deercountry | return those voices echoing in the sea (closed)

[Scorpia's a bit puzzled. One minute, she was touching her Winter Mourning to test it out. The next, she finds herself in an elevator with a familiar face. She raises a friendly pincer as she greets her with a confused smile.]

Oh, hi there, Ange!

[...Wait. make that two familiar faces.]

...And... Another Ange! Or... do you have a sister?

Nope, that's just another Ange.

[ It's perhaps slightly too casual of a tone to say that sort of statement with, but Ange can't help it. It's partially her own tendency to deal with these sorts of situations in this way, and partially the way that she knows Scorpia is...

.. well, Scorpia doesn't tend to react to situations in the same way most people do. Let's just put it like that. It feels like the most polite way to Ange.

So she figures she can get away with being a little bit casual about it. ]

It's just a memory. [ When the other Ange doesn't turn to look at them, despite their clear conversation, Ange gestures at the other girl with an arm.. as far as she can in this not-too-big elevator, anyway. ] See? She can't even hear us.

Oh, so that's - that's another you. [She pokes at her chin with a thoughtful smile.] Are you sure she can't hear us?

[Scorpia decides to test this for herself, by waving her pincer around in front of the memory Ange while speaking.]

Hello? Past Ange? Can you see or hear me? Tall - tall scorpion gal here! Got a stinger and everything! ... Don't worry, it's not lethal and also we're gonna be great friends someday! How do you feel about that?

[ Part of Ange feels like making a deadpan joke at that last part.

But she's deciding to be merciful right now, instead not saying anything. Perhaps it's also part of proving her point here - proving the fact that the other Ange truly can't see or hear Scorpia, since she isn't reacting to a sudden giant scorpion lady in an elevator.

Even with the stuff Ange had already seen at this point, that would still have been pretty wild.

Instead she focuses on the elevator around her while Scorpia talks to the memory-Ange. She's trying to figure out what memory this is. Surely it's not just some boring memory of a board meeting she was forced to sit in on. Or even one of her talking to weird mystery-loving professors..

But then the elevator stops. The doors open, and memory-Ange walks out into a short hallway that leads up to a door. ]

See? I told you that she doesn't notice us. [ The actual Ange says, watching as the Ange from the memory opens up the door.

And as she steps out, it seems like it leads towards an open roof. ]

[She makes a few more attempts at catching the memorAnge's attention before giving up, with a soft shrug of her shoulders.]

Yep! Yep, now there's no doubt about it. This is one genuine memory, and she's so much of a memory she can't even see her future pal!

[But what kind? It's the kind of question that gives Scorpia pause and fills her with uncertainty. She doesn't want to intrude on something personal, and she's well aware that this might not be a happy memory, but there's no turning back now. As the elevator opens, she cautiously follows.]

So, uh, what kinda memory is this anyway?

Ah.

[ The question Scorpia asked just turned a million times more awkward. In the elevator Ange could have given any random deadpan answer, and any of them would have been as true as any other, since Ange wouldn't have had any idea which specific moment of her life it was supposed to be.

But this moment?

Ange knows exactly what this moment is. It's still on her mind, sometimes. All she has to do is see the Ange from the memory walk out onto the roof, and the actual Ange knows what's about to happen as she follows. ]

.. you know, Scorpia. It's fine. You can just stay back there.

[ That sure is an omnious answer, isn't it. Especially since the actual answer to the question is missing from what she's saying here. ]

[That really is not an answer to her question. It makes Scorpia's frown grow, and her brow furrows as she wonders what's going on.]

You know! If it's all the same to you, I think I'll come with. I'm here now, might as well go all the way!

[She tries to handle it lightly, but she worries. It really feels like she's at the edge of something daunting. Something difficult to Ange. So she tries to give a soft smile.]

...And whatever this memory is, whatever's going on... I want to be here with you Ange. To be here for you!

[ It's too much. Why does Scorpia have to pick this moment, of all times, to say this sort of thing? To remind Ange of why she can't just brush the other off all the time? Sure, Scorpia is socially brash in a way that's almost kind of annoying to Ange, but.. at the same time, she's also nice. She's a good person.

It's why she shouldn't have to see any of this.

Ange's shoulders - the one on the actual Ange next to Scorpia, that is - seem to tense. ]

It's just a memory. [ Not just a memory, but still.. ] It's already happened. I've already experienced it, so.. it's no big deal.

[ But even as current-Ange is saying that, memory-Ange seems to have arrived at the big chainlink fence that surrounds the roof on all edges.

.. and she's starting to climb up the fence. ]

[Scorpia knows tensing shoulders when she sees them. Something about this thing just doesn't feel right, but there's no turning back. And she won't turn back, not when she can be there for her friend. Scorpia did want to know more about her, she's just not sure this is the way she'd want to learn things!]

It... I think it has to be some kind of a deal for us to be here.

[It's supposed to be important and powerful memories they end up in, after all.

And there's some kind of power in this one. Not a good kind of power at all.

As she finishes speaking, Scorpia's eyes trail upwards following the memory Ange up the fence. The color drains from her face and her words as she speaks.]

Wh-what is she... What are you doing...

[Why would someone climb a fence on a roof. That's just dangerous.]

[ Ange doesn't answer.

She's not sure why she isn't answering. Is it some sort of shame? Not really, because it really had felt like the right decision in that moment. The only one. If there was absolutely nothing left for her in life, if everyone around her just wanted her to die, then.. what else was she supposed to do?

Other than what the Ange in the memory is doing now. Climbing on top of the fence, and then climbing down the other side, so she's standing on the very thin edge of the roof on that side.

The actual Ange takes a few steps forward, further onto the roof, slightly closer towards the other Ange. She can see the buildings that surround this one. The city covered by the darkness of the night, with only the light shining out of the windows of rooms and offices. ]

She's thinking.

[ Ange finally speaks up. The actual Ange. With her back towards Scorpia, until the other follows her further out.

She's trying desperately to keep her tone as neutral as possible. It's mostly succeeding - but only mostly. ]

She's thinking.. about how the world below looks so far away from here. She's imagining that this place is the closest place to the world she should instead be in.

[Scorpia's worries multiply as the other Ange makes her way to the other side of the fence. While Ange takes a few steps forward, Scorpia rushes towards the fence, as if it will make a different. And she looks back towards the current Ange, distraught. Her words are only increasing the uneasy feeling stirring within the pit of her stomach.]

Th-the world she should be in... [She echoes that with a weak voice. Then she goes on desperately-]

...The sky, right? That's the world, isn't it? She wants to be in the world of the sky, like a bird. That's why she's up there...

Oh Ange. Never - never took you for a bird person!

[She sounds like she hasn't quite convinced even herself of that, but she's trying to cling to it. While tears build in her eyes.]

...R-right?

[ Ange notices it too. That tone Scorpia is using, as if she herself knows better than that too, but at the same time doesn't want to put the reality of what's happening here in front of their eyes into words.

Which makes the burden fall onto Ange's own shoulders, technically. But does she want to? Wouldn't it just make Scorpia feel awful, judging by the reaction the other is already having right now?

But ignoring the elephant in the room is also hard.

Ange looks down for a moment, at her shoes, before she can look back at Scorpia - and the water gathering in the other's eyes really hits her right in the heart, making something sad sneak into her tone when she finally speaks up. ]

You.. already know that isn't it. Right?

[Scorpia's always tried to see the bright side of things, the better possibilities, even when it's hard. But right now, it feels harder than ever. Faced with the idea of her dear friend contemplating something like this... it makes her feel colder than her blood ever could.

She tries to blink back her tears, and she looks towards Ange slowly. She shakes her head in denial.]

N-no... No. It can't be. Ange, tell me, tell me I'm thinking wrong. Please, please tell me you aren't... you weren't... going to... to do that! [She doesn't specify what 'that' is, but her desperate tone may make it as clear as it needs to be.]

.. I can't lie.

[ Or, well, she could.

But Ange is pretty sure that the memory is about to prove her wrong, so what would that lie be for? Just so Scorpia could have some fake peace of mind for a minute or so before it's cruelly betrayed?

So she just says it. Ange doesn't look happy about it, but she does. ]

This is where I tried to kill myself. Because.. I no longer saw any other way out for myself. [ Her tone is mostly even, but something about it shakes just faintly, because it's so hard to bear the sight of Scorpia looking like this. ] I just wanted to be with my dead family again, no matter what it would take.

[And there goes. Scorpia seems to crumple with the weight of those words, of that confirmation. She stays there breathlessly for a moment, dropping to her knees.]

A-Ange... Ange, no...

[The tears are running down her face now as she looks at her friend, her friend she might never have been able to meet if things had gone differently. Sorry, but she will try to wrap her in a hug again. Her words are breathed now and barely audible.]

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry!! You - no one should have to feel that way! Your... family...

[ Thankfully this might be the one situation where Ange will accept that hug without griping too much about it. There's not even any real mental griping, because it's obvious how emotional Scorpia is about this entire idea. About the very idea of something happening to Ange.

It's strange, to have someone care so much. Especially when - Ange remembers - she felt like no one would care about her, that no one would cry when she was standing on that ledge. And it had been true in that moment.

But now? .. Well, clearly not anymore. ]

It's okay, Scorpia.

[ Ange glances over at her other self. Maybe if she can keep Scorpia looking at her instead, Scorpia won't have to see it happening. ]

I'm.. better now. This is from a long time ago, you know? Before I ever even showed up in Deerington, let alone Trench. .. Things changed.

[ For the better, thankfully. ]

It's just that that didn't happen until I left my world. [ It's a sad, low bar when Deerington is better than your own world, isn't it.. ]

[Scorpia keeps a tight hold on the present Ange and isn't watching the past one while she focuses on trying to comfort her, speaking much more quietly and slowly than usual.]

I... I knew you had some kind of rough past. But I had no idea it was th-this... this bad...

[She remembers seeing those apparent demons that Ange killed which came back to life. That was a whole thing in itself! But this is a horror and a sadness of its own.]

I am here for you now. We all are, ev- every friend you have here Ange! And I don't want to change that for anything.

[He pauses, uncertain, before she shakily asks.]

Did sh- Did you... Did you do it...?

[ This bad, huh. It almost feels weird to hear it being referred to in such a way. After all.. to Ange, it was just her daily life. It was just the way things were.

But before she can say anything about that, there's Scorpia's question. Yet another question she can't answer with a lie, but also doesn't want to answer with the truth.

Ange hears a door slam open behind them. The same door they entered the rooftop from. A bunch of guys in black suits rush out, shouting.

"Ange-san! Get away from there!" ]

You can just not look. [ Ignoring the men, who don't seem capable of spotting the two of them anyway in this memory, Ange just keeps looking at Scorpia while the other is clinging to her.

She's not giving a direct answer, but what she's saying here is implying a lot, isn't it. Purposefully so. ] .. it's fine.

[She hears the slamming door, but it just registers as background noise to her. Scorpia remains focused and fixated on Ange, tears continuing to flow at how awful this whole situation is. And it isn't helped by Ange's answer, or lack thereof.]

No it's not! This isn't fine at all! [Scorpia whimpers back. Then she releases her hold on Ange to look back towards the past one and cry back at her.]

D-don't do it! Please, Ange! Come back! Things might be awful now, but... they're gonna get so much better! You're gonna get a bunch of awesome friends and a cool girlfriend... Please, please don't give up!

She has no idea. [ Ange mumbles.

Because she knows it's true. She can remember it, even at this point. The way she felt back then, this night, out on this rooftop. The way she couldn't imagine things ever getting better, since her situation was so impossible to escape.

Not like she knew she'd be drawn away by a dreamworld, and then have the opportunity to move onto another world and become a squidperson.. Even with the existence of witches and all, that possibility would have seemed way too far out there.

Ange has no time to say anything else to Scorpia though. She can't even tell the other to turn back around, to not look.

Because the Ange of the memory is already moving, turning back to look at the men who rushed out onto the roof. It's like she's looking right past Scorpia. Like she can't even see the other.

"Ah, it's useless." The Ange from the memory says, her tone flat, but her eyes empty. "It's all useless. This is it. Goodbye. See you again."

She turns back, looking forward..

.. and then that Ange jumps off the edge of the building, letting herself plunge towards the city below. ]

Edited 2021-12-25 13:23 (UTC)

Ange!! No!!

[Scorpia's voice is shrill and pained as she cries out. The past Ange's words are heartbreak, and - just like that, she's gone.

Sobbing like a mess, Scorpia just races forward towards the edge and tries tearing away at the fence.]

Ange!! Ange!! ANGE!!! [Her words then dissolve into incoherent sobs.]

[ There's no way Ange can just stay put when Scorpia is having that reaction.

Sure, there's still a moment where she stands there, as if frozen, but then she's already moving forward. A hand lands on Scorpia's shoulder, trying to pull the other back and away from the fence, though it's hard with how tiny Ange is in comparison to the other. ]

Scorpia. [ She first says, and if she doesn't get the other's attention just yet, she will repeat: ] Scorpia! It's okay.

[ Well, maybe not this situation.

But the end result is. ]

I'm here. I'm here..!

[She's practically in a blind fury. She wants to do something, anything to change this! What if it's not too late? What if she can somehow... catch Ange, or bring her back up?

Other noises are like background static now, but if there's one voice that can cut through in this moment, it's that of Ange herself. Scorpia looks back at her with her face lined by tears.]

A-ange...

[And now she drops down to her knees, while going back into the tightest hug ever.]

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry!!

It's fine.. I promise.

[ Even though Ange doubts that Scorpia will let that get through to her so easily, Ange can't help but repeat it all the same. Because it is fine. Maybe the circumstances that brought her to do this aren't, but Ange can hardly find herself caring about those when they're so far behind her.

The girl on the roof.. that isn't her anymore.

It hasn't been for pretty much a year by now, if not longer. ]

It doesn't matter how I got to Trench. [ Through a crappy life, through suffering in Deerington--

Unsure of where to leave her arms in this tight hug, Ange just lets them awkwardly be clamped to her sides by Scorpia. ]

What matters is that I'm here now, right..? You.. [ She starts, then frowns. Sighs. Shakes her head. ] You shouldn't think so much about this. I'm not thinking about it either.

[If that's the case, Ange probably can't move her arms even if she want too. Scorpia has her in the death grip of love, as if afraid that if she lets go of Ange, she'll just fade away into nothing. She has to hold onto this life with all of the preciousness that it contains!]

...It's hard not to think about it. I just... I just saw you go. And now I want to keep on holding onto you and maybe put you in some kinda bubble to keep you safe forever!

[She takes a breath as she calms down and processes more of Ange's words.]

B-but... but you do have a point. What matters is that you're here and alive, Ange. You have your life again, and you're living it! It needs to be a really long and super happy one, okay Ange? Promise me that, please. A- an ultimate friendship promise.

return those voices echoing in the sea (closed)

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cw: suicide

Re: cw: suicide

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