I had served my purpose in this world long before coming to Helovia.  For all intents and purposes, the moment her breath ceased in her chest, mine did as well.  Now, all my actions remained driven by the need, the voracious and ever present will, to drive myself into oblivion for failing so miserably.  I am biding time, living days like a ghost.  I leave nothing behind in those I meet, I touch no hearts, and I keep mine far from reach.

The lively expressions and sounds issuing forth from Aelfwine are a luxury I cannot afford.  The annoyance building behind my mask of detachment stems from that difference, I suppose.  A part of my soul envies her for being so vibrant, so alive.  The other part wants to keep her damned cheer and delight as far away as possible, as though she were emanating a poisonous gas choking my lungs.

She seems perplexed by my lack of purpose, lack of home, lack of family, lack of whatever the fuck kept her walking this earth.  Baka, I think silently as her head tilts, her observation not waning.  I am being treated like a puzzle, with her eyes and ears seeking any information I might leak unintentionally.  I hate the sensation, the invasion of my privacy.  I would rather she be like anyone else - scoff and leave me alone with my bitter mood and sour tongue.  Instead, she remains.
Laughing.
Teasing.
Digging.

Not taking offense to my comment, she winks.  The girl nonplussed, completely riding out the insults, the dirty insinuations, owning them.  The annoyance lingers, clawing its way from the back of my mind and growing.  A frustration builds in my chest and makes me loose a single, short sigh into the air.

Then, she slips.

Her words reveal the kind heart underneath the devious girl's flesh.  For a fleeting moment, I almost consider being nice to her in return. Then, I realize, it would garner nothing. Not for me, and especially not for her. I had nothing to offer anyone except death. I turn away from her, moving for the first time since her arrival, taking careful steps further into the maze of the reflective lake.  "Did it ever occur to you that I want to be alone?" I ask, looking back at her with a somber expression.  My eyes bleed the first soft emotion of our interaction, betraying the steady delivery of my question.  A mournful sadness flickers briefly from them, before returning to the same icy glare I had pointed at her plenty already.

"I have no desire to make friends or family, so piss off."

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