[Kansai City] Melodies Make Memories

Yeah, she knew alright. The dark-skinned Sicily sighed and gave a guilty, ashamed smile. "That obvious, huh?" She allowed Kitana to guide her head to her shoulder with a piteous grunt. "It just reminded me just how much my sister's disappearance sent shockwaves through the family. Mom got really pissed. Dad just lost all his drive. And my brother was just as torn about it as I was. The when mom just called it off, those shockwaves became fissures that tore everyone apart. I had to pick up the slack. The family name was foisted on me and the pressure to make my family stable again just...it nearly crushed me. I needed to be strong for everyone, you included. I just...didn't want to burden you anymore with all of that stuff."

As she admitted this, her arms reached around Kitana and pulled her in close. "I love you way too much, fuzzball." She then pulled away enough to show that her dual-colored eyes were brimming with honesty. And slight regret. "Guess I should ask for your help shouldering it together then, huh?"Her lips pursed when her hypnotic gaze locked onto Kitana's.

That firm tone of Kitana's was familiar yet different. They had hated being put on display for all to see. So much had been expected of them. They just wanted to be an everyday person. Not some bauble. The firm, uncaring words that hammered those words into her head belonged to her mother. What had she been saying to Kitana? Her eyes looked to the left. She was raising up Kitana just like...no. She didn't want to finish that thought. She was different than that woman! That woman's words were harsh. Demanding. Kitana's were firm but concerned. A stark contrast. Her mother only cared about the image she presented herself as. What did Kitana care about? None of that. More importantly, what did Sicily care about? Her hand fell upon Kitana's cheek and her eyes found hers again.

"You." she started, tears gathering up. "You are...absolutely right." She softly sighed. "What...have I been doing? This is exactly how mother raised me and I've just been mimicking her methods; spoiling you and giving you all these nice things to try and placate and gain your favor. Moreover, I should...rely on you more instead of trying to do everything myself. Ugh, I've been such a slitherbrain!" This was a term her sister and brother often used to describe Sicily overthinking and being in her head too much and one she was probably going to share with Kitana very soon. "I'm happiest when I just....just share the things with you..." her eyes fill with realization. "....that make me happy and not what my mother gets me to try to make me happy...like...coming out here to sing with you..." She slowly looks up to once again for the millionth time look into Kitana's eyes. She sighs and smiles awkwardly, letting a tear streak down her cheek. "I'm sorry."

Sicily just listened and felt that wave of relief wash over her in a near instant. Her expression softened, became less pent-up and relaxed she she knew Kitana was being supportive rather than strict. She could still use wealth for gifts every now and again but she had to learn not to use it as an answer to everything. She winced slightly when their foreheads touched but made a soothing motion to stroke Kitana's head with her left hand. Her eyes looked gently into Kitana's and understood. "Alright then...you'll get the whole truth from now on. No more secrets. If I need help, I'll ask you...just make sure to ask the same of me, alright?"

They embrace but it is clear Sicily was feeling anxious still as they gazed into Kitana's eyes. They let them linger just to make Kitana feel weak in her arms. This moment lasted for what seemedlike forever until Sicily said "Guess I should sing too now."

Sicily smirked at Kitana's flustered reaction. She knew just staring into her eyes would cause her to melt eventually. That reaction alone is enough to keep on doing it each chance she got when it was appropriate. She knew Kitana was able to resist it...when it counted. She wasn't weak by any means and Sicily sternly reminded herself of that. It was a testament to the fact that this talk meant alot to Kitana and Sicily wasn't about to let all of that go to waste.

She reached the list of choices to pick from then began swiping on the screen a few times as she scanned every choice with a discerning set of eyes. This happened a few times and just as she was about to swipe again with finger raised, she stopped. Her eyes widened at a title that instantly flooded her brain with all of the memories of the past.


"Sing this one!"



"Yup! It's a cover though!"






She gave a fond smile at it. Time to be happy. Kitana made her happy. Same as her siblings used to in their own way. She remembered this song. It had always made her think about how she could be when released from her mother's control and she had had just about enough of those shackles. She had to use her mother as a reason to lie to Kitana but recently, she had let Kitana in on a few details about her mother...and that Kitana came from a similar figure. It was getting to be time to just loosen herself from all of these responsibilities but not to simply just run away from them. No. She needed to confront them.

Her finger pressed down on the option without much delay and Sicily stood up boldly and took the center. Options to change the lighting to match the song beats were pressed by the snakes as the young lady took a deep breath, the mic's body held in the mouth of Avernus who held the reciever to Sicily's mouth. She opened her mouth as the song's intro began...and belted it out perfectly.



The passionate vocals conveyed several things in its breadth coupled with Sicily's own on-point voice. It was about empowerment and perseverance. It was set to inspire listeners to find their inner strength and face challenges head-on, no matter how daunting they may seem. To embrace one's true potential. Sicily performed several motions throughout the song including tantalizing body sways, strong fist motions, side-steps capitialized by light stomps, and finally hypnotic head movement to punctuate the message of the song itself. partway through, Sicily would get tears in her eyes and realized something.

Her siblings had always believed in her. Believed in her OWN strength. And this song was perfectly telling her just that as well. This was their reasoning behind it. It finally made sense. She wanted to break down again but she remained strong throughout the rest of it. At its end, she'd collapse and score near perfectly. She fell to her knees and wiped away the residue in her eyes, allowing Kitana to approach if she so wished.

She took a moment to let it all set in. Her heart was pounding with newfound resolve and she shook a little. Just knowing Kitana was there to catch her brought her all sorts of comfort. Taking soft, short breaths, Sicily steadied herself and placed her hand on Kitana's which was stroking her cheek. She held it closer so that Kitana's hand pressed into her cheek slightly. She nuzzled into it. "Yeah. I really belted it out." she half-heartedly chuckled. CLosing her eyes, he hummed and just enjoyed where she was right now; both mentally and physically. All she wanted right now was to be right here. In her arms. In the arms of one who she loved and who understood her. When everything else was a storm of uncertainty and all just seemed perpetually lost, it was in Kitana's embrace that everything just made sense.

All the worries just melted away. She could relax. More importantly...

Sicily's double-colored eyes opened slowly to look into Kitana's. "Heh, you really are too adorable." she softly said. Her free hand found Kitana's own cheek which would find its way to one of her ears she gingerly brushed with her fingertips and gave a smile.

A coquettish smirk played on Sicily's lips as Kitana had a plan in mind for future encounters with Sicily's bewitching gaze.

"Oh, you'll be able to resist them eventually but I know you'll have even more difficulty resisting a good ear or tail pet." she retorted with a deep-throated chuckle. In the next instant, her lips sought out Kitana's and let the foxgirl have a soft, genuine kiss. Her fingertips stroked Kitana's cheek just to feel how utterly happy it made her. Moreover, the twin snakes took it upon themselves to go behind Kitana and pull her and Sicily into an embrace. Then it dawned on her; who needs fancy places like this? She was simply happy being right here where she was. Yeah, having places to go meant a lot to her but the feeling they evoked paled in comparison to how giddy Kitana made her heart. She ceased the kiss and then softly rubbed the back of her head. "If all else fails, I can just do that."

Sicily smugly replied "Of course you're not." Avernus and STella nuzzled their heads against Kitana's shoulders to show their own brand of affection. They needed attention too, after all! The combination of good vibes and the fact they both got to sing was inspiring to Sicily. She had found some extra resolve on what she wanted out of being a hero. Her own hero. Not what her mother wanted. What Sicily wanted! Yeah! Those thoughts alone were going to give her some extra drive for when she got home to give her mother a real talking to! She was going to tell her what was what. Yeah. She wouldn't have had the nerve to do this with her old self. But now? She felt like she could do ANYTHING now!

She softly hissed and cupped her hand to Kitana's cheek. Dang it. She was way too adorable today. And this sparkling aura was infectious. Kitana complained about HER eyes being too alluring? She nibbled her lip and looked from side to side. "Hey..." she softly said with her finger scratching Kitana's chin. "Wanna get out of here? Go somewhere a little less...public?"