012 ~*~ To those who came before me [Backdated to early Chrismas Morning]

[notsogreatwall]

[ Phone : Unfiltered ]
[ To everyone she inconvenienced because of her stupid decision; to anyone who recognizes her voice at all, anymore... Meiling, who has been out of the house for most of that time (especially when she was ripe for being hunted), has just one thing to say: ] I'm sorry, everyone. I'm so sorry...

[ Action : 340 Brady Lane ]

Comments

[Action]

[there_were_none]

[Flandre was, occasionally, very good at hiding. And sneaking about, especially when her wings weren't constantly ringing and rattling and chiming and giving her away.

Meiling's voice had alerted her, out of her moping and lurking around dark corners of the house. But even then, she wasn't quite sure what to do--she'd have to go to that other house soon, she knew that vaguely, but...

Instead, the little vampire tried to follow after Meiling, when she had seen where she had gone--not without a bit of trepidation, but she did. Figuring out how to get outside without making too much noise was harder--eventually, she slowly opened one of the front windows and, very slowly and very quietly, crawled out.

She felt...guilty. She didn't like that feeling, not at all. That's why there's a green hat with a star on it held carefully in her hands, while her wings do most of the creeping--the bad one limping a little.

When Flandre was close enough, she stopped to quiver--and, hesitantly, put the hat down next to Meiling.

Did she see?]

[notsogreatwall]

[ It's that strange sensation - the vague notion that someone or something has invaded the air around her - that alerts Meiling to Flandre's presence. But she doesn't seem to respond, thinking perhaps whomever it was is just going to ambush her. After all, she heard that if she died, everything would be made right again. That's all she wants to do... Meiling wants to fix that pain in their hearts.

And, in a way, it would be penance for what she did away from home, as well. ]

[ It is several long moments before she turns her head and looks down at her hat, dumbfounded. ] Why...?

[there_were_none]

[Flandre automatically answers, before her brain catches up.]

Because it's your hat, not my hat.

[...then she freezes up with a squeak--before folding her own wings over her head to turn into a perfectly visible lump of bat wings. But, but, she couldn't see Meiling--so Meiling couldn't see her, right?

Not being able to turn invisible was not so fun sometimes.]

[notsogreatwall]

[ And Meiling just stared at the little lump, then to the hat, and back and forth probably a dozen times. This went completely against what they had last said to each other when Meiling awoke that one morning.

She pointed at herself. ] Mine...?

action;

[lunardialled]

[After that phone call, Sakuya couldn't not stop by and check on Meiling. But she didn't expect her to look that bad.

She approaches, puts her arms on Meiling's shoulders, and pulls her into a hug.]

You idiot. You shouldn't be out like this, in the elements without a coat or hat.

[And what she means is 'you shouldn't have done that, but I can see why you did and I'm not upset.']

1/2

[notsogreatwall]

[ Her call was meant as much as a beacon as it was an apology. If she made it, everyone who knew her would know where she was, and they could come to do the same thing she had heard whispers of out on the streets.

They could kill "her" and then they could see her again. She had no sense of time; no way to know she had missed that window, so when Meiling spots the maid coming from the sidewalk, she had a vacant smile on her face.

This is it. She'll do what needs to be done. It'll all be over soon. ]

2/2

[notsogreatwall]

[ Needless to say, a hug is not what she was expecting. ]

[ Yes, she was an idiot. She knows that. But all she's going to do is scold her and not... put her out of everyone's misery?

Meiling is flat-out stunned, unable to move so much as the lids of her eyes, and unable to make a single sound except: ] ...huh?

[lunardialled]

I remember everything now. And you were an idiot for going along with the dream, but at the same time, I can't really say that I blame you, either.

Now come on inside or you'll catch your death of cold. You need to get warm, eat something, and rest. I'll see to it that you do.

[action]

[wizardoftheweek]

-If... or when... Meiling came back into the house, she'd find Patchouli waiting for her. She was no longer dressed in black. But she was overcome with the memories of why she had ever needed to to begin with. And what that man, that insidious person, had the gall to ask of her. There was nothing threatening in her posture. Only a deep and terrible sadness...-

[notsogreatwall]

[ Her entrance is far from stealthy, and though she should have no reason to feel anxious, she freezes as soon as she sees Patchouli. It is good that she is no longer wearing those dreary clothes, and yet the memories associated with that look were still fresh on her mind.

Maybe Meiling will be scolded. She deserved it and yet, at the same time, what had already been said before still stung. Denying one's own existence is stupid; being denied it by others is painful. ]

[ She just stands there, hands fidgeting with the green cap she is holding. Even after Flandre gave it back, she didn't have the heart to wear it just yet. ] I'm... I'm home.

[wizardoftheweek]

-Scolded? No. Rushed to and clung to and sobbed upon? That was how this story would continue for these two...-

[notsogreatwall]

[ At least the wizard isn't the only one doing the hugging and crying, though Meiling's is quieter, interrupted with the occasional "I'm sorry". ]

[adropofjupiter]

[Marisa had stayed with Patchouli during the week as much as she could, not trusting the 'fake', but when she woke that morning, she was glad she'd never tried to drive Meiling out of the house or killed her.

...she waited for those of the Scarlet Devil Mansion to welcome their gatekeeper back. Eventually, Marisa would sit down next to Meiling and hand her a cup of strong tea.]

[notsogreatwall]

[ She's a bit better now. Cleaned up, calmer, and approaching her usual self. Still, she even as she accepts the tea and takes in who it's from, Meiling can't help but pause and give her a curious look. ] You know... I thought for sure you'd come after me.

[adropofjupiter]

I almost did. A couple times.

[notsogreatwall]

[ And though it feels awkward to ask, she had to know: ] Why didn't you do it?

Phone

[float_like_a]

Meiling? Are you all right?

[notsogreatwall]

[ Her response is delayed, because she was honestly on her way to hang up when she heard something on the other end. She puts the receiver to her ear again, her voice shaky. ] I... I didn't hear you?

[float_like_a]

I was wondering how you're doing.

[notsogreatwall]

[ She is silent for a long moment. ]

...I did a stupid thing. Lots of stupid things.