bewrightback | IC Inbox [Cerealia]

...What is it, Iris? [He feels very concerned, but he tries to ask that calmly.]

[A long silence on her end. Not that she didn't trust Phoenix. She did, completely. She even knew he would understand. It's just...]

Dahlia. I saw Dahlia, Feenie.

[Her voice quivvered.]

Only...it was strange. Like it was her, but not really. The spirit acted like her. Only...her hair was dark. [Like mine]

Dahlia?! [He repeats in with horrified surprise. He had been worried about so many potential dangers coming from CERES that he hadn't thought anything about the threat he left behind years ago - Dahlia. Even with how long it's been, the idea of her cornering Iris when he wasn't around filled Phoenix with worrry and fear.]

It- it can't be. [Her spirit still had red hair...] What did she do?

That was the strangest part of all. She did...nothing. She just stood there. Smiling at me.

Only it wasn't like her usual smile. It was...cold. Empty.

[...granted, Iris might have had different memories of her late sister's smile. They had once been extremely close for a reason, after all.]

[Inward sigh of relief.]

...I see. It must have just been an illusion. A trick being played on you.

A very cruel trick. To say such things...

[Her voice trailed off, however, as she let out a small cough.]

I'm sorry. This place... it's full of cruel tricks. There was once when I saw a fake Mia... [But he dismisses that unpleasant memory with a shake of his head.]

...Are you still under the weather?

[A fake Mia. As in...Mystic Mia? It had to have been. Which meant...this wasn't the first time. And she wasn't the only victim.]

[And Phoenix, who knew that spirits in general were real, hadn't believed in what he was seeing.]

A little, yes.

But...I couldn't just sit by and do nothing. Not when there was something I actually could do.

[To be fair, that example really was different from spirits, but as it is the incidents sound close enough to Phoenix.

So many forces in this world seem intent on showing us people we've known in the past...

But he leans forward in concern as he hears her account.]

...What? Iris, what did you do?

[...why did he ask it like that? Like she'd done something wrong.]

I...

I've been searching for people. So that I can guide them the way from the worst of the danger. If they were with me at the time, then my protection should be strong enough to extend to them as well.

O-oh.

That's... that's very brave of you, Iris. [Should I try to stop her? ...Could I really try to stop her, when her heart is set on something like this?]

But please be careful. A-and try to come back as soon as you can.

...If something happened to you, I don't know what I'd do.

[There was a chance he could have. If he really tried. Otherwise, no, she was determined. But also...incredibly touched at his concern.]

I will. But only if you promise to do the same.

[She wouldn't have been able to bear losing him, either. Not now.]

I...I'm glad you still have the hood, even though I was surprised to hear that.

I promise. Of course I promise.

...Huh? What's so surprising about it? [He asks with genuine obliviousness.]

Because it had been so long for you.

Even if you never forgot...

[Iris rarely lied...anymore...but there was something in the air lately that compelled her to tell the unconquered truth.]

...I was sure the memory would have faded from your heart. So you wouldn't need to keep the hood anymore.

Iris...

[He speaks so softly.]

Some memories never fade from the heart, no matter how long.

And I've seen no reason to discard or forget this hood over the years. I guess it's like a keepsake, or a good luck charm. And I guess I thought it might come in handy again someday.

But even beyond all of that... It's something that an important person gave to me once. And I'll hold onto it just as firmly as I do my belief in that person.

[Part of her wished they were speaking in person, rather than just through the communicator. Because she wanted to hold him so badly right then...but if she had the chance, there was every possibility she wouldn't want to let him go. And there were still important things needed to be done.]

Then I'll have to continue being that person you believe in so much, Feenie.

And I'm going to start by helping as many people here, today, as I can.

[His heart swells with admiration for her. He wishes he could take her away from this all and take care of her... but he sees that she's set on her path, and he can't help but respect that.]

...You're incredible. You don't even have to try to live up to that image, Iris. You do it naturally.

Just... still, be careful out there, and be sure to come back if things get too hairy. ...I'm going to keep the last can of chicken soup warm for you, whenever you come back.

[What more could a girl possibly ask for in life?]

Not as incredible as you are. That sounds absolutely wonderful. I can't wait.

I'll see you then. I promise.

I'll hold you to that. [He says so softly.]

Take care. ...I'll see you soon.

[And soon he'll follow that up with a selfie, of him wearing the hood in the apartment, and smiling goofily as he holds up the can of chicken soup.]

[She didn't reply back, but there was to be much giggling on her end soon after receiving that image.]

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