corrinesbell | 115. Light

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115. Light

Hey. We've got a lotta new people this month, huh? For anyone who's new, I'm Sheena. I think the guide answers just about every question, but I've been here for a really long time, so if anyone wanted to ask, I'm okay with answering about stuff.

I was thinking about trying out that battle arena thing. Anyone done it already and wanna tell me what it was like? If it's like the coliseum I dunno about trying it.

What would you guys think about having a winter, uh, festival thing like we did a couple years ago?

[Yuri]
I met your crazy rival.

[Raine]
Hey, are you up for visitors? I know it's gonna get late soon...but hopefully Albert'll forgive me.

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I -- well...

There is ... one thing, that has been bothering me, especially lately.

Okay. What is it?

Sometimes I get to thinking that... I haven't exactly been true to myself or my resolves. With all the different kinds of people being in this situation, it shouldn't really matter what our races are, should it? And yet... even then, I could hardly bring myself to bring it up to others here. The only person I told outright has been sent back ages ago - and his reaction to it was rather ... unique. I haven't even told Albert about it.

But now, with Mithos here ...

You're worried about being a half-elf?

[at least that didn't sound as surprised as she feels. It hadn't, once, crossed her mind that Raine might spend time thinking about things like that. Outside of that insult that one time.]

It's not gonna matter to people here who your parents are. I think there're a lot of half-humans here, but that doesn't really matter either. It sounds really cheesy and like something Lloyd would say, but...it's only really important how you act toward other people. You're not gonna be judged just because your ears look different. [hopefully Raine catches that she's trying to lighten the mood with that last point]

Anyway, if you weren't a half-elf most of the people here would be dead. You really think Mithos is gonna influence that many opinions in just a few days?

It's... always a possibility.

When Genis came here for the second time, I ... told him to keep it quiet. That it would be for the best if we didn't say anything, even though it may have been the first time we could have tried living openly. And that was over a year ago now. Well over a year.

And people... can change. Sometimes for the better, but sometimes for the worst, as well. [She thinks about how strangely her interactions with McCoy had gone, since that day...]

I just don't want things to change. Even though everything here is temporary, and it's selfish and foolish of me, but... I'm afraid.

What's the worst thing you think'll happen if you tell people?

[That "I'm afraid" gets her hands a gentle squeeze. Very gentle, because for all Sheena knows it will hurt.]

That they'll... start to treat me differently, or even look at me differently, even after all the time that has passed. Or worse, they'll be angry that I kept it hidden for so long. And they'd have every right to be, in that case.

What gives them the right to be? You've got a good reason for not wanting to tell anybody. It could've gotten you killed at home. [and it almost did.] You think they'd still be angry once they knew that? ...Even Albert and Caesar?

... I just don't know. I've been avoiding it for so long.

And n-no... they don't know either.

...But they care about you a lot. They'd know you wouldn't keep something like that a secret unless it was a really big deal.

You don't have to tell them if it makes you uncomfortable. It's just my opinion, that it wouldn't change their minds about you. ...I don't think Albert thinks less of me after finding out what I did.

[one of Sheena's hands keeps hold of Raine's, but the other moves to gently rub her back, above the wings. She just looks like she needs it.]

... But what happened with you wasn't your fault.

[And there's probably a lesson in that. But she falls quiet as Sheena rubs her back, just thinking about those words. And it was very, very needed.]

[there's just quiet for a while. Sheena has some thinking to do, too, and she doesn't wanna crowd Raine's thoughts right out of her head with all her questions.]

...

It's not your fault either. You didn't...do anything.

I'm just afraid. Even if it's unfounded, here, I ...

It's okay.

[More silence, while she goes on softly rubbing Raine's back. She'd sit here offering support all night if it might help. But, blame it on spending far too much time with Zelos if necessary, she's caught herself focusing instead on the state of Raine's hair.]

Hey...you mind if I help you out with that? [nodding to the hair first, then looking over at wherever Raine keeps a brush or comb] It might make you feel a little better.

Hm? [She blinks a little, then looks to see what Sheena's referring to. There's a brush and comb on the vanity table. It's not far from the bed.] If you want to, then I'm not opposed.

It's not gonna hurt you or anything, is it?

[and now that her mind is back on that subject]

How much pain are you really in right now?

It's... dulled right now. [She sighs a little.] I know it's there. It's just... sometimes it flares up suddenly, without warning.

[and there aren't that many other options. Sheena catches a sigh before it happens and gets up to bring the brush and comb over. Hopefully it's relaxing for her.]

[It's not as if she's likely to complain if it's otherwise. But maybe it'll help her zone out a little. Think quietly about all that's passed.]

[oh, she had better complain if it's otherwise. Sheena moves the chair so Raine won't have to move very much at all, and starts carefully brushing]

[There's possibly a lingering citrus scent from that shampoo she's been using. In any case, there are a few sets of tangles to work through, though Raine keeps quiet as the minutes continue to pass as Sheena brushes it out.

Eventually Sheena will hear her give a sharp intake of breath.]

Edited 2010-11-17 23:27 (UTC)

Oh, sorry, did I pull something? [she hadn't felt the brush catch, but you never knew with hair.]

N - no, it's not you.

[instantly focused and serious again]

What is it?

I -- was just caught off guard. I should be used to it by now.

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