bystander

The girl hummed to herself, debating between two brand names of a supply she needed. This the part where she wished she was back home, because here she wasn’t sure what brands were better. Should she go with the brand name she didn’t know or the generic store brand?

Her inner debate was interrupted by a voice and she jumped a bit. Turning around, she saw an unfamiliar girl standing behind her. She seemed to know her, but to be honest Sakura wasn’t sure who she was.

     "O-Oh, um, hello… I’m faring quite find, thank      you. How are you?”

"I am Caren Hortansia. It's a pleasure to meet you, Matou Sakura."

She gave a short bow before coming back up, not caring to fix her hair in place as her golden irises glanced over the cleaning brand that the girl was pondering at. "Oh, are you also looking to clean your home?" She asked before picking out the one that seems to be better than the other, the details on the back made it seem much more promising. 

"Creatures?" Well, they were most likely nothing but zombies, simple things to be killed. Shutting her eyes, Caren heaved out a heavy sigh. "That is a thing of the past now, whether these scientists beings kill us all is something they would have done long ago." What a wicked sense of humor. "Think about it, young miss. There are countless people in this city, naive or intelligent, acts of provocation would not matter to them." 

It was the truth. 

What made it even more surprising was that the building was in an absolutely terrible state. It clearly hadn’t been used in ages. Clearly, not even the religious types he had met saw fit to renovate and utilize this place to its full potential. Oh, well. Might as well check inside. The priest opened the door to the chapel with a familiar motion.

How strange. Not a creak.

As soon as Kirei entered the building, he could feel a strange tightening in his Black Heart. For a moment, he laid a hand to his chest, checking to make sure everything was all right. There was no way it was going to fail on him now, right? He’d had the brief worry that it might when he first came to the city, but abandoned that thought after spending a few days out and about. The power of the Grail was just as strong here, it seemed, and it kept him just as alive as ever.

After a brief moment of checking up on himself, Kirei looked up once more, and finally noticed the fact that he wasn’t alone. Heh. A small smile crawled onto his face. No, rather, it slithered on, a snake poised to strike.

He walked down the aisle, walked until he stood by her side. She had white hair, pure white, in a way like Claudia’s. In truth, this young woman’s entire presence seemed to emulate her. The resemblance was striking. She even prayed with the same grace. 

Putting her hands together again, Caren once again pray but in the manner that one would not enjoy. "Lord, please forgive this man for his lack of manners in the Church. It would appear that priests these days are simply no good for you." There it was, Caren's infamous never apologize or forgive a person act but goes to the lord instead. Honestly, whose personality did this girl obtain from?

Soon her hands returned to her side, this man was no threat to her. There was no reason for her to feel frighten by such a man, after all, she felt a strange connection with him. She knows that she must ask who he was but she didn't. Such a thing was not possible but the world was small. 

"Tell me, Father, is this your church? It's in such ruin, it's barely keeping up." 

Neither of whom were gentle.

Still, her words made Murphy pause. Better to warn her.

   So, there she stood quietly in the shade of a nearby building. Her curious, golden eyes peered outward and watched as people happily enjoyed the warm summer day. While not envious of their insusceptibility, Claudia could not help but wonder what it was like to enjoy such simple pleasantries. Regardless, the ill was simply delighted to watch these strangers take delight in their daily lives — taking and turning their happiness into something she could call her own.

   A dainty hand brushed through thin, white strands of hair, tucking them thoughtfully behind her right ear. It wouldn’t do to stay here much longer. Though shade was a lovely safe haven, the warmth of the afternoon was starting overwhelm her delicate senses. Each shaky breath she took was now a chore; every time her chest rose and fell, the dry, summer air seemed to take even more moisture from her enfeebled lungs.

   Braving her way onto the busy sidewalk, the sickly immediately noticed the presence of someone beside her. Turning to face them with short, timid steps, Claudia offered a polite smile – it immediately faltered once she took in the girl’s appearance. Her lips parted in shock, but no sound was uttered. Looking the stranger up and down, there was simply no doubt — this child… she looked very, very familiar, but… it couldn’t be possible…

   The last time they’d met — no, the last time she’d held her child — had she not been just a small, squalling baby?

   “Ice c-cream?” Claudia repeated, voice trembling with excitement. It really was impossible. No matter the physical resemblance, the chances were unrealistic, weren’t they? God, though capable of all things, would not have wasted such a miracle on someone so undeserving.

   “I’ve only just arrived in this city… And I don’t have a clue where you could find any, but…” Almost a bit too eagerly, she reached forward, intending to touch the smaller’s arm. But, almost as if ashamed of her immediate impropriety, Claudia’s feeble hand quickly dropped back to her side.

"..." Shutting her golden eyes, Caren pondered on this. "That is awfully kind of you, madam." A small smile form on her lips. That's right, she feels no evil intent from this woman. No, it was best to describe her as a sickly and harmless human being. That was all she could be right now. Poor thing, trapped in this city with a body like that. 

"Though with your condition...no.." Stopping herself, Caren said no more. 

"Well, then shall we go? Please do tell me when you are feeling tired though." Ice cream was never top priority but to think that Caren was the one that was receiving the help. She must be getting rusty but something in her told her to allow the woman to do what she wishes. Shutting her eyes, Caren held her hand out to the woman. 

"This city is quite large, it would be bothersome if I would to lose you, madam." 

Her words were kind but sharp. Truly a perfect mixture of those two people. Taking the hand, Caren and the woman began to walk down the streets with the sun against their backs. How badly Caren wanted to ask for the woman her name but she knows that it will not turn how she would imagine. 

Something like that, is better to stay silence. 

to do list:

Starters:

Anybody else that would like to thread

Owes:

Sakura

Murphy

Tohno

Waiting On:

Battler

Claudia

Kotomine