Ascension Day #4: Confession
"I'm sorry!"
The words hung in the air after Lorelei spoke them. Crucified alongside her were Fiore (cat girl) and Annabelle (braid), her maids.
The three had known each other since early in their childhood and seemed relatively close.
But when Fiore and Annabelle became maids to Lorelei and her family in their early teens, something changed. Lorelei's entire demeanor shifted to that of your stereotypical rich girl. Snobby, rude and dismissive.
But as seen here, it all came to a head, and not from the party you'd expect.
Lorelei knew the two had participated in every Ascension Day ceremony since becoming of age, but this year they struggled to find a third member for their group. That was until they received an anonymous message from someone saying they would join and that their identity would be revealed the day of the ceremony this year.
The day arrived, and at 10 am, Fiore and Annabelle were secured to their crosses, still awaiting their mysterious third member.
To say they were shocked when the attending ceremony team brought forth Lorelei herself would be an understatement.
She had been stripped naked, severely whipped, tied up in shibari and nailed with her front to the shorter center cross in such a way that she was forced to face the ground, her ankles fastened with ropes and nails put through her feet.
As the mids of the two girls raced, wondering why Lorelei would do this, she spoke those first words.
What followed was Lorelei pouring her heart out to the two who had been by her side all this time.
L: "For years, I've treated you both as beneath me. I've been cold. I've insulted you. And why? Why would I do such things to people who were my friends? Because I was stupid!"
Fiore and Annabelle could do nothing but listen.
L: "You two deserved none of it! Mom and Dad always told me 'the staff are replaceable, so don't get attached', and when you two were brought on I made the stupid decision to listen to that. But I was already attached, and I can't hide it anymore! I love you! Both of you!
Hearing those words made tears well up in the other girls' eyes. Fiore tried to speak up but was called on before she could.
L: "Fiore, all those times I insulted you because of your body type, I never meant any of it. I honestly, truly, think that you're beautiful!"
"Lorelei.....I......" was all Fiore could muster as tears started streaming down her face.
L: "I don't expect either of you to reciprocate my feelings, or even forgive me. You have every right not to. But I do hope you can accept this act as penance for all my wrongdoings."
After this, Lorelei slipped into unconscious, leaving Fiore and Annabelle to process what she said.
Annabelle spoke first between the two, followed swiftly by Fiore.
A: "Of course we love her. Otherwise we wouldn't have stuck around and endured all that."
F: "I always had a feeling she regretted every bad thing she said, but to see her go this far to prove it.....Belle, when we're all back home, we need to show her how much she means to us."
A: "Agreed."