Crimson Snow; Seraphim and Tracy's encounter

As Tracy walked further inside, she would find this place to be quite empty. In fact, Seraphim seemed to be the only person here at the moment. After all, it wasn't a real church anymore, just a small memorial to the one that used to be here, and visits here from the public were few and far between. But Seraphim... she came here as often as she could, she really seemed at one with her surroundings right now, especially the way the sun reflected off her pearl white hair and her skin seemed to have a soft glow from it as well.

When Tracy spoke though, Seraphim's crimson eye fluttered open and her hands gently were released from prayer as she slowly stood up, all of her actions being very smooth and slow at the moment while she turned to face Tracy. There was a long silence from Seraphim, the look on her face being a soft and subtle surprise, the once proud girl having a very calm and composed look across her features, like being here had put her in a state of tranquility. "..I didn't expect to see you here." Even Seraphim's voice was more collected and even monotone in a sense, truly changed in these surroundings. Seraphim didn't move from where she stood, remaining among the memorials as she took a slow, shallow breath and broke eye contact with Tracy, gazing up at the golden cross that hung from the cieling as she said, "..I'm paying my respects to all those who I lost."

Tracy didnt stop walking just because Seraphim noticed her presence there. In fact, she kept going to where her friend was. She had to admit, she never thought she would be here. The kawaii red head took another look around the place, stopping to see the huge cross hanging from the ceiling. 'All those.....she lost?' Now Tracy was starting to really understand how Seraphim was feeling, with this sudden change of personality.

The next thing she did was simply unbelieveable. Tracy knelt down, her hands holding together to start praying. " Okay. Then let me make you some company. " And with that, the kawaii red head shutted her eyes and started muttering out some old sentences she heard when she worked selling little illustrations of different saints.

Seraphim was silent as Tracy approached her, not really sure what her younger friend was doing. It felt a little strange to her to be here with someone else. The only other person who ever came here with her was occasionally Alison, since the two had grown up here after they were taken in from the streets, but even then it was a rare thing, since Alison often found herself in tears by the end of things, and she didn't want her friend to be in such a pain. So here Seraphim was, always used to doing this alone, and now she had Tracy, who was... she was going to stay here with her?

"Tr.. Tracy-san, you don't... you don't have to, really." Seraphim was nearly at a loss of of words, she never would have expected this to come from her. And yet, before Seraphim even went to stop her, only getting so much as a hand on Tracy's small shoulder, the kawaii had begun to say a few words from the holy texts, moving Seraphim into a soft smile, nearly feeling her eye tear up just a little.

"I... ..thanks, that means a lot to me." Her words were in disbeleif, but she slowly composed herself and went back to kneeling down in front of the memorial to pray. Seraphim would spend another twenty minutes there, even if Tracy decided to remain here or not, her words almost silent, but lips moving. She knew god could hear what she had been whispering these gentle words, and would carry them on to the people she once knew and loved.

Tracy reached to mutter out all she remembered from what she heard years ago, at least 5 times. Tracy didnt know all that much as Seraphim, but there were 1 or 2 verses she memorized when she was young and never forgot. After those long 20 minutes, Tracy stood up, her knees aching and a little red. She hasnt ever been so much time on her knees, especially because she was the one forcing the other girls to their knees after their defeat.

" Ready to go, Seraphy? " Tracy said, finding herself calling the taller girl 'Seraphy' again. This time not because she was trying to fake a friendship with the other girl, but because she was now starting to really feel it. With that, she held her hand down to help Seraphim stand up easier, though she didnt think someone like this girl would need any help.

Not once had Seraphim did so much as even fidget the entire time. She hardly seemed to make a sound, even as she breathed, she never got distracted or lost her place, and even as there were sounds outside the church, nothing seemed to bother her or break her concentration. In fact, she seemed to loose track of time as twenty minutes passed, and she still hadn't budged. At least, not until Tracy stood up and bothered to ask if it was time to go. For a moment, she was slow to react, very slowly opening her eye, blinking once or twice before letting out a long breath, gradually standing up without taking Tracy's hand yet clearly a little out of it in a sorts as she tried to gather her surroundings.

"Oh.. yes, let us go then." Her words were still calm, even just a littl surprised for a moment, like she didn't really think time went so quick. But sure enough, she looked at the ancient clock they had upon the wall and nodded slowly in understanding, her entire composure still very polite, respectful, and held together, like she had been someone else completely.

"I'm sorry for taking so long. There's just so much here I have yet to do. But.. let's depart for now." And with that said, not even standing still to listen to her apology, Seraphim was already making her way out of the church, like she was ready to simply walk back to the apartments, the distance not bothering her one bit.

Tracy wasnt surprised at all when the other girl didnt take her hand. Maybe she was already expecting that. Or just did something she would have done. " Nah. You dont need to be sorry. I mean..it was kinda nice to make you some company. " Tracy admitted with a faint blush appearing on her cheeks, moving her left hand to scratch a little her now pink left cheek.

And so, Tracy followed Seraphim who went out of the place leaving her behind. As she reached her, she started to walk in a more normal rhythm. The kawaii red head thought this would be the perfect moment to make a request. " Hmm....Seraphy....Could I stay with you for a few days? " The blush came again. She wasnt one to ask favors like this one, but after all that happened...She wanted to be some time more with her new friend.

Nearly the moment the two stepped out of the church, Seraphim's personality seemed to shift towards what could only be said to be her normal self, the smile slowly recovering a sense of pride, her body more relaxed in posture, and her features no longer carrying such a saddened expression. She would adjust her eyepatch slightly, and then look towards Tracy when she spoke, realizing something as she did. Tracy was... blushing? It was very faint, but even with one eye, her vision was still pretty good, and had been enough to notice this reaction which she dared not to point out and kept to herself, pocketting this in her mind like ammunition she could use later as a joke, finding it to be cute enough where she wished she had a camera.

But then, the question asked as the two were walking struck a little sudden, and Seraphim quarked her brow, looking strait at Tracy like she just grew a second head. "You wanna stay for awhile?" She repeated her question, as if asking 'you sure you want to dare to ask that?' But in a few moment, Seraphim went to slowly rub the girls head a bit, actually laughing just a little bit, but in a clearly open and cheerful manner, like the thought of asking itself was just ridiculous. "Hell, you don't even have to ask short-stuff. Of course you can! I can even get you a bedroll and sleeping bag to help, how's that sound?"

Tracy's eyes were shining bright. Seraphim said yes! She could really stay at her place! Not even someone as serious as Tracy could hold herself down and not start hopping around the place like a little, excited child. She was so happy now...For the first time, she felt how it was to be someone with a home where to go back. Even a little tear escaped from the corner of Tract's left eye.

" Thank you...Thank you really much! " She never imagined herself saying those words. And here she was, letting them slip from her mouth like any other normal words. She leaned forward to hug Seraphim like the mother she never had, sobbing a little.

"Wh-Whoa, um.. y-you're welcome." Seraphim was quite surprised by Tracy suddenly hugging her, and she actually tensed up, hands up in the air as she was caught off guard by the hug. Tracy was so... innocent looking just now, the way she smiled, the tear in her eye, the cheerful releif in her tone, it really softened the cold ice around Seraphim's heart, and she couldn't help but smile at it all.

After a few moments of being a little tense over this sudden hug, Seraphim managed to get over it, and very slowly she relaxed. Her hands slowly went around the small of Tracy's back and embraced the hug, returning it to the girl as she held her close for the moment, letting Tracy know she was more then welcome. She wanted Tracy to be happy, to have the life Seraphim never could, because a girl like her deserved much better, and Seraphim would be willing to do what she could to provide that for Tracy.. she was like family to her.

Tracy sniffed a bit as Seraphim's arms hugged her. The red head couldnt feel happier now. All she wanted in her life was someone who could understand her, who she could share her sadness with, someone like Seraphim. And now, in her embrace, it was like she reached her dream.

The kawaii red head didnt want to let go, and she showed this feeling by hugging Seraphy tighter, though the fact that her face was buried between Seraphim's breasts and that she is actually getting out of air would make her step back soon enough.