A and K Chapter 24: Re-Tuning

Aria sits in the room. Her clothes were supplied by Athena. She wore a black skirt and a black long sleeved-shirt. She hums a tune to herself.
Shigure: That's very beautiful.
Shigure comes in and sits in the room with her. Aria remains quiet.
Shigure: Ever since you woke up and spoke with Kei and I, you've remained in this room, alone. Is everything okay?
Aria: No, its not. I got beat. I failed.
Shigure: I don't see it that way.
Aria: How do you see it?
Shigure: You're alive.
Aria: ...I'm an embarrassment.
Shigure: You're not.
Aria: How can you say that?
Shigure: I know what it means to be an embarrassment.
Aria looks at her.
Aria: What are you talking about?
Shigure: Ever since I was born, I was treated like an outcast by people who felt beastkin were below them, like second-class citizens.
Aria: I can't understand your pain.
Shigure: I'm not asking you to. I'm alive. I'm stronger.
Aria: ...
Shigure: You're alive. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Aria doesn't respond.
Shigure: Why do you like the color black, Aria? You could've chosen any of the other colors, but you only asked for black clothes.
Aria: Black like the night. I love the night time. I kept to the shadows and trained my hardest. And I wasn't strong enough.
Shigure: Aria, why do you want to blame Kei?
Aria: He was something I could never be.
Shigure: Something you could never be?
Aria: A beastkin who was in such a powerful position and he couldn't save my parents.
Shigure: He wasn't the one inside.
Aria: He's saved my life...again.
Shigure: He wants to help Aria. Why not let him?
Aria sighs and looks at Shigure. Her eyes conveying that she truly did want to be her friend. Reluctantly, Aria replies.
Aria: Fine, I'll give him a chance.
Shigure seems happy to hear her state that.
Shigure: I appreciate it. Really.
Aria: Yeah, yeah.
Shigure: Now please remove your clothes.
Aria: HUH?!
Shigure: I have to replace your bandages.
Aria: Couldn't you have just said it that way?
Shigure: Sorry.
Shigure still seemed happy regardless of her misspeak. Aria quietly removed her top and Shigure retrieved a new roll of bandages. Aria turned her back to Shigure so she could get to work. She slowly removed the current ones.
Shigure: You really do have beautiful skin, Aria.
Aria: Um, thank you?
Shigure: How do you get it so smooth?
Aria: Nothing special really...
Shigure: Really?
Aria: I mean, I do what I always do.
Shigure: Which is?
Aria: Well, there was a hot spring I usually bathe at.
Shigure: There's a hot spring around here?
Aria: Well yeah, its a nicely kept secret. Something my parents owned.
Shigure: Oh, really? Well, probably wouldn't be a good idea until you're fully healed at least.
Aria: Speaking of healing, why didn't you take me to a doctor or something?
Shigure: Time was of the essence. We had to help you immediately.
Aria: Isn't there a doctor in Yamatsumi?
Shigure: Oh yeah, sure, but you required immediate attention.
Aria: Well, did you take me to this doctor afterwards?
Shigure: Yeah, we consulted with her.
Aria: What was this doctor's name?
Shigure: Her name is Linhua. I believe she trained under Litchi Faye-Ling, a renowned doctor from Kagutsuchi.
Aria: Um, Shigure?
Shigure: Yes?
Aria: Were you talking to me in my sleep?
Shigure: I was. Could you hear me?
Aria nods quietly.
Aria: Someone like you appeared in my dream and you would just...talk.
Shigure: I was told that if you talk to someone in the condition that you were in, they might hear you and come back.
Aria: Well, you got through...
Shigure finishes taking off the old bandages and begins to wrap her new bandages around.
Aria: You have siblings, Shigure?
Shigure: I do. Mitch was the eldest before he passed. I have two younger siblings plus the extended family. I'm the oldest now.
Shigure seemed a bit disheartened saying that.
Aria: So you lost someone close to you too?
Shigure: Yeah, Mitch and I were very close. I miss him.
Aria doesn't respond. Shigure hoped this would at least show they were kindred spirits having both lost someone.
Aria: I was an only child.
Shigure: No siblings? That's sad. Were your parents around to keep you company?
Aria: Not really. They were always busy talking to someone or doing something for their companies.
Shigure: I'd have been your friend.
Aria: Really?
Shigure: Of course.
Aria: I appreciate the sentiment Shigure.
Shigure: I can't imagine being alone growing up. That must have been tough.
Aria: I mean sure, as an only child I was spoiled a bit, but...I admit I didn't want to be an only child.
Shigure: You wanted someone you could talk to.
Aria: Yeah. Its odd you know. Normally I wouldn't feel comfortable talking about these things with anyone, but with you its different.
Shigure: Good. I hope you'll continue to rely on me.
Shigure finishes wrapping Aria with fresh bandages and lets her put her top back on. Aria then turned to Shigure.
Aria: You remember that thing I told you about before?
Shigure: About my having been in contact with Azure?
Aria: I could show you how to draw that power out.
Shigure: I'd appreciate that Aria.
Aria: Let me just do something first.
Shigure nods. Aria traces the form of a diamond with two fingers on her right hand and then looks to meditate. Her focus is intense as Shigure waits. A few minutes pass by in silence until Aria moves.
Aria: Yes, I am certain that you have some kind of healing powers.
Shigure: That's good. I'd like to be able to help out in some way.
Aria: You said you were in contact with the pink azure right?
Shigure nods.
Aria: I can't draw it out right away, but I can bring your power to the surface so you can utilize it. It might even help me more.
Shigure: Then lets get started.
Aria: Very well. Sit just like I sit.
Shigure nods and follows suit. The two of them cross their legs, and fold their hands in a certain way.
Aria: Take calm, gentle breaths, and focus on your inner strength.
Time seems to just flow by the two of them as they quietly meditate. An hour passes in all.
Aria: How do you feel?
Shigure: My legs are asleep.
Aria chuckles a slight bit.
Shigure: Think that's the first time I've heard you laugh.
Aria: Y-yeah, well we shouldn't strain yourself too hard on the first try, its something that will take time.
Shigure nods.
Aria: I think I'm going to go get some sleep though. Its late.
Shigure: Okay, I'll likely be in there shortly to get some sleep too.
Aria: Right. Night.
Shigure: Night.
Aria quietly departs the room. Shigure walks into another room where Kei is just sitting watching a program on the television with Alexandria.
Kei: Hm? You look happy.
Shigure: I do? I guess I am in a good mood.
Kei: You and Aria have a good talk?
Shigure: Yeah, I think we did.
Kei: Good, I'm glad. I think its better you then me. She doesn't like me after all.
Shigure: I think if you give her another chance, she'll come around.
Kei: Huh? You think so?
Shigure: Yeah, I think so.
Category:A and K
Category:Novel Chapter