009 | [Voice/Action]

[screwthegods]

What would you be willing to give for a second chance?

[Take the question as you will, Luceti. Homura's purposely vague, wanting not only to see what answers he receives, but how people interpret the question itself. After he poses the question, he'll be making a trip out to House 50--unannounced, of course. Ayumu has yet to contact him after the experiment, so Homura will take it upon himself to go see her. Better that than leaving the issue unresolved.]

[Afterward, he'll head to the Battle Dome to practice. It's been some time since the last draft, and he refuses to let his swordsmanship suffer during the lull. So he'll be going at it while completely limited, fighting the targets offered by the program. Unlike others he's seen, Homura moves with cool efficiency, and aims to kill with almost every blow.]

Comments

[screwthegods]

[Homura sees it, that flash of emotion rising to answer, unbidden by the woman struggling so furiously against him now. Yet for all her efforts, Ayumu would have greater success striking a wall; even when her kick connects, Homura doesn't falter, as if he feels no pain from the blow.]

Lash out all you wish. I am not the one responsible for your choices, or your regrets.

[ayu_nee]

[She continues to fight a moment longer still, as though it takes time for the words to sink in, but finally her struggles weaken and then halt entirely. All the anger has drained away now, leaving her with nothing left but the shattered remnants of her pride, and though she stands as straight as she can in his hold her head bows, eyes closing as her lips silently form three syllables.]

[screwthegods]

[Homura lingers after Ayumu stills, searching her body for some sign of further rebellion. Yet there is no tension, no tell-tale twitch or tightening of muscle to indicate that she is setting a trap. And when her lips move, speaking some phrase that Homura can't discern, he leans closer so his words fall as little more than a whisper against her skin.]

We aren't often given second chances, and yet here we are, both still alive. Decide who you wish to be, Ayumu, before you add on to those regrets.

[And then he vanishes completely, his presence gone from her room in an instant.]