Xiaotong Yao
Xiaotong Yao was in the kitchen of the shop. Her headphones blaring with some Queen playing as she drank some homemade sake that Miyavi made earlier. She moved her head to the beat of the songs playing and she couldn't help, but move around the kitchen in a dance like manner. She needed to get away from her games since they made her lazier then she wanted to be and this was good exercise for her.
Aishou
The soft rattling of chains could be heard echoing off the walls, the quiet whisper of linen against skin being lost in their melodious clinking. The shackles that bound chafed both neck and wrists, the cold embrace of the iron links weighed painfully upon frail shoulders, yet there was no rest for those that had passed yet somehow remained.
A petite figure moved like a shadow through the shop, sometimes fading from sight, sometimes becoming so clear the blood stains upon her gown seemed to cry out; shockingly red against the cream-colored fabric. The fall of her ebony bangs hid her eyes from view, full lips parted just enough to allow a glimpse of straight, white teeth every now and then. Wandering, wandering, she was always wandering. Never finding solace from the burden of her chains, never finding peace from the actions she had committed - actions that had ultimately led her to this fate.
Moving like a wraith, footsteps silent yet chains announcing her presence, she slowly melted through one of the walls; vanishing from the hall and stepping out into the warmly lit kitchen. Her concealed eyes fell upon a girl that occupied the space, the sounds of her chains ceasing as she froze next to the wall, uncertain. She had successfully avoided everyone up until now, but being confined to the limited space within these walls, she had known it was only a matter of time before she ran into someone...
The question was whether or not she should interact with the young woman, if she even remembered how! It had been so long, her indecision had rooted her to the spot, much like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. Her chains answered the question for her, their music briefly filling the small kitchen as she shifted under their weight.
A petite figure moved like a shadow through the shop, sometimes fading from sight, sometimes becoming so clear the blood stains upon her gown seemed to cry out; shockingly red against the cream-colored fabric. The fall of her ebony bangs hid her eyes from view, full lips parted just enough to allow a glimpse of straight, white teeth every now and then. Wandering, wandering, she was always wandering. Never finding solace from the burden of her chains, never finding peace from the actions she had committed - actions that had ultimately led her to this fate.
Moving like a wraith, footsteps silent yet chains announcing her presence, she slowly melted through one of the walls; vanishing from the hall and stepping out into the warmly lit kitchen. Her concealed eyes fell upon a girl that occupied the space, the sounds of her chains ceasing as she froze next to the wall, uncertain. She had successfully avoided everyone up until now, but being confined to the limited space within these walls, she had known it was only a matter of time before she ran into someone...
The question was whether or not she should interact with the young woman, if she even remembered how! It had been so long, her indecision had rooted her to the spot, much like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. Her chains answered the question for her, their music briefly filling the small kitchen as she shifted under their weight.
Xiaotong Yao
Xiaotong Yao stopped dancing and froze when she heard the sounds of shackles fill her ear drums even with her headphones all the way. Turning off the music, she took them off her head and looked around the kitchen hesitantly before spotting someone else in the kitchen. She blinked a bit when she seen what appeared to be blood stains on the girl, but she only thought it was the sake talking. Shaking her head, she rubbed her eyes and moved a little closer to the apparition. "Hello?" She said lightly as she stopped a little bit away from the ghostly looking figure. It wasn't that hard to tell what she was since she seemed like a ghost to the young wolf. She could only stare at the female and was frozen in her place.
Aishou
Aishou instinctively recoiled a little as the girl advanced on her, long, silken hair falling over her shoulders. Her sickly green lips pressed into a thin line for a moment, the rattling of her chains conveying her equally rattling nerves at being not only spotted, but approached as well. Her bloodied hands curled into fists, one rising to gently rest against her chest, the other remaining at her side.
The urge to simply flee back the way she had come was strong, but she had spent much time avoiding others, spending her "life" alone. The fact that she was lonely hit her then, quite strongly, and it surprised her that she felt this way.
"Hello," She answered after a moment of silence, still resisting the urge to step back and put the wall between herself and the young woman. Her soft voice was a bit husky from disuse; even as a spirit, it seemed some things didn't change.
The urge to simply flee back the way she had come was strong, but she had spent much time avoiding others, spending her "life" alone. The fact that she was lonely hit her then, quite strongly, and it surprised her that she felt this way.
"Hello," She answered after a moment of silence, still resisting the urge to step back and put the wall between herself and the young woman. Her soft voice was a bit husky from disuse; even as a spirit, it seemed some things didn't change.
Xiaotong Yao
Xiaotong Yao heard her hello and smiled before taking a seat at the kitchen table. She wasn't as frightened of her now as she had been before. "What is your name?" She asked before taking a container of peanut butter and a spoon, opening the container slowly she looked to Aishou again. "I'm Xiaotong Yao." She nodded before taking a scoop of the peanut butter and placing it her mouth. "Not to be rude or anything, but your a ghost right?" She asked her before eating more of the peanut butter happily.
Aishou
Xiaotong Yao. Aishou repeated the name over again in her mind, but didn't repeat it verbally; it was interesting, if a bit odd. She had never heard a name like that before, but she liked it. She bowed her head a little, the shadows her bangs created falling further across her face, "My name is Aishou."
Her mossy complexion paled noticeably at the word 'ghost', chains rattling as her shoulders tensed and her head twitched upwards, almost like a bird's. She never thought of herself that way, even if it were true. If she thought about that, she would be forced to think about other things, mainly the fact that if she were a ghost, that would mean she was no longer living, that she was dead. She clenched her jaw muscles together, nodding mutely in answer to Xiaotong Yao's question.
A flash of jealousy coursed through her veins at the sight of the young woman sitting down at the table and eating. The raven-haired woman was unable to perform such tasks, unable to feel hunger, but that didn't mean she didn't miss things like eating, drinking, sleeping. Her lips softened a little, an air of sadness stealing over her being, and she found herself at a loss as to what she should say, if anything at all.
Her mossy complexion paled noticeably at the word 'ghost', chains rattling as her shoulders tensed and her head twitched upwards, almost like a bird's. She never thought of herself that way, even if it were true. If she thought about that, she would be forced to think about other things, mainly the fact that if she were a ghost, that would mean she was no longer living, that she was dead. She clenched her jaw muscles together, nodding mutely in answer to Xiaotong Yao's question.
A flash of jealousy coursed through her veins at the sight of the young woman sitting down at the table and eating. The raven-haired woman was unable to perform such tasks, unable to feel hunger, but that didn't mean she didn't miss things like eating, drinking, sleeping. Her lips softened a little, an air of sadness stealing over her being, and she found herself at a loss as to what she should say, if anything at all.
Xiaotong Yao
Xiaotong Yao ate her fill before closing the container and and licking the spoon clean. She then tossed it into the sink as she shifted her gold eyes onto the female once again. Did she say something wrong? She never really thought her words offended people, but she got the feeling she did. "I like your name. It's very unique." She nodded with a smile and still felt like she did something wrong.
Should she apologise? Yeah it seemed like the best thing to do and she really was sorry to begin with anyway. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It seems like I have upset you and I didn't mean for it to be that way." She said as she got up from the table and jumped up onto it, resting herself on the edge looking to Aishou. "You look pretty normal to me though. I don't see nothing wrong with you at all." She told her still smiling a bit, kicking her feet back and forth.
Should she apologise? Yeah it seemed like the best thing to do and she really was sorry to begin with anyway. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It seems like I have upset you and I didn't mean for it to be that way." She said as she got up from the table and jumped up onto it, resting herself on the edge looking to Aishou. "You look pretty normal to me though. I don't see nothing wrong with you at all." She told her still smiling a bit, kicking her feet back and forth.
Aishou
"I like your name as well." It might have sounded strange, like perhaps she were just numbly copying what the other had said, but she did like the name. Xiaotong Yao's admittance to liking her own name made it easier for Aishou to profess her own fondness for the other girl's name, whether the wolf had intended it to be this way or not.
Her gaze seemed to be glued to the other girl, subconsciously she watched the other's movements with keen interest, but it was out of the simple curiosity and interest of watching Xiaotong Yao interact with everything around her - something Aishou herself could no longer do.
"You needn't apologize, you did nothing wrong." A shadow of a smile passed across her lips before vanishing, the woman venturing a small step away from wall. "You cannot help what I am any more than I can help it myself, but... thank you. For the apology and the comment on my appearance, I haven't heard either in quite some time. It is... nice to talk to someone."
Her gaze seemed to be glued to the other girl, subconsciously she watched the other's movements with keen interest, but it was out of the simple curiosity and interest of watching Xiaotong Yao interact with everything around her - something Aishou herself could no longer do.
"You needn't apologize, you did nothing wrong." A shadow of a smile passed across her lips before vanishing, the woman venturing a small step away from wall. "You cannot help what I am any more than I can help it myself, but... thank you. For the apology and the comment on my appearance, I haven't heard either in quite some time. It is... nice to talk to someone."
Xiaotong Yao
Xiaotong Yao smiled and curled her tail around her waist as she sat there on the counter. Her name wasn't that interesting to her, but then again maybe it was because she had it her whole life. It was Chinese and nothing really abnormal, but she wouldn't get into it. "Thank you for that." She nodded and hopped down off the counter finding herself not being able to stay in one place. "I'm so wired today!" She exclaimed before taking out some beer from the fringe and bringing it over to the counter.
"No problem. I am available for whenever you need someone to talk to. I love talking to people about anything just as long as it's not about love." She said before wiping off the kitchen table after placing the beer on it. "That is basically the only conversation I hate hearing about since it's sooo boring and overrated. I mean it's like who cares about love." She shook her head before looking to Aishou. "Is that alright with you?" She asked with a slightly tilted head as she grasped the beer waiting to hear the girl's answer before she began to drink it.
"No problem. I am available for whenever you need someone to talk to. I love talking to people about anything just as long as it's not about love." She said before wiping off the kitchen table after placing the beer on it. "That is basically the only conversation I hate hearing about since it's sooo boring and overrated. I mean it's like who cares about love." She shook her head before looking to Aishou. "Is that alright with you?" She asked with a slightly tilted head as she grasped the beer waiting to hear the girl's answer before she began to drink it.
Aishou
The smile that had slowly started to form on Aishou's lips while Xiaotong Yao talked vanished the moment she heard the word 'love'. She felt a nauseating rage spring to life within her, rage brought to life by the pain she had felt, the actions she had committed, the people she had once loved. She hated the hurt that she felt, the betrayal that marred her existence, that would not let her rest. She hated what love had turned her into, what it had caused her to do, she hated everything it had done to her. Love had been the cause of her torment, her suffering, of the burden she would now bear for eternity...
Love had been the cause of her death.
"It is alright that we never speak of it." She said stiffly, quietly, unable to bring herself to say the word. The emotions that churned within her being were relayed to her phantom body, long hair gently splaying in a nonexistent breeze, the folds of her gown lightly billowing about her slender legs.
Love had been the cause of her death.
"It is alright that we never speak of it." She said stiffly, quietly, unable to bring herself to say the word. The emotions that churned within her being were relayed to her phantom body, long hair gently splaying in a nonexistent breeze, the folds of her gown lightly billowing about her slender legs.
Xiaotong Yao
Xiaotong Yao smiled when she heard her reply. It made her happy actually since she didn't want to be bothered with that type of talk. "Good because it's stupid anyway." She said before putting the beer to her lips and chugging it door quickly until it was empty. Shaking her head, she blinked her eyes to get rid of the sudden blurriness. "Woot!" She shouted before tossing the bottle into the trashcan and letting out a burp. "Sorry for my behavior. I am trying to amuse myself and the liquor looked like it could do the job." She said as she was beginning to feel it's effects. "Anything you want to talk about or ask me?" She asked before taking out two more beers from the fridge and hopping up on the counter again. She never thought she would be the one drinking since she only drunk sake, but she drank it all and this was the only thing left. She sat the bottles beside her and opened one of them. She then slowly began to sip on it while watching Aishou.
Aishou
Aishou was wrested away from her dark reverie by the sudden shout from Xiaotong Yao, the chains clinking faintly as her body jolted. Mulling over the past was something the woman did quite often, and why shouldn't she? It was all she had left from her previous life, the only thing linking her to this world was the pain, bitterness, and regret she held onto.
She looked up from the floor, where she had set her gaze, and watched the young woman extract two more cans from the fridge. Small things like the knowledge of whether or not Aishou could become easily intoxicated when alive eluded her now, and she didn't care to try and recall. It wouldn't matter now if she remembered something so trivial anyhow.
"You seem... very happy." She mused softly, moving further away from the wall and more into the room. The hem of her bloodstained robe skimmed the floor, further creating the illusion that she was floating and not walking. Which was indeed the case, her delicate feet, bare and bloodied just as her hands were, never touched the floor.
She looked up from the floor, where she had set her gaze, and watched the young woman extract two more cans from the fridge. Small things like the knowledge of whether or not Aishou could become easily intoxicated when alive eluded her now, and she didn't care to try and recall. It wouldn't matter now if she remembered something so trivial anyhow.
"You seem... very happy." She mused softly, moving further away from the wall and more into the room. The hem of her bloodstained robe skimmed the floor, further creating the illusion that she was floating and not walking. Which was indeed the case, her delicate feet, bare and bloodied just as her hands were, never touched the floor.
Xiaotong Yao
Xiaotong Yao laughed as she heard the ghost's words. Was she happy? She did like to have a lot of fun, but she wasn't sure if she was happy. She never really thought about it and wasn't going to think of it now. Drinking the rest of the second bottle down quickly, she burped lightly again before placing it down on the counter. "I guess I am happy. I never really thought about it." She shrugged and felt herself getting a little wosey. "I never really think of that stuff since I think it's better to live everyday like it was your last." She told her before opening the third bottle and chugging it down as quickly as possible. She then shook her head after finishing it and placed the bottle on the counter. "Ugh....too much I think..." She said lightly before rubbing her eyes and curling her tail around her waist. She wasn't fully feeling it yet, but could tell she was getting goofy by the minute. She knew she could have more, but wasn't going to sicne she was done and didn't want to puke.
"Do you mind telling me what happened to you or no? It's alright if you say no since I understand." She told her with her speak not even slurred. She was use to drinking heavy even though she burned it all off playing sports. She would remember most of the conversation as well since she wasn't wasted just yet. If she was she would be laying out on the table about to puke.
"Do you mind telling me what happened to you or no? It's alright if you say no since I understand." She told her with her speak not even slurred. She was use to drinking heavy even though she burned it all off playing sports. She would remember most of the conversation as well since she wasn't wasted just yet. If she was she would be laying out on the table about to puke.
Aishou
Aishou's slight form came to a halt just before the kitchen table, even intangible as she was, she unconsciously kept a barrier between herself and the wolf that was sitting on the counter. At one time, the raven-haired woman would have agreed with Xiaotong Yao's look on life - live everyday as if it were your last - but that was before one of those days had been her last... before everything fell apart in one instant, before her fate was sealed in a matter of a moments.
The corner's of her green-grey lips curled into a small smile, but it was a mirthless expression, more pained and cynical. "It must be nice to be happy," She mused softly, momentarily ignoring Xiaotong Yao's query about what had happened to her. She slowly raised one of her hands, slender fingers looking as if they came to rest upon the smooth surface of the table. But they never touched it, and after a moment she tired of holding her hand there, and simply let her fingers fall through the wood and disappear beneath. Her lips parted and a soft sigh issued from them as she realized she wanted to tell the woman - this stranger - of what had transpired in her last moments of life. It was odd, confiding in someone she had just met, but perhaps the countless days and nights alone had made her lonesome for any sort of company.
"It was a long time ago, I cannot recall just how long. But, I do not want to, so perhaps it is better that I cannot remember." Her lips pressed together for a moment, creating a gruesome slash across her pale face, and she bowed her head - long bangs nearly obscuring her entire face. "My life was not what I had thought; it was a lie. The love I thought I knew false, the man I cared for faithless, wanton and full of deceit and manipulation..."
She shook her head lightly, eyes downcast to her hands as she lifted them, gazing upon their forever stained surfaces. "I, the dutiful lover that awaited him every time he was away, came to find that he was with another, and I paid the price for my retaliation with my life. My one act of rage, spurned by his betrayal and my hurt, cost not only my life, but hers as well... her life taken by my hand, my own life taken by his."
The corner's of her green-grey lips curled into a small smile, but it was a mirthless expression, more pained and cynical. "It must be nice to be happy," She mused softly, momentarily ignoring Xiaotong Yao's query about what had happened to her. She slowly raised one of her hands, slender fingers looking as if they came to rest upon the smooth surface of the table. But they never touched it, and after a moment she tired of holding her hand there, and simply let her fingers fall through the wood and disappear beneath. Her lips parted and a soft sigh issued from them as she realized she wanted to tell the woman - this stranger - of what had transpired in her last moments of life. It was odd, confiding in someone she had just met, but perhaps the countless days and nights alone had made her lonesome for any sort of company.
"It was a long time ago, I cannot recall just how long. But, I do not want to, so perhaps it is better that I cannot remember." Her lips pressed together for a moment, creating a gruesome slash across her pale face, and she bowed her head - long bangs nearly obscuring her entire face. "My life was not what I had thought; it was a lie. The love I thought I knew false, the man I cared for faithless, wanton and full of deceit and manipulation..."
She shook her head lightly, eyes downcast to her hands as she lifted them, gazing upon their forever stained surfaces. "I, the dutiful lover that awaited him every time he was away, came to find that he was with another, and I paid the price for my retaliation with my life. My one act of rage, spurned by his betrayal and my hurt, cost not only my life, but hers as well... her life taken by my hand, my own life taken by his."
Xiaotong Yao
Xiaotong Yao shrugged when Aishou said something about being happy. She was happy with herself and that was it. Nothing was going to change that for her since she doubted herself ever finding anyone to love. If that ever happened it would have to be someone who was fun and wasn't a bore. "Eh happiness is happiness." She simply replied before curling her tail around her waist again. She yawned slightly and continued to keep her gold eyes on Aishou. She wasn't expecting her to answer her question before since it probably was a touchy topic.
When she heard what happened, her mouth dropped slightly. She didn't know how anyone could do that to someone. "What a pr*ck!" She exclaimed before analyzing everything over, so she could give a more mature answer. "That sounds so horrible... I couldn't even imagine what any of that feels like. Love has been something I have avoided my whole life because of that simply fact. Betrayal. It can happen to anyone." She said as her ears drooped a bit and she looked down to her lap. "I hope your afterlife is much better then the life you had when you were alive." She nodded slightly still keeping her head low as she thought about Jun for a moment.
"I myself have been a victim of love and that is why I hate talking about it. It bores me and also pains me so much. I wasn't hurt in a betrayal way like you, but I was hurt from it." She said before hopping off the counter again and walked over to the trashcan. She didn't feel so great now because she was getting a little upset. "I liked someone a lot, but she never felt the same way back. She was mean and cold-hearted to me until I gave up on her. We are still friends, but that is all I will ever be to her." She shrugged before opening the trashcan up before her. "This is why I don't drink..." She muttered before she began to puke out everything into the trashcan.
When she heard what happened, her mouth dropped slightly. She didn't know how anyone could do that to someone. "What a pr*ck!" She exclaimed before analyzing everything over, so she could give a more mature answer. "That sounds so horrible... I couldn't even imagine what any of that feels like. Love has been something I have avoided my whole life because of that simply fact. Betrayal. It can happen to anyone." She said as her ears drooped a bit and she looked down to her lap. "I hope your afterlife is much better then the life you had when you were alive." She nodded slightly still keeping her head low as she thought about Jun for a moment.
"I myself have been a victim of love and that is why I hate talking about it. It bores me and also pains me so much. I wasn't hurt in a betrayal way like you, but I was hurt from it." She said before hopping off the counter again and walked over to the trashcan. She didn't feel so great now because she was getting a little upset. "I liked someone a lot, but she never felt the same way back. She was mean and cold-hearted to me until I gave up on her. We are still friends, but that is all I will ever be to her." She shrugged before opening the trashcan up before her. "This is why I don't drink..." She muttered before she began to puke out everything into the trashcan.
Aishou
Aishou tried to bring a small smile to her lips for Xiaotong Yao's benefit and failed, instead simply remaining still and silent. If only she had simply been shunned as the wolf had, things would have ended differently, so differently. Perhaps she would still be alive now, scarred by rejection, but not spending eternity with the consequences of what had transpired. She had forged these heavy chains in life, spilt this blood with her rage, and now in death she must forever bear the weight and voice of their metal links, forever gaze upon the crimson stains that marred her skin.
Her eyes flickered up to Xiaotong Yao as the girl tried to offer some form of condolence and this time, the corners of her mouth upturned in a smile - though it was still cynical. Her afterlife was no better, indeed it was worse in most ways, but she refused to burden the other anymore than she already had. The telling of her story, albeit quick and a little vague, was enough for now. Perhaps if they met again, became friends, she would venture to speak more of herself, but for now...
Her thoughts were abruptly cut off as the young woman muttered something and then proceeded to vomit into the kitchen's trash bin. Aishou lifted her head slightly and gazed across at Xiaotong Yao, lips drawn thin in concern and resignation. She couldn't do anything for the girl, get a towel, offer support and help her to the bathroom, she couldn't even give her the comfort of a hand upon her shoulder. She could do nothing but stand and watch, small hands once again curling into fists as she inquired softly, "Are you alright?"
Her eyes flickered up to Xiaotong Yao as the girl tried to offer some form of condolence and this time, the corners of her mouth upturned in a smile - though it was still cynical. Her afterlife was no better, indeed it was worse in most ways, but she refused to burden the other anymore than she already had. The telling of her story, albeit quick and a little vague, was enough for now. Perhaps if they met again, became friends, she would venture to speak more of herself, but for now...
Her thoughts were abruptly cut off as the young woman muttered something and then proceeded to vomit into the kitchen's trash bin. Aishou lifted her head slightly and gazed across at Xiaotong Yao, lips drawn thin in concern and resignation. She couldn't do anything for the girl, get a towel, offer support and help her to the bathroom, she couldn't even give her the comfort of a hand upon her shoulder. She could do nothing but stand and watch, small hands once again curling into fists as she inquired softly, "Are you alright?"
Xiaotong Yao
Xiaotong Yao moved away from the trashcan after throwing up and lowered her head over the sink. Turning on the water, she took some in her mouth and swished it around. Spitting it back out, she turned back around to Aishou and smiled slightly. "I'm fine. It's nothing major." She simply said before curling her tail around her waist and resting herself against the counter. She still felt a bit ill, but she wouldn't throw up again.
"Maybe I should get going you know. I might lay down to rest this off." She said in a slightly sad tone as she thought about Jun a little bit. "It was nice speaking to you and I hope to see you again." She said lightly as she held onto her stomach lightly. She then began to slowly walk out of the kitchen before turning back to Aishou with a smile. "If you need someone to talk to you can always talk to me." She nodded as she headed for the exit of the shop. Placing her headphones back on her ears, she turned on her CD player and began to listen to Queen again as she left.
"Maybe I should get going you know. I might lay down to rest this off." She said in a slightly sad tone as she thought about Jun a little bit. "It was nice speaking to you and I hope to see you again." She said lightly as she held onto her stomach lightly. She then began to slowly walk out of the kitchen before turning back to Aishou with a smile. "If you need someone to talk to you can always talk to me." She nodded as she headed for the exit of the shop. Placing her headphones back on her ears, she turned on her CD player and began to listen to Queen again as she left.
Aishou
Aishou gave Xiaotong Yao a slight nod and watched her go, retreating from her position by the table a little. She didn't doubt whether or not they would run into each other again, it was just that she wasn't sure if she would let herself be known. Though her iron bonds always announced her presence with their metallic rattling, she could keep herself from one's sight if she so wished. She had done so countless times, and suspected she would continue to do so, but now that the young wolf knew she was here, would she really avoid the other that way?
She lifted her head then, and a silvery flash glinted beneath her raven hued bangs, and she allowed herself a hesitant, genuine smile. She didn't think she would keep herself from Xiaotong Yao like that, if they were to ever meet again. Everyone else was another matter, but the young woman she had talked with was interesting, and if given the opportunity, she would speak to her again.
Glancing around, the ethereal woman now felt slightly exposed in the kitchen, on her own as she was. She skimmed along the floor backwards, away from the center of the room and towards the wall she had earlier come through. With a soft clinking of her chains, she faded back into the wall and out of sight.
She lifted her head then, and a silvery flash glinted beneath her raven hued bangs, and she allowed herself a hesitant, genuine smile. She didn't think she would keep herself from Xiaotong Yao like that, if they were to ever meet again. Everyone else was another matter, but the young woman she had talked with was interesting, and if given the opportunity, she would speak to her again.
Glancing around, the ethereal woman now felt slightly exposed in the kitchen, on her own as she was. She skimmed along the floor backwards, away from the center of the room and towards the wall she had earlier come through. With a soft clinking of her chains, she faded back into the wall and out of sight.
