065. The dead shall remain dead. They tell her she needs to sleep more, that as their Queen, her health should be a priority. As their Queen, she can't allow herself to tell them that she hates sleeping.
Or, more specifically, she hates dreams.
It's his face she too often sees in that shadowy dreamland. His voice she hears. His arms wrapping lovingly around hers as his lips press a kiss to her forehead. When she dreams of him, she awakens with a gaping ache in her chest that always leaves her wondering for a breathless moment whether an assassin had finally made their way in.
She makes it a point to go to the cemetery as soon as she can after those dreams. Touch the cold marble stone and remind herself that Edgar is dead, and she is alive.
And no matter how much she wishes otherwise, the Diamond Queen must go on living.
***
[OOC: Aaaand I couldn't get Melly's headcanon out of my mind. So. Two for you, Glen Coco.]
The Arcana's Death looks like Edgar.
She's grateful for Sophie's somewhat shaky warning, after the ambassadress returns from visiting with the Embassy's newest arrival pale-faced but with her usual Diamond calm. Rachel doesn't think she'd have managed to stay so stoic if she hadn't know.
But the Arcana's Death has Edgar's face and smile and it takes everything she has in her to offer a proper greeting. It's easier when they speak, their voice an eerie, echoey whisper that sounds nothing like his voice at all.
She still goes back to her chambers when it's all said and done and vomits until she's throwing up blood. The bright red is still visible against her lids when she shuts her eyes. It reminds her of life and heartbeats.
Reminds her that no matter how similar the doppelgänger may appear, it'll never have Edgar's soul.
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They tell her she needs to sleep more, that as their Queen, her health should be a priority. As their Queen, she can't allow herself to tell them that she hates sleeping.
Or, more specifically, she hates dreams.
It's his face she too often sees in that shadowy dreamland. His voice she hears. His arms wrapping lovingly around hers as his lips press a kiss to her forehead. When she dreams of him, she awakens with a gaping ache in her chest that always leaves her wondering for a breathless moment whether an assassin had finally made their way in.
She makes it a point to go to the cemetery as soon as she can after those dreams. Touch the cold marble stone and remind herself that Edgar is dead, and she is alive.
And no matter how much she wishes otherwise, the Diamond Queen must go on living.
[OOC: Aaaand I couldn't get Melly's headcanon out of my mind. So. Two for you, Glen Coco.]
The Arcana's Death looks like Edgar.
She's grateful for Sophie's somewhat shaky warning, after the ambassadress returns from visiting with the Embassy's newest arrival pale-faced but with her usual Diamond calm. Rachel doesn't think she'd have managed to stay so stoic if she hadn't know.
But the Arcana's Death has Edgar's face and smile and it takes everything she has in her to offer a proper greeting. It's easier when they speak, their voice an eerie, echoey whisper that sounds nothing like his voice at all.
She still goes back to her chambers when it's all said and done and vomits until she's throwing up blood. The bright red is still visible against her lids when she shuts her eyes. It reminds her of life and heartbeats.
Reminds her that no matter how similar the doppelgänger may appear, it'll never have Edgar's soul.
That's in some other world, now.