*Reupload of the first half of Memories for the Wattys*
Before the Awakening...
Centuries after the horrible Armageddon, a violent battle fought between the once strongest heroes, Diablos, the strongest demon, and Jalaiya, the strongest angel. They...
For the next few days, there was no sign of Cynthia or Lilith. Whatever Katie had done to the tracking chips appeared to be working. Having her around added a new liveliness to the group. A warmth that had already existed, but was now multiplied by her presence. They took turns or went together whenever they had to feed Isabella, moving her to the bed so she wasn't left standing for hours at a time.
The only one who was most silent and seemed the least happy about Katie was Iris. Every second Leon spent with her, he could feel Iris staring daggers at them both. They were all at the pool area, sitting beside one of the few open spots around. Iris was brooding in her purple flower bikini, her expression hidden under her bangs and sun hat. Raina had to show Katie what proper swimwear was before she tried to strip in public. When they questioned how she didn't know that wasn't normal, Leon chimed in to mention she came from a strictly religious family, so she knew nothing about normal beachwear. Nobody questioned it. They'd asked Iris to help pick one out in the shop, but to call her unenthusiastic was an understatement.
"Go away," she had told them, hiding away behind a fantasy book.
Shortly after finding one, Katie returned wearing a pearly white bikini. Her face burned at the gazes being cast from every person she walked past. When her bashful eyes fell upon Leon, even he had to avoid staring too long. It was already hard enough without being blessed with a sight like this. Noticing this, Iris hid her glare behind sunglasses.
"Did I do something wrong? She seems so... sad," Katie muttered, casting a glance at Iris.
Holding Katie's hand, Leon shrugged. "Beats me. I've never exactly known her to be cheerful, but she's also never acted like this before."
At that, Katie couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Why do I feel like that isn't true?
Raina snapped her fingers. "I got it! Watch this!" Without another word, she trotted over to Iris. Throwing her hair over her shoulder as dramatically as possible, she said as cheerfully as possible, "Hey there, little missy! Wanna' come over and-"
"Fuck off. Now," Iris snapped, low enough so no one else could hear it.
One look at her gaze made Raina do a U-turn back over to the group. "Well, I tried..."
Richard snickered. "That went about as well as expected."
"Screw you bozo! I'd like to see you try!" Raina retorted, sticking her tongue out at him.
Katie frowned, rising to her feet. "Perhaps I should-" Before she could finish, Leon was already moving toward her.
