Backstage Behavior â OPEN
A lot had happened in the span of a few hours and to process it all was not something she thought she could, or even wanted to handle.
The lab. Rushing into things. The ceiling falling down on her, enough to hurt but not enough to kill. Kouâs declaration. Yukari and Makotoâs relationship. Matiasâ talent revealed.
Itâs too much, too much to bear. She canât handle people at the moment so as soon as she can, she makes her way best she can to the back of the guesthouse to the hot spring. Last sheâd been here, everyone had been lost and alive. No less dangerous, but the threat of death was not so present. It was still as isolated as ever, which suited her.
Slowly but carefully she took off her socks and shoes, placing her bag next to it. Next was taking the contents of her top out and putting that in her bag as well. And finally, she folded Shizumaruâs scarf neatly and placed that on top of the bag. All this, she put in a small pile near the springâs edge.
Stepping into the spring itself, she slowly sat down and pulled her knees to her chest, simply sitting there and trying to collect her thoughts. Almost dyingâŠit was awful. Is this what the others felt as they died? Who did they think of? Her thoughtsâŠher mother (that must be who that woman in the video was, no other reason for feeling like such must exist), she had to speak to her. They had much to talk about, yes. And thenâŠthat person. From the memory flashes so long ago (was it really, though?), who were they? She knew them, had to help them, they were hurt because of her-
The near-death experience, combined with her pent up emotions about it finally hit her square in the gut and she lowered her head, feeling tears well up, even though she didnât want them to.Â
She hated it; the uncertainty of another tomorrow, the constant suspicion and having to pretend she was stronger than she really was, even the idea that she may not be even thatâŠit was too much to keep inside, to herself. So she let it out, quietly but fully.
A noise from the entrance startled her. She must look a sight; fully dressed, bruised terribly and crying in a hot spring. Quickly, she scooped some water into her hands and splashed it on her face to give her time to recover, and if it covered the tears on her face, that was okay too.
ââŠâ
She wasnât in the mood to talk but something told her, the newcomer probably did.
He hated being cooped up in his room, it just felt unproductive...but he was afraid of being the next victim. Writing to himself only did so much, and he was near close to filling up a third book. He dropped his pen to the side of the book and slammed it shut, putting both objects back where they belonged.
He needed to get some air.
As cold as it was outside (outside to him, anyway) there was something oddly refreshing about it...until he sunk into a large pile of snow. Chilly! Nevertheless, he trudged on, not exactly feeling up for food, so the cafe wasnât the destination today. No, he found himself in the Guesthouse, the fireplace being a nice reward for the long walk.
Lewis sat down at one of the tables to take a breather, before hearing the sound of someone crying. He had to focus to hear it, but he could tell what it was. Unlike when he sat down, he tried to push his chair in much quieter and headed for the noise...
The hot spring? Why, he hadnât been back there yet. He tread with caution in case of astray water, only to see...Lotus. Phew. Not great for her, but someone he felt comfortable approaching.
âAh...L--ahem, Alya...what happened? You can talk to me and Iâll do my best to listen.â He wanted to offer a reassuring pat on the shoulder, but he decided against it.
