#deathreversed 01

[corporatevalue]

When you think of the word charitable, surely enough, Jay - someone who speaks constantly about maximizing profit - will be the last one that'll come to mind. Those in partner- and enemy organizations alike know her to be ruthless and disciplined, just like a true member of the Port Mafia should be. While that perspective of her is accurate, it's not the full story.

That story is reserved for those within the Mafia. A ruthless lady who has zero tolerance for disobedience, yes, but one that is exceptionally loyal to anyone who finds themselves on the same side as her. While she'll never explicitly say as much, the organization - in particular her unit she's gone through thick and thin with - is family to her. She may fail in helping with concerns regarding emotional needs, and doesn't open up much about her own, but — she's sure to express her appreciation through actions of aid, even when the risks involved are high.

Now living in Spirale, she's still there for her subordinates if they need her, and counts on them for the same vice-versa, yes, but ultimately she now mostly just lives for herself as she waits, as there's no trace of the organization she's been loyal to within Spirale. That could change over night if she should return back home or if the executives founded the Port Mafia in this world, too, sure, but for now— she gets by as a finance manager.

…

That isn't to say she's now entirely uninvolved with the trade of sketchier products, though. In fact, it's why she's been traversing within the ground level of Fibonacci; a meet-up involving a deal that has already proven successful, and all that was now left for the day was for her to return home. At the very least, that was the intent.

As she turned a corner, the following sight— it was difficult for her to discern what exactly she is witnessing. It seemed to be a robot of some kind, writhing on the ground as all kinds of… error messages lit up in neon red, but that didn't match up with its batlike wings, that very much weren't metallic like the rest of its body. Was it in pain? In danger? Its surroundings were damaged; was it ambushed, or was it the robot's doing? With the only light source being the red LED, she couldn't tell whether it was some substance like oil that ornamented its surroundings, or plain blood.

Street smarts dictate to get out immediately, and if not, to at least pull out a weapon in preparation. Jay didn't do either. The robot wasn't someone she knows, let alone someone she'd care to help, and yet, she felt something tugging at her. There's no way in hell that thing has anything to do with her homeworld or the Port Mafia, and yet. and yet. Call it intuition, call it a hunch. Whatever the case, Jay couldn't brush off the feeling that it's related to that strange memory that has been plaguing her; the memory with all the wires and skyscrapers just like this sight.

It's not like her to ignore a possible lead.

"Are you okay? Have you been ambushed?" she'd attempt to communicate, checking whether it is responsive, as she hurries to the robot to kneel down next to it. Squinting, she could pick up at least one of the alerts warning about high temperature, and so she'd open her briefcase in a hurry to find something that may help to combat that issue. All she found was a bottle, which, perhaps - by dampening cloth - could help to cool down its metallic surface, but when she opened the bottle, all she received was the stench of disappointment. It was Oil. Why - pray tell - did she carry a bottle of MOTOR OIL with her??

Wait, no. That might be good. It's a robot, after all.

"Here-" she'd hold out the bottle to the robot while a drop of sweat would run down her neck. "It's Oil."

@deathreversed

[swordsovereign]

@deathreversed ❲ phantasm amalgam, part 1 ❳

Ah, Death's evoker. After all the asking for familiarity, Seofon wasn't sure what to think about seeing the young mage. Her pact with Death gave her power that made her dangerous, and wasn't that something that made him want to ... at least keep an eye on her...

She's changed ever since the Captain showed her kindness. She has a place to belong.

She had one. The Captain isn't here. She doesn't have to hold back, does she? I want to have faith. I trust the Captain, and if the fearless leader of that crew says that Nier's not a threat, then I won't treat her like one. It's called benefit of the doubt and positive thinking. You should try it.

For once, Anosiete didn't have a response. Seofon counted that as a massive win on his part.

❝ It's nice to see a familiar face, ❞ Well, she's familiar to him, but he's not sure if it goes both ways. With all the coming and going on the Grandcypher, it was hard for everyone to keep track of each other. Of who they'd met and who they'd only heard of in passing... But everyone knew about the Eternals, right?

Sierokarte had often teased him about the fact that no one knew who he was at first glance. The captain hadn't known about the Eternals when they'd first met either. Ok, but most people did, right?

❝ It's me, Seofon! Leader of the Eternals! I think this is the first time we've really met, but I've seen you here and there on the Grandcypher. What's brought you to this neck of the woods? ❞

[hanabisays]

And there it is. The emotions that come from feeling seen perhaps, the kind that washes over you and you sob. The wanting of love.

Her actions from the past can't be forgiven, but wasn't that why you lived in the present to make things right? To do right by others to make up for the past?

She feels herself choke up. Her eyes becomes teary but she holds as much as she can back (she's not doing a good job.)

"I'm sorry..." she shakes her head and reaches to wipe those tears away. "I'm sorry that you had to go through all of that." And alone too. She's glad though, that along the way she's found people.

Hanabi looks up to Death. Even this being.

After a bit, when calmed, hanabi releases her other hand and bows her head respectfully.

"You didn't burden me with anything,"she then says when her attention is back on the other. She smiles and straightens her posture.

"I'm glad that you were able to tell me these things." And it would only be fair to share a bit,

"Kind of. It doesn't protect me to protect me, but it's been with me for as long as I can remember. I tend to attract all sorts of spirits, you know? But this one in particular."

Her fingers twitch. She's waiting for the other girl to speak, to move, to do something. Anything. Nier just watches; she wants to see what Hanabi will do, now that a portion of her awful truth has come to light. If Hanabi tries to let go, if she tries to leave, to run, to reject her, then Nier will have to make sure that her secrets remain so. She's already done it before, countless times, even, so what's one more? Even Death watches, silently waiting for her companion's decision.

But when Hanabi finally replies, the tension spills out of her. Tears roll down her cheeks and onto Death's hand, and so the primal beast withdraws it from Nier's mouth, moving to her shoulders instead.

"I-I just wanted... I just wanted to be loved, to be seen...! Why was that so much to ask!?" she sobs, her ears drooping. Teardrops spill onto the ground below her, now spotted with her sorrows and the petals that drift from her body.

Death returns Hanabi's gaze with a warmth that wasn't present before, and she nods, but says nothing as Nier cries out her feelings. After a short time, the girl finally picks her head back up, her eyes now red and worn. "I-I'm sorry, I don't... I don't like to tell people those things... I don't want to cause any trouble for the Captain and the others who took me in... They already know, and they told me it wasn't a bad thing to just want to be loved, but..."

She recalls something Lyria said: "I don't know if what you've done can be forgiven, but..." Although, she doesn't want forgiveness at this point. It wouldn't even matter.

Looking down at herself, Nier finds there are only a few flowers still sprouting from her body. With the sickly feeling gone, she breathes a sigh of relief, and smiles up at Hanabi. "Thank you... I didn't mean to burden you with all that, but... Thank you."

She looks over her shoulder at the figure still floating behind her, smiling. "Um, this is Death, she's the one who rescued me from my family's home, and we've been together ever since... Do you... have something similar, Hanabi?"

[learnspells]

@deathreversed

ʚїɞ - "Were you looking to read this one? You can have it if you'd like." Fern had been at the library looking for a book to read. One had eventually caught her eye and she pulled it off her shelf, but then she realized another girl was looking at her. The mage held the book out to her.

"There are plenty of books here I've never even heard of before, so I'm sure I can find something else."

[soviireign]

            Unused to the hustle and bustle of this town he may be, but even this chaos was dissonant to the rambling days of this city. A cage Spirale may be, but it at least had the humanity to treat its inhabitants well. This careless show of power was something that grated the Eternals’ nerves, as one who believed in might for the service of good.

            Even if that might had left him since his arrival.

            But Siete did not take upon the title of Seven-Star Sovereign for his powers alone. A sword is still a sword, no matter how dull it could be, and in his hands they remain a useful tool to defend others from attacks. Thus did he go through and forth across the city, searching for stragglers or anybody else who may not be able to find their way home.

            He was a clearing when he recognized a face – a lone Erune, looking around listlessly. They haven’t talked before, but Siete had taken note of her presence since her arrival upon the Grandcypher. Call it intuition or not, but he couldn’t help but shake the feeling that there was just something reflected in her eyes. Something deeper than the longing gaze she always seemed to have.

            ( Back home, buried in reports of the skydom – news of a village wiped out overnight. )

            This wasn’t the time to entertain ideas, was it? Siete didn’t hesitate to approach her regardless – a casual wave and an easy stride, a stark contrast to the mood of the streets-turned-battlefield. Best to keep allies close in a situation such as this. But his guard was kept up from all sides nonetheless, having too many experiences on receiving a surprise attack.

            “ You’re part of danchou-chan’s crew, are you? I’ve seen you around before, back at home. Mind having some company for a bit? ”

@deathreversed​ / event starter!

[perledelalune]

@deathreversed​

It was hardly the first time Margaret had been to the Savior’s Respite.  While she preferred to visit during the night- as she preferred to do most things in the late hours- her thoughts would not always let her wait before making her trip.  Memories had overcome her, thoughts of days that had passed even before she wound up here.  She had no worry that she would shed tears, but isolation would be preferable now regardless.

Of course, she knew she wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the solitude such an area provided.  After several minutes staring at the sky she’d notice a girl approaching- some years younger than her, with large animal-like ears and a book tucked away in her hands.  Rather than turn her away, Margaret offered the small, polite smile she so often wore.

“Nice to get away from it all every once in a while, isn’t it?”

[section6chief]

⇪ Miyabi seemed to be stunlocked for a moment as she tried to comprehend that explanation.

"...Mine too." Liar.

An uncomfortable silence as Nier frowns.

"N...no.... They're just ears... Not like any kind of animal..."

[moonstonescholar]

The taxi on the way there was surprisingly quick, almost faster than the chocobo he had ever ridden. The technology was far sleeker than of the Allagans, but he has never seen transportation like these. One could find it thrilling for his first ride, offering a conversation with the driver whom answered his questions with mild interest. 

When he arrived, he takes a deep breath, looking up at his new humble abode. He had heard that he will be having three others who will live with him and he hopes that he can come across them to learn more about them--and the world they lived in. 

He knocks on the door first before using his phone to enter the house. “Er... Pardon me.” he calls out, peeking through the door to look inside. It’s a cozy looking home, big enough for four people, it seems. He shakes off the snow off his shoes before coming inside, closing the door to keep the frost away. 

“Is anybody home?”

@deathreversed​

[deathlyknighted]

@deathreversed

For whatever reason, his overall demeanor had changed, and there wasn’t anything he could really do about it. It was frustrating. It was, in a way, nice to know he was having an easier time talking to others now---but he also did not want to do such a thing. Getting closer to others came with risks that far outweighed advantages. So naturally, his feelings on this sensation were... at odds.

But even if part of him was angered at the idea of acting like this, being vulnerable to those around him---complete strangers even, it was not enough to stop him from going up to them. Unfortunately for everyone involved. Because despite intentions, he very much was still incredibly intimidating. People continued to move away from him when he walked towards them, which was both a boon for the side of him that hated doing this, and a bane for the side that sought to get to know these people.

Sighing gently, he decided to give up for the time being and take a rest on a bench. Sitting down, he noted from the corner of his eye, that there was someone else on it. When they didn’t seem to leave, he looked over and spoke up.

“Excuse me, but... do I look scary to you?” He figured he knew the answer already, but it was a start to what he really wanted to ask.

[paaperboats]

@deathreversed​  ♡

Saviour’s Respite seemed to be Red’s favourite spot that day; enjoying her time with her weapon as they both sat in a small meadow of flowers, gazing out into the calming scene around them. She couldn’t help but wonder-- why did she never come here before? She was always so focused on being away from her own ward; as if staying far from her apartment would help her feel like she wasn’t really “living” in a world that wasn’t hers. However much she tried to deny it, though, Red knew she couldn’t completely-- but she had no worries at all today. Ever since she tried that drink, she felt absolutely wonderful; did it have something to do with that? 

Even when she tried to figure it out, it was almost as if her mind wouldn’t let her; and she didn’t seem too concerned about digging any deeper.

[ It’s.. really pretty here, huh? ] the Transistor spoke slowly, but his voice seemed more on the chipper side; Red’s hand smoothing itself across her blade. [ Buut.. not as pretty as you, Red! I swear. ]

The woman made the motion of laughing; bringing a few fingers to her lips, despite the fact that no sound left her. Though neither of them completely seemed to be themselves, she was happy; just being with him, alone..

.. but, not as alone as she thought.

Hearing soft footsteps, Red’s head lifted; blue eyes falling to a young girl who stood quite a few feet away from her. She seemed almost afraid to approach the pair, but Red had no issues with her joining them; lifting a hand to wave as a smile reached her lips.

[ Oh! Helllooo! ] the Transistor called out to the other in place of Red, making sure his greeting sounded especially cheery. [ What’re you.. doin’, standing all the way over there? We don’t bite! I mean. I can’t, even if I tried.. haha. ]

[heartofzepp]

@deathreversed​

“Are you feeling fatigued?” his voice is deep and resonant, yet still gentle. 

His massive hand gently held her up, saving her from what would’ve been a nasty trip onto concrete. Potemkin’s hands are bandaged underneath fingerless gloves, even days after the whole phenomena. 

“Rest if you need to. The bus won’t be here for a while longer. I can’t really...fit on it, but I can stay with you until it’s here.” 

[corporatevalue]

Amidst the whirring of a system that is seconds away from shutting down, it was hard to tell what that robot had replied with, but she could make out just about enough to tell that it wasn't an ambush, thankfully. At the very least, she doesn't need to be too concerned of bad company showing up while she is distracted with this… upon closer inspection, rather human-like robot, especially as it plead for her not to leave. Huh. The wonders of radial island.

While she wasn't surprised to see the flip in demeanour over the offered oil, it did surprise her a tad to see just how swiftly the bottle vanished from her hands, as the stranger consumed it — with the packaging. "Ah." That's certainly one method to prevent public littering.

Interesting, was it, to observe not just the warnings fading out, but the parts she previously found strange for their non-metallic attributes, now retracting, too. She was staring attentively, and — was that eye-contact she'd make with the tail? Strange. "Seems like you've run out of oil, but I lack any further details."

Jay stood up when she did, dusting off her shoulders in an unperturbed manner while waiting for the poor drone to regain her balance. "You have not," she'd confirm. "No need to thank me."

What an apologetic little girl. Jay may not have an issue with it, but surely enough, no one starts off this anxious; it raises the question of what caused it in the first place. Not that such kind of information is any of her business, let alone of importance— but even a woman like herself cannot help but be curious about the little things, sometimes. "Not so fast. First things first; how much time did the bottle supply you with? I'd be surprised if one alone somehow matches your usual, expected quota."

If she intends on finding out anything from this girl, she'd better first guarantee there'll be no encore; her briefcase only carried one bottle. "What is your name? Let's get you out of here. We'll get you more oil at a business on a floor higher up."

It'll be a quick find. Jay had long familiarized herself with the businesses in level 1, in the interest of her… side-hustle in trade. Where you can find weapons and machinery, oil couldn't be much further. "Don't worry about dust; it's on me."

It's progressing so suddenly. Nier's usually good at managing her body's mounting needs, that craving for oil that ebbs and flows with her emotions, but so much has happened over the past few days that she hasn't had a chance to sate her thirst. And that's putting aside all the times she's needed to utilize her Solver abilities, so her only thought before conscious threads become background processes and hunting subroutines take over is I thought I had more time.

But even the single-minded instincts of a predatory drone are only when there's something to actually hunt, and it's only a matter of time before Nier is reduced to a shambling mess, with high temperature and low oil warnings hounding her HUD. Again? murmurs some unheard voice buried deep inside her programming. You really are bad at this.

"S-s-sorryyyyy..." she mumbles, voice laced with static. "I p-promise I'll do bet-tter..." Her body falls against a wall, leaving crimson streaks as she settles into a crumpled heap.

>[TEMPERATURE CRITICAL, SYSTEM FAILURE IMMINENT. NO OIL, MORON]

She can barely register the sound of someone's voice at her side, someone blessedly worried about her. Nier's looks up, her visor shifting between a multitude of warning symbols, her eyes, and a red, triangular glyph. "M-my fault-t-t..." she manages, her gaze drifting down to her shaking hands. "Messed u-up aga-ain... Pl-lease don't leav-ve me..."

Is she dying? Is this what it feels like? Should she be scared? She isn't scared, she feels... empty. Why is that?

But in an instant, her chemo sensors explode with notifications, and her entire body tenses as her head snaps up and her mouth opens in a wide, fanged grin. "Oil..." she echoes, tongue lolling. With a surge of energy, her body lurches forward, and she snaps the bottle out of the kindly stranger's hand with her mouth. No time to waste on maintaining her public image, she simply swallows the whole thing at once, her teeth cleaving the bottle into pieces as the precious liquid pours into her gullet. Once it hits her core, the organ begins to pump again, and in less than a minute the warnings vanish. A few wordless groans come from Nier's vocal synthesizer, and her wings retract back into her body with a lurch. Her tail does the same, but not before fixing the good Samaritan with a curious stare.

"What... What happened...?" she mumbles, pressing a hand to her head. "I thought... I should've been okay for a bit longer..."

Her body still trembles as she rises to her feet, bracing against the wall as she attempts to stay upright. Finally, she looks up into the face of her savior with vision unclouded by warnings or static, and her eyes hollow out. "A-ah, you... I didn't hurt you, did I? N-no, you... You saved me? Thank you..."

The memories come back to her piecemeal as her mind tries to put the distorted images together into something usable. "I-I'm sorry, I was just low on oil, so my body... It's not important, I guess..."

Nier gives her fingers an experimental wiggle, feeling full function come back to her body. A single bottle of oil isn't enough to put her totally out of danger, but at least she's back to normal operating levels now. So she turns to the human woman and bows her head, hands folded in a submissive gesture that's been browbeaten into her over and over. "I hope I didn't inconvenience you, but thank you for your help... Is there anything I can do to repay you? I don't really have much dust, but... I-If you need any help with anything, I'll try my best..."

[hanabisays]

Hanabi's hands not once loosen their hold in Nier's and only tightens as Nier continues on with her traumatic past. It's when the figure materializes that Hanabi nearly hesitates. Still, she squeezes her hands in her own. Thumb brushes against her skin.

Hanabi has seen it all and as long as those petals continue to fall from Nier's body, all was good.

"Nier, i won't judge you. I wouldn't do that to you. I'm...," she shakes her head and lowers it. She was no different.

"Remember, I said all your secrets are safe with me. You don't have to hide them all. I won't judge you." Death....that's what she called it. Lifting her head, she looks the figure in the eyes.

"I have something like a ghost following me too."

The girl's touch is gentle and warm, and Nier gives a small smile. To think that less than ten minutes ago, she felt as though she was about to fall apart, and now things are so serene. Even as stems sprout from her skin, each bloom desperately hoping to coax a secret from her lips, she feels at ease. She leans into Hanabi as her voice drops, revealing another hidden depth of her heart. "For me, it was the opposite..." says sighs. "The people around me told me I wasn't even worth my own happiness, that I didn't deserve to feel like that. All I felt was sadness for the longest time, until... I had pretty much forgotten what it felt like to feel anything else."

Her sister's mocking laughter, her parents' icy indifference, her suitors' selfish passions- they all drift at the edge of Nier's memory, kept at bay by the love of her crewmates. She presses a hand to her chest, smiling. "But eventually, I was able to meet some people who showed me I wasn't selfish for just wanting to be loved. They showed me what it meant to really be cared for, and I couldn't be more thankful... I hope you're able to find someone like that."

Nier had meant to stop there. It seemed suiting, and then the two girls could go their separate ways, content in their shared secrets. But more words come from her lips, and she furrows her brow. "And everyone who rejected me, everyone who hurt me or threw me away... I just erased them."

The blood drains from her face, and her eyes go wide, but Nier continues to speak, and petals drop from her body like snowflakes. "All those men who said they loved me, then lied about it, I killed them. The people of that village who hurt my dear Captain, I killed them as well. I killed the parents of that girl who hit her, and then I made sure the Captain wouldn't find out, because... b-because..."

Her face twists in agony, and she finally cries out as black fog pours from her body. "Death! Help me!"

A ghostly figure clad all in black materializes from the smoke, and she presses a hand over Nier's mouth. "My beloved, it's fine... I believe it's these flowers that are causing you this distress... And look, they're wilting! Soon, you'll be okay..." But her masked face turns towards Hanabi, tilting to one side. "But... what shall we do with this one?"

Sweat beads down Nier's pallid face, and even as Death covers her mouth, her shoulders heave with ragged breaths. She only stares at Hanabi, as if daring the other girl to speak first.

[swordsovereign]

She's nervous and it shows. Seofon's nervous too, but he's better at hiding it. He's always had to hold it together- that was the job of a big brother, of a leader, of the strongest swordsman in the skies. If he didn't keep a level head, who would?

He didn't know too much about her circumstances, but every Evoker had a reason for their pact, and usually it was laced with some sort of pain, their own or the pain of others.

Like that mage with the accent and the flower name. Why did the Captain let him hang around, again?

From how Nier acted, it was rather obvious that her pact with Death was born of some deep agony in her that he knew better than to ask about. If she ever wanted to talk about it, she could do it on her own accord.

❝ Hey, hey- it's ok to be stressed and scared, ❞ he takes note of the changing surroundings. ❝ Plagued by nightmares, huh? Well, what if we both tried to make this place somewhere safer? ❞

❝ Like the Grandcypher, where you're safe. If I was battling nightmares, I'd focus really hard on a place that made me feel happy instead. I know that's easier said than done- ❞

Seofon had learned from the Captain to be a better person. In the past, he wouldn't have hesitated to simply strike Nier down for her connection to Death- the slay first and ask questions later issue. Loath as he was to admit it, he used to be just like Anosiete. Then, he met Anre, and things changed. He changed, and for the better. He had that in common with Nier as far as he could tell.

❝ You don't have to worry about me getting hurt- I don't want to just leave you here if you're going through all of this ... Companionship can really help! I'm not the Captain, but maybe I can be at least a half-decent stand in until this passes over. Or as long as you need the support, whichever comes first. ❞

Man, but she's really in pain, isn't she?

❝ You can always count on big brother Seofon to be there for you! I trust the Captain's judgement, and I know they wouldn't want you to feel alone. ❞

She knows... of this man. Seofon's reputation proceeds him, for better or for worse, but Nier isn't sure if she needs to be concerned. The captain had told her the Eternals were a peacekeeping crew, but that she wouldn't have to worry about it. However, if the captain is the equalizer and they're not here, does she have something to worry about now?

"Familiar..." she echoes. "I don't think we've ever spoken before... Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, I guess it just never came up."

There's so many people aboard the Grandcypher, so that's hardly odd. And while she might normally be pleased to finally see someone else from the Sky Realm, the timing couldn't be worse.

"What brought me to- I live here... W-wait, no, they moved me somewhere else..."

Around them, the scenery begins to change. The buildings begin to take on a different style; two-story homes made of brownstone. After another moment, it shifts again, towering over them and peering down with countless glass windows. Nier turns away, clutching her head in her hands and trying to steady her breathing. She was told if you dream it, it becomes real, but the issue is that she usually has nightmares.

"A-aah, sorry, it's... Something's happening in the city... I don't really understand, but... Everything keeps changing when I think about it..."

Right now, she's trying very hard not to wish for this man to go away, because she's worried about how that might take effect. What if he dies, and then she has to deal with that later? Or worse, what if he died and then told the captain? Nier eyes Seofon from between her fingers, hoping their first meeting is a short one.

"Just... Just go away... I don't want to have to deal with you right now..."

[section6chief]

⇪ "Hm..." This reaction left Miyabi starring at the girl's ears as she tried to figure it out herself. They were a little shorter than what she would expect, but only one thing came to mind if not cat. "Fox?"

"I've been called a 'catgirl' on several occasions, but I couldn't say why... I don't look anything like a cat."

[hanabisays]

Hanabi shares a smile and when Nier plucks a flower from her skin, hanabi uses her own hand to pat the spot, in hopes of lessening that pain.

People kept secrets because of the fear and the feel of potentially burdening someone.

For hanabi it's both.

"You're right. Since we are here," she nods. Where would she even start?

"Sometime---a lot of the time..." she lowers her voice into a whisper. Ah, her chest aches when she thinks about revealing this one, but...

"I'm tired of putting on a brave and optimistic face. Smiling and having a positive outlook no matter what. Sometime I want to be sad and I want to cry, but I don't feel like I can. Like....I shouldn't feel despair and I'm not allowed to want to feel like I shouldn't exist."

There's still flowers clinging to her body, swaying gently in some unfelt breeze, but it doesn't cause distress anymore. It doesn't feel like something is trying to claw out of her and that it'll tear her body to shreds on its mad escape. Nier feels okay now.

She feels the girl's hands tighten around her own, and relief floods into Nier's heart. It's nice to know that she doesn't need to take any extra steps to protect her secrets, that this girl- Hanabi- feels sorry for her. While there's still more to tell, more she could say, it doesn't feel necessary right now. Hopefully it never does.

"I'm glad you understand. I think everyone keeps secrets, because everyone has things that they don't want people to know... Things they've done, things they think, things they'd do if they could... I don't think there's anything wrong with that, though I guess some people would disagree..." She gently pulls at one of the petals that sprouts from her skin, wincing as the feeling travels up her arm.

If Nier wasn't able to keep her secrets, she probably wouldn't be able to live as she does. People would judge her, hate her, cast her out, but if it's just Hanabi, it should be okay. After all, there's a saying about keeping a secret with two people.

"Is there anything else that's weighing on you?" says Nier, giving the other girl a small smile. "Since we're already here, we might as well use the opportunity..."