4th Course - Salt [Video]

[starofpleiades]

[In the late evening, the video suddenly turns on as there's a loud thump and a splatter, like something wet just hit the ground next to the vine. At the first, the picture is dark and its hard to make out the shape there. A trembling silhouette, hunched over as it rises unsteadily off the ground - the form seems small and thin, but draped in lengthy darkness - hair? - but also the limbs seems somehow... too long. Claws?

What little light there is reflects off the eyes of the cats coming to greet the new arrival, but as they draw closer, they hiss and their hair stands on end before they turn and run. The figure in the dark collapses back onto the ground again, curling up, shrinking in on itself.

For a moment, all is still. Then there's a soft, muffled noise as that huddled figure trembles. Sobbing. The vine finally sheds some light on the situation, illuminating the curled, dripping wet form of Kazumi, curled up in a glen on the grassy floor, clutching herself and sobbing quietly. It's a few moments before she opens her eyes, looking around, noticing the vine for the first time. She looks helpless, lost, but her first question isn't "Where am I?"]

Who am I? What am I?

Comments

[golden_gaytime]

[ As they approach the door: ] Are you hungry at all? There... isn't much food around the Gardens right now, but I'm sure I could put something together.

[drinkswithminors]

-The door itself didn't wait for them to open it. A bleary, tired looking Akira, dressed simply in an oversized t-shirt and some short-shorts, threw it open, seemingly in a hurry, and stopped when she saw the two girls before her.-

[starofpleiades]

I'm... not really. [She actually wasn't. It was strange but... she didn't really care right now.

She looked up when the door opened, but even when she saw Akira she couldn't manage a smile]

...I'm back.

[golden_gaytime]

[ Mugi doesn't respond, instead stepping to the side so those two could have their roommate reunion. She had an idea, even if Kazumi didn't want to eat. ] I'll go get the water warmed up and put out some clothes for you. You must be tired, so this way you can have a nice, dry sleep as quickly as possible! [ And without waiting for anyone to tell her if that was even a good idea, she slipping past Akira with a smile and got to work! ]

[drinkswithminors]

Kazumi... -Seeing her again... and seeing that look on her face, so similar to the one from the vine. All kinds of instincts took over. In her mind, she saw Lilly, wondering why she had to be different from the other girls. She saw that tragedy. And just like back then, she rushed in and wrapped her arms around the other girl, holding her close, tight, safe...-

Everything's gonna be okay...

[starofpleiades]

[Kazumi nodded quietly as Mugi moved into the apartment, leaving them alone. She looked up to Akira... this was... a friend, right? Would she... still like her? Even if she wasn't who thought she'd been. But what if...

She wanted to turn. Run away. Like she'd run from her friends.

But then those arms were around her and Kazumi couldn't help but cling back helplessly as those tears she'd been holding back burst forth and she started crying again]

Akira...! I... it's all gone wrong...!

[drinkswithminors]

-Akira did her best to soak up those tears. Did her best to be strong.-

Shhh Shhh...

[starofpleiades]

Everything... Satomi, I... [She breaks off into more tears, words and feelings all jumbled. She doesn't know anymore, doesn't want to know, just wants to be held and forget everything]

[drinkswithminors]

Shhh... You don't have to say a word. Not now. Not until you're ready. Just know it's okay. I've got you. And I'm never gonna let go, sweetness... -Well, figuratively.-

[starofpleiades]

Mm... mm... [Sniffling, she buries her face against Akira's chest as her sobbing gradually subsides, exhaustion starting to overcome that resurgence of emotion]