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[Kyoko hasn't been quite the same for awhile now. The others had noticed it, had questioned where she'd disappeared off to for the better part of two weeks, but she had readily dismissed their concerns as nothing. And if there were still suspicions, no one saw it fit to press her when there were so many other issues to focus on. It was there, though, in how uncharacteristically quiet she had been. Withdrawn and awkward and scared--it felt like she was always scared these days.
The appearances of witches hasn't erased that, but it has allowed her to slip seamlessly back into the persona she had adopted back home. She was somebody who was strong, confident, and capable of taking on the world. She had been a part of this system for years, had survived the worst parts of it. If it was bound to be fleeting, for now she had an identity again. She was someone again.
Unfortunate, that someone hadn't planned on having a human accompany her into a witch's barrier. It's a pitch black world, with only streaks and lines and splatters of mismatched colors bleeding together fading in and out to provide any sense of direction. And yet, even in the complete absence of light, there's no sense of darkness to it. It's as though the inky black landscape itself were providing light with which to see, rather than absorbing it. The air is thick and heavy with an almost overwhelming despair, something sad and lonely and full of a desire to be wanted. To be needed, to be loved, to be anything at all.
That feeling is only underscored by the barrier's only residents. Headless mannequins revolve in place without purpose, not yet taking notice of the intruders. The colors and patterns that make them up are mismatched and conflicting, with a thick and rubbery texture making them up, like a child had made them out of play-doh without looking and called it a work of art. But there's something decidedly wrong about it all, like they weren't real, like even that solid look was just an illusion--like one were just looking at shadows and textures that gave the appearance of dimensions. They might be cardboard cutouts for as solid as they seem. They hang high and low, above and beneath and through where the solid feeling says the floor should be.
Kyoko doesn't even blink at the hideous sight. This isn't the first one she's run into. It was certain not to be, if anything; no matter how many she defeated, it felt as though they just kept coming. But she'll push down her weariness for this one as much as she had all the rest. It was nothing, it was necessary, and it was worth the reward.
She glances over her shoulder at Adachi, the only other living being in this twisted world. There's none of her usual joking manner now, no annoyance, just a stern resolve and just the slightest hint of concern in her knit eyebrows and her slight frown.]
Make sure you stay by my side. Don't wander off, no matter what you think you're seeing or hearing.
[Kyoko speaks to him in a hushed whisper, pausing once midway through to glance at the dolls around them. Once they were noticed, there would be no room for pause or error. Still, in the end she manages to cover up her concern and exhaustion with a smile,]
.... Well, even if you get lost it's not a problem, 'cause I'm used to stuff like this. I won't let anything happen to you.
The appearances of witches hasn't erased that, but it has allowed her to slip seamlessly back into the persona she had adopted back home. She was somebody who was strong, confident, and capable of taking on the world. She had been a part of this system for years, had survived the worst parts of it. If it was bound to be fleeting, for now she had an identity again. She was someone again.
Unfortunate, that someone hadn't planned on having a human accompany her into a witch's barrier. It's a pitch black world, with only streaks and lines and splatters of mismatched colors bleeding together fading in and out to provide any sense of direction. And yet, even in the complete absence of light, there's no sense of darkness to it. It's as though the inky black landscape itself were providing light with which to see, rather than absorbing it. The air is thick and heavy with an almost overwhelming despair, something sad and lonely and full of a desire to be wanted. To be needed, to be loved, to be anything at all.
That feeling is only underscored by the barrier's only residents. Headless mannequins revolve in place without purpose, not yet taking notice of the intruders. The colors and patterns that make them up are mismatched and conflicting, with a thick and rubbery texture making them up, like a child had made them out of play-doh without looking and called it a work of art. But there's something decidedly wrong about it all, like they weren't real, like even that solid look was just an illusion--like one were just looking at shadows and textures that gave the appearance of dimensions. They might be cardboard cutouts for as solid as they seem. They hang high and low, above and beneath and through where the solid feeling says the floor should be.
Kyoko doesn't even blink at the hideous sight. This isn't the first one she's run into. It was certain not to be, if anything; no matter how many she defeated, it felt as though they just kept coming. But she'll push down her weariness for this one as much as she had all the rest. It was nothing, it was necessary, and it was worth the reward.
She glances over her shoulder at Adachi, the only other living being in this twisted world. There's none of her usual joking manner now, no annoyance, just a stern resolve and just the slightest hint of concern in her knit eyebrows and her slight frown.]
Make sure you stay by my side. Don't wander off, no matter what you think you're seeing or hearing.
[Kyoko speaks to him in a hushed whisper, pausing once midway through to glance at the dolls around them. Once they were noticed, there would be no room for pause or error. Still, in the end she manages to cover up her concern and exhaustion with a smile,]
.... Well, even if you get lost it's not a problem, 'cause I'm used to stuff like this. I won't let anything happen to you.
[2 / 2]
As he's enveloped by a burst of radiant lightning, Tohru Adachi starts to laugh uncontrollably, setting his sights on the monster that's got Kyoko pinned down.]
Now you've done it...! [He gesticulates forward with his gun hand, brandishing it sideways in a threatening gesture.] Mangle it, Magatsu-Izanagi!
[The lightning that surrounds him surges forward, and at its apex, a familiar figure in a blood-red coat blasts free. It holds a massive blade in an underhanded style, and there's a venomous look in its yellow eyes, shining behind that ornate mask. Magatsu-Izanagi slices forward to strike at Uhrmann with the flat side of its blade, sending it careening off of Kyoko and colliding into its bed with a thundering crash.]
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Maybe it's a relief, or perhaps it's just the natural end to her struggles, because Kyoko finds the strength draining from her arms. Her spear edges forward until she can feel that large button nose just barely touch her own. The single coherent thought that makes it through is a simple question: After dying so many times, would it eventually stop hurting? Would it stop being scary?
The witch is off of her before any of those questions had fully formed, destroying its bed as it slams into it. There's a series of loud noises as the pillars give way and the canopy collapses on itself, accompanied by a sharp yelp as and a series of whines and whimpers as it attempts to pull itself from the wreckage. Kyoko ignores it at first, instead opting to roll into a kneeling position. She coughs up all the blood that had collected in her mouth and throat, and just that is enough to leave her thinking far more clearly.
This much she can push through.]
Haah... I'm really starting to fall behind here, aren't I...?
[Using her spear for support, Kyoko pulls herself up off the floor. She wipes her mouth with her sleeve, brushing off the pain just the same as always. Her cringe is replaced by a smirk as she sets her eyes on Magatsu-Izanagi. Just the sight of that thing tells her that she's lost the spotlight for today, but maybe she can live with that. She cocks her head to one side. She'd fought that thing before, so maybe she should be afraid, but instead what wells up in her is a warm feeling. There's something comforting about seeing it again, like running into an old friend. As long as this guy's around, she feels like she doesn't need to worry so much.
She brushes her hair back, still shaken, but able to regain some of her composure now. Enough to catch the opening he'd left for her. Kyoko grips her spear with both hands and slams the base onto the floor--quickly, before it can recover,--drawing up a series of chain-link strings. They wrap themselves around Uhrmann rapidly before tethering to the ceiling, leaving the witch suspended a few feet off the ground. It trashes against the restraints helplessly, snarls and barks mixing with pitiful whines as it does so. They have that in common, she supposes--Kyoko doesn't like for her prey to move, either.
She pauses for just a moment to look back to Adachi. Unsure of what to say, she settles for something she hasn't said for a long time:]
Heh. My bad for underestimating you. I'll be counting on you from now on, Tohru.
[If he's willing to go this far... She'll acknowledge him.]
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Magatsu-Izanagi phases out in a cluster of scarlet static, reappearing behind Adachi as he finally joins Kyoko's side. The former detective can't help but whistle in appreciation of the girl's handiwork, sneering at the monster she's so thoroughly trapped.]
Not bad, kiddo. Not bad at all...
[His eyes dart up and lock briefly with those of the specter that floats ominously behind him. It's just like before, but... but things have changed. He won't deny it. It's a good thing Seta's not here to bear witness to this shit - otherwise, Adachi would never live it down. Even so...
He's still not alone. For once in his life, he's relieved to know it.]
Oi. [He returns his attention to Kyoko. As far as he's concerned, there's no one else he'd rather have at his side. He tilts his head in the beast's direction, flashing her a lopsided grin.] You thinking what I'm thinking?
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She doesn't. Kyoko nods in return, tapping the base of her spear against her shoulder before gripping it with both hands.]
Ready?
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When you are.
[Time to kick 'em while they're down.]
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[The words are harsh, merciless, and full of the uncaring confidence that she always carries about her.
Her spear breaks down into a segmented chains, with the head of her spear marking the end, as Kyoko surges forward. She whips it forward as the distance between her and the witch closes, the links that had held it in place releasing their grip when it makes contact and melting away as the witch is bounced around like a ping pong ball--forward first, then down as she jumps and swings her weapon forward back down, taking care to leave room for her ally. It's harder to account for another close-ranged fighter than a person who used guns or arrows, but she's been fighting long enough to know how to handle any occasion.
By time she's landed, that long scorpion's tail that her weapon had begun to resemble shrinks down as the locks link back together and she brings her spear down once more. At the same time, the reason for her prior actions should become apparent as she summons dozens of pikes from a ground. It's a careful, calculated motion: They crisis cross and stop short of coming near her--and leaving just enough room to finish tearing it to shreds.]
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[But it's not over yet.
Before the creature knows it, a flash of violet flame sifts through the pikes. For a fleeting second, all Uhrmann will see is the ghostly visage of a wretched skull staring her down before it melts through the witch's mane. The beast starts to snarl, but those quickly give way to panicked yowls.]
What's wrong...? Scared?
[Adachi cackles with palpable delight as Magatsu-Izanagi surges forward. The ensuing streak of lightning is enough to illuminate his face and reveal his Evil Smile.]
C'mon, bitch! Smile for me!
[The sharp talons of Magatsu-Izanagi seize the dog by the scruff of its neck and lift it up high. With a Ghastly Wail, the specter skewers the beast by slamming her into the pointed heads of Kyoko's numerous pikes. Glittery pink blood splatters and spurts from all over Uhrmann's broken body, but Adachi's Persona hasn't let go. It isn't enough.
Magatsu-Izanagi lifts its own tarnished blade high above its head and plunges it between the dog's eyes. That poofy white mane is drenched in a torrent of blood, as is the front of Magatsu-Izanagi's coat. It dribbles quietly down the grooves of its mask. The specter's yellow eyes, though, remain unblinking as it slices back upwards, tearing Uhrmann into two.]
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Kyoko bends down to scoop it off her floor as she pads her way over to Adachi. The colorful scenery blurs and melts away, revealing the world that it had obscured: The forage that had overtaken much of the town, the houses lined up along the paved roads. Even the witch's blood disappears, leaving Adachi's persona looking practically pristine compared to the almost comical mess that he had been before, with what looked like pink paint and tons of glitter sticking to his form.
She detansforms as the barrier fades . The long cuts that had been left on her torso are still present, the crop top she's wearing doing little to hide the nasty sight, but there's no longer any blood to accompany them. It'll do for now.]
Haah... That was amazing, y'know!
[The words come out before she can stop them, but she doesn't move to take them back. She draws her hand into a fist instead, gently bumping Adachi's arm with it, while her free hand hovers her her stomach. Her grin only broadens as she looks up at him.]
I didn't think you had it in you! Kinda sucks for me though, y'know.... It was kinda nice being the only one who could show off.
[As if anyone in their house didn't. Kyoko locks her fingers above her head, starting to stretch out at the tail end of her complaints. Her heels start to lift off the ground before she stops with a flinch and a sheepish smile. Bad idea.]
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Hey!
[Adachi winces and mouths an exaggerated ow after Kyoko bops him in the arm, clasping a hand down overtop the point of impact for effect. He keeps it there for a longer time than anticipated, the same way that one might hold it up to a crackling fireplace to ward away the cold. When he looks back up, the specter's disappeared. Or... no, perhaps that's not the right word for it, really.
It's a part of him now. One he's finally fully accepted. It'll always be there.]
Oh gee. [His shoulders sag with that obnoxious attitude she loves to hate.] It must be so difficult, not being the center of attention for a change...
[Adachi peers back down at Kyoko's bright smile. There's a part of him that still doesn't get it and probably never will. Why he matters so much to a bratty little girl like her. For now, though, he's willing to let that slide as he smiles back at her.]
You'll live.
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I won't. Look, the lack of spotlight is already sucking all the life out of me, y'know!
[She makes a show of spinning on her heel before leaning back on her heels, letting herself lean back on him. Her back rests against his torso. That's an even worse decision, but she manages to keep her grin in place as she looks up at him. Her arms snake around his, hands gripping his upper arms.
Then she leans back a little more, just to make sure he gets his point. See? She's losing all her strength.]
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Listen -
[But then she looks up at him with those puppy dog eyes and he falters. Honestly, he can't even bring himself to grumble at her anymore. This shit's seriously unfair. When he finally speaks up again, his voice has gone quiet.]
I, er...
[There's an uncharacteristically long pause from Adachi as he weighs his words carefully. Yeah, he pulled through and saved her life but it still doesn't feel like an even exchange. She stopped him from hurting himself - killing himself. In doing so, she showed him just how much even a scumbag like him matters.
...She matters a lot to him, too.
God, he's no good at this. But - ]
...Thanks, Kyoko.
[ - this seems like as good a place as any to start.]
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But her worry melt away when he finishes, a warm smile appearing the moment she hears his thanks. It's been a long, long time since anyone has thanked her--really thanked her and even longer since she had last felt as though her magic could be used for any worthwhile purpose. Even now, some part of her wonders. Had she done anything worthwhile at all? Wasn't it her magic, her incompetence, that had allowed him to fall into danger's path to begin with?]
Tohru...
[She's not sure. She looks forward briefly as she muddles over it. During those final days with her father, she had often regaled her father with the tales of her exploits. It was always the same. It's the same even now. Always, the same words:
Listen, father. I defeated another witch today. I saved someone who was going to commit suicide.
Was that fair, though? Was that justice? Even now, Kyoko isn't certain. For all those who broke down in fear and thanks, there were those who lamented being forced to continue living. There were those who she would later be found dead regardless of all her efforts. Her family had been one such case, even without the involvement of a witch. But when she looks back up at Adachi now, things seem to grow even more unclear. She squeezes his arm, leaning back against him a little more comfortably.
Maybe... It wasn't such a bad thing after all?]
... I'm glad, you know.
[Her voice is soft, heavy with something, though exactly hard is what to say. Relief? Regret? Happiness and sadness mix together in equal parts. Her arms drop out from around him, and she gingerly pushes off of him, but it's only a little bit. Just enough to turn herself around and throw herself at him once more, this time wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a tight hug.
She takes a deep breath as she buries her face against him, squeezing him tight before she tilts her head back, resting her chin on his chest.]
I'm really glad that I was able to save you.
[Even if he was the only one she could save. Even if it was just one person, that feels like it might be enough.]
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Is this what a bond's supposed to be, then...?]
...Yeah.
[Adachi breathes out a long, heavy sigh through his nostrils as he pulls her in closer. He doesn't resist.]
Me too.
[She saved him. More than she realizes.]
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It's a nice being held by him, comfortable and pleasant in a way that she would have never expected. It feels like she's snuggled into her father's embrace once more. Even if the rest of the world is cold, as long as he's here she can feel safe and happy. As long as she's with him, she knows that she's loved.
For the first time in years, she wonders if she is. If she could be.]
Thank you for staying with me, Tohru.
[She hesitates for a short moment before adding a soft, uncertain question,]
Will you continue to fight by my side? I feel like if it's the two of us... I feel like we could really take on anything.
[She tenses up just a little and shifts slightly, clearly nervous about how he might respond.]
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Something about that had always bothered him. Who knows? Maybe it was yet another item on the endless list of things Seta had that Adachi didn't.
Now he finally has it.
Her question scares him, but there's no reason for her to know how much.]
C'mon, now... You really gotta ask? I already told you, kiddo. You're stuck with me from here on out, so...
[It almost sounds like Adachi's about to choke, but he masks it with a snort.]
You'd better get used to it.
[She's not the only one who should take that advice to heart.]
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He doesn't, though, and she's glad for it.]
Hmm? I've been stuck with you since before just now, y'know.
[She just hadn't been willing to accept it until now.]
I could get used to it.
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[There's a part of Adachi - the dry, twisted, cynical part of him that's taken the wheel for much of this past twenty-eight years - that's terrified of that thought. The other part of Adachi - one that hasn't been around for quite so long, yet it's growing stronger by the day - is incredibly relieved to hear something so encouraging.
Guess which side's winning.]
C'mon.
[Adachi's hands slide back to her shoulders so he can gently disengage and look her in the eye.]
Let's get the hell out of here.
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Hmm... I guess it is about time to head back, huh? You must be tired.
[She frowns, a worried little frown, without so much as acknowledging her own exhaustion and injuries.]
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[The word slips out just as easily as his other condescending nicknames do, but... Well. Never mind that for now. Even if it's not bleeding at the moment, that long slice along her torso hasn't escaped his notice.]
You think you'll be okay, or...?
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It's nothing I can't fix.
[She averts her eyes as she gives her answer. It would make things inconvenient, no doubt, but she's dragged herself back home in worse states.]
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Why don't I...? Here.
[He turns his back to Kyoko for a moment and squats low, arms outstretched. This should give her ample opportunity to - ]
Hop on.
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Th-that's a bit much, don't you think? I'll be fine, y'know.
[They might just have to take it a little slow.]
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[Implying this is any less embarrassing for him than it is for her. It's a good thing he's got his back to her because he can feel his face start to heat up.]
B-Besides, I'm not saying I'd carry you back the whole way or anything. Just 'til you get your bearings is all.
...It's your call.
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W-well, yeah, I guess...
[There's an unhappy little grumble, but Kyoko nonetheless swallows the last bit of her pride as she leans forward. She presses her weight against Adachi's back as she gingerly wraps her arms around his shoulders. She's doing this right, isn't she...? Nobody's tried to carry her like this since she was quite young.]
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Adachi's see this happen plenty of times in his life but this is the first time he's ever put it into practice himself. He gives the girl a sidelong glance over his shoulder to check on her.]
You good?
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