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[img]https://i.imgur.com/5tNCUSO.png[/img]
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[color=9e0039][h1]𝓢𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓭 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼[/h1][/color]
[hider=Chapter I: Accusations]
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[img]http://i.imgur.com/FWMorlL.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/OiIXHEg.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/jw3F1O9.png[/img]
[h2][color=00a99d]Ernest[/color] | [color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=B0C4DE]Brent[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img][hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟚𝟙, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℤ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘'𝕤 𝔼𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕖   / /  𝟘𝟝𝟘𝟘 [/color][hr]
[sub]Collab with [@banjoanjo] [@Erode][/sub]
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At 5:00am, on the dot, a quickfire series of texts lit up Angelique's phone.

[quote][i][color=00a99d]
5am

Dont see you at the gym

Where are you
[/color][/i][/quote]

Angélique had been up all night, thanks to having slept throughout the whole trip to North Carolina and a bit more to compensate for her lack of sleep. She had considered joining Brent and Ernest at their usual training session, but she had ultimately decided to not come, thinking it was too soon to interact with her classmates. After what happened in Washington, she needed time to think upon everything that she had done, look toward the kind of future she really wanted to have.
 
And so, when she saw her phone lighting up to life from receiving new messages from Ernie, she looked at them but did not answer back. 

[quote][i][color=00a99d]Hey

Are

You

Still

Asleep

Or

Some

Thing[/color][/i][/quote]

Again, a barrage of rapid-fire notifications rang loudly from Angel’s phone. No doubt, it was Ernie again for sure. She really didn’t want to go to the gym right now, not with the mindset of hers. Not with her inability to look at any of her classmates into the eyes without feeling guilt. 
 
Determined to skip today’s training session, the Voice Mage pressed the power button on her phone, prompting it to shut down. Setting her phone aside on a night table, Angel let herself fall into the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Approximately five minutes later, a [i]crack[/i] rang from the suite's door, followed by another one. Then it seemed Ernie gave up on throwing things at the entrance and decided wisely to pound loudly on the doorframe instead.

[color=00a99d]"Angelique's room, right?"[/color] his voice shouted, muffled slightly by the separation.

The tired Aberration rose up from her bed, sighing as she heard Ernest’ voice calling out from the other side of the door. God, he was persistent as hell, wasn’t he? There was no way she could slip away from this morning’s training session now that he was standing there. The creaking wood signaled her slow footsteps heading towards the door’s room, opening slowly as her half-naked form draped in bed sheets popped partially out from the door’s frame and naked forest-green eyes shot down towards Ernie.
 
[color=9e0039]“Just… hang on. I’ll go change myself…”[/color]
 
Her voice was surprisingly unconvincing, but she eventually came out of her room in workout attire, which was simply made of a cropped tank top, leggings and her hair tied in a tail. 

The boy was barely affected by Angelique's initial lack of clothing, his narrowed eyes looking as if they were searching for something in her head rather than on her body. His stiffened posture and hand tightly clenched around the phone he'd thrown repeatedly at her door made it clear that something was different. But he obviously wasn't going to say what.

[color=00a99d]"Cool. Let's go,"[/color] he turned, not bothering to check if Angelique was following.

There was something that made Angel immediately regret her decision. Was it actually from Ernest's passive aggressiveness, or because she was second-doubting her ability to talk to the others right now? Something seemed different in her friend. Did he got up from the wrong foot this morning, or was it because he was unpleased to have to come and get her? Either way, Angélique hoped Brent would simply keep himself occupied with Ernie by giving him more workout tips and training while Angel was doing her things from her own side of the gym.

[hr]

The facilities available were decent enough, Brent supposed. Benches, dumbbell sets, bike machines, and treadmills consumed most of the space, while black exercise mats were laid side by side in one corner, a ‘how-to’ poster detailing various stretching techniques. Compared to the almost excessive amount of high-tech machines within USARILN East and the Hyatt Regency, it was lacking, but on the other hand, Brent had made do with nothing at all within La Plata.
 
It was a balance, really, something that was massively lacking from anything else in the last couple of days. Neither excessively good nor horrendously bad.
 
Really, he was sick of that bipolar bullshit. The arbiter bench pressed his own weight again, grunting as the metal bar laid centimeters over his chest before he pushed it back up slowly, relishing the tremors of his limbs. Consistency, that’s what he wanted.
 
Chaos, that’s what he got. Every. Single. Time.

A long breath heaved out as the barbell clanked against the restraints, before he rose up, rolling his shoulders. Amethyst eyes catching new arrivals within, the arbiter reflexively smiled at the familiar faces. [color=B0C4DE]"Morning,"[/color] he said, [color=B0C4DE]"there's coffee in the corner, Ernie."[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Gross,"[/color] Ernie replied though the boy moved to the corner anyway, mixing an alarming amount of cream and sugar into his caffeine.

Without saying a word, Angélique nodded to Brent before making her way to the dumbbells that were sitting in the corner of a room. She lost no time starting on her muscle training. Despite lacking enthusiasm, she wasn't here for half-assing her training though. She'd just do the exercises Brent had showed her back in Washington and La Plata on her own, hoping Ernie would be coached closely by Brent enough to leave her alone in her corner.

[color=B0C4DE]"You're both late today,"[/color] the arbiter remarked, stretching his shoulder blades, [color=B0C4DE]"No sleep?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Yeah... slept enough on the way here yesterday. Was actually trying to just now."[/color] the raven-haired Aberration answered in-between two sets.

[color=00a99d]"Forgetting your workout pals so easily? That's rude,"[/color] Ernie called from his corner, not even turning to face her, [color=00a99d]"I slept on the truck yesterday too. Kinda surprised you could, Banshee, after all the nonsense at D.C."[/color]

Angélique stopped suddenly, her eyes widening at the mention of Banshee. What the fuck? Did her voice really reach that far away? She wasn’t aware her power could extend to such distance, unless…
 
The cuffs. Someone had left their channel open, and it broadcasted to everyone else. Who could it have been? Emma? She was the only one she actually heard her voice coming from the cuffs back there from her team. Did she purposefully let her communication channel open, or was it only an accident?
 
Holy shit, just how much did everyone hear from this whole disaster? Worse, what did everyone actually think of her now that she said all these things? Now that explains why the atmosphere is so tense this morning, and Ernest’s behavior. 
 
Angélique now felt cornered. Could it be that they wanted her out here to explain herself? [color=9e0039]“I… fainted from exhaustion. Apparently not even Christmas managed to heal that…”[/color]
 
It was a pitiful explanation. One that she didn’t wish elaborating on.

[color=B0C4DE]"Mmm, must be tiring,"[/color] Brent said, pulling a few dumbbells from the rack, [color=B0C4DE]"Lots of screams needed for evacuation, eh?"[/color]

Shadow-boxing now, with weights attached. It was hard to get into kickboxing without a punching bag.

[color=00a99d]"[i]That[/i] tiring? Are we sure about that?"[/color]

Ernie spoke nonchalantly, sitting on the machines but not quite starting his reps yet.

[color=00a99d]"Back at Wisford, I watched Christmas mist-heal a whole mob of people dying of broken bones and blood loss. I wouldn't expect his power to suddenly fall short when it came to his own classmates."[/color]

It suddenly felt overwhelming. From being cornered to assaulted on two sides by people she thought were her friends, she couldn’t bear it. Flashes inside her mind of that moment she was physically cornered by a few fans. Never again. If defiance was the way to protect oneself from danger, then she’d gladly seize them by the throats if it meant stop pushing her around.
 
[color=9e0039]“That’s enough!”[/color]
 
The bells dropped heavily on the ground as Angélique turned around to face her duo of aggressors, her tired expression quickly turning into one of anger. Her dull green eyes quickly flared to their bright emerald green hue, reflecting the growing inferno in her mind.
 
[color=9e0039]“You got something to say to me? Then fucking say it directly to my face instead of playing passive aggressive like fucking middle-school gossip girls!”[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Direct?"[/color] Ernie was grinning ear-to-ear now. The same smile from the alley with Christmas. The same from the house with David and Zoe. [color=00a99d]"You want 'direct'? Alright! Did you enjoy yourself at least, pounding all those Regs into the ground with your magic? How many did you kill before you even considered that it was a bad idea?"[/color]

As Ernie smiled, Brent's own disappeared, the intensity of his eyes burning a hole in the ground now that there was no buffer, no filter to interpret it from. [color=B0C4DE]"I,"[/color] he began continuing on with his own reps, [color=B0C4DE]"didn't see what was going on at all. Hell, the news is somehow making you out as a big hero and all. But Angelic..."[/color]

There was a sudden urge to toss the barbell into a window, but such a violent, irrational outburst was easily restrained.

[color=B0C4DE]"...thought you didn't want to be a Banshee. Was I wrong?"[/color]

Was she that weak?

[color=B0C4DE]"Are you taking the path of least resistance after all?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]“What the fuck? I didn’t ki-“[/color]
 
Everything suddenly made sense. Ernest was sufficiently close to hear what she screamed, but probably haven’t seen the whole thing happening until after they were gone. Angélique could imagine someone arriving at the scene would’ve thought these people died of shattered eardrums from her own sonic screams. So that meant she was still seen as a monster after all, if only by her own teammates instead of the Regulars.
 
Their expression made her sick. The usual calm but smiling Brent now frowning at her, and then Ernie’s twisted grin at this whole scene. They truly sickened her. Even if she didn’t kill anyone directly, it was her responsibility to take from having provoked these people, the results ending up in a carnage in conjunction with her other teammates.
 
But if that was the way those two would treat the others should she slip and mention the others were as responsible as her, then she would rather take all the blame and save the others from this scene. All that remained was to sacrifice her friendship with those she thought were her closest friends…
 
Angélique’s burning wrath seemed to die down, replaced by a grim sense of cold determination. Her piercing eyes glared in Ernie’s direction. [color=9e0039]“After Marcus nearly got his face shattered by a brick, I decided I would rather sacrifice the insignificant lives of a few dozen Regulars if it means protecting what few prodigies we have in our classes. I’d rather see the whole fucking world die before someone from our class dies in front of me again.”[/color]
 
Then Angel shifted her gaze to Brent. [color=9e0039]“If becoming a monster is what it takes to make sure my classmates survive, then I’m willing to walk that path. If nobody wants to protect themselves from the fucking injustice this world put us through, then I’ll take the fall and be the one to pull that fucking trigger.”[/color]

[i]Protecting them?[/i] He couldn't fucking take this.

Ernie shot up form his machine. One rough hand grabbed her shoulder while she was looking at Brent while the other threw a punch towards her jaw with all of the boy's might.

[i]Danger… assaulted…again…[/i]
 
As soon as Ernie’s hand made contact with Angel’s shoulder, she jerked around quickly enough to see that fist being raised towards her face. With the reflexes of only someone that had been trained to protect herself, Angélique threw her arm up to catch Ernest’s, placing one of her leg directly behind him with the intent to sweep his leg and use the counterbalance to throw him down to the ground.

The rope was summoned instantly. The impact of the floor did nothing and Ernie followed his fall with a kick aimed at her knee. Meanwhile, his hand grasped around for the dumbbell Angel had dropped.

Being this close to Ernie didn't leave Angel the freedom of movement to effectively see nor dodge that kick. When it connected to her knee, Angel could feel herself buck down on the other knee. But her combat reflexes and her unwillingness to actually use violence against a classmate made her jerk back away from him. When she saw him reaching for the weight, she thought he had lost it in the wake of his Stigma.

[color=9e0039]"What the fuck is wrong with you, Ernest? Snap out of it!"[/color] her voice boomed all around Ernest's ears.

Before he could actually get back up, Angel scurried to the other end of the room, far away from both Ernie and Brent. Was it their plan for this morning all along? Assaulting a fellow classmate? Images of the past flooded her brain, invading her senses. She was going to get molested again, wasn't she? Not this time. She'll die before they even touch a single fucking strand of her jet-black hair.

Hazel eyes mocked the girl as Ernie stood to his full height. That was rather reckless. But he couldn't say he felt sorry for letting it out. The smile only taunted further before he sighed and [i]willed[/i] his hand to drop the dumbbell back on its rack. If Brent wasn't still here would he have gone further?

[color=00a99d]"There's nothing to snap out of, Banshee. It's fine. Nice moves though, how come you didn't use those instead of bursting dozens of Reg eardrums?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Do you even fucking listen when we talk to you? Do you even expect someone to protect themselves with martial arts when you have at least fifty fucking individuals throwing bricks and stones at you?"[/color] Angel snapped back, slowly rising to her feet, the dull pain in her knee slowly subsiding.

[color=00a99d]" 'Protecting' again! They're [i]Regulars[/i], Angel, what the fuck did you need protection from? Did Marcus' rewinds not work? Did Determination just trounce off somewhere? Grant's chains couldn't toss up another wall? This team took on rogue mages and a robot beast invasion. Do you seriously expect me to believe that a couple of pebbles was what finally snapped an entire team of subs?"[/color]

He refused it. The chance that the evac team didn't just slaughter dozens not just because they were monsters, but because they were [i]weak[/i].

[color=00a99d]" 'Sacrifice insignificant lives'. 'Prodigies', my FUCKING ASS. Don't bullshit me like that. It's a fucking wonder Zhang hasn't heard how stupid this all is and sent a firing squad for it."[/color]

[i]I would rather sacrifice the insignificant lives of a few dozen Regulars if it means protecting what few prodigies we have in our classes.

I’d rather see the whole fucking world die before someone from our class dies in front of me again.

If becoming a monster is what it takes to make sure my classmates survive, then I’m willing to walk that path.[/i]

Oh god. Oh god oh god oh god oh [b][i]god.[/i][/b]

Blood rushed through his veins, heart pounding a war beat as his thoughts discarded themselves, twisting and degenerating into a messy ball of emotions that he could hardly process, hardly digest. It was sickening, more so than Emma's madness, more so than Callan's mistakes, more so than his own ineptitudes. Even as Ernie and Angelic began brawling, their respective abilities absolutely worthless when pit against one another, Brent remained still, sheer force of will keeping him from acting before he did anything rash, anything uncalled for.

Zoe made sense. She struggled with her stigma constantly, the implications of her rotting power both great and horrible. She would be willing to fight the world to keep those close to her safe, but she would also be willing to fight [i]herself[/i] to do so. And even then, she never fully drowned in the depths of her violent instincts. Never [i]indulged[/i].

But what was Angelic then? What was the person who a week ago cried over her status of the 'Banshee' of Montreal', and, a day ago, fully embraced such an identity? What was this person, who hadn't even held her power for a whole season, and yet no longer saw herself as 'human'?

Was it that hard, to retain one's humanity?

[color=B0C4DE]"Ernie, Angelic,"[/color] Brent said, looking at both and neither. [color=B0C4DE]"Stop. [b]Sit[/b]"[/color]

He envisioned it. Steel bars twisting around Angelic's throat until her head popped. A ton of weights welded together, crushing Ernie into the ground until his magic disappeared and everything broke. He envisioned it, and let it go.

[color=B0C4DE]"No theatrics. No exaggerations. No [i]emotion[/i]. Angelic, I did not see what happened. I only heard. Lead me through the events that carried evac team from being attacked by a mob of regulars to evacuating them."[/color]

He had already read those first-person reports that the 'people in charge' had dismissed as 'lies and slander'.

[color=B0C4DE]"No bullshit. Please."[/color]

[color=9e0039]”Fuck you, [i]Ernest[/i]”[/color] was the only thing Angélique answered back to Ernie, her voice half-convincing. He didn’t believed her words. Neither did she. The raven-haired Aberration was nearing the end of her rope. She didn’t know what else to say to convince those two that she was the sole culprit in this tragedy. She was accepting their hate, just as she had started accepting hers. But the more this dragged on, her act was starting to waver.
 
Then Brent’s calm demeanor struck hard. The silence he commanded through rational mind and unwavering will, it made Angel grew silent, taking deep breaths as he asked for her version of what had happened. Angélique didn’t know if Brent had heard the story from another member of the evacuation team, but if he didn’t then that gave her the edge of explaining the story and hopefully he will be satisfied enough to not poke around the others.
 
Sighing, Angélique sat against the wall at the far side of the gym, easing the pain in her knee. Her voice grew low, and being that far away, Angélique used her projection ability to make her voice reach out for Brent and Ernest.
 
[color=9e0039]“It started shortly after we separated from the hotel. At first, we insisted Sander to leave Christmas to us so he could return to the battle and help the others already there. As always, he was being a butthead and took off with the commanding officer and Christmas towards the evacuation point.”[/color] Angel recalled the initial events that led the team to be split up.
 
[color=9e0039]“After a while, I figured that we had a hard time moving among all the fleeing Regulars, being bumped and forced aside while we were all carrying wounded and incapacitated people. So I ordered everyone to get into an empty semi that was left abandoned. Obviously, the roads were blocked due to traffic, so I’ve had Grant use his chains and Emma use Determination to push aside cars while Siena was lifting cars away.”[/color]
 
The raven-haired Aberration paused, looking a bit thoughtful. [color=9e0039]“We had a nice thing going. I figured that now that we had this massive empty truck rolling down the streets, we might as well help the wounded citizens escape by helping them inside the truck, so we could move them to the evacuation point. I tried using my new power, the one I’m using now, to reach for everyone in the vicinity and tell them we were helping evacuation the young, the elderly and the wounded.”[/color]
 
Then, Angel’s face soured as she recalled what happened next. [color=9e0039]“Obviously, no one is going to trust a Sub in DC. The hate is just so strong for our kin in that city. But we kept trying. And no one wanted of our help. Then everything went to shit when Cat's Cradle appeared. People panicked, while others just looked at us as if we were to blame for everything that happened. People just hated us more, and started throwing insults at us. Then there was someone who shouted in our cuffs to “Leave the civilians to fend for themselves.” Let me tell you that this really didn't help on top of everything that was happening.”[/color]
 
[color=9e0039]“One brick flew into the windshield and hit Marcus straight on the shoulder. It was then I realized that if Marcus had been hit by a brick, something that someone should’ve been done purposefully at the height and angle the cabin was, that the others outside were in danger. People then started pelting us with a rain of debris, from huge rocks to bricks. I was thinking we were fine, in the safety of the truck, but the others were exposed to the storm. If they stopped using their powers of moving cars aside to protect themselves, then we’d just be stuck in there, until they run out of debris and come personally to attack us. But none of us stopped despite the hail, so I took matters into my own hands before anyone got their head split open by an ill-aimed brick.”[/color]
 
Angel’s act faltered for an instant, just about thinking of saying that she didn’t expected the others to drop what they were doing and join her on the beatdown, killing those she had already put out of commission. 
 
[color=9e0039]“The rest of the story, you saw what went down.”[/color]

Ernie listened, fury silently broiling in him.

[color=00a99d]"Don't tell me you're actually trying to pin some of that shit on me. I transmitted you to 'get away from them'. There's a huge fucking difference and I did that for [i]your[/i] safety. It's not my fault that you all threw yourselves into the crowds, that you did the exact opposite of what I advised, that you used your power to tell [i]every[/i] sub-hater in the goddamn city what your fucking location was. It's honestly pathetic that you're trying to shift the blame. You were the one that consciously did all this."[/color]

Too many details lining up. A chill ran down his spine as the cars were mentioned.

[color=00a99d]"Matters into your own hands, huh? Siena was the one lifting the cars. So she dropped them and crushed a bunch of people too, right? Did you tell her to do that so your precious prodigies could be protected?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Do you have to fucking twist everything I’m trying to say? I just told that it wasn’t helping. I’m not saying this entire thing was your fault. I’m responsible for this fucking mess, so stop bitching about me trying to shift blame on others.”[/color] Angel spat, her irritation growing every time she was hearing Ernie talking. Who knew that one of her close friend, a previous fan, was so hateful. Was it the kind of people who actually idolized her in the past? She thought she made herself a better example than encouraging this sort of behavior.
 
[color=9e0039]“Hating us or not, I always said that those with power should endeavor to help the others in need. We had the opportunity, I wanted to seize it and make some more good in this world, on top of Marcus and Emma’s claim during their interview. I thought I made that pretty clear back then when I was leading my band.” 
 
“It’s pitifully hypocritical, huh? To claim such things, then end up killing people in a fit of zeal.”[/color] The fallen singer added, her face showing just how much she had fallen from the grace she had built before.

[color=00a99d]"There's a difference between wanting to help and being a fucking glory-hound,"[/color] Ernie scoffed back, assuming the worst of everything she was saying, [color=00a99d]"Yeah. You're a disgrace, Angel. An embarrassment to everything people like Marcus have been working towards, though I guess even that isn't much considering he fucking lost it out there too. A whole city of panicking tourists and new refugees, and you thought it was actually worth anyone's time to get a handful of people shoved into your truck and past the other thousands of tourists and refugees needing transport?"[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Don't cry to me about how pitiful it is. I saw it myself. I'm hearing it right now. And you never answered my question. Tell me about the dropped cars."[/color]

[color=9e0039]”You expect me to give you answers after being this massive of an asshole? Do you even fucking hear yourself talk, Ernest? Go fuck yourself, I’m done with you. I can’t believe I’ve considered a fucking dickhead as one of my friends. You know what, Ernest? It’s people like you that makes it easier to reject that I was previously a famous rockstar. If all I’ve ever managed to inspire in my life are selfish douchebags that bully people around and stab helpless people in the eyes like you, then I’m fine burning it all down and start anew from those ashes.[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Who are you defending, Angel?"[/color] he grew more agitated and ignored her insults, [color=00a99d]"Tell me about those cars."[/color]

They were going at it like rabid animals again, so intent on tearing out each other's throats while he was trying to figure out what the hell had even went down. Just so much goddamn hatred spewing everywhere, huh? Though the situation did indeed sound like everything spiraled out of control, the racist climate of Washington driven to the brink by the appearance Cat's Cradle before being redirected onto subnaturals that looked as if they were just escaping, it still...

It still didn't have to boil down into rampant violence did it?

[color=B0C4DE]"Ernie, please, just..."[/color] A tremor caused the weights to rattle, before Brent doubled his pace, burning away emotion, attachment. [color=B0C4DE]"Shut up."[/color]

Grant. Siena. Marcus. Even Emma, perhaps. What were they all...no, there were reports weren't there? Reports that lined up too well with what he heard from the cuffs. Time Scar opening fire on a regular. Killing them because they were attacking 'Pandora'. So, just Grant and Siena then.

[color=B0C4DE]"Angelic, I already told you that all I could do was hear. Please, continue on,"[/color] Brent said, composed, [color=B0C4DE]"What did you do and why did you do it? What did everyone else do in response? And...what is Ernie on about, in regards to the cars? Stop taking the bait and avoiding the question."[/color]

Angélique ignored Ernest. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of hearing what he wanted to hear. She would not accuse the others so as he could just walk up to them and start accusing them vehemently just like he was doing right now. 

Brent, however, was a whole another matter. Angel hated him for just being there and quietly observing the events without flinching. That cold attitude was just unsettling, even if she should be welcoming the calm demeanor. 

[color=9e0039]"I already told you what I did and why I did it, Brent. I screamed them to stop, twice. They didn't listen. So I just started using my other power, the Banshee's, to put them down. It was us, or them. I chose us. I told you the others were moving the cars and didn't stop despite the thrown debris. I used that opportunity to push our aggressors onto their working area. People were bound to be crushed underneath the moved vehicles. The others couldn't know. They didn't expect that. They had no time to react. By the time they realized, it was too late..."[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"Is that your final answer, Angelic?"[/color]

The young woman remained silent, a half-convincing answer to Brent's question. Feeling overwhelmed and tense from this atmosphere and the threatening aura the two young men were exuding, Angel slowly got on her feet. The pain in her knee from Ernie's earlier kick had mostly subsided, making her leg serviceable once more. 

There really was no point to staying here anymore, now that she answered their interrogations with a bold lie of self-destruction. She felt like a captive from those who were supposed to be her friends. She didn't want to be part of it anymore. So Angélique walked silently towards the gym's entrance.

Funny. So instead of crying, now the terrible Banshee of Montreal was running. Maybe there was a better way to do this. A way that would have gotten more answers, more truths rather than this rubbish that treated the two of them as if they were half-deaf idiots. Warranted a smirk, at least, a humorless one.

Her choice in the end. It had always been his policy to push or pull, not to direct.

But still, as Angelic retreated, there was one last question.

[color=B0C4DE]"Is that going to be your choice from now on? Destroy the world to protect your friends?"[/color]

Angel stopped by the door's frame, the words from Brent's mouth were oddly familiar to the whole debate she had that time with her inner self.

[color=9e0039]"I chose the Destroyer's path ever since the Dream. It's about time I accept everything that it implies."[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"There are more than enough destroyers in this world, human and monster,"[/color] Brent said. [color=B0C4DE]"Knowing that, you will still choose that path?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]"There's still not enough, if the world is still plagued with these... monsters. It takes more of those willing to go down the abyss to fight them."[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"And are you willing to? Or is it just easier for you to?"[/color]

Angélique fell silent. It was a question that she was still wondering herself. A question that she had kept asking herself all night long, but found no answer. She didn't have the answer to that question. Reflecting that lack of response, Angel's hand loosened on the door's frame, her feet bringing her past the doorframe.

Ernie glared as she moved. Funny of her to talk of monsters and the abyss. Neither of them knew a goddamn thing.

His rope hand twitched. She still hadn't answered his question. He could make her stay, make her [i]talk[/i]. But he didn't. There were other ways to get what he wanted.

[color=00a99d]"You sound so grand, talking about paths and destroyers. But I'm gonna tell you now. This X-mark isn't a path. It's a mistake, something you seem to be constantly making. You're not some kinda goddess of chaos, Angel. You're a scared little girl that can't even have the decency to lose sleep over the lives she takes. Destroying the world to protect your friends?"[/color]

This was a bad idea.

[color=00a99d]"If they can't even fend for themselves against a handful of Regulars without fucking it up so spectacularly then maybe they don't deserve protection. I suggest getting your priorities straight."[/color]

Angel thought that she should’ve just left the provoking Aberration alone with his insults, clearly assuming wrong about her. She should’ve been gone by now, but she was stupid. Blinded by anger, her body turned to face the two boys in the room, clearly pissed again.
 
[color=9e0039]“What do you even know about my sleeping habits? Nothing, if that’s the kind of bullshit you concluded.”[/color] Angel scoffed at his last statement. She could’ve told him about that time he failed to protect Christmas, but Angel wasn’t one to put blame on others unless it was rightfully deserved. Hazel had just been stronger than him, that was all. 
 
But it still nonetheless didn’t excuse him for talking shit about the others. They didn’t deserve to be taking this sort of crap behind their backs. [color=9e0039]“You talk big, for someone who stands behind and do nothing. I didn’t hear you doing jackshit back in Wisford. And I didn’t saw you anywhere in DC. Tell me, Ernest, would you have preferred I ‘set my priorities straight’ back in Wisford and let Hazel slaughter you like a useless piece of garbage?”[/color]

[color=00a99d]"If you had set your priorities straight, you would have been helping against those rogue mages like Emma and Siena instead of... huh, what were you doing again? Whatever. I might do 'nothing' as you say, but I'd rather do that than slaughter a bunch of Regs, thanks."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"I was helping civilians out of those Collectors with Grant and a fucking bloodied face! Would I even know that eight of us wouldn't be able to take care of four Rogues? Fucking hell, Zoe was the one who took care of basically everything. Why did it took half of our class to kill four Rogues when it only took a third of us to take down those two gigantic monsters. Why? Because nobody had the guts to kill humans. Nobody wanted to pull the trigger."[/color]

[color=00a99d]"You're wrong. It's not guts you need to take someone's life. Anyone with a gun or an X-mark can do that. Anyone suffering a moment of weakness or rash anger can do something they can't take back. I wasn't there but I doubt you can compare yourself to Zoe's conviction."[/color]

An accusing finger pointed at Angelique.

[color=00a99d]"The moment you ruptured all those eardrums and laid waste to a bunch of innocents wasn't strength. It was misjudgment, so don't try to spin it as anything but that. But I'm sure I'm just wasting my words on you, if you're so caught up in this idea of necessary destruction. So I'll put it in your words. Obviously our classmates aren't as lacking in 'guts' as you think, since they were involved in this too. That was a trigger you were all itching to pull and I'm real disappointed."[/color]

Ernest was right, Angel wasn’t anything like Zoe. Zoe was strong, she accepted boldly the things she had done and didn’t bitch and moan about it. She kept her sins for herself and was willing to drown with them as they kept burying her. Angel wasn’t like that, as much as she tried to.
 
There was nothing she could say to reply to Ernie’s words. He was piercing through her veil of lies, but she didn’t want it to crumble like that. 
 
Just as Brent said earlier, she’ll take the easy way out of this confrontation. There was nothing else for her to object. 
 
“I really have nothing to care for your disappointment.” Was all she said before leaving.
 
[color=B0C4DE]"Well," Brent lifted an eyebrow, "Guess that's that."[/color]

He glanced over towards Ernie, that eerie sneer still stuck on the aberration's face.

[color=B0C4DE]"You enjoyed that?"[/color]

Ernie blinked and peered at Brent strangely. [color=00a99d]"I don't like...what do you mean?"[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"Ah,"[/color] the arbiter nodded, [color=B0C4DE]"You were just smiling the whole time. Still, guess this means training with Angelic's finished."[/color]

Smiling? Ah fuck.

Ernie's expression settled into one of worry. He didn't want Brent to know this part of him more than he already did. The action was more difficult than he wanted it to be.

[color=00a99d]"She never answered my question. Would've liked that before our training finished."'[/color]

He noted that change. Kept it in the back of the mind for the future.

[color=B0C4DE]"Cars, huh?"[/color] Brent said, heading to the treadmill. [color=B0C4DE]"You saw what happened, right, Ernie? How much of what she said was bullshit?"[/color]

[color=00a99d]"She left a lot of stuff out. Like Marcus and his gun. The battered bodies that weren't screamed to death. Siena..."[/color]

His voice took on a mournful note.

[color=00a99d]"She didn't tell us much about what the others were doing during the attack. A half-truth then. Fits with what I saw."[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"Mom of Unit B, huh?"[/color] Brent laughed, adjusting the speed of the treadmill until it audibly whirred. [color=B0C4DE]"Wanted to take all the blame so we didn't ask anyone else about what happened."[/color]

But it was easy enough, seeing how quiet everyone was during the truck ride. How no one looked at anyone else. A shared sense of guilt and shame.

[color=B0C4DE]"You still like her though? Or not?"[/color]

She wanted to take all the blame. So she was like Zoe in that regard. He was wrong about that.

Was he mistaken about everything else?

Brent's question irked him. It had been so easy to sever that bond. Something he was eager for, even. Ernie wondered if the past few weeks had meant nothing to him, whether she was ever truly a friend instead of a rockstar he threw himself at.

Too easy, it had been too easy. The time the spent together was completely nullified by his desire to make her suffer for what she'd done. If he could go on without Angelique's companionship then what did it say about his other friends? He stared at Brent for a second. Now that he thought about it, he didn't really know much about him either.

Thoughts for another time.

[color=00a99d]"She can go stuff herself,"[/color] Ernie decided, hopping back onto the machine. He hesitated before asking, [color=00a99d]"What about you? You and Siena are close, aren't you?"[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"Siena's an arb."[/color]

Not that it meant anything. He should know that, considering his own self.

[color=B0C4DE]"I'd like to hear what happened in her own words, at least. It's not a bad test, you know?"[/color] That reflexive smile reared its head. [color=B0C4DE]"See who's honest and who's not."[/color]

[color=00a99d]"There were only two X's on that truck. And look what still happened."[/color]

He was being too harsh, right? Showing too much of his thoughts. Ernie sighed.

[color=00a99d]"Yeah, you should talk to her. Don't let...what happened here happen between you two too."[/color]

He still believed it was the right choice. Like cutting away a tumor.

[color=00a99d]"Tell me when you've done it, yeah? Tell me if there's still a reason to trust them."[/color]

Brent nodded.

Strange, how so many life-and-death situations have passed, and yet, trust was still something that was uncertain amongst Unit B. Did Unit A have the same problems? Did it more than blood, guts, and tragedy for Shane to get his own team together?

What were they missing? Why were they so prone to breaking?

[color=B0C4DE]"Still down for making ice cream and donuts?"[/color]

The Aberration blinked in surprise, before breaking out into a grin. A nicer one this time. 

What he and Brent had was shallow at best. But it was better than nothing.

[color=00a99d]"Always, dude."[/color]
[/hider]

[hider=Chapter II: Hollow Love]
[center]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/OiIXHEg.png[/img]  [img]http://i.imgur.com/vKUiWGu.jpg[/img]
[h2][color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=a187be]Allison[/color][/h2] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img][hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟚𝟚, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℤ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘'𝕤 𝔼𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕖   / /  𝟘𝟘𝟘𝟘 [/color][hr]
[sub]Collab with [@VarionusNW][/sub]
[/center]

It felt wrong.

Angélique had been alone at the gym tonight, training all by herself. Muscle exercises like Brent used to show the girl, shadow fighting using her own martial arts style, some more cardio. While her body was exerting itself physically, Angel's brain felt hollow. The enthusiasm of training with someone else was gone, replaced by sour loneliness as the people she used to call partners were now nemesis. She couldn't trust them anymore to have her back, to have her well-being at heart. It hurt, but this was how things were going to be now. She could lament all she wanted, but that won't bring back the trust that was lost, or the feeling of camaraderie that had settled before. 

She stood alone... her circle of friends rapidly diminishing as time went by.

It was a bit past midnight when the training young woman came out of the gym. She was exhausted from today. The morning fiasco with Brent and Ernest just pushed Angel to segregate herself from the rest of the class. She had gone for a lengthy jogging all around the mansion's premises for most of the morning, then took a car to get further away from the estate to only come back during evening. She hadn't slept for a while now, but she wasn't looking forward to meeting her nightmares.

[color=a187be]"Angel,"[/color] A cold, quiet voice sounded from beside the Gym's door. Allison stood there, leaning against the wall, staring at the ground. It hadn't been hard for Allison to figure out where Angel would be, but actually going inside proved to be impossible. Waiting outside was easier anyway. Allison almost seemed to be shaking, nervously gripping her left arm with her right. She didn't exactly look well, her hair in knots, and her skin pale. She had thought it was bad before, listening to Angel commit murder, but facing her felt even worse.  She needed to confront her, to ask why, to find if there was any hope left, if it was all a lie. Still, Allison found herself trembling, barely able to speak out of a confounding mix of rage and heartbreaking sadness. It likely didn't help that Allison hadn't talked to anyone since DC, only leaving her room to shower and eat once in the last day. [color=a187be]"Why?"[/color] She suddenly found the word falling out of her mouth.

If Angel could jump out of her skin literally, she probably would have as she heard the cold voice calling out to her just when she left the gym’s door frame. While it was entirely possible for someone to be awake at the time of the night, she never expected someone to be near enough the gym this late, let alone actually waiting for her.
 
Placing a hand on her chest and sighing heavily, Angélique turned to gaze at the waiting silhouette. Upon meeting Allison's gaze, the Voice Mage's morose face quickly turned into a mix of emotions that could only be described as shocked. 
 
Angélique hadn't spoken to Allison ever since that night her most precious friend had confessed her love for the fallen idol. Ever since they left Washington behind, Angélique was dying inside, thinking of walking to Allison and tell her she was happy that they both came out alive from this ordeal. Hug her tightly. Seek comfort in her arms. Bask in the warmth of her loving embrace. Tell her that she was ready to accept her feelings.
 
But she ran away from it, took the easier path, as Brent called it. The coward’s path. When Angel learned from Ernest what she had been screaming and speaking throughout the whole catastrophe had been broadcasted to everyone, the young woman was overwhelmed by dread and shame. This had changed everyone’s perspective; Allison’s as well, judging from how she looked at Angel right now.
 
The full-fledged woman was at a loss, frightened. She was not prepared for this so soon. She knew she eventually had to explain herself to the girl who loved her, it was inevitable. And yet, Angélique had been running away, to buy herself time for as long as she could or simply because she was too scared to face a confrontation from Allison.
 
Ernest was right. She was only a scared little girl.
 
[color=9e0039]“A-Alice… I…”[/color]
 
The words came out choked. She could barely think of what to tell her. Explain things just the way she told Ernest and Brent? To take all the blame onto herself for the others’ sake? But then, Angélique started to be frightened by her own resolve to protect the others. Just by looking at what happened earlier today, she was losing more of her precious friends by the moment. Was it worth it, to lose everyone around her to benefit all the others?
 
Angel was terrified. Terrified that Allison turned out to be just like Ernest. Was her love just as fake as Ernest’s friendship? Angel was scared of losing the only person that mattered the most, the only thing Angel had left in this miserable existence. Was she willing to throw it away for the resolve of becoming a monster?
 
[color=9e0039]“I-I didn’t mean to… I… wanted to protect the others… b-but I loss control… and…”[/color]
 
Before she even started explaining herself properly, Angel’s naked eyes started to wet themselves, and Angel brought both hands to her face, hiding  in shame as emotions overloaded her brain and took a toll on her exhausted body. Angel’s legs bucked, unable to support the emotional baggage, sending her on her knees. And she only remained there, sobbing, her mind unable to untangle itself from all the knots the confused Aberration made on herself.

[color=a187be]"Get up, Angel."[/color] Allison's voice was cold and empty, uncharacteristically somber. [color=a187be]"This was supposed to be easy for me. I was supposed to ask why you did it, you would give me some bullshit answer, and I would walk away and give up on you, realizing that you're just the same as every other fucked up person I've met."[/color] Allison's eyes stayed firmly planted at the ground, rather than at the weeping Angel. [color=a187be]"I want to be wrong. I still love you," the words sounded eerily empty despite the sentiment, "but I can't trust you. I thought I had found another person who wasn't going to let themselves resort to murder. I thought I had the found an incredibly rare thing in this place, someone who I could actually trust without getting backstabbed and having my life ruined. But, of course...

"In the end you do the same as everyone else. You do something terrible, act like it wasn't your fault, blame it on something else."[/color] Allison paused for a second, collecting her thoughts. [color=a187be]"Saying you didn't mean to do it isn't going to fix things. It won't bring people back. It won't heal the wounds, physical or otherwise. The only option is to face what you did and understand the consequences of your actions. Of course, the public won't know what you did. The people whose lives you destroyed will know somewhat, but they will be kept quiet. The only people who know what happened are you, me, and the rest of our merry band of monsters,"[/color] Allison paused again. [color=a187be]"Of course, being a bunch of monsters, the consequences aren't that dire, are they? In fact, I bet a few people would tell you that there was no other option, that what you did was fine, or that it really wasn't your fault. The other parties don't exactly get to tell you what they think, do they? I thought, maybe I should give you an example of what happens when you do something like this, when you kill,"[/color] Allison's voice seemed to waver slightly. [color=a187be]"When people are killed, two kinds of corpses are left behind. The first is self-explanatory, but the second doesn't get much attention. It's probably because they still walk, talk, and function on a basic level. Other than basic functions, though, they're the same as a corpse. They're dead emotionally.

"No one remembers the people left behind when someone dies. The people who have to pick up the fucking pieces and move on. The funny thing is, the pain left after someone dies isn't even interesting. It's just a dull nothingness where anything else should be. Imagine feeling that day in and day out. Imagine trying to mourn, and just feeling fucking nothing. At some point it just becomes background noise, death doesn't faze you anymore. That's the hard part of this for me. It's not trying to find the words to say to you after this, it's trying to feel fucking anything. Though... maybe I should be more detailed, shouldn't I?"[/color] Allison now dared to gaze at her weeping friend, her stare as dead as her words. [color=a187be]"Well, let's start with the first death, it's simple. My father got cancer. My mother decided that was a great time to reveal she was cheating on him and left him. She never spoke to either of us ever again. My father died a few months later.

"I can't talk about the second death. The next few, though, I can easily discuss. About two years ago now, I escaped an orphanage with the only 4 friends I had and a woman who called herself Tommy. I think I told you a bit about her? I'll be glossing over her for now. About a year, maybe a year and a half after we started living out of a van and driving around the country, we met a strange man. He had piercing, red eyes. I fell in love with him at first sight. He later killed all my friends, buried them behind an old cabin, and didn't tell me until I figured it all out a few months ago. Not long after that I ended up at USARILN. I think we both remember what happened to Alexis and Savannah. 

"What all that death left me with was a bunch of holes. I can't fill those back up. The people that were there are gone. My mother, the red eyed man, and USARILN took those people away. To the victims of what you did, you are the exact same sort of awful. 'I didn't mean to do it' doesn't matter. You made your bed, Angélique Lachance. Lie in it. You only have one option. Realize what you've done, come to terms with it, and, listen, this is the most important part: Never. Do. It. Again."[/color]
 
Angel simply stood there, paralyzed, as her sobbing had stopped to listen to her friend. She was shocked to hear all that had happened to her, explaining more than a few things about why Allison was the person she was.

Each word felt like a stab to her heart. She didn't mean to kill these people. Hell, she didn't even kill them herself. But it was her fault nonetheless. She had lost control, and in a fit of zeal to protect her friends, has unleashed a barrage that would only enrage the innocents and eventually exposed those people to the calamities that her teammates brought.

She couldn't summon the courage to say these words to Allison, not after hearing those words. Quite the opposite, she had accepted them. She was at fault. None of this would have happened if she had been in control. No, her Stigma wasn't to be considered. It was just an excuse. An excuse that Allison didn't want to accept, just as Kusari didn't accept Lilianna's when it came down to explain why she amplified injuries until everyone died.

Slowly, Angel did as Allison commanded. She got up on her feet, albeit shakenly, but her eyes never left the ground. She couldn't bear to look into the eyes of the girl she had wronged so painfully. And as such, she did the only thing that she was trying to be good at.

[i]Sacrifice.[/i]

[color=9e0039]"A-Allison... I..." [/color]

The words were still stuck into her throat. She wanted to scream her pain, but she couldn't. Allison didn't deserve this pitiful piece of garbage that tried to act as a remorseful monster. She didn't deserve to be put through so much pain because of her.

[color=9e0039]"I'm sorry... to have betrayed you. Please..."[/color]

Tears started to fall again.

[color=9e0039]"Give up on me... I'm not worth it."[/color]

With that Angel quickly turned away and wanted to run, but her weakened legs could only manage a quick walking pace.

A hand reached out to stop Angel, and with some stumbling, it managed to find a hold on Angel's shoulder.

[color=a187be]"Idiot. I'm not the one you betrayed. Sure, I feel betrayed, but you didn't spite me. It wasn't intentional. Besides, you should fucking know that's not how love works. I can't just give up on you. I wouldn't have said any of this shit if I didn't still love you."[/color] Allison still stared at the floor.

Angel stopped, the hand on her shoulder sort of froze her into place. No, she wasn't only betraying Allison, she was betraying herself, her own feeling. She wanted just as much as Allison to feel loved and to return that love, but she didn't want to hurt her any more than she already did. It drove her mad really, to continue trying to reject it all.

Slowly and eerily, Angélique turned to face Allison, her tired eyes set upon the brunette's face. She'll know, once and for all, if it was meant to be, or if it was all a lie.

[color=9e0039]"Allison..."[/color] her voice beckoned [color=9e0039]"Can you look at me in the eyes and still find the will to say that despite knowing what I did?"[/color]

[color=a187be]"Yea, I think I can manage that. Actually..."[/color] Allison found herself moving around Angel to face her, placing her hands on the metalhead's shoulders. She stared into those tear-soaked eyes for a few moments. [color=a187be]"Angélique Lachance. I love you."[/color] Allison moved faster than her own mind could process, and pulled the taller girl in for a kiss.

There was no resistance. In fact, as Angel's eyes met Allison's and heard her name accompanied with those simple three words, she felt a desire like none she ever felt before. Wrapping her arms around her lover's waist, the dark-haired fallen rockstar embraced Allison tightly as she accepted her wholly, her lips meeting with the brunette’s own into a passionate kiss.

Allison melted into the kiss, surprised that the depressed Angel would even be willing to reciprocate. It was a wonderful feeling, one that Allison wanted to last forever. It was an odd sort of irony, then, that Allison was the one to break the kiss, if only for a moment.

[color=a187be]"Holy shit."[/color]

It was a first time experience for the rockstar to have shared something so intimate with someone else. The act of kissing wasn't what had drawn the previously cold girl, it was that feeling of sharing something such intimacy with someone she could only really describe as 'her love'.

Angélique's heart fluttered, again an emotion she felt like she never experienced before, which made it seem like every worry in the world had just disappeared. When Allison broke up the kiss, there was a certain longing in Angel's eyes, feeling like it had been too short, too soon to break.

But she giggled heartily when she heard Allison's breathy swear. [color=9e0039]"Alice... ever since we came back, I had realized it. When you ran off after Zoe, and when you mentioned you were about to make a do-or-die plan, my mind was only thinking about you. I feared of losing you. I wanted to be there with you, but Grant told me it would do me no good, I'd only get in the way. Each passing moment, i was praying for your safety. For you to come back alive."[/color]

Angel paused, thinking back to what happened in the meantime, then when they left DC, coming here and being confronted by Brent and Ernest. [color=9e0039]"I couldn't tell you. I was scared. Scared of you rejecting me, like Ernest rejected me so easily. I was afraid of being hurt, of being alone, of losing what was the most precious person to me left in my wreck of a life. You."[/color]

Another pause, more tears to shed. It was hard at this point to say if she was happy to have been freed of this torment, or if she was hurt deep inside. [color=9e0039]"So let me say it, please."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Allison, I love you, from the bottom of my heart."[/color]

Allison couldn't even speak, only finding the tears that had evaded her through the last several minutes crawling down her cheeks. She threw herself further into the embrace, reuniting her lips with Angel's. It was the only response Allison found herself capable of giving, and it seemed to be the correct one. They held like that for what felt like an eternity, sharing something that seemed too intimate for the pair of dysfunctional youths. Eventually, Allison found herself leading Angel back to her room, where she promptly locked the door.
[/hider]

[hider=Chapter III: Happy Birthday]
[center]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/OiIXHEg.png[/img]  [img]https://i.imgur.com/ytozL8X.png[/img]
[h2][color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=Palevioletred]Zoe[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img][hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟚𝟜, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℤ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘'𝕤 𝔼𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕖   / /  𝟙𝟘𝟘𝟘 [/color][hr]
[sub]Collab with [@Lasrever][/sub]
[/center]

Coming back from her daily routine shower after working a running sweat ever since she woke up, Angélique walked to the mansion’s garage, again. Much like the other days before, the fallen rockstar didn’t feel like staying locked up inside the estate. She’d much rather enjoy the feeling of freedom driving a car around the island gave her. It gave her time to think about what she did, about what happened, about the others.
 
Siren had no intended destination. She just wanted to get away from it all as much as she wanted to explore. For that reason, Angel had swung at the black sportscar’s backseats a few bags of her own personal belongings: spare clothes, swimsuit, phone, only to name a few. She never knew if she would actually return to the mansion for the night. 
 
Especially not [i]today[/i] of all days. Every year, Angel made it a challenge on herself to throw something special for her birthday. She figured that if today was a special day, she would as well celebrate it with others and let them in onto this happy day. She could remember last year’s birthday, having thrown a party at the Bell Center with hundreds of her fans. She sang, she played, she drank, she had fun.
 
But this year, it was entirely different. She had no fans to celebrate with. No friends. No family. Only people that she shared a battlefield with, and hateful thoughts to remind her how pathetic she was. Truly, today wasn’t a day worth celebrating at all. If anything else, it was a day to curse what she had become.
 
Solemnly, Angélique took the driver’s seat inside the Dodge Charger, taking time to readjust her seat and her mirrors. 

Zoe hadn't been awake for too long when she decided to take a walk around the estate. For all its extravagance, the place wasn't bad to look at, and it beat sitting around watching TV or whatever. 

The whole thing took an interesting turn, of course, when she caught sight of a certain singer wandering around on her own. Not a couple of weeks ago, Zoe would have ignored her classmate - actively avoided, even. But she'd changed, or at least she was starting to try. Not without her fair share of... relapses, so to speak, but trying.

To tell the truth, Zoe didn't care whether she herself lived or died. For now, though, she was alive, and realizing that it wasn't worth running anymore. Ernie, for all his faults, had been right in DC; she did care about the others, like it or not. Even after what Angel had done in DC. It wasn't as though Zoe didn't have blood on her hands, and as much as anything else, she had questions to ask. Had to know what path her friend planned on walking, had to try and help her however she could.

And watching Angel get into the car, it seemed to Zoe like the other young woman was pretty miserable about something or other. So she jogged over before her classmate drove off, tapping on the driver's side window with a friendly smile. [color=palevioletred]"Room for one more?"[/color]

It would be a lie to say Angel had been expecting anyone. Lost in thought, she jumped in her seat, startled by the sudden knocking on the window.  She did not know whether Zoe wanted to have a talk or simply wanted Angélique to drive Zoe somewhere on her way to wherever she was going. After what happened in Washington, she would have thought no one would actively seek her out. But she was proven wrong, as Brent, Ernest and even Allison had quickly sought her out for answers about what she did in DC. Knowing Zoe, she might have come to her for answers as well. 
 
Whether it was because Angel felt lonelier than ever before on this day that was supposed to be special, needed to talk or simply wanted someone to yell at her for what she did, Angel mustered every bit of self-assurance to smile back and nodded, pressing the doors unlocking button.
 
[color=9e0039]“Sure, hop in. Got some place you wanted to go to?”[/color]

At Angel's agreement, Zoe grinned and walked around the car, hopping into the seat beside her. Part of her wanted to push all the buttons, but a bigger part of her figured that'd be a bad idea. She really had no idea how to drive, and this thing was way fancier than any car she'd ever been in. At Angel's question, she shrugged, sitting back in the seat.

[color=palevioletred]"Nowhere in particular."[/color] She glanced at the other girl, before shrugging. No point hiding her ulterior motives here. [color=palevioletred]"Wanted to talk to you anyway, and besides, you looked like you were in a bad mood. Even worse than usual."[/color] Lighthearted teasing aside, it was clear that Zoe at least wasn't [i]just[/i] here to interrogate Angelique.

[color=palevioletred]"Figured you might feel better if you've got a friend around."[/color]

It somewhat came to no surprise to Angel hearing what Zoe had to say, although she did got surprised by her last statement. If her face was a window to her soul, then that window sure was thoroughly cleaned.
 
[color=9e0039]“I’m that easy to figure out, huh? Yeah… today’s not a good day for me…”[/color] Angel let out a sad smile, her gaze returning to the windshield. Zoe did just say “a friend”, right? Was she really okay still hanging around, despite what she did? Deep inside, something sparked, albeit faintly, mostly choked by pessimism and expectations being easily misjudged. [color=9e0039]“Thanks... I appreciate it.”[/color]
 
Making sure her seatbelt was buckled up and everything was in order, Angélique started the car’s engine and drove the beast away from the mansion. Already, as their temporary home disappeared behind, relief was soon showing up on her face as she lowered the door’s window, letting a fresh breeze enter the car and sending her obsidian hair flutter in the wind. For the semblance of freedom it brought her, she welcomed it with open arms.

Zoe smiled slightly as Angelique appeared to relax. Her own window was open as well, though the wind didn't have nearly as dramatic an effect on Zoe's appearance. Chuckling slightly, she leaned forward to mess with the radio as she spoke. [color=palevioletred]"You know, I'm not sure how you deal with having that much hair. I mean mine's enough of a pain to deal with. After the first fight, I [i]seriously[/i] considered cutting it all off."[/color]

Realizing she wasn't completely sure how to actually work the radio, Zoe sat back as soon as she reached a station that didn't seem to be the news, paying almost no attention to the music that was playing. Whatever it was, it would be better than sitting there listening to regulars discuss them all for the hundredth time.

Angélique chuckled slightly at Zoe’s remark, her mood slightly shifting for the better at these attempts of small talk. Something that she was looking forward more than the impending discussion about the whole DC incident.[color=9e0039]“I hear you. Drying and combing that mass after a bath is a pain but…”[/color] Angel paused, looking a bit thoughtful, [color=9e0039]“I love the style. It’s like when people ask me about how inconvenient my clothing is. But really, I’ve just grown used to it. Needed to have the looks that went with my job. Eventually, I just grew fond of looking extravagant.”[/color]
 
There was a hint of bitterness as she remembered about her previous life. It probably would’ve been easier if she just decided to change her looks to help her transition to her new Mage life. But deep inside, is changing appearance going to make it any better? Had she really given up on who she was before becoming a Subnatural. 
 
This scene felt oddly nostalgic to Angélique. The sound of pop music playing in the background while she was having small talk with her passenger, it was a scene that she was very familiar with, from her time spent of the road. It was easy to guess Angel was no stranger to being behind the steering wheel, just by how smooth her driving was.
 
[color=9e0039]“I think it’d be a shame if you were to cut it off. The fiery badass look really suits you, honestly. If it still annoys you, there is always a way to make it more manageable. I tend to tie my hair into a tail or a bun if I fear it would catch into something.”[/color]

[color=palevioletred]"Nah, I think it'll be fine like this. I dealt with the stomach acid - it won't get much worse than that, hopefully. Besides, it's short enough. Nice to hear it suits me, though."[/color] Zoe smiled at the compliment, before shrugging. [color=palevioletred]"Whatever works, right? Don't always have to be preparing for battle or we'd never enjoy anything."[/color] Smiling, she looked at Angelique, lost in thought. A realization she'd only come to recently, but that didn't make it wrong. Just different. Although saying that, there was something to be said for efficiency as well.

Blinking, Zoe realized that she'd spaced out a little.

[color=palevioletred]"Sorry. Just kinda tired."[/color] And her training routine had perhaps been a little too rigorous since getting here. You couldn't keep reopening old wounds without a little fatigue setting in, but she didn't really seem to make the connection. Almost unconsciously, she picked at the bandages that were wrapped around her hands as she glanced away from the black-haired woman with a hint of slightly embarrassed laughter. 

[color=palevioletred]"For what it's worth, I can't really imagine you changing your style that much. It's kinda your look at this point. Figured I may as well ask, though."[/color]

[color=9e0039]“It’s alright. To be honest, I did thought to change style when I went shopping a few times at Crimen. But then again, I couldn’t decide what I could possibly wear. Like you said, it sort of became how I look.”[/color]
 
Angélique grew silent, her eyes drifting away from the empty road for only a second, curious as to what Zoe was fidgeting with.  [color=9e0039]“I hope those aren’t the signs of someone who been too brutally beaten up.”[/color] She joked lightly, tinged with a slightness of worry. She didn’t know if Zoe had been injured back in Washington, or if it was something that happened here. Hopefully it was nothing too serious. Angel hadn't been around the mansion enough to actually know everything that was happening with the others while she was gone.

Zoe's eyes widened with surprise as she stopped fidgeting. Okay, she probably should've paid more attention to what she was actually doing there. Still, she raised an eyebrow at Angel's statement, glancing down at herself and then to the singer. [color=palevioletred]"Come on, you think anyone around here would be able to beat me up?"[/color] Yeah, probably, but that didn't stop her bravado.

Her smile faded slightly as she experimentally opened and closed a fist, wincing at the slight pain that came with the motion. Problem with having cuts on somewhere that moved so much, she supposed. [color=palevioletred]"It's a training thing. No need to worry about me, I've done it plenty of times before. You get used to it."[/color] Her scars said as much.

She wasn't sure why it felt like she was admitting to doing something wrong. [color=palevioletred]"Think we should stop soon? Don't wanna go too far in case the security get pissed."[/color] Hoping that her answer would have satisfied her teammate's curiosity, she looked back out of the window.

[color=9e0039]“I meant the poor bastards on the receiving end of those fists.”[/color] Angel replied with a chuckle. She found it quite silly for her red-haired friend to continue putting up this tough-girl attitude. Still, she could somewhat understand where she was coming from. However, Zoe’s answer only made the raven-haired young woman’s brows furrow in response. She heard about bruises and small injuries that came with training, but the bandages around Zoe’s hands suggested she really did a number onto her fist. [color=9e0039]“Yeah sure we practice different fighting methods, but I don’t think training to the point of getting injuries like that is quite healthy.”[/color] 
 
But it was quite apparent Zoe had her mind set upon the whole deal. If that was her way of doing things, Angel doubted trying to talk about healthy training habits would be acknowledged. Instead, she dropped the matter, her focus returning to the road before Zoe brought up a point. 
 
[color=9e0039]“Don’t worry, I’ve been asking around about my itineraries. Was told as long as I don’t leave the island, I’d be fine. Not that we can cross the ocean with this thing anyway. What, got ants crawling up your legs already?”[/color]

Angel was probably right about her training methods, but 'healthy' wasn't Zoe's priority. The more likely it was to break her down, the better. As for the travel, she knew they hadn't been going for that long, but... [color=palevioletred]"I don't really sit around that much. My mind wanders. So to speak."[/color] And the murder fantasies weren't good. Well, they were. But she didn't want them to be. It didn't help that she considered Angel a friend.

Despite wishing otherwise, a hint of something hungry seemed to cross Zoe's expression, blue eyes fixing on Angelique. Only for a second, though, as her eyes widened and she spoke apologetically. [color=palevioletred]"You don't have to worry. It's not gonna be an issue today, I just--"[/color] She sighed. [color=palevioletred]"Told you before, right? Gets worse around people I like. Can't really help it."[/color]

There was that, and the fact that she didn't want to ask any painful questions while Angel was driving. [color=palevioletred]"If you wanna keep going for a while, I think I'm gonna take a nap. So long's that's okay with you."[/color] Assuming Angel wouldn't protest, Zoe sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. It didn't take long for her to nod off, her expression relaxing - more peaceful than any she'd wear when awake.

Angélique only nodded to Zoe’s reminder. But with everything that was happening, the newly appointed Siren could not tell if she was desperate enough for a talk to dismiss the looming danger Zoe represented, or if it was genuine suicidal thoughts. For now, the possibility of vanishing from the Black God’s touch didn’t faze the raven-haired Aberration. 
 
Nodding slowly to a sleepy Zoe, Angélique turned the volume of the radio slightly down, as to make some peace and quiet for the red-haired Mage to relax and take a nap undisturbed. While the pale Aberration driver felt for Zoe’s more physically-active self, Angel felt like driving a bit longer, going further away from the mansion. She wanted to feel that sense of freedom a bit more.
 
Eventually, the car reached the northern end of the island, sitting high atop the cliffs that overlooked the ocean from above. The sun was high in the sky, suggesting it was a bit later after noon. Having reached her destination, Angélique however did not wake Zoe immediately after shutting the car’s engine. Instead, she gazed upon the redhead’s resting face. She looked so serene, so peaceful right now. Watching this softened expression that Angel never seemed to have seen in Zoe’s traits, a longing smile crept on the singer’s lips.
 
Deciding that Zoe might need the rest after all that happened, the Voice Mage reached for the rear seats, grabbing a cooler she had taken from the mansion just before leaving. Inside, she retrieved what seemed to be ingredients for making sandwiches. 

If Angelique was listening, she'd hear Zoe beginning to mutter something. It wasn't the clearest thing in the world, but it would be easy enough for the musician to hear - the redhead was quite obviously talking in her sleep.

Whatever dream the girl was having, it was vivid. And not exactly pleasant. Not every word was said clearly enough to be audible, but it was probably enough for Angelique to get the idea. [color=palevioletred]"...n't want... alone. I know... Should've been me... stronger. I'm sorry, just..."[/color] There was a hint of desperation, her brow furrowed in distress. Fear, perhaps, that she refused to let show when she was awake. [color=palevioletred]"Don't leave again."[/color]

It was also quickly becoming apparent that Zoe likely had no idea she did this - there was no way the girl would've fallen asleep near anyone, friend or not, if she knew how much vulnerability was showing right now.

As Angélique finished preparing her meal, she quickly turned to the mutterings of her sleeping friend. Paying no heed to her food, the raven-haired musician listened intently to the dreaming Aberration, her every words, her every expressions. It was tough to watch, mainly because everything that Angel was struggling within herself, it sort of reflected itself into the red-haired girl’s sleeping form. 
 
It was said that, when sleeping, one’s subconscious was free to express itself. If that was the case, then Angélique figured that the muttering Zoe in front of her was probably the real Zoe, deep down inside, hidden under a layer of hardened and cold façade. This sudden revelation gripped Angel’s heart. Just how hard was Zoe on herself? How heavy were her burdens? 
 
Angélique was so used to seeing a strong-willed and harsh Zoe, it came as a shock to witness that side of her. And yet, there was some strange sense to relief, happiness crawling through this scene. It showed that Zoe, despite her claims, cared just about as much as anyone, but wasn’t willing to show it. Finally, it confirmed Zoe wasn’t a complete monster.   
 
After a while, the jet-black-haired Aberration couldn’t bear seeing her friend in that state. But she didn’t want to shake the girl off from her sleep just like that, fearing it might do more harm than good. Instead, Angel thought of something that eased her mind when she was young and distressed. Like a mother to her child, Angélique’s golden voice began filling the air. Loud enough to be heard, yet peaceful notes that would soothe tumultuous minds. Not exactly a lullaby, more drifting towards a ballade. 

The melody seemed to at least calm Zoe slightly, a little of the previous tranquility returning to her expression, though her murmurs didn't quite cease. Her frown and fearful expression were at least less severe, eventually fading to a small, relaxed smile.

After a few minutes more peaceful slumber, however, she finally began to stir, sitting up and blinking sleep out of her eyes. Looking around with more than a little confusion, her eyes rested on Angelique. Her expression was slightly less guarded than usual, but certainly not to the level it had been while she was unconscious. Trying to shake off the last of the dreams that had distressed her. Though it wasn't as bad as usual.

[color=palevioletred]"Angel?"[/color] She was curious as to why the other girl would be singing, shooting her an amused grin. Blissfully unaware of what she'd just been doing, that much was obvious. Opening the door, she stepped out of the car to join Angelique, giving her a small if somewhat confused, smile. [color=palevioletred]"You're... singing."[/color] It sounded as though Zoe wanted to ask why, but wasn't sure if it was worth it. Maybe it was just a musician thing. She figured she'd seen a whole lot stranger.

[color=9e0039]”Well, you knew I was a singer before, right? Even if there is no crowd, that doesn’t stop me from singing to myself from time to time.”[/color]
 
Angel mustered a half-assed smile while her eyes lowered to the lunch she was preparing. It was simply too embarrassing to tell Zoe that this corny singing was to help her waking up from her bad dreaming, even though Zoe had already figured Angel was a bleeding-heart type. Too embarrassing, and she didn’t know how well Zoe would take that.
 
Instead, Angélique kept her innocent smile and turned to Zoe, offering her the sandwich she was working on. [color=9e0039]“Are you hungry? I’ve made a lunch for the both of us. You’ve been napping for a few hours now.”[/color]

[color=palevioletred]"Uh, kind of. Thanks. Didn't realize I'd be out so long."[/color] Accepting the sandwich, Zoe appeared to take Angel's explanation at face value. Yeah, must've been a musician thing. Looking around them, Zoe sighed. The view was pretty spectacular, and although being surrounded by ocean wasn't her favorite thing, being so far up made it far more bearable. Overall, it wasn't bad. 

[color=palevioletred]"Here I thought I was the one looking out for you by coming along, and I've just been sleeping the whole time. Sorry about that. Guess you've had better company, huh?"[/color] She chuckled, looking around the landscape. [color=palevioletred]"If we're gonna wait around here for a while, may as well go find somewhere to sit. Or, I dunno, walk or something."[/color]

And as much as she wanted to just enjoy the moment, Zoe knew she'd have to speak to Angel properly soon.

[color=9e0039]“Oh, don’t worry about that. You know, my grandfather used to tell me that if someone is sleeping in your car while you drive, then that means they trust you enough to entrust their safety to you.”[/color]  Angélique giggled playfully, trying to tease some sort of softness out of Zoe with that reminder. But in reality, she was thankful for Zoe’s words. It felt good to know that, despite what happened and the incoming talk they will be having, that Zoe was out here to look out after her. Perhaps that was the one thing that made this day bearable.
 
With a nod, Angel closed the sportscar’ trunk after grabbing two more sandwiches. There were plenty of rocks to sit onto, but ultimately Angel decided for the both of them to go walking. Zoe did mention earlier that she wasn’t good at sitting for too long. Might as well do things her way after Zoe gracefully indulged Angel’s driving fantasy.
 
[color=9e0039]“But really, thank you for being here today. I… don’t know what I would be doing right now if you didn’t ask to join me earlier.”[/color]

[color=palevioletred]"You don't need to thank me for it."[/color] Zoe wasn't sure what else to say to that. There were a few seconds of silence before she slowly shook her head. It wasn't any trouble for her to come along. And the statement on trust was... odd. Possibly because it felt true, even when many people would have had their trust broken by the singer's previous actions. But on some level, it made sense.

[color=palevioletred]"You've given me plenty of second chances yourself. Least I can do is try and return the favour. Besides, we [i]are[/i] friends, aren't we? Can't just have you sitting around miserable."[/color] Just enough to make it clear Zoe wasn't unaware of what had happened in DC. But that didn't change that Angel had been at least partly responsible for getting her to stop driving the others away. [color=palevioletred]"This morning - you said it wasn't a good day. There any reason for that, or is it just... what happened before?"[/color]

Testing the waters, though it appeared that Zoe was coming from a place of concern rather than anger. She knew as well as anyone what it was like to hate yourself for the things you'd done.

Even though Angélique knew [i]exactly[/i] what was wrong with her today, and knew eventually that question would come around, Angel still wasn’t prepared to actually answer this question. The silence somewhat explained a lot about how she felt, but it was only half of it. Did she really need to reveal to Zoe about the meaning of today?  She didn’t want to bother the girl with something like that.
 
And yet, Zoe’s words struck true again at the mention of them being actual friends. Being a classmate was one thing, but hearing out the word ‘friend’ was a whole another matter. Probably something she heard a few people actually say. That in itself incited Angel to open her heart to Zoe.
 
[color=9e0039]“It’s… complicated."[/color] Angel finally managed to say, breaking her silence. She took a deep breath, obviously trying to gather all the courage in her heart to reveal the darkness that was plaguing her. [color=9e0039]“Truth is, yes. I still feel like I did a mistake back in Washington, no matter how hard I try to convince myself and the others what I did was for their own good.”[/color]
 
Another dead silence, her mouth quivering, her voice growing shaky [color=9e0039]“A-and today… it’s… it’s my birthday."[/color]
 
She felt like she could cry, but instead she tried to remain firm, strong, like Zoe had always showed her whenever she spoke. [color=9e0039]“I’ve never felt this lonely ever before.”[/color]

Zoe was surprised to see how shaken Angel was by all of this. Even more surprised to hear that it was her birthday. But as she saw how close the singer was to crying, what she felt was something familiar. Protectiveness, almost, a certainty that she didn't want to watch this girl destroy herself. Fuck, it was so [i]familiar[/i]. So, perhaps unexpectedly considering her usual aversion to physical contact, she drew Angel into a hug.

[color=palevioletred]"Hey. You don't have to be strong right now."[/color] Speaking softly, Zoe couldn't help but see herself in the older girl. Loneliness, fearfulness, a terrible blood-soaked mistake. They really were similar, weren't they? Similar, but not quite the same. Angelique hadn't crossed that line, not yet. The pain wasn't a part of her. [color=palevioletred]"I promise you I have an idea of what you're going through. I know what it's like to think that everyone hates you. You're not a monster. You don't have to be, unless you choose to."[/color]

[color=palevioletred]"Angel, I don't want to watch you turn into me. And I'm not gonna stand by and let that happen."[/color] She smiled, loosening her grip and taking a step back to try and meet the singer's eyes. There was fire in her gaze, a simple, steadfast determination. Her tone was firm, but remained gentle as she continued. [color=palevioletred]"But you need to choose which path you're taking, 'cause I don't want to watch you tear yourself apart."[/color]

 The sudden hug and soft tone in Zoe’s voice was all it took for Angel to lower her already-weakened guard. As she returned the barely  taller girl’s  embrace, her face buried itself on her shoulder, wet droplets of tears starting to wet her eyes. It was clear she tried holding herself back from sobbing her  heart out, but she couldn’t hide the emotional liquid from reaching her cheeks. 
 
[color=9e0039]“I… need to be strong. I have to be strong.”[/color] Angel muttered as Zoe pulled her out from their hug, wiping her tears away from her face. [color=9e0039]“I don’t know what I want, Zoe.” [/color]
 
Angélique paused, unsure how to exactly explain what was going on in her mind. [color=9e0039]“Back in Washington, all I wanted was to stop the Regulars from stoning us. I [i]knew[/i] I had the powers to disable these people without killing them. Even if the world would come to hate me for attacking them, I wanted to protect the others.” [/color]

[color=9e0039]“I was ready to shoulder that responsibility… even if I knew that would definitively fuel that reputation of a murderer I got from Montréal. I felt like if I had to become the monster they would fear, then the Regulars would not get in our way the next time we try to save people. But then… the leaked videos came in… and I was portrayed as a hero, instead of showing  the disaster that made me a monster only  a moment earlier. It… crushed my resolve. How can I live with what we’ve done back there while we are applauded as heroes? How can I be the person to pull the trigger when I’m supposed to be seen as someone good? I don’t want to hurt anyone… but I have to if I want to protect the others from the cruel injustice we are facing every day.”[/color]

[color=palevioletred]"Take it from the person that [i]got[/i] the bad publicity, being condemned by the world doesn't help anyone. You think any regulars'll chill out when I'm around?"[/color] Zoe sighed, struggling to find the words she needed. Angel wasn't the only one who'd screwed up before, she knew that all too well. [color=palevioletred]"In Wisford. I just wanted to end the fight, just didn't want anyone else to get hurt. But I fucked up, hard. No-one died, but I caused more hurt than I had to. You did too. It wasn't necessary, not really."[/color]

[color=palevioletred]"I could lie to you and say it'll all be okay. But it won't. People have long memories, and some of them won't understand what you did. There was probably a better way. I get it, pulling the trigger, taking responsibility. This one's on you. But you've got a second chance, and that's a pretty rare thing. If you really want to pull the trigger... that's your choice. If you feel like have to do it for the others, then screw your reputation."[/color] But for what it was worth, she was putting her faith in Angelique. [color=palevioletred]"What you're supposed to be doesn't mean shit compared to keeping the others alive."[/color]

[color=palevioletred]"For now, if the world won't hold you responsible, then do it yourself. If you want someone to remind you what you've done, then remind yourself. You want a reason to fight, then you make one for [b]yourself[/b]."[/color] A pessimistic view of the world, but at the end of the day, you were the only person that would always be around. [color=palevioletred]"I've got your back, for as long as you're here. And if the chance is there, I'll happily pull the trigger in your place."[/color]

After all, Zoe knew she was already seen by the world as a monster.

Angel remained silent as Zoe explained the path that was lying ahead of what Angélique was considering to take. A thankless existence, full of self-imposed burdens and hardships. Was that what Zoe had been carrying with her ever since she came into USARILN, perhaps before then even? Angel was a soul that was ready to accept sacrifice as a part of her life, if it came to protect her loved ones, but was she really ready to dismiss her humanity and be left to herself until she died, with only Zoe as her partner in crime and fellow monster?
 
[color=9e0039][i]Was there any other way to be both?[/i][/color]
 
A sentence the Aberration kept repeating in her head. She wanted to be there for the others, pull the triggers when others wouldn’t in order to make sure everyone stayed alive. But she yearned to be seen as someone reliable, someone heroic, someone that could change the world for a better one. She wanted Czernobog’s determination, Proteus’ strength, Gleipnir’s sound judgement, Time Scar’s optimism, and the people’s good grace. She wanted to rise as an Archangel and right her wrongs.
 
[color=9e0039]“Isn’t there any other way to be both?”[/color] Angel found herself wishfully repeating that aloud, even if she knew it probably wasn’t possible, as her eyes met Zoe’s. [color=9e0039]"I wish we wouldn't hurt ourselves like this, that you wouldn't torment yourself until driven mad by the burdens. I... don't want to see us wallowing in despair and end up..."[/color]

[color=palevioletred]"Don't worry about me. I don't know if there's a way to be both, but..."[/color] Zoe smiled sympathetically, but she didn't know how to walk that line. After a long moment of silence, she spoke again, quietly at first. [color=palevioletred]"Just try not to be a monster, alright? I don't want that for you. Being like that, all you get is fear. Anger. Disgust."[/color] A small, bitter smile.

[color=palevioletred]"That's what people feel once they know what you really are."[/color] This wasn't really advice; if anything it sounded far closer to a warning. [color=palevioletred]"You'll never get a happy ending. Never be able to hope for redemption. Anyone that doesn't leave gets dragged down with you, and soon enough you'll find refuge in the pain. The smell of blood, the sound of screaming: They're sweet perfume and beautiful music."[/color] And that [i]was[/i] monstrous, no matter how you looked at it.

[color=palevioletred]"Because the battlefield is the only place that people like you are any good to have around, and you'll [i]never[/i] have a place in peace. Not when the only thing you can do is hurt. People you care about as well as ones you don't."[/color] At some point this had stopped being hypothetical, and she'd started describing herself. Calmly, as though it didn't bother her to think about what she was, who she'd become. As she spoke, she unwrapped the bandages from one hand, revealing her sliced-open knuckles.

[color=palevioletred]"Even then it still won't be good enough to save everyone. Throwing away everything you are, everything you have the potential to be, won't mean you can always be there. So just-- think it through, Angel. That's all I'm asking."[/color] There was pain in the look Zoe directed at Angel, both pain at voicing what she was and genuine hurt at the idea of being followed down that path. [color=palevioletred]"If there is a way to do both, then I'll do my best to help you find it. You don't deserve to end up alone."[/color]

[color=palevioletred][i]Not like me.[/i][/color] But the last part went unspoken beyond a flicker of loneliness in her expression.

It was hard to listen to what Angel could only assume as Zoe describing her inner turmoil. While those were burdens she had started to fear carrying around, seeing the other Aberration's pain was exactly what had set the Voice Mage onto this path. She couldn't bear watching someone close to her fall down deeper into this abyss.
 
Zoe was strong, to still be standing in front of Angel and counsel her despite all she was putting herself through. She had the opportunity of not being alone into this, but yet tried so hard to convince her friend to not go through with this plan. Angelique had realized that, despite all the bad things Zoe did, she could only sympathize for the redhead, even start to admire her. But it was clear that Zoe didn't want this for her, and Angel didn't know if she wanted to hurt her friend by going against her wishes.
 
[color=9e0039]"I... I promise I will. I just wish... that I could find my resolve back as easily as yours, and still find a way to become a better person." [/color]
 
Angel fell silent her eyes drifting between Zoe and the ocean. She had felt alone, but it had now dissipated when Zoe made it clear that she was there for Angel. But hearing her talk, the red-haired Aberration made it sound as if she had nobody to rely on herself. Angel wished to be at least that one person Zoe could find the comfort of not being alone.
 
[color=9e0039]"Zoe... I don't want you to be alone as well. I know that you already chose what you'd become and that you deserve it, but please, you don't have to be lonely. If you don't want me to follow you, then at least let me stand by you and watch your back. I want you to know that I'd be there if no one would."[/color]
 
Akin to Zoe before, Angel reached for the younger red-haired young woman and wrapped her arms around her for a warm hug. Thinking back to the words Zoe muttered in her sleep, Angelique found in herself some resolve to provide her friend a small shelter against the consuming darkness, or at least try to assuage it. 
 
[color=9e0039]"If I can ease your fears and your pain, or at least just brush off this loneliness, I'll be there for you, just like how you are here for me. It's the least you deserve. It's the least I can do to prevent you from completely falling."[/color]

 [color=palevioletred]"...Thank you."[/color]

Zoe had instinctively tensed up a little at being hugged without warning, listening to Angelique's words with a hint of doubt. To keep her from falling? [color=palevioletred][i]I think it might be too late for that.[/i][/color] Nonetheless, after a moment's thought, she relaxed and returned the hug. There couldn't be too much harm in letting someone care for now. Maybe it would be fine to have someone that knew a little what she was actually dealing with. Even if it was only what Zoe had just old her. That, and she wasn't sure how many people would have Angel's back right now either.

And at least Angel hadn't tried to pretend Zoe was wrong. Knew that she'd made her choices, that she'd resolved herself to them, that she wasn't undeserving of the burdens she carried. It was hard to believe that the other aberration had offered to help anyway, that she wouldn't turn her back. And maybe, deep down, Zoe had needed to know someone would be there when they saw what she really was.

[color=palevioletred]"Second chances, right?"[/color] For both of them. A small smile, feeling closer to losing her composure than she had been in a long while. It was hard to remember the last time someone had offered to look out for her, not without trying to change who she was. And Zoe knew, deep down, that Angel's task would be just as - if not more painful than hers. But in that moment, Zoe felt like they might be okay, if only for a little while. There were a lot of things she could have said. But it wasn't the time for them anymore.

After a moment, she chuckled affectionately. [color=palevioletred]"Happy birthday, rockstar."[/color]
[/hider]

[hider=Chapter IV: Choices]
[center]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/OiIXHEg.png[/img]  [img]https://i.imgur.com/jw3F1O9.png[/img]
[h2][color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=B0C4DE]Brent[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img][hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟚𝟝, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℤ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘'𝕤 𝔼𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕖   / /    𝟙𝟡𝟘𝟘[/color][hr]
[sub]Collab with [@ERode][/sub]
[/center]

As if it had been a scheduled thing, one of the two black Dodge Charger Hellcats that was so often found missing in the garage from a few hours before noon to almost exactly 6 PM arrived at the mansion. Behind the steering wheel was Angélique Lachance, that same person who regularly took the vehicle for an eight hours road trip every day. Arriving at the garage she looked a bit morose, but it definitively was an improvement from the depressed state of mind she had been having throughout the week, before she spoke with Zoe on the day before today. It had done her good, although what they had discussed only gave Angel more food for thought. 
 
Instead of sitting there depressed and lamenting herself over everything she had done and how her friends were abandoning her one by one, she had found herself to be pondering about what she should become. More precisely, the way she should achieve it. Zoe clearly didn’t want Angel to become the monster she was, but she was ready for that possibility and offered her support for whatever she decided to do. Eventually, what appealed to Angélique was a mix of both. She wanted to protect her friends by any means necessary, without however failing them as an ally, a fellow Mage, a Human. What kept Angel awake at night was not solely the thought of having made herself into a monster, but also the resolve of how to proceed between the fringes of the abyss and the ocean.
 
The raven-haired Aberration snapped out of her thought as soon as she saw Brent inside the garage, looking like he was waiting for someone. Immediately in her mind, there was a sense of urgency, wanting to drive backwards and return later. But it was too late to back down now, she had already turned off the engine. 
 
Her hands tightened on the wheel. Memories of what had happened at the gym Monday were still vivid in her mind. Had he really been waiting for her to come back, so he could interrogate her some more? Sure, he wasn’t Ernest, but his silent judgement and quietly watching what had happened between Ernest and her without moving an inch had enervated the singing Aberration. She found his presence unsettling.
 
Angel’s face soured in anxiety, but she tried her best to not let it overtake her. Slowly but eventually, seeing he was not leaving, she opened the door and exited the car.

[color=B0C4DE]"Good evening,"[/color] Brent said, pushing off from the wall as Angelic exited the car. A part of him had anticipated that she'd reverse and drive off again, but there was comfort to be had, at least, in the fact that she hadn't run off immediately. Better than before, perhaps. [color=B0C4DE]"Got sick of the island's scenery yet, Angelic?"[/color]

He smiled, turning his palms so that they faced her. Unarmed. Unclenched. He wasn't here for a fight. Just answers, as always.

Brent really did read Angel like an open book, didn’t he? Then again, if there was one thing she had learned from all her peers, it was that she was quite easy to read through. As a matter of fact, she was surprised Brent and Ernest had actually believed in her “I am a monster” fake resolve Monday at the gym.
 
While her face turned to Brent, her eyes behind the sunglasses looked elsewhere, at the door, at the floor, anywhere really. Anywhere but at Brent’s face. 
 
[color=9e0039]“Y-yeah… can’t hog the car all day long. And I still need to eat.”[/color] Angel excused herself as she quickly walked to the trunk to retrieve her bags of personal belongings, her guitar and the cooler she had brought with her for lunch.
 
And while Angel was thinking of avoiding Brent, it was clear that he had been waiting for her to come back. Figuring she couldn’t evade him forever, she had no other choice but to be blunt with him.
 
[color=9e0039]“What do you want, Brent? Didn’t you have enough last time?”[/color] She asked, defiantly. Her encounter at the gym with Ernest had ruined her mentally for the next days, until she found a semblance of resolve back yesterday.

[color=B0C4DE]"A day trip every day?"[/color] he remarked as she unloaded a trunk full of personal belongings. No swimsuit though. Probably cause you can't swim with shades on. The small smile on his face faded quickly enough though, as Angelic's tone shifted. A little sharper. A little harsher. More to the point.

Was she getting somewhere.

[color=B0C4DE]"Did you choose this? Or is it just easier for you to? Looked like it was a hard question, so I was willing to give you a few days to think about it."[/color]

He let that statement hang in the air, before turning to door.

[color=B0C4DE]"Haven't eaten yet, right? For better or worse, your routine's clockwork, so food should be done now."[/color]

So he wanted to continue last time’s discussion? Angélique wasn’t sure she was so willing to come back to that whole deal. Her mind was clearer now though, thanks to her talk with Zoe, and Brent didn’t seem like he was aggressive about it. Not that he was ever aggressive, Angel noted, but that was something that had scared her at the gym.
 
[color=9e0039]“Can we… discuss about it somewhere more in private? I’d rather not keep standing here with my arms full for a hour.”[/color] 
 
The mention of ‘clockwork’ brought back unpleasant memories, going from Wisford to Aaron, but it was in the past now. She still hadn’t made progress concerning his whereabouts, if she had even bothered making any. The more time passed, the more distant she felt to friends that had disappeared. Aaron, Savannah, Alexis. It was selfish, really…
 
[color=9e0039]“Yeah… I’ll be grabbing a bite. Maybe after, alright?” [/color]
 
She definitively was faring better than previously this week, from her tone of voice to her posture, even if she there were still cracks showing within her.

Hesitating. Still a few fractures. But there was no overpowering defensiveness this time. Whatever she did on her road trips looked like it helped out, at least. Holding the door open, Brent motioned her through.

[color=B0C4DE]"Standing there with your arms full for an hour sounds like good exercise, but yeah, go get some grub. Got a new line of gourmet corndogs lined up just for you."[/color]

He wouldn't give her assistance with the load. The arbiter hadn't pushed her through early morning training just so she could shirk from using her strength later on.

[color=9e0039]"Can’t have me start slacking off, huh?"[/color] 
 
Angel wondered if Brent was aware of her daily late night gym visits? Not that she ever noticed him if he ever did, but he seemed to be pretty inquisitive when it came to her case. Or anyone’s, for that matter. Felt like he was the kind of guy who’d observe just about anyone. Him noticing her daily escapade routine kind of confirmed that.
 
Taking her time bringing everything back to its respective place, the Aberration singer then left her room to go to the kitchen. Much to her surprise, Brent wasn’t lying when he said there were corndogs just for her. With a note even. Shit, did he cook that just for her or was it actually leftovers dedicated for her? She couldn’t tell, but the plate on the table suggested Brent actually knew she was coming back from her trip.
 
Sitting down, the Voice Mage looked at the corndogs for a moment, scrutinized them. She looked hesitant. It was fishy. Not only the clearly homemade meal, but the whole setting. Why was he going that far for her, after she clearly kept disappointing him in every way possible? He didn’t put any weird shit into her food, would he?
 
[color=9e0039]“You better hope it isn’t poisoned or full of laxatives…”[/color] Angel remarked as she gave Brent a suspicious glance. 
 
Biting into the corndog, it was clear that whatever he put in there, it wasn’t the usual fast food junk meal that she would buy at the supermarket or in any quick-serve restaurant. There was a melty filling in there. Cheese? It made the whole thing so creamy, so easy to chew and swallow. And the meat inside, it was no ordinary sausage. It wasn't processed, definitively nor pork. It had a back taste of… caribou? No, caribou was tastier than that. Deer? That felt like it. But who the hell would be putting thick slices of deer meat with melted cheese deep fried in batter? Oh, and the batter. It was so buttery, with the perfect mix of salt and spices, making the whole crunchy envellope so pleasing to the taste buds. The whole ingredients combined together into this delicacy was heavenly. Suspiciously divine.
 
What the hell was that recipe?
 
Why did it tasted so [i]freaking good[/i]?
 
Before she knew it, she quickly devoured her plate. She wasn’t quite the slow eater, even less so when it was about eating good food. A bad habit she developed for working on her next set of songs without wasting much time on small commodities that was eating. 

Angel feared for a moment that it was a cruel scheme or joke from Brent. To make such divine food, only to mix something inside that would make he rregret having tasted something so good. But she had to give credits where due, Brent was quite the inventive cook. It was to be praised really, from a modest cook like Angel was herself. 

[color=9e0039]"I... didn't expect [i]this[/i] when you said 'corndogs'. You should open an exotic restaurant, you'd make a fortune."[/color]

A brief compliment. Not overwhelmingly showing she loved the meal, but not cold enough to sound unnapreciative. 

So this was the chef's pleasure, huh? Seeing a customer wolf down a plate within minutes. To witness a few hours work gone in the amount of time it took for instant noodles to cook. Though Angelic didn't ask for seconds, which may have been the ultimate compliment, Brent nodded regardless.

[color=B0C4DE]"Thanks,"[/color] the arbiter said, [color=B0C4DE]"But I'm not that good yet. Basically cheated using my power anyways, so it's not like it took me decades of hard work to create this. Still, glad you enjoyed it."[/color]

It was designed to prove that corndogs could be gourmet, even if one was a rich girl that never even tried out McDonalds' before, but if it could appeal to the masses too...well, that's just great then! Still, the slight elation that came from Angelic not choking violently on the creamy white filling didn't distract him from the main mission: that of tying up loose ends.

[color=B0C4DE]"So, wanna head up to the roof or something?"[/color]

Angélique quirked up an eyebrow at the mention of the roof? Was it really a convenient place to talk? It sure was dramatic in the movies and comics, and certainly private enough because no one would think of a rooftop to look someone for. She didn’t figure Brent for such though.
 
Still, a first time for everything, she guessed. As long as it didn’t involve something bad happening to them while climbing the roof.
 
[color=9e0039]“As long as you aren't going to push me off, okay.”[/color]
 
Angel got up from her seat, bringing the plate into the kitchen’s sink then stopped a few feet away from Brent, waiting for him to take the lead.

[color=B0C4DE]"No promises,"[/color] he replied, grinning.
[hr]
Unlike the hospital, there was no need to bust open a door, but unlike the hospital, the roof of the estate wasn't exactly flat. And thus, without a ladder or anything else, Brent and Angelic had to settle for the third floor patio instead, affording them a decent, if not amazing, view of the estate's ground and the stars above. Naturally drawn by starlight and the veil of darkness that they were embedded in, Brent's gaze shifted upwards, catching familiar cosmic entities.

Arcturus, Polaris, the Scales, the Crux, the Dipper. One by one, his eyes flicked to yet another formation. Despite light pollution, even the mist of the galaxy was faintly visible, an astral beauty only seen by those that looked for it.

[color=B0C4DE]"Well? Whenever you're ready."[/color]

It had been a while since the last time Angel actually had time to sit down and stargaze. Her life was constantly requiring her to be either shut inside a room all day long to work on a new song, or prepare for upcoming events. Really, the only time she remembered looking at the sky was back when she was just a kid, living a carefree life, in a small house in the middle of corn fields somewhere lost in some distant rural area in Canada.
 
This scenery evoked a time of peace, which was weird considering the current state of things. She had all the reasons to be worried and anxious, but the settling darkness and the stars above just made her feel relaxed.
 
Obviously, it took some time for Angel to answer Brent's question, lost in thought and clearly hesitant to reply. But her mind drifted to what Zoe told her, and the promise they made to each other. And Brent's patience allowed the young woman to ease her stressed mind and collect her broken pieces. In the end, his patience would be rewarded with answers.
 
[color=9e0039]"I still can't exactly answer you on that. Truth is, Brent, I was never truly convinced about it all. I'm willing to sacrifice my reputation, my dignity even, to the world if it means saving even a single one of you. But..."[/color]
 
A pause, a sign of doubts. The cracks revealing themselves on the façade she had created for Brent and Ernie's assault. [color=9e0039]"I'm still not sure if I want to end up alone. I don't know if someone like me can carry all those burdens without giving up. I'm not strong. I'm not Zoe. I'm emotionally weak. You of all people should know just how lacking my resolve is."[/color]
 
Angel's face lowered, biting down her lower lip. [color=9e0039]"I still need time to find myself. Ernest may be right about us X’s having made a mistake, but it still remains a choice we made. You remember when you told me "it's no use thinking of what would have been"? I've... been trying to forge myself a path into the choice I made, but I keep failing even at that. I just don't have you guy's strength of will. Hell, I can't control these destructive impulses without them driving me crazy after a while."[/color]
 
[color=9e0339]"I keep trying to find a bridge in-between, but I haven't found anything yet. I... still don't know what to do."[/color]
 
Surprisingly, compared to her past interactions with Brent, there were no tears, no trembling voice, no rage, no anger. Only a confused girl opening her heart and soul, plagued with uncertainty and doubts.

Half-hearted. Lukewarm. Neither wanting to strike it out on her own nor wanting to simply be loved and ignore the few sacrifices she'll be making for that affection. Was Angelic just like this? Someone who couldn't figure out what she wanted, even after sampling both sides? Someone so mired by her weakness that she could only fumble around, her morals, her ethics, her ideals shifting the way her stigma blows. She hadn't found an anchor yet. Still hadn't found herself a guidepost.

Amorphous, undisciplined. A black jellyfish floating in an aquarium.

He closed his eyes, internalizing that image. How did you stop a jellyfish from moving from one spectrum to another? Remove it from its tank? Spear it in place? Or...put it into a smaller tank? 

[color=B0C4DE]"A question, Angelic,"[/color] the arbiter said, leaning against the railing, "Between Allison and the world, what would you choose?"

Angel remained muted for a moment, wondering how Brent knew about her relationship with Allison. But asking that question wasn't what mattered right now, it was answering what Brent asked of her.
 
The world that so cruelly rejected her, but needed to be protected, or Allison who loved her even knowing what she did. A hollow love, still plagued by mistrust, but something that the two girls strived for, yearned even.
 
[color=9e0039]"I..."[/color] the question surprisingly was harder to answer than it should've been. What would Angel be without the world? What would she be without Allison? [color=9e0039]"I... can't choose both, can I?"[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"This is a simplified version of the truck incident. Between Allison and innocent, but violent regulars, what would your choice be?"[/color]

Again, a lengthy pause. Words from different classmates this week replayed in her head. Ernest's hatred, Allison's distrust, Brent's disappointment, Zoe's warning. She kept repeating the key interactions in her mind, and eventually she had realized it. No one wanted her to be this way. They all, whether by expectations or either from a pure moral pont-ov-view, didn't want to see the fallen idol fall further into the abyss and become the monster her X mark represented. 

[color=9e0039]"I'd do anything for Allison..." [/color]

A selfish reason, really. But that's what humans are made of, selfishness. The girl was one of Angel's only valid reasson to live now. She didn't know what she would do without her love. [color=9e0039]"That's why... I'd choose the world."[/color]

Because it broke her heart to see Allison saying that she didn't trust her anymore. [color=9e0039]"Because that's what she would want me to do. What you guys expect ourselves to be. What I should be doing."[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"Then that,"[/color] Brent said, [color=B0C4DE]"That's your anchor. If you don't know what to do, if you're been torn apart between yourself and your stigma, that's your guidepost."[/color]

A part of him disliked Angelic for choosing others over her loved ones. Another part of him recognized that her choice was different from Chris's.

[color=B0C4DE]"Until you know who you are, live for her. See what that path is like. Follow it consistently. No swerves, no doubts."[/color]

A smile broke out then, the same as always.

[color=B0C4DE]"It's not the healthiest thing to do, but it's something, right?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]“I… guess. Yes.”[/color] Angélique only managed to answer. [color=9e0039]“I… can’t make promises. They just seem too easy to break these days. But… I’ll try my best. No, I’ll do it.”[/color]
 
Until the end, one way or the others.

[color=B0C4DE]"See how it goes and all, eh?"[/color]

Brent paused, thinking.

[color=B0C4DE]"Oh yeah, you planning on going for a midnight rendezvous with her tonight?"[/color]

Angel felt her cheeks becoming red, obviously aware that either she had been going to visit Allison late at night in her room or vice versa to keep each other's company and have a good time together, and sometimes even stayed together for the whole night.

[color=9e0039]"Brent, gee, why do you need to ask me that?"[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"Yes or no, Angelic? Let's keep this simple."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Y-yes... I'll surely see her."[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"Aight, I'll keep it low then."[/color]

And with that, Brent clenched his fist and gut-jabbed Angelic.

It was too dark to see what Brent was about to do, and she had lowered her guard enough around him to see that punch coming. It caught her square in the stomach, and in her surprise gave out a yelp of surprise as pain rushed to her midsection.

[color=9e0039]"God I... fucking hate... you."[/color] Angel staggered as she bent and clutched her affected area, choking the words out.

[color=B0C4DE]"Hey now,"[/color] Brent grinned, patting Angelic on the back, [color=B0C4DE]"I warned you that it wasn't going to be a slap."[/color]

She probably deserved it, but given the situation they were in this week, and the fact that Ernie had already tried assaulting Angel while Brent only watched, she didn't so much feel it at 'no hard-feelings'. She would have rather taken that punch to the shoulder like boys usually do between themselves, or see it coming instead of a sneaky jab in the dark.

[color=9e0039]"You're an asshole."[/color] was the only thing that Angélique said as she recovered, replacing her shades over her scowl.

[color=B0C4DE]"Yeah, basically. Now go get her, rocker girl," Brent waved, staying in the patio. "The night's young and life's short, after all."[/color]

Letting out a displeased "hmph", the raven-haired Aberration stormed out of the balcony, returning inside the mansion. Definitively pissed, but with yet another burden taken off her shoulders in the end.
[/hider]

[hider=Chapter V: Understanding]
[center]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/OiIXHEg.png[/img]  [img]https://i.imgur.com/eoV4Dgr.jpg[/img]
[h2][color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=BD892F]Sophia[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img][hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟚𝟞, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℤ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘'𝕤 𝔼𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕖   //    𝟚𝟘𝟘𝟘
[/color][hr]
[sub]Collab with [@VampireOracle][/sub]
[/center]

While Angélique had been gone from the mansion for most of the days everyday, it seemed like she could never get really used to staying inside. It had not even been two hours that she had returned from her road trip, she already felt the urge to be leaving the premises. The dark and brooding atmosphere that permeated the walls of the estate because of what happened Monday was making the Mage-turned rockstar feel uneasy around the others. If possible, she would have preferred to be left alone, but with a class of nearly twenty dysfunctional students, it was a hard thing to achieve, as the past few days proved to her.
 
Still, while she yearned to move away from here, she used the Hellcat enough for today. Instead, the raven-haired Aberration thought of taking a stroll in the forest, for once. Follow the trail and admire the scenery while she was lost in thoughts.
 
As strange of a coincidence as it would be, her path would eventually cross Sophia’s. A strange coincidence indeed, for Angel had rarely seen Sophia at the mansion. Being away from the estate much of the day, on top of Sophia not exactly seen much at all in general, the younger girl was a rare sight to the oldest member of Unit B.
 
While Angélique felt like being alone, there was something inside her that felt agitated upon seeing Sophia. She couldn’t run away from the others. She had already spoken with a few others despite her initial wishes and inner turmoil. And then there was the pang of guilt that grew as the young woman remembered about Washington, how much of an asshole she had been towards her youngest peer.
 
[color=9e0039]“Hey, Sophia. How… are you?”[/color]
 
Shit, those words and that faint hesitation really sounded awkward, especially when it was almost those same words that had triggered Sophia’s harsh words back in DC. Who knew that Angel would one day feel so tense for such a simple everyday greeting?

Five full days since their arrival at the estate. Today was the sixth. What had she done? What was she doing? Today was definitely a down day, but then, hadn't all the other days been too? By now the bit of excitement that she had felt upon getting Heidi back had all worn away, for though she loved Heidi, the cat couldn't solve everything for her. After spending the day cooped up inside with no motivation to do anything, not even to read, she needed to get out. Take a walk and try not to feel so trapped. 

Evenings were her decided favorite time of day, that time when everything began to get dark but not dark enough for it to be too scary. When everything began to wind down. Previously much more tense, Sophia was beginning to relax into the cool air when words interrupted her thoughts. 

She knew that voice. Well enough to be able to name the owner of that voice without even needing to look. And that was a bad thing. Sophia slowed to a stop, already tense inside although she made an effort to keep from tensing on the outside. Thoughts of what had happened last time came flooding in. 

[i]Shut the door.[/i]

[i]Walk away.[/i]

[i][b]Escape.[/b][/i]

To put it lightly, Sophia was not pleased to see the girl. What did Angélique think of her now? She couldn't face the Aberration. She couldn't face anyone right now. Couldn't face anyone ever. But still, Sophia forced herself to look at Angélique, though she didn't so far as to attempt a smile. Instead, she gazed at her with a blank neutral expression, though her eyes seemed tired and... unusually dark against her skin. Trick of the light, perhaps.

She struggled to come up with a suitable answer. She wanted to ask Angélique why she cared like she had once asked Brent, but that hadn't gone well. She could retort, but she had no energy or fire for that today. [color=BD892F][i]Give her what she wants.[/i][/color] Her mind flew back to go over all she had seen and heard of Angélique, trying to analyze her behaviour to come up with something suitable. She didn't know the Aberration well, but... at last her mind latched onto something that might work. 

Struggling as usual to force out the words, she spoke quietly. [color=Bd892F]"Hi, Angélique. I--it's been a lot, but... after sorting through everything... I think I'll be... okay."[/color] The last word came out as a sigh. Was that good enough? Enough uncertainty to show that she wasn't lying, but enough to reassure the girl that she was recovering from the battle? [color=Bd892F][i]Not going to work.[/i][/color]

It was obvious to Angel that Sophia wasn’t comfortable around her. She couldn’t blame her, really, after the animosity that sparked between the two of them at DC. They had both been under a lot of stress, and in their moment of panic they both exchanged harsh words to each other. Angélique had taken time to reflect upon that these last few days, and realized just how immature she had been towards the younger girl. She was the oldest of their class, she should’ve been the one to set an example. Instead, she did quite the opposite. Fredric was right about her, after the Flag Football match. She was an immature and pampered celebrity. 
 
It was time to step up, stop being such an ass. That much she realized in the course of this week, after speaking with the others. Things have changed, mostly for the worse, but some people enlightened Angel about what she had become, what she was about to become, and what she is now. In the end, it was up to her to muster the will to make things better for herself, instead of blaming it all on what was happening and her Stigma. 
 
[color=9e0039]“I’m… glad to know that.”[/color] 
 
Another awkward silence. Truly, those two were poor at talking to each other.
 
[color=9e0039]“Listen, Sophia. I… I’m not good beating around the bush. I’m sorry if I’m too direct but…”[/color]
 
A pause, breathing in, trying to come up with the best way to settle things with Sophia without hurting her, or herself for all that mattered. It was already tough having lost Ernest and Brent’s friendship (and possibly Allison’s love?), she didn’t want to add someone else to her black list.
 
[color=9e0039]“I’m sorry for being such an assho- a jerk to you back there. Those were stuff that I shouldn’t have said, given the circumstances. I was being immature and clearly not a good teammate. I should've been more considerate. You went through the same pain as I did. I had no right to criticize you after what happened.”[/color]

A slight, almost inperceptable narrowing of her eyes was Sophia's reponse as she noticed how Angélique cut off a swear word to replace it with something milder. But she didn't remark on it despite how she disliked that kind of... condescending behavior, because Angélique was apologizing. Apologizing. Oh, how she hated apologies. Didn't like giving them, and most of the time didn't like recieving them. 

Besides, after thinking about the incident during the past days, Sophia wasn't sure how much the Aberration had to apologize for. Angélique had only tried to make sure she was okay, and had even ended up getting her to help. It would have been more appropiate to save the "how are you" conversation till after the battle, but she could have just given a one word answer and moved on. Wasn't Angélique's fault that Sophia didn't like being asked those sort of questions. It had been herself who had flared up over so little, becoming that sarcastic person that no one liked. 

Sophia's jaw clenched, portraying a hint of anger at herself.

But how was she supposed to convey all those thoughts to Angélique when she couldn't communicate properly? Her hand moved behind her back and clenched as an output for her frustration and anxiety, where the Aberration couldn't quite see what Sophia was doing. [color=Bd892F]"It's fine."[/color] Those words came out curt. Too forced as she tried to get herself to talk. [color=Bd892F]"Y-- It's over."[/color]

Angélique wasn’t good at seeing faces, given her natural eyesight problem, adding how obscured it was as well now given she was wearing sunglasses even as the sun had just begun settling in the horizon. However, her hearing was perfectly conditioned, trained even, for her years spent as a professional in the music. Not only was the answer weird, it seemed forced, even. Angel could not help but wonder if there was still bitterness inside Sophia’s voice, or if it was just a product of her imagination.
 
But whether it was because the fallen idol was now weary of being deceived by people who pretended they were fine with her and revealed themselves later to be people who actually hated her, or if it was because Angel was naturally straightforward, she couldn’t bear knowing Sophia had a grudge against her without knowing the reasons why. Ernest told her the truth harshly, Emma was tired of her shit, and Brent’s expectations had been constantly crushed by her ever-changing resolve. What was the reason Sophia hated her for? She wanted to know. Settle it once and for all and see whether she should leave the girl alone from now on or try to repair the broken pieces.
 
[color=9e0039]“Sophia… please, tell me what’s wrong. If there’s something I did that’s piss- angering you, I want to know. I… prefer to know if you hate me or not.”[/color]
 
Compared to DC, Angel’s voice sported no ill will nor frustration. It was calm, sorrowful even, a hint of disappointment when she was referring to herself. The ex-rockstar's face also showed just as much expression as her voice, although her hidden eyes could not reveal that she was looking away in shame.

No. No no no. Not like [i]that[/i]. It wasn't like that. Sophia didn't hate Angélique. Apart from the argument they had had during the attack on DC, Angélique had done nothing wrong. And that was over. Though she would have thought it impossible, Sophia's current feelings plummeted further. She wanted to walk away so she wouldn't have to deal with this. But this Aberration here thought that she was hated, and Sophia had to change that. It wouldn't do to leave Angélique here like this. How, though? It shouldn't be too hard to think up the words that she could say... she hadn't been nicknamed EQ along with other things by her older sister for nothing. But that was when she was talking to her [i]sister[/i], the person closest to her. Not someone she barely knew.

Still, she had to try. 

As Sophia internally ran sentences over in her head, cutting and pasting as if in a Word document, she was too aware of how, at the same time, her hands and face were heating up as her heatbeat quickened. Too aware of how the sudden increase in pressure on her resulted in shaky hands and a light head. [i]So nervous.[/i] The hand behind her back loosened as her index finger moved rapidly by her side, subconsiously tracing letters and words. 

She couldn't get it right. 

[color=Bd892F][i]Only think about how to show her her thoughts are wrong. Don't think about what she will think about you in the days afterwards. Think only about now. Now. If you don't do something now, it will be worse later. Better now than walk away without saying anything.[/i][/color] She was taking too long. [color=Bd892F][i]Just use what you have.[/i][/color] 

Sophia closed her eyes as she spoke. [color=Bd892F]"I don't... hate you. And I don't want you thinking that. All... all you were t-trying to do was make sure I was okay."[/color] Here her voice dropped so low it was nothing more than a whisper. [color=BD892F]"And that's admirable."[/color] Something she wanted to do. Help. Reassure. Her eyelids flew open, showing dark eyes that were suddenly filled with conviction. [color=Bd892F]"I don't hate you."[/color] The moment Sophia finished speaking though, she took a step backward. And another two more before she stopped. The girl was now obviously shaken up, though [i]why[/i] would probably a mystery to any onlooker. [color=Bd892F][i]I failed.[/i][/color]

[i]Shut the door.[/i]

[i]Walk away.[/i]

[i][b]Escape.[/b][/i]

Angel was taken aback by the sudden show of nervousness. When Sophia’s words came, some deeper part of herself was relieved to know that, but her curiosity only grew as the questions only grew.
 
When the black-haired singer rose a hand as if to catch up to the girl that seemed like she would start running away from a monster, Angel stopped dead in her tracks, her arm frozen. At that moment, she realized it, or thought of it that way. Angélique was intimidating Sophia. Whether it was because of her age, her look, her height, her voice or her straightforwardness, the much younger girl seemed as if she was terrorized by the raven-haired grown woman. Even if it wasn’t probably what was going on in Sophia’s mind, Angélique believed she was the source of that anxiety.
 
Sighing, the Aberration’s arm dropped back to her side. She probably had done enough for today. Sophia clearly wasn’t feeling well talking to Angel right now. As much as she wanted to press forward, she should know better. Forcing friendship on people did the opposite actually. Angélique now knew Sophia didn’t hate her, which probably should be enough for now. 
 
[color=9e0039]“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to be so brash about it. I’m glad that you think that way.” Angel finally spoke with a grateful tone. “I probably doesn’t deserve your kindness, bit still… if we ever come to an understanding one day, that will make me only happier.”[/color]
 
Angel’s head lowered, looking back as if she was about to leave herself. She was considering it, if her presence was making the young Arbiter uncomfortable, then she should just disappear from her sight. But if she was to leave like that, she wanted to convey her thoughts to Sophia, should they never get the opportunity or the will to speak to each other.
 
[color=9e0039]“Truth is, I wanted to tell you that the one who’s most admirable here is you. You’re young, a few years separating from most of us, but you’ve handled yourself well out there, better than most of us actually even. Sure we could do without the sarcasm, but…”[/color] Angélique let out a heartfelt chuckle, remembering her first actual talk with Sophia in DC [color=9e0039]“I wasn’t being better myself, if only trying to give you a push to trust in your powers. In reality, you remind me of myself, if only quieter, but still with the same attitude.”[/color]
 
A sigh, quickly followed by a warming smile [color=9e0039]“You’re way younger than me, but I still make the mistake to treat you like a child. Zhang told us on our first night at USARILN, remember? ‘A child means nothing here.’ I think I’ve always tried to reject that, and being the oldest in our class was driving me to be a responsible adult and look after everyone. But look at what I did. I’ve failed to meet my own expectations, and maybe the others’ as well…”[/color]
 
Her warming smile turned a bit sour, realizing her failing may have had way more impact on others than she thought. [color=9e0039]“Point is, Point is, I’m glad that I had someone with her head on her shoulders for a teammate. I just wanted to let you know that, and I’ll be looking forward to work with you again in the future.”[/color]
 
Realizing her speech took longer than she expected, Angel scratched the back of her head, an embarrassed smile etched onto her lips [color=9e0039]“I’m sorry if I’m being an emotional creep on you. I should go before my weirdness makes you run away.”[/color]
 
Another heartily chuckle, however faintly touched with sadness as the Voice Mage turned and began walking.

[i]Failed, failed, failed.[/i] The words were wrong, weren't they? Too quiet, too forced, which made it sound too faked. Sophia didn't fake herself. At least... very rarely. Only when it was necessary if she was to reassure or comfort someone properly. [color=Bd892F][i]Like now?[/i][/color] No. She meant it. Meant every word. [color=Bd892F][i]Angélique killed all those people.[/i][/color] But she had done it to keep off the regulars. It was far from the best solution, but surely Angélique knew that. Did the Aberration regret it? At least Angélique had done something. Unlike someone.

Thinking too much about the attack on DC, Sophia almost missed what Angélique was starting to say. Almost. Managing to pull herself back to pay attention to the girl in front of her once she began talking, Sophia heard everything. And it wasn't right. 

Angélique was putting herself down, wasn't she? Trying to raise someone else up while critizing herself heavily. Too heavily. She didn't need to praise. Didn't deserve it. All that Angélique was praising her for wasn't true. She didn't have a level head, she just did nothing. To quote Matilda: she was hopeless when it came to a lot of things. Everything? Sophia suddenly wondered if there was a word that the Aberration constantly referred to herself with on the inside. [i]Hopeless? Faliure? Weak?[/i] 

It couldn't do, it wouldn't do. Just now Sophia had been unwilling to let Angélique walk away thinking that she was hated; now Sophia was unwilling to let the Aberration leave in such a mindset. [color=Bd892F][i]You're not an emotional creep, Angélique. You have no idea.[/i][/color] An inner wry smile. There wasn't enough time to think it through properly, she had to say something now. The words burst out of Sophia's mouth abruptly, calling after the Aberration. [color=Bd892F]"You're not hopeless, Angélique."[/color] Bad idea. Good idea? Half of her regretted not letting Angélique just walk away, while the other half wanted the girl to turn around.

The older Aberration stopped after hearing her name being called out from Sophia. She felt strange inside, hearing these words coming out from the silent Arbiter. Had she misjudged her classmates, again? So many were so willing to give her a second chance, even if they knew what she did. What drove them to do such a thing? Was is pity, or compassion?
 
[color=9e0039]"Maybe..."[/color] Angel only replied, turning slowly to Sophia. [color=9e0039]"I've been hearing that a lot lately. But Sophia, do I really deserve this second chance,  even though the world only knows the better half of our story?"[/color]
 
Second chance. Better half of the story. The evacuation slaughter. Of course that would be the topic of the week. Of the month. The Aberration [i]had[/i] been given a second chance, by Sophia along with whichever others were being referred to. So Angélique should take it. Keep trying to improve. Even if she hadn't been given a second chance, she could work hard to earn one. If she was determined enough. That wasn't the point, though.

There were so many sentences Sophia could conjour up, ones that she thought could be uplifting, pessimistic, sarcastic, motivating. 

[i]'You might never be able to undo what you did there. But that's no reason to stop thinking that you can't improve. That you can't get better at prevention and protection combined.'[/i] Or: [i]'Well, then. If you think you don't deserve this chance, then that's it. I'm not going to stop you, go on and mope about how awful you are.'[/i]
 
 She had continued this conversation when it could have ended, so it was her job to answer properly. But she couldn't. Couldn't. Just now she had somehow been able to speak, to start the conversation that was supposed to end with Angélique walking away feeling more confident. But for some reason, now she found she couldn't speak. Sophia's lips parted slightly, but nothing would come out. She was straining visibly, still flushed and shaky and taking breaths that were a little too quick to be normal. Straining against those inner gates that wouldn't let her out. [i]She said nothing.[/i]

Had Angélique seen the signs, she would have probably inquired about Sophia, or tried to find a way to ease her. Or perhaps she wouldn’t have tried. She already did enough that would cause anyone unacquainted to her feel uncomfortable. God knew just how many people Angel’s straightforward attitude cause much unease.
 
The fallen idol wasn’t sure whether Sophia’s silence meant another awkward discomfort she had caused in the Arbiter, or if it was because the younger girl didn’t believe in second chances. Sophia had been trying to be kind on Angélique so far up until now, so it was more likely she had been making the girl uneasy with her self-questioning behavior.
 
Realizing it was probably time she let go of the girl and stop being such a bother to her, Angélique held up her hand, offering Sophia a waving gesture of goodbye. [color=9e0039]“Well then, I should get going. If you want to have a talk one day, my name’s on the door.”[/color] Angel offered the girl a smile. [color=9e0039]“Take care, Sophia. Have a good night.”[/color] she said before walking away.

Sophia wondered what Angélique took the silence to mean. Nothing good, probably. As the girl turned to walk away, she made no move to stop her this time. It was over. Angélique was officially now someone that Sophia had failed with. She couldn't blame her for leaving. What fun was it to stand there and watch a timid girl struggle to find words? Answer: it wasn't fun. What other choice had Sophia left the Aberration? Answer: none. No other choice. 

[color=Bd892F][i]She could have stayed and waited.[/i][/color] The thought whispered through her head, even as she berated herself for even considering that possibility again. Stay? Hah. Of course not. No one waited. It was a waste of time, when the end result would probably still contain no words. 

There was no response to Angélique's goodbye, only a silent mouthing of a word as Sophia put her will into standing still and quiet until the girl finally rounded a corner and disappeared out of sight. Then it was to the nearest tree, clutching at the bark and pressing against the rough surface as her chest shuddered with each shaky breath and sob.
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