AD 2200, 6/21, Unknown Area – Noel's Church of Sister Mercury
In the study of a humble church sits a young albino woman, clad in a crimson coat and a cotton nightgown. She's leafing through a book of Japanese algebra before a certain word catches her eye. She pauses, brushing her thumb over the word before murmuring it to herself.
"…Juusan..." The young albino tests the word a couple more times before nodding. Her face remains stoic, save for a smile tugging at her pale lips. This will do. This will be her new name.
She closes her book with a satisfying thump and sets it back on the shelf. Tugging the coat tighter around her body with a hand, she walks outside. Her sisters should be hanging laundry today. She's feeling rather healthy today, so it shouldn't be a problem to be outside with them.
She doesn't see Noel anywhere nearby. Lambda notices her and frowns, making her way over. "Sister, what are you doing outside?"
The albino stares back at her middle sister with a stoic expression. She sometimes thinks she might like Noel a little more than Lambda. "My name is Juusan now."
Lambda blinks, then tilts her head. "Juusan?" She lets the word sit in her mouth, then nods. "Alright. I'll make sure to remember from now on, Juusan."
Juusan smiles at Lambda, pleased. Her name sounds good, even from the lips of Lambda. That's good. It means it must suit her well. "Where is Noel?"
Lambda hums. "Miss Alucard needed her to run an errand in Akitsu-Otsu today."
Juusan pouts, feeling frustration creep up on her. She didn't much like waiting for people to come to her, or at least, she thinks she doesn't. It reminds her too much of the time before, when she'd… When she'd…
Juusan clenches her free fist, her knuckles going white. Her head aches and her body thrums with anger. With hate.
Lambda eyes her worriedly, hand rising, unsure if her touch would be welcome or not. Juusan can get like this sometimes. Before she can say anything, Juusan storms away, toward the back of their church. Lambda lowers her hand, frowning sadly. She wishes she knew how to make people smile more, like Noel and her friends.
Thwack
Juusan grunts as her blade sinks into the bark of the dead tree she's found. Murakumo's armor calls to her along with the rest of the Nox Nyctores' blades, wanting to help her excise her anger. But Juusan ignores its whispers. She feels her hackles and ire rise with each foul suggestion pouring in from the weapon. She hadn't even chosen to wield it; Murakumo had chosen her before her birth. She recalls how easily Murakumo could fell this tree, this forest. She hates it. The lone blade she wields is much more to her liking. It reminds her of her brother, of R…
Her eye narrows into a dangerous slit, a feral cry of anger ripping from her throat. She wrenches the blade free and swings with all her might into the tree, splitting it. The pressure of her furious strike also cuts deeply into its neighbor. Warm and sticky sap splatters her all over. It feels like… Like…
B-Thump
Juusan cries out as her covered eye thrums with pain. It sends shockwaves through her collapsing body. She clenches at her bandages, feeling them dampen, with blood or tears, she can't tell. It doesn't matter. She sobs as her mind thrusts the images into her thoughts. She remembers how much she hurt him, and she can't help the bitterness and bile that washes over her tongue. She desperately rips and tears at the coat, casting it off violently. She falls forward, bloodying her knees on a few sharp rocks as she vomits upon the roots bulging from the ground.
She feels herself begin to curl inwards, her voice breathy and quiet. She feels so pathetic, caught in the throes of one of her new fits of weakness. The horrible memories continue to flash into the forefront of her mind. That time when he'd cut her down before she could even move... The way he'd always looked at her with disgust and anger... How she'd always...
'Hehehe, I love you, Ragna~'
She screams her throat raw as she snaps her spine back into an agonized kneeling position. She lets Murakumo free and throws her fury into the sky as sobs continue to wrack her ailing body. The barrage of glowing blades lasts only a few moments, but she knows it will be enough to draw Lambda's eyes. She lies spent and crying on the forest floor. She watches a wolf run away, something about them calls her. Their fur looks... So soft...
After what feels like an eternity, footsteps approach.
Juusan shakily turns her head to see her sister staring at her with trepidation and sadness. Juusan huffs quietly, shame burning low and sour in her gut. She clutches at her chosen blade, the weight of the handle bringing only a little comfort. Her eye and left hand are stinging and grow sticky and slick with what she's certain is her own blood.
Lambda stares at her, the pity in her eyes unmistakable.
Juusan doesn't know what she hates more. Her vulnerability, or that horrid emotion her sister is showing her.
Lambda walks forward and bends, holding out her hand.
Juusan takes it, noting how different their hands look. Lambda's hands carry a light tan and while slightly calloused from battle, unmarred. Juusan's hands are as pale as snow or milk, and covered in harsh, scarred-over cuts. A remnant of a long-gone hero, who'd hated her, she was sure.
Lambda sighs and pulls her to her feet. She helps her avoid the puddle of bile, blood, and sap on the ground beneath their feet.
Juusan groans as her stomach twists and rebels against the movement. She dearly hates this newfound weakness of hers.
Lambda pulls her sister close. She would like to summon her imitation Murakumo to glide them home. But she knows that would probably cause Juusan more trouble than it would be worth. So instead, she begins to walk her sister back to the church. All the way back, she wishes that she knew what to say, or how to help her youngest sister.
AD 2200, 6/30, Unknown Area – Noel's Church of Sister Mercury
Juusan hums as she finishes donning the thigh-high white-soled and trimmed black boots. Noel had gotten them for her to try on. After her last outburst, her eldest sister had seen fit to shadow her whenever she went outside. At first, Juusan had welcomed her comfort and company, but lately, it was beginning to chafe. When Noel had tried to fit her for a habit, something in Juusan had given way. She'd harshly rebuffed the notion that she was going to just stay at Noel's church. Something about that felt… Wrong. Like it wasn't where she needed to be. Juusan huffs as she makes her way out the door.
Noel's eyes brighten when she takes in her sister. She's wearing the boots she'd given her, and the rest of the ensemble. Tasteful black leggings and a dark shirt with black fingerless gloves. She hasn't worn Ragna's coat since her outburst in the forest. Noel can't help but sadly think that it would go great with the outfit. Still, she smiles bright and true, happy that Juusan is willing to try on these clothes for her. "Ah, Juusan, you look great! What do you think?"
Noel steps out of the way of the floor-length mirror, and Juusan frowns. While the boots and gloves feel right like that top did earlier… Maybe… "Hmm…"
Juusan turns and swiftly reenters her room, and Noel sags slightly with a sigh. Juusan looked so good in whatever she chose to wear, Noel was jealous. She looks at the door to her sister's room with a sad frown. Juusan was taking everything so hard on herself. Noel's been trying to get her to see that almost everyone's forgiven her. But the younger woman is stubborn, like the rest of their family. She glances down at her hands and murmurs. "Oh, Juusan…"
After a few moments, Juusan opens her door and steps out, and Noel blinks. She's taken that blue-lined silver bodice from the dress Noel bought her to replace the shirt. Juusan stares at her with some annoyance and tilts her head, and Noel blinks again. She shakes her head and takes in the outfit again. She hums happily, "Well, that works too. You look as good as ever, Juusan."
Noel's bright smile only gets a hum from Juusan, who steps closer to the mirror. While the look feels good to her, it's still not quite right. Wordlessly, Juusan undoes the top button of her bodice. The garment opens, now only held in place by the remaining button.
Noel blinks, confusion plain to see. "Uh…"
Juusan ignores her. These tights are too warm and too clingy on her skin. So, she rips them off to reveal panties that match her bodice to the world. She smiles, that's much better.
Noel squeaks at Juusan's sudden violence towards the garment. She eyes the tatters of cloth for a moment before looking at Juusan's smiling face with annoyance. "What the heck, Juusan? You could've just taken them off if you wanted to try on another bottom."
Juusan glances at her with a hum. "I don't want any bottoms. This will do just fine."
Noel blinks, then raises her brows. "Are you sure?"
Annoyance shines in Juusan's eye. "Yes."
Juusan turns back to the mirror and frowns slightly. The ensemble suits her, but something is missing. She turns on her heel to return to her room and the rest of the clothes.
Noel watches her go with apprehension but decides to let her sister decide what she will wear. Even if it is a bit… revealing.
Several frustrating minutes pass as Juusan ruffles through various outfits. She's searching for the missing piece to her look. She wants something for her shoulders and back. Something colorful. Something like…
Her eye widens as she realizes where her mind is treading. Her stomach twists at the thought of wearing that again. She'd thrown it into her trunk, wanting to hide it from herself. Or herself from it. She wasn't quite sure which. Cautiously, her eye turns to her trunk.
But could she really do that? She'd hurt him so much… But he'd left it for her, hadn't he? Why did he do that? To remind her of what she'd been? To give her something to remember him by?
She shakes her head, feeling another migraine coming. All that matters is that he left it to her. It's not R… his coat anymore. It is hers.
Marching determinably over to the trunk, she wrenches it open. She stares down at the coat for a few moments, then slowly picks it up. As she slides her arms through the sleeves, she stops.
Her right eye is faintly thrumming again, and she feels herself growing nauseous. The weight is no longer comforting, but suffocating, and she whips the coat off, holding it at arm's length.
She breathes deeply, staring at the coat with frustration and curiosity. She knows that she wants to wear this coat. She needs to wear this coat. It can't be anything else. But how can she wear it when the feeling of it around her is so uncomfortable? If only she still had her… cloak…
Noel feels herself fidgeting nervously. Juusan has been in her room for a while now, and she feels her worry build with each passing minute. Has she made a mistake? Was this too much? Maybe Juusan is having another fit. She'd better go and—
Juusan steps out. Ragna's coat drapes over her shoulders like a cloak, her left hand clasping it tightly around her throat. Slowly, she approaches the mirror, and Noel tenses.
Juusan stares at herself wordlessly for a few moments, then turns to Noel stoically. "I'm going to find Lambda; I need a seamstress."
Juusan brusquely walks outside.
Noel snaps herself out of her stupor to trail after her, asking if she's sure she doesn't want to try on anything else.
Juusan huffs in annoyance and glances back at her to refute the offer. She's finally found something that fits. She's not interested in anything else.
Juusan hums as she takes in the new part of her ensemble in the moonlit mirror. Her coat is now a cloak using her old Murakumo collar as its clasp. She wears a tilting belt with a bit of her old Murakumo cloak to act as a sort of side skirt. It covers the side and back of her right thigh. She thinks she likes this look.
Lambda watches Juusan twirl and twist to get different angles with a pleased smile. It's good to see her happy for a change. It had taken some work to get the ornaments she'd wanted on Ragna's coat to sit well enough for travel wear. But she's nothing if not dedicated. She feels rather proud of her work.
Noel is more conflicted. While it's nice to see that Juusan is enjoying her new look, Noel worries about her all the same. There are so many weirdos out there, is it really a good idea to run around like that? But still, she wonders if she should keep such thoughts to herself. Once Juusan has set her mind on something, that's the end of it. Their domesticated wolf, Hund, who now roams around the church fields is a testament to that fact.
Noel thankfully forgets her dilemma, as the scent of roses and a rush of wind fills the room. Noel turns to see Rachel Alucard blinking at Juusan, and a tinge of anxiety travels down her spine.
Rachel hums as she takes in the former Nu. "Are you quite sure it's wise to run around like that? You might catch cold."
Juusan stiffly turns to eye the vampire warily. "…It suits me."
Lambda watches on cautiously, ready to intervene if necessary.
There's no need, as Rachel simply smirks. "I see. In that case, do be careful. There are many troublesome people around these days. They might take offense to such an ensemble. Tell me, have you found a name for yourself yet?"
"It's Juusan." Juusan continues to look Rachel over. So, this is the girl her sisters serve.
Rachel looks Juusan over once again in turn. "Juusan, eh? Well, I suppose it's rather apt." She then turns her attention to Noel, smiling sharply. "Noel, I do believe you are quite ready for a visit, and I find myself overeager to hear how you are all fairing."
Noel nods, still slightly tense. "Right. Um, can we have a few days to get ready?"
Rachel huffs but smiles all the same. "I'll give you another week. I have some business to attend to, but will have Valkenhayn send for you." She meets Juusan's eye once more. "I look forward to getting to know how you've changed, Juusan."
Juusan nods, eye full of cautious curiosity. This girl is powerful, she can remember that much, but thinking any more about it gives her a headache.
Rachel hums, then turns to Lambda. "Lambda, would you be willing to assist me? I find myself in need of your subtle touch."
Lambda nods and rises. "Of course, Miss Alucard. Noel, please wait for me to get back. Don't cook dinner. Understood?" Her maroon eyes are deadly serious.
Noel deflates with a whine. Why won't anyone let her cook anymore? It can't be that bad! Lambda doesn't budge, her eyes narrowing. Noel sighs and pouts sadly. "…Fine."
Lambda nods. "Thank you." She turns to Juusan. "Watch her, please."
Noel groans as Juusan returns Lambda's serious gaze. "Noel won't cook. I'll make sure of it."
Noel's further complaints go unheeded. Her two younger sisters share a binding nod of companionship.
"Well then, let us be off." An amused Rachel daintily takes Lambda's hand, and the two disappear in a haze of wind and rose petals.
Noel continues to slump, and Juusan almost feels guilty. Almost. Her sister's tearily hopeful jade eyes meet hers. "…Not even a ham sandwich?"
Juusan narrows her eye dangerously, "Never again."
AD 2200, 7/7, Unknown Area – Noel's Church of Sister Mercury
Valkenhayn eyes Juusan with a polite, if cautious smile. The young woman before him is very different from the one he remembers seeing only a handful of months ago. Calmer, and certainly more open about herself if her attire is anything to go by. He bows. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Juusan. My name is Valkenhayn R. Hellsing, butler to House Alucard."
Juusan tilts her head but returns the gesture. "It's… nice to meet you too, Mister Hellsing."
Valkenhayn continues to smile, holding out his arm. "Shall we be off? Madam Rachel is eager to have you shown around the castle."
Juusan regards the limb calmly. She then slots her arm through the crook of his elbow, tensing in preparation for their departure.
Valkenhayn chuckles. "Don't worry, you'll hardly feel a thing."
With that, they disappear into the shadows.
AD 2200, 7/7, Castle of Alucard
Juusan quickly scans her surroundings as they reappear. A field of roses, under a bright full moon. She doesn't know how far they've come, but it feels different from any place she's been before.
"I suppose the grounds can be surprising to a newcomer. Please, allow me to give you a tour." Valkenhayn's smile grows as he guides Juusan through the field and into the courtyard proper.
Juusan carefully listens to each word of his tour. Her eye takes in her surroundings as they make their way into the castle proper. Once inside, he guides them through several halls and into a sitting room. Her sisters await, sipping from teacups with the house's mistress. Rachel is sitting beside a rather large cat and a strange bat-like creature. Juusan blinks at the sight of them.
"…And this is the sitting room. Tonight, we will be enjoying a fine rose petal tea with Miss Lambda's cookies. I trust you know them well." Valkenhayn chuckles at the rather cute smile spreading across Juusan's lips.
Juusan eagerly takes the open seat across from Rachel.
Rachel smiles at Juusan as she bites into a cookie with a groan. "I see that you're fond of your sister's baking. You've good taste."
Juusan raises a brow as she finishes the snack. Is this vampire making fun of her? "Yes, I do."
Rachel hums. "That's a relief. Tell me, Juusan, do you know what we've planned for this visit?"
"I do not." Juusan keeps her voice level, eyeing Rachel warily.
Rachel smirks. "I wish to test your mettle as it were. Tell me, are you familiar with Shogi?"
"…Tsumi." Juusan looks up at Rachel with a smirk as she assesses her position on the board.
Finding no way out, Rachel hums and returns the smirk. "Well done, Juusan. You have quite an eye for strategy, I see. We should play again."
Juusan's smirk softens as she begins to reset her pieces. "I would like that."
Noel watches the scene with a smile as bright as a star. When Rachel had suggested the game to her sister, Noel had worried. She'd thought that Juusan would get frustrated with it. But it seems her sister is quite the strategist, and Noel couldn't be more proud or happy for her.
"Draw 2." Lambda's smug voice breaks the happy moment, and Noel whirls to face her, aghast.
"W-What? Lambda, c'mon. You don't mean that!" Noel's desperation only causes Lambda to smirk wider. Noel frustratedly huffs and pouts as she draws the allotted cards.
Valkenhayn chuckles. "Miss Lambda, I've never known you to be so cold-blooded. I should fear for my own safety."
Lambda smiles at him. "There's no need, Mister Hellsing. Noel wasn't paying attention, so I had to make sure she got the message."
Noel glares playfully at her sister. "Oh, I got the message alright. Reverse!"
Noel trembles nervously as Lambda smirks with a cruel glint in her eyes. "…Draw 4."
Noel's cry of anguish echoes through the night, unheard by any who would pity her.
AD 2200, 9/1, Unknown Area – Noel's Church of Sister Mercury
Juusan hums to herself with a conflicted expression as she sits on her long-dead stump. Hund sits on its neighbor, almost like he's standing watch as his mistress loses herself in thought. Absently, she reaches out to scratch his ear, smiling as she hears his tail thumping away happily. Her smile dims somewhat as she remembers her worries. Lambda's birthday party is today. "…Will he show up? …What will I say? …What could I say?"
Juusan remains on her perch for some time, paying no mind to the cold wind lapping at her skin. Eventually, Hund falls asleep, and the sun breaks through the clouds. After checking the pocket watch gifted to her by Valkenhayn, Juusan sighs and rises. She whistles lowly to let Hund know she's leaving to help with the chores. It's only fair that she keeps Lambda from doing anything today. She has no other gifts to give.
Juusan huffs as she pulls the finished cake from the oven. Lambda seems strangely put out by Juusan's insistence that she take the day off. And Noel keeps trying to 'help' with the cooking. Speaking of her oldest sister, she's reaching for the frosting tube. "Noel. No."
Noel pouts at Juusan. "Aw, c'mon! At least let me do this! You can't do this all by yourself."
Juusan narrows her eye. "I can and I will. Now, get out of the kitchen, Noel."
Noel huffs and sadly walks away.
Juusan feels a pang of guilt shoot through her at the sight, and she sighs. "Wait."
Noel perks up, turning around hopefully.
Juusan holds out the pan, trying her best to give a 'comforting' smile. "Please, Noel, hold the pan."
Juusan tilts her head in confusion as Noel sighs sadly and grabs the oven mitts. Her sisters are being so strange today. It's making her even more nervous and tense than she already is.
The sound of approaching voices causes her to drop the frosting tube. But Juusan snatches it back with a fierce frown, causing Noel to sigh again.
Glancing up, Juusan sees the sadness in Noel's eyes as she gazes at her. She feels the needles of anger jabbing at her beneath her skin.
Narrowing her eye, she finishes the cake with a flourish and nods to the door. "Sounds like the guests are here. Take the cake out with the rest of the food. I'll clean up."
Noel looks like she wants to say something. But changes her mind and takes the cake out to the dining room. Over her shoulder, she calls, "Juusan, please be careful today."
Juusan hums, grabbing a rag and getting to work. Best to 'rip off the bandage' as they say.
"Aw, man! Who knew that both your sisters would be such good cooks, Noel?" Makoto takes another hearty bite of her slice of cake, a bright smile shining in her hazel eyes. She'd had her doubts about Juusan, but she's gotta admit, the woman can bake.
"I can cook too! Just you wait, my birthday cake is going to be the best thing you've ever had!" Noel's declaration prompts silent shivers from those around her, though she doesn't seem to pick up on them. Why is everyone being so mean about her cooking? She was proud of her culinary skill, darn it!
Jin breaks his long silence with a huff. "Noel, don't you think you've had enough lessons to know how that ends?"
Noel narrows her eyes dangerously. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
Noel and Jin meet head-on in a fierce battle. Electricity thrums through the air as Makoto and Lambda stiffen. Tsubaki sighs at the sight of the dueling siblings.
"Maybe we should all calm down. Noel, why don't you ask Lambda or…" Tsubaki calmly eyes the door to the kitchen. She's still not sure of how she feels about the other woman. "Juusan, for some advice? I'm sure if you work together, the cake will be amazing."
Noel hums, then smiles brightly. "Thank you, Tsubaki. I'll be sure to get even better. Oh, I can't wait to see you eat my cooking again! I'll make sure you get the biggest piece!"
The rest of the party shares a wary glance, and Tsubaki's sapphire eyes widen at Noel's happy declaration. Hopefully, Juusan will also stop Noel from doing anything on her birthday. Tsubaki loves her dearly, but she also values her life. "N-Noel, I'm flattered, but there's no need to give me special treat—!"
Noel reaches across the table to clasp Tsubaki's hands in her own, her eyes sparkling. "Of course, I do, Tsubaki! You deserve nothing less than my best!"
Makoto nervously chuckles at Noel's cute behavior. She silently wishes Tsubaki the best of luck.
Jin and Lambda are already scheming ways of keeping Noel away from the kitchen.
Tsubaki flushes at the affectionate display, her eyes still wide. "T-Thank you, Noel, But I insist, don't give me any special treatment. I think you should have the biggest piece. After all, it will be your special day." Tsubaki nervously laughs, trying to pull her hands away.
But Noel tugs her closer, until their noses brush, her eyes deadly serious. "Tsubaki, I am going to give you the biggest, tastiest piece of cake you've ever had. If you don't go crazy from happiness, I'll never cook again." Noel's solemn promise does little to ease Tsubaki's dread. Although the promise of future safety for others is rather tempting. Especially to those around them.
"I-I'll keep that in mind, Noel. Thank you." Tsubaki feels a bead of sweat drips down her ever-darkening cheeks.
Noel continues to hold her gaze, her eyes softening. Is she getting closer? My, but it's rather warm this afternoon.
Jin raises his brows, his eyes narrowing. It seems that the pining will finally be at an end.
Makoto watches keenly, leaning into Lambda, pressing her breasts into the shorter woman.
Lambda hums as she too observes her sister's affectionate showing. Miss Yayoi has been visiting when she can. Lambda has been taking careful note of their courtship, to pursue her own… interests. No one else notices her glance down at her shoulder with a small smile.
Unfortunately, Juusan chooses that moment to stride out of the kitchen. She blinks and rolls her eye at the sight of her sister and Tsubaki. The magic breaks like a wine glass cast upon a stone floor from a vaunted throne.
Noel blinks, then leans back to look at Juusan with a frown. "Juusan? Is something wrong?"
Tsubaki then blinks as well. Politely coughing, she pulls her hands away, cheeks still burning.
Makoto holds back a groan, her tail wilting as the moment fades completely.
Lambda also feels a little put out but prioritizes her worry for their youngest sister. She's been so tense today.
Jin glares at his youngest 'sister'. He still doesn't trust her little change of heart. Her interference here, purposeful, or not, does little for his opinion of her.
Juusan looks back at them with annoyance, matching Jin's glare. "I'm done cleaning. I'm going for a walk. Don't come looking for me, I want to be alone."
Juusan stiffly takes her leave. Something about that open display of affection is eating away at her. She needs to find another tree to topple, and soon.
Noel starts to stand, intent on chasing after her, before Jin's cold eyes land on her accusingly.
"Noel, don't." His words are precise and stern, leaving little room for argument.
Noel blinks, frowning at Jin. "Jin, Juusan can't go out all alone like that. You don't know—"
"I do, actually." Jin narrows his eyes at Noel. He knows better than most the need for solitude. He despises those who don't allow for such space when given a warning.
Noel narrows her eyes right back. "She gets fits, Jin. She can't move, and she… she can hurt herself. Don't try and stop me."
Jin rises to his feet, eyes gleaming with intent. "You don't think she knows that? She told you to leave her alone. I suggest you listen."
Noel raises her brows. Jin only uses her full name these days when he's losing his patience with her. Why is he being so stubborn now? He and Juusan haven't traded more than a handful of words since their reunion. "But—"
"Noel, leave it, please." Tsubaki looks uncomfortable, and Noel feels a pang of guilt.
Looking back at her brother, she sighs frustratedly. His eyes narrow further, and she sits back down. "If she gets hurt…" Her glare says the rest.
Jin sits down, huffing. "You can't protect her all the time. Let her decide if the risk is worth it." He digs right back into his puffs.
Noel watches him thoughtfully.
As Juusan nears the tree line, she registers the sound of approaching footsteps. She whirls around, ready to lecture Noel again about respecting her space. Her words die right alongside her heart.
"…Hey." Ragna stares at her, his expression unreadable. "Uh, I saw you storming off when I got here. Is something wrong?"
Juusan stares at him, eye wide and dilating. Her body shudders and begins to betray her, threatening another collapse. She clutches at the throat of her cloak in reflex.
Ragna watches her, his mismatched ruby and emerald eyes widening at first, then narrowing in concentration. He's seen Jin do something like this too many times for his liking. He steps back a meter or so, doing his best to get his face to lose its tension. "I'm guessing you wanna be alone, so I'll leave you to it. Don't do anything stupid, alright?"
His eyes bore into her single one with concern.
Juusan feels her heart stutter at such emotion coming her way from this man. Her oldest brother. Her…
"R… ag… na…" Juusan's voice is deathly quiet as she murmurs his name like a prayer.
Ragna, sensing the coming shitstorm if he sticks around, nods and pivots. He strides around the corner and into the church proper if the cacophony of voices is any indication.
Juusan falls to her knees, her right eye thrumming once again. She feels the anger rushing back. She tightens her hands, fisting the grass in a white-knuckle grip as she holds her breath.
Ragna doesn't hate her. He didn't glare at her, didn't scream at her. He looked… sad for her. Almost like he…
Shakily, she exhales.