AND SHE CRADLED.

❝I don’t want to stay.❞

❝Do you ever listen?❞

❝Please forgive me.❞

❝You’re just lonely.❞

❝Drink up, baby.❞

❝Give me one night with you.❞

❝It’ll all be over soon.❞

❝Have you got something to tell me?❞

❝You’re like a mirror, reflecting me.❞

❝I just wanna take care of you.❞

❝Do what I say and I’ll make you okay.❞

❝I miss the way you wanted me.❞

❝Did that full moon force my hand?❞

❝Don’t go. Please don’t go.❞

❝Why are you so far from me?❞

❝I don’t want to hurt you.❞

❝I’ll kiss you again between the bars.❞

❝You’ll always be the one that’s standing in my way.❞

❝I wanna give up, but I won’t.❞

❝There’s no reasons, no excuses.❞

❝Just don’t go without me.❞

❝Can’t live with you or without.❞

❝Say goodbye and don’t look back.❞

❝I’m going to go home.❞

❝Give me a chance, I’m beggin’ you.❞

❝Oh dear, never saw you coming.❞

❝I’ve been awaiting for you.❞

❝I never meant for this to mean a thing.❞

❝Don’t say that it’s over.❞

❝I could get over you but please don’t ask me to.❞

❝Haven’t you seen me sleep walking?❞

❝You better wait with me.❞

❝Don’t take that sinner from me.❞

❝All your perfectly delivered lines, they don’t fool me.❞

❝How long will I have to wait for someday?❞

❝Let me in the wall you’ve built around.❞

❝Your mouth is a melody I memorize.❞

❝I don’t love you but I always will.❞

❝Eternally, I’m broken.❞

❝Give me the burden, give me the blame.❞

❝In my arms is where you are to be.❞

❝You’ve been lonely, too long.❞

❝Tell me that you’ll always be true.❞

❝You’ll always be the only one.❞

❝You’re still the best thing that never happened.❞

❝Where she walks, no flowers bloom.❞

❝I just wanna hold your hand.❞

❝Oh, why don’t you keep drinking?❞

❝I know you wouldn’t hurt me.❞

❝There’s so much I’m dying to tell.❞

❝Sometimes I can’t tell where I am.❞

❝Try to convince me that I’m not drowning.❞

❝You had me fooled for a while.❞

❝Stop saying those sweet things you know I like to hear.❞

❝Don’t you let me lie here and die here.❞

❝I don’t want to talk right now.❞

❝The killer in me is the killer in you.❞

❝Looks like you made up your mind.❞

❝Why do you keep looking out the window?❞

❝You only know what I want you to.❞

❝There’s a note underneath your front door.❞

❝I’m a dead man walking here.❞

❝Oh, aren’t we a pretty, pretty pair?❞

❝Look what you have done.❞

❝That’s the least of all my fears.❞

❝I just want your arms wrapped around me in this moment.❞

❝I don’t have a choice, but I’d still choose you.❞

❝All the king’s horses and all of his men couldn’t tear us apart.❞

❝Where’d you learn to lie the way you do?❞

❝Who could do without you?❞

❝The less I give the more I get back.❞

❝Meet me in the garden where the weeds grow tall.❞

❝All that he really wants is someone to want him back.❞

There was a moment where Ace was ready to burst into tears again. Avarice had been watching, had seen it all happen, and yet at the time she did nothing to stop it. Admitting that she should have, did little for the girl in that moment. Frowning harder, she was about to pull away from the hand cupping her cheek, but chose not to make rash decisions for once. The lady had been kind to her, she deserved atleast the chance to say her words.

Ace listened quietly, considered the words, already wanted to forgive even if Avarice would not ask for it. Surely she must’ve had her reasons to not interfere during the fight but instead seek the girl out once alone.  Reasons just as much unknown to her as ways in which the lady could make it up to her. She already was doing that in a way, considering she was the only one who even made an effort to comfort her. Everyone else had simply stared at the dirty rat, some even with contempt in their eyes. Ace could see something entirely different in Mother Earth’s.

But then, what she said next actually didn’t sit well. She’d promise that Ace would never again be in as much pain as today? How would she even ensure that? Things like today’s events were far too common, not like people would suddenly respect the young human just because she told them to.

“That’s… an easy thing to say…” she muttered at first, not quite ready to believe such a bold promise. If there was one thing she hated, it was broken promises. She’d rather people not promise things at all, so they wouldn’t let her down time and time again. She wasn’t ready to believe, to hope that suddenly things would miraculously go better just because someone promised. How many people had told her they would never leave her side, only to disappear out of her life? Too many…

Still… the only thing Avarice had asked for, was a chance. Surely she could give that much? Slowly open up a little, until she was certain that the strange yet kind woman spoke the truth. She’d start small, by carefully taking the offered hand and curling her tiny fingers around it.

“How about we actually introduce ourselves first? My name’s…” Anne “–Well, call me Ace. So… who are you?”

                              ＬＩＥＦＨＥＢＢＥＮＤ

—- Only a fool wouldn’t

           be able to sense the skepticism. But she could not, and would not blame the child. It was natural, it was normal, and it was completely justified. Which was why she, again, nodded at the statement: such an easy thing to say, but to make it happen? She had lived long enough to know hard work was necessary for any type of success, especially when it was the success of someone else. Especially Ace’s. Wounds would never heal, all she could do was treat them with care and nurture them to make them a little more bearable to live with. All she could do, but definitely what she was prepared to do.

             In return the goddess took a hold of the small hand, musing at the mention of her chosen name. Sweet Ace, a name she had to get used to but managed to grow fond of. There was a pause after she repeating her name, smile fading. Who was she? How long ago had it been since she last introduced herself? Ages. Centuries. So many years, lost count. It wasn’t that she had no idea how to introduce herself. Not at all - knew very well about the customs, and so. But how to explain herself? Would a name suffice? Did there have to be more? Did Ace DESERVE  to know more? Black lips pursed together thoughtfully as she huffed a sigh through nostrils. Devotional honesty on her grey features, she let go of the little hand to make a grande gesture with her arm, taking a bow. She did deserve it. 

                      “ MOTHER of Earth. Avarice. It’s a sincere pleasure to                          finally speak to you, Ace. “

             Rhoticity of her Russian accent was thick, words rolling with fluency as if she had been rehearsing it time after time after time. Back straightened, and she stood straight and firm in front of her again. 

It felt so comforting…

As much as Ace usually became a little antsy when strangers would as much as touch her hair, this felt surprisingly okay to her. Warm and safe; no loud yelling, no one threatening to hurt her, not even anyone subtly patronizing her with head pats or hair ruffles. Could you blame the girl for taking a while longer to finally let go of Mother Earth herself? She didn’t move at all until finally her cheeks were cupped and her face drawn up to look at the kind lady.

If not the height difference between the two of them, the first thing Ace noticed were the red eyes. An intense color which immediately drew her attention. Never before had she seen any human with such eyes, nor grey skin like this. Even the pitchblack hair looked somewhat otherwordly… For a short moment the girl’s previous question of who the other was turned into what, but then it was pushed to the back of the mind again. Honestly, her entire focus dropped when Avarice gave her a kind smile and wiped the tears from her face. There was something about that smile which eased her worries…

As if the lady hadn’t been kind enough yet, she even gave her long coat to Ace, who carefully grabbed onto it, subconsciously trying not to fold it while still holding it close enough to her body to warm up. One hand was freed for a moment to wipe away some final tears in her eyes, a sniffle released, and then she finally carefully smiled back at Avarice.

By now her mind was clear enough to actually think about the question she’d been asked; what would she like? Honestly at this point there was nothing more she could ask for, she was already being given the kindness and care she wanted, by a stranger no less, not to mention a confirmation that she wasn’t alone– wait a moment, for how long had she been not alone actually?

“Y-you saw? You actually saw what that man did when he– when we– you were there?”

Did this lady follow her all the way to the forest? How much had she even seen exactly? Ace had never seen her before this encounter, and surely she would have noticed Avarice’s appearance sooner? These thoughts caused Ace to furrow her brows, green eyes looking up straight into those red ones. This was getting a bit concerning actually, maybe it was a good idea to start questioning who this person was…

                               ＬＩＥＦＨＥＢＢＥＮＤ

—- It was good for a 

            moment. She could see the little girl grow more comfortable, and was happy to smell little of the salty, strong tears of utter and absolute pain. She had made the right choice, she knew she had. And she knew she would never ever regret it. Even when another question came rolling, this one harder to ignore, there was not an ounce of regret. Expression turned guilty as she nodded, filled with shame to admit she had been. 

                        “ I was. I am so sorry I didn’t do anything. I should have.                           I didn’t know it back then, but now I know that I should have. “

            Eyes shut at the self-recognition of her wrongdoing. Should have, but didn’t. There was no attempt in defending herself, knowing it would AWFUL as well as BAD. The apology would have lost its sincerety. That, and Ace didn’t have to understand. In fact, she knew she couldn’t say. She hovered even lower to meet Ace’s eyes, cupping one side of her face again and stroking her cheek with her thumb.

                      “ Please, sweetheart. Do understand that I really did want                         to do something. I know that the damage has been done,                         though. So I shan’t ask for forgiveness. Instead, I ask for                         a chance to make it up to you. “

            Make up that she watched her get assaulted so brutally, but also make up for all the other times she had watched, and couldn’t bring herself to break the GOLDEN RULE to survival. She took her hands away from her to stand on the soles of her shoes again. Took a deep breath, offering a hand.

Whether Avarice’s hands were carefully placed or not, the girl immediately flinched upon contact. She hadn’t anticipated anyone to be near and immediately felt a sinking feeling, realizing they must’ve heard her cries. Ace had been so focused on her own pain and sorrow that she hadn’t even noticed anyone approaching until they were already there. Wide green eyes quickly tried to look behind for the owner of those hands, but could only get half a view at most. The soothing words however, along with the gentle embrace, made it so that she didn’t feel like putting up much of a fight. In fact her own small, somewhat cold fingers held onto the warm hands of the stranger. This person clearly meant her no harm…

Her thoughts were still racing, if not more so after this strange and awkward visit, but Ace atleast managed to utter a small “Thank you…” followed up by a small pause and “Who– who are you?” Never before had she seen someone with ashen skin like this, nor had she ever heard this particular voice. Where did they even come from? And why were they here? Surely not for her sake? Were they even truly here? What if she was just imagining things because she was feeling low? Maybe her hunger was starting to get to her head… No, it felt far too real.

Honestly though, it didn’t even matter all that much right now. This person was being kind to her, was able to soothe her, when shortly before she had been beaten for something so trivial she couldn’t even really recall the reason why. As if on instinct, the girl moved away from the embrace after a minute, only to get up from her sitting position, turn around and softly cling back to the stranger (with care to not put pressure on the bruise). For once she didn’t even bother with eye contact first, didn’t look into the other’s eyes. Didn’t need to. Avarice practically radiated love and care, even the oblivious young ‘child’ could feel that much.

For now, silence was perfectly fine. (Not counting the soft sobbing noises which still occasionally left her.) She could surely ask her questions later when she was calmed down enough to think.

                               ＬＩＥＦＨＥＢＢＥＮＤ

—- She answered with

             nothing but a hushing tone, leaning her head against the girl’s. To think she would thank her for such a small gesture, she couldn’t help but feel even WORSE about it. Longed for kindness all her life, but Avarice had witnissed nothing but the opposite. All of it was undeserved, none of it was justified. And the circumstances of today weren’t only unjustified, but also LETHALLY CRUEL, the very reason Avarice had dropped every hesitation and doubt. This would end now, no more, she said to herself and the Sirdar. No more - she was going to aid her. 

             Slender fingers held onto the hand that grabbed them. More hushing followed, until she could feel Ace pulling away. She caught Mother Earth by surprise when she held onto her so tightly, instead of questioning the situation as well as her presence even more. But immediately, her astonishment made place for tenderness. A palm pressed against her back, her other hand rested on top of her head, fingers running through her hair.

                     “ Oh, I know, darling. I know, it hurts so much... It’s okay,                        I’m here now. It’s all okay. “

            The words from before repeated, her arm wrapping carefully around her ( with her bruise in mind) to make sure she was secure and safe. Would let no harm get to her ever again, would protect her with an intensity from the threats Ace directly faced. But for now, now she did nothing but rub her back, stroke her hair, and whisper gentle hushes. After a moment, she put both hands on each side of her wet cheeks to make her look up to her. With a kind smile, she wiped the tears from her face. 

                    “ What would you like? Shouldn’t we get you home? In                       there it’s warm, and we can take a look at what that...                       filthy man... “

             The last two words were fierce, eyes averting for only a second until              they turned back on her with the same warmth.

                     “ ... has done to you. Oh, you must be cold. Here! “

@possessivedog

Today was turning out to be a not so great day; losing her money she desperately needed for food, and then getting into a fight– well, honestly it was pretty one-sided. She probably should have let it go, but for once she decided to really stand up for herself and not let people walk all over her. What was the result? A big ol’ bruise decorating her ribs. And now she found herself stumbling back to the forest in a bad mood.

Ace honestly had nothing against people, but after this encounter she needed to distance herself from them. Didn’t want to see them for a while. Take a moment alone, and then she’d surely be fine again in no time, especially once she’d reach her favourite spot where she had a nice view of the sky. She could lie down there and just gaze, let her mind wander, and then bounce right back into living her little life.

Except… it didn’t work today. The girl was feeling particularly low, her chest hurting from more than just the bruise. What was even the point of these events happening? Was it even worth it? Did she really deserve this? She was finally doing better; had grown above a life on the streets as a dirty thief and beggar, and then someone just knocked her down again and for some reason everyone was on his side. Made her feel pretty lonely. Perhaps that was why it didn’t help that she was on her own right now: she needed someone to prove that she wasn’t alone on the world.

Sitting down in the grass, she found herself pulling up her knees and curling into a little ball, sobbing softly, trembling a little. Sniffling and wiping her nose occasionally. Her ribs hurt, her chest hurt even more. Gradually the sobbing grew louder, until eventually she broke down into loud, child-like wails. No one would hear her anyway, what did it all matter…

                               ＬＩＥＦＨＥＢＢＥＮＤ

—- It was the best and

              worst part of her ‘job’. Watching and observing. Best, because she could not get enough of any person’s succes, from winning an international sports game, to passing an exam, to making the elections, to even getting out of bed. Best, because she ADORED  to see the people’s independancy, their strength, and also purity. Best, because she was filled with an intense PRIDE over what she saw and observed. But worst, because all she could do was watch. Cries never went unheard, but she couldn’t wipe tears. There was no absolute solitude, though they weren’t aware of that. It was the worst, because she felt powerless over something that gave her so much power and strength. It was a torture a MOTHER should not have to go through. And still, she told herself she had to.

               She eyed the small figure, curled together, crying and weeping with pain. The Mother’s heart ached with sympathy, hovering a few feet above the grass behind her. It was awful, to think the poor girl had struggled with so many set-backs, and still tried to survive for her life. It was hard to watch the assault without breaking in screams and yells, instead had to watch with a horrified look on her colorless face. It was cruel - HUMANITY  was cruel. And again, for the so many-th time, like the girl had been forced to do for years, and what Avarice had watched her doing for ages, she had to comfort herself. 

               Seconds passed, minutes went by, and she found herself to feel conflicted. To break a rule so ancient, the reason as to why Earth was as succesful and the source of her great pride, or to let it happen again. To watch, and never act, and be burdened with a heavy sensation on her shoulders of guilt. The child had suffered all by herself for so long, and every time Avarice told herself she would find someone to support her. In the end, even now, she mourned by herself. It was unfair, a cruel act of the universe working against her, and for once she COULD NOT let it happen. It would do this girl more good than bad.

                And thus her disguise of invisibility fell as the goddess lowered herself behind Ace’s form, carefully placing her hand on her shoulder. Her other arm wrapped around her from behind, gentle and quiet hushes coming from her as to soothe her sobbing. An embrace she had longed to give for an enormous amount of time, filled with the LOVE  and CARE  she had burning inside her ever since she laid her eyes upon the Earthling.