Thread: Penance [Arberus x Selini x Temara]

RE Penance The guilt was burning her alive, only no one could see the flames licking at her very soul. Celeste hadn't stopped glowing since the round in the train, although it wasn't as lethal as what she'd put Selini through. Her angelic blood was coursing through her body and her human side had no hope. Religious background aside, when a part of you feels you have failed whatever it is you believe most strongly in, your thoughts turn inward as you try to make that convergence mesh once again, even if it means dropping some things you believed or acquiring new beliefs. But for Celeste it was much more personal. Her locus of control was strong enough to get her through everything she'd gotten through in her life. There had been no doubt in her mind when she'd told Alban she could do as the Council had demanded. Yet...what had she done? She'd gone on a rampage and had nearly destroyed someone whom she'd decided to take under her wing. Because that was indeed what she'd done with Selini. She could tell that the girl didn't really want to be there, that she didn't want to fight her and still Celeste had pushed her. She'd also forced Rayner to watch her turn into that monster. She couldn't even bring herself to look him in the eyes as he cared for her so tenderly. Of course, it was hard to even summon the strength to interact with him at all. Her children, her sweet, innocent children. They didn't deserve any of this. And that had spiraled back upon her, wondering if she even did deserve to live. She wouldn't go back to the Council, she'd rather die. Much like Selini's will to not fail her master, Celeste couldn't go back there and prove that she'd failed everything they'd demanded of her. Not with so much on the line. She would literally rather die. So she'd laid there, distant and detached, silently willing her own death so that she'd no longer be a burden on anyone. You're being silly, you know? A faint voice seeped inside of Celeste's head and although no outward sign was there, it was familiar enough to awaken the ginger haired woman slightly. Mre? Oui. Ma petite chou chou Celeste could feel the gentle touch of her mother stroking her brow much like she had when Celeste was a child and sick. Vous avez besoin d'obtenir mieux. Vous avez besoin de se lever. Vous avez des gens qui comptent sur vous. Les gens qui vous aiment. C'est un nouveau jour, mon petit amour. Le temps pour recommencer. It was a phrase her mother had used often. Each day was a new beginning and while the past could not be erased, the future was unwritten and there was nothing wrong with it as it stood and you could make it better or worse it was your choice and actions that did so. Mama... Celeste finally whispered aloud, but it would serve no purpose, she knew the woman was there only in her own head. And soon enough was replaced by the demoness who had rested for so long until Celeste had freed her to torment her anew. Ah, no. Silly girl...You remember me, don't you? The pink tinted hand seemed to pull Celeste's chin up in her hand much like Celeste had done to Selini. A shard of myself has been inside you for many years now, I do believe...I've witnessed everything that's happened to you, everything you've done. Everything that you want to do...that handsome husband of yours? I've been there when you've made love to him. I could probably take you over right now...and he'd never know the difference... Celeste managed a weak protest but sighed, her mind still struggling perhaps it would be better. Amp would be able to protect him she was more than strong enough. You're pathetic, girl... Amp shook her head, the pale pink ribbons of hair passing into Celeste view with a twinge of pain that exploded behind her eyes. You've gotten weak. I chose you because you were strong, you were a perfect avatar for me. No matter what life had thrown at you, you survive and not even thrived. You flourished. And now look at you...you're going to let a group of men decide your fate...pathetic... and then the welcoming darkness beckoned once again... ...only the sound of metallic footsteps echoing in her mind. You need to get better. You need to get up. You have people counting on you. People who love you. It's a new day, my little love. Time to begin again.