Melting Hearts: A FC/UC Background Short

Abluvion
Pre-Humanoid Era
xxxx, X.X.

Feelings were the enemy.

Unda attempted to remind herself of this fact as she paced her throne room, running a hand through her long black hair in a slight worry. “You are a Goddess,” she hissed to herself, “You’re not allowed to have any of these strange feelings – not like Calor, who fraternizes every day with his ladies.”

Calor. She shuddered at the thought of her brother.

The last time she had been to Élan, she had witnessed her brother being served by many ladies with wild hair and burning eyes. And he paid attention to each and every one of them, his grin infectious and charisma upping the atmosphere. It was only when she had cleared her throat did he realize that she was there, and he calmly asked for his companions to return later. They left the room without complaint, their red-orange skirts swishing as they moved out.

“Do they enjoy that?” Calor had blinked, fixing his hair.

“Enjoy what?”

“Making your ladies swoon and adore you,” she retorted dryly, sitting on a nearby chair. Calor let the smirk return to his lips. “Before you know it, they’ll be kissing your feet and washing your hair as well.”

“I’m not that conceited, dear sister. And they’re the ones who choose to adore me.” He gave a non-committal shrug, “And if that’s what they please, then why should I stop them?”

“Heart and mind don’t go together, Calor.” She reminded him sharply.

“Keep telling yourself that, Unda.”

She couldn’t feel.

Not too much, at least.

Seclusion: A FC/UC Background Short

Abluvion
Pre-Humanoid Era
xxxx, X.X.

Unda stood alone in the deepest recesses of her home, feeling the water swirl around her ankles. It had been a while since she was last there in that particular area – the last time she was, she was giving and giving and there was so much pain around her.

Now, she was there for a completely different reason. Unda exhaled, feeling the waters around her swirl turbulently; they had reacted to her current moods and she attempted to calm herself down. This only seemed to irritate them more. The waters gave a small roar and Unda’s eyes snapped open, she glaring down at her feet as if demanding them to stop.

And they did, with mild hesitation.

“I can’t believe it had to escalate to this point,” she muttered, extremely irritated. “All because of Ventus…”

Despite her exterior feelings, Unda was terrified.

They had found Ventus alone and unconscious, refusing to wake at all. With that, his world – Susurrus – had started to decay at the lack of life force being drawn from their Creator.

They tried everything. Unda herself had attempted to take control of his Quintessence and banish whatever impurity had poisoned him, but there was no effect. Amina tried forging the most healing of herbs and fed it to him, but he did not rouse. Finally, Calor summoned his flames and tried restoring his eldest brother’s older warmth.

Even with their efforts, Ventus did not stir. He remained there, his eyes closed and form rigid, unmoving. Amina nearly burst into tears at the predicament of her favorite sibling and the Twins didn’t know how to calm her down. Finally, they made Amina return to her home and promised to call for her if they had any news.

Unda and Calor, despite their being Twins, never got along with each other. There was the elemental difference and the personality barrier, both of which incredibly contrasting that they frequently got into scuffles and small-scale fights.

With Ventus’ calming voice and overseeing eyes, however, both of them knew that it was time to get themselves together.

Starting Anew: A Backstory Short

January 2013
Seiko Design Co.
Tokyo, Japan

“Are you crazy, Noriko?!”

“I resign.” The girl repeated in a flat tone. Her arms were folded over her chest. Her hair, which was usually glossy, thick and down, was thrown into a careless bun. Her lips were set into a flat line. “I’ve worked for three years. Seiko Design will do much better without me.”

Noriko Inoue had been in conflict over her decision for days. It was only when she had seen her face replacing Naomi’s did she finally snap and make a choice – the right choice.

The girl’s brown eyes stared at her superior’s own. No matter what the other said, what the other prompted and persuaded, from a higher pay to more freedom in her own schedule, Noriko wouldn’t budge at all. Finally, the superior stormed out without another word, Noriko smoothly leaving the office a few moments after. Saki, the secretary, looked at Noriko with a sad smile.

“I’m sorry it had to be this way, Nori.” Noriko merely shrugged.

“I’ll collect my things tomorrow morning and say my goodbyes.”

“Alright. Have a good day.” The young model – ex-model – turned on a heel and left. She could hear the supervisor angrily yelling and felt the gazes of the other models burn as she walked down the hall, her head held high, shoulders squared.

The girl threw withering looks to those who tried to stop her, and some others flinched away. A male model looked at her with a dull expression. She recognized him. Kishi.

“Good for you,” the male muttered. He escorted her out of the building and she looked at him, seeing his unusual paleness and the heavy bags under his eyes. “I don’t know if I can.”

“Don’t.” Noriko took his hands and looked him straight in the eyes, “If you can’t find another way. I can. I’m trying. You need to stay here.”

Unidentified Savior: A Backstory Short

A Few Years Prior
Post-Kira Era
Tokyo, Japan

Kenichi still had a hard time managing his company.

His father had passed only a few years back. Even though he had graduated with a business degree and worked just for the experience, suddenly being shoved to the topmost seat from struggling to finish his resume made it all seem unrealistic. Inheriting riches? The Matsumoto Manor? He suddenly felt like wanting to return to the past, drinking coffee at 4AM and finishing his term paper.

Even post-death he still thought if he really deserved the position. Yes, he had studied abroad throughout his college years. So what? It wasn't such a big deal to him as much as suddenly leading a multi-dollar company that once rivaled Yotsuba. All of a sudden, he had advertisements to approve and people to hire. There were meetings to attend, lawyers to argue and agree with, papers from court to sign and check, wills to listen to...

In all of that, he didn't realize that he had forgotten to have the driver fetch him from work.

Which was why he was walking home.

Sure, there were taxis and buses. But he didn't want to risk getting inside one and end up mugged or thrown into the middle of nowhere - just as people were exaggerating nowadays.

Who would do that? This is Tokyo, he thought sullenly as he walked. Even with that, he resolved to walking. Besides, walking was healthy. He told himself that firmly. Walking would get him into better shape, better form.

Walking...walking would let him think.