Don't die

[17:27] Rindou turned around, holding back a lot of emotions and turning them into convictions - actions. Meaningful gestures, even. A blade was drawn, poised to slice at the Regent right away. Amber eyes met her ruby own as she explained her actions - making it clear there was no ill-will— no. It was the complete opposite.

"Because you don't believe that your divinity puts a gap between us, I'll prove it to you. Don't hold back. I won't."

Was violence the only solution? A test of strength clearly seemed to be what the Illuminated was after, however. She needed to prove it to Calista - to prove it to herself that they were part of different worlds now.

That she'd be a disgrace - that neither Rindou nor Calista would have what they wanted.

"You already said someone like you needed what more than one person can offer. I don't think I'm worth counting as one compared to you anymore."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[17:31] Those words obviously made her angry, she didn't think in that way. She never had, it had always been Rindou to classify people based on such things.. and to treat them accordingly.

Those rubies began to slide from her skin blood dribbling to the ground, it would seem special 'slots' in her armor allowed these rubies to emerge unhindered.

They filled the air swirling around her dark-winged form. Umbral scarlet blades forming from her newly awakened Atmosian heritage.

"I don't think of it that way. I never did. Though if this is what you need?"

The feathered fox takes flight.
(Calista Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[17:32] Rindou Sakamoto says, "You should think of it that way. It's how the world works. It's your birthright."
[17:39] Against her own beliefs, Rindou managed to deal more damage than she thought to Calista - coming ontop of their skirmish thus far. But... it didn't seem like she was happy. No. Not at all.

"Stop holding back! You're—

You're supposed to be stronger than me, Calista!"

Those thoughts were ingrained into her quite deeply.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[17:40] She frowns, she had barely had time to adjust to these new changes. Her aim with the blades not as precise..

"You're being silly."


(Calista Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[17:40] Rindou Sakamoto exclaims, "Silly?!"
[17:40] Rindou Sakamoto says, "You're.."
[17:40] Rindou Sakamoto says, "You've got wings."
[17:41] Rindou Sakamoto says, "You've got money."
[17:56] Finally she could feel it. The burns. The overwhelming pressure of Calista's divine heritage. The pain that came with each strike. It wasn't just luck, no. The kitsune had been destined to such at birth. Her blade slashed through the air, a mix of both their bloods splattered onto the grass.

"Do you see it now?! How do you expect me to match that? How do you expect me to make up for this difference?! It can't work - I'm not as...

I'm not as good as you are!"
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[17:58] With every word Rindou spoke she only grew to be angrier and angrier, those flames leaping more... Rindou would feel they are nearly solid. Tending to take physical shapes and bear density like true objects..

How was she doing that..?

"Rindou.. that doesn't matter to me. It never has. My birth has led me to have wings, great. It doesn't mean I can't want you."
(Calista Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[17:58] Rindou Sakamoto exclaims, "It means it shouldn't be!"
[18:14] She'd finally let her anger slip loose, and it would show. Those blades began to home in more, those rubies piercing the woman in gaps in her defense.

All the while flames began to gather around the winged fox, those appendages beating the air to carry her across their small battlefield.

The other's blade slashed, her flames burned, even the ground lurched upwards to grab onto her pinning her until she could free herself. Though the scales had already began to tip from their initial clash, slowly moving in the Kitsune's favor.

"Even if I am Atmosian-blooded, even if Reito and Isaac are my parents..!"

She was screaming, all of her flames rolling together forming a massive flaming whip along her staffs edge... The sword-wielder would try to dash in, to get in too far for that whip to snap at her.

This one didn't work that way, directed by her will more than anything else, suddenly it lurches around her. Catching her by surprise as it coils about her form. Crystals begin forming on the surface of the flames.. the 'whip' taking on the aspect of a serpent as she was subsequently consumed.

To anyone watching it would look like the snake ate most of its own body, thankfully it was all her flames. The assault from those almost-solid flames slamming Rindou into the ground though it would be obvious she had been left unharmed.

"IT DOSEN'T MEAN I CAN'T CARE ABOUT YOU!"

The Demi screams at the downed woman, those flames fading but those shards and swords remained to surround her. She looked every bit the part of the Fallen Angel for a moment before it faded... those wings lowering her to the ground to reduce in size to her usual smaller ones.

She speaks much more softly thanbefore,

"If you can learn to see past that let me know.. but just know.. you've hurt me. Congratulations."

She turns to walk away, she couldn't let her see the tears fall.
(Calista Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:21] A heated back and forth was what Rindou was served. Solid flames struck against her body as divine-infused blades cut through her very being, bringing pain and suffering. It was a miracle the whole forest hadn't gone up in flames when the Illuminated was forced off her feet and brought to the ground. The snake-like fire had done a number on her, leaving Rindou unable to move - to think clearly.

Why did Calista care despite all of that? Why did she still want to meddle with her? Why-

... Why did Rindou hurt her?

Blood dripping from her frame, body aching, and burns being left untreated wouldn't stop the robed woman from pushing herself up. From leaping at Calista with the intent on catching up to her and perhaps manage to stumble onto the ground alongside her, forcing her to stay. To listen. To acknowledge her.

"You're the one who's supposed to be looking past the person I am. I..."

She wasn't toosure how to express this one beside a tight hug, finally accepting to lower standards. Another's standards.

Reito hadn't been wrong; she wouldn't be able to have someone close to her if she kept seeing birthright and class that way.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:27] Unfortunately for Rindou, she hated hugs. She spins to grab Rindou's shoulder holding her at length.

"If you want to show me you can accept me for who and what I am, that you can accept me despite everything else?

I want you to accept one thing from me.."

Though those ruby eyes spy her father's pet Vampire and she stops... the expedition was nearing anyway.

"I'll tell you when we get back.. don't die. It'd only hurt me more."

She still plainly wanted some distance at the moment.
(Calista Shimasu)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:30] There it was again. This dance. This charade. This back and forth that made Rindou into the pathetic girl she could be at times. She craved the attention, the want, the desire, the looks, and the affection. She wanted... substance in her life. A meaning. A heart that beats for her.

Calista's words only encouraged to resign herself to that state. To accept that she'd be nothing but lesser - but someone who reached up.

".. Don't die either."

That was about the only thing she could see with Reaper so close.
(Rindou Sakamoto)