Squall wasn't one for giving gifts, but he felt the need to put together a surprise for Reika after that hellish ski trip. He unlocked the door to room 236, and found he'd come to miss the safe confines of his dormitory after so long. There was a thin book in his hands, cover bound in brown leather. In silence he approached her bed, and placed it on her pillow.
Inside the book was something he hoped she'd like... a collection of photographs Squall had taken during the trip. Photos of the sky, forest and mountains. There was even an entire page devoted to the fireworks show. It wasn't much, but... she deserved it. In all honesty, it was the least he could do.
It was against his better judgement that he drank one of the bear's vials. That judgement, however, was definitely clouded by the temptation of happiness that the headmaster promised. It only took a few minutes for the liquid to kick in.
Now he's sitting in the far corner of his cabin, Monomessenger in hand, the ghost of a smile on his face and a pleasant warmth in his chest. His heel taps incessantly against the wooden floors to a steady beat. He's excited for the fireworks. He's excited for the new year. He's excited for everything, if only because of his drink. If only he felt this good all the time. Maybe then Hope's Peak Academy would be tolerable.
Not ten minutes after receiving a thoughtful, warm, soft, homemade blanket--it's covered in blood, spattered and stained. What a pain. He'll do everything he can to remove the rust color from the treasured gift.
It's the first intentional kill that he's executed since he was a small child--and now he'll have to live with that on his conscious.
Not like he'd ever feel guilt for ending that bastard's life.
A boy decided to ride a bear and was in turn chased onto a roof. Are all humans this stupid? Reckless would be the better word, but... That won't change Yuuka's opinion thereof.
Everyone, or for the most everyone that Dio could behold, seemed so cozily seated into the fate that befell them inside Hope's Peak. Did they attempt not to change their fate any longer? They're not even bothering to fight back against a bear, but beyond that, an enemy invisible to them.
Were they all not humans, but cattle ready for the inevitable slaughter?
Fools.
Dio was not a cattle. This bear was a headmaster, but not his master. Dio was a master. And more--worthy of being crowned a God. His body once crumbled, but now he breathed once again. The World was weak, but over time... over time, his stand would grow once again as well. His goal remained unfinished, still there for him to pursue. His fate, here, would be soon or less conquered. There was no fear that could sweep over him, for the ones on the top held no fear.
Escape was not an idea that immediately ran through in Dio's head, either. He could feel that there were still things--people, rather--that blocked his path. They were here, too... Dio didn't have to 'see'. This meant that he was here for a purpose.
He had to get rid of them. Kill all of them. This was a priority, always a priority. The Joestars meddled with his plans for far too long.
A school of mutual killing... wasn't it nothing but the perfect setting for him to manipulate all for his benefit towards that immediate goal?
What a perfect present for none other than Dio.
For Dio, he can be described as a beautiful man in the eyes of many. His powerful presence is more than that though, he is one who can easily instill fear... or intrigue in the hearts of many. "Tell me. Do you feel complacent within these walls? Does this place bring your comfort?"
alois
i could always use another pelt and since i never got one from squall i could use yours
Ryuunosuke Uryuu
Do you know how to properly skin humans, then?
Reika Kuze
Stop talking about skinning.
No. No. No.
His insides twisted at the words. His skin crawled. Squall's breath caught in his throat, and he suddenly felt winded; empty. That night had been pushed to the very back of his mind. From the second he awoke in the infirmary, it was a fight against his own consciousness to keep the images at bay. He was sitting in his bed, but he was also on the floor of the cabin. He was holding his Monomessenger, but he was also holding his dagger. Squall's hands were slick with blood. The scent was thick in his nostrils. He couldn't breathe. All he could smell was her corpse, all he could see was her body. Tendrils of memories curled around his limbs, dragging him back into the past.
He had to make them stop, but his mind had come to a halt. His fingers weren't functioning properly. He fumbled with his phone, managing a single word.
Squall Leonhart
go d
(Focus on the screen.) The bright lights, the words and the pictures kept him tethered to this world. Squall inhaled with a gasp. That's right. It was over. She was fine. He wouldn't have to do it again--
alois
hi squall
Reika Kuze
Don't talk to him.
alois
i wasnt talking to you was i
The blood in his veins turned to ice. Squall was once again plunged into long-repressed memories; only this time, they weren't about Reika. Alois Trancy had caused him nothing but harm. Harm... he couldn't let it come to Reika again. Squall's chest tightened. His breathing had gone unsteady, and what little air he inhaled into his lungs was uneven, dreadfully insufficient. He had to make her stop. He couldn't let her get hurt.
Squall Leonhart
rei ka jusyt leavf him alone
And then the message came, moments later, that would set him off for good.
alois
im going to slit your throat
He was peeling back the skin of her throat. Her cold, dead throat. The room was spinning around him. Squall felt sick. His stomach twisted, and at once, the mercenary knew he was going to retch. In absolute desperation he fought to send another message. And in the end, he managed two. Then the device fell from his hands, and Squall bolted for the door to the cabin.
Squall Leonhart
S HUT UP
Squall Leonhart
SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP
The cold air stung his sweat-ridden face. Squall collapsed in the shallow snow. His throat burned as he vomited. The brunet heaved, and vomited again. Squall couldn't make it stop. He emptied the contents of his stomach, then coughed up whatever was left. Blue eyes closed, shutting out the world. Everything was gone, the snow, the cabin, the distant sound of Christmas celebrations. Everything had disappeared, except for the sight of her desecrated body. He could still see it. Squall dug his palms into his eyes. Nothing could make it stop.
Squall doubled over. Minutes passed. Life marched on. For everyone else, it was a day of joy. A day to celebrate and enjoy themselves with the others. But time had frozen for Squall Leonhart. For him, it was not Christmas day. He was still back in that cabin, slicing into her flesh, methodically destroying Reika Kuze's body. It was all he could see.
Oh, it was Christmas today, wasn't it? Sakuya had just finished sewing the last eye, when she saw the morning light filter through her window. She glanced at the tidy pile next to her, and her cluttered room. She had spent days on end sewing for this day, and she wanted them to be perfect. Carefully putting her presents into a bag, she distributed the gifts in front of everyone's door. When they came outside, they would find a handsewn doll made it their likeness, leaning against the door.
