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Ascending the stairs is a bit of an experience because of all the flying angels. The overwhelming majority possess wings of peerless white extending out of thick plates of blue. A few of them show red, rosy, blue, and even black tints as they come and go in the bright evening sky.
Looking up makes me almost fall when I try to take a phantom step. Ugh.
Tui's lone presence at the apex looks equally ominous and sad. Her back is turned to the entire room, presenting her big set of motionless, tipless gray tails as something akin to a barrier. Her vixen ears twitch constantly and she shifts her position, ready to rise but not finding the motivation to.
''Evening, Tuilelaith.'' Her name is always a mouthful. ''Thanks for everything you've done and your restraint, too.''
''Hm.'' Her head bob but she doesn't turn to look at us, prompting Ama to hide behind me while pushing Anais forward.
''I know I'm unreasonable, I came up here to ask you what you think about Ama being here. I haven't had time to really explain what happened in Limbo...'' When we emerged out of that Limbo with Ensan -without my mother-, all the angels and Sieglinde situation... Things got busy. ''She's here with us in her true body, no more shards, no more proxy. Alive with all the risks we have.''
''You've got guts, princess.'' She finally answers, the forced joviality in her tone prompts me to grab Zhu precious stone.
''I've come to ask your blessing to help the witch, her follower gave her life to save mine, I have a debt to her.'' Anais speaks, keeping a firm hand on Ama's wrist.
''I'm no world arbiter, yer free to make whatever decision you want lass.'' Tui heaves a sigh without turning. ''That's really you, Ama?''
''...Things happened.'' The witch responds timidly.
''Even the voice sounds different.'' The short ninetails grumble. ''I've been mighty tempted to walk down and rip out your throat, who'd stop me?''
What...? What can anyone say against that? Ama is suitably spooked, her courage falters, she hides behind me and Anais.
''Yet something's been twisting my guts every time I work up the nerve, I can't make up my mind; justifying myself is easy but I know damn well it's all just a cope to satisfy an immature bloodlust.'' She grunts, her tails begin to move gently. ''Been thinking real hard bout our entire history, witch...''
''For years on end, you've been fucking with me, dragging me into your goddamn games, guilt-tripping me whenever you could cause I was the only one who could help whatever poor soul you toyed with. Worked every damn time, too.'' Her tails move here and there with her agitation. ''And now that I've been remembering all of these games of yours, I can't say you've been inconsistent and unfair. The freedom you've granted Arawn and Shereen was something all of your players enjoyed... even if you inserted yourself into their lives and wrecked them in the process.''
