[o] - A Pink Flower

[Astraea Selah]

Astraea allowed her mind to wander for the first time in a while. Things had been so hectic lately that she was having a hard time handling it all. There was simply much in terms of 'damage control' that she was being forced to handle after the Elegies actions. The title still burned Astraea to the core of her being. Were they really that wrong in wanting to protect the city? Astraea let out the softest of sigh as she stepped outside into the garden, taking in the feeling of the chilly Autumn air. Astraea knew that some people didn't enjoy the cold, but when it was a brisk chill as it was on this day she felt it helped keep her in her right mind. Chills could be rejuvenating and kept Astraea focused on the present rather than everything else. Wrapped in a soft coat of moderate warmth took off the sting, making the cool exclusively beneficial to the young woman. Pulling her hair over her shoulder, Astraea stepped a little further into the garden.

The Legato Gardens were a pleasant escape from the rest of her world, but she wasn't there to escape. The gardens were where Astraea had decided to have her meeting with the twins. Not that they had done anything wrong, but it was time for her to check up on them. Astraea commonly checked up on the muses and the rest of the Sanctuary to assure she was doing all she could to have it running smoothly. One thing in the city at least should run smooth and it had to be the Sanctuary. Everyone was depending on it. Astraea found a bench to settle on in the open area of the garden and made herself comfortable while she thought. It would probably be a while until the twins got there, so she had a little time to kill. Astraea took in the peaceful feeling of the garden and drew in a deep breath of the fresh air. Surroundings tended to weave in with Astraea's mind and set her general mood, which is why she always liked to chose places like the garden for the meetings about things she didn't like speaking of.

It seemed almost as if she didn't like speaking of anything these days though. Too much conversation almost made Astra uneasy. She didn't mind being polite and 'playing' for others' benefit, but she was getting worse at holding up that act. It was simply too much work and she didn't like doing it. Especially when everyone has let her know that her kind weren't appreciated anymore. Would children of two generations in the future still see the four music mages as Elegies? As disgraces? That was the kind of thing she avoided thinking about. Her hands had stained the image of the legend forever. Astraea began to run her fingers through her hair, letting her eyes search the area for anything to serve as a distraction. There were a few flowers in the garden that could bloom all year round, but many were painted over with the fallen leaves of the trees. Astraea always used to love Autumn in her childhood and it remained her favorite season, but it was so hard to enjoy.

With a slight sigh, Astraea hoped silently that Shine and Shade would arrive soon so that she could stop moping and get into the task at hand.

[Shine & Shade Kuroiya]

“WOO HOO!”

Shine burst through a group of leaves, laughing as they were knocked into the chilly air and fell around them. She hummed the Phonic’s hymn to herself as she did it and gazed back at Shade. The boy gave a sigh as he watched his sister ram into piles of leaves like a five year old. How immature could you get…? He stuck his hands behind his head as he continued to walk toward the destination where they were to meet the head Elegy, Astraea. He had heard a lot of things about her, most of them not very good. She had a dark nickname because of rumors about her being the goddess of death, Lady Grim. But he was taught better than to judge a person he barely knew. Also what did she want from them…? Had they done something wrong? As he thought, a burst of leaves smacked him in the face, having been thrown by Shine. That was the last straw and he lashed out.

“Would stop playing around and hurry up?! We’re already late for the meeting!”

Shine gave her brother a pout as she skipped in circles around him. Shade had always been like that all his life. Short tempered and always wanting to get to the point. He could never appreciate the details of everything around them. In her mind, he needed to start enjoying life more instead of being a Gloomy Gus. She gave him a quick jab in his ribs with her index finger as she replied back.

“I dunno why you’re telling ME to hurry up. You’re the one who’s walking. If anything you’re the the one who’s slowing me down. OH! I HAVE AN IDEA! Let’s race like we used to when we were kids Shade!”

Shade groaned at the thought. Sure he was in a hurry, but did they really have to run? They could just walk at a fast pace? Sigh… Of course they couldn’t… Not when Shine wanted to do something… The girl’s spirit as nigh irrepressible…

“Readyyyyyyy. Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet…………………GO!”

At the sound of “GO!” she immediately sprinted. And Shade could resist no longer as he bolted right after her. He had always been competitive with her. Whether it had been with training their blade or in their magic, it was always a contest of who was the best. Leaves flew up in their wake as they ran into Legato Gardens, neck in neck with each other. There weren’t many flowers left since the cold air came a bit suddenly this year but random patches of color could be seen. And that was when they both saw something bright pink. But they weren’t any flowers. It was the head Elegy Astraea! Shade slowed down while Shine kept the same speed, halting right in between two large trees they had always counted as the finished line as children. And coincidentally, one resided behind the bench where Lady Grim sat.

“Woo! I win!”

Shade came up slowly, his face red from exertion but also out of embarrassment. The head Elegy hadn’t exactly caught them at their best moment… And apparently Shine didn’t notice she was there because she commenced to do a little victory dance.

“I beeeeat you! I really beeeeeeeat you!”

“Shine…”

“You are a looooooooser! Because I whooooooooped you!”

“Shine.”

“You are so jeaaaaaaaalous! Of my mad skiiiiiiiiiiiills!”

“Shine! Turn around…”

Shine, wondering what the hell her brother as talking about, turned and became beet red. How had she not noticed the woman sitting right there!? Oh my god this was so embarrassing! What if she thought they weren’t suitable to be teachers anymore because of this idiotic display! Shine quickly bowed multiple times to Astraea, stuttering out an apology.

“M-Miss Astraea! I’m so so sorry! I had no idea you were right there! We aren’t normally like this I was just… We just decided that… I-I don’t know but please don’t fire me!”

[Astraea Selah]

Peace reigned in the garden until the tale-tell sounds of the twins finally floated to Astraea's ears. They weren't actually too late, which was pleasant. Her gaze wandered about, trying to pin down the sounds of... running? Astraea looked a little harder until the sight of Shine running at full speed came into view and she suddenly found herself smiling warmly. Those two muses were like children sometimes and their innocence was refreshing. It didn't matter all the hardship they had gone through, they still found ways to be happy. Astraea even envied that quality, for she feared she'd never experience it every again. The two may have suffered before, but they still found they could smile honestly and forget about their troubles every once and a while. Astraea hadn't experienced since she first heard the whispers. It's Lady Grim! Don't step too close because she's a goddess of death. I hear if she can revive people so easily she can kill you with a stray thought!

By the time Shine finally finished her race, Shade having stopped upon seeing Astraea, the young Elegy was staring intently. Shine began to brag, obviously having won. It was pleasant to see the two having fun, though it stung at her heart a little to see how Shade looked at her. Shine was goaded to turn around by her brother finally and the young woman blushed her embarrassment, bowing and sputtering out a sudden reply. The reaction and the displays of status were somewhat alien to Astraea and it took her a moment to process it. They thought of Astra in a higher position than they, and it was true on paper, but she didn't feel like it anymore. Ever since the Lady Grim rumors started to circulate and Elegy, a god forsaken title, was placed on her head Astraea felt like a lowly creature undeserving of any praise. The 'Miss' before her name had her confused for a moment and it probably showed on her face.

Once she managed to recover, Astraea forced a smile. Luckily her looks could probably make it seem honest enough. "Please don't worry about formalities with me, Shine. You can just call me Astra, okay?" After a short pause, Astraea stood and pulled her hair over her shoulder once more, nervously running her fingers through it lightly. It was one of her more recent nervous habits that she should probably try to cut back on. "I hope this meeting won't be too much of an inconvenience to you two. Just more formalities and obligations unfortunately, but I promise I'll try not to take too long." Once more the young woman mustered up a semi-honest looking smile that she hoped would put the twins at ease. The two had most certainly heard the rumors of her by then and hopefully they didn't think her a bad person from them.

Astraea took a quick glance to Shade. If either of them would take those rumors to heart she thought it may be him. Shade was the 'darker' of the twins and seemed to handle life in a different way. Astraea didn't fully understand either, but he would be the more likely to believe the dark rumors of her she thought sadly. She shouldn't judge about it though. Maybe they were all right. Maybe Astraea was a monster.

[Shine & Shade Kuroiya]

Shade and Shine shook their heads in unison. She wanted them to call her Astra...? Perhaps she simply wanted to be friends... After all, if you acquire a nickname such as "Lady Grim", it'd be hard to make any friends at all... Shine sat next to her on the bench as Shade stood with his arms crossed. He did not approve of Shine suddenly plopping down next to Head Elegy as if it were some normal person. She was their superior after all and in such, they should show her a little respect. Of course, all Shine wanted to do was cheer up Astra a bit. Even though she had smiled at them, she had an air about her... One of sadness and loneliness. Shine had a sixth sense about these things and always stuck her nose in to help, even if the help was unwanted.

"It was no trouble at all, Miss Astae-.... Ahem... Astra."

"So Astra Girl! Now that we have introductions out of the way, what's up?"

Shade shot Shine a dark look to tell her to show respect. Sure Astraea had asked Shine to call her by a nickname but Astra Girl? Might as well just say they were incompetent, strip them of their titles and call it a day... She had mentioned their obligations though... Did she have a job that she wanted them to do? What could it be...? He doubted it would be something of great importance if she was coming to them. After all, Llyr knew all the Forbidden magic. The most they could do was rain meteors and hellfire from the skies... Shade looked the woman in the eye after bonking Shine on the back of the head for lack of respect.

"OW!"

"What obligation would you have us fulfill, Astra?"

[Astraea Selah]

When Shine decided to settle down next to her, Astraea felt an odd relief that she tried not to outwardly express. The Elegy sat back down on the bench once the young muse had, feeling a bit better about sitting there when someone else was too. Shade was clearly still uncomfortable, though he did manage at least to call her Astra instead of Miss Astraea. Little steps like that were all that the Elegy could ask for considering her reputation. If it was possible she'd like to imagine she could change perceptions of her, at least at the Sanctuary. Some of the people brought back with the Requiem were thankful they were being given a chance at life again and they were the ones who adored her, but then there were the others who resented death, thus resenting her in the process. It seemed the more she struggled to get away from the persona 'Lady Grim' the more she thought about how she just might be the monster everyone viewed her as.

A smile came to her lips when Shine spoke though. It was still that innocence that Astra could so treasure that sparkled in her personality like a rare gem. The way that the girl was so informal and relaxed when she asked what was up made Astra smile all the more. Her brother didn't seem to appreciate the frank attitude though. A deep stare and a thwack on the head of Shine later, Shade asked more formally what was required of them. Astra assumed that Shade would be like that for some time to come, but she still humored the stray thought that she just might be able to change that with some time.

"It isn't an obligation really," Astra started slowly, pulling at her hair lightly. She hated how Shade made it seem like she was really putting them out by asking them to the garden. It would only be a simple checkup, but she didn't think that would really change things. As an Elegy, Astraea knew she should be the stone-faced pillar of strength for the city but it was simple moments like this one that she found such a thing to be the hardest. In a crowd it was easy to put on a show for everyone despite what they were saying, but when Astraea was alone with people she would work closely with like this... She tried not to dwell on it.

After a moment she began to speak once more, making sure she kept her voice even all through. "I simply asked you here to see your progress. I like to make sure that all the muses are doing well with their assignments. You all have a difficult job, teaching strangers to our world, and I don't want any of you to suffer in silence. I try to check in often to make sure that there aren't any concerns..." The Elegy let her voice trail off. Partially she checked to make sure that the students were in capable hands, but she didn't usually think any muse wasn't capable. Even Gale, the unfortunate youngest muse, was a very talented teacher.

[Shine & Shade Kuroiya]

Progress report? Shade looked down, crossing his arms and frowning slightly. Were they getting some sort of complaint from the students or the other elegies? Okay so they were still relatively new to the whole teaching thing but who would seriously have such a problem that they would go to the top brass? Perhaps they weren't up to snuff with what Sanctuary Academy expected? All these ideas whirled through the brain of not only Shade but Shine as well. Though, unlike her pensive brother, Shine seemed to be a bit more vocal about her feelings. She stood and spoke loudly, on the verge of shouting

“What?! Has someone been badmouthing us behind our backs?! I bet it was that creepy green haired kid with the mask! I always had a bad feeling about that guy ever since he showed around here! He probably even-“

Bonk! Shade’s hand bounced off of Shine’s head once more. Throwing around wild accusations and overreacting to the situation would solve absolutely nothing. Besides, when Shine got like this, it was better to stop her before she went on a full rampage through the city, hunting down the random people she blames. The girl did not seem appreciative of her brother’s actions though for she immediately glared up at him.

“Will you stop doing that Shade?!”

“Then will you stop acting like a child and think this through? Astra may not have even come here on a complaint. Though I was thinking along the same line as you, there are other possibilities that could factor into the situation. And the green haired boy has no reason to talk badly of us. We’ve only seen him around once or twice anyway.”

Her pride slightly wounded, Shine sat once more, her face becoming slightly pink as she blushed.

“Yeah well… Sorry Astra girl… I got a little overzealous there… Ummm. Everything is going well I think. The strangers don’t seem too bad. Most are pretty nice and listen to what we have to say. Though you can’t help but feel awkward around them sometimes. Considering they were dead and all. You ever feel weird about bringing them back from the dead?”

Though Shine was prying, Shade decided not to react to this. To be honest, he too was curious as to how it felt to have the power to bring back those who had died. Such a power must not only be very corrupting but also very lonely. Those who had such a power were no doubt feared by those around them. Shade admitted that he himself was slightly anxious about this meeting but Astraea seemed like a normal young woman. That would explain the stoic expression she always seemed to wear…

[Astraea Selah]

Astra hadn't anticipated upsetting Shine in such a way. The child immediately jumped to thinking that she was checking up on them based on a complaint, which was peculiar to the elder. She did state she just wanted to make sure all was well and she did do this with all the other muses anyway, but she supposed there were still parts of Shine that made her nothing more than a child even though she was an adult. Silently it was concerning, but Astra reminded herself she had very capable muses working throughout the academy. It would do no good to doubt them now. Astraea brought her hand up and brushed some of her light pink hair from her face, continuing to watch the twins.

Shade wasn't very shy about his disdain for what his sister was saying, but the one thing Astraea took particular interest in was how they both mentioned the same boy. Green-haired boy. Astraea fell into her thoughts as she scanned for anyone she may have met before, but she couldn't exactly recall seeing anyone with green hair around the city. That was until she remembered a conversation she had recently had with Gale Devlin and Llyr Lunette. They had mentioned a young man with green hair and a golden mask. There was an attack that happened at the Movement if she remembered right and the young man's motives were rather questionable. Perhaps questionable wasn't the right word because he didn't seem to have any clearcut motives as far as Llyr could tell, and Astraea trusted that muse above all others. Llyr was rarely wrong, if ever.

When Shine began to speak again Astraea had to hold back her wince. There was a difference in calling them 'strangers to our world' and just strangers in general. Calling them strangers plainly made it sound so much worse to Astraea. Perhaps it was because she had a twisted sort of connection to them. That connection that made everyone else hate her seemed to haunt her every day she even visited the academy in passing. Lately she spent more and more time at the establishment which meant more and more time to dwell on such miserable feelings. Astraea clutched at her chest when Shine continued to speak of the students, seeming rather blunt about what they were.

There was no doubt that the students could be slightly awkward to be around, but Shine spoke without an understanding or a filter. It tore at Astraea in ways that she couldn't say. Then came the question. It was the most miserable question that had ever been asked of her, but she had heard it many times over. Each and every time she changed the subject because it wasn't something she ever wanted to talk about, but she suddenly couldn't think of a way to get off topic in this instance. Astraea was too torn up from thinking of those men and women whose natural life cycles she had disrupted and how everyone else viewed them in this world. Shine was a prime example. Certainly the girl didn't have foul intentions, but her words betrayed her in ways that could easily crumble the already confused emotions of some of the students.

After a pause Astraea managed to smooth out her expression, though she couldn't bring herself to look back at either of the twins. Her heart ached for those she had condemned to a second life of fighting. "It doesn't much matter of me. It is about them. My feelings are no consequence."