19 The memories of the Cerins (Pt.7)

When it was finally the Eighth Cerin's turn Nine was rather tired but truly wished to get closer to the Cerins. Upon arrival Nine immediately launched into her greetings,

" Junior Nine greets Eighth senior!"

The woman was at the desk poring over a large file that was filled with handwritten notes and finished the page before finally looking at Nine and giving a shallow nod in response. it was obvious that she was used to formalities.

Eight looked at the eager younger woman that tried to adopt a professional expression to hide her nervousness and gave a small laugh before becoming her over.

" Honestly, I as well would rather not have to share my memories but I'm also aware that I must. Come sit child, and try not to be too horrified."

The truth was that as Nine lived through each of the Cerin's memories all the others were subjected to it as well. and she had learned from Four that attempting to rebel was not an option.

Therefore she held back her reluctance to have to witness her old memories and placed her hand at the top of the younger woman's head.

Eight's life was fine and decent for the first part of her life. A decent middle class family that had no qualms about her dreams to break into the entertainment industry and become an actress.

However this all changed when she first turned 16. she arrived home to friend a note that her parents had been under severe debt, having borrowed from a rather shady business, and had run away, leaving her to deal with them.

She watched as her house and lifestyle was seized from her and was quickly forced into harsh labor to pay off the debts, unwilling to go into prostitution.

Because of her pretty face she was often bullied and taken advantage of, but she powered through all of these and eventually became a lawyer. Solving cases for rich cologmorate sons who had messed up and even through all of it still insisted on a beautiful woman by their sides as a lawyer.

One of her earlier cases had been that of a man that had been selected to take the blame for one of these privileged sons mistakes.

Nine lived through Eight convincing the man to go to jail for a few years and sending money to his family as compensation.

She lived through the heart wracking guilt as she dealt with that particular case as well as many others until one day it stopped and she became known as the ice witch of the law world.

She lived through struggling to become a judge and the satisfaction of putting away those same debtors that had caused her so much grief in the past.

Finally Nine lived through the pain, both physically and emotionally of being killed by that man, for failing to keep her word.

Nine and Eight left the soul share with similar expressions of distress and apology.

Eight laughed a sad laugh,

" It may not have been as drastic as Five's but it stands on its own doesn't it? I hope that wasn't to upsetting."

Nine hurriedly shook her head and leaned into a hug to comfort the older woman.

"Thank you for sharing that with me. it must have been painful."

Eight wiped a few tears from her eyes and looked to Nine with a serious expression.

" I've heard that you offer to do something for us in return?"

Nine quickly nodded her head but couldn't help but hope that Eight didn't want her to find her parents. Not that she didn't want too but the resources needed would have been a lot and even if she did find them what could she say to them?

Eight saw the conflicted expression on Nine's face and quickly dismissed her fears.

" Worry not. Even if you did find my parents I would only want you to flip em off for me and walk away. If I still acknowledged them as my parents I would have killed myself long before I was murdered."

Nine's eyes widened at the sudden harsh words but said nothing and waited to hear the request.

" The family that the man mentioned. I would like you to help them onto their feet. I'm unsure about the mother or even the daughter, but the child shouldn't have to suffer."

Nine was indeed reluctant as she did not know how to accomplish this but understood how important this was to the Eighth and quickly nodded in agreement.

" Ninth junior will do her best."

Eight laughed,

" You can drop the formalities. Now that you've seen all of my memories I can't exactly be expected to keep the graceful mystique of a respected senior can i? Just call me sister Eight"

Nine considered it for a moment but nodded and lit up the room with a bright smile.

" as you wish, sister eight."

Nine had yet to realize it but starting from the first Cerin, her personality had already made a rather large change, which led to the insistence on formal speech.

Nine and Eight chatted for a bit more before Nine felt her body lightening and felt herself being drawn back into consciousness.