Oh, It's You [Aina/Ver]

The woman was recently just thrust back into the world, and Verdara expected her to grasp how to act and conduct herself in the world. That was just unrealistic and unfair in the mind of Aina as she couldn't even understand that concept. The issue wasn't that certain reactions, mannerisms, or actions were wrong; Aina had sense enough to grasp that notion. But, if she genuinely acted like an Asthavon, why on earth was she still around? If things were that hopeless, Aina didn't understand besides some sense of duty, obligation, or pity to help her.

So, she'd comment:

"Look, if you feel obligated, pity, or some sense of duty for what happens to me in this life, I'd save that. From the sounds of it, it seems as if you don't even have any faith in me when I've just been reborn and trying to find a hold on to this world. And if that's the case, I don't need that right now."

There was definite pain in her voice and a look of frustration. She could feel her heartbeat accelerating, her head hurting, and her body growing heavier with each word spoken. As her sadness and irritation grew, her eyes felt watery, as if she could not control it. This emotional ache wasn't directed at Verdara but at the situation's futility. She was trying to do something productive or nice with her life, but it felt like that attempt wasn't even acknowledged. So, at that point, Aina stopped and shook her head in disbelief at how things unfolded.

"That hurts, and I'd rather go to some of the new friends I've tried to make in this life to figure this world out. It's better to deal with that than stay with someone who doesn't even believe in me and put those seeds of doubt in myself. Why even subject us to that fate if you think it will end the same?"

Eyes brimming with tears, the woman was upset at the accusations and just wanted that terrible feeling to stop.

Aina's face turned red as Verdada held her since she wasn't expecting that. But -- it was welcome. The woman didn't want the other to leave, but if she didn't believe in her, it would just hurt more in the long run. So, with tears still flowing, she slowly embraced Verdada, pulling her into a tighter embrace, shaking while doing so. As, more than anything else, she couldn't deal with abandonment. It felt embarrassing, shameful, and confusing. This terrible feeling should stop, so her face felt redder, but she just let her body do whatever it needed to instead of assuming control of it and killing her emotions. That didn't serve to do any good in her previous life, and it won't now.

"That's all I wanted to hear. I didn't want you to give up on me, I don't think I could take that..."

Sniffling a bit, the woman wiped away some of her tears and a bit of snot starting to come out with her hand. She felt disgusting, but she tried to be at ease with the feeling and listen to Verdada. She spoke of being a bad person, and Aina just shook her head in disagreement with that sentiment.

"I don't think you are bad. You are hard on me because if those memories get the better of me, you don't want me to turn into what they were."

Being silent for a bit, Aina felt they were lingering around for a bit longer than needed. Perhaps it was better to pack this scene up and take it on the road. But she could at least hear the sincerity in Verdada's voice throughout it all. Even if there was a lack of confidence in it, all Aina wanted to see was an attempt, and that's all she could ask for in the end. It didn't have to be perfect, and she just didn't want to be seen as hopeless.

"Then I guess we struggle. I don't want to die, not at all. I like holding you, eating things, traveling, not having that voice constantly in my head, and being free on this planet."

It seemed random to Aina, but she wanted to break the awkwardness by trying to fill in the silence with some of her exploits. Then, with her face still cherry-red, she'd grumble a bit and nod her head.

"I'd....like that."

There was a small, happy smile across her voice as she did want to spend some time with her. It almost felt silly how things had changed, but they were still in a grave situation. So, she'd lean her head on Verdada and hold her hand.

"But maybe we can do that in a different city. I think you are right, and I honestly didn't take the gravity of the situation seriously. I'm honestly kind of scared of being found out..."

Deciding to let go of some of Algos's protective memories, they seemed blurred, numbed and forgotten in that instance as the hand that grabbed Verdada started to shake more. With that influence dulling from the interaction, more of Aina was coming to the surface, and she was indeed feeling anxiety from the circumstance without that poker face. It was hard work to let go of the ashes of the other life, but she was trying in her mind.