flameandpassion | 85 [Video]

85 [Video]

[Rei is in a hall of the Temple of Heaven, which is, miraculously, still fairly intact. Why, you ask? Because a few of the citizens of Adstringendum helped keep the entirely wooden building together -- and Rei, who is wiping a bloody blade clean on her sleeve, focuses on the PCD to address exactly that.

She looks terrible. Exhausted -- because she has not slept in days. Pale -- because she hasn't slept in days and she's been redo-ing the warding in the Temple to allow for most everyone to gain access. And she, to the very well-trained eye, is shaking. Being dismembered doesn't exactly grant well to your nerves, once the adrenaline wears off. But Rei is nothing but stubborn and though her voice is quiet and she sounds almost ill, she still manages to be heard.]

The Temple of Heaven is open to anyone who lost their homes during the attack. The warding will now allow almost everyone within the walls, save for a select few who won't make matters any better. You know who you are. I'm not going to bother naming names. And --

[She pauses before raising her eyes to focus more fully on the camera.]

I wanted to thank anyone and everyone who helped keep this building standing. It wasn't done for me -- but I want to thank you, anyway. This place is my home and the home of a lot of other people who have come through this city and to lose everything -- thank you. And -- like I said, anyone who needs a place to stay, or a shower, or food -- please come here.

For those who don't want to leave their homes -- I control fire. I understand if you don't want my assistance or don't want to ask for it, but please, if there's anything I can do to help control what fires still remain in the city, I want to help. So -- for those who don't know me, my name is Hino Rei, and my feed is always open if you need any help.

[And she presses a button on her PCD to send the coordinates to her location.]

[x,y]

[That takes care of the public matters. Now, for the personal ones.]

[Filtered to Members of the Police Force + Alphonse + Nathaniel // Private // Unhackable]

I'm sure most of you expect a resignation out of me, too, but I can't.

[Her jaw is slightly tight and she's noticeably nervous, from what she's about to say, but she keeps going anyway.]

The Archangel Raphael is dead, but not gone from the city yet. When she returns, she is sill a member of the police force. As it stands, I'm the only person in this city who can and will put her in her place if she decides to do anything psychotic. And seeing as I'm the only person in her unit, we're a little out of luck.

Seeing as we're down our original founder and we need to regroup anyway in order to start rebuilding this city -- I'd like to call for a meeting. I want all of you to decide what to do with me. If you want me out of the force, then fine -- vote me out and I'll down. Until then, I am still one of two people on the power containment unit, and I can't step down until a suitable replacement is found.

I'd also suggest kicking Raphael out while you still have the chance, since Jean-Louis Duroc was an idiot to let her in on the first place.

Please let me know when the meeting is and what you need me to do until then. Thank you.

[And the feed is cut.]

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[She wishes it was a terrible nightmare. But it wasn't. And she knew, even though her body screamed with frustration at how she was still awake, after so many hours, that she would just lie in bed and not go to sleep. Stare at a wall until unconsciousness took her.

But she kept that to herself -- instead, Rei smiles tiredly at Ami, watching her undo the first aid kit, before she extends an arm. There's a cut on her forearm, shallow, and barely bleeding anymore.]

[Ami keeps her eyes down on the clean bandages, smiling lightly to herself as she unwraps one. In the back of her mind, she reminds herself to see if she can scrounge up enough chamomile to make Rei some tea. It wasn't a sedative, but it would be enough to smooth any rough edges enough to grant her at least a modest amount of sleep.]

You should sit down while I do this. [While her tone was gentle, Ami wasn't making a suggestion. It was just as much for her sake as for Rei's; there was no way to neatly bandage while Rei was shaking like that.]

[There was so much Ami wished to say, but she was uncertain that Rei would be receptive to any of it. Rei always pioneered ahead of the other senshi, so it wasn't necessarily unlike her to adhere to her own convictions, but this place had certainly turned her friend into a bit more of an island. Ami wasn't sure if she could reach her.

No, it was probably better to just tend to her injuries. Rei would come to her if she wanted to talk.]

[She's still for moment before Rei reaches behind her, toward a stool, and she sinks upon it, following Ami's instruction without much argument. She averts her eyes, to look at the floor, as Ami works, silent for a long moment before she speaks.]

I'm so sorry, Ami.

Mm? [Ami quickly tends to Rei's arm, tenderly removing the stale bandages that were haphazardly wrapped around her arm towards the end of the battle while those offered aid jumped from victim to victim. Now that they had a chance to breathe, Ami could see to it that Rei's bandages were neat, tidy, and secure.]

I spoke to Mandrake-san regarding the motives. And it made sense, what was done. [She didn't look up from her work, holding Rei's arm gingerly as she stroked her open palm across the length of Rei's arm, making sure the bandages stayed flat.]

Is that what you're talking about?

I --

[She doesn't flinch at the tending to her wounds, but she pauses, as Ami tends to her arm, watching, distracted by the motion. It only lasts a second, though, before she continues.]

... I've been here for so long and nothing's changed. I thought -- I could make this world better. For everybody.

[Ami chuckles a bit, resting a soft hand lightly over Rei's.]

It upsets you when Usagi-chan thinks that way. It's no different when the situation's reversed, you know.

[Her cool eyes look up to Rei, and she lightly pushes back the heavy curtain of ebony hair Rei had obscuring her shoulder. She moved up towards Rei, reaching to where her shoulder met her neck.]

The reason this world is so miserable is because we're acting on our own accord, rather than banding together.

[She's quiet, at that, and doesn't move when Ami moves her hair, lost in thought.]

... sometimes I feel like I don't have a choice.

[It's soft, as she stares at her hands, fingers carefully working together.]

You're not alone, Rei-chan. [Ami says this with a mild sternness.]

We're partners, you and I. Aren't we?

[Ami dipped her head a bit in an attempt to get Rei's eye contact. The expression on her face was now more one of pleading. In the darkest corner of her heart, Ami feared that she would regret asking such a bold question.]

Of course we are.

[Without hesitation and she looks up to stare at Ami, jawline set.]

I would die for any of you. You know that.

[Ami smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting genuine relief. She rested both of her hands over Rei's and held them gently.]

I know you would. But at least give me a chance to stop you, next time? It's only fair! [There's a slight air of jest in her response.]

[It's almost like an anvil is taking off of her lungs at the smile -- and Rei almost laughs to herself, but she manages a slight smile, and a sniff as she inhales deeply.]

Right -- I will. I will. I just -- I really... needed to fix it. So many people rely on me here, Ami, even if they don't say so, and I hate being trapped here and feeling so useless and --

I just needed to try.

[Ami stops and listens, looking at Rei as her exhale came out accompanied with a flurry of words. The young woman was still shaking, and Ami was skeptical that all of it was due to physical fatigue.]

May I hold you?

[She almost looks surprised, at the question, before she pauses. She loathes feeling and looking weak, but --

-- she lets out a long exhale before nodding slightly.]

[Ami shifts closer and hesitates before gently putting her arms around Rei, taking great care not to hold her too tightly, lest she cause pain. She closed her eyes for a moment and sighed, trying to wrap her mind around the idea that this event could have been the last she'd seen of her comrade.

Ami had been--no, Mercury had been too focused on saving the victims, it wasn't until the ash and dust had settled that she realized that there was no one her who wasn't a victim in some way.

Except her, perhaps. But Ami wasn't about to take that for granted. She was lucky.]

They can rely on both of us, Rei. [Whoever they are.] I know I haven't been here for everything. But I want to know.

[Ami pulled back, and put a hand on each of Rei's shoulders lightly so she could look her square in the eyes.] Everything. I know it will take time, but can we get back on the same page?

[She leans into the hug, letting out a long shaking breath -- and while the trembling continues, she looks a little more sure of herself.]

... it's not a pretty story.

[Quietly.]

I wouldn't expect it to be. But I need someone I can trust to tell me.

[Because...there are untrustworthy types here, aren't there?]

...

[Another long exhale.]

Alright. I can do that.

When?

Whenever you're of the mind to do it. [Ami reached for Rei's other arm and begins to tend to it.]

Don't feel like it has to be all at once. I imagine it'd be pretty exhausting. Besides, I don't think my brain could handle all that information at once. [Chiding smile.]

I'm pretty sure your brain can handle most anything.

[She lets Ami tend to her other arm, as she thinks.]

I was the first one of us here. And I've been the only one that's stayed here without going home.

It's been a year and a half.

[Ami nods. She knew that much. She'd been told several times.]

How long did it take for you to...understand the gravity of the situation?

Three weeks. I was attacked by a girl named Rhode Kamelot.

Hitsugaya Toushirou is the one who saved me.

Did she attack you unprovoked, or...?

[Not that she expected Rei to be the first to strike, but maybe there was some mis-understanding?]

He was the one there when we went underground, correct?

Yeah. I had never spoken to her before she attacked me. I would have bled to death if he hadn't brought me to the clinic.

[It had been a harsh reality check. Enemies had no motives here. They just destroyed because they could.]

The shinigami captain.

[Pause, and her tone softens slightly.]

He's been with me since I got here.

[The tone Rei uses brings a blush to Ami's face.]

With...'with' you, or..?

[Ami coughs, and stutters to change the subject.]

What ever came of the girl who attacked you? Was she a resident like the others?

[She looks up slightly, puzzled, before Rei promptly looks disgusted.]

No! I'd rather -- ugh. No. He's my friend. That's it. And that's all it's ever going to be.

[The thought makes her feel sick. 8| And, in an effort to shake off the cooties, Rei continues with a huff.]

Nothing happened to her. She was stopped eventually and allowed to live in the city.

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aquaticbeauty.livejournal.com - 2012-01-13 21:47 (UTC) - Expand

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