It is too much to bear. Sunshine steps forward to catch the swaying boy in a hug, steadying him as tears burn in her eyes.

"You're not doing it wrong. You're doing it the only way you know how," she murmurs miserably, voice unsteady, wishing she could somehow make it all hurt less. "I know you - you are so careful, so meticulous. You map out every step. You aren't doing it wrong. If it hasn't worked yet... the ritual... isn't going to work."


It would be best if Rae never met Drosselmeyer, the author so carefree with dolling out misery and pain to those who have to live his stories and be discarded by them. Drinking in the characters' hurt like a vampire drinking in so much tears and blood. Sunshine hugs Autor close, wanting so much to shield him from the pain of this, but knowing she cannot carry him through it.