a requium
They'd been sitting there for a long time, in this golden field. A very long time. Rika knew that someone (maybe more than just one someone) important was waiting for her, for all that long time. But somehow she couldn't fathom the thought of moving any more than she already was, simply reaching out and plucking the countless flowers there within reach, forming a fragrant wreath for her own enjoyment. It would feel wrong to. This thinking caused Rika to still, her hands falling into her lap. Minako's slim fingers, wound around strands and braids of Rika's long blue hair, stilled with her. "Rika-chan? Is something wrong?" "I was just thinking." She turned and smiled up at her friend. Minako's hair glowed like embers against the field of gold behind her, and her smile was serene. Seeing Minako made Rika feel content and warm. Protected. Like nothing could ever harm them if only the two of them stayed together, just like this. "What about?" Assured that nothing was upsetting Rika or the balance of their little world, Minako continued braiding her hair. "About the people waiting for me. And you, probably. Maybe for the both of us." "Do you miss them?" "Uh-huh. Do you?" "Yes. Very much." "But it wouldn't be good if we left this place to look for them, would it." Minako paused, slowly unraveling the many tiny braids she had already painstakingly made a hundred times before already. She didn't answer immediately. Not for a long time. And Rika waited a long time until she did, her small hands brushing over her flower wreath and following the motions of Minako's hands, undoing the small knots in the flower stems little by little. "No, it wouldn't. I don't think we'd be ourselves anymore if we left." "Then...I guess we stay here?" "Mmhm. Let's stay here and just wait a while longer." They waited a long time.
