These chains... they bind me. Her face... it reminds me. My love was turned to hate, my freedom revoked by those who subjugate. That nightmare became a reality. That fateful day when the blood-red sky wept. And the rest of the world slept. When we...
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Who is it!? Who is it that wails so? And what is this steam that emanates from me? Is this, the afterlife? Have I failed my people? Have I failed, myself..?
Frederick awoke to the distraught cries of a young girl. Her head was perched between his shoulder blades and her tears trickled down his back like morning dew.
"Please (sniffle) please don't die Mr metal man..." the girl innocently pleaded. "Jinto would be so sad if you died..."
That boy would be sad over me? I'm certain he hates me, nearly as much as I him... "You are Iliyana correct?"
"Mhm..." she nodded, with her head still buried between his shoulder blades.
"The little girl who clings to Jinto... you should be wary of him little one. An air of misfortune surrounds him like encroaching storm clouds." Frederick warned.
Immediately, Iliyana's crying ceased! Her floating tears glistened like tossed jewels, as she shot up and glared at Frederick, "If an air of misfortune follows my Jinto, then why is it that I have found you here half dead!? Maybe if you weren't such a meanie, you wouldn't have been beaten to such a pulp, you-you fat piece of scrap metal!"
And with that, she scampered away, furious!
The Steely Stallion arose, contemplating her words. Perhaps she is right... N-no! I cannot forget what he has done. The destruction he brought upon us all those years ago! The humiliation I had to carry because of him! And now, these amber-eyed freaks, slivering around us, just waiting to strike! W-wait a minute! I can stand!? My wounds, th-they're healed! But how?
Whilst Frederick relapsed into his prideful thinking, on the other side of Melanina, Juri awoke in an abandoned building. Slipping in and out of consciousness, she caught glimpses of Jinto working tirelessly. Water, food, toiletries and more. He made sure his guest would have all that they'd need, even his own bed!
This strange man.. why is this strange man going through so much trouble, just for me? Me? A Casian? Doesn't he know...
Juri's thoughts yielded to her exhaustion. Her eyes closed once more.
Jinto sat at the foot of the bed, with his arms and legs crossed, staring intently at the refugee before him.
"Wh-where am I?" Juri stirred, as her vision focused like a camera.
"You're in your new home for the time being." Jinto replied warmly. "It used to be a shop, but the owners abandoned it for some reason."
"I see..." Juri uttered, her gaze downcast. She fidgeted, unable to bear the awkward silence that followed. Jinto however, remained motionless, his eyes locked onto her.
Juri looked back at him through the corner of her eyes. Ugh, what's with this guy and his intense gaze? It's as if he's looking through me. Through my heart. Through my soul. Gazing deep into my past. Grasping at the very essence of my life experiences with his sight alone. Doesn't he know it's creepy to stare like that? Although... his eyes. Up close, they're not as scary as Damar's. They look, strong, fierce and resilient. And, beyond that. Beyond that, echoes kindness and... sorrow...
