[@Zelosse]

Day 2, Morning.

[color=turquoise]Delcastle's soft touch was comforting, just like this kiss. His arms around her shoulders made her feel more grounded and secure, giving her more of a focus on the things around her. She didn't have them often before this game, but these attacks would make her head dizzy and her body so tense that it would ache; each time, she would fall asleep after. That wasn't an option here, especially since they weren't quite in the safety of the city yet, but everything did feel heavy and disoriented. It was nice to have something - someone - stable beside her. He was being very sweet to her, and she felt a bit guilty that a complete stranger was having to do so much for her. [i]I really am the worst kind of person...[/i]

As he spoke, her gaze fell upon her sword, Severance. This weapon had been the best thing about this game, to her, even in the beta test. It was perfect with her personality, and it even had relevance to a time in her life when Cinera wasn't quite so... needy. Maybe not strong enough to face death, but at least she was once able to be there for others in their time of need. Delcastle had been the one to nearly die, after all. He was already willing to give up so much for her, when they had only met the evening before... Were he and Bulwar really willing to go so far as death for a single, insignificant person such as herself? She hadn't ever liked herself, anyway - what was it that Delcastle saw in her? She gazed into the reflection of the blade, staring at her own pathetic eyes as they peered back at her.

[b]"That girl... There's nothing strong about her..."[/b] Cinera muttered, holding back another onset of tears. Her shoulders shook with the pressure as she seemed to struggle just to look at her own reflection. [b]"She's ugly, and bitter, and tries to hide from the world... but when the world doesn't want her, she clings to the first person she finds to take care of her."[/b] As he pulled her close, Cinera relaxed comfortably against his chest. Something about this felt natural... It made her feel some sort of nostalgia, even, as if they had known each other for years. She was too upset to do so in this moment, but if she could have blushed she would have.

[b]"Why?"[/b] She finally asked, pulling away a bit to gaze into his eyes. [b]"Why would you and your brother go so far for people you haven't even met? How could you know if I really am this beautiful, strong girl you seem to think I am? What if... W-What if I'm not the person you hope I am...?"[/b] Her gaze trickled down to the ground, where her hands pressed into the soft dirt of their virtual prison. [b]"Would you still die for someone like that?"[/b] As she asked these things, a sort of lightbulb seemed to click in her head; her reality shifted into a strange kind of self-realization. Surprised at herself, she quickly turned her gaze up to look in Delcastle's eyes. She saw him as this kind, helpful person who wanted to do good for others, right? But what made her see this stranger in that way? It was the same thing she had just asked him. For all she knew, he could be a completely different person. If he was, would she still want to fight with him? For him? Would she still... die... for him?

She knew the answer to that question immediately and relaxed next to him, pulling her knees up to her chest. [i]Yes... I would.[/i] Cinera didn't know why that was her answer, but it was. Delcastle was the brave kind of person that she believed should never die, if it could be avoided. Her own self-esteem wasn't high enough to place her own life over someone whom she thought might even have the slightest possibility of bringing some good into this world. She had no way to really know, but maybe Delcastle saw her in the same light; even if she was this weak, pathetic girl, she was alive and hadn't given him any indication that she hated people - that gave her some potential. Even if it was only a little... Even if Delcastle never ended up saving anyone, there was hope. That was what she liked so much in this stranger. That was something she might be able to fight for, however small.

[i]I might not be able to do much with my own life... but these people might be able to. We won't know if they don't have a chance - if this game kills them before they can impact the real world. I... I can't die, yet...[/i] Her eyes glanced up to see the handle of Severance in front of her face, from where Delcastle was now standing in front of her. He had given her a choice: to be protected and coddled as she always was, or to finally stand up and stop relying on others. To put her meaningless life full of games and comfort to good use. Hesitantly, she stood, looking into Delcastle's eyes as if there would be some sort of hint there to push her forward. This time, his expression appeared neutral to the matter. By this point her sobs had quieted, but her cheeks were stained with the still steadily-flowing tears. Then the image of Delcastle being ripped apart flickered in her mind, and her hand reached for the handle before her mind understood what she was doing.

For a solid, silent minute, Cinera stood and stared down at the katana she had now taken. Severance, the blade that had been there with her since the beginning... It had found its way back into her hands, even after such a frightening experience. She knew that was her strength - severing the ties she needed to, whether that be with enemies or with friends. Feeling the weight of the blade in her grip, she closed her eyes and lifted her face toward the sky, feeling the breeze cool her wet cheeks. [i]I have to fight...[/i] She thought, solemnly. [i]Delcastle is right. If I give up, I've basically died. And I can't die, yet... I'm sure he has many people to protect him, including his brother, but even so...[/i]

[b]"I want to protect this."[/b] Finally feeling totally calm, Cinera opened her eyes and looked at Delcastle, a sort of solemn fire in her eyes. [b]"I'm tired of depending on others... When I do that, others can't depend on me when they need to. I'm tired of severing ties I don't need to. And Delcastle..."[/b] Her cheeks flushed a bit of a bright red as she admitted this next part. [b]"... I... I don't know what it is, but I feel a sort of strange connection to you..."[/b] She turned a bit away from him, awkwardly, to stare at the ground. [b]"We've barely known each other a day, but I feel like we've been friends for life. You have been so supportive and kind since I met you at the tavern. Honestly... I just don't know where you see that strength in me; I've been searching most of my life to see myself the way you seem to. But I realized that you are that kind of person to me - the kind who deserves to live... the kind who will do something good with his life. I don't want to be the reason that something - someone - like you is gone from this world... so... I know we're still practically strangers, but... uhm..."[/b] She looked up at him, her face extremely red as she spoke: [b]"I... I-I want to fight for you... I-I'll fight...!"[/b]

A sort of bravery shone in her eyes as she gazed into his, feeling thrilled and terrified and exhausted all at once. Cinera didn't know what would happen from here - but she wanted to try. That was the least she could do, in this moment. [i]I don't know what I'll do if I ever see someone die... but... we'll cross that bridge when we get there...[/i][/color]