Apologies Are Never Enough (Open)

[Deleted]

I left my hotel and headed to the nearest flower shop. Purchasing Kyoto's favorite, Blood Splatter Orchids, I went on my way to the cemetery. I sighed at the ground, watching it pass beneath my feet. I didn't want to believe she was gone. She was my little sister. She was all I had to protect and I failed. Had I been with her, had I not left her, I would have been able to save her. It was my fault she was gone. It was all my fault.

Finally, I made it to the cemetery. I looked up at the gates that stretched above my head. They looked over me as if they knew every fault I had done. Everything I had ever missed up, they knew. Every time I did the wrong thing, they knew. I had nothing that I could do but bow my head. I was not good enough to even say good bye to Kyoto. I pushed the gates with another sigh. I needed to at least say something to her. I needed to tell her... I needed to tell her what happened.

It didn't take me long to locate her tombstone. It was located near the far back left. She always was one to look for the back seat. She didn't really like to sit near the front. I smiled to myself as I set down the flowers near the right side. Standing up I shoved my hands in my pockets. I looked over the grave, my smile faded. I let out another sigh.

"I'm sorry, Kyoto. I wish I could have been here. I should have told you what happened... I should have... I should have done something. I should have... been a better brother. You trusted me and I let you down. I should have been better for you. I was so caught up in wanting to please Leon that I didn't think about the effect it would have on you. I didn't think you would come and look for me. I didn't think you would die."
A few tears slid down my cheeks.
"I don't deserve your forgiveness. I should have striven to be better. I should have tried my best to be your brother, not just a Lightning Gang follower. I pray you will hear my words. I pray you will hear me. I always cared for you, but I didn't know that caring wasn't enough. I didn't know that you would follow me so far. I didn't know and I am so sorry for it. I can't do anything to make up for it. I wish there was a way. I wish I could be able to show you I could change. I wish there was something..."
I paused and wiped the tears away.
"Please forgive me, Kyoto. I will be better now. I promise I will change. I will protect those close to me and I will be the man you saw me as. I will be better not only for myself, but for you. I'll be back tomorrow with some of your favorite rice cakes and sunrise sushi. I promise I'll come back often. I am so sorry this happened to you. I will take revenge against those who hurt you. I promise I will find them and I will kill them."
I unsheathed my sword and took a knee. Grabbing a handful of dirt from her grave I rubbed it over the blade. 
"This I swear to you: I will hunt down those who hurt you. I will hunt them and kill them."
I dragged the blade over my hand, cutting my palm. I clenched my fist and waited for the blood to pool. After I had a good little bit, I'd drag my hand over her grave then my blade.
"I swear, I will avenge you, my sister. I will never stop. I will never quit. I will never give up."
I stood and lifted my head to the sky, closing my eyes. I would never stop, for her. I would avenge, for her. I would do anything, for her.

[Violet Lockheart]

EVEN WITH THESE CHAINS

you can't stop me

Sunday. Violet was grateful for that much, she didn't do well closed up in classrooms all day, she got shaky. Dressed to impress in a blood splatter dress, her turquoise bathing suit beneath that as she had just returned from a stint at the beach. It was a much needed vacation from the norm in fact she'd more or less decided to make this a regular thing, school by week, beach as a reward by the end that would keep her living with a smile on her face and the memories of her past locked away. Frowning a little bit at that fact drew her into a thoughtless sort of march bringing her past a dismal cemetery. She didn't step past the gates, she had no reason to but she passed it walking along the stores just down the block stopping at a floral shop and while she was always rather taken with yellow roses she found herself playing with the stems of the orchids pairing them with her dress with a subtle grin on her face and a laugh that echoed in the empty corridors.

@akihitosan

OOC: sorry for not initiating contact didn't see a reason why Vi would be in a cemetery :\

[Deleted]

I bowed respectfully before wiping the blade off on the bottom of my jeans.

"I will return. I promise."

I bowed once more after putting my sword back in it's sheath. Turning back to the entrance, I walked back the way I came. Would I ever get the chance to kill those responsible for Kyoto's death? I wasn't sure. All I was sure of was that I needed to find Leon Sudeki. My leader would be able to help me find out who was responsible. He would surely be able to tell what I needed to do. Where I needed to go.

I passed the floral shop and stopped outside the door. I was about to head inside and get a few more orchids to put in my room. I needed them not only to have a piece of Kyoto with me. Not only that, but I needed that reminder of what I was going to do. Of what I had to do.

I put my hand on the door in time to hear a laugh echo down the corridor. My hand pushed the door open and I peered around the corner. That sound... It was so familiar. It sounded like... No it couldn't be possible... Kyoto was dead. I looked down the corridor to see a girl in a blood splatter dress. She was holding flowers, the very same kind of flower I had just left for Kyoto. Was this possible? Was it possible there could be another so alike Kyoto here? She was so close. She was so near to me. Was this my punishment? Was this what I would have to endure for not being able to save Kyoto?

"Why would you do this to me, Kyoto?"

I hand't realized I was speaking aloud until my own voice echoed. Oops...

[Violet Lockheart]

EVEN WITH THESE CHAINS

you can't stop me

Absent minded little Violet would be grinning to herself exchanging glances with the saleswoman inside, she really could use a shade to brighten up the room. That was before her thoughts were intercepted by a voice behind her, eyes taking their time to glance up to the tall redhead at her back. Shock grappled her in an instant and her entire body went rigid. Like she'd seen a ghost really Violet looked pale white staring back at the mournful figure mirroring her.

"M-m-magnus?" She'd find herself mouthing to herself quietly her hands restrained to her own torso still verily afraid to move at all in his position. There had to be something wrong with all this, he'd left.

@akihitosan

[Deleted]

As she turned around and I saw her face, I let out a sigh. I hadn't realized I was holding my breath. She wasn't Kyoto. She couldn't have been. She was just... Just an impostor. I was angered by this betrayal. Not by her, but by myself. I had allowed myself to believe there was another Kyoto. There could have only been one. There was only ever one.

I realized I hadn't spoken yet and she was still looking at me. Wait, who was Magnus? I was certainly not he. This man who she thought I was. I stood straight and smiled at her. After all, It wasn't her fault I thought she was someone else. I took the two steps I would need to clear the door and lifted my hand from the door to the back of my head rubbing it lightly. Lifting my other hand to the side i'd smile a bit bigger.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else." I dropped my hand. "Hi. I'm Akihito, Takumi. Nice to meet you. Sorry I'm not who you thought I was." I'd hold out my hand in case she was the kind of American that shook hands.

[Violet Lockheart]

EVEN WITH THESE CHAINS

you can't stop me

Violet was still paralyzed as he made his approach, extending his hand outright only made her blush, a reassignment to the fair bit of color she could muster up in the given moment turning away not to lock eyes with him albeit briefly. This wasn't Magnus, he was still very much gone and though they never really spared any time for one another she still felt a bit jaded over him having left them without so much as a word. Grimacing she'd turn her features upright and offer back her own wobbling hand seemingly still in discord with her emotions far too shaken to remain still.

"V-v-violet Lockheart." She'd return shyly her grip turning rather limp and shaky at first before adding a bit of unnecessary pressure as she regained form and flow of her appendages. "And I' sorry, its rude of me to assume you were someone else." Violet admitted wholeheartedly quivering still herself finding that her grip on his hand wouldn't release.

@akihitosan

[Deleted]

I noticed as I held out my hand that she had a slight blush and turned away before looking back at me and taking my hand. Her grip was loose, very unlike the other Americans I had met here. Most shook hard and stared straight into my eyes. But not her, not this Kyoto lookalike. She was more gentle, much alike my Kyoto.

I found myself slightly frowning at the thought. Quickly putting a smile back on my face, I tilted my head slightly to the side as she introduced herself with a somewhat stutter. Was she nervous? What was there to be nervous about? I thought about my appearance: I had my flaming red hair tied back in a high flaring pony tail. The red hair fanned out behind my head in an unruly spiky mess but at the same time looking like it was perfectly placed. I wore a simple black tight fitting shirt beneath my black and red leather blazer. That may have set her uneasy. My jeans were plain. Just a regular pair of Wranglers boot cut. I liked the space they gave me to move and still be able to fight without an issue. Thinking on it more, I remembered I did have a few facial tattoos. Resembling a warrior's tribal tattoos, they could easily mix with the rest of my outfit and describe in perfect detail: Danger.

Perhaps It was my overall appearance. I may have seemed like a troublemaker. I was that indeed, but I had no intention of doing those things here. Not when the memory of Kyoto was so close. I needed to make sure I had 'all my ducks in a row', as the Americans say, before I got to work in that regard. I had things I needed to do: I had to find a school, I had to find Leon, I had to find the fuckers that killed Kyoto. So many more things that I couldn't think of now.

Meanwhile, the girl still had a hold of my hand, though only a few seconds had passed. Violet Lockheart, as it were. She had now apologized for thinking I was this Magnus. He must have been someone close to her as Kyoto was to me then? I felt for her. All the pain I was going through... Had she felt the same loss for this man as well?

"Violet... I have never seen such a name fit a woman as well as it does with you. Such beauty and such loveliness could only belong to you. Magnus must have been a handsome man indeed. I am humbled to be associated with him." I leaned down whilst pulling her hand up and placed a kiss on the back of her hand. "Perhaps I might be able to buy you dinner, or lunch. In order to make amends for not being such a man as he?"

I looked back into her eyes, still leaning over her hand. She was beautiful, there was no denying that. Her dress only added to her beauty. The way the blood splattered over her as if she had just come from a fight. Had I not such good control over my body, she may have been able to see how much I liked it. Yes, she was truly glorious.

My beautiful princess of war, would you deny your prince a chance at your heart?

[Violet Lockheart]

EVEN WITH THESE CHAINS

you can't stop me

He was unkempt at least in the ways he kept his hair, it was much longer than Magnus' had been, in fact now that she took a closer look there were significant differences. It was notable in his stature, his speech, the way he maintained eye contact with her that really drew her in. That's when he started flirting, or at least she thought that's what it might be dropping the hefty compliment her direction causing her confidence to stagger a bit momentarily. Cheeks flushed and posture reverting inward and away from his grasp still unable to let go of his hand. Violet was caught in a bit of a conundrum; on one hand she felt guilty having these butterflies in her stomach when they were forged by someone else, whilst on the other hand it was a good feeling one she knew would hurt soon as she took off.

Then he said the magic word. Marry me?!

Yes food. Glorious food, she went weak at the knees for someone who would provide her with gluttonous quantities of food. Beaming gleefully the girl would glint upright again framing herself in a tad bit more of a composed stature. "You're too kind." She'd admit bashfully ducking behind a wave of her hair only to emerge once again with a flitting glance. She was rather poor at this flirting thing, looking up she'd manage to seethe between locks of hair in her lips awkwardly still. "But I'd love a date...." She'd linger on that last word freezing up painfully again.

@akihitosan

[Deleted]

The corners of my mouth stretched upwards at her reaction. She was undoubtedly within my grasp. I wanted her, this Kyoto look-alike. I wanted to keep her. I wanted to own her. I wanted to hold her and love her. I would give her anything her heart so desired. If only I knew what it was... It would be hers without so much as a grimace.

My smile spread wider at her comment. I was kind only to those things I could not do without. The things I would do most anything for. No one else would have my Violet, my Kyoto. I would fight anyone to keep her. Her affections could only belong to me, and me alone. She ducked behind a curtain of hair only to emerge and request it be a date instead. I could have not been more appreciative.

"A date... Tat would be most lovely. I trust I will be able to take you anywhere? If I may, I'd like to make it a formal attire date."
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and quickly searched fine dining restaurants nearby.
"I have found a few places. What kind of cuisine would you prefer? Steakhouse, French, or Seafood. They all have high reviews."
I'd shoe her the page and let her decide.
"I do hope you will allow me to show you off. You must look absolutely exquisite in a formal gown."

I'd look into her eyes again, those gorgeous blue eyes that shined brightly when she smiled. Those eyes that I would never forget.

[Violet Lockheart]

EVEN WITH THESE CHAINS

you can't stop me

Formal attire? Violet's skin got goosebumps, man was this guy really going all out, did he even want to get to know her or was he just misreading things? She was so confused right now between the palpitations in her chest, the flushed heat in her cheeks, and reason all aside blinding her to what all was said.

"Woah!" Violet would state her hands palming up first to deject his phone but then easing slowly to grasp it over. These reviews were just a tease really giving only one platter and then the outside of the building. Did they even realize that she was really only there for the food?! Clearing up her head and letting the flushed look leave her face Violet would step up to make a decision. "I can't accept." Wincing slightly about going back on what she'd said, he was just coming on a little bit too strong sure he said perfect key words like "show her off" and numerous flattering terms but she couldn't help but feel off. Violet needed to make this work, not like she had with Magnus. "I mean... not that I'm opposed to something formal but um maybe something a little less so first, just so you know you can deal with me Haha." Violet would giggle at her self-deprecation before patting him down sliding the phone back to him.

"If you're free the rest of today.. maybe we could check out the fair? Although I may need to change... I'm a little wet." She'd state plainly looking down at the outlines that would be forming as her dress clung to her dress a bit.

@akihitosan

[Deleted]

I stopped. She didn't want to be treated like a queen? Wasn't that what we men were supposed to do? I hoped I might treat her the way I saw her: Royalty. She was my Aphrodite, my Athena. She looked over the phone but then placed it back in my hands. She couldn't? I looked down as if scanning myself. I was myself. Was I unappealing? Perhaps I was letting my emotions run away with me. I had mixed her with Kyoto and was treating Violet as if she were Kyoto and I was making up for lost time. I needed to back up and reanalyze things before dragging her through my emotional roller coaster.

She was still open to the idea of a date though. I could still salvage my poor situation I had placed myself in. I would fix this and then maybe... Deal with her? What was wrong about her? She looked absolutely perfect to me. I slid my phone back into my pocket and then froze. Wet? Did she say wet? I looked into her eyes. I would not let myself look at her body. I would not let my self control sputter that horribly.

"I am sorry, Violet. I have nothing more to do today. I was merely buying flowers today to place in my room,"
My eyes traveled from her face down to the orchids she held in her hands, my smile faded into a look of sorrow and loss.
"To remind me of someone as well as something I have to do."
I looked back up at her and smiled apologetically.
"Forgive me. I was thinking about someone. The fair sounds lovely. Is your home near here? I hope I am not being too invasive. If you like, I could meet you there."

Hopefully I will have recovered from my blunder by then. I would hate for her to see me blundering like an idiot for too much longer. I sighed and looked at the flowers to my right.

"You remind me so much of my sister, She died not too long ago. I hope you'll understand that is the reason why I am acting very strange now. I don't mean to make our situation more awkward. I just thought I should let you know. I can go now if you like. I am sorry to have wasted your time this way."

[Violet Lockheart]

EVEN WITH THESE CHAINS

you can't stop me

It wasn't that she didn't want to feel like a princess, sure that was every girl's dream to be treated as such it was just something so unfamiliar something we'd been warned about since youth or maybe even something she'd grown to doubt over the years that all good things that sounded good had a bitter taste. Regardless Violet would hear him out, her mouth remaining shut for the time being her attention trained on him attentively watching his reactions all the many different shades of it all. It was strange, there was something about this boy that was different from most, the range of emotions something special. Violet would grin bringing her hand up at the edge of his speech pressing her palm softly to clasp the base of his jaw fingers entwined over his lips to stop his speech.

"Shut up." She'd try to make it as light hearted in tone as possible, it was strange being this abrasive with someone, she'd never been this way on a first encounter. "You have nothing to apologize for. My numbers in your phone. Call me in twenty." Violet would wink her body shifting to walk away and leave him be for a second walking down the street in her simple attire, there was a bit of a hop and a skip though as she went. Walking all the way home it wouldn't be long before she'd be there. If he followed her instruction Vi would be happy to go on their 'date'.

@akihitosan

[Deleted]

Her fingers over my mouth... Warm and soft. I closed my eyes and let the feeling whisk me away. Opening my eyes, I smiled lightly beneath her fingers. She gave me her number while she had my phone? This woman was amazing. She completely had me. I was different with her. I knew I became suave when I was near women, but this was different. What was it about her that changed me so dramatically?

"I will call you whenever you desire me to."
Twenty minutes it was. I looked to the flower clerk after she left.
"I need a bouquet. The best one you can make with the blood splatter orchids. If you make it in twenty minutes, I'll pay you double the cost."
"I don't make those, sir. I'm not sure how to-"
"Look, you'll make one up or I'll make one and your shop will belong to Lightning Gang. Got it?"
The man stammered again before heading to the back quickly. soon he emerged with a bouquet. It had some baby's breath mixed with half black orchids and half blood splatter orchids. There were red and black ribbons tied around the red and white paper over the flowers. I took them and thanked the man.
"Thanks, I'm not gonna pay ya though. You are lucky I don't trash the place. Get your shit straight before I come back. I don't want to have to repeat this conversation."
The man stammered a yessir before I left.

Twenty minutes passed slowly. I watched my watch, urging the hands to move faster. Most guys liked to call later than she had requested, or not call at all to make it seem like she wasn't that important. Violet was. She was exactly what I wanted. I took out my phone and compared times. The phone's time was a whole minute and 13 seconds slower. GODDAMMIT!

Time was so slow. I looked to the flowers and counted the spots, managing to get up to fifty-three, I'd steal a glance at my watch. Twenty-one minutes had passed. I thumbed the password and opened my phone to the contacts, hoping she hadn't stiffed me. Finding her number almost instantly, I called the number and held it to my ear. Holding my breath I waited to hear the magical sound of her answer.

[Violet Lockheart]

EVEN WITH THESE CHAINS

you can't stop me

She'd start off at a slow pace walking with a calm demeanor not thinking to look back. Well that was a bit of a lie, she wanted to look back but held strong and remained facing forward til she hit the corner. That was when all guard was dropped and she broke into a quick run, or about as quick as she could manage waking from the tantrum of thoughts rushing through her head. In her errant to-do list she had to: Go home, shower, do her hair really quick, make-up but not too much make up to be compensating for something, pick out some clothes and lord knew that would be the longest part of this whole exchange. She wondered if she could really do it all in fifteen minutes as the time seemed to race for her far faster than perhaps waiting around might.

A pursuing slam would follow as she made way into her house sealing herself off from the world before, quickly with a lithe maneuver she'd toss her clothes off managing to trip along the way and race for the shower. COLD COLD COLD! Dancing between the droplets and the exit of the shower like a puppy before the temperature settled at a balmy heat. Stinging orange shampoo drizzling in her hair and quickly resigning the idea of really enjoying this all Violet popped out and dried herself off in a frenzy. She'd lingered two minutes too long as her timeline dropped to seven.

Launching across the room Violet would pattern her bed with a number of floral dresses having caught Akihito's glimpse at the flower shop it seemed only fitting. Pressed into a panic she'd try on one, the pattern coming out in pink sun-rays it made her look a bit childish some years younger than she was going for. Frantically still she'd lean back to her standing mirror and start fiddling with her make-up, light foundation, she didn't bother with lipstick or for that matter blush she did enough of that on her own but a light layer of mascara she always considered her eyes her best feature. Before long it was time. Still unsatisfied with what she was wearing Violet returned to the parade of clothes as her phone went off.

"Ohhhhh five more minutes!!" She'd scream at no one in particular half running across the room to her phone and half snatching up a turquoise dress and jean-shorts. She'd flip forth the cover and answer with the dress over her head and wrestled between her arms. "Harro?" She'd clear her throat popping it on speaker and launching it aside before struggling with the animated thing getting herself all poshed up. "I mean hello?" Playing coy though she knew who it was.

@akihitosan

[Deleted]

I smiled as her voice came through the other end. 'Harro.' It made me want to laugh, but I kept a calm demeanor. Sitting back against the seat I had found across the flower shop, I heard her repeat: 'I mean Hello' My grin grew wider.

"Hello, Violet. I am happy to hear you weren't appalled by our encounter."

Why was I being so formal? Should I just be me? What would that even look like to her?

"I hope I didn't scare you into thinking I am just a weird guy with oddly spiky red hair."