The Shooting Star

4. Glimmering Duet

   ˗ˋˏ°• . . . .Wow. I'm not surprised by you being able to do that but doing it that well is definitely something. •°ˎˊ˗

    Havens face was riddled with shock but outlined with awe. Averine had to hold down the upward tug against her lips.

❝ Thank you! Having a few pent up emotions made learning how to do it a little easier. ❞

˗ˋˏ°• Huh. That makes sense in it's own way. I can't say that's how I learned but to each their own. •°ˎˊ˗

The vocal display from Averine turned into a casual discussion between the two with their musical taste. Haven was conveniently into a handful of the same groups as the Star Girl, which made her silent adjustment with her music taste a lot easier. Unfortunately, their conversation was drifting towards a close once Averine peeked outside the window. The lack of sunlight served as a built in alarm.

❝ I truly appreciate your hospitality, but I must get going. You know how bad it gets at night with the whole crime spikes and all. ❞

Averine perched herself on to the very same window as a pink glow formed on her back, and through that glow manifested a beautiful pair of wings. Pleasing to the mind and a striking sight for ones eyes.

❝ I hope we get to meet again though. If you wouldn't mind, could you give my thanks to your. .  roommate is she? ❞

˗ˋˏ°• She's pretty much a big sister but roommate works too. I'll let her know you left. •°ˎˊ˗

A mutual wave was shared as Averine soared against the moonlight, leaving a faint trail of pink across the very sky she traveresed through. Hopefully they would meet again, she seemed nice.

With a night of surveillance ahead of her, Averine took her time with cutting through the cold air. Vibrant green as far as she could see, up until a faint light made itself visible. The very same town she naturally resided in awaited her return, as well as a person that was scurrying from an alley. Upon making way downwards, several cuts were littered on their body with a slow stream of tears accompanying them.

❝ Are you okay? Where'd all those cuts come from? ❞

"H-. . . I was. . . she. . ."

He was able to stand with Averines assistance but he was quick to stagger away. All he was able to do was shakily point into the very same alley where a dull purple shined through the shadows of it. That same light was starting to inch itself towards the both of them, which made the injured man freeze in place.

❝ Can you still walk? ❞

"She's going to. . . I shouldn't have ever. . ."

A quick snap of Averines finger drew his attention from the approaching light to her once more. He may have been shaking but at least he was standing.

❝ Don't focus on them. If you can move, get as far as you can from here. You're not wearing bright colors so it'll be easier. Take as many turns as you can and don't turn around. ❞

Staggered breaths served as his response while he attempted to shuffle away, breaking into a full sprint once the light was close enough to reveal their face. Roughed clothing, jagged teeth, and loose ended hair that mirrored just waking up. To put their appearance in less light terms: deranged.

𓆩T he Shooting Star. . . what a treat! I'll enjoy cutting down the both of you, so make it one to remember okay~? 𓆪

❝ With you injuring innocent people I'd be glad to; not in the same way you're thinking though. ❞

Their words were strained yet followed by free movements, two clashing behaviors that were somehow syncing together in a sickening way. It made the heroines spine shiver, yet her stance held firm.

𓆩 Innocent? What a shame, I always thought you were differently from the other ones. If you're with him, then I'll tear you apart too. 𓆪

A faint chuckle came from the lunatic as she raised a single finger towards Averine, with nothing but a single lift of her hand following afterwards. The steady ground began to tremble as a torrent of jagged glass erupted from it, making a scattered path that rushed towards Averine.

A quick evasion served well for Averine as she manifested a blade, using her previously made wings to hold herself in the air over the erupted pillars.

❝ I'm not with anyone, I'm simply keeping him safe from you. I'm not going to let you run rampant and injure more people.❞

Their eyes lifted from the ground and met Averines, a dim glow of purple meeting her shining rose.

𓆩 He caused her to become overwhelmed with fear, and I have no plans of letting her be hurt. I'll tear apart anyone that tries to harm Marisse! 𓆪

The same stream of glass shattered with a piercing sound, turning into several different shards that flew upwards to the hovering heroine. She was able to evade several of the raining shards, yet not every one was unlucky enough to miss their mark. Several logged themselves into her wings, and others tearing through her gifted clothing. Thankfully only one or two of those cuts drew blood, but the damage was enough to get Averine on the ground.

𓆩 I don't care who you are or what you were trying to do. If you don't plan on leaving her be, you won't live to see the sun again. 𓆪

Averines wings dissipated as she gained her balance, the glare from the deranged girl showing no signs of fear. Who was she protecting so viciously. . . and where even were they?

❝ I don't know who you're talking about and I don't plan on leaving until I know that person is safe. If you'll just listen we can─ ❞

𓆩 You defended the actions of someone that amounts to nothing, so I have no intention of listening to you. You'll get one chance. . . to either turn or die. 𓆪

At this point it was hard to tell if this was a misunderstanding or her finding an excuse for violence. She was irrational and already on a mad dive, so leaving it up to talking felt like a waste.

That look in the star girls eyes shone with courage. . . a look that drove a thought of defeat into their mind. With their breathing slowly dragging more weight to itself, the lunatic dropped it's hand with a sinister cackle.

A shard of glass fell from the sky and barely missed Averine, with another following it. An upward glance brought the attention of a rain of the same fragments that went up now falling down toward her. The Star girl was able to evade the rain with only a few more minor cuts trickling her body, yet it wasn't enough to deter her.

𓆩 I'll keep. . . Marisse. . . safe. . . she'll be. . . 𓆪

Another raise of her hand brought a much slower torrent of glass towards Averine, with the girls breathing becoming much heavier. Her legs struggled to hold the weight of her body, and the dull glow of her eyes began to dim. All Averine did was side step the torrent, yet it seemed to stop as soon as she did. She cautiously approached the weakening girl as she stepped back, yet failed to move a few inches before falling to her knees.

𓆩 Stay. . . away from. . . 𓆪

With a final breath, the lunatic fell to the ground with a light thud. The erected glass shattered without it's weilder, and only Averine was left to pick up the pieces. She did so as slow as possible to avoid any additional cuts to her hands, a process that took up the remainder of the night.

The sun slowly rose with Averine bringing the girl into her arms, glancing over the now unconscious being. Bringing her to confinement felt wrong for the time being with what she said before passing out, and never finding the other person they repeatedly mentioned. As foolish as the idea was, Averine settled on taking her to her own residence until she recovered. Maybe she could get a better answer out of her when she awoke. . . somehow. Either that or she'd have another problem to deal with.