Yukino found her on the steps, drenched to the bone, both feet bare under her tattered dress. Though apparently asleep, the sandal in her hand, it's strap broken, was clutched between her fingers, the knuckles pale and white as if tensed from holding on. Her long, black hair clung to her face and shoulders like seaweed, and long black lashes were frail crescent moons carrying transparent, little pearls of water.
The youjo had knelt down slowly, the sound of laughter drifting out from The Firefly House somewhat hushed by the steady rush of late February rain. Winter was leaving, and with the promise of warmer months more and more wandered into The Village of Respite in the hopes of finding some beautiful young thing to while the nights away with.
"Just a little while longer, please,"
The whisper startled Yukino, but not as much as the sightless eyes that opened for her to see. "I won't linger very long." The murmur was soft and hoarse, as if short of all voice had left her. She watched, her umbrella still clutched in her own hand, as the girl straightened, and Yukino noticed for the first time the leather case that sat quiet on her lap.
"Just until the rain stops," Trembling hands lifted to brush away her matted hair, and her face remained as impassive as a porcelain mask. When the hand fell away, the fingers settled protectively over the edge of the case, curling in like hooks to keep it there.
"Please...?"
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written to: sadame (for piano) // sato naoki (xtv soundtrack)
prompts: whisper, rain;