Complete Tertus Valley A tale to be told

[MAI]

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It was clear that Kyanna wasn't exactly doing okay, so the first priority was to get her out of the building and onto some fresh air. However, she herself stated that she had to leave. Nodding, MAI grabbed the girl by one of her sleeves and started directing them out of the room.

"Acknowledged - If we run into any further information about these stolen books, we will get in contact."

"R-right. Though now that they are out of my store, I'd rather not have anything to do with them anymore..."

As the duo got out of the door and back into the main area, only a faint voice could be heard.

"Wait, what about the cookies and tea?!"

The recording drone that was diligently keeping track of everyone that entered or left the building via the main entrance slowly floated toward MAI, who then tried to get herself and Kyanna out of the building as well so they could talk a bit further without any disturbance or the suffocating atmosphere that was created by the experience they just went through.

"Worry - Is Kyanna alright? She does not look alright."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna had no desire to even glance at the man that continued to speak, with the mention of tea and pastries being gone from her attention as she was already eager to leave that place. Just that was enough to ease her emotions and stiffness, but she was still feeling a heaviness in her chest, followed by a pensive expression, that was only snapped out when MAI questioned her about it.

Looking at her friend, then peeking at the drone, her mouth half opened, but she closed it right away, turning to look at MAI once again. "I'm... I'm okay. I'm just still a bit shaken." She said with a weak smile, taking a moment to think, and to release her sleeve from MAI's grip, holding her hand and wrapping their fingers together.

"I think... We can leave our search for another time." Kyanna said, taking a deep breath, not having the mind for that any longer. Not today, at least.

"I may have to go now, but..." She squeezed MAI's hand, taking the other hand and holding them together. "Thank you for protecting me." Kyanna said, wanting at least MAI to know her gratitude, before she had to go.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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Kyanna had the magia's full attention, the usually stoic face observing and nodding along as the witch seemed to, almost somewhat frantically, try to reassure before leaving. It felt a bit strange that she wanted to part ways so quickly, but MAI simply assumed that the other girl needed a moment alone... or perhaps that her time to log off had arrived. She had no qualms about any of that.

Though when her synthetic hand was squeezed and held like that, it was quite surprising, much like the embrace when they traveled back into reality. Even after they separated, her golden eyes remained fixated on her hand for a brief moment before snapping back to lock eyes with Kyanna.

"Understood - Kyanna should take care of herself after this as well. But this unit will protect her whenever necessary."

With that affirmed, she watched the raven-haired girl take her leave, waving at her until she would be out of view, then returning her own gaze to her hand. It was the first time someone held it like that... how strange.

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

In all the dejection and frustration this small mission carried to Kyanna, the one comfort she had was the magia girl in front of her. Always caring, even without being very expressive about it, the witch could feel the truth in those words. Words that were powerful enough for at least let her heart, that was quivering in pain, warm up in a gentle way.

Kyanna took one step closer, narrowing the distance that already wasn't much, before getting to the tip of her toes so she could place a soft kiss on MAI's forehead, letting it linger for a second before following it with a loose embrace.

"I promise the same, Mai... I will do everything to keep you safe too..." Kyanna said, finally letting MAI go before smiling, a bit more cheerful to her.

The hand motion then preceded the form of the witch glimmering, slowly dematerializing in triangle shaped shards before she disappeared like an illusory dust in the wind.

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Spoiler: Logout

Breathing heavily, Kyanna sighed, taking away her VR Device and turning to lay on her side on the bed, with the involuntary tears escaping as an immediate response as she focused her gaze on the portrait of herself hugging both of her parents closely.

Her hand reached for her chest, squeezing it while she clutched her pajama. The warmth in it was still the only comfort she had, with her heart beating fast, but with the less pleasing emotions soon taking her over once again.

"I-I miss you..." She whimpered, burying her face against her pillow to avert her eyes from the portrait, in denial for her loss.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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MAI simply expected Kyanna to run off, potentially get her body somewhere a bit more convenient for when she would spawn back in... if she was even gonna actually log off. What the magia did not expect in the slightest was for the raven-haired girl to suddenly lean in and offer a kiss on the forehead before one last embrace. Frankly, it left the mechanical girl dumbstruck, completely out of it through the whole chain of events, her eyes only snapping back to the girl as she begun disappearing.

"O-okay..!"

She stuttered and stood alone. Her hand slowly traced up to her forehead, her gaze still fixated ahead as if there was someone there. The only thought that she could muster was... What just happened..? The warmth of another's embrace was fleeting and as much as she tried to prolong it in her mind, she was still far too unfamiliar with it.

'Must have... a lot going on.' In turth, she did her best to purge the foreign memories from the desert as best as she could. But it was impossible to simply ignore what she saw. An intrusion of privacy unlike any other... she made up her mind to not bring it up unless Kyanna was the one initiating. Nodding to herself, the magia offered one last glance to the store and went on her way, still trying to process all that had happened... what what should happen next.

@Kyanna Wynne