idolpro | Serenity's Heart Game

[zeroing in on her voice, closing the distance.]

Did'ja come here on purpose?

[ She takes a step back, trying to maintain it. ]

I did.

[ She hisses softly-- hm. ]

I... I knew Crow, Rean and you... I knew you'd try to come looking for me. So I tried everything I could keep you safe... away from all this.

[...goes still?]

Towee? Are you hurt?

[ She’s quiet for a second, trying to steady her breath. The guilt is there though. ]

...sorry.

Towee.

[stepping closer.]

[ She shifts like she wants to move but—- makes herself stay. ]

Please don’t—- it could hurt you too.

Tell me what's happening.

[firmly, though he's stilling again.]

It... might be easier if I just show you.

[ She allows light into the area, illuminating her.

Illuminating the white flower protruding from her chest where her heart would be; pulsing with an unsettling light. ]

It’s not after my life, it’s... after my heart. No... more specifically, the bonds I have the people I love. I wouldn’t let it have you guys. So...

It’s only natural it would come for me instead.

...Hold still, okay? I'm gonna get rid of it.

Wh—?! Randy?!

[ Her response is panic and yet— she can’t bring herself to move to really stop him.

After all... she trusts him. She just doesn’t want to see anything bad happen to him. ]

But——

This is your heart. I am not leaving you like this.

[dipping low to kiss her cheek, reaching to feel out the base of the blossom with his claws.]

Ah—-

[She stays still, as she was told, but she reaches up, placing her small hands over his claw. ]

...okay. Just promise me... if something feels off, you’ll tell me. If something happened to you because you were protecting me, I...

[ She grips his claw tightly in her hands. ]

I'm sturdy, darlin'. I'll take care of us both. But... fair warning, this is probably gonna hurt?

[tugging at the base of the plant, testing.]

[ That seems to put her much more at ease. ]

...it’s fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay as long as I have you with me.

[ It does hurt, however—- their bond has been strengthened again. Her heart and his, connected by a warm, glowing yellow light.

The flower seems to shrink in on itself against that light, weakened.

Now is the perfect time to be rid of it. ]