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She likes coming here. The realization of that fact had snuck up on her only recently; prior to four months ago, it was just another ruin of the Other invasions.
Streaks of sunlight beam down through the overhead branches of the cherry trees. They form miniature clusters of stars and planets on the otherwise shaded pavement of the Kunad Highway. When the wind blows, it is warm and kisses her cheeks tenderly, all while carrying a gentle floral scent her way. The sound of the wind, as well, is just as calming; whispers of brighter days are sung in its crisp clarity and farewells to tragedy are carried off into the sky as momentary gusts.
It’s a beautiful place, one that she has become quite taken with now that things have finally begun to settle down… Of course, there is another aspect of the highway that draws her near more often than not. An invisible tug, as if there is a tight thread sewn over her heart, tethers her to this spot.
Alice Ichijo finds herself here once again, standing amid a crowd of delicate red flowers and a single, unmarked memorial stone.
At least, that’s what she figures the stone is. While having been a soldier much longer than she had initially planned, Alice’s time in the OSF had brought her to Kunad many times in the past. It was difficult to recall just how frequently she may have passed by this exact spot, but she had been aware of her surroundings enough to know that this stone was a recent addition to the scenery. The intricate art on its surface of the flowers surrounding it were a distinct, fine show of craftsmanship and its glossy shine had yet to be marred by living creatures and natural weather effects alike.
Perhaps it is odd to think so, given that it is nothing more than a reminder, but in a way, Alice feels inexplicably connected to the lone grave which stands isolated from the rest of society. It appears proud, brave and unwavering.
Kneeling down, careful to not scuff up her uniform too badly on the dirt, Alice touches the face of the stone with her fingertips. It's cool even through her gloves, but she doesn’t mind. Naturally, a small smile spreads across her face, just the same as every other time she has stopped by to say hello.
“Hi. It’s Alice again,” she says to the nameless grave. “I hope you don’t mind having me coming around at the most random of times. I just… really like it here.”
She receives no reply, though that is to be expected. The breeze pushes her bangs out of her eyes and her chest warms.
I sound so silly, talking to someone I don’t even know the name of, Alice thinks to herself with a giggle that almost feels out of place, but perfect for the occasion at the same time. Since she had first spotted the memorial stone, she had always wondered why it was left unmarked. It was none of her business, she knew, but she was driven by her curiosity. She could always ask around; surely there must have been someone in the OSF who knew the circumstances of its appearance.
That, however, would have to wait for another day.
Withdrawing her hand, Alice pinches her thumb and forefinger together in the space between herself and the stone. Cracking into reality from her fingertips, a crystal-like flower of the same type surrounding her sprouts upward and takes on a near identical shape. Pleased with her work, Alice sets it down upright on the ground among its red siblings.
“You take care now,” she says politely and pushes herself to a stand. And as she turns to leave, “I’ll come visit again soon, Ka—”
She doesn’t finish what she’s saying. Or rather, she can’t. Something yanks on her mind hard and her breath stops short. Her entire body seizes up as her vision swims behind an illusion of cracked glass and bleeding static lines. It punctures a hole in her thoughts, in her memories, and Alice is going to scream in agonizing panic. But before she even realizes it, she can draw air into her lungs again and she’s gasping like a fish out of water.
For a drawn out moment, Alice breathes deep, catching her breath. Steadying herself. Remembering herself. As the world finally stops spinning and the feeling of cotton in her ears clears up, she deliberately regains her balance by firmly planting both of her feet on the ground. She holds up her hands, flexes her fingers once, twice…
Alice breathes out, and it sounds human.
“Oh, boy,” she says aloud with a forced calm, “the ghost stories about this place are getting to me after all.”
If that isn’t a cue to hurry on back to Suoh, Alice doesn’t know what is. Without missing a beat she jogs back the way she came, in the direction of the capital.
Unbeknownst to her, the flower she had left behind lay cut clean in half.