come little children

[adelicateflame]

Characters: All who visit.
Date: 10/14-10/25
Summary: A woman in a well gives advice. See the October plot for details.
Warnings: Will add if anything comes up.



[ Can you hear my singing, my dear-heart? ]

Comments

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Subaru was tired. Alone and tired, and both of these things were her own fault. After what she saw at the mansion, she didn't feel like she should have stayed around because she didn't understand it. Subaru couldn't process what she saw, and why it happened. Or maybe she could but didn't want to come to terms with it.

Was it this place changing people, again? Was this something Katina and Akiha would just... snap out of? Was it recent? The tag around her girlfriend's neck with another woman's name on it suddenly made more sense, and that's when the self-doubt hit.

So rather than just think on it, Subaru put herself to work. She was still determined to finish the pool, even if it wasn't the weather for it any longer and she had no way to heat it. She still jogged and rode on her skates in the sky (though not her usual routes, and always alone) just so she could clear her head.

But in every way physically and mentally she was pushing herself — to her limits, and away from her friends in the process — because she thought she had to. The cyborg had no other way of dealing with this, since the idea of confronting either of the others about it instilled in her a large quantity of fear.

That isn't on her mind in this moment. She is standing in front of the well, staring at it curiously as the music that had been playing in the back of her mind since morning sounded louder than ever. ] ...it's coming from here? That's weird. I've never seen this before. [ Which is good. It means she can take a break and, ideally, no one else will find her. Not yet. She isn't ready for it. ]

[adelicateflame]

[The music drifts off as she speaks.]

I haven't been here until recently. That might be why!

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Shocked, Subaru actually takes a step back. ] Whoa! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... intrude? [ Wait a second. She steps forward and peers into the well. ] Um, are you the well or in the well? [ Given this place, it could be either. ]

[adelicateflame]

Just in it. A singing well would be a rather strange sight, wouldn't you agree?

[of_the_highest_caliber]

I wouldn't be surprised, eheh...

[ Though it begs the question. ] Are you trapped, or... is this where you live?

[adelicateflame]

I'm perfectly comfortable down here, don't you go worrying about me. In fact, it's just perfect for me.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

If you say so... [ She didn't sound too sure of that, but if it's what the woman wanted, what right did she have to say anything about it?

Besides, she doesn't even have any rope handy. ] Was that your singing, too? [ Thinking she should do something other than ask questions, Subaru followed it up. ] It was very nice.

[adelicateflame]

[ She giggles. ] Why, thank you. I was a bit bored, you see. I'm glad I've managed to attract such a nice audience.

What's your name, dear?

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Audience... [ Subaru looked around. ] It's just me up here, actually. My name's Subaru. Subaru Nakajima!

[adelicateflame]

Well, it's nice to meet you, Subaru. A one-woman audience is enough for me.

[ There's a pause. ] Oh, I hope I didn't wake you...

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Same! [ She rubs her forehead a moment. ] No, it's okay. I've been pretty restless lately. I didn't even realize I was following the sound until I got here.

[adelicateflame]

Restless?

[Her attention is there immediately, all concern.]

Have you been troubled?

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Maybe. [ Subaru sat up on the edge of the well, not at all worried about how deep it was or that she might fall in. ] I'm sure it's nothing. [ Though she didn't sound at all convincing. ]

[adelicateflame]

Nothing? It does not seem to be nothing to you if it remains upon your mind.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Eheh. Good point. [ She can't deny that. ] It's just something I need to sort out for myself! ...as soon as I figure out what questions I need to be asking.

[adelicateflame]

Well, I won't pry, but... it's never easy to work out problems if you have no one to talk to. I can at least listen, if that's what would help.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Subaru thinks that over a little. She can't ask anyone else in the mansion, for various reasons. She doesn't have anyone here from home anymore. There really isn't anyone she can confide in except maybe Sayaka, who is having her own difficulties and she doesn't want to burden. ] Well... maybe...

I think you're right, that this isn't something I'm going to be able to work on alone, but I don't even know where I'd start.

[adelicateflame]

Hm, well, why were you so restless tonight?

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ On the other side of things, talking to a total stranger (not to mention one that resides in a well of all places) doesn't seem so smart... but she isn't thinking that far ahead. ] It's... well, it's Katina. Do you know Katina? I've known her since I first got her — though I met a lot of others, and I've made some good friends, Katina's a bit more special to me.

[ Though she sounded enthusiastic at first, she couldn't help but frown after that. ] But I think something's wrong. Something she's not telling me, and it's bothering me because I can't put my finger on the source. ....eheh, not that I've ever really been good at that sort of thing, but I've always tried my best to support my friends!