Lighting Things Up

[Ria]

Ria had been in Gradia for only a few hours in the early afternoon, but she had already seen enough to amaze her for a lifetime. There was a huge park she had passed by earlier, buildings that reached beyond the skies, technology of such extents she had never imagined.

It was in the midst of all of this excitement when Ria had seen a person fall to their death off the top of one of those extraordinarily high buildings. Right in front of her, a business man landed with his head split open on the pavement before her. She had been just far enough away that his blood did not reach her.

The sight threw her into a mild form of shock and she stood there, motionless, as she watched the dead man bleed. A few other witnesses noticed the incident and called the hospital. Ria was still frozen with tears slowly forming in her eyes as the paramedics arrived. They carried the man away on a stretcher, the blood still there where Ria's eyes remained.

The paramedics, after sending the first ambulance off, went back to talk to Ria. They noticed right away that she was in a state of mental shock as tears slowly rolled down her cheeks from the sight. A lot of things had entered her mind while looking at the dead man they took away. The fragility of life and the sin of killing her own father that she would have to bear as long as she lived were among the top.

The paramedics were unable to snap Ria out of her shock and resorted to sticking a needle in her arm, injecting her with a liquid that quickly put her to sleep. As she relaxed and fell asleep, they placed her on another stretcher and took her to the hospital.

While asleep, Ria had no dreams at first. It wasn't until she was near waking up that the dreams began. She saw herself in third person as a young girl before her being beaten by her father. Ria tried to scream and stop her father from beating the defenseless and crying girl, but there was a force field of sorts in front of her that Ria could not cross. She could only stand there as watch.

The time flashed forward a number of times to various instances of training and beating. Eventually, it stopped on the time she had killed him. Ria stared in horror as she saw herself become frightened and angry at this man who relentlessly attacked her, attempting to strip her.

Ria began to cry at the site, along with herself in her dream from just over a year ago. Her body in the hospital bed also began to leak tears as well. Ria watched in horror and tears as her younger self released an attack of light that shot through her father's heart and killed him instantly. She saw the look of shock on his face at the instant pain and death. The look that remained on his face as he fell to the ground.

Ria tried to scream and cry out loud, but no voice could come out. She dropped to her knees and cried, placing her hands over her eyes and begging her dream to show her no more.

As she slowly woke up, her real body was crying in silence and her hands were covering her eyes. There were a few monitors attached to her that had detected an increase in her heart rate and, as she was waking up, a couple of nurses had rushed into the room.

They spoke softly to the crying girl, asking if she was all right and trying to get her to look at them. Ria continued to cry even as they attempted to move her hands from her face. I KILLED HIM!!! She screamed in her head. I KILLED MY FATHER!!!

Unable to sooth the girl, the nurse gave her another injection that would relax her but not put her back to sleep. As the injection entered her blood stream, Ria's silent sobs slowly lessened. She pulled her hands up to cover her eyes as her crying grew to a stop and her heart rate slowly settled down to normal.

When she was mostly calm, she slowly wiped away her tears but kept her eyes closed for a moment longer. When she finally moved her hands and opened her eyes, she looked at the nurses with a worried expression. She wasn't sure what she was doing in this strange place or what this place even was. She didn't even remember the person she had seen fall to his death in front of her only a few hours ago.

Ria slowly sat up, looking at the nurses who were asking her questions. Ria placed her left hand on her lap face up and made a motion as if writing on her hand to ask them for a pen and paper. They then asked if she can talk and she shook her head no.

When the nurse finally brought her paper and a pen, Ria smiled slightly. She took the pen and paper and began to write. "My name is Ria Hikari. I am 16 years old. I have come alone from Tenka. I am confused. Who are you? Where am I? Why am I here?"

When she finished, she handed the paper to the nurses. They smiled and greeted her. They explained that she is in a hospital in Gradia because she went into a deep shock after witnessing a tragedy, someone had killed himself right in front of her. They introduced themselves as nurses in the hospital, stating their names, and said that after a few short tests Ria would be allowed to leave.

Ria looked down at her hands as she listened to the nurses talk about the man who killed himself. She had no memory of this, but she also had no other reasoning behind her waking up in a strange hospital a few hours after the last thing she was able to remember.

When they introduced themselves and said they would assist her and that she could leave after a few tests, Ria smiled at them and nodded. She reached for the paper again and wrote "Thank you" on it for them, beaming a small smile at them as she handed the paper back.

The nurses then excused themselves and sent the doctor in. He performed a few standard tests, such as examining her eyes, ears and reflexes. When he was done, he let her go with a smile and told her to just be careful.

On her way out of the hospital building, Ria stopped in front of a room that said "Children's Ward". She looked at the name of the ward with a sad expression and watched the entrance to it for a while. She saw a few nurses enter and exit, then she herself headed towards the ward and slowly went inside.

Ria was not sure if she should be there or not, but she noticed that the nurses seemed to be setting the room up for a special event. Ria moved closer towards the center area as she heard some nurses talking about a sweet girl coming to perform a song or two for the sick kids and to spend some time with them.

Ria smiled at this, glad that there were people in this world who cared about those too weak to stand up on their own. As a child, Ria had only ever been scolded when she showed signs of weakness. She never hated her father for this, but it left a sort of scar on her heart. She felt especially sorry for those that she found to be weaker for herself and would never consider treating them so harshly.

As she noticed the nurses grabbing a few chairs from stacks at the side of the room, Ria immediately rushed over to grab a few. She followed the nurse to where she was setting up the chairs and began to set them up beside her.

The nurse noticed that Ria was not a fellow nurse and turned to her, asking if she was one of the volunteers there to help. Not intending to lie about being someone who was supposed to be there, but wanting to help anyway, Ria nodded her head with a smile.

The nurse smiled back and welcomed her, introducing herself as the events coordinator Lilly. She then instructed Ria, not yet asking her name, to set up about ten more chairs in the same manner. Ria nodded excitedly and got to work, more than glad to be able to help out.

[tag Mitsuko]

[Deleted]

It was around 5 PM in the evening and Mitsuko had made her way to the Jowston Hospital, in Gradia. Despite her being busy with her engagement and responsibilities as a bride she also had responsibilities as a nurse and as a kind-hearted person. The angel loved children and she always spent her time teaching them, and giving them love and support.

Children are so sensitive and fragile that it was important that they were nurtured properly and were always reminded at how special they are. When they are sick there are many things that are out of their control, but when people spend time with them then it takes the child away from the world of illness. If the angel can make these children stronger just by being there for them then she knows there is a higher chance of them recovering.

The angel entered the hospital slowly and checked in at the reception desk, and filled in the time she arrived, her occupation, which was a fellow nurse, and at the end she signed her name. When she is leaving the hospital she will have to sign out and mark the time she ended her visit and her shift. After the angel checked in she made her way to the children’s ward of the hospital. Slowly she made her way into the ward and when she entered the children started to surround her, and Mitsuko picked up one of the little boys.

“Oh wow you seem to be feeling better, you put some weight on too and that’s good because you weren’t eating properly, and now look at you, you are growing to be much stronger and a healthier little boy.”

The little boy wanted to show Mitsuko all of his drawings that were on the wall and so carrying him in her arms Mitsuko saw all of his drawings and she commented on them.

“You are a very talented little boy do you know that? I see you being an artist someday and capturing the beauty of the world around you. Don’t forget that you can show the world what you can do. It’s healthy to draw too.

Mitsuko smiled at the little boy and put him down gently on the ground once she saw a young woman, helping to set up the chairs. Mitsuko gently stared at her, and she felt something very faint from her but the angel couldn’t put her finger on it. She gently went beside the girl and started helping her in setting the chairs up too even though the angel was the one going to sing soon. Music brings out the best in people and can be used as a healing tool, especially for children.

“Here let me help you guys. These chairs can be so heavy, it will be wrong for me to just stand here and watch.”

The angel said that with a giggle in her voice and in the background Mitsuko heard one of the nurses say to her, which she didn’t have to lift a finger but she disagreed of course.

“I don’t expect any special treatment, I deserve to be treated like one of you. Just because I am getting married doesn’t mean I don’t have the time to take care of these children and help out. Everyone needs a helping hand, even if they say to me that they don’t need help, they are lying~ hahaha!”

Mitsuko turned to the young girl that emitted such warmth and gentleness and introduced herself.

“My name is Mitsuko pleased to meet you.”

[Ria]

Ria noticed another person enter and begin to interact with the children. She smiled sweetly at that with a couple of chairs in her arms then continued to set them up, glad to help even this little bit.

When this kind woman started helping Ria with the chairs, Ria blushed suddenly at seeing that then smiled happily at her as they set up the chairs together. Ria smiled at the woman when she insisted on helping set up because she was the one here to entertain the kids. She heard this woman say she was getting married and that made Ria's smile a little sweeter even as she imagined this kind woman will be happy.

Ria looked at the woman for a moment longer, a look of admiration in her eyes as she carefully set a chair down. She was smiling with a small blush on her face when that woman then turned directly towards Ria and introduced herself.

As soon as Mitsuko did that, Ria's face immediately flushed and she suddenly looked very flustered and nervous. She opened her mouth slightly then closed it and started quickly glancing around to see if there was something she could get to fast enough to write on but she didn't want to start running off and grabbing something that didn't belong to her.

Ria closed her eyes tight and took a deep breath as she faced Mitsuko again with a worried look in her eyes. Please don't hate me for this. She thought as her hands were together and shaking slightly. Ria then took one step back and raised her right hand in the air, her pointer finger sticking out as she began to write.

"MY NAME IS RIA" She wrote in the air with a worried look. She wrote so that the letters were facing Mitsuko properly and backwards to herself. The letters appeared in light as her fingers moved, each letter lasting about ten seconds before slowly fading off. When she finished writing, Ria quickly clasped her hands in front of her chest, looking almost as if she were begging.

She was always really nervous whenever she revealed to someone her abilities because a lot of people she had met and revealed them to have shunned her for being strange and claimed that she was a devil. She especially didn't want someone who seemed so kind to freak out and, worst of all, she worried about the children or other nurses freaking out and making her go away.

[Deleted]

Mitsuko can sense Ria’s nervousness but all she could do was smile at her and comfort her the best way she knew how. When the young girl introduced herself to her by writing her name in the air by using her special ability, and then clasped her hands so quickly Mitsuko gently reached out to her and touched her hands gently, in that comforting manner.

“Ria, that is such a beautiful name. I think I looked up that name once and while there are so many meanings for it, I found the one that I personally liked and meeting you this meaning suits you. Flower. You are so pretty and delicate like a flower Ria. So every time I say your name I’ll be thinking of flowers. I hope you don’t mind me bestowing a meaning to your name.

The meaning of my name is child of light.”

“I can tell that you are nervous but please there is no need to be Ria. It’s okay. I have abilities too and I know how it feels to not be treated fairly sometimes, but you are still a person, and your abilities only make up half of who you are. The other half of you that makes you, you is your heart. I can sense that you are gentle and kind. Would you like to see my ability?”

The angel closed her eyes and made a flower appear in her hand and she put it gently in Ria’s hair.

“There. To go with the meaning of your name. Now what else can I show you…? Oh I know. Milo~”

The angel called to her dove and in came flying Milo. She flew and sat on Mitsuko’s shoulder.

“She’s my friend and Milo this is Ria.”

The angel smiled gently at Ria and gave her a chance to take everything that Mitsuko had shown her in order to help her feel comfortable. The angel didn’t want to overwhelm her but at the same time the angel had a motherly personality that she couldn’t help but reach out to others, especially when they needed someone to lean on.

As much as the angel wanted Milo to greet Ria with a nuzzle on her cheek to say hello, she didn’t want to make Ria uncomfortable. In the background the children were amazed by Ria’s ability and some of them called out and said how did she do that. Hearing this Mitsuko giggled.

“See? The children seem to love your ability too.”

[Ria]

Seeing that Mitsuko was being kind and gentle still towards her even as she rested her hands on top of Ria's hands helped Ria to start calming down a little. As Mitsuko began to speak, complimenting her name and also giving it the meaning of a flower, Ria's face slowly faded from the concern as a smile began to slowly build over it. Her cheeks grew a bit pink as she smiled, feeling rather flattered at having her name mean flower despite feeling undeserving of such a precious meaning.

As Mitsuko then went on about having abilities as well, Ria's face immediately seemed to brighten even more, very glad to know that she was not alone in that. As Mitsuko said that Ria was gentle and kind, Ria felt even more touched and her eyes held such a look of loving admiration towards the one complimenting her and sympathizing with her. Ria nodded enthusiastically then when Mitsuko offered to show her powers as well, already admiring this woman as someone amazing.

Ria's smile appeared very happy and surprised when a flower appeared. As Mitsuko said it was to go with Ria's name, she blushed more again at this sweet woman's compliments. She felt very happy to have this beautiful flower being placed in her hair by such a kind woman. She almost didn't think she could take anymore happiness as she felt her heart was already bursting with sweet joy. She felt like she didn't deserve this much although she loved it all.

Ria's face stretched a bit in surprise at a dove landing on Mitsuko's shoulder. She stared in awe at Milo as Mitsuko introduced her. Such a beautiful little creature and right in front of her eyes, now resting on the shoulder of a woman that Ria had already come to admire.

When she heard now voices of the children and Mitsuko pointed out that they loved Ria's ability, Ria's smile grew ever so wide again. Her face held a deep blush and, completely touched by everything, her eyes also began to grow moist. She pressed her hands flat against her chest as she smiled, intending to show how truly touched and happy she felt by their acceptance of her.

Unsure if the children could read or not, Ria wrote in the air again anyway so that both the children and Mitsuko could see it in case Mitsuko needed to read it for them. "I CANNOT SPEAK, SO I WRITE USING THE ELEMENT OF LIGHT" She explained with a bright smile towards them all.

[Deleted]

Being the emotional woman that she is whenever Mitsuko saw someone so happy especially when she was able, to make them feel better and reach their hearts the angel started to tear up in happiness.

Her blue eyes held such emotion and kindness to this young girl as the angel did something else for her. Gently Mitsuko took her left hand and placed it against Ria’s hand. The reason why she was doing this is because the angel wanted to show Ria that since she and Mitsuko were now friends, the angel would hold Ria up with her support.

Mitsuko is yes going to be a wife soon, but that doesn’t mean she will ever be too busy to support someone. Especially someone who is such a sweetheart and deserved all the things that are good.

She also wanted to comfort Ria more and remind her that not everyone is cruel or judgmental. There are people that are very accepting individuals and today Ria had met people that did just that. They accepted her and it showed. The children didn’t want Ria to go away, they wanted her to stay so in the background you could hear the children complimenting on the flower in her hair and saying how pretty it is. Mitsuko’s dove nuzzled her cheek indicating that she wanted to say hi now.

Seeing as how Ria was becoming more comfortable Mitsuko let Milo fly to Ria’s shoulder and once she was perched on her shoulder Milo greeted her by nuzzling her cheek. Milo was very loving toward people, unless of course she senses that they are a threat she would make it known to Zero and Mitsuko by flapping her wings frantically or by tugging on the sleeves of their clothes to get them to pay attention.

…… OR if Milo really really doesn’t like someone she would leave them a present by pooping on them. One example was when Mitsuko’s biological father was threatening to put the angel in danger when he had bumped into Zero and called him a spiky haired buffoon. But Milo had taken a liking to Ria already and it showed how comfortable the dove is with her. Seeing the interaction that Milo had expressed to Ria the angel started to cry tears of happiness.

The angel saw the message that Ria wrote in the air to the children but first she commented on the tears that she was shedding, so just in case and to make sure Ria knew that she didn’t do anything wrong to make Mitsuko cry but the opposite the angel said:

“Don’t worry Ria I am not crying because I am sad, I am crying because I am happy, I always get like this whenever I am touched by someone. I am clearly touched by you and how sweet these children are so accepting of you.”

Mitsuko then read Ria’s message to the children and they all filed around Ria and gave her a hug, and then the angel gave Ria a hug of her own. The angel then wanted to do something with the flower that she had placed in Ria’s hair.

“About the flower, to make sure it doesn’t die.. I’m going to do something to it okay? Milo sorry to interrupt your nuzzling moment with Ria babe but I need your help okay? And we don’t need to take the flower out of her hair. I can’t do this without you~”

Milo listened and went by Mitsuko and started to glow a little bit to give the angel support. With the palm of her hand the angel touched the flower in Ria’s hair gently and started to transform it into a beautiful hair piece for Ria, and because it had Mitsuko’s blessing the flower in the hair piece will not die. Ria will always have it with her.

“All done, what do you think Ria?”

Mitsuko took out one of her compact mirrors and went behind Ria as she did so, so she can have a look at her new hair piece.

[Ria]

Ria's eyes were tearing up in happiness while an enormous and bright smile resonated on her face with all the compliments from the children and the acceptance and support from Mitsuko. Ria had never been in a room of people who so openly accepted her, and she wasn't sure of how to respond either. She was truly grateful for their acceptance, and her admiration towards Mitsuko grew.

When Milo landed on Ria's shoulder, her expression changed to one of surprise for a moment as she looked over at the bird. Her smile grew brightly again and she tilted her head slightly towards Milo's head to respond in the cheek nuzzling. She carefully lifted her hand and gently stroked the top of Milo's head while smiling at her.

As she turned her attention back to Mitsuko, Ria's face immediately plummeted into a worried expression as she wondered why Mitsuko was crying. Ria's worries were answered before she had time to question with writing. As Mitsuko explained her tears, Ria relaxed, and the smile grew back on her face again with a small blush to her cheeks.

After Mitsuko read aloud Ria's message, she was surprised to see the children moving towards her and actually start hugging her. Ria's face lit up with surprise and the smile grew even brighter again as she tried her best to hug them back.

Ria smiled at Mitsuko again after receiving a hug from her also. She felt incredibly touched already, and she was surprised at Mitsuko's next idea about making sure the flower doesn't die. Ria's eyes lit up with curiousity as she wondered how it was possible to make sure a flower wouldn't die.

Ria nodded slightly with a curious expression on her face as she allowed Mitsuko to make sure the flower wouldn't die. Ria's eyes followed Mitsuko's hand inquisitively as it moved towards the flower, though she kept her head still so as not to cause a mistake.

Ria's face held that curious expression as she was asked what she thought. She saw Mitsuko take out a small mirror, and blushed as she moved behind Ria to show her her reflection. Ria nervously looked into the mirror as it was moved in front of her. Her cheeks slowly turned red and a smile slowly formed back on her face, growing wider and wider as tears started to form in her eyes again.

Ria slowly lifted her hand in front of them and shakily wrote "IT'S BEAUTIFUL, MITSUKO, THANK YOU SO MUCH."

[Mitsuko]

Mitsuko smiled at Ria gently and kindly and wondered about something. So much had happened in the span of when she met Ria at this hospital, but the angel was always the type to invite people over, ask if they have a place to stay and so on. She was also never too busy in giving people in need the attention they so deserved. The angel did try to help people feel like they were the center of Mitsuko’s world even if she had just met the person. This understandably worried Zero because he felt that she was opening herself up to people that could take advantage of her kindness, and not even reciprocate that energy she gives.

While she understood that she had to adopt healthier habits so that she wasn’t spreading herself too thinly, it was indeed a hard balance. A hard balance between staying true to herself and not draining herself out-- especially since she was pregnant with her first child, but she didn’t know. Her pregnancy was going to be a big surprise to her when she realizes this upon reflection many years later. And from Mitsuko's perspective it isn't always about reciprocation. Sometimes it just feels good to do nice things for others.  Mitsuko didn't want her interactions with other people to ALWAYS be transactional as she believed that kindness is free. The world is hard enough to live in and everyone can benefit from more kindness these days, and sometimes it's just what a person needs to make it through another day. One day Mitsuko will find the balance between setting boundaries to her energy and helping others, but that day isn't today. She will learn, but that will happen over time.

“I was wondering Ria.. do you have a place to stay? I apologize for being so forward but.. If you don’t have a place to stay.. I have an empty room at the Alamo Inn. I don’t want to leave you alone when you have clearly been through something that has hurt you terribly, and you don’t deserve to be alone. So… Why don’t you come home with me? It’s safe there, and you’ll see more children, and more flowers. I have a huge sunflower garden out front, and you’ll get free meals and the care you need. I also apologize about my fiance in advance.. If you look at his face and get a little scared by his serious intense expression, but I assure you he’s got a big heart and his eyes never lie.” Mitsuko gently placed a hand on Ria’s cheek and nodded again as a way to assure her that she wouldn't be a burden. “What do you say? Or… um.. write?”

[Ria]

Ria was a little taken aback when she was suddenly asked if she had a place to stay. She stared wide-eyed up at Mitsuko as she explained her offer to Ria. During the explanation, Ria's face began to flush again. A small smile began to form as she looked down a little solemn in thought. She had originally left her home in search of something even she didn't know. Perhaps some new meaning or purpose beyond her comprehension.

Even if she accepted, Ria wasn't sure if she would feel comfortable staying in one place for too long. She also couldn't imagine how she could ever repay Mitsuko's kindness. Still, she was a little curious. Even if she only visited for a short time and perhaps offered to help while there, maybe it would feel okay for a little while.

When she felt Mitsuko's hand on her cheek, Ria looked back up, blushing. She smiled sweetly up at Mitsuko, somehow feeling a little less concerned in that moment. She took a step back so there would be space to write. "THAT SOUNDS NICE", she wrote with a flushed smile.

[Mitsuko]

Mitsuko smiled brightly, and she gently and carefully hugged Ria. “Oh thank you so much! It’s been a long time since I met another kind soul. I can’t wait to spend more time with you! My heart melted so much at how sweet you are, that I forgot to bring my presents for all of these children. I’ll be right back.” Mitsuko then went and a variety of gifts for each child, and as always she had more than what was needed, so there was something special for Ria. She wanted to thank Ria for being so nice and kind to her, and for agreeing to stay with her for a while.

Gift giving, quality time, and acts of service were Mitsuko’s main love languages, and Ria was the center of her world for the time they spent talking to each other, that the angel forgot that she was the one performing today for those children, and one of the nurses had to remind her to get ready to sing, but they did so quietly, as this was a huge surprise for the children. “Please put these presents aside until after the show. Except that one. Thanks.” Mitsuko made her way back to Ria and gently gave her a present. “I know that asking you to stay with me for a while came out of the blue, and I’m so sorry if it made you a little uncomfortable, but I want to thank you for your kindness and for trusting me. The gift is adjustable, so don’t worry.”



Soon everything was set for the performance and the kids were all excited that they couldn’t sit still. Milo Mitsuko’s beloved dove stayed with Ria to keep her company, and Mitsuko went to the front of the room. She gently hushed the children but then a few of them went to hug her, so the performance took a while before it actually did begin, and once it did Mitsuko sang from her heart. Not only was it soothing, but the song she sang embodied the person she loved more than anything, and it was going to be her wedding song for when she married her fiance.





Wind of beginnings, deliver this message
Because I will always believe in you"

That time I was standing in a world I saw in my dream
Surveying the landscape, my legs tremble slightly

But I won't look back, because I've decided to walk forward
Looking up at the seven-colored rainbow in the sky, do you see it too?

Wind of beginnings, deliver this message
Because I will watch your back as you run towards your dream

Soaring wind, deliver this thought
Because I will always believe in you"

Fluttering towards the future

For example, when a person thinks about the one important to them
Surely they have a kind look on their face
The road through time is endless, move forward and don't give up

Wind of beginnings, deliver this message

At the end of your faraway journey, I will wait for you
Soaring wind, exceed your destiny
Because I believe my wish will be delivered

If I meet you again someday, show me your smile

Wind of beginnings, deliver this message
At the end of your faraway journey, I will wait for you

Soaring wind, exceed your destiny

Because I believe my wish will be delivered
There is nothing to be afraid of, "because you exist"