sugarcoat what i know is undeniable

[unburden]

Ever since arriving in Darrow, it's become increasingly clear to Rukia that there are multiple cycles through which people's souls run. Nearly disparate worlds that have found different ways to balance within themselves. All of them touch in some way or another, she believes — it's the only way to explain her presence here, the fact that she's been able to leap from one to the other. It's probably not possible to see or comprehend all of them which exist, but at least for those who are in the city, Rukia tries to understand.

She tries to understand what death means.

The library's been one of the best places to research, even though walking among the people often helps as well. Today, though, she's of a mind to keep to herself, not wanting to put up airs or raise smiles where she doesn't feel any. Instead, she remains seated at one of the few tables scattered on the first floor of the library, books piled high beside her as she takes notes.

That's when she feels it — a ghost wandering nearby. The lead in her pencil snaps as she glances up, spotting a young girl walking some space away. There's never an elegant way to go about making directions, but Rukia still wanders to her side, carrying all her books in hand.

A few steps away, she pretends to trip, a couple of volumes about reincarnation skating free and skidding against the ground. "Oh no," she breathes, crouching to try and pick them up. "I'm so sorry about that. Are you okay?"

Comments

[unburden]

"Nightshades like... potatoes?" Rukia asks, brows still raised. Of course, it's fully possible that people from other worlds might be somehow allergic to these vegetables and unable to digest them, but it seems like such a random set. "Maybe someone you knew didn't want you taking up their food resources. I've never had trouble with any of those foods. Actually, I'm a big fan of potatoes. They filled me up quickly as a kid, and they weren't too hard to grow."

[ghost_holder]

"Yes, potatoes. But those are only good as animal feed–at least that's what they taught me. And she told me now that water is safe to drink too."

Aggie scrunches up her face, "But maybe I should listen to Barbara and not people who hang you for witchcraft."

[unburden]

"Most food here is very safe," Rukia says with a nod. "But I agree, it's probably best to turn to people who want to look after your welfare if you really want to know whether or not something is safe to eat." She makes a mental note to seek out Barbara for a further talk.

"I'm really glad that you have somewhere here who looks after you. Maybe I can meet her sometime. She sounds like a lovely lady."

[ghost_holder]

Aggie nods. Barbara isn't her Mom, but she's good to Aggie and has taught her how to use all the strange technology in this new time. And she makes potatoes taste good.

"She lives above me, at Dimera."

[unburden]

Encouraged by the young woman's smile, Rukia returns it with one of her own. It feels like a good start to perhaps something more regular — this won't be the last time that she wants to check up on the girl, and it might be worthwhile to see if there are other people Barbara is helping out in the meantime.

"Dimera," Rukia repeats with a nod. "Got it. I'll stop by soon. Before I go, can I ask... what your name is?"

[ghost_holder]

"Agatha Prenderghast," she says, holding back on giving her nickname. Aggie is something her mommie had called her; it has to be saved for people she knows she can trust.

[unburden]

Rukia's smile widens, glad for this amount of trust that the young girl's affording her. There's a lot in a name, in being able to pick a person out from a crowd by calling out to them alone. She tilts her head, then nods. "It's an honor to meet you, Agatha. You can ask for Rukia at Ocean View Apartments if you ever need to find me, or if you just want to spend time together. I think it'd be fun."

[ghost_holder]

"Rukia," she repeats, taking in the unusual name. "Ocean view apartments."

She commits that to memory.