Time is never time enough, and you can never, ever leave without leaving a piece of youth. - The Smashing Pumpkins, "Tonight Tonight"
Tick tock, tick tock.
Dante ran her fingers through her hair, the gentle sound brushing against her ears and the metronome of the clock lulling her into a world visible through half-lidded eyes. In the reflection of the mirror, she could see silver locks twine about her fingers then slide back down to her shoulders, see the creases in her skin shift as her arms moved, see the goose bumps dot her breasts as they heaved with every cold breath. It was inevitable, of course, and Dante did realize that she was no longer as beautiful as she once was.
And she just had to be beautiful; it was devastating.
"Rubbing it won't stop it from falling out." Voice smug, Envy sneered at her from his perch on the windowsill. A frown instantly marred Dante's face. He didn't understand. Of all people, he alone would never understand. He could be whoever he wanted, whenever he wanted; if he so chose, he could alter himself entirely.
Tick tock, tick tock.
She continued brushing through her hair, never taking her eyes from the mirror. "Perhaps it's just that I'm beginning to notice what has left me."
"Oddly sentimental, coming from you." The look he was given was meant to silence him, but he only bared his teeth in a grin. "Don't you usually get yourself a new one by now?" Envy was taunting her, his tone said that much. Her frown deepened, but any words she would have said were cut off by a soft knock.
"Enter."
A small girl entered; Envy shot her a look of pure disgust. Quickly enough, however, his displeased scowl shifted, replaced by an amused smirk.
Lyra curtsied. "May I get you anything?" The request was formal, said in an innocent tone. The girl had already learned her place, this much was plain to see.
For a moment, the old woman offered no response, simply watching the young girl with hawk like eyes. And then Dante laughed.
Tick tock, tick tock.