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[alilyinthemoonslight]

[Sometime late after school, Lily is at the library. She's moderately less worried now, without even really thinking about it, about the level of danger out there, making her avoid day to day things she normally would. Almost kind of living shut in, at times. There is a certain confidence knowing how to disarm and flip grown men twice your size all of a sudden grants you.

She's had time to mull over things for a few days, now. In fact, that's sort of why she's there. Somewhere quiet, away from everyone. Just someplace she can think. Pulling out her phone, she types in a few numbers and]

For anyone who was wondering, Jasmine is fine now. Much better, in fact. Things were just a shock, and it sort of took its toll. It did for both of us, to some extent.

However, seeing all of this - seeing what the Precure can do, seeing just how dangerous the Blood Keys are - I know I've been resting on my laurels for too long. Expecting something to come along. I have things to protect, from my family to the friends I've made among you all.

The ability to protect those things is just out of my reach, but it's there. I'm not going to sit around anymore, lamenting my inability to do this. I can't afford that.

If there's ever anything I can do, I will do it. It might not mean a lot now coming from some teenager, but... I'm not satisfied just sitting here twiddling my thumbs anymore. I refuse to stay like that.

[She pauses for a moment, then types in something else, creating a message Private to Winter.]

Winter. I didn't bring this up the other day, because I hadn't spoken with Jasmine yet. But...

You remember, don't you? What I told you about her only remembering the Desert Apostles, our enemies.

I remembered more. This past self of hers, she was apart of them. Realizing this hurt her pretty badly, and while she's better now, she's probably going to have a hard time ahead of her. I'll do whatever I can, and I trust that you won't hold that against her, but... I'd already told you half of this, I figured you deserved the rest.

With that in mind, it's important I speak with you about something. I need to know more about all of this. About the Precure. This past life. Her relationship to this "Dark Precure" that Jasmine is reliving the memories of. I don't care how painful it is. I have to know in order to protect my sister.

When she mentioned that name, and described what she saw, I saw something. From this other girl's perspective, I saw Cerise and another girl defeated at the hands of this woman who looked like my sister. This "Dark Precure." But also I saw... two creatures with those girls.

...I never told you in detail what my first echo was, did I?

It was one of those creatures.

I saw him die.

You mentioned your "plushie" before. I didn't bring this up because I was afraid. I'm still afraid, but that doesn't matter anymore.

Winter.

I need to see him.

[She draws in a breath, closing her eyes. Why does she feel on the verge of tears typing that? As if she didn't already know. It was something she was avoiding for a long time, then.

Finally, she releases it and opens her eyes back. One more thing.

She types in another number, sending one more private message to Cherry.]

Hi, Cerise. It's Lily.

Sorry if this seems sudden, or a weird question, but... Jasmine and I both had things appear to us when we went to the Dead District. They're things we're both trying to work through, and...

I know the memories you've been getting come from the same place as us. I'm more certain of that than ever. Especially given what my sister remembered. And what that caused me to remember.

Because I had a memory where I saw the both of you.

I... guess you could say I'm concerned. I just want to make sure everything is okay with you, and if you saw anything you need to talk about.

Comments

[alilyinthemoonslight]

I've no intention of being killed. I only wish to be able to help those that need it, and the ones who I need to keep safe.

But no, she's only a year or so younger than me. Still, she's... impulsive.

[seishindairingun]

Killed doesn't preclude being hurt, does it? [She dithers over deleting the sentence she just typed, but leaves it in.]

Anyway, I'm sorry about that. People seem to be getting hurt lately, and I guess I reacted without thinking. I'm glad your sister is safe now.

Still, not to criticize, but, you don't have to take the responsibility of keeping someone safe onto yourself.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Again, I'm careful. Certainly more so than some people around here.

...and I'm not the only one taking that responsibility, I'd suppose. Not from the actions I've seen people already take for us.

[seishindairingun]

If I can't criticize them for it, I don't have any right to try to stop you, either. You sound like you've made up your mind.

If I may ask...is part of this decision motivated by not trustingthe police?

[alilyinthemoonslight]

It is. At least, the police that aren't on here.

[seishindairingun]

There are police on here?

[alilyinthemoonslight]

There seem to be people from all walks of life here, honestly.

[seishindairingun]

I guess one or two or...even many wouldn't be able to convince the whole force. But are you getting any help?

[alilyinthemoonslight]

There's help when it's needed around here. We can't exactly each beyond ourselves, though.

[seishindairingun]

[She'd offer her assistance, but she can't exactly do anything. But numbers people are a motley group, and people post to the network all the time for things, so...]

That's true.

[It's not like there's an easy fix for things just sitting around.]

In case you need anything (anything at all), your name is?

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Ah, my name is Lily, I'm sorry.

I'll keep it in mind.

[seishindairingun]

My name's Inga. I'm sorry it has to be under these circumstances, but it's nice to meet you.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

The same.

But, it's quite all right. "Good circumstances" hasn't really been a thing lately.

[seishindairingun]

I hope it doesn't get worse before it gets better.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Yes, one hopes.

[seishindairingun]

[Though it doesn't come through the screen, she give a little self-derisive laugh.] I guess hoping won't do much, will it? Maybe I should pray, instead.

What can you do, Lily? Don't tell me you went into a dangerous situation unarmed.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

I can fight.

I can now, anyway.

And pretty well enough I don't think I need be armed.

[seishindairingun]

That's good to hear.

Fighting skill counts as being armed, I would think. What about your sister?

[alilyinthemoonslight]

My sister?

Super strength.

...

She's still working on the whole "control" thing there.

[seishindairingun]

Good luck, I hope you make headway soon.