#iscattcr

         Raven remains isolated for now, tucked into a dimly-lit corner; back to the wall, she can observe in relative confidence --- and silence. Most of the murmurings are beyond her comprehension just yet; mentions of wailing sirens come and gone, of strange sweet smells on street corners. The familiar ambiance makes deliberate footfalls stand out all the more, and red eyes immediately hone in on a flash of white. 

          Gloved hands clench tightly; the visible parts of her knuckles begin to turn a vivid white. This isn’t real, she thinks. She’s seen illusory semblances before... And whoever was using this one knew exactly what she didn’t want to see. 

              ❛   If you’re wanting to catch me off-guard,   ❜   she drawls --- hand outstretched with newfound confidence, despite the ferocity to her stare --- and despite the quaver in her voice.   ❛   You’ll have to do a  LOT  better than that. Come on out --- let me see you for who you really are.   ❜

[* You felt your sins crawling on your back ]

Welcome!

You'll be staying in CONDO 465!

You'll be able to use your Aura to fend off a strong attack up to 5x per day.

You'll be given a wooden pole.

Enjoy your stay!

“...”

Excuse me what.

“I’m not sure I understand.” That’s an understatement. Does she not know somehow? “Forgive me but I- there is... no good reason for you to trust me. You out of everyone... perhaps even him.” Funny how both wounds are still so fresh, losing them. Summer didn’t deserve her fate. She deserved a happy long life with her family who she loved more than anything.

She certainly didn’t deserve a wizard lying to her face.

          She saw it, if only because she was looking for it. Ruby isn’t sure how long she stood there, teeth gritted against the shrill wind and legs rubbing against one another for warmth --- debating heavily whether she should even make her presence known. Part of her wondered if Summer had even a remote interest in talking with her; another part of her wondered if she already knew someone was there, and Ruby would only embarrass them both by turning away without a word. But when she did speak up... Her mom jumped. Just the slightest little start, the subtlest little bunching of her petite shoulders... But it was there. It was there, and it was a direct reaction to hearing her voice carried along the wind. 

          How is that fair ?

          How is it fair that suddenly the roles are reversed --- a daughter feeling like their bond, fresh as it is, was hanging by a thread ?  How is it fair that Summer can stand there just like she’s imagined dozens --- hundreds --- of times ?  Turned away as if disappointed in how far ( how short ) she’s come; overlooking a cliff with a sharp drop, canting her head --- but her face remaining obscured from a thick white hood. How many times has she conjured a similar image to steady herself in the hard times ?  How many times has a similar image plagued her dreams uninvited ?  There’s no telling... But the moment Summer turns her head, she can’t help but inhale sharply. Suddenly, her footing feels unsteady --- as if she had jelly for legs. 

" We’re already cursed, Ruby. “

” Anything you want to say….won’t change that. “

          How is that fair ? 

          She almost immediately averts her gaze, downcast and to the side --- catching her bottom lip between her teeth. She’s... indecisive. Even now, when bitterness and anger threatens to boil right over, she gathers everything within her to keep it at bay. She wouldn’t make the same mistake twice, not after the month she’s had... Not after the last conversation they shared. But even so, even with that carefully-gathered restraint... 

               ❛   Really ?  ‘Cause... what I’ve already said changed plenty.   ❜   Her voice is trembling, try though she might to iron out the creases. Anxiety --- knowing that one wrong step could send their relationship another ten steps back ?  Bitterness --- at hearing Summer Rose of all people try to talk to her about curses ?  Perhaps a mixture of both. She hopes Mom chalks it up to the wind.

               ❛   ... Can you even look at me ?   ❜   That one sentence is spoken with more fragility than she’s ever heard in her own voice.   ❛   Does looking at me hurt you that much ?   ❜

The woman looked familiar, although they had never met. Incredibly so, an uncanny resemblance. As though Ruby had aged between his seeing her the day before last and this moment. The same hair, same silver eyes. Not that he was personally familiar with Ruby’s family history, but it was nearly impossible not to see the complete and utter resemblance.

But he was staring, and grey eyes made eye contact with teal and since they didn’t know each other, it must be extremely uncomfortable to find a man staring at you so intently. More than staring, observing.

“Sorry,”

Welcome back!