voicesofspirits | Event Post

*"Maybe it was all a dream? Maybe I'll wake up and everything will be normal again."

Ruka's eyes slowly flickered open to be greeted by unfamiliar surroundings. She slowly sat up and looked around the room she was in. Where was she? Who brought her here? All she knew was that being there meant that no matter how much she wished, everything that has happened recently, had really happened.

She slowly got up from the bed, steadying herself from a short dizzy spell before moving towards the door. She listened by it for any noises, then slowly opened it.

The hallway it brought her into she did recognize. This was Juudai and Asuka's apartment. So Juudai must of brought her here? Quietly she walked down the hallway until she got to a slightly open door on her left. Looking through the small gap, she could see Juudai sat in the living room, working on his laptop. Ruka didn't want to disturb him. After all, she's probably caused him enough trouble already.

Slowly and quietly, Ruka opened the front door and snuck out of it. When outside, she was about to run across the courtyard to her apartment when a thought hit her. Did she really belong there anymore? Is that even her home now? She really wasn't sure... and holding herself up in it again wouldn't be a good idea anyway.

Ruka leaned against the wall beside the entrance to Juudai's apartment and slid down until she was sitting. Pulling her legs to her chest, she buried her face in them.

She had honestly never felt so lost and so ashamed of herself as she did at this moment.

Looks like she could use someone to talk to!.*

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*Juudai remains silent for a short while after Ruka had spoken, before taking something out of his pocket. He holds up his hand to Ruka, the item concealed in his closed fist.*

Open your hand.

*Although confused, Ruka holds up her hand to Juudai.*

*Juudai places his hand in hers before opening up his fist and letting the item drop into her hand. When he moves his hand away, Ruka could clearly see that he'd dropped a key into her hand.*

It's the spare key to this apartment.
We felt it probably wouldn't be good for you to be too alone right now, so if you want, you can stay in our spare room here and live with us.

Also, only when you feel ready for it, I'll be giving you a small paid position at The Spirit Foundation just so it gives you some money of your own. It won't be as much as the other paid staff for the time being, but I'll be taking you on officially as an apprentice. Of course, this is only for times like weekends and holidays from school and all that.

I've opened up an investigation into the Crimson Dragon at the Foundation, so if anything regarding it comes up, we'll both know about it and I promise that when it does, you'll have the support of your friends here in helping you get Rua and the others back.

Until then, the best thing to do is move forward with your life the best you can.

*Ruka looks down at the key in her hand for a while, then back up at Juudai.*

I... I don't know what to say...

*She then quickly gives Juudai a hug.*

... thank you.

It's not a problem. Even if Rua, Yuusei and the others are gone for now, remember that you still have the friends you've made here to look out for you.

Oh, I spoke to Principal Samejima recently too, just to let him know you won't be around for a little while at the Academy.
He said to come back when you're ready too.

*Ruka suddenly looks away from Juudai, replying with just a nod.*

*Juudai notices this reaction from Ruka. Remembering something Galaxy Queen said during the duel, he decided it was best to question it.*

Ruka, is there a problem at the Academy or something? Galaxy Queen hinted at it, but I wasn't sure if what she said was the truth or not.

*Ruka cringed a bit at hearing that. Her memory while she was under Galaxy Queen's control was very fuzzy, so she didn't really remember anything being mentioned.
She briefly considered lying to him, saying everything was fine, but where would that even get her?*

I--
... When I first started there, I made quite a lot of friends, but as time has gone on there's been some... complications... I only really have a few friends there now... one of which was Rua and he's gone now...

What kind of complications?

*In response, Ruka moves the sleeve of her jacket up on her right arm, to reveal her signer mark.*

I became self-concious of it. I didn't want people to see it and ask questions. I didn't want to have to explain it. I feared people would taunt me... so I always hide it when at the academy.
But I was pretty much the only female student who wore something long-sleeved under their uniform, even in warm weather. When we had time between our studies to hang out on the beach, I was never able to wear anything short-sleeved or sleeveless. I wanted to, but I couldn't.

Eventually, other students started noticing and they started taunting me for that, asking me what I was hiding, or if I just didn't like showing skin. I felt so embarrassed, so I started being more reclusive and burying myself in reading books and my studies, spending most of my time in the library.

But then they started taunting me about that too, because I was doing so well in classes due to the extra studying...

*Ruka's grip on her right arm tenses up a bit.*

I just wanted the chance to be normal...

*Juudai remains silent for a moment, looking down at the grip Ruka had over her signer mark.*

There... were times at the academy where I wished for the same thing, just to be "normal".
When I was struggling to control my power, I feared so much that I was going to go out of control and hurt someone, especially my friends. The terrible history of the Supreme King didn't really help matters either.

But I worked through it, I got it under control and accepted it as a part of who I am. It's helped me so much, it honestly would of been the biggest mistake in my life to get rid of it, if I had been given that choice.

Who's really to say what "normal" is anyway?

You need to think exactly what you want. I mean, in order to avoid taunting, you got taunted anyway. Even if their reaction to your mark is negative, at least you'd be true to yourself. As for telling them about it, you can choose how much or how little you want them to know.

It's up to you. I know right now you don't think too highly of the Crimson Dragon, but that power is still yours to use and is still very much a part of you.

And even though you might be timelines apart from Rua, Yuusei and the others, that mark is still your connection to them.

That's true...

*Ruka moves her hand from her mark and looks to the floor*

I'll have to give this some thought.

Don't worry too much about it! I think the right answer will come to you eventually.

Right now, just concentrate on feeling better and remember, if you need anything, Asuka and I will be around to help.

*Ruka looks up at Juudai and smiles a little.*

Thank you, so much for this.

Event Post

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