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Penacony's violet sky was truly a sight to behold, Sunday mused as he fell through the air, clipped wings flapping in a pitiful attempt to slow his decent. He'd seen this sky many times before. Though up here, up above the skyline, there was just him and the spattering of stars around him. He thought it would be a fitting place to die, this literal fall fitting his own fall from grace, and he took a last look up at Penacony's sky. His sky. His hand reached up as if he could grab the stars above him. "The night.. is still too short," He mumbled with a wistful smile spread across his lips.
Though before his eyes closed, he watched as robin dove after him, her own wings fluttering behind her gracefully as she embraced him, holding him tight in her arms as they fell. "Brother... the dream is over" She whispered, tucking her head into his shoulder as the wind whipped around them. And his eyes finally fell closed, holding each other, falling together as he finally succumbed to exhaustion.
☆☆
When his eyes opened again, he was surrounded by darkness. Groaning at the feeling of his aching joints as he felt the harsh metal chair below him. Through the darkness though was a dim purple glow snaking around his body, seeing now more clearly as his eyes adjusted to the dim room. Black chains grabbed at his skin, restricting around his wrists, ankles, neck and chest, with purple streaks across them as if hit by lightning, pulsing with dim light, being the only light in the room.
Sunday shifted against the metal, the chain around his neck threatening to choke him if he dared move too far. Exhaling a long breath in pitiful attempt to steady his breath. His mind swam, and even drowned in his nerves. He knew what he'd done, and was yet to know if he felt guilty for it.. but he did know he was down right terrified, though he'd never admit it, of what came now. He knew firsthand that the family was ruthless, and unfeeling in their punishment of sinners.
He thought of the dream master, or Mr. Gopher Wood, or father, he went by many names but now lucky bastard seemed to come to mind. His feathered vestiges had simply died before him, now nothing more dead flock of ravens. Sunday seethed with spite, gritting his teeth, the man had died before he had to suffer the consequences of his plan to revive the order. And now he had to suffer in his stead, for a plan that wasn't even his own. He pulled against the metal in his frustration, loud clinking noises of each loop of chain hitting the other mocking him through the silence.
Mocking his overwhelming defeat. And mocking the judgement that awaited him.
Despite his attempts to appear calm, his accursed pride didn't allow any cracks in this façade he'd constructed. Though dread threatened to shatter this act of his. The truth of what was to come was daunting, his breath shaky as he continued to fight against the chains holding him flat to the chair a little more desperately.
The sound of the metal door unlocking and swinging open broke him from his drowning daze. His head snapped up from where it hung against the chain in his lap. He flinched against the sudden light pouring into the room, a figure entering and the door slamming shut behind them again. Before his eyes adjusted to the darkness again the figure sprung forward, his body tensed and eyes screwed shut involuntarily expecting some kind of painful blow.
Though the sugary smell of Robin's perfume hit him first, her arms wrapping around him in an awkward embrace thanks to the position he'd been restrained in. She lent her forehead against his, tears stinging her eyes as quiet sobs escaped her lips.
"Brother i.. i'm so sorry," Robin wept, Sundays stoic expression faltering as he felt her tears against his skin.
"Dear sister.." He started shakily, taking a breath before continuing, "Please.. do not trouble yourself with this.."
She shook her head with a small sniffle, leaning back and wiping her eyes with her hand. "I don't have long, but I'm going to get you out of here, i.. i promise," She mumbled through stifled sobs.
Sunday shifted against the chains, aching to reassure her, to hold her while she cried as they had done while they were children. Robin stood in front of him, holding onto his hand as he tried to shake away the tears threatening to betray his eyes. "Robin.. you don't have to do this.." He paused, deciding he did in fact feel some guilt towards what he'd done, that he'd almost been convinced to betray his own sister. "I know what i have done," He admitted, voice no more than a shaky mumble, a stark contrast to the arrogant and powerful man he'd been just a few system hours ago.
She clasped his fingers tight in hers, still with her other hand over her eyes in a fruitless attempt to stifle her tears, raw sobs still spilling from her lips. "You don't deserve this though,"
Sunday couldn't bring himself to look at her, the silent tears pouring down her face, eyes on his lap in defeat to hide his own weak expression. Her knuckles white with how tight she held onto him as if they were about to get ripped apart. "The," she paused steadying her shaky voice, "the IPC are in talks with Old Oti soon.. I'm going to talk to Lady Jade." She mumbled still crying though had a sense of determination behind her.
"No, Robin-" He exclaimed, more panicked at the mention of her, his head snapping up from where it hung.
"No I'm going to find you a way out of here before you reach trial," she paused swallowing her tears. "I don't care how.."
The deafening metal creaks of the door swinging open broke their conversation, light pouring into the dim room again. "Brother i.. i have to go,"
Sunday couldn't bring himself to respond, nodding silently as the light from the corridor illuminated her face, still red with tears, black makeup streaking from her eyes. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, she finally loosening her grip in return. Hesitantly letting go and stood in front of him, still wiping her flowing tears with her hands.
"I love you dear sister.."
"I love you.."
Robin quickly turned to leave while she dared, the door locking him in the darkness again..
Alone.
Sunday struggled against the chains again, bowing his head with a single tear running down his face. He'd rather be at the family's mercy than have his sister more involved in this mess. Though this time he couldnt stop her, couldnt protect her from the foolish decision she was about to make for his sake.
And his fate felt more uncertain than before which wasn't particularly reassuring, he was completely powerless, awaiting judgement from someone else. Whether the family or madam jade herself.
Sunday sat in the silence, shifting in the chair occasionally in attempt to be at least slightly more comfortable. The black metal rubbing his skin raw with its purple streaks almost pulsing like veins, alive, constricting like some cobra.
He sat in this silence for some time, maybe hours or days, he'd lost track after the first hour or so. The metal dug uncomfortably into his limbs still, dark vicious bruises blooming beneath. And sunday flinched as the metallic sounds of the metal doors many locks opening filled the room, eventually swinging open with a creak.
Though this time the footsteps coming towards him were not the gentle taps of his sister..
"I hope I'm not too late, child."