In which the former queen cannot believe what she has seen [Closed to BUS residents]

[queenofcalamity.livejournal.com]

Arika couldn't get away from the Obs Deck fast enough. As soon as the worst of it began, she was gone. She'd steeled herself enough to watch the main course, and she'd had enough. She'd been quick to get the WITCH Bus in her low heels, moving quickly through the City despite how tired she felt, or how her feet ached so much.

She'd flung open the door to the Bus and burst in. She headed for the kitchen, eyes closed tight as she tried to block out the images of what she'd seen. This of course lead her to stumbling over the small table and fall flat onto the kitchen counter with a SMACK.

It hurt, but it did some help in distracting her from what had been circling around in her mind. Shakily, she raised herself up, staring down at the table, trying to regain control of her breathing.

She should be used to this. She had been a queen and had heard and even once or twice witnessed that kind of brutality. But in truth, Arika had a weak stomach for the kind of violence.

"...how is that even allowed?"

Comments

[magictrkswwater.livejournal.com]

"I know, I just... I..." Irma said, lost in her own words, before shaking her head and turning to Arika. "S-Sorry..."

Despite who she was and what she could do, she was still human. Between Steve and this? It was too much. Her arms reached over to hug Arika, crying as she did.

[queenofcalamity.livejournal.com]

"It is all right," Arika covered her mouth with her hand.

When Irma started to reach for her and cry, Arika pulled the young girl into her arms, tucking her head beneath her chin, rubbing Irma's back soothingly. "Shhh..."

[magictrkswwater.livejournal.com]

For a few moments, Irma continued crying, slowly being comforted by Arika. Soon, she pulled away, wiping her eyes dry.

"Th-thank you... I'm sorry I did, just... it was too much."

[queenofcalamity.livejournal.com]

"It is all right. If you must cry, then cry. I will not judge you." She placed a hand on Irma's shoulder.

[magictrkswwater.livejournal.com]

"Thanks..." Irma said, calming down. "I have to admit, it's... a little easier coming clean with all of this. It's not easy holding in things that scare you when you can't even tell your parents what is troubling you..."

It was tough. Had she'd seen this as herself, as a Guardian, all she would have was her friends and a few others. Here, she could lean on just about anyone. And right now? Arika was the cloest thing she had to a parent to talk to...

[queenofcalamity.livejournal.com]

"...but it feels much better admitting how you feel about something, yes?" She nodded her head with a light sigh.

[magictrkswwater.livejournal.com]

"It does, doesn't it?" Irma said. A brief silence before... "...are you okay?"

She lifted her arms up slightly. Something told her that Arika just might be reaching her own point.

[queenofcalamity.livejournal.com]

"I am..." Arika turned her head away slightly. "I just have not witnessed such brutality in quite some time, that is all." Her stomach lurched and she placed a hand over her mouth again.

[magictrkswwater.livejournal.com]

The whole thing made her sick. Poor Arika...

"It's okay... really..." Irma said. "You... wanna talk, I'm here. You helped me a little, and, well... I should do the same..."

[queenofcalamity.livejournal.com]

Arika removed her hand and breathed. "A Queen...does her best to keep a strong face when confronted with such atrocities." She shook her head. "But I have not been Queen in so long. So I do not need to keep face."

She shook her head. "I would rather not talk about the past. I would rather talk about what can be done to assure that we must never have to witness such brutality by the ship that we live upon."

[magictrkswwater.livejournal.com]

"We can start by figuring out how to get rid of Stacy... or at least the evil one." Irma said, crossing her arms. Right now, that was their big problem - Stacy was two sides of a coin. And that other half had to go.

[queenofcalamity.livejournal.com]

"Everyone has that side of them that is the lesser of the first," she said. "And it is the most difficult task to get rid of it."

[magictrkswwater.livejournal.com]

"Gotta do something. The longer that thing still exists, the worst things are gonna get." Irma said. "Though... right now? I need something else..."

[queenofcalamity.livejournal.com]

"What do you need?" she asked softly.

[magictrkswwater.livejournal.com]

"A drink. A friend. Anything to get my mind off of this..." Irma said, moving to sit down. It was obvious she was still affected by it all.

[queenofcalamity.livejournal.com]

Arika placed both hands on Irma's shoulders. "There are some beverages in the fridge if you need something cool to settle your stomach." She hadn't yet tried any of them, due to their wide labels and the exclamation titles upon their wrappers, but her son and the others seemed to enjoy them.

"And I can be a friend if you would like."

[magictrkswwater.livejournal.com]

Irma smiled a bit hearing the last bit. She needed it. She can find Hay Lin later - Arika'll do in a pinch.

"Thanks... mom." Irma said, the 'mom' coming out half-teasingly. She knew she was Negi's mom, but at the same time? It was nice to have some sort of parent around. She showed that appreciation by hugging Arika once more.

[queenofcalamity.livejournal.com]

She blinked a bit at the added 'mom', but she supposed by the tone of Irma's voice, it was meant in good humor. She accepted the hug, though, with a smile.