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sparkstrikes) wrote2023-01-01 12:11 pm
sparkstrikes) wrote2023-01-01 12:11 pm
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I noticed that too when I was looking. Someone said the Arehtei don't know anything, but I don't believe that.
[He nods once, and his disconnected gaze moves downwards towards their joined hands.]
Whatever the cost.
[He would have chosen just the same, given the opportunity to do it all over again. If it meant protecting Noct, if it meant stopping Ardyn? It was enough. The sacrifice was worth it. Other people had already given up so much more than just their sight.]
Fulfilling my vow was well worth the price.
Whatever the cost.
[He would have chosen just the same, given the opportunity to do it all over again. If it meant protecting Noct, if it meant stopping Ardyn? It was enough. The sacrifice was worth it. Other people had already given up so much more than just their sight.]
Fulfilling my vow was well worth the price.
They're not gods. They aren't all-knowing like people think they are.
[Though they certainly seem like they are sometimes, which is why talking about them still leaves a sour taste in her mouth. Not that she's had the chance to speak with any one of them face to face yet.]
You hear stories about Simpathis?
[Though they certainly seem like they are sometimes, which is why talking about them still leaves a sour taste in her mouth. Not that she's had the chance to speak with any one of them face to face yet.]
You hear stories about Simpathis?
[Some days, it's hard for her to remember where they all came from. In between all the coffees she's shared with Ignis, the photos she's taken with Prompto, and the dates she's had with Gladio, Lightning sometimes forgets that before all of this, their vows and their prince came first. Everything here feels so... normal in comparison.
That's not to say that it doesn't matter still, but from what she's observed so far from the outside, Verens gives them all a little more room to breathe and do things for themselves, Noctis included. She's glad for it. After all they've been through... they at least deserve this.
Smiling to herself, Lightning bows her head and lowers her voice.]
Thank you... for trusting me enough to tell me.
[It means more to her than she's able to put into words.]
That's not to say that it doesn't matter still, but from what she's observed so far from the outside, Verens gives them all a little more room to breathe and do things for themselves, Noctis included. She's glad for it. After all they've been through... they at least deserve this.
Smiling to herself, Lightning bows her head and lowers her voice.]
Thank you... for trusting me enough to tell me.
[It means more to her than she's able to put into words.]
Don't thank me.
[It's what she's here for. For as little as she likes to lean on others for support out of fear of burdening them, it's easy for her to be that pillar for them when they need it.
Lightning shifts again and she licks her lips, nervous, because there's something she's been hiding from him as well. It's no heavy secret like his, but if there was ever a time that felt right to share it, it's now.]
There's something I've been wanting to tell you, too.
[It's what she's here for. For as little as she likes to lean on others for support out of fear of burdening them, it's easy for her to be that pillar for them when they need it.
Lightning shifts again and she licks her lips, nervous, because there's something she's been hiding from him as well. It's no heavy secret like his, but if there was ever a time that felt right to share it, it's now.]
There's something I've been wanting to tell you, too.
[ Between Lightning's excursion of doom and Jaune's own excursion out of this reality, this is the first time he's seen his friend in nearly a week, or perhaps more. Whether or not she knew of his own disappearance, she might notice the awkwardly tall teenager standing a little taller than usual, and he clocks in to his Monday shift with a bit of a spring in his step. ]
Lighty-Light!
[ In a short burst of energy, he drums the counter of the bar with his hands before stopping abruptly. ]
Mr. J. Arc, reporting for duty! [ Salute!! ] Hmm, looks like it's gonna be a slow day today.
[ Hi. :) ]
Lighty-Light!
[ In a short burst of energy, he drums the counter of the bar with his hands before stopping abruptly. ]
Mr. J. Arc, reporting for duty! [ Salute!! ] Hmm, looks like it's gonna be a slow day today.
[ Hi. :) ]
[It's been well over a week – almost two – give or take a few days since they last spoke. Lightning's become skilled in the arts of avoiding others when she feels she needs to, coming in to work minutes before her shift and keeping herself busy all throughout, and leaving as soon as it ends.
So in comparison to the last couple of weeks, it's a little strange for her to be behind the bar counter, leaning over it with some papers and a cup of coffee. Most of her early morning prep in the kitchen is done, so she's able to enjoy a quieter morning, before any lunch rush begins.
Not that she doesn't welcome Jaune's company when he drums on the counter, even if she does open her end of the conversation with a very firm 'don't call me that' look over her cup. Let's not add that to the endless list of nicknames; Light will do just fine for him.]
Mondays aren't usually busy.
[She has no idea that he's even left and come back, but Lightning does note the difference in his energy this morning with a raised brow.]
What's got you in the mood?
So in comparison to the last couple of weeks, it's a little strange for her to be behind the bar counter, leaning over it with some papers and a cup of coffee. Most of her early morning prep in the kitchen is done, so she's able to enjoy a quieter morning, before any lunch rush begins.
Not that she doesn't welcome Jaune's company when he drums on the counter, even if she does open her end of the conversation with a very firm 'don't call me that' look over her cup. Let's not add that to the endless list of nicknames; Light will do just fine for him.]
Mondays aren't usually busy.
[She has no idea that he's even left and come back, but Lightning does note the difference in his energy this morning with a raised brow.]
What's got you in the mood?
N-Nothing! Just... I guess I missed all of this. You, Ignis... Pyrrha...
[ Truth be told, he's trying to hype himself up as much everyone else around him. His time in Remnant, particularly the big battle, was traumatizing and downright dehumanizing.
"You're just a failure with a deathwish" still rings in his ears, a reminder that all the training he had done up until that point was still for nothing.
And then he came back to a rattled Pyrrha, which... will also take some healing. He's doing great! ]
--oh, right! You probably didn't know. ... I spent some time back in my world again. Gotta say, this whole thing feels weird.
[ Truth be told, he's trying to hype himself up as much everyone else around him. His time in Remnant, particularly the big battle, was traumatizing and downright dehumanizing.
"You're just a failure with a deathwish" still rings in his ears, a reminder that all the training he had done up until that point was still for nothing.
And then he came back to a rattled Pyrrha, which... will also take some healing. He's doing great! ]
--oh, right! You probably didn't know. ... I spent some time back in my world again. Gotta say, this whole thing feels weird.
[He feigns a brief look of surprise, though his smile warms just a bit.]
I didn't realize we had so many secrets between us.
[But of course, for as well as he knows Lightning and as much time as they spend together, he doesn't know everything about her.]
You have my undivided attention.
I didn't realize we had so many secrets between us.
[But of course, for as well as he knows Lightning and as much time as they spend together, he doesn't know everything about her.]
You have my undivided attention.
[A sound escapes her β more like an anxious sigh than a laugh β and she fidgets with the lid of her cup a moment longer. It gives her a second or two to debate even telling him the secret. He had shared one so significant that making a big deal out of hers feels almost like undermining it, which isn't her intention. Telling Ignis her most closely kept secret is her way of reminding him that she, too, trusts him with everything she's got, and it's that notion that makes it easier for her to shake off that small bit of doubt sticking in the back of her mind.
So, with another deep breath, the sound of the paper cup toppling against the table comes to a stop.]
I don't know if you know this, but a long time ago, Serah and I lost our parents.
[This isn't the part that matters, but some context is important. She's starting to forget who knows what.]
It was just me and her for a while... this was before she became a l'Cie, and before Snow. I wanted to be strong for her, so I thought that changing my name and letting go of who I used to be would be the answer. It's why I became Lightning.
[There's a pause, and she looks up from her hands at Ignis, studying his expression through her lashes.]
So, with another deep breath, the sound of the paper cup toppling against the table comes to a stop.]
I don't know if you know this, but a long time ago, Serah and I lost our parents.
[This isn't the part that matters, but some context is important. She's starting to forget who knows what.]
It was just me and her for a while... this was before she became a l'Cie, and before Snow. I wanted to be strong for her, so I thought that changing my name and letting go of who I used to be would be the answer. It's why I became Lightning.
[There's a pause, and she looks up from her hands at Ignis, studying his expression through her lashes.]
[Her coffee is set down and Lightning straightens immediately.]
You went back.
[She had seen him in passing only a few days before leaving for Verati, so the safest assumption is that it happened during the time she was gone, but that still doesn't change the fact that she's mad at herself for having no idea. If she had a choice in the matter, she would have been there the moment he had come back. And what the hell is with this place, toying with people like this?
Anger begins to build up in her chest and Lightning gestures to the bar stool across from her with a nod, her adamant expression implying that she is leaving him little room to dispute this. She hasn't forgotten how alarming it was to be thrown back into this world with a set of memories she didn't even remember she had, and what's even more unsettling than that is that Lightning has no idea what he had gone back to.]
You alright?
You went back.
[She had seen him in passing only a few days before leaving for Verati, so the safest assumption is that it happened during the time she was gone, but that still doesn't change the fact that she's mad at herself for having no idea. If she had a choice in the matter, she would have been there the moment he had come back. And what the hell is with this place, toying with people like this?
Anger begins to build up in her chest and Lightning gestures to the bar stool across from her with a nod, her adamant expression implying that she is leaving him little room to dispute this. She hasn't forgotten how alarming it was to be thrown back into this world with a set of memories she didn't even remember she had, and what's even more unsettling than that is that Lightning has no idea what he had gone back to.]
You alright?
[The anxiety in the air becomes almost palpable, and he ceases any further teasing then, however gentle it may have been. His attention is fixed on her completely, his fingers loosely curled around his own cup, and he nods as she takes a brief pause in the telling of her tale. He had known that they were without their parents, as he had been without his, but he had never been told the details— and had never been quite so invasive as to ask.]
And who were you before?
[His tone is as gentle as it is curious, his expression even— he realizes that what she's sharing with him is privileged information.]
And who were you before?
[His tone is as gentle as it is curious, his expression even— he realizes that what she's sharing with him is privileged information.]
[Of course he could guess what was coming... She hadn't exactly been subtle about where this was going, but his question still makes her freeze up and drop her gaze again. To anyone else it's just a name, but for Lightning, it carries much more weight than that β it represents all of the things she was always too afraid to be: a young, naΓ―ve, and weak girl who couldn't be strong for her sister. It completely contradicts everything she tries to be on the outside, but on the inside, she's not all that different.]
It's Cl—
[No, too quiet. She's already come too far to back out now. With another deep breath, she lets it out gently, loud enough for just Ignis to hear.]
My name is Claire.
It's Cl—
[No, too quiet. She's already come too far to back out now. With another deep breath, she lets it out gently, loud enough for just Ignis to hear.]
My name is Claire.
[ Jaune complies without much argument, claiming a seat on the stool across from her. Her first question is about his well-being, and he immediately goes into damage control by answering as quick as he can. ]
Yeah! I'm... I'm okay. I think.
[ The last thing he wants to do is worry her right now. He can see the expression already painted on her face, but he knows it's not directed at him. ]
It's just... an adjustment period, maybe? My two realities colliding... I was gone for three days or so, but I also have about two months worth of new memories. You ever had it happen to you?
Yeah! I'm... I'm okay. I think.
[ The last thing he wants to do is worry her right now. He can see the expression already painted on her face, but he knows it's not directed at him. ]
It's just... an adjustment period, maybe? My two realities colliding... I was gone for three days or so, but I also have about two months worth of new memories. You ever had it happen to you?
[Too late! She's already worried.]
Yeah. It has. [She gets to work on prepping him a drink – non-alcoholic of course, she is a responsible big sis!! – glancing up at him while she slides a scoop of ice into the glass and fills it with iced tea.] Left and slept for five hundred years, then came back here only to find out four days had passed.
[Topping it off with a slice of lemon, Lightning slides the drink across the counter to him. She doesn't even know if he likes iced tea?]
Took a while to settle back in and figure out what was what, but things start to straighten themselves out sooner or later... if that's what you're worried about.
Yeah. It has. [She gets to work on prepping him a drink – non-alcoholic of course, she is a responsible big sis!! – glancing up at him while she slides a scoop of ice into the glass and fills it with iced tea.] Left and slept for five hundred years, then came back here only to find out four days had passed.
[Topping it off with a slice of lemon, Lightning slides the drink across the counter to him. She doesn't even know if he likes iced tea?]
Took a while to settle back in and figure out what was what, but things start to straighten themselves out sooner or later... if that's what you're worried about.
[ Let's find out if he likes iced tea! ]
Oh, right! The 500 year nap - totally relatable. Hah!
[ He reaches for a straw from the counter and has a taste of Lightning-brand Iced Tea. It's a tiny slurp through the straw, but then he pauses, looking confused as if the taste hit him by surprise. He takes a closer look at the concoction, then decides to have another careful taste.
...
Verdict: He likes it! ]
... Lightning. [ His smile becomes less natural and more... rehearsed. ] Have you ever met someone really cruel? I mean an actual person, who's aware of their actions...
Oh, right! The 500 year nap - totally relatable. Hah!
[ He reaches for a straw from the counter and has a taste of Lightning-brand Iced Tea. It's a tiny slurp through the straw, but then he pauses, looking confused as if the taste hit him by surprise. He takes a closer look at the concoction, then decides to have another careful taste.
...
Verdict: He likes it! ]
... Lightning. [ His smile becomes less natural and more... rehearsed. ] Have you ever met someone really cruel? I mean an actual person, who's aware of their actions...
[There's another pointed stare, this one a you know what I mean look, but Lightning can sense that bit of humour there, however subtle it may be. She realizes it's not relatable at all, but the meaning she's trying to get across is along the same lines β leaving and coming back, no matter how long, is one of the most bizarre experiences she's had since she's been here, and neither of them are alone in that respect.
Her name grabs her attention though, and she pauses to think on it before offering a slow, tentative answer with a tilt of her head.]
Not really. Most of them were gods or pretend-to-be gods.
[Dysley doesn't count, and the others had at least atoned for what they did one way or another.
Lightning moves so that she's standing directly across from him, her fingers curling into fists on the counter on either side of her cup. She can sense something's a little off and makes it clear that, if he wants to talk about it, she's here to listen.]
But I'm guessing that you have.
Her name grabs her attention though, and she pauses to think on it before offering a slow, tentative answer with a tilt of her head.]
Not really. Most of them were gods or pretend-to-be gods.
[Dysley doesn't count, and the others had at least atoned for what they did one way or another.
Lightning moves so that she's standing directly across from him, her fingers curling into fists on the counter on either side of her cup. She can sense something's a little off and makes it clear that, if he wants to talk about it, she's here to listen.]
But I'm guessing that you have.
[ Pretend-to-be gods could sum up Jaune's enemy's, too, he thinks. But yes, he does want to talk about it. More than that, he feels comfortable talking about something as sensitive as this with Lightning. He trusts her to give it proper thought, and that she'll offer him more than just simple platitudes. ]
About Pyrrha... you figured it out by now, haven't you? She's... no longer alive in my world.
[ He pretty much told her without ever spelling it out until now. ]
Cinder Fall. She's the one responsible for everything. I thought that if I could find her, I could... get justice, or at least know why she did all these awful things. Instead, when I finally did, she only rubbed it in more.
...I hate her, Lightning. [ And he has never hated anyone before, not even Cardin Winchester. It's an ugly emotion, a bottomless pit he can't see himself getting out of. ]
About Pyrrha... you figured it out by now, haven't you? She's... no longer alive in my world.
[ He pretty much told her without ever spelling it out until now. ]
Cinder Fall. She's the one responsible for everything. I thought that if I could find her, I could... get justice, or at least know why she did all these awful things. Instead, when I finally did, she only rubbed it in more.
...I hate her, Lightning. [ And he has never hated anyone before, not even Cardin Winchester. It's an ugly emotion, a bottomless pit he can't see himself getting out of. ]
[A simple bow of her head to the first part. She says nothing more on the matter, filling her own silence with another helping of coffee while she listens, because what more is there to say? It's one of those things better left unsaid, because apologies or comfort do nothing, but when he starts to talk about this... Cinder Fall, Lightning's hands grip her cup a little tighter.
Strange as it is to hear Jaune saying things like this, she bears no judgment against him. She understands the feeling β the endless hatred and anger, especially for something out of their power to change. It's not a great place to be in.]
What was your plan? For when you found her...
Strange as it is to hear Jaune saying things like this, she bears no judgment against him. She understands the feeling β the endless hatred and anger, especially for something out of their power to change. It's not a great place to be in.]
What was your plan? For when you found her...
Edited (what are words) 2018-03-01 15:47 (UTC)
[He smiles faintly. He doesn't have to be able to see her fallen expression to know that this is particularly difficult to share, that it's something she's kept to herself for so long for good reason, and that alone makes him feel touched that she had offered it to him at all.]
It suits you.
[His own voice is soft, gentle, understanding.]
I'm honored that you trust me enough to share.
It suits you.
[His own voice is soft, gentle, understanding.]
I'm honored that you trust me enough to share.
I saw a couple of references, but nothing more. Something I should know?
That's the thing, I didn't know for the longest time. My friends and I knew she was planning the same kind of attack on a different academy... so we went there to stop her.
[ Stopping, ideally, meant disarming their enemy, or making them surrender. Jaune often wondered if he would afford Cinder the same lack of mercy that she had to Amber and Pyrrha, should she ever find herself on her knees. Eventually, he got his answer... ]
That reminds me... before I went back home, one of Cinder's people showed up here. She's a kid, like us, who pretended to be our friend until... well, you know.
I'm not sure how I feel about her.
[ Emerald didn't show much remorse for her actions, but she was never cruel about it either. It's a lot different to Cinder's tune, which he knows now more than ever. Still, he knows that lines will be drawn again someday... and Emerald will be on the wrong side of it. ]
[ Stopping, ideally, meant disarming their enemy, or making them surrender. Jaune often wondered if he would afford Cinder the same lack of mercy that she had to Amber and Pyrrha, should she ever find herself on her knees. Eventually, he got his answer... ]
That reminds me... before I went back home, one of Cinder's people showed up here. She's a kid, like us, who pretended to be our friend until... well, you know.
I'm not sure how I feel about her.
[ Emerald didn't show much remorse for her actions, but she was never cruel about it either. It's a lot different to Cinder's tune, which he knows now more than ever. Still, he knows that lines will be drawn again someday... and Emerald will be on the wrong side of it. ]
[Leaning forward over the counter now, her chin resting in her hand, Lightning plucks a straw for herself to spin between her fingers – something idle for her to do while she looks over Jaune's expression. She can't fault him for being upset or angry, or even confused; if it were her in his shoes, she's not sure how she would have handled it. Certainly not as well as he is, which is a good thing for him. She's relieved that, judging from all that he's told her so far, he hasn't done anything stupid.
Somewhere from behind the bar, there's the sound of a hairline crack making its way through porcelain and, looking down, Lightning realizes that her cup is beginning to leak coffee from the bottom...
If one of that Cinder woman's associates is here...]
She hasn't caused any trouble for you.
[Not even a question as much as it is a very real and honest threat if she has.]
Somewhere from behind the bar, there's the sound of a hairline crack making its way through porcelain and, looking down, Lightning realizes that her cup is beginning to leak coffee from the bottom...
If one of that Cinder woman's associates is here...]
She hasn't caused any trouble for you.
[Not even a question as much as it is a very real and honest threat if she has.]
It felt like the right time.
[Ending that conversation on a lighter note β Lightning didn't want the last thing to be about how Ignis had given up everything. She smiles to herself, though it's audible enough in her voice that he should be able to hear it in her gentle reminder as she reaches for his hands once more.]
I'd... appreciate it if you kept this between us.
[Not that she trusts that he won't, but it still needs reiterating, if only to really solidify just how important it is that he keep it secret.]
There aren't a lot of people who know.
[Ending that conversation on a lighter note β Lightning didn't want the last thing to be about how Ignis had given up everything. She smiles to herself, though it's audible enough in her voice that he should be able to hear it in her gentle reminder as she reaches for his hands once more.]
I'd... appreciate it if you kept this between us.
[Not that she trusts that he won't, but it still needs reiterating, if only to really solidify just how important it is that he keep it secret.]
There aren't a lot of people who know.
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