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āI put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.ā
ćÉĪ¹Ī±ĘĻgĻ Ń cĻĘĻŃ:#BDA0CB ā ŃŠ½ĻĻ gŠ½Ń cĻĘĻŃ #F7B3DAć
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
ćÉĪ¹Ī±ĘĻgĻ Ń cĻĘĻŃ:#BDA0CB ā ŃŠ½ĻĻ gŠ½Ń cĻĘĻŃ #F7B3DAć
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
It was just Winter and the music, her hands playing deftly as they flew across the keys. Her star dress shone in the spotlight, Winter not even breaking a sweat. She did not hesitate nor tremble, she moved with all of the grace of a well-oiled machine. Was her Mother watching her? Were her Grandparents proud? This was it. She was rounding to the last note. Winter opened her eyes once more, noticing the audience. The reporters stood stalk-still, as though they had been enchanted by something. She drew out the final keys, resting her hands on the piano when she finished. "My name is Winter Matsuri!" She said to the small audience. "I am the Heir of Music and this was my final performance!" She took a bow, emotion overcoming her. Her hands trembled from fatigue, her entire body exhausted from the emotional toll that had gone into it. She turned to look to Elise, her pillar of support, only to notice that she was missing from the wings.
"Come on Winter, it's time to go." Bianca said, ushering her off the stage as questions began to pepper the air like bullets. Reporters pushed their holo microphones closer, trying to get them to float near Winter as the curtains dropped. "Are you alright?" Carter asked, taking her other arm. "Fine, I'm fine." She muttered, taking the water that Timothy offered. His face was red and tear streaked. "You'll always be first place," he said as she was ushered away. "But don't forget those of us that come up behind you!" Winter turned around and offered him a smile. "You're going to be fine Timothy," she did not see him fall to his knees as his enemy, the one who had beaten him time and again with her musical prowess, disappeared from his sight.
Outside, a crowd had gathered. It was just as Elise had predicted, they had rushed the theater. "This way!" Oliver called, they ran back inside, following him to the second floor. "Wait for it," a helicopter flew overhead, a ladder unravelling. "The President first," she grabbed onto the ladder, getting pulled up. "Winter, go," Oliver nodded when the ladder came back down. "What about Elise? Where is she?" Winter asked in concern, "She went with Serenity before you finished," Carter said quickly. Winter grabbed onto the ladder, getting hauled up by the President's security. The last time she had been on a helicopter, her spine had been broken in two places. Oliver came up after her, then Carter. Poor Bianca was left behind to try and get the car. "Where are we going?" Winter asked, watching as security tried to control the crowd below. "We'll be going back to my office," The President said. "Hello Ms. Matsuri, I've waited quite a long time to meet you." She held out a hand, Winter took it, the two shaking.
The President's expression changed, becoming a bit more solemn. "Don't do that," Winter said quickly. "Do what?" The President asked, surprised. "You're about to apologize for the past President's wrongs, right?" Winter asked, crossing her arms. "It's true, I was going to. I take it you don't want to hear it?" She sat back in her seat, "There's no point in apologizing for a dead man's actions. It's in the past, besides, there isn't anything you could do to make up for it." She was already trying to move on. "Oh, I spoke to Serenity," Oliver suddenly interjected. "She doesn't think her apartment would be secure enough for you to stay there." Winter frowned, "You I haven't forgiven." Winter crossed her arms and huffed. The others laughed as Oliver looked bewildered.
They landed on top of the building the President worked in. The snow blew around them from the helicopter's blades, creating a small flurry. Inside, a woman was waiting to greet them with hot drinks. "Winter, I'm sorry!" Oliver said as she took a sip of tea. "Not forgiven," she replied, Carter laughing behind them. "Fine! I was wrong! Is that what you want to hear? You were right and I didn't think about how you might feel, I was stupid. Okay? Is that it?" Winter took a long sip, "Yes." She took a seat, "All is forgiven," she crossed her ankles, Oliver sighing as he sank into a chair, taking a cup of coffee. "You two fight like an old couple," Carter pointed out, taking a cup of coffee. "We do not!" They both yelled in unison.
"Ms. Matsuri, is there anything we can do to make you stay longer?" The President asked, wanting to get down to business. "No, I have to go back, I'm getting married soon and my fiance doesn't like humans." It was common for Olympians to have a feeling of disdain towards them. After all, they had all seen the worst of humanity. "I'm already pushing it staying two days extra." The President nodded, "It's a real shame."