Spectral Radian: Strife of Altered Souls (Chapters 1-10)

Seven: Teardrop

Shiren woke up to the sound of Ruuka crunching on carrots. He eyed her sleepily as she bounced off the couch and plopped herself on the floor next to him. Biting into another carrot, she said in muffled voice, "Good morning, Shiren."

Shiren yawned and smiled at her. "I'm really sorry if the couch is uncomfortable -- I... don't really ever have guests over and I'm usually falling asleep in my chair so..." Ruuka stood up and put a carrot up to his mouth. "It's fine, don't worry about it. Worry about eating instead." He took the carrot and ate it without hesitation, which made Ruuka smile.

After they'd both eaten a handful of fruits and vegetables, Shiren finally gathered up the courage to ask: "What was that last night?" Ruuka smiled softly. "That was why I was kidnapped." Shiren nodded, the weight of her situation bringing him back down to reality.

"Hey, Ruuka...?"
"Yup?"
"I wanted to apologize, about last night."
"You already apologized, no?"
"Yeah...but..."
"Then you've already done more than anyone else who's ever done something hurtful to me. Just don't ever look at me like that again."
"Of course, I wouldn't, I promise."
"That's all I needed. To know that I wasn't being studied by you, too."

Shiren looked over to see her putting her jacket on, but when she went to go zip it up, he gently grabbed her hand.
"I promise."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
She left the jacket unzipped, and gently poked him on his arm. "I'm only wearing it like this because if i zip it up it's too hot for me. I just... wanted you to know." She showed him the insulation on the inside and he nodded in understanding.

- Rosered District -
Ruuka walked confidently beside Shiren, who tried his best to show her around. Whilst he had intimate knowledge of the entire city's map, he'd never been anywhere outside IRIS and Residential, especially not Rosered of all places.

After mulling her options, Ruuka chose a store that sold clothing for dancers. When she walks in, the store owner immediately tries to bring attention to her exposed front but she simply glares at the old woman. "I am here to buy more appropriately fitting clothes." The owner nods and waves toward the clothing racks.

A silver, shimmering blouse. A pair of black leggings. Petite white ballet shoes. This is what Ruuka stepped out from the changing room with, and she couldn't help but smile as she gave Shiren her jacket. Shiren paid for the surprisingly inexpensive outfit, and as he turned to leave, Shiren tapped his arm.

"Thank you. I haven't done anything this enjoyable in a very long time."
"I'm...happy I could give this to you."
"I want to get one more item, if that's okay with you."
"Sure thing Ruuka, what is it?"
"You'll see, just...can you take me to a jewelry store?"
"Oh, sure! I didn't realize you-"
"Shiren."
"Y- yeah?"
"Believe me, I know, I get it. I can literally see how everyone else works, their mannerisms, all that shit."
"Right..."
"And do you know how much I care?"
"How much?"
"I don't. I refuse to."
"I... genuinely like that about you."
"Good, because I wasn't planning on changing that anytime soon."

They crossed the street and walked into a jewelry store, where they were both greeted by an overwhelming amount of various pieces of different sizes and shapes. Ruuka went over to the display of earrings, and a pair of multicolored teardrop earrings caught her eye. She waved the owner over, and said, "I'd like these, please."
Shiren paid for the set, and eyed Ruuka as she put the right earring on. She then handed him the left earring. Shiren responded, "I don't have ear piercings, I'm sorry..." Ruuka shook her head. "I don't need you to wear it -- I need you to hold onto it."
"Oh, I see."
"You'll keep it safe, right?"
"I will."
"You won't let anything happen to it, right?"
"I promise, Ruuka."
"If you lose that earring, you've lost me, understand?"
"I... understand, I promise I'll take care of it."
"I'm glad, and thank you for all of this. I feel...a lot better than I have in...well, I can't even remember."

Shiren turns to her and gives her a hug. "I'm happy to help, I mean it." Ruuka hugs him back, and they both leave the store in collectively good spirits.

- Residential -
"This is the house."
Ruuka had brought Shiren to her house, to show him how off everything about it really was. He walked in behind her, but bumped into her as she stopped suddenly, her breathing heavy.
"Shiren. Walk back outside."
"But why?"
"Shiren. Walk. Back. Outside."
Shiren backs out of the house and Ruuka, shivering, turned back towards the innards of the dark and seemingly empty house.

From the moment she stepped inside, she felt the presence of unfamiliar spectrum, concentrated directly above her. She climbed the stairs to what used to be her bedroom, and froze when she opened her door.