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The Spring Festival finally drew to a close with the sunset. Despite that, nearly everyone was still in high spirits, some Heroes already making plans for the next year.
Of course, nearly everyone clearly implies that there were Heroes who didn't quite enjoy the festivities... And Plumeria was one of them.
She was almost regretful of having agreed to participate. All around her, wherever she looked, there were those disgusting, lecherous stares, and the lewd words that made her sick to her stomach. She hated it, from the bottom of her heart.
It reminded her of the way her mother would gaze at the men she was desperate to be with, the repulsive lust that seemed to drive her, the desire that was seemingly more important than anything else... Including her own daughter. And that's why Plumeria hated it so much.
She was reborn thanks to Lady Freyja, who had shown her true love, who had sacrificed her own life just to bring back Plumeria. Yet, Plumeria couldn't help but spiral into deep sorrow remembering her mortal days, how her mother seemed to feel nothing but hatred for her. Even though Freyja had loved her deeply, Plumeria couldn't help but want more.
Plumeria could feel her heart aching. She didn't want to allow such a thing to affect her anymore; her mother never loved her, so she shouldn't shed any tears for that woman. And yet...
The garden was empty that late at night. Finally, a place where she could have some respite. It was unusual, but that night, she felt she'd rather stay awake. However, it seemed like she wasn't the only one.
"Plumeria?" She recognized the soft voice of the dancer who'd spent the entire festival by her side. She took a deep breath, composing herself, before turning around to face her.
"Olivia. You're still awake." Plumeria watched as the other woman approached her. Her gaze was different from the others... She looked at Plumeria with nothing but admiration and fondness. It was refreshing.
"Yes... Despite everything, I still feel full of energy! Is it the same for you?"
"Yes." In truth, Plumeria hadn't felt so weary in a while. However, Olivia's presence did soothe it, even if just a little.
"I see... We could practice another dance to spend that energy, or, erm, just chat if you want... And if it won't bother you, of course." Despite Plumeria's best efforts, Olivia could tell something was off. She was quiet, speaking in short sentences, as if wishing to distance herself.
"...I suppose a dance without those disgusting stares to bother us would be nice."
"Alright, then! I've been thinking of a new number that goes a little bit like this..."
They'd danced with one another for the entire duration of the festival, and thus, had grown quite used to each other's rhythm. Plumeria found the act relaxing, in a sense. When it was just the two of them, the world felt lighter. Like they could keep dancing for days without end, and it wouldn't tire her.
Olivia, on the other hand, also found the act relaxing. She loved dancing, and she did like to see the smiles her dancing brought to the faces of others. That being said, all the attention did overwhelm her quite a bit. At first, when she paired up with Plumeria, she was worried she'd hold the dökkálfar back, but the more they danced together, the more confident she grew.
They enjoyed dancing together. Here, where it was quiet and there was nothing to distract them. Where there was no one else to leer look at them.
"Your dancing is wonderful, Plumeria. And your wings really complement your style." Olivia eventually spoke. She truly admired Plumeria, and she hoped she could bring some solace to her, even if she didn't know what was causing her to scowl more than usual.
"Hmm, for someone so self-conscious, your dancing is quite bold." Plumeria couldn't help but tease Olivia. She really did think her flustered face was adorable. Olivia was red as a tomato, easily as that. And that sight was what caused Plumeria to say more than she probably should have.
"Your gaze is warm. It's nothing like theirs. When you look at me, I can tell you're really looking at me, not at what could become a perverted fantasy."
Olivia continued to dance, albeit a bit slower this time. She pondered for a few moments, before she replied. "I know you've been saying that for the entire festival... But you truly hate the attention, don't you?"
Plumeria scoffed. "And here I thought I'd been clear."
"...I... Do apologize, then. I shouldn't have pushed you to do something that made you so uncomfortable."
The dökkálfar shook her head. "Not your fault. I couldn't avoid that cursed festival anyways. It was a good thing you came along."
Olivia sighed. "...Sorry if I'm being too nosy, but... Is that the reason why you seem so... Sad?"
Plumeria stopped dancing, silent. Olivia quickly spoke again. "Y-You don't have to answer if you don't want to! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."
"Cut it out with all the apologizing already..." Plumeria sighed, crossing her arms. "...To answer your question, it's more than that. Something from my mortal days."
"Ah... I see..." Olivia frowned, concern filling her gaze. Plumeria truly appreciated it, how warm the woman was. "Do you... Want to talk about it...?"
Plumeria shook her head. "No, it's pointless. I shouldn't even be thinking about that. I left that life behind a long time ago. Lady Freyja gave me all her love, and for that, I am truly grateful. Nothing like that other woman." The dökkálfar didn't understand why she was saying more than she should, why her mouth ran so freely around Olivia, why she could feel her heart swelling whenever the dancer looked at her with that soft smile or that genuine worry.
"Other... Woman?" Olivia asked. She almost apologized again for asking, but at that point, she sincerely wanted to know more. She wanted to comfort Plumeria as well as she could.
"Tch... Just someone who abandoned me. Who never loved me. Who left me to die the moment I became an obstacle for her... All so that she could give in to lust. It always comes down to that with a lot of you mortals, doesn't it? Lewd desires, perverted thoughts... Just like that woman. It's like nothing else matters. Like no other kind of love is as important. I hate it... It disgusts me. It makes me feel sick."
Olivia remained silent, and Plumeria continued. "She went mad for the first man she laid eyes on after that deadbeat left. Why couldn't she, for once in her life, have looked at me instead? At who I am, at how much I cherished her? I just wanted her to love me back. Is that so wrong?"
She fell silent. She did not want to shed tears. That woman didn't deserve it. And yet...
"Plumeria..." Olivia finally hugged her tightly. Plumeria didn't sob. She just buried her face in Olivia's shoulder and cried, not making a sound. She was more angry than sorrowful. Lady Freyja had given her a purpose, had given her love. So why did those memories make her suffer so much?
Olivia didn't say anything. She allowed Plumeria to pour her heart out. She felt like it was the best she could do.
A long while passed before Plumeria finally let go, though Olivia still held her hand. "...That was... Pathetic of me." Plumeria sighed deeply.
Olivia shook her head. "No, it wasn't, you don't have to hold back. I really cherish you, Plumeria, and I want to be able to at least comfort you a bit. I think of you as a dear friend, so I want you to know I'll always be here if you need someone to talk to. And... You never did anything wrong. No one deserves to go through what happened to you. I'm sure there are a lot of Heroes here who also think of you fondly, just like me."
Plumeria felt her heart beating a little bit faster hearing her words. Fondness, endearment... Thanks to Freyja, those feelings weren't so foreign to her anymore. But, for some reason, coming from Olivia, it felt... Different. She didn't know what to make of it.
"...Well, thank you. But let's just... Not bring this up anymore." She eventually replied, and Olivia nodded in understanding. "It's getting late. We've practiced enough. You should get some rest."
Olivia hesitated. "What about you? Are you really alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be going to get some rest myself soon." The same lie again. Plumeria felt as though she'd probably spend the whole night wide awake.
"If you say so... But if you need to talk, don't hesitate to come after me! Good night, Plumeria." Olivia squeezed her hand, before finally letting go, walking back to the castle.
Plumeria just stared and stood there for a while. Her thoughts were still all over the place, but they were gradually being taken over by an unfamiliar warmth. It felt different from the bonds she had with the others. She didn't understand what it was, but she wanted to know.
Feeling like she really should go back to her own room, she finally mumbled under her breath. "Sweet dreams, Olivia."