Ruby braced herself for whatever Vikktoria would throw at her, a downgraded class, having to fight impossible odds. Ruby had seen the path to hell itself and road upon its ocean of blood, facing the homunculus with a look that showed she wouldn't give Vikki any satisfaction in breaking her Ruby was ready for her punishment.
The look of concern made her drop the hardened look as if he own expression was made out of thick steel. Confusion was all she could covey. 'What are you up to?' Even Atlas looked suspicious of the change in demeanor. 'I see you. I do. I see the pain in those eyes. It has sat there for your life time, trapped in the confusion we all carry' She forgot to breathe. Ruby who was just a moment ago sitting strong in her seat, was now wide-eyed and more than a little surprised. A chaotic tidal wave of emotions manifested as Vikki continued, 'I see love too, the love you would have given were it not for the scars. It's still there Amanda, and one day you will be free. I'm not perfect, and I cannot atone for all the sins my people did towards the rest of the world, but only time will heal those wounds, and our actions as the next generation.' She wanted to say something she wanted to snap back at this monster for using such an underhanded emotional manipulation tactic, the same that her therapist used on her... Right before a blade, the size of a small child came crashing down, slicing her back. In fact she was about to, snap back at Vikki with not just words but a stream of fire that would reduce the Russian princess to ash.
Atlas only stood in amazement at the word of his dear friend. In truth, he had hated the Homunculus for a long time, wanted to kill every single one of those monstrous butchers. Alexander though had guidance. A war hero that taught him to let go of the hatred he held and to use his anger for more constructive purposes... Amanda didn't have anyone. The pain was evident on her face right now as it was back then. He knew that right at this moment Amanda Kay wasn't Ruby, or the scorcher, or even her birth name. She was that same scared little girl that had just lost everything and only found darkness to guide her through life.
"Ruby..." Her voice was like she was far over the horizon. She had hoped it would sound angry, power, maybe even insulted but all that came out was weakness. The visions of a little girl in her black evening dress, running through a gardened maze of flowers that seemed to have the colors of the rainbow her mother trying to catch her in a game of tag while her little brother was causally sleeping on a hammock of vines. 'I was so full of love back then.' the hand on her shoulder snapped her out of the trancelike state.
"Your kidding right?" She said with a disbelieving laugh with no humor. "Make friends? How?! Nearly everyone in this whole fucking school knows who I am and is so scared of me they see me as a demon! How do you expect someone like... ME," Motioned to herself, without consciously knowing it she was trying to point out how bitter and scared she had become. "To make friends?" She didn't get an answer from Vikki, who only smiled and left her alone with Atlas. "What?!" She asked with barely concealed anger.
Alexander mentally noted that Vikki was someone he should really admire more than he already did. Despite the weight that she carries Viktoria is still able to keep a kind and compassionate heart, as well as a wisdom that seems to be well beyond her years... Yet even the princess of Russia seemed to have trouble breaking down walls that have lasted for 8 years. Amanda's sudden outburst at Alexanders continual presence made his jump a little. "What? Nothing." He said defensively, Ruby only scoffed and sat down with a thud. "Aren't you going to leave again?" she started to stuff her face. Alexander felt a sharp bang of guilt through his chest, yet he wasn't about to leave her. "Amanda," Not even bothering to call her by her mother's nickname right now. "R.U.B.Y!! Say my fucking name!" This time her tone was more of a warning her finger jabbing at his chest.
Atlas smile faded but he didn't show or feel any anger or indignation at her clear threat. He felt pain. "Amanda...I'm here for you. I will listen to you. You don't have to be alone anymore." Rubies finger started glowing a bright silver her teeth bared in a furious snarl. "Shut up!!" At the tip of her finger the smell of burnt cloth and of skin overpowered the smell of teas and cakes, "Shut up shut up shut up!!" Atlas winked in pain his chest feeling like a hot needle was slowly piercing his skin, fearing he might have to detain his friend, Atlas wanted to try to calm her down. Grunt a little, "Amanda. I lost my father on that ship too! I-" Ruby didn't give him time to finish before she practically screeched. "YOU WERE NOT THERE!!!... You were not there." Tears started to stream down her face, the energy in his finger dying down to nothingness. Alexander mentally sighing in Relief he stood up and then felt another dagger go through his chest. Amanda just sat in a fetal position quaking violently, her eyes become white voids as if all the life had been sucked out. "Amanda..." He could hear her talking to herself as if he wasn't there. "Blood... So much blood." "Amanda." "Joseph, he was just 8 years old... He didn't mean to let them know." Alexander went wide-eyed at the mention of his father, it was if he was struck with a large blunt instrument across the face. "Father?... " Shaking his head, trying to bury the thought he went back to the girl now trying to snap her out of it by grabbing her shoulders. "Amanda!" Amanda didn't even notice, "Torn in half... They just... My brother." A mixture of revulsion and almost wonderment crossed his face. "SNAP OUT OF IT!"
What came next was enough to make her came back. He didn't hit her across the face. He didn't use a magic spell to block the memories out. He gave her what she wanted, what she needed. Ruby felt a massive amount of warmth that made her just stop, turning her head to the right she saw Atlas embracing her his face covered up by blond strands of hair yet she could see water running down his face. "I'm sorry." A horsed voice said. "I'm so sorry. You had to bear this alone for so long." Pulling her in tighter, her eye quaking, "I am never going to leave you alone again. When you cry I'll wipe away all your tears. When you scream I'll help you fight away all your fears. No one held your hand through all these years, but you have me." He cupped her cheek so delicately as if any more would shatter her like glass. "Amanda. You're not alone anymore." She looked up into his face for what seemed like hours only then to have her eyes fill up with an ocean of tears, burying her face into his shoulder and letting out all the pain, all the suffering, all of the emotions she held onto for 8 years. It hurt. Letting everything out at once hurt, but it was a hurt that needed to be a purification as if she had something rotting inside her for all these years that finally got cut out. Atlas held onto her for a long time they both held each other, lamenting all they had lost and what they had just found.
"Better?" Handing her a handkerchief. After about half an hour of them laying on the floor, sniffing a little as if she was a kid again. "Y-yes..." whipping her tears away she faced Atlas her face red and actually looking guilty. "Can I heal your chest? I really- I feel bad." He only smirked at her cute tone, having to force himself not to russle her hair. "Sure. I don't see anything wrong... Unless you want to finish me off." They looked at each other intensely for what but a moment only for it to be broken by a small chuckle from both. "Keep up the joke and I might. Jackass." She causally punched his shoulder as the silver flames she summoned healed the small burn. "I can't accept her.... I don't think I ever will." Alexander knew who she was talking about and despite how much it saddened him to hear her words, he could not blame her. "I understand. A pity that you will not get to know what a great person she is. But hey. Maybe in time your perspective will change?" She only rolled her eyes as she finished off the last jelly filled donut. "After 8 years of being hunted by her kind I don't see it happening... Also," Sighing. "Y-Your the only one... Allowed to call me Amanda... Got it you, idiot?" Her face was red and the moments of her shoulders were hard to read what she was feeling but for some reason, Alexander only blushed and responded normally. "Ok."