"It's fine!" Kore responded quickly happy not to keep up a conversation. After the day she had (and what she was going towards) she really didn't feel like talking. She had lost her place glancing over at Chiara in an attempt to seem attentive. She looked back out the window to catch the next street sign and noticed they were fairly close. Only a few more blocks till the first turn, "Umm you need to turn in two blocks."
Chiara nodded, turning down the volume softly as she eased down the road.
"So, what's your family like? Got any siblings? I don't have any, so it's kind of boring at home. Plus my parents are pretty much never around, and my Abuela likes to yell at me for no reason…" She stopped, flushing slightly at how much she was talking. Chaira had never been like this before. He turned her gaze to Kore for a moment, smiling genuinely before looking back at the road.
Kore's face flushed in slight fear as Chiara started to ask about her family. She turned her head towards the window and began to breath in and out slowly attempting to keep herself calm. Everyone at school knew about her home life, it was part of the reason no one spoke to her, so Chiara must be poking fun at her and Kore was not giving her the satisfaction of letting her get under her skin. She said nothing and firmly looked out the window.
Chiara watched as Kore turned to the window, then bit her lip as she squoze the steering wheel hard. She didn't know what to say, tears welling up as she thought what would happen if she had already made Kore feel bad.
"I-I'm sorry. You don't have to answer that. I just… I didn't know." Chiara muttered softly, stopping where Kore had asked her too.
"Well, uh.. here we are." She said with the same lack of enthusiasm, getting the other girl's crutches out of her trunk as she helped her out of the car. "You okay?"
Kore remained silent the rest of the way and after Chiara's fake apology. She swung her legs to hang out the car and put her backpack on while waiting for Chiara to hopefully bring her her crutches. She hated herself for thinking that this might be a legitimate attempt to become her friend. Of course Chiara was just like all her other friends. She took her crutches and got up on her own to the best of her ability. She finally responded to Chiara with a cold, "I'm fine," before she hobbled her way towards her house.
Chiara winced, her eyes turning red with tears as she sniffed. "Um… see you tomorrow.." She choked out, muttering a few fuck me's as she kicked her car's bumper and started to drive off toward her house.
She turned up her music all the way, speeding recklessly. "Great job, you fucking idiot. Now you just lost the only real friend you might have had." She mumbled, rubbing the remnants of tears from her face
Kore made her way into her foster parents house, it wasn't her house and it never really would be. Not when they constantly brought up how grateful Kore should be that they took her, the crippled child of two of the most destructive villains, in. She wasn't ungrateful for them, but she definitely wasn't grateful and that infuriated them. She took a deep breath in and put before opening the door mentally embracing for the onslaught that was to come.
Chiara made it inside her small townhouse, about to stomp into her room before her father stopped her.
"Chia. Sit." He motioned to an adjacent chair with his dark eyes. "We need to talk."
Anytime her father spoke, Chiara's blood ran cold. But something about now seemed even more formidable
Kore hobbled into the house and tried to be quiet as to not disturb Linda (her foster mother) who was most likely sleeping in the living room. She made it safely to her first-floor room and quickly dropped her bags and switch into her hero suit. She needed to just get away from everything for a little bit, even if she might be noticed.
Chiara slowly approached her father: a tall, brooding man with sharp features and an emotionless expression. He motioned for her to sit next to him, in an equally ancient chair as he tapped his dark fingers on the arm.
"We're nearly deprived of power, hija. You need to go out tonight. And you really need to try."
Chiara started to protest. "pero papá, I went out last night! How can-"
He slammed his hand down on the armchair, glaring hard. "You want to endanger our familia, hurt everyone that has loved you, then fine. But you do not deserve the anillo if you're going to-"
Chiara pulled away, scowling at her father. "Fine. I am worthy, and I will keep this family safe." She huffed, standing up and starting to her room.
Her father smiled. "Good."
Kore finished putting her feather in her hair as she lets its power flow through her. She waited a moment before opening her window and hopped out and onto the roof nearby. She quickly made her way through the city towards the more high-rise area. Letting a grin take her face as a few folks saw her and waved at them happy to be loved by at least some people.
After that rather distasteful discussion, Chiara slipped off her ring, sighing softly as she stared outside at the slowly darkening world.
Arson… was the first thing entering her mind as the ring took the form of a cane, enveloping the girl in darkness and transforming her into the monster she was known to by the rest of the city. Arson would work, arson was easy. It was quick, caused fear, and would be something to protect her family. Plus, it was fun…
She shook the thought from her head, attempting to stay in control as she emerged from the trapdoor located in their roof, just for excursions like these.
Kore continued through the city until she took a break atop one of the highest buildings. She had the best view here and could easily see if any villains were out at the moment. Hopefully, none that her parents knew, or that she may have met, but she was here to clean up their mess after all. Atone for their mistakes and all. But that didn't matter right now, she needed to be vigilant.
Chiara stretched herself out, drawing back her hair into a hasty braid as she looked upon the city she was to cause deliberate chaos in. She sighed, the anger from her father, from her friends, and from the denial of companionship from Kore driving her fury as she expertly shadow walked across blocks, finding herself in front of her very own school. Fury burned in her eyes as she began to create fire in her gloved hands
Kore was watching the city vigilantly as she spotted The Scarlet Devil roaming about. The other hadn't done anything yet, but Kore couldn't be careful enough and she left her vantage point to follow after the villain. She kept to the rooftops being silent, or as quiet as she could, in her tracking. However, when Devil stopped in front of the school and a small flame formed in her gloved hand, Kore had to step in. She went to grab the hand of the Devil as she asked in an all too knowing way, "And what do you think you're doing?"
Chiara jumped backwards, hissing as she lowered her eyes at phoenix. "Damn you…" Was all she said, approaching Phoenix with her cane. "I just had a fucking shitty day and you had to fucking come and make it worse!! Damn you!!" She growled, throwing her cane as buring, passionate anger coursed through her.
Kore casually dodged the cane given how recklessly it was thrown. She frowned slightly as she glared at Devil a fire burning behind her eyes. Though her body posture remained calm and composed, she needed to keep her reputation. And even if she wanted the school to burn just as much as Devil apparently wanted to, she couldn't just let it happen, "And that gives you the right to burn down a school?"
Chiara hissed, circling Phoenix as the pent up rage manifested itself right there, with the help of the ring.
"I'd be doing someone a favor, sweetheart."
She raised her arms, the shadows on the ground materializing into tangible substances for her to throw at Phoenix
Kore was slightly confused, but she didn't let it show. She readied herself for the now shadows on the floor that Devil was ready to throw at Kore. She felt the energy build-up at her hands as she called back ready for a fight, "That still doesn't give you the right. Though this being your first instinct makes all too much sense."
Chiara scoffed. "Really?! Glad you know me so well!"
She angrily thrusted the shadows, attempting to subdue Kore through her blind fury
Kore moved to dodge as many of the shadows as she could having only one end up hitting her in the foot. She then thrust her energy in the form of solid flame-like whips back at Devil in her own attempt to subdue the villain. She went silent as she did this focusing on her current job. Catch Devil, not let the school burn down.
Chiara tried doging the best she could, but her lack of self control overcame her and she was struck down. She cried out in pain, stumbling across the ground as she took heavy breaths and looked up at the Phoenix. A glint of fear flashed in her eyes as she lowered her head in surrender, holding up her cane.
Kore let the energy return to her but kept it close as she approached Devil. She was watching the villain carefully to ensure her safety, though the slight fear in Devil's eyes made Kore assume the other wasn't going to do anything. She grabbed the cane from Devil and let her energy gently wrap itself so that Devil would be handcuffed behind her back, "Scarlet Devil you are under arrest for, well, you already know."
Chiara growled, the thought of coming this far, just to be locked up? She simply couldn't do that. She… couldn't leave Kore behind like that. So she resisted as hard as she tried to grab the cane to at least use some of her abilities. I can't leave her!
Kore moved the cane further away as she tightened the hold on Devil's bindings. She was frowning heavily at the sudden surge in movement from Devil. Most villains tried to get away after Kore had caught them, but never to this extent. She thought for a moment before saying, "Why?"