no. 05 :

[allmiracles]

[after a brief run-in with Peter, she heads out of the workshop and across Camp. it's dark enough that her visibility is hindered, and the threat of the looming zombies is enough that she keeps her wand out. just in case.

she stops outside the hotel and heads to the door without hesitation.]

Comments

[actualizedname]

That's right.

[allmiracles]

I would like to see that, too.

[ushering him up out of the chair and to the bed]

[actualizedname]

[staying put]

What are you doing?

[allmiracles]

Aren't you coming with me?

[actualizedname]

To ... do what?

[allmiracles]

[sometimes you are not smart]

Sleep.

[actualizedname]

I'm fine, Vanille.

[allmiracles]

[this is a little bit more difficult, and for a moment she hesitates. opens and closes her mouth, and then she looks a little defeated.]

...

I'm not.

[actualizedname]

...oh, Vanille.

[sits on the bed]

I'm sorry that I'm not Fang.

[allmiracles]

[flops next to him, the more decorative elements of her outfit gone]

You're not, but it'll be nice.

[actualizedname]

[reaches out for her hand]

It's okay to be scared.

[allmiracles]

It's not just that.

[actualizedname]

What is it?

[allmiracles]

It's not so bad right now.

[actualizedname]

We're all here. Not here, in this room, obviously, we wouldn't all fit. But you're not alone.

[allmiracles]

[leans against him with a little breath of air that sounds like a "poof."]

Mm, it's okay. Just stay here.

[actualizedname]

All right. I'll stay.

[shifts so that it's actually comfortable for her to lean against him XD]

[allmiracles]

Come on.

[tugging at his clothes]

[actualizedname]

[he sits up straighter at this]

Not tonight, Vanille.

[allmiracles]

[fingers curl in his sleeve]

It's okay. I know it's different ... but it's okay.

[actualizedname]

[he leans forward, his arms resting along his thighs]

I'm not what you want. Not tonight. I'll stay, but ...

[he says, wryly]

I think the person you're looking for is thirteen years in the past.

[allmiracles]

[with a little more firmness to her voice, looking hurt]

The person I'm look for is right here.

You're Hope no matter how old you are. Even if you leave and come back again. You'll always be Hope to me. That's what I want.

[actualizedname]

[raises a hand]

No, I'm not finished yet. Both you and Lightning ... you look at me and you see failure. A failure to not be there. But ... I like who I've become. I now have the power to protect everyone, and that was what I wanted. When I was a l'Cie I wanted to protect you - all of you - and I didn't think I had the power to do that. Alexander showed me that wasn't true, that I can protect and support you. What I've become since then is a continuation of that. I wanted to protect humanity and I found my way to do that. This is not a failure. You and Light, you haven't failed. This is what I want to be.

And I'm keeping you up. I just ... want you to know that the person I am now is a person who lives their life without regret.

[allmiracles]

...

You're making it complicated. That's not what I think at all.

[allmiracles]

[this time she moves with a little more confidence, getting up on her knees and leaning in to take his head and hold it to her chest]

It used to be like this, remember?

[shakes her head and leans back, sitting on her legs]

But it's not that anymore.