Initiative.

[trustbound]

Rachel looks a bit conflicted about what should happen from here; Lisbeth is still on the floor, but she's told her what she should do, and so... Well, she's never really been good at saying no, though she does walk up and reach out to pet Lisbeth's hair gingerly for a moment before turning to everyone else. "We should leave." And with that, the courtroom changes, all at once; it was one thing, and then quite simply it isn't, and the podium circle has been replaced with a round spread of consoles wrapping around a center spire. The room is no longer concrete and steel, but rather stark white, all done up in glossy tile that looks like it'd crack if you hit it hard enough with something – that said, it's not recommended to try, given that it's just as indestructible as everything else in the building. Rachel approaches the consoles, reaching out to touch them, fingers tapping gently against several of the unmarked buttons; it's probably not precisely necessary for her to do so, given the state of things, but she seems to like doing it, so do it she shall. There are a pair of slots that look like keycards are required; she glances at them for a second before manipulating more buttons, causing a small panel to open up in front of her – it looks like an authorization mechanism of some sort, the kind that you press your hand against to get it to recognize you. "It's going to be a bit jarring when you wake up; sorry about that, but you've been asleep for a really long time. I'd suggest giving it a moment." She pauses, though, once that's out there, glancing back at everyone. "I'll be on the other side with you, but not like this. We can still talk, though, if you like." And with that she just turns and presses her hand against the panel without waiting for an answer; the next thing you're aware of is the flash.

Comments

[matchbreaker]

T...then I shall add your name to the family registry. We might need to forge some documents, but we were going to have to do that anyway for your citizenry. They have all these forms these days, you know? It won't be a problem, though.

... Sayaka Marker, my beloved girl.

[destage]

[...God, her face feels so warm, she feels so light, she's--]

...I'm so excited to see it. Shihaba, it's...it's gonna be beautiful, no matter what. No matter what kind of work goes into it, I'm...I'm looking forward to seeing my new family, and getting to know them, and...

[She's just excited in general, really.]

It's all so much, honestly! I want to know so much more about it!

[matchbreaker]

[ this, more than anything, reminds her of the tragedy of when Sayaka died. That a girl who was just finishing the first chapter, just at the first step was snuffed out. To have both made sure she's alive and to make sure that there is more to see...

To her, that's a miracle. And her warm, teary smile shows it. ]

Of course. I'll show you everything I know. And I'm sure... I'm sure once you befriend her, Karin can show you even more. She knows that city in the sun, after all.

[destage]

...I can't wait for it, you know? We'll have to make some outings together--there's bound to be some place we can all go, and enjoy a big outing together. It'd be fun.

[Sayaka sighs, dreamily.]

[matchbreaker]

... No. You'll know Karin apart from me, I'm afraid.

[ ... YEAH HERE IS WHERE IT HAPPENS. ]

[destage]

...What? What do you mean by that...?

[oh boy time to get the popcorn and tissues]

[matchbreaker]

... The way Henry and the others saved her, so now she'll never be noticed by the vampires again, and she'll never run a risk of her blood rising again... was to allow her to be human. She more or less was one already. There's just one final step.

... She needed to forget that she was a vampire.

[destage]

...She doesn't even remember that she's a...

[What. The...]

Is this...is this so she wouldn't be hurt by those people again?

[matchbreaker]

Or by herself. She's a savior to vampirekind - but ever since the kidnapping, you remember I said her blood wasn't rising? If she forgets that connection entirely, if she never injects blood again... well, then it's easy. She'll live and die as a human, without her life ever being at risk again.

[destage]

...But--but doesn't that leave her all alone? Even with Usui-san, that's...

[Sayaka finds she...can't exactly judge, but--]

What about your family, too? Won't they miss her? Won't she miss all of you?

[matchbreaker]

Of course we'll miss her! [ . . . That's too sharp, mmm. Okay, exhale. ] Of course we'll miss her. We can never talk to her, but there she is right in the same city. As for her, though...

She doesn't remember us to miss us. There's a high chance that'll be broken the minute she meets any of us again, which is why we need to keep our distance.