"... So do you think she'd want to see you like this?" After some considerable silence had stilled the room, her inquiry sounded rather foreign on the ears. Even her own for that matter. The mezzo belonged not to a vitriolic soul as Fey'd feared, not at all. Far more reprimanding than vitriolic, but even then her tirade was that of a loved one's. That much would never change, just as Yuri'd assured. Both of the other's shoulders were given a mighty press, gloved fingers clasping as if they'd lose Fey to the alcohol any second.
"It's easy to say that you hate it. It's easy to let it hurt. Like... so bad that you can't function. You can't breathe and all you wanna do is drink. Right? But think about her, too -- just like you said, didn't she smile for your sake? And so we're clear, I'm not trying to guilt trip you. I'm saying her memory should be shown some consideration."
"A life is worth a lot more than some folks think! So of course, of course it's a burden when you're forced to steal one--! I'm really, really sorry. But in the end, who was saved?! You know what that means? It means your life's worth twice as much as it used to be! Don't throw a sacrifice away by downing this stupid crap --" The heel of her foot thundered onto the mouth of earlier's bottle, launching it in a midair twirl; snagged by a swift hand and only to be slam dunked into the nearest waste bin. "-- Ridiculous! I want none of this from now on, you hear me?! Be an adult. And if I know that I'm not one to talk, Fey, then that's a message in all its own. Since that person's not here anymore, whoever she is...-- I'm gonna do the job in her place. It looks like I've already done some, but from now on, count me in one hundred and ten percent. Yeah, I didn't know her. Yeah, I'm probably gonna be more strict than her. Yeah, you might not like what I'll say sometimes. But it's a one in never chance that a hero will just swing by and rescue your candy ass. That much I know personally, okay...-- Which is why when it does happen, it should definitely be honored."
"Hey. You, with the adorable boogers in your eyes. ... Still tuned in? In case you weren't; I'm gonna help honor that. I'm not going to let you be like this anymore. I'll teach you how to pick yourself up. Because this -- is not coping. I'm right, aren't I? Because none of this will make you feel better when you wake up tomorrow. All you'll get is a nasty hangover, Fey! That proves that this behavior doesn't do jack! But, I... I'm here for now. Don't sweat the small stuff. I'll keep holding your hand, and in return you've gotta try harder for me. For me and for that girl. If she really was important to you, that is. Like it or not, loved ones come and go. Sometimes in scary ways rather than peaceful. You gotta stand strong for the unexpected. Use your noggin before deciding you have leeway to waste time. But at the same time, like, don't overthink it. How long has it been since then? Do me a favor and stop counting. Above all, it's time to understand that you can't go back. So why trap yourself in some cage? Instead, protect her sacrifice." She must have exerted all the oxygen in those lungs of hers, as a conclusive sigh slipped past glossed lips. Hands rose once more, though not to perch atop the redhead's shoulders.
The embrace felt laggard, laggard but not lazy. Anything but lazy. Yuri's chin declined to meet a crown of crimson, another remark filling the air -- this time, the slightest murmur.
"It's hard to climb out of any rut, but I'm here. If I can kick in a punk's teeth in record time, I can pull you out of anything. Believe me."
