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βA heart's a heavy burden.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
It seemed that Aya had followed her around the corner, where Cress was secretly struggling to stay afloat. Heron was no where to be found, most likely helping to round up the knights to move them to the next section. They were ahead of schedule, which was a good thing. Cress could only hope that the rest of the day would go without a hitch. Her body was cooperating so far, thankfully, and Cress hoped that her legs would allow her to continue to keep walking until lunch. They stood a bit longer each day, able to withstand Cress's minimal weight. She couldn't wait to be able to eat solid foods again and regain what she had lost, mainly her chest. Cress wasn't sure why she was thinking of all of these things now, with Aya standing before her. Maybe it was because she had cornered Cress, or maybe it was because Cress had a habit of going off topic.
Aya described how she knew that Kora had screwed up, that her precious twin sister had thought herself unable to rival the knight Heron, who was so mighty and cocky. Aya was in love with her own sister, Kora, but had never gotten to tell how she had felt. Now she was in Kora's body, the body that had been broken and fixed but still had imperfect cracks. "I know how you feel," Cress gave a humorless chuckle. "I loved her, but I didn't realize it until it was too late." This was the real Aya wasn't it? The one Kora hadn't idolized as a sweet, perfect somebody. "I tried to explain to Kora, the Aya she had come up with was Kora herself, but she didn't want to listen." There was no need to lie, perhaps an outside perspective was exactly what they all needed.
To hear that Cress was her number one in Kora's memories made Cress blush. She looked down, her fingers holding onto her pockets as she kicked the dusty ground. "It'd be nice," Cress admitted, looking back up. "No lies between us, I want to know the real you Kora." Cress smiled, "I was always curious to meet the twin Kora spoke so fondly of." Yes, that was what Cress wanted to do. Maybe if she got to know the real Aya, the sting of losing the fake one would fade? "We started off on the wrong foot, let's try again." Cress said, hoping that Aya would be willing to have a do-over. "You shouldn't be sorry, this is who you are. At the end of the day, all any of us can do, is be ourselves." Aya was of no exception.
Aya handed something to Cress then, a little chip that Cress recognized very well. After all, she and every other Ashian citizen had one. Cress had gone through multiple with her many fake personas she had taken on during the war. "Kora," Cress whispered, closing her hand around the present. "Thank you," Cress felt a pang in her chest. "This wasn't an accident at all was it?" Cress asked quietly, "Kora taking a hit for Shiro, it was made up." Aya had said something that tickled Cress's curiosity. If Kora had taken a hit for Shiro, then why was Aya's chip inside of her body? This was probably some military experiment gone wrong. An attempt to quell and control the knight who was so willing to cut down anyone in her way.
"I'll keep it safe," Cress promised, holding the chip carefully. "Let's be good friends too Aya." Cress said, smiling again. "Now come on, we've got a garden to plant." Cress took Aya's hand, leading her to the next section where Heron was waiting for her. "I thought you said you weren't going to put the moves on my girl!" Heron said, her eyebrow twitching in slight annoyance. Heron grabbed Cress, pulling her into her chest and wrapping her arms protectively around her. "That's it Aya, I officially declare you my rival!" Cress shook her head, "It's not like that dummy." Cress said, but Heron's grip on her tightened. "That's just what she wants you to think."
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βYes Mistress.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
There was stunned silence all around. The normally quiet and meek pup that stayed a bit away, quietly supporting Nee from behind had spoken. Shiro felt nervous, what if they still didn't like her? What if they booed? The opposite happened though, people were murmuring their approval. Shiro felt her heart thump painfully in her chest, her knees were shaking so badly, she wasn't sure she could hold herself up in front of this crowd for much longer. Nee said that it was enough, that Shiro didn't have to go on. "I made the wrong decision didn't I?" Shiro whispered fearfully. "They won't like me now," Shiro whimpered. At that moment, there was a voice, one that Shiro would recognize anywhere. "Nani," Shiro breathed, turning towards the crowd.
They were cheering their support and the crowd murmured, approval running through them. Suddenly, they were all cheering their praise, happiness for a story of love that could overcome even the thickest of darkness. Shiro wasn't sure what this feeling was in her chest. Relief perhaps? Fear? Joy? Nee was crying and Shiro squeezed her hand tightly, wishing that she had Ellis here to support her, to make the shaking stop, to make breathing easier. Her holo rang, Wren was there, praising her. Shiro smiled, a small, joyful smile. "I'm so relived, I was scared that they weren't going to like me." The pup admitted, her hands shaking. Wren turned to Nee then, teasing her for crying on live holo vision.
Nee wiped her tears, her smile a bit pained. "Mm!" Shiro nodded her head, waving to the crowd. Then the knights escorted them back inside, to the safe confines of the palace. Once inside and away from prying eyes, Shiro collapsed, breathing hard. She was happy, but also a little bit sad. Nee who was so perfect, the crowd didn't seem to like her words that much. Shiro leaned against Nee's leg as a servant showed up with Ellis. Shiro took the stuffed dog gratefully, giving him a squeeze and feeling much better. "We did it didn't we?" Shiro asked, looking up at Nee. Shiro had managed to be a big girl, she hadn't tinkled at all after the initial sprinkling from stepping out onto the stage.
"They'll accept our love now right?" Shiro asked, trying to get up onto her feet, but her legs were shaking too badly. The pup tried to laugh, but in reality, she was terrified. She had held off the adrenaline until now and Shiro whimpered, feeling like she was going to be sick. She really had spoken to all of those people hadn't she? In defense of the one she loved most, of the only person who had shown her kindness during a dark hour. When Narina had been inflicted pain, Nee had been making it better. She overrode those scars of the past, taking away the pain and replacing it with happiness. It was all thanks to Nee that Shiro could be that brave, to speak in front of all those people on their behalf. Maybe now Ashia would understand the love between the two girls, it wasn't fake, it was far from it. "Our love is real," Shiro smiled, "Don't let them make you think different."