Something About a Rose
kashiwade
If there’s any sort of blessing to her reappearance in this city, it’s the fact that she has Crescent Rose on her instead of some wooden mockery this time around. The familiar weight of it--compacted and folded at her waist--goes a long way toward keeping her calm.
Sector Six helps too. It’s the calmest Sector in the city when it’s not besieged by fires. (A number of fliers pinned to benches and waste bins warn of the hefty fines that’ll be heaped upon anyone who brings anything even remotely flammable into the area, including fire itself); the shade of the trees reminds her of her home, and she laces her fingers together over her head as she stretches, one eye closed in thought.
The wind’s blowing, the sun’s shining, it almost doesn’t seem believable...this whole “social experiment” business.
Well, Vale had seemed peaceful too. Right up until--
A sudden voice draws her attention, and Ruby jumps, whipping around to see an unexpectedly familiar face. The boy with the fox mask! What was his name again?
“Issei!” Ruby blurts out, shocked. “You’re still here?! Or...did you leave too? And come back? When did--” She catches herself. “Um, sorry. What did you say...?”