115. Light

[corrinesbell]

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.

Comments

[action]

[wise_maiden]

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

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

[action]

[corrinesbell]

...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.]

[action]

[wise_maiden]

... 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.]

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[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.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

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

[action]

[corrinesbell]

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.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

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.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

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?

[action]

[wise_maiden]

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

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[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.]

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[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.]

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[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]

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[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.]

[action]

[corrinesbell]

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

[action]

[wise_maiden]

N - no, it's not you.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[instantly focused and serious again]

What is it?

[action]

[wise_maiden]

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

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[oh no you shouldn't, Raine. It's so worrying when she says things like that.]

Can you take more medicine?

[action]

[wise_maiden]

It might be getting close to that time... I don't want to overdo it.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[Raine knows a good deal more about stuff like that than Sheena does, so she's not going to question it.]

Is there...anything else that'll help, while you wait?

[action]

[wise_maiden]

I've been drinking a lot of tea... there might even be some ready.

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[she gets up immediately, headed out of the room to get the tea and hoping Albert isn't in the kitchen. She probably wouldn't be able to keep herself from saying something to him now.]

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine just waits for Sheena to return, taking the time to breathe slowly.]

[action]

[corrinesbell]

[and she returns with tea in the biggest mug she could find. One day she is coming over here and improving house 42's tea selection, too. Hopefully this tea is good enough.

At least there's lemon in it.]

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine glances back up when Sheena returns. She feels so vulnerable and she doesn't exactly like it. But there's not much that can be done. Not after... that talk.]

... Thank you.