abnormalizes | Seasons: IC Contact/Continuations

That's not very surprising. Maybe Hina will like it? She does like biting things...

Maybe! She'd probably try to drink the monsters' blood. I wonder if that tastes good to her, I know she likes blood normally.

I guess it depends if different animals' blood tastes different? If it all tastes the same then I figure she'd still like monster blood.

I guess I could try asking and see if I could figure out the answer...

Did you teach her how to nod or shake her head?

Yeah! So I could ask her if she likes some blood more than others! I know she stopped biting Hijikata-san after one time, and she made a face, so his blood must taste bad... Maybe it's because he smokes.

Oh, yeah, that makes sense. I think the cannibals at home don't like to eat smokers much either.

It does always get scarier!

[FRET.]

Oh, sorry, I thought I already mentioned those to you.

Please never go back there!

[It's at this point that the receptionist calls Rinku's name. She gulps and stands up, reaching out her hand for Evangeline. Okay, getting your ears pierced isn't as scary as cannibals, this should be fine.]

Can you come with me?

[Evangeline stands and takes Rinku's hand to give it a squeeze.]

You've got this. I'll be right there with you.

Thanks, Neechan.

[Rinku squeezes her hand back and smiles.

They follow the attendant, who first shows them to a rack of plain stud earrings and explains that they need to use their own instead of something the client brings in for sanitary purposes, and she'll need to keep them in for a couple months before she can change them out. There are a number of options, from simple titanium studs to more expensive ones with gems in. Rinku looks over the selection and hums. The basic ones are a lot cheaper, but she can put enchantments on a jewel, and some are more expensive than others...]

So I gotta pick one of these, huh... What do you think, Neechan?

Mm... You can put protective enchantments on a jewel one, so that's what I would pick for myself, but it's your choice.

[And she's promised not to worry too much about Rinku.]

That's true... What about this one?

[Rinku points out a set on the higher end, star sapphire studs that would look more at home with Evangeline. But maybe, like the fish, that's the point.]

They look nice, right?

[!!!]

Oh - oh yeah. [A little choked up suddenly.] They look great.

[Rinku smiles innocently, an entire sparkle aura surrounding her. She nods and selects those ones, getting them added to her bill -- hey, she's got the money.

Now it's just to go to the chair. Rinku sits down, gently tugging Evangeline along with her and sitting down to listen to the explanation and go through the consent form.]

I guess it probably can't hurt that much, huh?

[The attendant nods and marks Rinku's lobes. Rinku looks over to Evangeline and takes a deep breath.]

Are you okay, Neechan?

[Sitting down beside her and squeezing Rinku's hand gently.]

I'm okay. Just happy.

[Rinku squeezes back and smiles.]

That's great! 「Happy --」

[The attendant hastily reminds her to please not Happy Around in the chair when she's about to get stabbed with needles. Rinku freezes and sheepishly complies.

The actual process goes fairly quickly from there. Just checking the placement in the mirror, sterilizing, and then a few seconds of pain where Rinku squeezes her sister's hand as the needle goes in each lobe. The earrings go in right after the needle comes out, and the attendant wipes off the area again and walks her through the aftercare pamphlet.

Rinku thanks them, gets up, and lets go of Evangeline enough to go up to the front and pay. Taking the little bag with pamphlet and cleaning solution in one hand, she hugs Evangeline tightly and rubs her face on her.]

Thanks, Neechan.

[Squeeeeze.]

Any time. It wasn't that scary, right?

Hm... Not really! But I'm still happy you were here. It was a lot better with you around to talk to.

I'm happy to talk to you whenever you want! Especially if you need me to get your mind off things.

[Rinku smiles. She thanks the clerk again and starts heading out of the shop.]

I guess I have been worrying about a lot lately. But I think I'm better now.

[Following along!]

About the same stuff as before? Or new stuff?

I think all the stuff I told you about. I was worrying since... basically August. But I think things are a lot better, and now even if there's still problems, I'm okay.

[Even if she's still not as strong as others, Rinku can hold on. A lot of things have been plaguing her. Trying to prove herself, being treated like she's still too weak. The mind control she couldn't deflect. The blood and mess and pain of the Faemoose trial, worse than she'd ever seen, knowing she would've died being tossed by those things without the Nine Lives.

"So, how powerful do you want to be?"

"Maybe that's not the right question."

Evangeline. Her precious sister whom she doesn't want to lose. Who wanted desperately to stay, went to find a way to make it happen, and came back agreeing to leave. But...

"But I promise, it's not because I don't love you, or because I don't want to be with you anymore."

She's still here. And everyone's still trying for her sake.

"I'll try my best, so that you don't have to worry."

And all the other problems, Rinku's going to get through.

"I'll keep changing here the way I have been, and I'll always keep getting better than I am now."]

Thank you.

There will probably always be at least some problems happening with some people. That's kind of just how life is, even in a nice place like Ellipsa.

But you'll get through them. I have confidence in you, Rinku.

[She reaches over to scritch her head gently.]

Seasons: IC Contact/Continuations

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casual cannibalism talks

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wrapup i assume