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For @LORDLIKE
Apr. 2nd, 2024 07:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kijoni[ With new beginnings, Shika hoped things would be different. Places change people. At least that’s what her handmaid back home—no, that’s not right—back in Inazuma would constantly say. Shika hated that phrase, rolled her eyes at it, and stormed out of rooms in screaming fits because none of it made the matter of her lack of a mother any better.
But not all change had to be for the worst, right? If she was miserable in the Hayakawa estate, she could go somewhere else, anywhere else, and chase after her happiness. And so Shika did nearly seven months ago. That’s when she ran into Arlecchino back in Fontaine. Shika was a filthy, rattled mess. She barely escaped the iron grip of a sandstorm brewing through the dunes of Sumeru, with nothing more than the tattered kimono on her back.
Father saved her, taking her under his wing and offering Shika what she’d always secretly wished for—a chance to become a part of a new family. But even though the scenery had changed, and she was continents apart, her temper continued to fester under her skin. She tried to hold back her tongue. To not embarrass Arlecchino after having done so much for her already. But children have a tendency to be cruel to anyone different than them.
Oni aren’t exactly a common sight on this side of the country. In all the time Shika has spent living with Father, she hadn’t met anyone else like her. It’s already awkward and difficult being a young girl in a growing body without horns for others to gawk at.
All Shika wanted to do this evening was catch a glimpse of a winter fox to draw in her field guide. She didn’t want to bother anyone. However, her plans were quickly dismantled by the sight of local boys throwing rocks at the poor creature. Shika despised them—for their mockery, for their brutality. Her little heart throttled in her chest so full of anger. Something snapped and she didn’t think twice before charging at them with clawed fists. Even if they ran away, screaming and crying with bloody noses, Shika didn’t come out of it unscathed either.
It’s far past dinner time when Shika arrives back home. Guilt twists at her gut like a knife as she pries the front door open. Dirt, blood, broken twigs, and weathered leaves speckle all over her clothes, skin, and tangle in her hair. She shuts the door behind her, the click so deafening on her ears in such a quiet house. ]
But not all change had to be for the worst, right? If she was miserable in the Hayakawa estate, she could go somewhere else, anywhere else, and chase after her happiness. And so Shika did nearly seven months ago. That’s when she ran into Arlecchino back in Fontaine. Shika was a filthy, rattled mess. She barely escaped the iron grip of a sandstorm brewing through the dunes of Sumeru, with nothing more than the tattered kimono on her back.
Father saved her, taking her under his wing and offering Shika what she’d always secretly wished for—a chance to become a part of a new family. But even though the scenery had changed, and she was continents apart, her temper continued to fester under her skin. She tried to hold back her tongue. To not embarrass Arlecchino after having done so much for her already. But children have a tendency to be cruel to anyone different than them.
Oni aren’t exactly a common sight on this side of the country. In all the time Shika has spent living with Father, she hadn’t met anyone else like her. It’s already awkward and difficult being a young girl in a growing body without horns for others to gawk at.
All Shika wanted to do this evening was catch a glimpse of a winter fox to draw in her field guide. She didn’t want to bother anyone. However, her plans were quickly dismantled by the sight of local boys throwing rocks at the poor creature. Shika despised them—for their mockery, for their brutality. Her little heart throttled in her chest so full of anger. Something snapped and she didn’t think twice before charging at them with clawed fists. Even if they ran away, screaming and crying with bloody noses, Shika didn’t come out of it unscathed either.
It’s far past dinner time when Shika arrives back home. Guilt twists at her gut like a knife as she pries the front door open. Dirt, blood, broken twigs, and weathered leaves speckle all over her clothes, skin, and tangle in her hair. She shuts the door behind her, the click so deafening on her ears in such a quiet house. ]
Father? [ Shika calls out in a shaky breath. ] I’m sorry...I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.
[ Her fingers work at unwinding the mess in her hair, but something snags, and she hiccups at the tug, louder than she intends. Tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She's exhausted, and all she wants to do is curl up in bed, but there’s no way she can, not like this. Shika hesitates to ask anything of anyone; she hardly knew how to react to all the lovely dresses, and she’s ashamed she’s ruined one that Father picked out for her. But she quivers her lip, and works up the nerve to speak again. ]
Could you——could you please help me, papa?
