The Truth Hurts
Setting: Mt Temza
Rita is shaking. She can hear the blood thumping in her ears, her eyes are squeezed so tightly shut, her hands are balled into fists, her stubby, bitten fingernails are carving little crescents into her palms. The aer is practically crackling and popping all around her, the magic coursing through her hot veins, begging to be unleashed. She's so goddamn angry, if any part of her opens up – hands, eyes, mouth – it's possible she just might explode, and take out everyone, not just that Dragon Freak in front of her, Judy.
Judy's words are still sinking in. Just when Rita is about to pass out, subconsciously her trembling body forces her to take a breath, and that breath hurts. The lies, the secrets, all the hurt bursts out of her like a cork from a limit bottle.
"You could have mentioned that! Why didn't you say something?! Were you gonna save the world all on your own? Are you stupid?! "
As soon as those bitter words are out of her mouth it's like all the chaos and noise boiling up inside of her just vanishes – that thumping in her ears is replaced by a sickening, raw silence, as if a layer of protective skin has just been whipped away, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.
No one else says a word. Karol's cheeks are burning, his mouth hanging open. Estelle's gaze flits nervously between Rita and Judy, and to Yuri, watching for a sign of how they should act. Raven, even the old man, seems somewhat taken aback, no smart ass quip this time. Repede's hackles are up but no growl or whine escapes those powerful jaws. His eyes mirror Yuri's, suspicious slits considering Judy and her response to Rita's outburst. But Yuri's fingers are edging towards his weapon – just in case.
Rita sees none of this, isn't even aware of the eerie whistle of the wind that blows through Mt. Temza over the whole duration of that long, uncomfortable, wordless silence. All Rita sees is Judy. Judy's eyes burning a hole through her, right through her very being. She cannot look away from those eyes…
Without warning, a strange noise emanates from the cave to Rita's right and the spell is broken…