shrine of sin, prior to the finale

[myturf]

Ryoko was stunned for a moment. This was the scary girl who had helped them attempt to pass off Atsushi as Yuuto back in January. Karin, she thinks. She didn't know anything about her, had only really caught a glimpse of her around and she seemed to constantly be in a foul mood. Having dealt with Bulleta again, she wasn't going to chance anything.

Still, when she heard that name, she deadpanned. She wasn't in the mood.

"Asakura-san. Asakura Ryoko."

Karin blinked, trying to remain cordial. Looks like she touched a nerve, but she didn't really care. She stepped over with her arms behind the back of her head, staring out into the garden.

"You look tired. Shouldn't you be sittin' down?" The girl asked idly, as if it were that simple. Ryoko on the other hand, seemed less amused.

"I'll be okay. I'll relax once everything's done."

With a sigh, Karin scratches the back of her head, not really looking at Ryoko in the slightest. Another one of those magical girls who'll burn themselves out to make sure everyone else is staying bright. A dime a dozen, unfortunately. Still, she survived this long... she was hanging around the tournament way back when, tending to the little tiger girl who entered. More importantly... probably trying to stay away from Fauna.

Hm. So much makes sense all of a sudden. Karin sighs, staring at a patch of flowers growing in.

"Hey. You're... you're still friends with Fauna, right?"

Ryoko pauses, and stares directly at the other girl, who finally regards her back. She didn't understand the question, but... something about her. She was so delinquent-like, so rough around the edges... she couldn't be up to any good, for sure. Seriously, would be the last thing she needs right now. So, Ryoko sucks her teeth and looks away.

"She's one of my best friends, yeah. If you're trying to get to her through me, you might as well give up. You're going to make the wrong person mad."

Karin couldn't help but scoff. The wrong person, huh.

...well, this girl always seemed to be around Spacetime Aniki and Love-neesan. Probably well connected. It sounded like a real threat, but maybe she was hiding something from everyone else too. She'd have to be strong to get Fauna's attention. Before she can say anything, Ryoko nods her head.

"Excuse me," before she starts to walk past her. Karin closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She can't believe she's going to do this.

"...You still love her?"

Ryoko comes to a complete stop, and slowly, she turns her head, eyes wide. Tilting her head, as if Karin had asked if she had something growing out of her head. Undeterred, Karin continued:

"I know you two used to be together. You're with someone else now. You still love Fauna?"

Clenching her fists, Ryoko doesn't match Karin's gaze, frustrated. What the hell? Why was she asking that? Why right now?

"I don't know why that's any of your business. Now, excuse me."

At that, Karin finally steps forward.

"Oi! I ain't done talking to you yet--"

"So what if I do?!" Ryoko cuts her off. "She's still dear to me, I do love her, but I love her as one of my friends! If you're looking for something deeper, then you're out of luck!" Ryoko takes in a deep breath, and sighs, and immediately shakes her head. "Sorry. I... I do. But... not in that way. Not how she loves me."

It hurt Ryoko to say that, especially given what she had already done earlier in the day. On the other side... hearing the idea that Fauna still held so much water for this girl, who screamed at her as if she were anybody else... what the fuck was Karin even doing?

...

"Listen--"

She stops. Why does she have to do this? It's none of this Asakura girl's business. They don't have to get along. Hell, it was better that they didn't.

--But, if the feeling ran that deep.

"...I... wanna ask you, straight up. Woman to woman." Karin wasn't sure when she had realized this is what she had wanted, but... she speaks, with resolve. "...how can I make that girl happy?"

The silence was deafening. Of all the things. Of all the questions... of all the times. Ryoko looked stunned, looked confused, and then settled on... annoyed.

"Right now? Seriously? You couldn't wait until we weren't all in danger to ask this?" Suddenly, she understand how Taiga felt! Regardless, Karin didn't back down.

"If I don't say anythin' now, then when will I? After I've lost my nerve, or after we've been separated? I know you know more about her than most everyone else, and heard how bad she's strugglin' with herself. I just wanna know that much, and then I'll be out of your hair an' I can focus on this whole mess again."

Another pause. More awkward silence, before... Ryoko just asks.

"...Are... you in love with her too?"

Karin stares back. Resolute.

"Dunno. Might be."

One more bit of silence... Ryoko's eyes close, and she runs a hand through her bangs, sighing. What the hell does 'might be' even mean...? Regardless of how completely awkward and stupid this was, she couldn't ignore it after that. That didn't mean they weren't still meant to be rushing either.

...Might be. Ryoko takes in a deep breath.

"We can talk about this more later, but right now... please, back her up. Keep her head on straight. Protect her from herself. Fauna doesn't believe that she can be heroic, so please, show her that she can be as strong or as weak as she needs to be, as long as she has someone by her side." When did she start blushing? "No... matter who that might be."

Karin's attention winds up on the bangs in front of her face, picking at them slightly. Of course, it was easy for this girl to say that. Strong or as weak-- shit. What a Melody thing to say. With a nod and a smirk, Karin holds up a hand.

"S'all I needed. You get some rest, I'll get back to work."

Ryoko stammers a bit, but Karin's not stopping to talk again. Back her up, huh... okay. Fine.

Where the hell is she?