Fifty-five words

Archer
I couldn’t breathe there, for so long. I was her, but I was myself. I was everything to one person, and nothing to everyone else. Something to be casually tossed aside when the time came.

In the end, she couldn’t do it.

What am I?

I don’t care. I just have to keep him safe.

Jasper
I could resent her for changing everything. For uprooting everything I knew as easily as breathing. I could…and at the same time, it seems impossible. As if what needed to happen, happened.

They’re stranger than I expected, these worlds. I never thought I could feel this way.

There were many things I never thought of.

Alakina
There are two people I care about in all the worlds that ever were--three counting myself. Some people would call that a lonely existence, but how many people do you really need? All those petty concerns, greed, fear, love, hate…I’ve got enough of my own thoughts, thanks.

Not loneliness. Freedom.

I know what matters.

Rothian
I love Aki more than anyone. And so, I can’t let her find me. Not yet. Not while we’re both still in such danger. She doesn’t know about Proxy. I was careful to keep it that way. Partly to protect her, partly...

I am capable of far too much. That’s all there is to it.

Haine
I came of age in blood and shadows, skulking in an alley while mortars rained about my head. I’m still in the shadows, even though the war is long over. I’m supposed to be dead, so what else can I do? Just hide endlessly in this house.

The war is over. I lost.

We lost.

Toriana
Our peace is so tenuous. I know that I can’t do anything to shatter it. It is my duty to ensure a future for my clan.

And yet…

Gods, the way he moves, so graceful and sure. I wish I could have that peace, for just a little while.

And I wish I could have…

Rafael
I don’t know what she’s gotten herself into this time, but it’s not going to be good. It never is. It’s not as if I’m sick of looking after her. But it would be nice if she’d make it a little easier once in awhile, you know?

Give me time to look for that silver-haired…