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Weather Girls

The Chrysanthemum

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a part of Weather Girls, by The_Queen.

None

The_Queen holds sovereignty over The Chrysanthemum, giving them the ability to make limited changes.

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Setting

Default Location for Weather Girls
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Minimap

The Chrysanthemum is a part of Weather Girls.

2 Characters Here

Elise von Hresvelg [625] "Hide away from the light, the rain is the only refuge."
Winter Matsuri [625] As gentle as the falling snow.

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Character Portrait: Elise von Hresvelg Character Portrait: Winter Matsuri
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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







There was no reason to be afraid. She repeated this to herself many times as she was taken back to the flat that Mercedes and Serenity shared. She had many reasons to not be afraid, yet her heart continued to pound against her chest. She didn't want to be outside. But she didn't want to listen to Claude and Gordon being good people. Elise was far from a good person, and she knew it too. She wasn't like Claude, she wasn't big on caring for others. Why should she if they only ever wanted to use her, or hated her? "You betrayed us. You used us, and now you painted yourself as a hero." Mercedes hissed from the safety of her flat. Serenity looked upset as well, she had been waiting inside. "Now she's back in the clutches of the enemy, Elise! We had her away, so why didn't you just cooperate with us?"

Well, if everyone was going to hate her one way or another Elise might as well roll with it. "You think I'd let you two idiots keep custody of Winter and risk my identity being found out by the Chrysanthemum? It's bad enough that they have one of us, I refuse to let them have more." She had the illusion of confidence working for her. No one noticed her trembling, her shaking. "We were counting on you." Serenity closed her eyes, quietly shaking her head. "The four of us? We were supposed to become a team to help protect everyone" Mercedes gripped her collar, making the already dizzy Elise even more weak and faint. Still, she didn't flinch. She didn't allow herself to, it didn't fit her mask's character to flinch away from physical violence. "But now, thanks to you, it was all ruined!" Mercedes put her back on the floor, and Elise could feel the wind gathering around her fist.

"What are we going to do now? What if we don't have a second chance to save her?" Then the masters of the weather in their heads would continue to complain. Ame was still doing it, Elise already had enough criticism for her actions. "And this is my problem how? Winter clearly enjoys being a slave. Why not just let her be?" Why was everyone meddling in a problem that had nothing to do with them? "We're supposed to become heroes, but we all have to come together! What if there's some evil, some enemy that we have to band together to defeat?" Mercy cried, her eyes wide and frantic. "We can only do our best. If Winter doesn't want to join the band, then you can yell at her from the afterlife. This has nothing to do with me, so I'm leaving now." She might as well go somewhere else, she wasn't going to get any peace and isolation here.

If she couldn't get what she wanted here, she would just keep wandering until Claude and Gordon got bored. Elise limped through the city, wondering if it was bad that her cast for her broken arm was getting wet. She decided not to worry about it and continued walking. It didn't take long for yet another incident to happen, however. Someone rushed at her from behind while another one came from the front. They wore masks and gloves, they were clearly experts. As frightening as it was, Elise wasn't particularly worried. "It's as if you like making me work." 012 grinned at her, his teeth bared as he knocked the two men to the ground. "Who are they?" She caught sight of him following half an hour after leaving Serenity and Mercedes behind. Did he overhear the walk? "Enemies. Classified, but I didn't expect them to go after you."

012 smiled, reaching his hand out. "I'm curious, Elise von Hresvelg. Just why did these terrorists go after you of all people? And what is with this rain on a sunny day?"

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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Demon Slayer || LiSA ||




Backup arrived quickly, they were shuffled into a minivan, the cars moving out one by one to get Winter and Janet back to the apartment safely. Janet was giving a summary of the events to the man in the front. Winter braced herself, but Janet was a woman of her word, she had to tell them and she did. There was a moment of silence, then, "was she able to control it?" Janet seemed confused. "Yes, it was an isolated burst, the patches were roughly three feet each, just underneath the tires of the car. The man in the front seat was silent once more, "Nothing after that?" Janet shook her head, confirming that Winter did not do it again. "Alright, I'll report it to the Doc." That was it, no discussion of punishment or taking further action. Had everyone gone crazy? Winter wasn't sure. "We'll need to be more careful, it seems that someone is targeting Winter. I propose that we begin to set up security around the perimeter of the apartment building. No more unauthorized stops, 009."

So Janet hadn't been allowed to take her to the mall and grocery store? Winter glanced at Janet, who nodded. "Yes Sir," she said calmly, her tone even. They reached the apartment building without incident, Janet and Winter going inside, the door locking behind them. Winter's phone rang, a number she didn't recognize. "Turn on the news," whoever was on the other line hung up promptly after that. Winter scrambled to grab the remote, flipping through the channels until she reached the news. Her cane fell from her hands, she slipped to the ground, kneeling in the carpet. Her face was on the news again, and the next station, and the next. What was happening? It was her mugshot, from when she had been charged, as well as recent photos, the blizzards, and the accident from only an hour ago. Her face, clear as day, shooting ice underneath the tires of that car.

Who? How? Ice crept up her spine. Janet's phone rang, she disappeared into her bedroom. "We have a confirmed source reporting that Winter Matsuri, a 16 year old student of the City Center, who was formerly aqcuited of all terrorist charges, was recently seen shooting ice from her fingertips at a car. Sources spectulate that Ms. Matsuri could be a product of government experimentation, or something more sinister." Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest. Her hands trembled, wondering how this had happened. Was this Claude's doing? Had he done this? "Winter!" Janet snapped, Winter sitting upright, realizing that ice had been creeping around the carpet around her. "They want me back there, don't they? They're going to erase me now. Doc's going to- he's going to-" warm arms encircled her. Winter hadn't realized that her teeth were chattering.

There was a news helicopter zipping past the large glass window. "People want to know, is this girl a threat to our national security? Parents are saying that they don't feel safe sending their kids to school-" Janet turned the tv off. She lifted Winter up, grabbing her cane and placing her in her room, on the bed. "Stay here, I'm going to make some calls." Winter nodded, watching Janet leave, her hands balling up the blanket around her.

"So what do you do now?" Yuuki asked, scaring the living daylights out of her. "Don't do that!" Winter jumped, clutching her chest. "They're trying to paint you as a villian that deserves to be locked up." Yuuki crossed his arms, "but I appointed you my vassal because I knew you could change things. So what are you going to do Winter?" Yuuki knelt down, "I'm going to sit and wait!" Winter didn't know what to do. "You chose the wrong person! I don't want this power! I don't want this life!" She screamed, ice shooting from her fingertips, large icicles forming around her hands. "Stop rejecting it," Yuuki climbed onto the bed, he stroked her hair as she shook, her tears freezing to her face.

"Accept it, accept me and we can show them that there's nothing to fear. You've already met the other vassals-"

"And they tried to kill me!" They kept her tied up in a room and made her pee in a bucket, Winter wanted nothing to do with them. "What about that Claude boy? He wants to help you!"

"I don't want his help. It's his fault this is all happening!" Yuuki snatched up her phone, "What are you doing?" She tried to move her arms, only to realize she had frozen them to the bed, they were both encased in large sheets of ice. "I'm texting Claude to see if he leaked that video." Winter grit her teeth, attempting to break the ice. "The more you reject me, the more painful it becomes."

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Elise von Hresvelg Character Portrait: Winter Matsuri
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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







It was evident that something had to be done. To become the second Winter, Subject Y to her Subject X? Sorry, but Elise wasn't exactly aroused by the idea of being locked up and surveilled against her will. It was annoying enough having to deal with 012, but she couldn't let him figure out the truth. "So, please, Elise, can you explain this rain for me?" Elise looked up at the rain, moving her parasol to be able to see it. "Rain is caused by condensation of water in the air, forming clouds. When too much water condenses in the clouds, it becomes rain and falls back to the ground." She gave a harsh scrutinizing stare 012's way, her ruby eyes clear and feigning control. Could he hear her heartbeat, full of panic and terror? "What, didn't you learn condensation in school?"

He grinned, almost as if finding her to be amusing. "One second, I have to make a call. Please don't run off, who knows what might happen if I'm not around to protect you?" She forced a laugh, trying to sound fearless and calm. Be someone everyone hates. Be someone no one can touch. As long as she kept that to her heart no one would be able to hurt her. "Winter was stolen under all of your noses. I think I'm safer on my own." He reached for her but she backed up. Now, she definitely needed to get home. He rushed forward again, taking her and pulling her into his strong grip. "Yes, this is 012." The government agent said into his phone. "We had a run in with Those who Slither in the Dark during my surveillance of Miss Hresvelg. I'll be-"

"Vincent, now!" Elise shouted, and then 012 suddenly looked around in alarm. She stomped on his foot and ran off in the rain, almost glad that her bluff was a success. Instead of chasing, 012 took cover, no doubt expecting a fight with Vincent, the black arm of the Hresvelg house himself. He was more than just a servant, he was former hitman, but he definitely still had all of his old tricks in his bags. Now Elise just needed to get home before 012 realized that Vincent wasn't actually here at all. This wasn't a good part of town, so the sooner she returned, the better.

It was after Elise got back that Claude got the message from Winter. She retreated into her room and Claude grit his teeth. "No, we didn't do anything. We were waiting for the Government's reply tomorrow before making a move when the video came out." He replied quickly. He shook his head, upset at himself. Was it wrong to try to do things the legal way? He didn't think so, but it wasn't working. He needed to show the Government that none of this was his doing. No doubt they were running a counter campaign to shut him out from trying to raise support for Elise. "I'll send a message to 009 and ask for permission to publish a story with Grant to garner sympathy and empathy for Winter." He sent the message straight to 009's contacts. He was determined to make the world a better place, and helping a victim of government meddling and powers she never wanted was one of the ways. Was it possible to grant her a normal life?

Well, he was willing to put his own neck on the line to find out. Naturally, as Claude suspected the Chrysanthemum for making the video and sending it out, he was done waiting around. It was time to act. He announced his intentions, so it was fair game to make his own move on the game board.

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Character Portrait: Elise von Hresvelg Character Portrait: Winter Matsuri
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Demon Slayer || LiSA ||




"No!" Clouds were forming outside of the apartment building, it was beginning to snow. "Winter?" Janet pried the door off of the hinges, it was frozen shut. "Winter!" She was frozen to the bed, her lips blue. "Winter, you need to stop this, right now." Janet said sternly, trying to bring her back. Her eyes were shut, her skin cold to the touch. Yuuki stood behind her, but Janet couldn't see him. "You're hesitating? Could it be that you want to protect your captors Winter? Aren't you tired of being their dog?" She wasn't their dog, she had never asked for this. "Don't you remember Winter?" The light flurry had begun to snow in earnest. "You're the one that crossed through my gate," the ice continued to grow thicker and thicker around her body. "You're the one that begged me to live!"

"No!" She jerked, Janet kneeling in front of her, trying to shake her out of it. "So this is your curse! This is your curse for wanting to live! Accept it Winter, harness your power! You were born for this!" He leaned against her, his hands on her shoulders, "there is ice in your veins." She was freezing, she had never been this cold before. "Winter, say something to me!" Janet begged as the snow turned into a blizzard.

"Make your choice!"

"No!"

"Winter, wake up!"

"You don't get to reject me anymore!"

"Winter!"

A needle jabbed into her neck, the only piece of exposed skin left. At the same moment, Yuuki's hand plunged through her chest. Winter slumped over, the snowstorm outside stopping. "Your life isn't your own anymore. It's our life now." He whispered before disappearing. Janet used a knife to pick at the ice, trying to get Winter out of the position she was frozen into. "Hang on," the door outside slammed open, the ice having frozen it shut. "009 we're here for backup," she rose, knife still in hand. "I've deescilated the situation with hallidol." Winter stared blankly in front of her, for the time being, for her own safety, she was going to be taken back to that building. Outside, an angry crowd had already begun to gather. They saw the ice on the ground and the snow in the air and they knew she was there.

Her life was out of control. The small amount of stability she had, had been taken away. "It's alright Winter, you're safe now." Janet promised, they wrapped her in a heating blanket, her internal temperature dangerously low. "Just rest now, we'll be taking you back." 007 said as she was carried downstairs, Janet making sure to bring her phone and cane. Her life was ruined, again. As soon as they were outside, there were angry jeers and boos. She had spent years building a positive identity in the public eye and all it took was a one hour news special for it to come crumbling down. "Everything is ruined," Winter whimpered, draping her arm across her eyes. "I can't go back," she felt another needle prick her skin, "we're gonna infuse some warm saline to bring up your internal temperature." Oxygen looped underneath her nose, tickling her senses.

She was barely consciousness the ride back to that place. Her phone buzzed, no doubt it was Claude. She could never go to school again, she could never compete again. She didn't understand, who did this? Why? Why were they targeting her? She fell asleep during the ride back, waking up in her old room. No, this wasn't the same room, Winter realized. This one was much larger, her piano from the apartment there. Had they moved everything while she was asleep? She sat up slowly, realizing that she couldn't feel her legs. Winter threw the blanket off, her legs purple and blue. In her panic she fell out of bed, looking around for her cane. No, no, she couldn't go back to this again. She had worked so hard to relearn to walk.

For the second time that day, Winter burst into tears, her fragile hold on reality ruined.

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Character Portrait: Elise von Hresvelg Character Portrait: Winter Matsuri
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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







"Winter Matsuri - innocent victim misunderstood by society?" Gordon Grant released an article in the Chrysanthemum Howler, this time on the front page considering all the controversy of yesterday. They released all the required information given to them by the as of yet anonymous government agent who requested to keep their ID a secret so that they wouldn't be re-erased. The article went into detail about how Winter was just a country girl who came to Chrysanthemum and wanted to have a fun night with her family and her friends. Because of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, her world went upside down, she was given strange powers, she lost everyone she loved, she was dragged by the government to be put into care. "But the care was actually tests, as evidenced by these images and videos." Gordon Grant had written. "This was too much stress for the 12 year old girl, what 12 year old girl wouldn't lash out to protect herself?"

A traumatized 12 year old girl, put on trial for a crime she did not commit, mere days after losing all of her friends and family. She was all alone with no support group, no allies, only a cold hearted government staring her down, intending to have her locked away forever.

With the release of the new information, things became a lot more turbulent. What was the truth? What was the lie? Sure, there was an angry mob, but there was an equally sized group of peaceful protesters, picketing with their signs, pleading for Winter to be given a fair chance at life, that even with powers, she was just a young girl in awful circumstances. The streets were chaotic now thanks to Those who Slither in the Dark, or whatever it was Elise heard 012 talking about. Among the peaceful protesters, Elise caught sight of Serenity and Mercedes, bringing in the whole of the Chrysanthemum City Center to vie for Winter's innocence and good nature. They highlighted her achievements at the City Center, and how she would be dearly missed.

Elise was doing something a little more useful.

In the same area she was before when the Slithers found her, Elise was there again. The rain was pouring, as it always was, and she held her parasol bravely in the air. Her dominant arm was in a cast but really, by now, she was used to using things with her right arm now. She needed to set things straight with the Slithers because she didn't want to risk them leaking the fact that she, too, was a weather girl. She was already a famous celebrity, she didn't want to be known as a vassal as well. This part of the Chrysanthemum was lawless. Criminals and scum lived here, the low lives of society. Would they come? Would they show their faces?

"Is there a reason you're out here again?" 012 grinned at her, standing warily apart as usual. "Who would have thought that the black eagle who hid herself away from the world would show up at such a dangerous place two nights in a row?" This time she was here for a reason. "Vincent." Unfortunately 012 was here to ruin her day. Luckily, she had Vincent with her for real this time. He appeared from the shadows, as if he were a ghost, or a specter. "At your side, milady." He did a small bow, staring down 012 through his monocle'd eye. "I'm not here to fight, whoa there. I just want to know. Why are you here? You were attacked just last night, Elise, this isn't like you."

Elise had to portray the selfless girl who only wanted to protect her friend. "You people won't let me see my friend. So I'm taking drastic measures to finding things out on my own. Why was Winter sent to another school? Who leaked that video?" Her ruby eyes smouldered as the rain splashed against the tiles on the ground. "You really want to see her again? Will you stop going to dangerous places if I make a request?" No, she didn't particularly care about Winter, but it was the role she had to act. "We're not the ones who made the video. That's all you need to know, little missy." She wasn't going to have this kind of attitude.

"You stalked me for the last week. I'm no longer uninvolved. You took my friend from me, and you won't tell me anything." Her goal was to track down the Slithers, but she supposed questioning 012 was just as helpful, though for a different reason. "Fine, I'll put in a good word for you to be allowed on Winter's approved contacts list. Is what you want?" She shook her head. "009 won't allow it. But I do need something. You must tell your higher ups to take better care of Winter's mental health. Instead of discipline and isolation, treat her with care and love." Her eyes grew darker. Really, how stupid could a government be? "You want her to stop making blizzards? Make her happy. Make her stable. Or is that too hard for a big fancy tax-money taking all-mighty government to do?"

012 grinned, amused again at the feisty Elise von Hresvelg. "Alright, fine. I'll make a very opinionated message to me superiors. I'll send them spam mail." He winked at her then, and Elise glowered at him, pursing her lip. "But you make sure you stop putting yourself in danger. You're a kid - leave the Slithers to us adults." She gave a fake smile and nodded. "If you can prove that you the Slithers aren't part of your government, that would be a whole lot easier." She turned to Vincent, dismissing 012 now. "Take me home." Vincent nodded, as dutiful as ever. "Always at your service, milady."

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Character Portrait: Elise von Hresvelg Character Portrait: Winter Matsuri
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Demon Slayer || LiSA ||




"Checkmate," she pushed the button on the timer, glancing at her opponent, Doc. "Very good, it seems you've beaten me yet again. You know, I used to consider myself something of a chess prodigy before meeting you." He chuckled, rising from his seat. "Now, let's take a look at those legs of yours." She pushed back from the table, her feet bare, since there was no point in wearing shoes inside of her room. There was a glass wall that overlooked the garden, it seemed they had a bit more trust in her, upgrading her to a larger room with a view. Doc rolled up his sleeves, looking at her legs. They were cold to the touch, still discolored. "Can you feel this?" He asked, using a pen cap to poke the bottom of her feet. "The pressure, but not the sensation." If that made any sense. He nodded, "how about this?" He poked the back of her calf. "No, nothing." She felt tears well up in the corner of her eyes again. "There, there, it's going to be alright. We'll get to the bottom of this," Doc pat her head. His phone rang, his eyes narrowed. "What does 012 want now?" He grumbled, waving before he left.

Winter wheeled herself to the window. She hadn't touched any of the instruments yet, she wasn't in the mood to play. It was a beautiful sunny day outside, if not ruined by the people protesting outside the building. She didn't know whether they were for or against her, but she didn't care. The door opened, Dr. Hellen, the Psychologist, had arrived. "Winter, I've come to check on you." She smiled, but Winter did not return it. "Do you want to talk?" She asked, pulling out a chair. "Not really, no. There's nothing to talk about," she ran a hand through her hair in slight frustration, pulling at the ends. Hellen guided her hands away gently, "you have beautiful hair, it would be a shame if you started pulling it out." She smiled, her hand giving Winter's a squeeze. "A man named Gordon Grant launched a counter-campaign, he's trying to show people that there's nothing to be afraid of."

She handed her tablet to Winter to read, but Winter wasn't interested. "I don't need to read my own life story. I've already had to live through it enough times." She leaned back in the wheelchair, mentally and physically exhausted. "Winter, you know you can always tell me what's on your mind?" Winter nodded, but she couldn't, because everything she said had to be reported back. "My life is ruined, I just wanted to be normal. I wanted to go to normal school, do normal teenage things and now, through no fault of my own, I can never leave this building again." Hellen nodded, "Well, I wouldn't say never again. Once this all blows over, I'm sure you'll be able to-" she stopped, noticing the ice creeping up Winter's hand from inside her glove.

"Winter, talk to me, tell me what you're feeling."

"I hate everything, I hate myself the most." She whispered, her voice hoarse, her tears freezing to her cheeks. "Hey, don't say that." Dr. Hellen reached over, picking the ice tears off of her cheeks. "I don't want this, I don't want this life anymore." Hellen hugged her, even if they were not supposed to have physical contact. She had her own daughter at home, who was the same age as Winter. "And there's this voice in my head, this awful voice and it keeps telling me to just accept it so it won't hurt anymore." Obviously Dr. Hellen misinterpreted that bit, "Winter, don't listen to that voice. You're a very important girl, you're one of a kind. Alright? Is there anyone you want to see or talk to? Any friends from school?"

She was about to say no, then- "Claude and Elise Von Hreslevg." She hated Claude, ever since she had met him her life had slowly spiraled downwards, but she knew that he was the only one that could help her. She would approve Elise too, since she had saved her from the kidnapping, it only made sense that she would want to see someone that had saved her once before. "Anyone else? I'll make sure to reach out to them." She jotted their names down, looking up to Winter to see if there was anything else she could do. "Serenity and Mercedes, from school. I don't know their last names." Those two idiots, it was about time she spoke with them to see what they knew.

"Alright, I'm going to reach out to all of them and see if they have any interest in coming to visit. Just sit tight Winter, we're all working very hard behind the scenes right now to make sure you'll be safe." Winter knew the other half of that statement though, she had almost caused a third blizzard, they were keeping her here to protect the general public in case she lost control again. After Hellen left, Janet arrived. She was wearing her usual uniform, but today her hair was down, a rare occasion. "Hey kid," Janet rarely called her kid. "I know it doesn't make up for everything that happened, but I brought these." A coffee shake, her usual order, and a flaky pastry. "Thanks," she reached for the drink, the taste sweet.

Normally, Winter wasn't allowed these things, her dietary plan was supposed to be strictly protein and carbs, nothing too high in sugar, but Janet had grown soft on Winter, especially now, after having seen her break down.

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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







Public opinion was very divided at the moment. Some people believed the first news story, and claimed that Winter Matsuri was dangerous. In particular, there was a family known as the Peller family, who had a daughter that wanted to be a famous pianist. Nino Peller got second place often, and was discouraged from trying at the Opal's recent competition. Her parents were the most vehement supporters of the theory that Winter Matsuri was a national threat. On the other hand, the students of the Chrysanthemum City Center were trying to spread the word that Winter was just an unfortunate girl who received a hard lot in life. Both ideas were popular, but more popular still were those who refused to believe either side and chose to withhold judgment, waiting to see what other news would come out.

A message came to Elise's phone the day after her attempt to lure out the Slithers from the shadows. She was invited to talk to Winter. Was it a one time thing, or was something else happening? Was this a result of her own work, or was someone else pulling the strings? "Elise, are you dressed?" She stared angrily at her brother. "How can I dress myself with this arm?" It was still in a cast, making everything difficult. Claude snickered for some reason and helped dress her like he did all the other mornings. "Alright, you're good to go. Winter never reached out before, so maybe we can do something." He frowned, slumping a little. "What? We don't have time for you to get sad. This is my sanctuary time that I'm sacrificing for you." Her brother seemed a little deflated. "Why me though? Winter made it clear she hated me. I - I don't mind that. I'm still doing what's right, I don't want any rewards for it." Still, he looked puzzled. 'Why would she reach out to me?"

"If you want to know, you'll go." Was Elise's unsympathetic answer.

That was how the Von Hresvelg half-siblings found themselves in front of a small modest little flat (at least to their eyes). There were guards here, and they were allowed through the two sides of people. Mercedes and Serenity weren't here, it seemed they were still debating amongst themselves. Ignoring the support and the jeers, Elise kept her head high and entered the building. 012 and 009 were standing side by side, taking their bags and checking them over. The rain was still pouring - how had they not figured it out yet - and they were cleared for any contraband or weapons. "Don't talk about the Slithers." 012 reminded Elise and she nodded, she didn't need to be told that.

A room was set up. There were a few chairs, there were some paintings on the wall of things Elise didn't care about. Not only that, but there were even some potted plants. Elise almost found it funny how hard they tried to make this room comfortable but really, it all felt plastic to her. If they wanted help making a sanctuary of a room, they would ask Elise how to do it. She faced a gentle smile and waved at Winter. "Hey! I'm glad to finally see you! How have you been!" Claude stared at her before realizing and he nodded, forcing his own smile but he while he was naturally glib, he wasn't the actress his sister was. "Hope you're not taking things too hard. We'll clear your name and calm things down, so don't worry about a thing, alright?"

"Though I'm sure Winter doesn't want to talk about anything boring like that." What kind of talk was this? Did the psychologist think a monitored non-private talk would be any good for Winter at all? "012 approved of some books! Here, are there any you're interested in reading?" What she called books were actually Japanese comic books, there were quite a few varieties. Some were about magical girls, some were about an academy of underdog heroes, some were about a mute girl and her former bully. "Those aren't books." Claude chuckled, amused by Elise's abrupt face.

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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Demon Slayer || LiSA ||




Winter was supposed to go through a routine to help normalize and adjust to all of the changes. When she awoke in the morning, there were a few hours until she was meeting with Elise and Claude, should they decide to come. Winter transferred herself into the wheelchair and wheeled herself into the bathroom. She took a bath, sitting in the hot water for exactly thirty minutes and willing the ice to melt. She dragged herself out of the tub and went through her routine, brushing her teeth and hair, and picking out an outfit for her meeting. After all, she couldn't just wear pajamas all the time. She chose a blue sweater with white hearts on it and a high waisted skirt that zipped up the side. "Still a few hours," she murmured, glancing at her watch. Breakfast was set on the table, eggs and a fruit cup, juice, and pills.

They were supposed to help her regain feeling in her legs, but Winter still felt nothing. She tried not to feel frustrated after only three days, but it was hard not to. She had to switch gloves as well, not wanting to get her Mother's gloves dirty from the tires of the chair, she wore fingerless gloves for the time being, the feel of them unusual. Even if she ate slowly, there was still too much. She wheeled herself around her room, uncertain what to do, and eventually set herself upon the piano bench. She placed her legs on the peddles, wondering how she was supposed to play like this. "Don't think about it, just feel." Winter whispered, settling her hands on the keys. Slowly she played, a sad, slow tune. It was as though someone was standing over her, crying. "I didn't know you could make a piano weep."

"Don't scare me like that!" Winter snapped, jumping. Yuuki stood behind her, were the other's Heirs around this frequently? Elise had mentioned her Heir, Ame, who was apparently begging for her to save Winter. "Can you make a piano laugh too?" He leaned over her, she pushed a few keys, a tinkling tune coming out. Yuuki laughed, sitting in her wheelchair, playing with it. "What's this do?" He asked, turning one of the wheels and spinning in a circle. "That propels me since you decided to paralyze my legs." She glowered, remembering that she was mad at him. "I warned you, didn't I?" He held out a hand, but Winter knew better than to take it. "Keep rejecting me and it's just gonna spread." He rose, dusting off his robe.

"I told you that I accepted you and I got no answer!" She snapped, frustrated, afraid. "No, you said you did, but your heart is still saying no. You've gotta feel it in here," he placed a hand against her chest, her cheeks flaring up. "Pervert!" Instead of getting angry, he laughed, jumping away when she tried to hit him. "Accept it Winter, when you do, it'll stop hurting." He disappeared like a snowflake melting in the heat. There was a knock on the door, then it opened. "Winter? Your friends are here." Dr. Hellen smiled, seeming relieved that they had come. Winter nodded, "I'll be there in a moment." She transferred back into her chair and wheeled herself down the hall, knowing the way to the meeting room already.

They were there, sitting in two of the five chairs. Hellen removed one, giving Winter a big enough space to park herself in. "I'll be just outside if anyone needs anything," Dr. Hellen promised, closing the door behind her. It was to give them the illusion of privacy, but it was easy enough to tell by the four cameras in every corner just how private it truly was. Elise was wearing a new mask today, it seemed, one of compassion. She was a good actress, if Winter didn't know any better, it might've fooled her. "Hey," she gave a half-wave. "I wish I could say I was doing well," she was the exact opposite of well, right now, but she would adjust, like she always did. She had received a letter from the Lovely Academy for Gifted Girls this morning, stating that they were taking back their offer of acceptance and did not want her within 500 feet of the property.

"I'm not taking things hard," she said weakly, but it was pretty obvious that it wasn't true. Elise jumped at the chance to change the subject, taking out a stack of books she had brought Winter. At first, Winter stared, blinkling dumbly. Then, oddly enough, she began to laugh. "Wow, you really do think this is a prison, don't you?" She took the books, placing them in the saddlebag on her chair. "The books only have to be approved because you can hollow them out and smuggle stuff in them." She knew because, well, experience. "Come, I'll show you my room, I'd rather talk in there anyway." She unparked her chair, pushing open the door. "Hellen, I'm taking them to my room, like a normal teenage girl would do with her friends."

Dr. Hellen straightened, having been on her phone, monitoring. "Oh! Alright, yes, that would be very good." Winter led the way, her arm strength much better than her leg strength. She was a slow walker, but on wheels, she could have been Speed Racer. Hellen opened the door to Winter's room, holding it open for them to go inside. "I'll be right out here if you need anything!" She said, closing the door behind her, the lock engaging once it was shut. "This is my room," it was large, with a simple hospital bed and vibrantly painted walls. There was a carpet in the center of the space and a wall lined with books and games of all kinds, as well as a television set. The windows let in plenty of light, illuminating the opposite wall, where her instruments were, as well as the marble piano.

There was a table with two chairs, where Winter normally ate, and another door that led to a bathroom. She placed the books Elise had gotten her on the bookshelf and turned to face them. "There's no cameras in this room, it's safe to say what you want. Help yourself to snacks or drinks from the mini fridge," She wheeled over to her bed and transferred out of her chair, preferring to sit on the more comfortable cushions. Her bed had personal items, like colorful sheets and a weighted blanket, as well as throw pillows and stuffed animals. If it weren't for the fact that it was in a government building, Winter's room was rather nice. "Elise, I need to ask about your... benefactor." Winter's expression became serious.

"Does Claude know?" She wouldn't ask these questions in front of him if Elise had yet to tell him.

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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







They were actually here. This was, for once, the first time Winter Matsuri actually reached out to them. She also reached out to her kidnappers, which really was an indicator of how much the leak from what 012 called "those who slither in the darkness" but really, that named sounded ridiculous. They had to simply be a part of the Chrysanthemum. Claude told Elise beforehand not to be mean to Winter, she was in a delicate state, you shouldn't be cruel to someone who is trying to reach out for help. Winter began to laugh as Elise brought out the comic books, and Elise made a wry grin and nodded. "Look how small this room is, it's not my fault! My room at home is twice this size!" A lie, her room was a tiny bit smaller, but Elise always was a good liar. Wasn't that what acting was?

"Geez, if anything you shouldn't shown her the letters our Trig class was sending her." Claude shook his head. They tried to send a whole lot of letters but they were each denied and sent back. Claude assumed that the Government was simply keeping Winter hidden away, not even allowing her to see how her former classmates cared for her. "Some of them have typos in them, I wouldn't force anyone to read them!" Elise laughed like the sound of a rainbow after the dark clouds cleared up. "It must be boring stuck inside all the time, Winnie!" How nice it would be to get to stay inside forever and never have to show her face to the world.

They were pulled then into Winter's room which was supposedly private and safe. Was it true? Elise could only hope so. Claude went to get glasses of water for the three of them from the minifridge, thanking her for inviting them in. "Why did you invite me? I thought you hated me for trying to help." He wasn't asking because he didn't want to be hated. It didn't matter to him if he was. He just genuinely wanted to understand why he of all people was reached for. "I'm glad you're reaching out though, Winter, you shouldn't have to face this alone." He made a persuasive sort of smile. "If you want, you could interview Gordon Grant and finally get to say your piece. You have supporters - people that care and will listen. All you have to do is accept the invitation, whenever you feel you're strong enough."

Undoubtedly, Winter wanted to talk about the big rain cloud in the room. "He doesn't." Elise said quickly, shaking her head. "But it doesn't matter. I probably should have filled him in." Claude looked over at her, raising an eyebrow so Elise gave him a quick summary - she has rain powers, she has a person in her head named Ame, and she found the sun and the wind too. "I wish you told me." Claude murmured. "But that's fine. Thank you for telling me now." She nodded, and locked eyes with Winter. "Just sit there and listen quietly. I'll answer your questions at home, okay?" He nodded, agreeing to sit silently and not interrupt.

"You should know, 012 has been stalking me. There's someone I need to find, but 012 following me and stalking me makes it very difficult." She narrowed her ruby eyes, it was clear despite her confident and calm mask she was agitated and upset. She didn't like being followed. She didn't like her business being intruded upon. "He's going to find me out, I don't know how to get him off." She really, really, didn't want to be made into Winter 2.

No doubt Winter wanted to know all about Ame. "She always bugs me at night, like, if she wanted a slave, why couldn't she attach herself to someone else?" The black eagle didn't want anything to do with these powers. "She comes out at night when I sleep, or when I shower she calls me out. It's really... not fun." It was usually more of the same. "Berating me for not saving you, for bringing you right back into enemy hands. Telling me I'll melt into rain if I can't save you, which-" She glanced down at Winter's legs pointedly and winced. "Probably isn't just a threat, now that I'm seeing you." Were the sun and wind heirs threatening their hosts as well?

"What about yours? The more information we share, the better chance we'll have."

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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Demon Slayer || LiSA ||




"This is just the meeting room, it's not like I sleep in here," Winter shook her head. They really though that she was being imprisoned and isolated from everyone, didn't they? Even before, Winter had access to any book or game she wanted. Privilages were only taken away if she misbehaved, which Winter was pretty certain any parent would do to their child anyway. Similar to grounding, only sometimes a bit more extreme. Letters? "I don't need to see those," she said quickly. She didn't want to see what her classmates thought of her. Did they think they understood her now that the truth was out? Why she avoided going to class and spent most of her time in the music room? Why she avoided talking to anyone or making friends? Were they afraid of her?

They went to Winter's room, Claude getting water for all of them. Winter took the glass he brought her, her hands shaking slightly. She took a sip of water and placed it on the night stand, ice forming where her hand had touched. Claude wanted to know why Winter invited him to come, despite the fact that she had said that she hated him. She couldn't recall ever saying outright that she hated Claude, but she had thought it plenty of times. "Because the worst already came to pass." Winter replied with a shrug, "at first I blamed you, since the day after I met you, everything started going downhill, but since the truth is out and the world already knows, there's no point in trying to push you away anymore. Besides, I knew if I invited Elise, you would find a way to come anyhow."

Plus, Winter had been explicitly told to cut off contact with Claude, it wasn't as though she had done it purposely. "No, I don't want to talk to Gordon, not yet at least." She said quickly, wondering if it was too soon. Besides, there was no way security would let Gordon through the gates. She would have to invite all of the press, otherwise they would wonder if Gordon was being enticed or bribed. Winter shook her head, pushing the thoughts from mind. She had other things she needed to worry about and focus on, like seeing if Elise had the same issue with her Heir that Winter did. Why had Yuuki waited so long to reach out to her? It had been four years since the accident and only within the last month had he appeared in her dreams.

"We don't have to talk about it in front of him if he doesn't know-" but Elise turned to Claude and gave him a brief overview of everything. Explaining that she had found the sun and wind, that she herself was the rain and that there was a tiny voice in the back of her mind, pressuring her. The same voice Winter had, only it probably wasn't Yuuki that was bugging Elise. She couldn't help but smile when Elise told Claude to essentially shut up and listen. Her brow furrowed when Elise mentioned 012, that he was essentially stalking her. "I take it, it started sometime after you rescued me?" No doubt they were following Elise around in order to protect her from any unseen threats.

"I'll try and get him to knock it off," but Winter had little to no influence on the inner workings of the Chrysanthemum. The only real decisions she got to make were when she woke up and got to go to sleep, what she wanted to wear or eat, otherwise, her life was controlled by the government. Essentially a helicopter parent, only with more people involved and more parents than Winter could count on both hands. Winter listened as Elise explained, that Ame would come at night and bug her, that she was begging her to save Winter and threatening her the same way Winter had been. Winter listened carefully and only responded when Elise asked about her own Heir.

"His name is Yuuki," her voice was soft. She had never told anyone about him before, "he appears seemingly at random, mostly when I'm feeling emotional. Sometimes in my dreams to try and teach me about what I've apparently inherited." She tried to think of anything she may have left out. "This only happened because I keep rejecting it. I don't want this power," Winter said softly. "But unless I accept it, it's just going to worse." She needed to learn to control it, or else she risked losing the rest of her body to the ice.

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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







Winter explained her reasoning as for why Claude was invited. It was a puzzling thing, since she rejected his advanced when he tried to become friends with her. She dismissed him in front of the class, but luckily due to his natural charm and popularity it wasn't like anyone thought worse of him because of it. "I see." He nodded, sighing at Winter's explanation. "I didn't mean for things to go all wrong like that. If it was my fault, then I apologize." Still, he felt a need to explain himself, so that Winter would know he didn't mean ill, and that his work wasn't finished. "I just don't want to be a bystander, standing around and doing nothing if something bad is happening. And, well, 009 didn't make the best impression on us when she called you a test subject, or when she threatened to have you erased." He had to make sure that she was safe and not being used or treated horribly.

"This is still very illegal mind you." He muttered under his breath. It was clear that he and Gordon were still going to pressure the Chrysanthemum for better treatment, but given her powers and her skills, taking her out from under their dirty claws was never going to work. Elise, of course, didn't care about that side of the conversation, so she decided to play with her hair instead, finding it more interesting. "Will you always be controlled by them? Even as an adult?" Would Winter always be a caged bird, never to know freedom, to be well adjusted with society? And if that was the case, was this his sister's eventual destiny too?

With Claude silenced for now, they would be able to talk about the important things now. All the stuff about heirs and vassals - the more they could share, the more they would know about it. Maybe they could find a solution to rid themselves of these problematic powers. If only something like that were possible. Elise shared as much as she knew off the top of her head, including how 012 was stalking her and following her. The black eagle doubted that Winter had any way to stop him, she just wanted to complain about it. "He started doing it shortly after Claude, Gordon, and I met with 009." The day after that he was assigned to follow her around. "There's probably someone assigned to keep an eye on Claude and Gordon too." That way if they posed a risk someone would be on hand to eliminate them quickly.

Winter then told Elise all about the Heir of Snow, who called himself Yuuki. It seemed that they had different times to show up. Ame appeared when Elise felt tranquil or at peace - which was when she was asleep, or when she was in the bath or shower. The solitude of being surrounded by the sound of water, as if no one else existed in the world, was a privacy Elise once loved before Ame started interfering each time. Yuuki appeared when Winter was at emotional highs and lows it seemed. "I don't know if I accepted them, but that's how I found you when Serenity and Mercedes kidnapped you. I put a drop of water on you and traced your movements." She frowned, feeling oddly bashful about that. "...Just in case the Chrysanthemum tried to erase you, I'd still be able to find you."

Wasn't there a little bit of information she gathered from the others too? "...That's right. Mercedes mentioned it, but she was stressed out. Apparently the four of us are supposed to gather as a team to 'protect Chrysanthemum from danger', whatever that might mean." It just occured to her but it certainly came to mind. "Though if the Chrysanthemum keeps you isolated from the outside world I have a feeling you won't be able to fulfill whatever mission the heirs will give us." Would that spell the end of Chrysanthemum? If so, Elise didn't mind. It's not her fault some government officials were too afraid to do the thing that would save them from disaster.

Was that a rejection letter? Wasn't Winter supposed to - "Where will you be going to school? Or will you be educated in here?" Everyone had a right to education, even test subjects. Probably Winter wouldn't be able to do any schooling until after the people outside - both pro and against - got bored of the current sensationalism and found something else to waste their time with. "Do you want me to rain on them so that they leave?" It was already raining nonetheless, but she could always make it worse.

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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Demon Slayer || LiSA ||




A water droplet? It was ingenious really, something small enough that Winter never would have noticed it. Elise may well have saved her life, even if she didn't think of it like that. Even if Mercedes and Serenity meant well, there was a very real and dangerous possibility of death. Keeping someone locked up against their will, especially two super powered humans versus one, was not a situation Winter wanted to be in again. Even now, Winter had a hard time controlling her powers, as evidenced by the ice that was clinging to her glass of water. When she was emotional, her ability went out of control. If she kept her cool, however, she could; for the most part, control it.

"I guess you should just... accept it. Unless you want to end up like me," she gave a self-depricating laugh. "Locked up in a building somewhere because you went a little out of control and now you can't feel your legs." She wished there was a better way, a safer way, to go about this. She wished Yuuki would just tell her how to accept it so that she could end her pain already, but he was as aloof and vague as ever. Winter shook her head, no point in mulling over it if it wouldn't help her any. "Protect Chrysanthemum from danger?" Now that she thought about it, she could've sworn that Yuuki had said something about it. They were supposed to gather, the 4 girls, in oreder to protect the Chrysanthemum from something, but what?

What untold danger were they going up against? Why them? "Claude mentioned you were at the concert the day of the attack," Winter mentioned. "When the explosion went off, I remember seeing a blinding white light. I remember thinking how much I wanted to live. A shrine gate was suddenly in front of me and when I crossed through to the other side, I woke up in a hospital." The Doctors had told her that she had set off a blizzard, that she was in the center of it, huddled in a little ball, her leg destroyed by the blast. "I'd have to sneak out," which would be next to impossible considering the amount of cameras in this place and the fact that she was in a wheelchair. Of course, Winter would not tell Claude and Elise that the Chrysanthemum had been trying to find a way to control Winter's power ever since they had found her. They could find no trace of it in her blood or genetics, there was no way to synthesize it and hand it to others.

"They just like to make threats," she waved a hand in front of her face. "The only way that would ever happen is if I did something greally bad." Otherwise they would have erased her already. Considering the amount of protesters outside, that might be the only way to diffuse the situation. Then again, if they did that, once all of this did die down, Winter would never be able to enter another music competition. The topic suddenly changed again, it seemed that Elise was oddly talkative today. Perhaps it was the mask she was wearing today? "I have a tutor for the time being," they didn't want Winter to fall behind, after all. She had tutoring twice a day, for two hours each session. She had a break in between for things like lunch and resting.

"No, it's fine. They'll stand out there no matter what, besides, this is the last place you should be doing something like that, especially if 012 is already suspicious." Winter waved a hand at the window, at the people outside they could see but not hear. "I'm sure once they get tired, they'll go home." She transferred back into her wheelchair, wheeling over to the window to look outside. They couldn't see her, but she could see them. A counterprotest had started, it seemed.

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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







Well, at least Winter seemed to be entertained by her situation. Turning into an ice sculpture, and having her life be a prison both in ice and in structure. It was a thankless existence, one with no reward. Luckily, Elise had a chance to avoid having to deal with that. "For now cooperate with Yuuki, maybe he can reverse something." If there was a way to reverse the consequences of these powers Elise would rather know now than later. Was it bad to use Winter as a guinea pig towards that ideal? "Try telling him if he doesn't help you reverse it, you won't be able to help him with whatever task he may need." Surely Yuuki wanted something, as did all the heirs. They needed the vassals to accomplish their goals, but if a vassal were to die - well, the heir would be useless then, wouldn't they?

Their time was running out, soon they would have to go. Claude had a troubled frown and it was evident he wanted to talk. "Fine. Speak." Elise directed, giving him permission to not be silent again. "It's clear you have an important mission of some sort." Claude said after clearing his throat. "Gordon and I will continue to negotiate with the government to give you a better life. There has to be some kind of compromise they'll accept, if it means to save the world." Maybe mandatory weekly checkups, maybe a long period of power stability, maybe even good behavior, there had to be some condition that the Chrysanthemum would agree to. He would butt heads for as long as it took. "You'll die if you force it." Elise said with a shrug and Claude frowned again, thinking to himself.

"Well, it sounds to me that if Winter can't get out, we'll all be in danger of some disaster. That means I have to try even harder than before to fight for her freedom." He wasn't going to give up, he was going to do whatever it took. Was it stupid of him? Elise sure thought so, but Claude believed that just maybe, he might be able to make a difference. It was naive - why would the Chrysanthemum care about one girl's mental problems, about one boy's attempts to create change? They cared more consolidating power and controlling everyone around them. They were all evil, from 012 to 009. Elise would - well, she wouldn't dance, but she would imagine dancing on their graves if they were to die awful deaths. Those government idiots would sooner cause the end of Chrysanthemum than admit their wrongs.

There was a knock on the door. "It's getting late, and I'm sure you two rich kids have places to be." Elise knew 012's voice anywhere. Elise, personally, felt exhausted. She just wanted to curl up in her sanctuary and never go out again. "I'm tired, I wanna go back to my safety room." It seemed she was too tired to continue wearing the mask. Her arm felt heavy and stiff inside the cast, she hated wearing it but it was still stuck like that. She reached for her parasol, marked with the emblem of the black eagle to represent the Hresvelg family. "Thank you for letting us come. Don't be a stranger, if you can help it." Claude gave her a wink and helped walk Elise out. 009 was rigid, 012 was grinning, and Vincent and his car was waiting for them outside.

It was time to leave this cursed place behind. It was time to return to her beloved sanctuary.

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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Demon Slayer || LiSA ||




They were leaving, their time was up. 012 knocked on the door, Janet standing behind him, looking none too pleased, despite the fact that she had no authority to deny them entry. Of course, it would be her pleasure to guide them to the exit. "You too, I have my phone, so if anything new comes up, text me." Winter watched them leave, the door closing behind them. The silence was defeaning, the room going from full of talking and speculating to silence. It was lonely, Winter realized, she was lonely. She hadn't felt like this in a long time, as much as she didn't want to admit it, Elise and Claude offered a ray of hope. Winter turned away from the window, there was no point in watching the people who were crying for her demise or protesting her existence, as though she had a choice.

There was a soft knock on the door, Doc had come, bringing lunch with him. "Winter, I see your friends have just left." She nodded, wheeling to the table. "Yes, they did." He stroked his beard as he sat across from her, Winter taking the lid off of the tray. "Is the tutor going to come after lunch?" She asked, picking up her fork, knowing that he had come to potentially get information out of her. Winter ate slowly, deliberately, hoping to not give him a chance to ask. "So what did you speak of? Nothing too personal I hope." She shook her head, "No, just about school. We all worked on a project together, I wanted to know how we did." He nodded, "anything else?" Winter glanced upwards, then shook her head. "If you're thinking about if I told them about the tests, then no, I didn't. Speaking of tests, the nerve conduction study?"

"The results all came back normal, it seems the paralysis is a direct result of your mysterious power." He alluded, rising from his seat. "Don't forget to eat your dessert, 009 tells me it's one of your favorites." He left, Winter lifting up the cover on her dessert to reveal pudding with whipped cream on top, with chocolate shavings. One of her favorites? She placed the lid down, realizing that there was a note inside of it. Had Janet sneaked her a note? She picked up her spoon and reached for the piece of paper, a bit soggy from the lid, unravelling it slowly. Her heart thumped in her chest, wondering if this was some sort of prank, or if Janet was truly reaching out on her own.

Winter,

You're in grave danger. The Chrysanthemum is hiding secrets from all of us, secrets that I feel you deserve to know-


The rest of the note was blurred, unreadable due to the steam from the tray. Winter blinked, eating her pudding, wondering if this was a note from Janet, Doc, or someone else. What wasn't the Chrysanthemum telling her? A lot, probably. Like who those people were that were chasing them. Or who leaked all of that information to the press? Could it be that they had done it themselves? Had they leaked all of Winter's information in a bid to gain more control over her? She didn't know, she was feeling suddenly tired, however. The tutor would be here soon, she needed to finish her pudding before her got here.

Later that night, Winter lay in bed, waiting for the sleeping pills to kick in. She could've sworn, out of the corner of her eyes, that she saw someone watching her, but was certain that it was more than likely a shadow.

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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||








Sanctuary? Who would have been so naive as to believe that? What was waiting for Elise was a full on interrogation at the hands of none other but her half brother himself. "Who are 'those who slither in the dark'? He would ask. "How did you get so badly injured if it was Serenity and Mercedes that kidnapped Winter?" He wanted the truth on everything and Elise was forced to obey. "P--please stop! I don't have the energy to keep acting right now!" She would wail, wanting to go back to her room. It was just so tantalizingly close but he was barring her from her happiness. It was cruelty, it was inhumane! "Stop going out at night. I'll figure out the sluthers." Claude shook his head, making a smile. "I sent a letter to the Chrysanthemum, about a wish for a compromise. I hope they'll respond."

Would they? Elise wasn't so sure. And as she returned to her room, she saw Ame there, pouting at her. "You're supposed to save her, why did you just walk away so casually?!" Ame beat her fists against Elise's cast and she sighed. Was she not going to have any peace and quiet at all today? Was there no freedom for her to just be left alone in her room? "And what did you expect me to do?" Ame's eyes lit up and she waved her arms in the air. "You could have fought them! Drench their weapons in water so they can't attack! Steal her away! Be a hero!" Ame swooned at the thought and Elise wondered what it would be like to punch a little rain girl. "Remember, if you take too long, you'll melt into water!" She didn't want to, but she couldn't just pick a fight with the Chrysanthemum so overtly like that.

Elise was pushed to the ground. "How dare you protect Winter! She's a danger to us all!" Some of the students grouped up and were targeting her now. Why was this happening? Well, it was because of the new feed on the news, revealing Elise von Hresvelg as the hero that saved Winter when she was kidnapped, as someone sympathetic to a national risk. Obviously, the Chrysanthemum Howler was still spreading counter stories, marching a campaign to talk about the pains and suffering Winter faced daily, but it was a battle and no side was truly winning yet. "You think just because you have money you'll be safe from the blizzard?!"

Her ruby eyes burned like a slow fire, her lips creasing downwards under her breathing mask. "I would appreciate if you didn't put your commoner's hands on me." She muttered. Claude wasn't here, he was hard at work at a meeting with the Minister of Childcare, working with Angela to come up with new terms for Winter's daily life. Minister Angela MacMillan would be trying to figure out a soft hand approach with the Government instead of trying to abruptly force their hands. Someone slapped her across the face. "Don't look down on us just because we aren't as amazingly rich or smart as you!" Elise tried to pretend that she found this funny. "Oh? Are you attacking me or complimenting me?" Mercedes and Serenity walked by then. "Hey, maybe-" But Mercedes pulled Serenity's hand away. "Don't bother, she's still our enemy." She muttered to her friend. They still hadn't forgiven Elise's betrayal, which Elise would argue, wasn't a betrayal in the first place.

So, why was she even bothering attending school like this? Why not just drop out and live in her room forever? Wouldn't that just be so nice? It's not as if 012 could burst in and beat up students, that's one surefire way to get re-erased, that's for sure. She knew he was around, but keeping carefully out of sight. If anything, Elise needed to find a way to get in contact with the slitherers. They knew her secret - and she needed to silence them. "Elise? Where's your textbook?" The teacher asked, seeing that she wasn't reading along as history class started. "Don't need it." She went up to the white board and scribbled the answers to the daily questions on the board before limping away. This was a waste of time, she already knew everything without needing to spend hours listening to stupid kids try to figure things out.

Instead of wasting time sitting around, Elise was going to see if she could find anything out about the Slitherers.

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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Demon Slayer || LiSA ||




There was a little girl crying on the ground, kneeling in the snow. She shivered, her fingers and toes purple, her lips blue. In front of her were three graves, each of them fresh. "Why are you crying Winter?" A voice asked from behind her. She sniffled, only 12 years old and orphaned. "Everyone's dead. They all left me," A hand touched her shoulder, squeezing it. "Come on, let's go play inside." She was whisked off of her feet, her legs numb. Yuuki carried her into a house, seating her in front of the fire. She was no longer 12, but 16, sitting with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. "You don't want anyone else to leave you, so that's why you push everyone else away, isn't it?" Winter didn't answer, but clutched the blanket tighter. "That's why you let yourself come off as arrogant, you want to seem untouchable, but really, all you want is a hug."

"You don't know anything about me." She protested weakly, "but I do." Yuuki replied, pouring them both tea. She didn't reach for it, knowing better than to accept gifts from spirits. "I know that when you were 7, you tried to run away from home because your Grandpa told you, you had to stop bringing home stray dogs." Winter was silent, Yuuki continued. "I know that you don't remember your Mom, but you sometimes you think you have a memory of her smile. I know that when you were 10, you moved to the Chrysanthemum from the country side, and I know that when you were 8, you tried to kiss a boy, then cried because he didn't feel the same way." How did he know all of that? "I also know you're wondering how I know all of this," he grinned, taking a sip of his tea, Winter still hadn't reached for her's. "It's because we're one, why do you think you're losing sensation in your body? Because you're rejecting a part of yourself."

"And how do I stop it?" She asked, shuddering. "Accept it, accept me." Yuuki held out a hand, Winter was afraid to take it, she hesitated. "Trust me, Winter. You have nothing left to lose," he glanced at her hands, panic flushing through her. Still, she hesitated. "What is this mission you aren't telling us about?" Winter asked, not trusting him. "That comes next," his hand was still hovering over the table. "Just let go Winter, you don't need to be in control all the time." She reached over the cups of tea, taking his hand. She felt something within her, as though a gate had opened, snow and ice flooding through her. She was cold and hot at the same time, wondering what this was.

"Stand up Winter," she did, slowly. It was a dream, but she knew, she knew they were back. "Now, for the fun part."



Winter groaned, feeling strange. It was midday? Why had they let her sleep so late? She tried to sit up, only to realize that she was connected to far too many machines. What was going on? "You're awake!" Dr. Hellen exclaimed in surprise, stroking her forehead. Winter tugged at the oxygen beneath her nose. "Yes?" She asked blearly, wondering what had happened. "Doc found you passed out by the piano, you've been asleep for a few days." A few days? She was going to kill Yuuki. "I'm hungry," Hellen laughed. "I'm going to call Doc to come and take a look, alright? Just sit tight." When Hellen returned, she brought pudding and water. Winter took both eagerly, glad that she was getting something good. Janet was there as well.

Despite her neutral expression, Winter could tell Janet had been worried. She had learned to read her assigned guardian after a while. "Well, I'll be." He watched as Winter raised both legs slowly, wiggling her toes, something she had been unable to do before. She grinned, he wanted to run more tests of course, but Winter had a few new tricks up her sleeve. They were going to find out sooner or later and she'd rather show them now. She grasped her cane, her legs a bit unsteady after going unused for a bit. They walked slowly from Winter's room, to the testing room. "Alright, show us." Doc stepped back behind the glass.

Winter nodded, taking a deep breath. This had better work, she thought. "Spirit dress!" Her clothing began to change, a whirlwind of icicles surrounding her, she could see Yuuki out of the corner of her eyes, watching her tensely to see if she could do it. When the snow recinded, Winter's night gown had changed. She was wearing a gown, delicate and lacey, with a longbow in her hands, one made of ice. "Incredible!" Doc applauded on the other side of the glass. Janet was watching her, wide eyed, Dr. Hellen clapping wildly, as though they were proud of Winter somehow.

"It looks like you finally learned how to control it!"

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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







Of course, the rain only got worse as Elise left the City Center grounds. Why did this always have to happen? She naturally did know why, but she liked to ask anyways because it was so irksome. At least it helped hide her face a little if people didn't look too closely. She put her parasol up with a sigh, walking towards the station that would take her to the south side of the Chrysanthemum where the Blind Spot waited. Last time she was here she encountered what 012 called "those who slither in the dark". It was a long and tiresome name, but that was what they were called. If she went to them, would they be willing to talk to her? There was only one way to find out the answer to that question.

There was a crowd of people running towards the metro station to escape from the rain and find shelter and as Elise was walking one of them bumped shoulders with her. She stumbled, rubbing painfully at her cast and a hand stretched out to help her up. "Sorry, I didn't see you! Try not to dress in all black during a rain storm, silly!" The boy chuckled, for some reason not letting go of her hand. Elise was forced to follow him into the metro station where other citizens of the Chrysanthemum were sitting about, waiting for their trains, or just to hide away from the weather trying to drench them. It smelled bad here, like it reeked of commoner's sweat. Too many people, Elise didn't want to mingle in a big group like this.

She wasn't going to speak. Why should she? Even now there was a risk that they would look too closely at her clothes and see her family's crest on them. It was all she owned, Cynthia made sure all of their clothing was specially made after all. Even their school uniforms had the crest of the blackened eagle. "It's pretty cold! Hey, what's your name? I'm Timothy Green!" He looked more closely at her and frowned as she continued to ignore him. "Hello? Can you hear me-" And then he blinked and realized it. "Elise von Hresvelg! It's me, Timothy! You remember me?" Of course Elise remembered him. While there were quite a few rich families, there were only a small number of exceptionally wealthy. The Hresvelg family was one of them. The Greens were another, responsible for almost the entirety of the Chrysanthemum's food supply. "I-"

He smiled brightly, attracting way too much attention to himself. People were staring now at the two rich kids standing alone in the metro station, waiting for their rides to come. "I'm surprised! You became a hero, huh? You protected Winter Matsuri! My family doesn't like her because the blizzards hurts the farms they build, but I'm sure she's not bad! She's pretty cute actually!" Liss didn't want to deal with this. The Green family always had a green leaf crest on their clothes, and sure enough, Timothy was proud to show it off. "You really like talking, don't you?" The smile on his face fell for a moment. "You used to be a chatterbox too, you know!" But ever since the accident her desire to be social eroded away into nothingness.

Now the commoners really were staring at them. They were eyeing up the two noble children as if they were prey. Elise wasn't an idiot, she could tell that much. How much longer did she have to wait until subway train AB7D came to pick her up? "Wow, how nice." A smelly bearded man approached them with a slimy grin. "The hero herself. You sure you wanna be hanging around here at this time? Shouldn't you be in school?" Elise gave him a harsh stare with her ruby eyes and Timothy made an uncomfortable frown. "Well, we're-" The bearded man grinned. "You two surely got more than enough money for yourselves. Why don't you share some with the rest of us? Your clothes are worth more than our whole houses!"

The homeless were getting more aggressive now. Where were the Enforcers? Weren't they supposed to keep the homeless from congregating like this in public areas? As they shuffled closer with their torn clothes and broken faces someone kicked one of them to the ground. Like a shadow, Vincent was there, pulling his fist back to knock down another. "No hands on the lady." He stood straight, eyes narrowed like that of a hawk on the hunt. "Vincent! It's been so long!" Timothy seemed to have no compuncture about seeing the old man at work. Elise stared down the wretched commoners as they scampered away, frightened by Vincent's show of force. "If you wish to travel, milady, I suggest letting me drive you. It would be more secure that way." She nodded, annoyed by the smell of the poor and unfortunate. "You should avoid public transportation." Elise said to the Green child as she left with Vincent. "Who knows what the jealous and lazy will do?"

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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Demon Slayer || LiSA ||




"We're going to call a press conference," Dr. Hellen and Doc decided after watching Winter perform. She was gaining control over her powers, she could use them deliberately now. "We think it would be best, this way the public can air whatever greivances they have and you can say whatever you feel needs to be said as well." They were sitting in Winter's room, Winter no longer wearing her spirit dress. She was eating lunch, sitting cross legged on a chair, wearing her Mother's gloves once more. "Invite Gordon Grant, he's the one writing the counter articles, it would be good to have him there." Dr. Hellen nodded, jotting it down. Doc crossed his arms, watching her. "Slow down there Winter," he warned, not wanting her to choke. "We'll give you a few notes on what you should say, but we're leaving the rest up to you." She nodded, knowing that she would have to mostly stick to her script.

"I want to reenroll at City Center once this is all over." If they let her, of course. "We reached out, they've already declined." Doc said sternly, "We'll find you a better school, a smaller one with private security." Maybe City Center would change its mind once they watched the press conference? Winter didn't know. "Have Mercedes and Serenity responded to my request to see them?" She asked, picking at the vegetables on her plate. "No, neither have, unfortunately." Hellen shook her head, Winter didn't have their numbers, otherwise she would have texted them herself. She shifted herself, wondering how to bring up the next topic, considering it was one that she wasn't supposed to overhear.

"Claude offered to have his parents... adopt me." Winter said softly, unable to look at them. She didn't want to start trouble, but she was still a child. "They said that their parents agreed to it," she scratched at her arm, feeling slightly uncomfortable bringing the topic up. "Oh Winter," Hellen said softly. Doc shook his head, "You already know why that isn't possible. There is no point in hoping for something impossible," he rose slowly, clearing his throat. "Now rest up, we should have everything set up by tomorrow morning." She nodded, watching him leave, Dr. Hellen staying behind for a moment. "Winter, you're a very bright girl, I'm sure you already understand why something like adoption isn't feasable." She nodded, stirring her ice cream with a spoon. "I know, I just thought-" she cut herself off with a sigh.

"I don't know what I was thinking." She picked up her cane. "I'm gonna take a bath now." She rose, knowing that she would need to scrub hard to get the residue from the stickers off. The tutor came sometime after the bath, then Janet to inform her that preparations for the press meeting were underway. Winter liked to think that Janet secretly enjoyed their visits, even if it was hard to tell. "Summer break is supposed to start soon," Winter swung her legs, she was sitting on the piano bench, Janet standing to the side of the piano. "I'm aware, yes," Janet nodded her head. What would Winter do if she wasn't occupied for 4 hours a day with her studies? She wasn't sure. Surely Doc would find something else for her, or maybe she would study through the summer break?

"How long do you think it'll take before they give up?" Winter asked, indicating to the people picketing her existence outside. As though she had a choice to exist in all of this. "Io'm not sure, humans tend to hold a grudge." Winter took off her gloves and gingerly set them on the bench beside her, Janet adjusting the lid of the piano so she could play. "I want to play at the Opal Theater again," she said softly as her fingers brushed the keys. The pianos there were like no other. "Once this blows over, I'm sure you'll be invited to play again." Janet left sometime after and Winter went to bed that night, feeling discontent.

The next morning, she was nervous. She had never been formally interviewed before. Sure, she had, had plenty of encounters with the press in negative ways, but nothing like a press conference. She brushed her hair carefully and picked out one of her new dresses. Breakfast came a few minutes after she finished preparing and she ate slowly, nervous. A few minutes later, a knock came from the other side of the door. It was time.

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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







"Like hell I'm going to the press conference!" Elise snapped, shaking her head angrily. Claude and Gordon were having a final meeting before they both headed over to attend the press conference. Claude would serve as Gordon's assistant for the duration of the event of course. They invited Elise to join in but she didn't want to. "But I heard you and Winter became friends." Gordon gave her a smile, no doubt he liked the idea of his idol and the princess in her government tower getting along. "Friends? I only need my privacy!" She waited for Claude and Gordon to head out to where the press meeting would be, they both had plenty of plans to turn the crowd to their favor. Some of their best trump cards were waiting for them.

Once the coast was clear, Elise knew what she needed to do. "Vincent, take me to the south end of town." Vincent hesitated, but then nodded. "Yes, milady. If I may make a request, may I remain at your side for this excursion?" She nodded. It would be better that way. Today was her one chance to get with the Slithers and silence them somehow. It would have to be through some sort of deal, but that is what money is for, isn't it? Vincent would be her insurance should anything go wrong, as Elise wasn't exactly able to protect herself at all. "Yes. That would be wisest." Vincent's mustache twitched as he smiled and lead her to the car. "You're heading out again?" Cynthia asked from the doorway as the tow made their way towards the car. "All will be fine, I will make sure milady returns safe, madam." Vincent did a courteous bow and Cynthia nodded. "I have no doubt about that, but... well, I just hope everything goes well." Cynthia knew a little about what was going on, but Claude and Elise agreed to keep her out of it if possible. Cynthia wasn't like them, she wasn't naturally sneaky or deceptive. If anything, Cynthia was far too honest about everything.

They made their way towards the south end of town, listening to the holo radio as the press conference began. There were a lot of angry questions, but there were some questions trying to help Winter's case as well. Honestly, Elise would say that it was around a 50/50 right now. Hopefully it would help, or at least, hopefully people would get bored sooner or later. "May I ask what it is you've been doing, milady?" Vincent queried as he drove through the drizzling rain. "Nothing as grandiose as Winter." Elise muttered scornfully. "I'm just looking after myself." She wasn't like Claude, who had a big heart. She wasn't like Mercedes and Serenity, desperate to do the right thing. She just wanted to protect her own interests.

The Blind Spot was here, waiting for them. As usual it was the one place to be safe from the Chrysanthemum's watchful eye. Here, they could do as they pleased without fear of surveillance. Elise exited the vehicle and Vincent followed after her, weapons concealed carefully to protect if it became necessary. He was an expert in violence despite being a retired hitman, he knew how to handle himself in a fight. The people leered at her as she entered. Of course they would, she was dressed in the natural Hresvelg finery. "My name is Elise von Hresvelg." She said with fake fearlessness as she reached the bar's front counter. "I believe I'm wanted by someone around here. Now is our chance to speak."

As expected, someone stood up, pulling his white hood off, revealing a head of dark hair. He looked to be in his thirties, and smiled as he saw her. "Why, Miss Hresvelg, we tried to retrieve you some time ago, but a meddling dog from the Chrysanthemum didn't seem to agree." He extended his hand. "Come with me, and perhaps we can come to an understanding." He was apprehensive of Vincent however. "The Black hand of the Eagle, how nice of you to show yourself. Vincent bowed stiffly. "I will remain at milady's side." This was dangerous, but as long as Elise had Vincent, she would be safe from all dangers.

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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Demon Slayer || LiSA ||




012 and Janet were behind the door, waiting to escort her into the public eye. "Good morning Winter," 012 greeted with a wave. Janet was as silent and stoic as ever. "Slow down 012, Winter doesn't do fast." He was a bit ahead of them, right off the bat. "Sorry, sorry." He laughed, "so why do you always call 009 Janet?" He asked, seeming genuinely curious. Winter answered without hesitation. "If someone spent everyday taking care of you, would you want to address them so formally? Janet sounds warm, almost matronly. 009 sounds cold and stiff." 012 slowed down, falling into step. "What about me? Do I get a nickname?" He inquired, seeming eager somehow. When you became a Chrysanthemum agent, you were, essentially, erased. Everyhing personal about you, including your name and place of birth were deleted from the system. It was why they were given ID numbers.

"Would you like one?" Winter inquired, Janet piping up. "Careful, or you might end up with Tom." What, did 009 not like her nickname? Winter thought for a moment. "You can be Merlin, since you appear out of nowhere, like magic." He tapped a fist against his chest, seeming proud. "Merlin, I like it!" Janet rolled her eyes, "012, may I remind you that you are on duty?" They were approaching the doors. The press conference was open to the public, however you needed a press pass to get close, otherwise you had to wait outside of the gates. "I would like to prepare for a moment." She took a deep breath in, fearful. Janet and 012 waited, respectfully, until Winter gave a subtle nod. They opened up the doors, the first time Winter had been outside since all of this had begun.

As soon as they spotted her, they began to ask questions, the roar so loud that it hurt Winter's ears. She limped onto the stage, her grasp on her cane tight. She took her seat along with the others, Janet guarding one stairway and Merlin the other. Winter sat with her hands folded in her lap, her cane propped against her leg. Doc sat on one side of her and Hellen the other, both of them wearing official uniforms rather than their normal, casual attire and lab coats. Winter waited, Doc rising once the hour struck and going to the podium in the center of the stage. Behind them were two holo screens to enlarge the image for those who were all the way in the back. "I'm sure you must all have plenty of questions, which will be addressed in an orderly fashion at the end of the presentation." Presentation? Winter had not been made aware of this, she only knew of the small bit she was supposed to say and the responses she was supposed to reply with when asked.

"Our discovery began 4 years ago, after the terrorist attack of 30XX. A stadium was bombed and on the very same day, in the middle of summer, a blizzard." There was a slide show, of course, because Doc loved his slide-shows. A picture of Winter, 12 years old, in the hospital, her leg in a cage in between surgeries to keep it straight. She self consciously crossed her legs, as though to hide the scars underneath her stockings. "Imagine our surprise when we discovered that the cause of the blizzard was a little girl." He moved to the next slide, a photo of Winter from the front and back, her face still marred by the bruises of the attack. She tried to keep her hands from curling up into fists in her lap at the memory. They thought she had used some sort of fancy technology to cause the blizzard, which Winter didn't even remember.

"It was upon the second blizzard that we realized that Winter Matsuri truly had this inexplicable power. Thus, the Chrysanthemum made the executive decision that for the safety of both Winter and its citizens to take her under our care." He moved on to the next slide, a video of Winter in rehabilitation, regaining her ability to walk. Another video, this one testing her power, and a third, of her sleeping, of ice creeping up the walls. When had they gotten that video? Winter wondered, realizing it must have been recent, when she was in her mini-comatose state where Yuuki held her consciousness hostage in order to train her. "Now, the Chrysanthemum has officially found a way to harness Ms. Matsuri's power."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the future of the Chrysanthemum. Your very first, real-life superpowered human." He gestured to Winter to stand, who grasped her cane, rising, her hands shaking ever so slightly. He nodded, Winter realizing the microphone that had been clipped to her dress had turned on. She took in a slow breath and reached towards the sky. "Spirit dress!" Snow whirrled around her, her dress transforming, her entire outfit changing. When she lowered her hand, the ice bow was within her grasp. She heard gasps and whispers, plenty of camera shutters going off. "Allow us to demonstrate. Don't worry, you are all completely safe. Ms. Matsuri's power is fully under control."

She drew the bow string back, an icy arrow forming. Winter launched it into the sky, which exploded into a flurry of harmless snowflakes. There were gasps, more camera shutters. "Now, Winter will field a few questions, I'm sure you all have plenty." Doc stepped aside, allowing Winter to take to the podium. She had to stand on a step to reach the microphone, considering her short stature. "Ms. Matsuri, surely you don't expect us to believe that you aren't going to turn on the Chrysanthemum?" Came the first question. Winter blinked, bewildered. "What do you mean? Why would I do that? The Chrysanthemum is my home, just as much as it is all of yours."

"Winter, Gordon Grant here," he took the microphone, winking. "What are your thoughts on being parented by cold government officials and not being allowed to enter the foster care system?" She didn't need to look behind her to know that Doc and Hellen's eyes were both boring into her. "I'm under the constant care of the Chrysanthemum's top medical professionals and psychologists, anymore parents and I might lose my mind." There were a few laughs, Winter doing her best to disperse the tension. "Ms. Matsuri, do you have any idea how much you're costing us in tax payer money?" A grumpy reporter asked, looking rather harried as he held the microphone. "No, but I'm working on my math skills with a tutor, so perhaps one day I will." More laughter, she could feel the eyes on her back grow a bit less intense.

"Winter, what are your thoughts on the meddling in your everyday life by government officials?" Claude asked, wearing a press-pass. Winter had expected him to be here, of course. "Doc and Dr. Hellen are constantly working to make sure that all of my needs are met." She smiled, trying to put them all at ease.

That's when she heard it. "Get down!" An explosion, it sounded like a gun. Winter reacted instinctively, a thick barrier of ice forming. She had practiced this with Yuuki, actively listening for threats. "009, 012!" Doc snapped, both of them jumping into action to protect Winter and get her inside.

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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







Elise and Vincent were put into a car with blackened windows so that they couldn't see out of them. It was less a car and more of a limo, with a large central area in the middle where they could sit. Quite a few people were here, most of them she did not recognize. So these were some of the Slithers? They wore white robes, almost like a cult of sorts. Knowing the kind of powers she had, it really shouldn't have surprised her. A dark skinned woman with bright red hair smiled, holding out her hand. "You can call me Kronya. I'm the highest authority Slither here. Is there something you wanted, Elise?" They all looked like snakes, even the dark haired man. The man who escorted Elise to the vehicle was named Ender, and apparently the smaller one next to him with the sneaky grin was his son, also named Ender.

"I'm aware you know my identity as the vassal of rain." Her heart was pounding, fear was in every corner of her chest. Even so, she had to do this, didn't she? This was the only way to make sure that the Slithers didn't reveal her identity to the Chrysanthemum. While Elise was perfectly aware that the Slithers and the Chrysanthemum were far from allies, she still needed to take every precaution. Vincent was on high alert, his concealed weapons ready to go at a moment's notice. "That's right. You're nice and direct, I like that in a girl." Wallace Ender said with a snicker. For a man many years older than her Elise certainly did not enjoy that kind of comment. "I would appreciate if my identity was not leaked to the Chrysanthemum. I would rather not become the next slave to the President." Winter was most definitely becoming a slave, with no will or mind. Her responses during the press conference was evidence enough of that.

Kronya and Ender the elder exchanged a look. "Well, there is something we could have you help us with. You see, we want to disrupt the press conference. We already have a team there, but they're outgunned by the Chrysanthemum's enforcers. You're the rain, so I'm sure there's something you can do." Elise frowned. She would have to use her powers? She really didn't want to - what if they found her out this way? "Milady, you don't have to do this. This is dangerous." Vincent told her, his eyes unblinking, his stature unflinching. "How do I protect my identity?" Kronya nodded with a smile. "You'll hide behind Oliver here. He's our very own vassal of magma." The younger Ender cheerfully waved his hand at them. "Howdy." He said, crossing his arms again. "Name's Oliver. Don't slow me down for this mission, alright?" Elise thought about it for a moment. There wasn't much time to think, but this was probably the best way to ensure her identity was secured. "If you betray me, I'll do the same." Kronya's smile was wide, her teeth bared. "I wouldn't expect anything less, Black Eagle."

The explosion went off. From a skyscraper with an aeriel view of the press conference, Elise and Oliver and Vincent were gathered, with other Slithers around them. It was far, but they had special tools to allow them to see everything down on the ground. Elise did not enjoy the white and gold robes, but it was good for hiding her identity. Vincent too, was forced to wear them. She stood behind the taller Oliver of course. "Chrysanthemum!" Kronya yelled into the loudspeaker as Winter's protectors got into action. "For your crimes of controlling the vassal of snow and your experiments to replicate and weaponize her power, we'll deliver you your judgment! Us who slither in the dark won't stand for your evil!"

The loudspeaker distorted her voice of course. As the ground team of Slithers opened fire on Winter, Oliver raised his fist. Fire shot up from the ground, burning away the ice, turning into nothing but water. "If you don't want rain and fire to destroy this city from our vassal, you'll hand Winter over and we'll leave peacefully!" The stage began erupting into flames, the heat rising up and lapping at the feet of 012, 009, and Winter herself. Elise watched as Claude pushed Gordon to the side, onto the ground where he would be safe.

The Enforcers were here though, and they were all armed. "Your turn, cutie." Oliver whispered into her ear. She nodded, trying to remember what Ame told her to do. She moved her arm, manipulating the melted ice that had become water, driving the water into the guns of the Enforcers, jamming their weapons and causing them to break. "Make your choice, Chrysanthemum. Hand over your biological weapon, or we'll flood the city with fire and water!" Kronya continued to threaten, hoisting her sniper rifle. Instead of bullets, it was armed with tranquilizers. She was just waiting for a chance to put Winter to sleep and have her hidden members of the press rush out to grab Winter before the agents could react. Elise pointed at the man known as Doc, seeing as he was barking orders at 009 and 012. "Focus him, Oliver. He's the one with authority here." Oliver nodded, shooting flaming rocks from the ground to try to bury the doc and snuff him out for good. If they focused Doc, there was a chance the agents would try to protect their boss, making it easier for their plan to succeed.

Down on the ground, the civilians were in a panic. With their lives in direct danger, many of them began to cry and chant, trying to escape the fire and the flood. "Please save us, President!" They would scream. "Hand her over, don't let the terrorists kill us!" The area was surrounded by flames, there was nowhere to run. Even as they tried to use water to douse the flames, Elise would bend the water away, letting the fire continue to grow and spread.

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Character Portrait: Elise von Hresvelg Character Portrait: Winter Matsuri
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Demon Slayer || LiSA ||




What was happening? This wasn't part of the plan, Winter didn't know what to do. She wasn't trained for anything, she was just a kid. Just a sixteen year old girl who was trapped in the shadow of everyone trying to control her. This was supposed to be a press-conference, not a terrorist attack. Winter put up a wall of ice, attempting to protect both the reporters and herself. "Get Subject X out of here!" Doc growled, 009 and 012 grabbing Winter on either side, hauling her away from the stage. Flames suddenly burst from the ground, as though they came from nowhere, surrounding them. They were stuck, frozen in place, unable to move. Winter put up ice to try and push the flames back, the heat searing. Were there bombs in the ground? No, Winter had experienced bombings first hand.

Yuuki had never mentioned a fire user. "Gotta get out of here," she coughed, the smoke burning her eyes and lungs. She formed an ice arrow, shooting it in the direction of the explosion on top of the building. She knocked another, getting ready to shoot when Janet grabbed her. "Winter, no." She shook her head, "listen." They were demanding that she be handed over to them, that this was their punishment for trying to weaponize her. Winter went stiff, uncertain, her hands trembling. "No, I don't want to go with them." She whispered, terrified. "We're not going to let them take you, don't worry." 012 winked, taking the safety off of his gun. Janet did the same, the two of them circling around her, the flames making them sweat.

Not Winter, she was shivering. They wouldn't just... hand her over, would they? She was a person, not a bargaining chip, a human being. Rain? Winter looked up, it was raining, the flame sizzling around them, but not going out. "What did you get yourself into?" It had been a mistake to trust Elise, Winter realized that now, as she watched the rain fall on what had previously been a sunny day. She was working with these terrorists, how had Winter not seen this coming? "Winter, control yourself." Janet hissed, ice creeping up her arms. It had begun to snow around her, snow and rain and fire. All they needed was an earthquake and they would have the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

"I can help," Winter said insistantly. "What can you do?" 012 laughed, "you're not a trained agent! You're just a crippled kid whose head is being filled with stories! Let the adults handle it!" Janet elbowed him in the side. He looked down, no longer laughing, his feet frozen to the ground. "Winter no-" Janet reached for her, but Winter was already icing over the flames, long enough for her to jump over them. She used her cane to balance herself, walking quickly, unable to run, back to the stage. Wherever she stepped, ice spread out, her hair flaring around her like an animated character. Winter garbbed the microphone from the stage, glad to hear that it was still on. "We do not negotiate with terrorists!" Her hand shot out, a wave of ice jutting outwards.

Something pierced her shoulder. She looked down, blood trickling from the wound. She had been shot. She growled, shooting ice from her other hand, only to get shot again. A third in her stomach, a fourth in her leg. She was not aware that they were darts from a dart gun, only aware of the pain that exploded each time it pierced her skin. It was a hot, burning, searing pain. Winter fell to her knees, her cane clattering to the ground. "I'm... not... done... yet!" Another wall of ice went up, long enough for Doc and Hellen to escape. All hell had broken loose, reporters stuck between reporting and running for their lives. She was shot in the neck, crumpling to the stage with the finality of enough tranqualiziers to put out a horse.

"Winter!" Janet screamed, only to be knocked back by fire. 012 grabbed her, shielding them from the flames that were closing in. Winter wasn't sure who lifted her, they swiped a hand over her eyes, closing them. Was she dead? Was this what it was like? No, surely death wasn't this stifling. There was no bright light, no shrine gate in front of her. Surely, Yuuki would be here, bugging her? This was the sensation of being trapped within your own body. Winter's breathing slowed to the point where her chest no longer appeared to be rising and falling, her body entering survival mode, a hibernation of sorts. She was not aware of anything happening around her, but she could feel the sensation of blood trickling out of her nose, and hear the wind rushing in her ears. To the outside observer, Winter appeared dead.

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Character Portrait: Elise von Hresvelg Character Portrait: Winter Matsuri
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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







Kronya was threatening the people below while the Slithers did their work. Oliver was acting as both the rain and the flames, sparking fear among the populace. Winter was their only hope as she tried to fight back. It was terribly predictable that they would have brainwashed Winter into fighting for her, the very people who made her life hell. But just a like a frog in a well that didn't realize a world outside the well existed, Winter had no idea the danger she was in. Sure, Elise was in danger too, but that was why she had Vincent. As long as Vincent was with her, she could escape anything and not have to worry. There weren't many who were stronger than Vincent, that was for sure. But Winter didn't have a Vincent, she didn't have anyone truly on her side. It was rather pathetic, wasn't it?

"It's time to go, we'd best get moving." Oliver said with a snide smile, pointing down the elevator. Elise felt tired, but she knew the fight wasn't over yet. Winter was subdued and the ground team had gathered her and were bringing her to the meeting place. Elise played a little with her phone with her good arm as Vincent hovered by her side, standing protectively. "I thought you'd have asked what we plan to do with Winter." Kronya grinned, peering curiously at the black eagle standing before her. "I don't care. As long as I'm safe, why should I care?" Was it the mask or the real her poking through? It was hard to tell at this point, but in the end, did it really matter? Vincent raised an eyebrow but of course, said nothing in the end.

They grouped up with the ground team, and Winter was secured in their grasp. Seemingly bored, Elise continued to play with her phone, not wanting to interact with any of the Slithers. "You know, you seem like you'd be a good fit. Why don't we make you an honorary member of our group?" Oliver suggested with a grin, leering at her as if she were a helpless little pigeon. "I'd rather not get involved." She answered quickly, shaking her head. Becoming a Slither was a bit much for her, she had to admit. In Elise's eyes, they were just as bad as the Government. The only plus was that they were more honest with their intentions that the Chrysanthemum was, but even so, Elise and Claude had proof that the Chrysanthemum was planning on using Winter for horrible things.

Suddenly there was a flash of bright light. "What the-" Kronya raised her arm to try to shield her eyes. Elise could barely see, her ruby eyes had problems when the light flashed this strongly. "Protect the goods!" She yelled, directing the Slithers to try and move but then following a second flash of light to blind them, a gust of wind lifted Elise in the air. "Milady!" Vincent was lifted up too, and so was Winter. The three of them were dragged away by the wind and when it all wore off Elise found herself in the company of the two she had been communicating with the whole time. "Good, I knew you two would follow through." Mercedes glared at Elise, and Serenity seemed a bit unsure. They were a good distance away from the Slithers now, and after a little run to Vincent's car, they were safe in the vehicle. Winter was with them, safe and sound. "I still don't know hwy you expected us to help you." She made a gamble, and it seemed that her gamble paid off.

"Winter can't stay with the Chrysanthemum. They were forcing her to act as their mouth piece. We can't let the public get a good impression of them through her mouth." Right now, they needed to undo the brainwashing. The Chrysanthemum believed that the Slithers had Winter in their custody while right now the Slithers were most definitely trying to hunt down the sun and the wind, not knowing yet who they were. Winter might be brainwashed, but she certainly wasn't an idiot. A traumatized little girl just wouldn't easily be able to resist the words of her captors, not without some additional information from less biased sources. "Where are you taking her?" Serenity asked as Vincent dropped the girls off at their flat. "The Hresvelg house. She'll be secure and secret there." Vincent was a former hitman, so he knew how to remove any trackers from Winter's body. Even her phone was made safe, there was nothing left to trace her.

Back at home, as Vincent brought Winter in, Claude waited until they closed the door and found a room to put Winter in before he decided to start yelling. "What exactly is this, Elise? What did you do? Why were you working with the terrorists?" He demanded, anger clear in his eyes. Would he understand? Did Elise care if he did? "They were going to get Winter either way. I was there to make sure Winter ended up in the right hands." She said with a little frightened smile. "We'll show Winter what a real caring environment is, and we'll show her the proof that 020 gave us, regarding the Chrysanthemum's attempts to control and synthesize her powers, and we'll work with her bit by bit until her brainwashing is undone."

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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA

|| Dear Winter || AJR ||




"Tonight at 9, the Death of the Chrysanthemum's First Superhero."

"Winter Matsuri, a 16 year old student from City Center-"

"Sources say Ms. Matsuri was shot six times before she went down, protecting everyone around her with a wall of ice."

"This is what I'm talking about! We've become a society that gets angry about a kid with ice powers, but not angry about the gross mistreatment the Chrysanthemum is guilty of!"

"There will be a memorial for Ms. Matsuri at City Center on May 6th-"

"The body of Ms. Matsuri was stolen by the terrorists, Chrysanthemum officials say they will do everything in their power to retrieve it in order to give Winter a proper burial."



The television was a low drone in her ears. The room was dark except for the TV in the corner, an arm draped over her eyes so she wouldn't have to see pictures of herself on the screen. Her lunch sat untouched on the tray in the corner. She still felt tired, after two days of going in and out of sleep due to the amount of tranqualizers she was hit with. Apparently, the bullets she had thought shot her were actually rubber, leaving behind big, ugly bruises. Her concept of time was all messed up, her concept of everything was messed up really, considering she had no idea where she was or who had taken her here. She knew it wasn't home, considering the nightgown she wore was unfamiliar and the bed she lay in, while exravagant and plush, was not the hospital bed she normally slept on.

Whether she liked it or not, whether they was their intention, Winter had been erased. She was dead to the world, a city mourning a girl they had hated only days before. What had Winter done to deserve this? She didn't know. "You should really try to eat," Yuuki nudged her, sitting on the end of the bed. "What's the point? I'm dead, remember? Besides, I'm tired." Winter had no idea where she was. She could vaguely recall people coming in and out, but not faces. Everything had been a blur with so many drugs in her system. Both her cane, the one her Grandfather had shaped by hand, and her gloves, the ones that had been precious to her, were gone. Her hands itched without them, used to the warmth of the white leather. They felt naked, in a sense.

"Fine, then I'm gonna eat it all." Yuuki said, picking up the silver lid on the tray. Winter sat up slowly, her head still spinning. She turned the TV off, the room going dark. "Turn on the light," Yuuki, for once, did what Winter asked him. She reached out, making a cane out of ice to hobble to the bathroom with, her entire body sore. "Why don't we break out of this place?" Yuuki suggested. There were no windows in this room, it was rather small, as though it had been hastily set up to hold someone in. The cane broke right as she reached the bathroom, ice not meant to hold the weight of a small girl up. She would have fallen if she hadn't caught herself in the doorway. Yuuki didn't help her, he never did. Not even as he watched her crawl out of the bathroom and hoist herself onto the bed. She pulled the tray close, noticing the family crest stamped onto everything.

"Of course it's them," she growled under her breath. They just couldn't leave her alone, could they? Was this Claude's idea of saving her? Had he roped Elise into his crazy idea? She could remember a gentle breeze. They had Mercedes and Serenity working with them too. Was this their plan the entire time? "I'm gonna kill them," Winter said softly, the fork slowly beginning to freeze over. "That's the spirit!" Yuuki pat her on the back. There was a soft knock on the other side of the door, Winter wasn't sure if she should answer or not. "Winter?" Cynthia opened the door, apparently it hadn't been locked this entire time. "Oh, you're awake!" She smiled, all dolled up. "Claude and Elise should return from school soon." She opened the door a bit wider, the sunlight from the hallway flooding into the room.

"I've had the staff prepare you a proper room, now that the officials have left the grounds." So they looked for her here already? How had they kept them from finding her? Winter didn't know. Cynthia strode inside, Winter noticing a cane in her hands. "I hope this will suffice, I know it isn't that nice wooden one, but we can get you a proper one later on." The cane she brought was sleek and black, plain. "This is fine, thank you. I'm just a bit confused, why am I here?" She followed Cynthia out, Yuuki having disappeared as soon as the knock came. "My children and their crazy ideas," she laughed, the carpet thick and plush beneath her bare feet. Cynthia opened the door to a different room, "I'll have a fresh lunch tray made up for you. Don't hesitate to call for me if you need anything." She clasped one of Winter's hands between her own.

Winter didn't hear the lock click into place behind her, it was odd. She tested the doorknob, finding that no, it wasn't locked. She went to the tall windows on one of the room, overlooking the back of the property. Winter jimmied the handle, flinging the window open. They opened, but why? Were windows supposed to open? She took a step back, turning around. What about the bed? She went over to it, tugging at the blankets. They weren't tucked so that she couldn't take them off the bed. What else would she check? Winter threw the doors to the closet open, picking a hanger up off of the rack. It came off the shelf, it wasn't attached to it with a ring, like in the Chrysanthemum Government Tower.

The bathroom had no limiter on the tub or sink, she could even open the cabinet and look underneath it. She went back to the door, testing it once more, opening it up. No, it truly wasn't locked. She pooked her head into the hallway, but there was no one there. Did they trust her not to just leave? Winter closed the door once more, wondering if this was a test of some sorts. She went to sit in a chair, waiting, but the door only opened when a woman in a maid uniform came. "Excuse me, Ms. Matsuri, but the Matron would like to know what you would prefer to eat for lunch?" Winter blinked. Prefer to eat? No one had ever asked her that before. "I don't know," she looked at the window, which the maid went to close. "Are there... options?"

Ten minutes later, the maid returned with a tray full of different foods. Sandwiches and chips, cakes, and cookies, not a vegetable in sight. "It's not... poisoned, is it?" She asked, catching the maid off guard. "What? Why in the heavens would it be!" She pushed Winter's seat in closer, "eat child. I'll be back to see if you need anything else." She had left some sort of thick looking drink, a protein shake? No, protein shakes weren't pink. Winter picked it up, finding it to be icy and sweet. It broguht back memories of the farm, of picking strawberries with her grandparents and their dog that would eat berries right off of the vine when they weren't looking.

Was this truly allowed?

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Character Portrait: Elise von Hresvelg Character Portrait: Winter Matsuri
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❝Make them hate the fake, that way they won't see the real you.❞

ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E

|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||







For a few years there were two women of the Hresvelg household, one was Jeralt's wife, and the other was his mistress. Mirabel was an assertive and strong willed woman, intimidating many of her co-stars with her strong personality and confident smile. Cynthia was much more demure, like a little lamb trapped in headlights, a sheltered noble lady with a gentle heart that didn't know how to hurt a fly. When Claude told Cynthia about Winter's circumstances, the woman broke into tears. "I'll be the best mother I can be! I'll help her smile right now!" Cynthia wanted to run off and fix all of Winter's problems right then and there. She didn't have that kind of power though, but at least she could be like a warm hearth on a cold day and melt some of the pain away.

School had become volatile. Not that Elise wanted to go in the first place. She was trying her best to control her emotions because now everyone was on the lookout for anyone that could use rain. "Accept me, accept me!" Ame would cry but Elise had no idea what she meant by that. How did you accept your elemental heir? She didn't understand. Claude was still upset with her so he was busy talking to people that thought of themselves as his friends. Serenity and Mercedes happily ignored her, and Liss was fine with that. The Black Eagle had no cares in the world for interacting with others anyways. Still, the longer the mysterious rain continued to fall over the City Center the more people would start to piece the clues together.

At least some of the harassment died away, ever since Winter's name was cleared as a superhero the commoners didn't seem to want to outright bully her anymore. Elise preferred it that way - the less attention she drew to herself, the better. Still, that didn't mean that they liked her. "She doesn't even pay attention in class, she just stares out the window." Liss heard someone whispering while doing exactly as she was accused - ignoring the teacher and staring idly out the window waiting for the clock to tick down to her freedom. "God, she's so haughty. I bet she just wants to look cool! She probably studies really hard at home!" She didn't though, she didn't have to. Academia just naturally flowed into her brain without much effort one way or another.

Eventually school ended and the cast-winged eagle made her way to Vincent's limo. Claude came as well and they both silently sat as the vehicle made it's way back to the top of the gladed hill. Cynthia was all smiles waiting for them as she opened the door. "Welcome home! How was school?" Claude winced a little but he didn't want to worry his mother. "It was fine, thanks for asking. How was our guest?" Cynthia smiled. "She's learning a little bit of freedom! I hope I haven't been pampering her too much. Winter was awake now? Well, it had to happen eventually, didn't it? "No, you don't get to go to your room." Claude smiled threateningly as he took her by the elbow. So Elise was forced to go to Winter's assigned room against her will.

"Winter? Can we come in to talk?" Claude asked, knocking on the door. This wasn't Elise who would always answer no, so he would respect her if she didn't want them. "Look - I just have to say, this wasn't my idea. Elise went and did this on her own - but now that you're here, you're going to be safe and protected, okay?" Elise rolled her eyes, agitated, she just wanted to hide in her room and not deal with any of this. "Those people were called "those who slither in the dark". Just be happy they weren't the ones to get you." Elise muttered, knowing she did the right the right thing in general, even if it put her at risk. "Things would've been a lot worse if I didn't intervene." Instead of everyone having a few burns and Winter being taken to the Hresvelg household, people would have died and Winter would have been yet another guinea pig.