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

[allmiracles]

The person who wanted to save me couldn't.

That was the message.

[actualizedname]

Vanille, I ...

[this is the most awkward hug in the history of ever.]

I'm sorry.

[allmiracles]

[awkward, but it does the trick]

Mm-mm, it wasn't your fault. It's all right.

So, don't blame yourself!

[actualizedname]

[he breathes a laugh. it's not a happy one]

Listen to you. You're the one that died, and you're trying to reassure me.

[allmiracles]

Because it's hard, isn't it?

[actualizedname]

That didn't work when you said it to me last time. When mom died. It's definitely not going to work now, when you're talking about yourself. it's not all right, Vanille.

[allmiracles]

[steps back and looks at him, but smiles sadly]

It's not, but ... getting you involved, even right now, isn't all right either. I don't want you getting hurt because of this.

So, please ...

[actualizedname]

[as he scrubs at his face he recovers his poise at least.]

Then I need to know who it is. Otherwise I could end up getting caught up in it by accident.

[allmiracles]

...

What are you going to do?

[actualizedname]

I'm not going to tell Lightning, unless you want me to.

[allmiracles]

[shakes her head]

Don't tell anyone, please.

[actualizedname]

Then I won't.

[allmiracles]

[shakes her head]

But the name...

[actualizedname]

You can't tell me?

[allmiracles]

I'm sorry.

[actualizedname]

This is enough for now.

[allmiracles]

Don't think too much about it, okay?

[actualizedname]

Do you think that will work, asking me to do that?

[allmiracles]

I can try. I have to.

[actualizedname]

I will do nothing that will betray the faith you've entrusted in me.

[allmiracles]

[takes his hands]

No more. Everything that I've given you I gave because I know you feel that way. You haven't, and you won't. No matter what you do you can't, because everything you do is because you care for me.

[actualizedname]

Then let me protect you for once. I'm always the one being protected. Even now, thirteen years on, you still protect me. I can protect you too.

[allmiracles]

You're protecting us, too. You always are.

You're always thinking of us, doing what you can to change everyone's mistakes...

What more could I ask for?

[actualizedname]

Then let me help you now.

[allmiracles]

You are. More than you know.