inbox.

[girlybruiser]

❝ You have reached Haru Okumura. I apologize if I was unable to answer your call.
Please leave a message with your name and number after the beep and I will respond at the earliest convenience. Thank you very much! ❞

Comments

[queenofseers]

[ Cassandra pauses for a moment, not saying anything- but after running a hand over her forehead, pushing her hair back a bit, she sighs and waves her hand. ]

You know...I wouldn't remember back in my world, obviously, but this place is frankly just as bad. Maybe worse, in some ways? I should be used to it by now.

And it's not as if it's not the same thing for you, from what I've heard.

[ After all, she can still barely make sense of some of what Haru's told her. ]

[girlybruiser]

No, my world is nothing like this or yours.

[ It isn't meant to be an abrasive comment or anything like that; Cassandra's world sounds almost as chaotic as this one. Haru's was chaotic, but they were able to stop the worst from unfolding. ]

I'm... [ And she had come here somewhat upset with Cassandra for not telling Haru she was back, but it's hard to feel angry after the entire conversation they have just had. ] I'm sorry. Martin told me you had returned and I was surprised to hear it. I didn't understand why you wouldn't have told everyone you were back as we were worried, but...

I understand a lot better now.

[queenofseers]

I- [ She looks away again. She has an easier time acknowledging things like this than she used to, but it’s still shameful. ]

I should have let you know, anyway. You must have been thinking I was still gone, and...you’re a good friend, Haru. You didn’t deserve to have to find out like that, no matter what fucked-up shit I did before I died. I’m sorry.

[ It was easier, not to tell anyone. She told herself that keeping her distance was what was deserved. And yet people keep coming to tell her they missed her, that they wanted her back, again and again. She still barely knows what to say to it. ]

[girlybruiser]

I have to admit when I was coming over I was quite annoyed, but...

[ She's since then calmed down considerably. ]

I'm just really glad you're back, Cassandra.

[queenofseers]

[ It hurts to hear Haru, who Cassandra hasn't seen bear a real grudge toward anyone but Woden, admit that. She bites back any biased comments; sure, Haru doesn't know how she felt, but Haru's anger was the kind of anger she'd have. What is she to say about it? ]

...I would have been annoyed too. Hell.

[ She awkwardly taps a spoon in her half-drunk coffee, letting it twirl around against the edge. ]

I really am a fucking hypocrite about everything. Why'd it take me this long to figure that out?

[girlybruiser]

That isn't your fault, Cassandra.

[ It's not as if this was all a meticulously calculated plan of hers. If anything, it sounds as if Cassandra had been trapped in someone else's web of lies and corruption without knowing.

Haru has seen this kind of treacherous behavior and even experienced it herself. ]

Don't blame yourself for this.

[queenofseers]

I know. I know, yeah.

[ And she does, but there's a reason her response comes as a bit of a mumble. She gets up, half-tossing her mug in the sink.

Haru is right- nothing that's happened to her was, in the end, her fault. She was a pawn in all of this. And yet...she should have known better. Should have done better. ]

Sorry. You don't need me venting all this bullshit to you. You just came for an explanation.

[girlybruiser]

I'm glad you told me. I appreciate it, Cassandra.

[ She offers her a delicate smile, but it's a genuine one. ]

[queenofseers]

[ After a moment, Cassandra, though briefly, gives her a small smile back. It's fleeting, but...she thinks Haru is being genuine.

And, in a way, she's happy Haru can be honest with her. Even if the truth hurts. ]

Come on, let's...let's go sit down somewhere else. Go outside or something. [ She ought to make some part of this visit pleasant. ]