[ ayaka feels lightheaded from the pain of it, her vision blurry.

and yet she laughs, raspy and broken. she's felt pain like this before. so many times, in so many lifetimes, that it's almost familiar to her. ]

Hahah, shut up. You think this... is punishment?

[ she's resting her forehead on richard's chest, biting back from screaming in pain. ]

Fine. Curse me all you want, Siffrin. I'm used to it. I don't want your forgiveness.