September 1st, OE 102
Prosperity Outskirts
3:18 PM
It hadn't changed at all.
The wind rustled her hair, dust lapping at the end of her boots as Eris Pseudea moved past the creaky, wooden gate. The mid-day sun hung over the ranch, located just outside of Prosperity. Behind her, the gangly form of the Bellzelute rested in a crouch, its figure shrouded with protective dust filters and a cape designed to keep out the dust... Not, she knew, that it would help much. It always found a way in, no matter what you did.
She patted the head of a curious cow that had come up to the side of its pen, its wet eyes following her suspiciously as she stepped up onto the porch. She took a deep breath, clutching the package under her arm closer.
Her hand reached up to the door to knock... and faltered. She closed her eyes... and let her shoulders sink, and her forehead fall to rest gently against the door, feeling the sweat trickling down her neck from the heat.
"...What am I doing?" She said to herself, softly.
One year ago, she had left this place in the dead of night. She'd slipped out of the window, into the refreshing cold, clutching a bag that held all the money and valuables she could carry... including those from the family safe. She needed to get out of there. She didn't owe these people anything. That was what she had told herself at the time, how she had rationalized it. That money had bought her a one way ticket out of Prosperity, a used Axio... and freedom.
Now here she was, back at their doorstep.
She took the package out in her hands, hesitantly. She could just leave it there, and make a run for it. There was no need to face her crimes just yet-
"Iris?"
At the sound of that familiar, gravely voice, she snapped to attention. There was a clatter as something dropped to the dirt below.
Sheriff Moss trudged around the corner of the building into full view, squinting in the sunlight. His features were tired and worn - but very much exactly as she remembered him, the picture of fatherliness. For a moment, both regarded one another in shocked silence.
"Is that really you?" He asked, uncertainly.
She gave a long, slow sigh, and closed her eyes.
"Hey."
Prosperity Outskirts
3:18 PM
It hadn't changed at all.
The wind rustled her hair, dust lapping at the end of her boots as Eris Pseudea moved past the creaky, wooden gate. The mid-day sun hung over the ranch, located just outside of Prosperity. Behind her, the gangly form of the Bellzelute rested in a crouch, its figure shrouded with protective dust filters and a cape designed to keep out the dust... Not, she knew, that it would help much. It always found a way in, no matter what you did.
She patted the head of a curious cow that had come up to the side of its pen, its wet eyes following her suspiciously as she stepped up onto the porch. She took a deep breath, clutching the package under her arm closer.
Her hand reached up to the door to knock... and faltered. She closed her eyes... and let her shoulders sink, and her forehead fall to rest gently against the door, feeling the sweat trickling down her neck from the heat.
"...What am I doing?" She said to herself, softly.
One year ago, she had left this place in the dead of night. She'd slipped out of the window, into the refreshing cold, clutching a bag that held all the money and valuables she could carry... including those from the family safe. She needed to get out of there. She didn't owe these people anything. That was what she had told herself at the time, how she had rationalized it. That money had bought her a one way ticket out of Prosperity, a used Axio... and freedom.
Now here she was, back at their doorstep.
She took the package out in her hands, hesitantly. She could just leave it there, and make a run for it. There was no need to face her crimes just yet-
"Iris?"
At the sound of that familiar, gravely voice, she snapped to attention. There was a clatter as something dropped to the dirt below.
Sheriff Moss trudged around the corner of the building into full view, squinting in the sunlight. His features were tired and worn - but very much exactly as she remembered him, the picture of fatherliness. For a moment, both regarded one another in shocked silence.
"Is that really you?" He asked, uncertainly.
She gave a long, slow sigh, and closed her eyes.
"Hey."