Val looks over to Auretta and quickly abandons the rabbits, going over and wrapping her in a hug, first taking the rabbits off the fire. "Hey, it's okay little bird… don't worry…"
Auretta lays her head on Val’s shoulder, not saying anything as she focuses on the ground. It should have been me…why couldn’t it have been me?! she thinks, tearing up.
Val sighs. "Little bird, food is ready."
Auretta lifts her head up, wiping her eyes with her wrist. “Mm…okay…” she mumbles.
Val gets up and brings Auretta some of the rabbit. "There you go, little bird. Eat."
Auretta hesitates before nodding. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she starts eating.
Val sighs and tears into her own rabbit, stripping it clean down to the bone, She sighs, then takes another, stripping that one just as cleanly. She waits fo Auretta to get done before she takes any more of the food.
Auretta soon finishes but she stays quiet, her grey eyes in a daze as she stares at the ground.
Val sighs. Nori, wherever you are, get back here, please… she thinks. "Hey, little bird, you want some more?" she asks, looking at Auretta.
Auretta nods weakly, not saying a word. Her thoughts are still frantic and she’s zoned out. Nori…Why did you do this…? Why did you leave…?
Val gets up and grabs some more rabbit for Auretta. "Here you go, little bird."
Auretta takes the rabbit and starts eating, looking both emotionally and physically exhausted. She still says nothing.
"Hey, Etta. Once your done with that, let's go to bed, okay? I can tell you're tired." Val says softly.
Auretta nods, rubbing her eyes. “…Mmkay…” she mumbles as she finishes eating.
Back at the fields, a dark shadow erupits, disturbing the natural order of the air, splitting and fuming black mist. Nori stumbles out of it as it dissipates, a bit more bruised and traumatized than before. He pants, walking forward and then tripping over something… someone. He looks behind him to see… him. He jumps, stumbling away from the body, continuing to breathe quickly and raggedly. “Shit…” he mumbles, feeling the cuts on his face. “Auretta? V-Val?” He calls out weakly, still fighting for breath.
Auretta shakily walks over to Val and lays next to her, whimpering as she tries to sleep. Nori…I miss you… she thinks, tears forming in her eyes.
Nori starts to panic in the darkness, not seeing anything or anyone familiar. He backs into a tree, curling into a ball. “Anyone?!” Tears start to roll down his face as he looks around frantically for danger
Val hears the blast and sprints back, finding Nori. She drags Auretta with her. She launches herself against Nori, knocking him down.
Auretta’s eyes widen when she sees Nori. “N…Nori…” she manages to get out, tears falling down her face.
Nori screams, throwing punches at the thing that knocked him down. “FUCK!! I DONT WANNA DIE AGAIN!!”
"Don't… you dare… do that again, Nori… do you hear me? NEVER." Val growls, crying.
Auretta hiccups softly, staying in her spot. “N-Nori…” she starts crying. She shakes slightly, having trouble believing what was real and what wasn’t. “I…Is that you-“
"I- I think it really is, little bird. I think it is…" Val sobs, clutching Nori's shirt.
Auretta immediately rushes to Val and Nori, sobbing before she tackles her friends in a hug. “N-Nori-!!!!” she cries, hugging them both tightly.
Nori smiles, sobbing. “Shit!! Yes, it’s me!!” He cries in their arms. “I’m so so so sorry.”
Auretta sobs, clinging to Nori. “I-I thought- I thought-“ she whimpers, melting in her friend’s arms.
(Currently singing Circles by Post Malone)
Val steps back and slaps Nori. "Never do that again."
Nori hugs Auretta tightly, never wanting to let go. “I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry. I really didn’t want you to think that I…” his sobs overpower, and he can’t get any more words out
Auretta wails, clinging to Nori like her life depends on it. “N-Never- Never do that again-“ she manages to get out. “I-I was so- so-“ she can’t even finish her sentence.
Nori sobs, practically holding her off the ground now. “I… I know. I know. I’m so sorry. P-please forgive me.” He says in between sobs, holding her tightly
