Sana’s outward appearance was different to the other Black Wings. Where they openly showed hostility, her demeanor remained kind like an ordinary healer. But within laid a bottomless resentment towards the world that her.
Frost felt like she was looking at a mirror of herself. A short statured healer that could heal at her own discretion, and equally deliver violence as well. An invisible wall tempered by her naivety as a healer was erected around her. The bright light that once filled her eyes had transformed into flames.
They were tamed now, for they were in the presence of friends.
Frost had no doubts that she was either on the brink of Corruption or was narrowly spared. The Black Wings only had strands of black hair. For her hair to now be colored like hers meant that the trauma she experienced was far more than she let on.
Either that, or she yearned to break free from her shell the most. It was not known what caused the change to begin with. The Piece of the Fallen Star was a convenient reason, but this was more of a new official stage of transformation for the healers.
For healers who were tired of being incapable of fighting back.
Sana escorted Stella towards Frost like an older sister, holding her hand and shoulder to support the blind girl. Frost forgot how adorable Stella as she pointed her head up towards her like she was her only midnight star.
“Frost! Is that… I-Is that really you?” Stella wanted verbal confirmation, but Frost offered her something better.
A hand found its way onto her head, and her face lit up a thousand times brighter.
“Yep. The one and only. I’m happy you remember me.”
“H-Huh? It’s a given that I will!” Stella grabbed Frost’s hand with her tiny paws that were once full of callouses, digging it deeper into her long locks. “How can I forget what you did for us? F-Five days you fought for us… with your heart always spilling out on the –”
Frost brought a finger to her lips, kindly shutting her with a small hum.
“It’s ok. Let’s not remember what happened in the past.”
Frankly speaking, Frost was surprised that this was the memory she had of her, mostly because she never witnessed it herself. Stella probably never knew the extent of Frost’s sacrifice to bring down the Big Red Heart.
And funnily enough, Frost never really harped on it too much either.
“What about me?” Sana suddenly asked, poking the top of her head with narrowed eyes. “I mean, er… C-Can you pat my head too, pretty please?”
Those eyes suddenly became puppy-like.
“Sana. You’re not fooling anyone. You’re not the first healer to be experiencing what you’re feeling right now.” Frost said before placing a hand on her head. “Are you feeling ok? Nothing out of the ordinary?”
“Aside from what you already know, I’m perfectly fine now.” Sana grumbled, standing on her toes to nestle closer into Frost’s hand. “And I figured I wasn’t the only one.”
“Sana! Remember to talk nicely!” Stella exclaimed.
“This is my nice voice, though…” Sana spoke in a low tone, clearing her voice before becoming upbeat again. “Hello Jury~! And you’re with a new friend of yours~?”
She shifts in tone and her ability to swap out her personalities made for a jarring experience. It worried Frost, but she quickly realized that probably looked just like her to a lot of people.
“And I thought I was polarizing.” Nav’s was taken aback by Sana’s display.
She had only heard of Sana through Frost, and knew of the girl as a timid, kind person that was kidnapped by the Impuritas. Now? She looked like she would be the one doing the kidnapping.
Regardless of her tonal shifts and changing expressions, her eyes remained the same, lit like a steady, roaring bonfire. The commotion doubled as they joined in, many praising Sana for her cooking skills which caused her to blush a little as she scratched her cheeks timidly.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Kin sweated bullets, nodding in agreement as her fate was sealed. Sana had undergone immense counselling ever since they returned from the Derma Layer. Being touched was something she had grown to despise, and only allowed certain people to come close.
Again, just like Frost.
They caught up with the duo. Stella has mostly gotten used to life on the Epiderma with the help of the Golden Index and everyone present. She celebrated them with a smile brighter than the hundreds of golden fairies floating overhead. Her gratitude gushed through those once cracked lips that knew only the taste of flesh and apples.
“I knew the White Rabbit wasn’t you…” Stella softly spoke, hugging Jury’s tail. “Your tail feels denser and heavier. The White Rabbit is much fluffier, but not as warm as yours. S-Sorry if it’s weird to hear that! U-Um…”
Jury’s tail wrapped Stella’s tiny body, urging her to continue monopolizing it for herself.
“… Ok…”
Frost studied their complexion as they spoke like she was doing her routine checkups on her patients. Not much had developed with Sana aside from what they already knew. Rumor had it that her therapists needed a therapist themselves shortly after she awakened as a Black Wing.
She unloaded everything that happened to her in detail, with reports that they witnessed the darkness consuming her pale hair before their very eyes. Sana was not just capable of violence but was clearly motivated to prevent the events that transpired from ever happening again.
More importantly – she just wanted to be able to protect herself, because if an Atelier like Inflow Direct couldn’t, then who could?
Fractured Dove
Sana
< Healer >
Soul Rank: Yellow | Atelier: Nil
LEVEL : 25 ORIGIN : Human
HP : 650
ATT : ??? MAG ATT : ??? MP : 1,800 ATT DEF : 170
MAG DEF : 250
RESIST : 15 AGI : 12
Sana refused to give Frost’s hand back, holding it by her side like a lost child. She didn’t have to ask to know that Frost had something in mind. In fact, she knew that the other Black Wings would be arriving in the Golden Index soon.
News moved quickly when relayed by Carpalis and her Underbosses. As a result, the Golden Index was usually the first to have its entire Atelier up to date. The Stars also played a crucial role in this, actively moving like autonomous chess pieces.
Regardless of if she knew or not, Frost still informed her of the upcoming changes. That healers would be protected by herself and be allowed to protect themselves. It was a choice that was so obvious that Sana didn’t need to hear the rest of Frost’s proposal and accepted it.
“The only place I can trust are those that you can vouch for.” Sana made her decision only after observing the others. “… so much needless suffering ended because of you. You don’t know how much it would mean to me to be able to do even a percent of what you can. If this is how you constantly feel, then it’s no wonder that you’re so passionate about saving people.”
Sana praised Frost from the bottom of her heart. Admiration couldn’t describe the aching in her chest that made her want to run up to the top of the tower and scream at the top of her lungs. Becoming a Fractured Dove had also caused her emotions to constantly swing back and forth. It was turbulent, unpredictable, but she didn’t mind it because it now meant that she could be true to herself.
“… You became the Head and want to change everything the Ateliers have built?” Sana wondered as Stella remained close to Jury, her hands rummaging through her tail with a warm expression.
Frost shook her head.
“No. I want them to be better. Changing it all is impossible without destroying them. With the number of enemies we have, losing an Atelier would be a huge blow. Sana. Give me your final response before we leave.”
“I’ve made my choice clear, though.”
“Have some time to think about it.” Frost advised as her eyes locked with Revy’s, causing the girl to slowly approach with a tender smile.
“Yes, Frost~? I could tell you wanted to talk to me.”
Frost stared into her crimson eyes, watching them twinkle with delight as she waited her to speak. She was naturally curious as to what she wanted. Eventually, after some thought, Frost then asked her a personal question.
But before a world could leave her parted lips –
“How about you take your conversation to somewhere more appropriate?”
– Nav intervened, pointing her finger towards the sky.
“As in – in the audience of the stars.” Nav suggested.