we could take it slower — private, eury.

[KAI]

[align=center][div style="borderwidth; width: 500px; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14pt;"] Tonight was the night of Honour, or Cruxification. The word used ironically, as it wasn't the sacrifice itself, but rather the celebration of the lives that will be sacrificed the following full moon, where they will then pass into the Afterlife.

Several birthdays have passed, which means several sacrifices would be made. Those who did, dressed the best they ever had. Decorations were strewn about, candles lighting up the room, and a record player played folk music somewhere far off the side of the room. This celebration wasn't unlike any other, far more celebratory than any birthday. Instead, it was to those who remained a loyal servant to Abaddon throughout their lifetime, allowing for eternal immortality outside their physical realm. They'd see family they never met, and friends they missed.

Kai would usually feel no different about it than any other. He'd thank them for their contribution to the group, and for some, he'd recount the most embarrassing story he could remember over a giggling crowd. Usually, Kai saw it as how it was meant to be seen, but not tonight. Tonight he was pushed into remembering his conversation with Eury. The one about Life, Death, and being alone. Millie was one out of two she'd fret about leaving her, and even just seven days that fear would come true. He knew that even in their cheery setting, she was anything but alright. He'd catch her across the room, eyes red as she'd been crying, glued to Millie's side.

He wants to check on her, has wanted to for several days, but he's slowly returned to his responsibilities as Messiah, so it isn't as easy. He knows that she thinks after that kiss, it was probably it. That they'd only repeat history, but that wasn't necessarily so. The kiss was all he could think about and so naturally, he could only think— and worry— about her.

Still, he tells his stories, and communicates with the others before finally, he has freetime. Smoothing down his shirt and running his hands through his hair absentmindedly, he approaches the two young women who stand next to each other. Although Millie brandishes a tight-lipped smile, it seems as if she barely holds herself together. Eury doesn't even hide it, she never could. Light reflects off her tear-stricken cheeks as she looks at him. His eyes meet hers, but quickly pulls away when Millie greets him, "Malachi, it's so nice to see you." She says, her hand reaching over to lightly brush Eurydice's back. She's always had that motherly instinct.

"You too, Millie. The group thanks you for all you've done in this life. Although you've never been able to bare children of your own, you've served like a mother to all who need you. They wouldn't be quite the same without you here." In response, she smiles, although it seems as if she knows he's here for more than a few exchanges. Clearing his throat, Kai once again reaches to fix his vest, taking his bottom lip between his teeth. "Do you mind if I have Eurydice for moment?" He looks between the two.

"I don't mind, Messiah, although it's up to her." Her eyes flicker over to Eury with a look that told Kai she knew a lot more about their situation. Awkwardly, Kai shifts his weight and clears his throat again. He reaches his hand out towards her.

[daisy b.]

Tonight was supposed to be a celebration, yet she didn't feel like celebrating. She was dressed to do so, but the red puffy eyes that couldn't stay dry for long were a clear indicator that she had no intentions on actually celebrating. Everyone else would celebrate for her she figured, celebrate enough that her being upset would be looked over.

After all, within seven days one of her fears would come true.

Millie was really her only friend at this point, everyone else had left or they have gone to more acquaintances than friends. She confided so much in Millie that she couldn't tell anyone else, so of course at this supposed-to-be celebration she would be stuck to the older girl's side in tears. It was going to happen eventually, but part of her felt that if she hadn't admitted to the fear of losing Millie, maybe it wouldn't have come so fast.

Eurydice had told her about the kiss and had probably even mentioned to Millie how she was right and things seemed to go back to as they had been. That history was repeating itself even though she tried to change it. Who was she supposed to tell all this to once she was gone? She would be so alone without her, she had taken on so many roles for Eury and she could never repay her for that. But she didn't know what to do right now, about anything.

She stood close by as she listened to what happened around her, doing her best to not be too loud if she cried and every so often wiping tears from her cheeks. When Kai came over all she could do was look at him, she didn't know how to greet him or if she even should, were they back to acting like they didn't know each other? It didn't matter though, Millie took care of it. Eury wiped the tears from her cheeks as she listened to the two of them.

She always forgot his name was Malachi.

Feeling Millie's hand brush her back, the blonde glanced over towards her but if it was any sort of cue to speak, she ignored it. Him thanking Millie was enough to get her eyes to water again, once again reminding her that within the week she would lose her. It wasn't enough to necessarily cause her to cry, but the tears were certainly back. It didn't take much at this point.

Her gaze flickered between the two when he asked about her, but eyes were on her rather quickly. Millie knew what happened, of course, and the look Eury got definitely said that. "Okay" as would be expected, her voice was quiet but loud enough to be heard. She took Kai's hand and did her best to force a smile as if it wasn't obvious that she was anything but happy.

[KAI]

[align=center][div style="borderwidth; width: 500px; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14pt;"] Eurydice agrees, though it seems somewhat reluctant.

He wouldn't be shocked if she doesn't want to leave Millie's side, that she would want to stay near the young woman as much as she could— afraid that every second not by her side would be a waste. Kai felt almost selfish for interrupting that, but he needed to see her. And not just through exchanged glances, and doubtful stares, but he needed to really see her. Comfort her. To him, their consolidation never really ended. Instead, it seems to have only just begun.

As if on cue, the music slows its pace to something slower. Kai recognized it, as there was only so many records they had access to, and it was one of his favorite's that played on nights like this. The artist sang woefully about losing their lover; that he wishes to go back to the night they met. Only just last year, he'd danced just the same way with Lilas, and it almost seems hard to hear now. Still, Kai himself tries not to be hindered; to only focus on the now. Everyone needed a strong Messiah, and more than ever, Eurydice needs him.

Others around him take their partners into a slow dance, Kai being no exception. He wraps his arm just above her waist, his other just a bit higher than that, and rests his chin gently on top of her head. His quiet for a moment. Now that he's here, he realizes he doesn't know the right thing to say, if anything is right at all. He knew that sometimes it was best to be patient; to let people embrace their pain, but Kai doesn't feel quite right being silent. As not just her Messiah, but also her friend, he needs to say something. Swallowing, Kai's eyes sweep across the room of others as they sway together, eyes nagging to Millie, who dances with her brother, Dillon now. Ultimately, he settled for a more simple two words. One that didn't seem to be enough, but what could he say?

"I'm sorry." He doesn't push it further, because he isn't quite sure if she wants him to, so for now he stays silent.

[daisy b.]

In all honesty, she wasn't sure why she accepted to go with Kai instead of staying with Millie. Maybe it was because part of her - the part that wasn't grieving for the loss she'd soon face - wanted answers for that night that seemed to just be a repeat of when they were young. Maybe it was the look Millie gave her or the knowing voice in her head that maybe if she focused on something else she would be alright even just for a little while. She wasn't sure, but whatever it was it made her say yes and she didn't go back on it.

The way that Kai held her as the two of them danced somehow made her feel safe, from what she didn't know, maybe it was that one of her fears was coming true or the thought of the fate she would face in years' time. She wouldn't dwell on it for too long, instead, she tried to focus on what was happening the fact she was dancing with Kai.

"I'm sorry"

What was he sorry for though? That Millie had turned twenty-one? That they went back to acting like acquaintances again? That he took her away from Millie? She didn't know, nor was she really sure what to say. Thank you? That it was ok? "For what? I told you this was going to happen soon." she replied, though she didn't recognize it was her saying it. She had expressed her fear about this before and she felt silly for confessing it. Death would take them all once they turned twenty-one, Millie just happened to get there first.

"I always forget your name is actually Malachi" it was a random comment, but it followed her own train of thought about how the two of them went back to acting as though they didn't really know each other. "Maybe we really don't know each other and that's why...why we always just pretend we don't" never did her voice raise from the soft tone it had originally. It was a sour topic to bring up but at this point, she was just speaking, just like she had that night before...before they went back to strangers.

Eventually, her eyes would fall on Millie again, watching her dance with her brother. "I told Millie...I'm sorry." Her eyes would water again, apparently just talking about Millie was enough to make the smaller girl emotional which given the circumstances probably wasn't much of a surprise. Though her hands seemed to hold onto Kai a bit tighter as if scared he'd leave...as if letting him know that she realized this meant losing Kai would come sooner than she thought.

She didn't want to lost him. 

[KAI]

[align=center][div style="borderwidth; width: 500px; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14pt;"] For what?

Kai couldn't answer that. Ultimately, he was not the 'All-Doer, All-Seer', but rather the voice of The Pastor. Their fates were decided for them before they were even born, detailed in the scriptures of the ancestors before them. Kai believed, with every inch of his being, that this cause— it was their best bet. That where they were going was unlike anything any of them could imagine, that maybe even Millie would be the mother she truly wanted to be there. But still, he had to attempt to lend his sympathy to Eurydice, maybe even felt some semblance towards her. He remembers when they'd 'lost' Hannah. He'd cried. For Eury, Millie had been her Hannah.

Although he couldn't exactly apologize for what he couldn't control, he could for those he could. He could apologize for not being there enough. Even if he hadn't exactly reciprocated her affections, it didn't mean that he couldn't be a friend to her. Eurydice had lost her family, her friends, and is going to lose the the only mentor she had left. He'd abandoned what they had because it was easier to do that than address; a sign that followed him into his current plights, ironically enough. Now, it wasn't as simple as that. Kai is forced to readdress his feelings for the younger blonde head-on, ones that aren't particularly black-and-white. He knows he feels something for her, but it isn't quite the same as he'd felt for Lilas. With Lilas, it'd all been clear, really. With Eurydice, however, it was like clouded smoke.

"Really?" The comment seemingly comes from nowhere, but Kai almost expects it. A change of subject, it's almost as if she's trying to distract herself from her reality at hand. He entertains it. His eyebrow lifting, lips hinting at a smile as he briefly pulls away to look at her, feigning confusion. "Do I not possibly say it enough in meetings?" It was necessary to introduce himself to newcomers at times, and although many addressed him by his sobriquet, Kai still prided his name in its entirety.

Admittedly, he doesn't expect what she says next.

Usually, it's a topic often left unaddressed. Mutually, both knew there was history, but up until recently it hadn't been talked about. He could say he knows every one of his disciples, but he doesn't know if he'd known them as personably as he'd once known Eurydice Had he even told Lilas? No, when she'd brought it up to him, he'd only swore it as a friendship— nothing more— that she somehow just never had gotten over. She'd pointed out everyone here seemed almost infatuated with him here, to the point of it bordering unhealthy. That if he hadn't been leader, so demanding of everyone's presence, getting over him may have been an easier thing to do.

Kai's jaw tightens, eyes flittering away from her, for once rendered speechless. He knows he can't stay quiet, otherwise it may be misconstrued. He brings her back into him to stall time, racking his brain for thoughts. . Finally, he settles on something more lighthearted, voice gravelly as he insists, "I'm the same Malachi I always was, and was meant to be. I could only assume you were the Eurydice you always have been, if not greater." Really, he had no clue. He only had the image stuck on who she was then, and how she was at services.

"I told Millie, I'm sorry." She says suddenly, and he hears the strain in her voice. At first, Kai isn't sure what she told her, only to consider that may have been the kiss from a few nights before. Kai feels her grip tighten, as if her words are enough to cause him to leave her once again. "Now you're the one apologizing over nothing." He murmurs halfheartedly, smiling slightly. "Speaking of, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it— about you."

[daisy b.]

She thought it may have been different had her siblings stayed, as they'd be about twenty-three by now and thus if they had stayed Eury thought maybe losing both of them would have made this easier. But they didn't stay and thus, she had no reason to be used to or desensitized to such an event. Sure she had been to celebrations like this before but it was different when it was someone you were close to or someone who felt like family. She could only imagine how much worse it must feel when someone did lose family. Well, blood-related family.

Even if she was amused by his response, her face couldn't muster so much as a smile considering the circumstances. It was there in her voice, but her face couldn't reflect it "You do, but I just know you as Kai that I guess my brain doesn't remember it." He had always been Kai to her just as she had always been Eury. Sometimes she joked to herself that she was surprised she remembered her own full name - Eurydice. It stood out she thought and some days that was good and some days it was bad. Had she known the story that went with her name - the greek myth - her opinion probably would be different. It was almost fitting though, her being named after someone part of such a tragic tale, after all, just look at her now.

She wasn't sure if those were necessarily more wise words from the usually unwise Eurydice, but they had certainly felt like they held some type of wisdom to them. And while she noticed the silence and lack of reply, the pulling back to him and her resting her head against his chest again, but she didn't try to fill said silence. Eury wasn't sure why she never got over Kai though she had been making progress before that last kiss. The most recent one had caused all those feelings to come back, even if she had thought most were gone. Now, she was back at square one and with them seeming to go back to how things had been? It really was square one.

"Assume." She repeated as if that one word proved that they really didn't know each other or at least not anymore. "Though I guess not much can really change" she added as an afterthought. She was still afraid of the dark, her favorite color was still pink, she still hated hurting things - even bugs, and the hardest word she knew was still her name. Not much really was different she supposed, but just the thought that maybe they didn't truly know each other anymore was stuck in her mind.

"Now you're the one apologizing over nothing." "I do that a lot" she confessed, knowing that apologizing in general was something she did a lot. However, what he said next made it her turn to not know what to say. What was she supposed to say? Well, that was a good thing, wasn't it? What he had said. "Really?" it was all she could really think to say, though it sounded hopeful as if she thought she may have heard him wrong.

"Um, how come? I-I mean, I don't mind that but-" she cut herself off, worried she'd start uncontrollably rambling for one reason or another. She was quiet for a beat as if making sure she wouldn't stutter again "Me too. Haven't stopped thinking about it, I mean." Because that would be a surprise to anyone who heard it, but it was true, she didn't know what it meant in general or by what she said.

Plus, with it making that crush of hers come back how could she not think about it? About Kai?

[KAI]

[align=center][div style="borderwidth; width: 500px; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14pt;"]"I'm not going to lie," he says, glancing down at her. "I think I'd much rather you know me as Kai, anyway." He couldn't say he didn't blame her; could even argue that it wasn't by accident. Sure, he prided his name. But folks like Millie, they were formal people. He didn't want formality around his people. There was a time and a place, of course, but it wasn't this. Kai, on the other hand, was far less formal. Knowing him by his byword made his people more connected with him. He wanted them to feel like family, they were. Even if Eurydice remembered his full name, but chose 'Kai' instead, he didn't mind it. Eurydice was so sentimental, her emotions and thoughts bleeding into every word, every action. She used Kai as a form of endearment. He wouldn't be shocked if Malachi would be used to express the opposite.

He's thankful she doesn't attempt to fill the silence in that time, afraid of what she may have said if she had. She doesn't seem to pull away from him, either, seemingly melting into his embrace as they sway to the music that is drawing to an end. The song he first started with Lilas, now being finished by someone else. Kissing Eury hadn't been an accident. He'd racked his brain, considered and reconsidered, before making the choice. Alcohol hadn't been the only thing that influenced it, either. He'd been wine drunk plenty a' times, where it did not end in a kiss. Kai was aware he was vulnerable. That Eurydice was, too. They were bonded by their own vulnerability once. She was something familiar. It felt good to revisit something that was once so special.

Assume. Kai curses himself for not being smarter with his words, but she was right. Assuming was all he could do, really. He'd once could recall plenty about Eurydice, and wanted to in hopes to impress her the next time they spoke next. Now, years later, he could maybe recall that her favorite color was pink— but also, he does have context clues to show for that— and that Abaddon burdened her with one of the purest souls in Isaac. He could recall their hangouts, but not much they spoke about. It was hard to recall much of anything beyond three years ago, even. "Well I can concede that you were, and still are, the most pretty you've always been."

How come? Good question, something that Kai couldn't quite grasp other than what he thinks he already knows. He wonders if it burdens her, the kiss. The last time they spoke, she'd insisted they were okay as friends. Of course, this didn't mean her words held truth; only said what she thought he needed to hear. The song ends and Kai pulls back from her. "I don't know I think I- I don't know." For a moment, he can't hold his gaze, briefly sheepish as he looks to stare at his shoes. But when she admits that she's been thinking about her, he looks up at her again with a hopeful, yet intense expression on his face. "And?" he asks, because he wants to [I]hear what she thinks before making assumptions.

Only, as Messiah, he could never hold conversation for long. Reese seldom approaches him, but stands between he and Eurydice now, fiddling with her hands. "Reese! Is there something you need?" Kai, although bothered by the interruption, is good at looking as if he isn't. He gives the girl his full undivided attention, waiting for her to speak.

"No, you should be enjoying yourself! I am actually looking to take m'darling Eurydice here off your hands if you don't mind." She waves her hand to the other, and Kai's eyes follow, brow lifted. Had they always been friends?

"Ah no, I don't mind. We were just finishing." He clears his throat, smiling at Reese before glancing at Eury once again, nodding to her in acknowledgement. "Eurydice." Maybe it wasn't best to talk about such things in a crowded space, anyway.

[daisy b.]

"Well, then I suppose it's a good thing that's what I usually call you then" she stated, though she understood the appeal of it. She would much prefer being called Eury by others, not for the same reasons of course, but she always preferred Eury to Eurydice. That's not to say she didn't care when people called her by her full first name, because she didn't, but Eury was easier to say. Her full name sounded so formal like it belonged in some story...and Eurydice wasn't a formal girl. She was plain.

They had gotten older, smarter, wiser. A lot had changed about them over those years but Eurydice stayed the innocent and vulnerable little girl she was back then. She was the pure light among the dark that surrounded her and that had not changed since she was little. Still, she wouldn't hurt anything not even a spider or bug. Hell, even worms were safe with her. She was also very emotional, her emotions more than once impacting her choices to do things whether they should or not. After all, her emotions are what kept her from leaving both times. Her emotions now made her reluctant to go with Kai.

Her emotions were what made her so confused by a kiss.

Assuming was all she could do too. She could maybe recall a few things about Kai from back then but just because they had been true then doesn't mean they were true now. Now it wasn't that she was upset by that fact, but she felt it was right to point out that they really could only assume things about each other now. Even with context clues.

His comment though was enough to create a light shade of pink appear on the girl's face. Except for this time it couldn't be hidden by the night sky as it had been before. "Really?" She asked as if she didn't believe him or didn't hear him right before adding onto it "Thank you" politeness was the one thing her siblings could be proud about grilling into her head. It just added to her "pure" reputation in a way, not that the others weren't polite, but it added something unexplainable to her.

The song ended and they pulled away from each other. The song ended and they were just now speaking of something probably best spoken about when there was song to mask their conversation. He didn't know. That was fine, she wasn't sure what she expected to hear so any reply didn't really surprise her. He didn't know, but she did. Of course, she couldn't stop thinking about it, it confused her. What it meant in general and between them. It was just a kiss, but its timing couldn't have confused her more.

"And I-" she was interrupted by Reese coming over, calling to Kai. Except she was here for her. Oh. "Thank you for the dance, Kai." she smiled, watching him walk away with an almost sad look on her face. She wasn't even totally sure what she was going to say to him. That she still loved him? That she was confused? Part of her was glad she had more time to think about it...but another part of her wishes she had just said whatever came to mind. Get it out of the way.

She looked to Reese then "What?"

[OLLIE.]

[align=center][div style="borderwidth; width: 500px; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14pt;"]Had she not been so awake she'd think she were dreaming, except Kai had only briefly been the very prospect of her dreams. Of course, she'd never tell Eury that. For as long as anyone could remember, the girl had been infatuated with him. Adolescent gossip between a circle of girls revealing crushes showed Eury's never changed. She was deadset on them having a life together, was sure it'd happen eventually even if many were positive, especially after the Outsider, that it'd be anything but true.

But she wonders if any of the others seem them now, Eury leaning into Kai as they sway back and forth, lost in conversation. Sure, it could simply be a conversation between two friends— but when have Eury and Kai simply been that? Reese watches until the song ends where she'd then make her way over. "Reese can we talk-" Ace looks at her with a hopeful stare, that she blesses Abaddon for giving her something to do. "Later." Before he can speak, she shoves the empty glass in his hand before making her way over to the pair, paying no mind to the fact she may be intrusive.

"Reese! Is there something you need?"

"No, you should be enjoying yourself! I am actually looking to take m'darling Eurydice here off your hands if you don't mind."

"Ah no, I don't mind. We were just finishing." The look he gives Eurydice is almost missable. "Eurydice." He stands there for a moment before walking away, leaving the two alone. Oh dear Abaddon, what had she witnessed? Head turns to Eury, whose eyes have not moved from him, disappointed to watch him go, but then turns to an excited Reese, grinning like a schoolgirl. "What!" She practically yells it, closing the space between them to grapple the shorter girl's hand. "I think you should tell me what. I surely must have been gone at least a whole week to be so astounded at what I just witnessed."  She drags Eury further into the dance floor, whirling the two in a circle before drawing the other closer. "I think we're a little behind, as I've missed something. Eury and Kai. What was that about?"