Sumire isn't exactly feeling well, between the fresh injuries on her face and the fact that she doesn't quite... hm. Feel like herself? Something feels very, very wrong. But even then, it's difficult not to know what it means when everyone else around drops like a sack of bricks and you don't. She presses a hand to her mouth, color draining from her face as she turns to look at Ange. She has her rapier and not much faith in her ability to run away in this state, but—]
Carré-san... You need to find a place to hide.
[Her first priority is making sure Ange is okay. Not once does it occur to her that she's the one who is in danger.]
She will likely hear her as she takes a few, deep breaths to steady herself. Whether they're effective or not is up for debate, considering how shaky each gulp of breath turns out to be. In the end, she digs her fingers into her head before offering a brief, shaky nod. It's fine. It's fine. Everything is fine. Better Sumire than anyone else, right?]
... I'm sorry you were asked to do this, Carre-san. It isn't fair to you.
[She rubs at her eye once, and then drops her hands to her side. The expression on her face is just... resigned.]
But if I'm a danger to everyone, then we haven't any time to waste. Where should we go?
[... All of these people are so quick to throw their lives away. If she was any other person, Ange would have wavered. As it is, she notes how quickly Sumire accepts it, and nods quietly, and shoves every last emotion into a tight little ball in the back of her mind.]
... I doubt anyway chose to rest in the ruins. That may be the best place.
[For a murder... sorry, Sumire. Ange looks at her once more, then closes her eyes and turns away.]
She will grab her rapier and her bag, though she has no intention of fighting back, and follow after her. Even so, she can't help but to glance back at anyone she may be leaving behind in the First Aid Station. There are so many things she wanted to do. So many people she wanted to speak to if they made it through the night. Promises she wanted to follow through on.
There's no use in thinking about that, however. Not right now.
[Off they go. It is a very, very quiet walk, as they make their way through the town. It feels to Ange as though it's been a very, very long time since they first arrived, even though at the same time she knows to the day how long it's been.
She keeps her gaze straight ahead and walks quietly and does not look back. She doesn't doubt that Sumire will follow, after all--and she doesn't think Sumire is the sort to try to stab her in the back.
And that expression on her face... no, Sumire was serious about it all. It's an expression Ange has seen before, after all--that quiet, sad resignation.
[Goodbye, castle town. Everything gets one last, passing glance as they make their way through the town and across the bridge. It's pointless, really. She's going to die. Dead people can't remember anything, and yet...
It's only after they cross the bridge and arrive at the jungle that Sumire speaks up.]
Wait. [Her voice is shaky. She's terrified.] Can... Can I ask for a favor?
[Ange pauses immediately when Sumire speaks up, and she turns to face her properly, clearly not intending to rush this.
It's really the least she can do at a moment like this, so her answer comes immediately. Compared to the flustered, fluttery tone from before, now Ange's voice is perfectly flat and level.]
[Not that Ange has much of a way to refuse, considering the tenth rule. Sumire's eyes wander over to the large tree, and then to the rest of the jungle. Like she's trying to commit every last detail to memory.]
There's something I'd like to leave for the others to find. Ideally... I would like Taako-san to keep it, but I understand that may not be possible now.
[Ange is quiet for a moment, brow furrowing. In truth, she'd like to give Sumire that. She likes to try to fulfill the last request in any way she can, when she is being cruel enough to take someone's life.
But that one...]
Taako is my roommate this week. I am afraid delivering it to him would reveal my identity immediately.
[She's quiet for a moment.]
But we could leave your belongings in a safe place to be found.
She shoves a hand in her bag, digging through it until she produces two items. One is a small doll of a black haired boy, and the other is a keychain from the Emporium with the name GREG written on it.]
Perhaps... We ought to leave it here? [Gesturing at the tree.] We're close enough to the bridge that it won't be long until someone finds it.
But Ange is just quiet for a moment before she nods. And, softly:]
Given the chance, I will try to urge Taako this way. If I am able to.
[She can't promise more than that--but she won't disagree, or stop Kasumi from tying her belongings up somewhere safe. As far as last requests go, it's such a terribly small one...]
[She nods, careful not to move her head too much. Past the weariness and resignation, it does seem like she's genuinely grateful — despite the fact that she's pretty much cooperating with her soon-to-be-murderer.
A little unsteady on her feet, she moves towards the tree and looks for a set of vines within grabbing distance for her. Once she's identified a pair, she pushes the keychain's ring down on Akira's right arm and starts to lovingly tie him up by both of his little plush wrists. It's when she's nearly done that she pauses, fingers still pinching the vines, and stares at the doll's face like she suddenly can't recall why she's doing this.
And then the moment passes, and she finishes her job.
If Ange allows it, Sumire will linger by the doll for a long, long moment, before she reaches up and gently squeezes one of its itty bitty hands.]
Goodbye, senpai.
[...
She rubs at her eye and turns back to face Ange, blinking rapidly.]
[Ange waits patiently a few paces away for a moment, as if to try to give Sumire her space. She watches her carefully, but it's not as if to keep an eye on her--it's more as though she's trying to puzzle something out for herself.
When it becomes clear she's not going anywhere, though, Ange turns on her heel and walks away. She's not gone--just a few moments--and when she returns, she has something made of colorful, soft fabric slung over one arm. It is obviously a kigurumi, because what else could it be?
Ultimately...
Sumire finishes up and turns to face Ange, and Ange turns away, towards the ruins, and shoves every emotion into an even smaller little ball in her chest. There's no time for that.]
... You shouldn't apologize. Not in your last few moments like this.
[That's all she says, before she starts to walk again, leading the way towards the ruins. It won't take them long to get there now.]
[Ange can say that, but it won't really stop her from feeling like she ought to apologize. Apologize for being an inconvenience. For becoming a threat to everyone. For forcing Ange into a situation where she has to bloody her hands, regardless of whether this is something she's done in the past or not. In spite of all the progress she had made in the months, it's alarming easy to go on a downward spiral again.
But she says nothing, and keeps that to herself.
She's done running away from reality, anyway.
Once they're close to the ruins, Sumire slows her pace in order to take a proper look at their surroundings. A final look, really.]
[Ange continues to walk, though she slows her pace as well when Sumire does. There's nothing wrong with letting Sumire take her time, and see as much as she can.]
Why do you ask, Miss Yoshizawa?
[It's said quietly, but in a way that, uh, might reveal that maybe Ange hasn't thought this through as much as she should have!!
On the flip side she does have that kigurumi on her arm.]
That is not the sort of thing you should have to worry about. When this is all over... the trial that will come--that is my problem to worry about.
[cal: they progress through the ruins me: cal, our evidence.
Now that we know how fucked up Sumire got not even 12 hours ago, however! I can straight up say she's been sluggish throughout this whole ordeal, slowly walking alongside Ange. It's a bit of a process.
Before they get too far, however, Sumire will stop. She briefly touches the bandaging on her eye and nose first, and then reaches for her rapier, holding it up to her forearm.]
... I won't fight you. [And even if she wanted to, she can't.] But we ought to make it look like I did.
[If Ange doesn't stop her she is absolutely going to slice her arm with her own sword. It's fine.]
Ange pauses for a moment, looking legitimately knocked off her game at least a little. She turns, staring at her as Sumire slices right into her own arm, but... of course she doesn't stop her.]
... You...
[No, focus, Ange. This is for the better. If this is what Sumire wants, then Ange really could not ask for anything better than this for the sake of getting through this alive. For the sake of getting home to Princess--]
... You truly are the sort of person who takes so much suffering upon yourself. But I...cannot argue that it would make for a good cover.
[Ange presses her lips together tightly, before she finally nods, just as tightly.]
... Thank you, then. Please do--as much as you are willing to do. [As Sumire cuts into her own skin, Ange finally tugs on the kigurumi. It looks absolutely ridiculous, but she has no other options for not getting blood all over herself. She tugs the sleeves over her hands--no point in getting fingerprints on things after the last trial.]
[She rips the skin off her face several times a day to beat monsters up with the physical manifestation of her soul. This is nothing.
Honestly, though, she's placing her hopes in consistency as she slices through the flesh of her arm. For the past two weeks, there have been at least two killers. One ordered to kill by a leader, and the other — well. That's unclear. If there is another killer, and they killed for their own selfish desires, then she hopes this will be enough to get the heat off Ange's back so the others can focus on what truly matters.
But if there isn't, and Ange is the only killer this week...
It's too late to go back now. She can't afford to have any regrets as she shakes the blood off her rapier to splatter it on the ground.
Sumire will open her mouth as if to respond to that — before she apparently changes her mind.]
May we keep going?
[She will add a few more cuts for good measure whenever they move again, dragging her rapier along and swinging it at random walls to create the illusion of a fight.]
[There's little else to discuss. Sumire is suffering, but even as she suffers, she faces death with a strange sort of poise and dignity. In this, Ange is able to do nothing but follow, her expression quietly shut down.
Sumire asks that question, almost ridiculously, and quietly, Ange nods, and just as ridiculous responds:]
After you.
[They'll go in as deeply as Sumire is possibly capable of going at this point, with her wounds as she is, bleeding as she is.
[Eventually, the fatigue and blood loss will catch up to her. It's been an eventful day. This, unfortunately, isn't even the first time she's had to accept the inevitability of her death within the last twenty-four hours.
They only make it past the most heavily boobytrapped areas before Sumire has to stop, leaning against a wall. Her arms and rapier are well and bloody by now, some of the blood smudging onto her right hand. It's getting harder and harder to remember herself, and yet—]
... Will you allow me to ask for one additional favor? Don't consider it a task if you must refuse.
[Because, sometimes, other threads happen and there is One More Thing.]
[Even in the end, Sumire's last promise isn't even for herself, is it? At another time, if she was anyone else, Ange might've wished for better for her. After all, it's... sad. It is incredibly sad to live your life doing your best for other people, and to have this be the ultimate outcome of it anyway.
But Ange is on a mission right now, so Ange doesn't have time for thoughts like that. Those thoughts, too, she tucks into a tiny little ball and shoves away. Instead, she nods.]
I will do my best. I will... try to look after her.
[To the best of her own ability. It may lead to nothing in the end... but she can at least offer up that promise.
A beat. She swallows, and shakes her head.]
Are you prepared? [At least... as prepared as someone can be at a time like this.]
With that out of the way, she closes her eyes. Her breathing is a bit labored at this point. One hand pressed against her abdomen, while the other loosely holds onto her rapier as it slowly drips blood onto the ground. There is no time to feel sorry for herself. She made her choice.]
... Yes.
[Quietly. Is there any point in delaying this any further? Her life was already extended by one year. That is far more than she ever envisioned for herself.]
[This is it. Ange steps forward, takes a moment to think, and settles on something. Her initial plan had been to snap Sumire's neck, something that she thinks about with almost clinical detachment. But that wouldn't necessarily match this crime scene, and part of Ange honestly loathes to dismiss all of Sumire's efforts with one single action.
She'd worked so hard on this, and for no reason but to help Ange.
So Ange reaches for the rapier in her hand, left hand out and covered by the sleeve of the kigurumi.]
... Please, allow me to use this. If you will... take a seat. It will all be over in just a moment.
[She will pass the rapier to Ange, and move to sit down with some effort. In the process of doing this, she notices the friendship bracelet still attached to her left wrist. And because that kigu ain't going to make itself crispy, she briefly holds her left arm up once she's settled down, showing the bracelet off.]
I still haven't used this. [Tiredly.] It will allow you to control fire if you need, Carré-san.
[Sumire has already committed herself to helping Ange out. May as well go all the way.]
[This is significantly more help than Ange deserves, but she hasn't survived as long as she has by ignoring any piece of advantage or assistance she can take. She'll use it.]
I see... thank you, Miss Yoshizawa.
[Ange tests the weight of the rapier in her hand, closes her eyes for a moment, and moves to stand behind Sumire with steady, non-hesitant steps.]
Look forward. [... She lifts the rapier to Sumire's throat, blade close to the handle resting near--but not against--the skin.]
... May you be able to rest and recover in whatever it is waits beyond this.
[Because Ange does not think it is proper death, not like this, not anymore, after everything she's seen and heard in this place.
With that said, her next movements are completely professional and clinical. She brings the blade up to Sumire's throat, applies pressure and slices straight across without a moment's hesitation. There is nothing jagged or jerky about the motion; it is thoroughly confident, as if she'd done it a thousand times before.
And then she steps back to let Sumire's body fall.]
[As it turns out, it's incredibly easy to get away with murderer if your victim helps you out.
Sumire does exactly as she's told. She holds her head high, eyes closed and mouth pressed into a thin line as she waits for that final moment. The trembling of her hands and the wobbling of her lips aside, she does not budge a muscle. She holds her breath, listens, waits, waits, waits—
And then it happens.
Blood spurts from the side of her neck as the carotid artery is severed. A small gurgle escapes her lips. It's a good thing that Ange steps out of the way, really, because Sumire's body proceeds to slump almost immediately — the amount of blood she previously lost expediting the process. The wall keeps her body from falling back completely, preserving at least some of her dignity in death. In a few minutes, Ange will have to shift her position in order to add the finishing touches to this scene. And in a few hours, three others will arrive at this scene to find an unidentifiable corpse. But right now? Well.
[As soon as the bleeding has slowed enough that she doesn't have to risk getting splattered, Ange steps over to where Sumire is propped against the wall, and crouches in front of her quietly.
For a long moment, she just looks at her.
And then she sighs, closing her eyes.]
... Thank you. Honestly, you did not have to do this much for me. But if it will get me back to Princess...
[... If it will get her back there, to the only person who has ever mattered, she'll do whatever it takes.
With that moment of dwelling over and done with, she gets to work. It is grim, gruesome work and Ange makes no excuses for it. The fact that this is now only a dead body does not make it too much less gruesome--but with her hands covered by the kigu sleeves, she picks up the rapier again and sets to cutting off Sumire's head, cut by careful cut. Rapiers aren't meant for this sort of work, and it leads to an unfortunately incredibly jagged decapitation--but it's the best Ange can do with what she's working with.
She carefully makes sure that Sumire is propped up against the wall where she was before, the last minimal dignity she can offer, and then she strips, wraps the head in the kigurumi, and sets off into the maze, expression perfectly flat and calm. The head and the rapier are left as far in the maze as she can go, and then she doubles back.
She borrows Sumire's bracelet, burning the kigurumi as best she can, before she returns it. And with all of that done... she gives Sumire's body one more glance. Then she turns on her heel and she leaves, bundled kigurumi carefully held away from her clothing. Tomorrow will determine everything. Ange owes her continued safety to Sumire, if she gets away with this.
It is more than she deserves, but she is selfish enough to hold onto it anyway.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Ange is quiet for a moment, before she looks at Sumi, her eyes wide. Her voice is hushed, but fluttery.]
Miss Yoshizawa...!
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Oh...
Sumire isn't exactly feeling well, between the fresh injuries on her face and the fact that she doesn't quite... hm. Feel like herself? Something feels very, very wrong. But even then, it's difficult not to know what it means when everyone else around drops like a sack of bricks and you don't. She presses a hand to her mouth, color draining from her face as she turns to look at Ange. She has her rapier and not much faith in her ability to run away in this state, but—]
Carré-san... You need to find a place to hide.
[Her first priority is making sure Ange is okay. Not once does it occur to her that she's the one who is in danger.]
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In truth, Miss Yoshizawa, it's you who should run away and hide. But... I can't let you.
For everyone's sakes... I can't. I'm so, so sorry.
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She tenses, going quiet for a long, long moment. Her hands shift to cradle her head, squeezing her remaining eye shut.]
I... [Voice a little wobbly at the edges, like she may start to cry. It's a familiar feeling.] I don't feel well. Does this mean...? Is my nova...?
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I'm sorry... You truly do deserve better than this, Miss Yoshizawa. You can...take a moment to come to terms. [so generous, ange, wow]
But when you have... I think we should go somewhere else. I would not want to cause trouble for anyone else.
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She will likely hear her as she takes a few, deep breaths to steady herself. Whether they're effective or not is up for debate, considering how shaky each gulp of breath turns out to be. In the end, she digs her fingers into her head before offering a brief, shaky nod. It's fine. It's fine. Everything is fine. Better Sumire than anyone else, right?]
... I'm sorry you were asked to do this, Carre-san. It isn't fair to you.
[She rubs at her eye once, and then drops her hands to her side. The expression on her face is just... resigned.]
But if I'm a danger to everyone, then we haven't any time to waste. Where should we go?
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... I doubt anyway chose to rest in the ruins. That may be the best place.
[For a murder... sorry, Sumire. Ange looks at her once more, then closes her eyes and turns away.]
... This way.
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[Quietly.
She will grab her rapier and her bag, though she has no intention of fighting back, and follow after her. Even so, she can't help but to glance back at anyone she may be leaving behind in the First Aid Station. There are so many things she wanted to do. So many people she wanted to speak to if they made it through the night. Promises she wanted to follow through on.
There's no use in thinking about that, however. Not right now.
Off they go.]
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She keeps her gaze straight ahead and walks quietly and does not look back. She doesn't doubt that Sumire will follow, after all--and she doesn't think Sumire is the sort to try to stab her in the back.
And that expression on her face... no, Sumire was serious about it all. It's an expression Ange has seen before, after all--that quiet, sad resignation.
They make it to the bridge, and cross.]
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It's only after they cross the bridge and arrive at the jungle that Sumire speaks up.]
Wait. [Her voice is shaky. She's terrified.] Can... Can I ask for a favor?
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It's really the least she can do at a moment like this, so her answer comes immediately. Compared to the flustered, fluttery tone from before, now Ange's voice is perfectly flat and level.]
Of course. What is it?
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[Not that Ange has much of a way to refuse, considering the tenth rule. Sumire's eyes wander over to the large tree, and then to the rest of the jungle. Like she's trying to commit every last detail to memory.]
There's something I'd like to leave for the others to find. Ideally... I would like Taako-san to keep it, but I understand that may not be possible now.
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[Ange is quiet for a moment, brow furrowing. In truth, she'd like to give Sumire that. She likes to try to fulfill the last request in any way she can, when she is being cruel enough to take someone's life.
But that one...]
Taako is my roommate this week. I am afraid delivering it to him would reveal my identity immediately.
[She's quiet for a moment.]
But we could leave your belongings in a safe place to be found.
[A beat.]
I truly am sorry I cannot offer better than that.
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[It's not an immediate no, at least.
She shoves a hand in her bag, digging through it until she produces two items. One is a small doll of a black haired boy, and the other is a keychain from the Emporium with the name GREG written on it.]
Perhaps... We ought to leave it here? [Gesturing at the tree.] We're close enough to the bridge that it won't be long until someone finds it.
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But Ange is just quiet for a moment before she nods. And, softly:]
Given the chance, I will try to urge Taako this way. If I am able to.
[She can't promise more than that--but she won't disagree, or stop Kasumi from tying her belongings up somewhere safe. As far as last requests go, it's such a terribly small one...]
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A little unsteady on her feet, she moves towards the tree and looks for a set of vines within grabbing distance for her. Once she's identified a pair, she pushes the keychain's ring down on Akira's right arm and starts to lovingly tie him up by both of his little plush wrists. It's when she's nearly done that she pauses, fingers still pinching the vines, and stares at the doll's face like she suddenly can't recall why she's doing this.
And then the moment passes, and she finishes her job.
If Ange allows it, Sumire will linger by the doll for a long, long moment, before she reaches up and gently squeezes one of its itty bitty hands.]
Goodbye, senpai.
[...
She rubs at her eye and turns back to face Ange, blinking rapidly.]
Sorry. We can go now.
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When it becomes clear she's not going anywhere, though, Ange turns on her heel and walks away. She's not gone--just a few moments--and when she returns, she has something made of colorful, soft fabric slung over one arm. It is obviously a kigurumi, because what else could it be?
Ultimately...
Sumire finishes up and turns to face Ange, and Ange turns away, towards the ruins, and shoves every emotion into an even smaller little ball in her chest. There's no time for that.]
... You shouldn't apologize. Not in your last few moments like this.
[That's all she says, before she starts to walk again, leading the way towards the ruins. It won't take them long to get there now.]
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But she says nothing, and keeps that to herself.
She's done running away from reality, anyway.
Once they're close to the ruins, Sumire slows her pace in order to take a proper look at their surroundings. A final look, really.]
Um... Carré-san, do you have a plan?
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Why do you ask, Miss Yoshizawa?
[It's said quietly, but in a way that, uh, might reveal that maybe Ange hasn't thought this through as much as she should have!!
On the flip side she does have that kigurumi on her arm.]
That is not the sort of thing you should have to worry about. When this is all over... the trial that will come--that is my problem to worry about.
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How could I not worry? If you're caught, then... You will die as well.
[The dawning realization that Ange plans to just wing this is... alarming.]
I don't want you to die for doing as you were told.
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Either way, she inspects Sumire for a long moment, before slowly:]
What are you suggesting?
[They progress through the ruins now, step by step, Ange carefully nudging Sumire around the traps that she's mapped out by now.]
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me: cal, our evidence.
Now that we know how fucked up Sumire got not even 12 hours ago, however! I can straight up say she's been sluggish throughout this whole ordeal, slowly walking alongside Ange. It's a bit of a process.
Before they get too far, however, Sumire will stop. She briefly touches the bandaging on her eye and nose first, and then reaches for her rapier, holding it up to her forearm.]
... I won't fight you. [And even if she wanted to, she can't.] But we ought to make it look like I did.
[If Ange doesn't stop her she is absolutely going to slice her arm with her own sword. It's fine.]
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Ange pauses for a moment, looking legitimately knocked off her game at least a little. She turns, staring at her as Sumire slices right into her own arm, but... of course she doesn't stop her.]
... You...
[No, focus, Ange. This is for the better. If this is what Sumire wants, then Ange really could not ask for anything better than this for the sake of getting through this alive. For the sake of getting home to Princess--]
... You truly are the sort of person who takes so much suffering upon yourself. But I...cannot argue that it would make for a good cover.
[Ange presses her lips together tightly, before she finally nods, just as tightly.]
... Thank you, then. Please do--as much as you are willing to do. [As Sumire cuts into her own skin, Ange finally tugs on the kigurumi. It looks absolutely ridiculous, but she has no other options for not getting blood all over herself. She tugs the sleeves over her hands--no point in getting fingerprints on things after the last trial.]
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Honestly, though, she's placing her hopes in consistency as she slices through the flesh of her arm. For the past two weeks, there have been at least two killers. One ordered to kill by a leader, and the other — well. That's unclear. If there is another killer, and they killed for their own selfish desires, then she hopes this will be enough to get the heat off Ange's back so the others can focus on what truly matters.
But if there isn't, and Ange is the only killer this week...
It's too late to go back now. She can't afford to have any regrets as she shakes the blood off her rapier to splatter it on the ground.
Sumire will open her mouth as if to respond to that — before she apparently changes her mind.]
May we keep going?
[She will add a few more cuts for good measure whenever they move again, dragging her rapier along and swinging it at random walls to create the illusion of a fight.]
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Sumire asks that question, almost ridiculously, and quietly, Ange nods, and just as ridiculous responds:]
After you.
[They'll go in as deeply as Sumire is possibly capable of going at this point, with her wounds as she is, bleeding as she is.
Then... Ange will finish the job.]
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They only make it past the most heavily boobytrapped areas before Sumire has to stop, leaning against a wall. Her arms and rapier are well and bloody by now, some of the blood smudging onto her right hand. It's getting harder and harder to remember herself, and yet—]
... Will you allow me to ask for one additional favor? Don't consider it a task if you must refuse.
[Because, sometimes, other threads happen and there is One More Thing.]
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Regardless, Sumire leans, and Ange stops, arching an eyebrow.
She crosses her arms, and does not seem to even process how ridiculous it probably looks in the kigurumi. Instead...]
What is it?
[The best Ange can do is promise to hear her out. She can't make any promises beyond that.]
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[For obvious reasons. It's hard to maintain a long distance friendship when one of you is dead, and the other is not.]
If you both make it through this weekend, will you watch over her in my place? Even if it's only from a distance.
[And that is all, really. Even at a time like this, she's disappointed in herself for not being able to keep the promises she made.]
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But Ange is on a mission right now, so Ange doesn't have time for thoughts like that. Those thoughts, too, she tucks into a tiny little ball and shoves away. Instead, she nods.]
I will do my best. I will... try to look after her.
[To the best of her own ability. It may lead to nothing in the end... but she can at least offer up that promise.
A beat. She swallows, and shakes her head.]
Are you prepared? [At least... as prepared as someone can be at a time like this.]
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With that out of the way, she closes her eyes. Her breathing is a bit labored at this point. One hand pressed against her abdomen, while the other loosely holds onto her rapier as it slowly drips blood onto the ground. There is no time to feel sorry for herself. She made her choice.]
... Yes.
[Quietly. Is there any point in delaying this any further? Her life was already extended by one year. That is far more than she ever envisioned for herself.]
This is as far as I can go. I'm ready.
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She'd worked so hard on this, and for no reason but to help Ange.
So Ange reaches for the rapier in her hand, left hand out and covered by the sleeve of the kigurumi.]
... Please, allow me to use this. If you will... take a seat. It will all be over in just a moment.
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[She will pass the rapier to Ange, and move to sit down with some effort. In the process of doing this, she notices the friendship bracelet still attached to her left wrist. And because that kigu ain't going to make itself crispy, she briefly holds her left arm up once she's settled down, showing the bracelet off.]
I still haven't used this. [Tiredly.] It will allow you to control fire if you need, Carré-san.
[Sumire has already committed herself to helping Ange out. May as well go all the way.]
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I see... thank you, Miss Yoshizawa.
[Ange tests the weight of the rapier in her hand, closes her eyes for a moment, and moves to stand behind Sumire with steady, non-hesitant steps.]
Look forward. [... She lifts the rapier to Sumire's throat, blade close to the handle resting near--but not against--the skin.]
... May you be able to rest and recover in whatever it is waits beyond this.
[Because Ange does not think it is proper death, not like this, not anymore, after everything she's seen and heard in this place.
With that said, her next movements are completely professional and clinical. She brings the blade up to Sumire's throat, applies pressure and slices straight across without a moment's hesitation. There is nothing jagged or jerky about the motion; it is thoroughly confident, as if she'd done it a thousand times before.
And then she steps back to let Sumire's body fall.]
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Sumire does exactly as she's told. She holds her head high, eyes closed and mouth pressed into a thin line as she waits for that final moment. The trembling of her hands and the wobbling of her lips aside, she does not budge a muscle. She holds her breath, listens, waits, waits, waits—
And then it happens.
Blood spurts from the side of her neck as the carotid artery is severed. A small gurgle escapes her lips. It's a good thing that Ange steps out of the way, really, because Sumire's body proceeds to slump almost immediately — the amount of blood she previously lost expediting the process. The wall keeps her body from falling back completely, preserving at least some of her dignity in death. In a few minutes, Ange will have to shift her position in order to add the finishing touches to this scene. And in a few hours, three others will arrive at this scene to find an unidentifiable corpse. But right now? Well.
Let's do this for a third and final time:
Sumire Yoshizawa is dead.]
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For a long moment, she just looks at her.
And then she sighs, closing her eyes.]
... Thank you. Honestly, you did not have to do this much for me. But if it will get me back to Princess...
[... If it will get her back there, to the only person who has ever mattered, she'll do whatever it takes.
With that moment of dwelling over and done with, she gets to work. It is grim, gruesome work and Ange makes no excuses for it. The fact that this is now only a dead body does not make it too much less gruesome--but with her hands covered by the kigu sleeves, she picks up the rapier again and sets to cutting off Sumire's head, cut by careful cut. Rapiers aren't meant for this sort of work, and it leads to an unfortunately incredibly jagged decapitation--but it's the best Ange can do with what she's working with.
She carefully makes sure that Sumire is propped up against the wall where she was before, the last minimal dignity she can offer, and then she strips, wraps the head in the kigurumi, and sets off into the maze, expression perfectly flat and calm. The head and the rapier are left as far in the maze as she can go, and then she doubles back.
She borrows Sumire's bracelet, burning the kigurumi as best she can, before she returns it. And with all of that done... she gives Sumire's body one more glance. Then she turns on her heel and she leaves, bundled kigurumi carefully held away from her clothing. Tomorrow will determine everything. Ange owes her continued safety to Sumire, if she gets away with this.
It is more than she deserves, but she is selfish enough to hold onto it anyway.]