Zero Heart: The Sequel

[hunting]

[Ace is probably experiencing a very violent and jarring drop that will deposit him (none too gently) right in the center of that familiar river of blood. Which means that, yep, that nagging sensation at the back of Ace's throat is back.

1]

Comments

[deadofknight]

[welp. heading for the academy, I guess.]

[hunting]

[Well, the cobblestone path seems to be in better shape than before, not new or especially maintained but like someone actually gives a damn about making sure it doesn't go to pot. The path is more well-worn and the building ahead looks old but stable, with no more signs of cracks, just age. There is even some tiny snatches of new grass here and there on the ground.]

[deadofknight]

[...ducking into the stables to check on White Lily and the apples before he enters the academy proper.]

[hunting]

[White Lily is happily munching on an apple from a bag that's closer to her than before. Not right next to her, by far, but within reaching distance. Though she does give Ace a wary look when he steps in.]

[deadofknight]

[looking for the red key...]

[hunting]

[Not there. :x]

[deadofknight]

[:|bbb...

okay, time to head into the academy itself, then.]

[hunting]

[Everything is pretty much as it was in Ace's dream, appearance-wise. Yuuki is also where she usually is, holding Heart!Ace's sword at her side. Though since she's all the way at the end of the main hall, it's hard to tell if anything else has changed.]

[deadofknight]

[don't feel like talking to Yuuki yet, going to go up the stairs that lead to the Sun Dorm first :|b]

[hunting]

[No major changes from last time, aside from maybe it's a bit tidied up?]

[deadofknight]

[gonna check on the box really quick before heading back downstairs :U]

[hunting]

[The box actually seems more secure in its bindings than previously. The threads that Ace added have grown from their original size to reinforce the loose ribbon underneath.]

[deadofknight]

[acceptable.

heading back downstairs to talk to Yuuki...]

[hunting]

[As he does that, he's going to start feeling a tiny bit more of hunger spike.

2]

[deadofknight]

[D|

w/e w/e where's yuuki]

[hunting]

[Ah yes, Yuuki. Depending how close Ace is, he might be able to tell that Yuuki looks... well, pretty damn bad. Her eyes are redder, as if she's been crying and she looks emotionally exhausted and disheveled. It also looks as if she's tried to compose herself previously but done a lousy job of it. As mentioned before, Heart!Ace's sword is pointed down by her side and something metallic and shiny seems to be wrapped around the sword's crossguard.]

[deadofknight]

What that on Ace's sword, Yuuki?

[hunting]

[Tries to make herself look more self-assured when she notices Ace, although she does drop her gaze down to the object in question.]

"... Your key. We had to make sure nobody else reached it. After the dreams... we weren't sure..."

[deadofknight]

Can you guess why I'm here?

[hunting]

[Her gaze is still focused on the key and her voice is small.]

"... yes. I know."

[deadofknight]

Oh, good. Where is he?

[hunting]

[She actually looks up this time, her expression tight but her eyes are clear.]

"With Zero."

[deadofknight]

Then I should pay them both a visit. Give me the key.

[hunting]

[Looks as though she wants to question him... but slowly reaches down to start unraveling the key from the sword, her hair falling in front of her eyes.]

"... be careful. He holds power here too. The balance..."

[deadofknight]

What about the balance?