Loss. [Action | Front Gate]

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

[Not wanting to suck the life out of the quad and not feeling up to training, Snow had found himself a seat on one of the raised planters that held a few small trees and some decorative plants, out past the ID checkpoint in the landscaped area. There he sat, hands on his knees, head bowed, and thought.]

[In his right hand, he held a crystal.]

[As far as he knew... he had lost a sister. And he was amazed how much it hurt.]

Comments

Feel free to stall on the tag! (Especially if you wanna talk to Anduin about it. I'm in no hurry.)

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Despair. That seems to be what does it. Maybe they come to execute a l'cie that seems to be failing, but they do a pretty bad job of that. I think they're more like a wake-up call. When you're at your worst, having to beat an Eidolon helps you pull yourself together.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

I see.

[Cid looks thoughtful, like he'll be taking that tidbit of information and analyzing it later on.]

In that case, then yes, I must agree with you: convincing her of all those things may just cause her to summon her Eidolon. She is strong-willed and unerringly faithful to the Sanctum right now--I imagine that such a change in views will no doubt be difficult for her.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

If I just knew why...

[Too many 'why's to pick just one.]

We'll show her. Lightning may be a lot of things, but stupid was never one of them. She can't pretend that all of us, that her own sister, are all mindless engines of Cocoon's doom, if she sees us here being normal people for long enough.

[Though he chuckles, then.]

And I like to think some people here'll speak up for me if she lets any of that anger out.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[Cid smiles in turn.]

Yes, I imagine that you would have many people here to vouch for you. And you persevered at home. You won her over, did you not?

[There's a pause, but Cid's smile doesn't falter.]

Though, there will likely be more work required this time around. Not that the hero will give in, of course.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the first time it only took constant life-and-death odds, plus help from Hope deciding not to kill me. All in all, easier than I would have guessed!

[But they'd shared something even then: love for Serah. This Lightning appeared to have surrendered that.]

[Appeared to have.]

I don't think any of us will.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[He nods.]

Though I also have my own reasons for seeing her freed of her ties to Barthandelus, should you need my assistance in any way, do no hestitate to ask for it. It is the least I can do for all the trouble I have caused.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

I think we can both agree that whatever he wants, we don't.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

Succinctly put.

[A pause.]

Do you feel better now?

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Better?

[He crosses his arms, looking down and away to think about that.]

Only if I don't think about it. This is worse than just a Light before the Purge! But it's good to know what's going on.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[He dips his head once and starts turning away.]

If I hear of any further developments, I will let you know, and if you would do the same, I would appreciate it.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

You got it.

Thanks, Cid.