Marian wiped the tears from her eyes as her father and brother walked off towards safer havens. She had to hope they would be okay; that they could fend for themselves. She said a quiet prayer, to whom she wasn’t sure, that perhaps Kotone would protect them. They were family, they had to look out for each other.
When she opened her eyes and looked up, there was Hana, patient as ever. Marian tried to smile. She traced Hana’s gaze to her now diamond arm, and then up until they had locked eyes. Hana’s hand cupped Marian’s cheek and Marian felt the tears well up in her eyes again. Hana smiled.
“I’m going to miss you,” Marian whispered. She grabbed Hana’s hand with her own and held it against her cheek like a doctor staunches a wound.
“You say that like you are never going to see me again,” Hana replied, her voice low. She leaned in and gave Marian a kiss on the forehead. “Do not talk like that, Miss. You will come home to all of us.”
Marian sniffled, her posture faltering as she let herself cry. No one else was paying any attention; they were all busy with their own business. She could afford this moment, she didn’t know if she would get the chance again. “Take care of them, while I’m gone.” She gestured to Bedlam and Havok who were pushing each other about while they waited.
“They are my children too, Miss. They will not be facing this alone.” Hana gently pulled her hand back before kneeling down into a heavy hug. “I love you, Mayumi. Please take care of yourself. We’re all watching over you.” She kissed Marian’s shoulder, the one with the glass arm, the one with the arm folded over with her love. When she pulled back from the hug, she wiped Marian’s face with her sleeve.
Marian nodded, kissed Hana’s cheek, and then let Hana stand and bow; the signal for the children to take their turn.
The end was coming; but the end of what, Marian was afraid to really ask.
