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

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

That took a while. We ended up separated, and Lightning went with Hope, who... blamed me for his mother's death and was planning to kill me. The way I heard it from them later, I think seeing how much he hated me for what happened helped her realize that Serah wasn't my fault.

[bunnypassingby]

[She nods as she contemplates Lightning's change of heart...and then realizes something.]

... Do you have anyone else who hates you for something that wasn't your fault?

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

The thing Hope hated me for... was my fault. Is my fault. Not entirely, but...

[bunnypassingby]

[Awkward.] I-I'm sorry to bring it up...

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

It happened. As much as I want to, I can't change it, and I can't forget it. Shouldn't forget it, either.

[bunnypassingby]

[Still nervous about the subject but trying to take the point about not forgetting the past on board, Mikuru nods slowly, before trying to steer the story back to the original subject.]

So... If Lightning realized Serah wasn't your fault, how come she hates you again?

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Near as I can tell, she didn't come from the same time I did. I knew that could happen -- some of my other friends are from different times too.

[bunnypassingby]

[Mikuru reaches into her pocket to touch the note she received on Christmas. It always stays on her person, as a reminder of who she takes these classes for.]

It's so weird how that happens... [Even though underneath it all, Mikuru is a little jealous: She'd love to have her friends here, even if they were from different times.] I hope she'll come to like you again like she did in your time.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

[Oh, wait till he finds out the truth...]

If she doesn't, it won't be because I didn't try.

[bunnypassingby]

[That gets a smile out of her.] I didn't think so.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

I feel a little bit better, at least, just talking about everything. [He flashes her a grin.] Thanks for listening.

[bunnypassingby]

[And Mikuru's own smile brightens to a grin in return. Helping people in even the smallest ways is so satisfying.]

You're welcome! I'm glad I could help.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Of course you could. What else are heroes good for but helping?

[bunnypassingby]

[Mikuru actually has a think for a moment, looking to the sky as she tries to come up with something that doesn't fall under the realm of "helping".]

... I don't know!

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Seems to me like you're getting the hang of it, then!