' that she's received since revealing herself as alive, is enough to make her grit her teeth and suck it up and shove aside her pain to snap back.]

This isn't about whether or not anyone needs me to solve anything. It's about what I need to do in order to make this right.

[Tightly.]

Continue monitoring your area and keep your own people safe. I'd hate to step on your delicate toes when your garden gets incinerated because you were too busy complaining at me over the disruption to your schedule.

I can deal with you later.

[And the feed is cut. She has a witch to hunt.]

[iceandivory.livejournal.com]

Playing pretend is a waste of time. Stop wasting hers.

[hisbutler_bound]

Is it? I believe that would be your opinion or do you wish to force that upon others? I wouldn't count on you to understand.

You're attached.

[iceandivory.livejournal.com]

I have no problems with enforcing it. Save your self-serving manipulation tactics for when the city isn't being razed to the ground.

[hisbutler_bound]

Ah yes, I would expect such a thing from a short, little, brat. She'll just do it again if given the opportunity.

[iceandivory.livejournal.com]

[kljasdlkfjasdfsdf That's just mean, dammit!] Shut the hell up, and waste your time elsewhere.

[hisbutler_bound]

[He certainly loves pushing buttons] I'm scouting the area at the moment. I can sit and chat if I so wish. I'm fully capable of multitasking. She shouldn't be allowed to roam freely without observation, but I suppose she'll get whatever she wants either way. Just look at what she's 'accomplished'.

Besides, arguing with me when I am merely speaking to her is a waste of your time. So please escort yourself elsewhere.

[iceandivory.livejournal.com]

[Well, if Hino's done listening to him, then...]

You're right. You are a waste of my time.

[Time to hang up.]