exsilium | video; forward-dated to after the snow starts tomorrow

( SOBBING she picks herself up sheepishly why did the tablet have to catch that before turning back to sheryl. )

Then, I'll be there right away!

( and it shouldn't be too long before sheryl gets a knock at her door. )

[Sheryl is already at the door when she hears a knock, and she quickly walks over to open it. The sight of her closest friend brings plenty of joy, completely apparent in the happy flicker of her eyes and a huge grin. Perhaps it's because she's been feeling lonely for so long despite having roommates, but she won't have that emotion anymore.

Not when Ranka is right here, which is why Sheryl immediately extends both arms and pulls the girl close.]

Ranka, you're here!

( there's a brief pause of surprise at how happy sheryl is at seeing her - because there's still a little bit of that starstruck girl in her, the one who can't believe someone like sheryl would give her the time of day, let alone be friends - and then she's wrapping her arms around sheryl too. )

I should be the one saying that!

( she protests weakly on a slight laugh, but it's only after a moment or so that she's blinking back tears. it's been so, so many months here without anyone familiar, and even if she's made friends here - this is sheryl, and with sheryl around things can only ever be so bad anymore. )

[Sheryl has dealt with surprises of the unpleasant kind — zombies during her first stay in Exsilium and the realization that people from the dead can arrive here — so it shouldn't be a surprise that she's finally happy to have some amount of closure. Of course, this only brings about questions in her head, but nonetheless, she'll deal with them as they're revealed. For now, she keeps Ranka in her embrace, releasing soft laughter from her lips.]

Yes, but I'm Sheryl. I can say them, you know.

[Still, she can't help but feel a slight tug in her heart at seeing Ranka cry... oh, that's right. This girl has been here for months, which is odd because Sheryl had just seen her at the Vajra planet with Alto. As she lingers with these thoughts, the idol reaches up to gently brush some tears aside.]

( she nods. later, she'll talk about what else has happened - the terrible bombing by the united earth, the mandatory mission, the monsters when they got back - but she tries to do something about the tears, wiping some of them away herself. )

A-ah, I'm sorry...! I'm happy to see you, but I can't help it - but! I shouldn't be happy, should I? Wanting you here is selfish, so...

Don't feel like you should apologize for your feelings.

[It's all said in a gentle, soothing tone, one that's normally reserved for people Sheryl feels closer to — one of them is Ranka, the other is Alto. Her words are genuine despite the briefness, short enough just to get her point across. Eventually, she releases Ranka and leads her inside the apartment after closing the door.]

I'm already happy just seeing you here. It's enough, I think.

( sheryl and alto have a way of always saying the right thing, it seems, and her words now are enough to make ranka feel better. she shakes her head as she comes in, pressing her hands to her eyes one last time to get rid of the last of the wetness. since the layout of the rooms are all very similar, she follows sheryl without any hesitation. )

And two heads are better than one, right?

That's right! Two is always better than one, just like a pair of earrings that come in a set.

[Optimism is practically a necessity according to Sheryl, and now that Ranka has some time to gain her composure (she seems to be having a quick recovery, which is good!), it's finally time to set things straight. After she leads her friend to the living room, she plops down on to the couch, one leg loosely crossed over the other as she lifts her hand for a loose gesture.]

We seem to have a lot to discuss, don't we?

[She pats down on the empty spot next to her.]

( ranka sits down next to her, clasping her hands in her lap as she nods at sheryl's question. )

You must have a lot of questions - I mean, ( she amends hastily, looking down for a moment ) because you're you, I'm sure you've found out a lot already! But since I've been here a few months, if there's anything you're wondering - maybe I'd be able to help.

( she knows that time does strange things here, that she's likely not been missed at home, and even that people can come from different points in time. but it hasn't occurred to her that it could be case here, so she doesn't think to ask. )

[Ranka is about to find out the hard way, it seems. Sheryl lets out a soft huff as she crosses her arms, confused displeasure marring her features.]

A lot? I've been here for over a week and everything still doesn't make any sense! [She turns her head to glance at her friend.] Like you being here for months, to use as an example... I've only seen you a minute ago back at the Vajra planet, after all. Or being whisked away to work for some government who might as well be sketchy.

[She had a feeling there was something off about Leon when she agreed to work with him to stop the Vajra with her songs. Who's to say the Initiative aren't the bad guys? A frown appears on her face with her hands on her lap, fingers tightening up.]

Honestly, they should know who they're dealing with here!

Edited 2012-12-31 20:51 (UTC)

( she opens her mouth to say something about having been here for months, but what escapes her mouth is an overloud surprised sound instead, one that even startles her a little bit. she looks at sheryl, eyes wide and expression full of shock. )

E - eh? ( her hair leaps up in surprise ) The - it can't be! A Vajra planet?

Huh?

[The overloud sound catches Sheryl completely off-guard, prompting her to widen her eyes and look on in complete bafflement. This is only becoming stranger by the minute.]

... Don't you remember? Everyone in Frontier was able to co-exist with the Vajra now after the war ended. I saw you and Alto over at that planet!

[She sounds far invested to be a joke, and it occurs to her that the Initiative may have brainwashed Ranka's head. It's the only explanation that makes the most sense to Sheryl.]

Edited 2012-12-31 22:31 (UTC)

Co-exist?

( she just parrots it at first, the meaning not really sinking in. finding a vajra planet, all of them, going there and living peacefully after the war ends? without killing everyone?

without - without - co-existence? even alto, the one who'd said it seemed likely to be an us or them situation? )

No, I don't remember anything like that! I'd just had my first concert, for real, after Gallia-IV, and Miss Grace and the military had asked me to sing that "Aimo" for them...!

( in the battle, which she remembers belatedly was supposed to be top secret - she can think how brera might scold her, as much as he ever scolds anyone, for blurting that out - but to think that living together was an option...! it makes something in her gut both twist and lessen, that her hope had been realized, but after she'd agreed to help kill them - had that been avoidable? )

How can that be true?

( she wouldn't outright accuse sheryl of all people of lying, but this is as close as she'll get to it. )

[She can only widen her eyes further like saucers at the revelation, her facial expression filled with incredible disbelief. It's that much of a shock that she immediately rises from her seat to peer down at Ranka, mouth agape.]

What?! But... all of that happened months ago, Ranka! Also, Grace is—!

[The Galactic Fairy quickly purses her lips together to interrupt her own words. It's already a huge surprise for Sheryl to find out that Ranka doesn't remember arriving at the Vajra planet, but to only know certain events that had already transpired long ago, not to mention forgetting about the deaths of Grace and Michael, and saving Sheryl's own life, it's...

'The Initiative. They have brainwashed Ranka' is what's immediately coming to mind. Is it a bad scenario to think about? Most definitely, but unfortunately she can't think of any other outcomes, and she hates being trapped in further confusion. But Grace, the person who had used her all this time... just hearing her ex-manager's name is enough for Sheryl to blanch her skin and tighten her jaw. Her eyes are turned into slits soon after, an uncharacteristic expression of frustration mixed with bafflement.

She stays quiet for what seems a minute or so, looking away, then slowly tucks her hair behind her ears as she takes a few breaths to calm herself down. Ranka should notice right away that Sheryl isn't wearing her trademark fold quartz earring.]

You should know me enough to know that I never joke around like this.

[Ranka not having any memories past her first concert is definitely a serious issue for Sheryl, and it shows in her tone.]

Edited 2013-01-03 02:35 (UTC)

Grace is...?

( uncomfortable is the word she would use - she never felt at ease around her new manager, not with all of the sudden changes and her insistence on making ranka into some kind of war idol, or weapon. brera was different, even with his secrets - his stoic, quiet presence had become something she felt she could rely on, but miss grace...

and sheryl's reaction is so extreme and so serious. all of that happened months ago, she said, and together with the idea of a vajra planet and coexistence, it's almost too much. it's impossible, right? except sheryl really wouldn't joke like this and certainly wouldn't lie to her, not the sheryl who's supported her so much and become such a valued friend. she watches as sheryl calms herself down, and when she brushes her hair behind her ears, the lack of the purple earring is immediately obvious.

- months?

it's all at once that she remembers talking to riku about a month ago, how he'd come back so changed and talked about experiencing months in his world when it hadn't been very long here, and the shock of the realization is enough to make her jump to her feet in turn, clapping her hands over her mouth. )

If... ( she says, slowly lowering them back to her sides ) If it's really been months for you - and months for me here! - did you know, Sheryl? The machine here that can pull people in can do all kinds of weird things to time. Everyone says that while you're here, no one notices if you're gone because when you go back, you go back to the same time you left. But also, it can take people from anywhere in time too, like the past - or the future.

I didn't know if I should believe that, but...but if you or Alto or my brother or anyone didn't notice me gone, and if you know about what happens after what I remember - then can't it be true?

[Sheryl could mention the fact that Grace died first, but Ranka's words push that thought aside.]

Wait a minute... you mean a time traveling machine? The Initiative has the technology for that?!

[Sure the colonial fleets used the space folds for faster travel with shuttles across the galaxy, but they didn't have the technology available for traveling through time. If Ranka is telling the truth (Sheryl never took her friend to be a liar, after all), then it all makes sense... somewhat. It's still incredibly hard to believe, though.

With her eyes widening like saucers, Sheryl hovers a hand over her mouth, then takes a step back from Ranka with an utter look of shock still in her expression.]

Then I must be from your future, if I remember everything and you don't...

[This doesn't make any sense! Pursing her lips shut, she removes her hand from her mouth and gives her friend a fixed stare.]

I'm very sure none of them would've noticed your absence, anyhow.

[She pauses, crossing her arms over her chest with her brows furrowed. After hearing the news, she looks a bit wary but despite that, a flicker of determination appears in her eyes.]

Well then, it looks like I have no other choice: I'll have to tell you everything.

Edited 2013-01-04 20:51 (UTC)

( she nods earnestly at the question. )

They do! Even the war here, that's how - it's how they fight it, by sending people to the past of this world to change things. I saw it! A few months ago, there was a mission that was mandatory for everyone, and we were all sent back centuries.

( and then sheryl must be from her future, to know so much - it's the only thing that makes sense, isn't it? maybe there's another explanation but...

i'll have to tell you everything.

she hesitates for a moment, then nods firmly. )

Okay.

( it's scary, but - if sheryl thinks she should know, then it'll be good to hear. and if everything turns out okay, then maybe it can't be too bad, right? )

Oh, my... that's unbelievable! I know we've been drafted to help Exsilium out, but I never expected time travel of all things. Missions? That's a soldier's job!

[Sheryl wonders if it'll be anything like using her music to combat the Vajra, to put her voice to the test and see if it still has the same effect. Just the thought causes her to rest two fingers against her throat momentarily, feeling the tiny vibrations right there. Too many surprises in one day? Chances of that happening is extremely high, both on Sheryl's and Ranka's end.

For a moment later, she lowers her fingers and sighs, frowning in concern at Ranka. What she's about to say first is not good news, but it's better to warn her friend and protect her than to keep her in the dark.]

I should tell you about Grace first. She's... [She closes her eyes and tightens her jaw once more.] That woman is not who you think she is, and I had to find out the hard way.

[There's a moment of hesitation once she wonders if mentioning the V-Type infection first would be a good idea. Deciding to push it aside for now, she resumes speaking with a light grimace.]

She's a dangerous person, the kind who'd immediately throw you away like garbage if she didn't obtain the results she wanted. [She averts her gaze, grimacing further.] I know that your singing has the power to control the Vajra... which is why she used you to begin with.

Edited 2013-01-04 23:39 (UTC)

( it is a soldier's job, and she feels the smallest bit better at hearing sheryl say so. she hasn't been able to do anything here to help, not really, without any vajra to affect with her voice or anyone to demand she do something. she'd felt guilty at her own mixed emotions about it all - torn between being unhappy with her uselessness and relief that she could sing without being asked to help with any battles. any comment she might have about that is immediately forgotten in the face of what else sheryl has to tell her. )

Miss Grace is - really? ( her eyes widen as realization strikes ) Then! That's why she became my manager?

( she remembers asking about sheryl, if grace shouldn't be more concerned for her instead of taking on someone else, and the blithe reaction she'd gotten. let's make you a light of hope, ranka. )

[While the battlefield is not an ideal place for a pop singer to be, Sheryl is always someone who hates not doing something she had the ability to do it. If she wants to save Alto and the people of Frontier, then she's willing to put herself out there and sing, Vajra be damned. If that means going to war, then so be it, so long as killing isn't involved.

Ranka's question interrupts her thought process soon enough, and she nods solemnly.]

That's right.

[Soft bitterness settles into her tone as she speaks, turning low with a dip of her head. It's not something she'll ever admit to just anyone — only to Ranka and Alto.]

To think I once thought of her as my best friend, my sister... hah! I'll never forget the moment she bragged about me dying.

[She immediately bites her bottom lip after noticing what she just said. It's only a matter of time until Ranka finds out, but still...]

( she's not quite that same girl who'd have a panic attack at the sight of her brother in a Valkyrie, bloody, but the word has her heart pounding immediately, echoing out of her mouth before she can even think )

Dying? No way! That's impossible, isn't it? You can't...

( ranka reaches a hand out to her friend, to take her hand or something - she'd known she was sick, of course, what with her collapse at at that zentradi base and subsequent hospitalization, but she'd never once suspected that it might've been that serious. and to think that grace had bragged about it?

but wait, bragging makes it sound like - )

But that's - she couldn't have...?

Edited 2013-01-05 03:22 (UTC)

[If there's one thing Sheryl doesn't want is for people to worry about her, and seeing Ranka do just that, holding her hand, too... well, it certainly makes her feel bad. The corners of her lips forcibly curl upward, forming a reassuring smile, all in an attempt to calm her friend down.]

But I'm fine now! I've been cured thanks to you... [She laughs softly.] I'll explain that later, trust me.

[The process is complicated, something that not even Sheryl can fully comprehend herself, but it's the truth. The smile on her face subsides eventually, morphing back into a frown. There is still a lot she has to reveal, solemn words at that.]

You and Alto both noticed how I've been fainting and coughing, I'm sure. [She releases a faint sigh, pausing briefly.] It turned out that I've been carrying the V-Type infection all this time, but I'd never found out about it until recently. When Grace told me that I was literally dying, I thought it was just a lame threat... but as soon as I found Cosmo Nature—

[She slowly rests her free hand on top of Ranka's. Despite feeling the heaviness in her heart, she has to keep talking.]

The article— from it, I learned that Grace researched the sickness, plus I noticed a picture of me when I was a little girl in a patient report. All I had to do was to put two and two together. Apparently it was for some experiment...

Edited 2013-01-06 03:34 (UTC)

Anyway... Michel and Klan found out at the same time I did. Alto learned about my sickness eventually, too.

[Either Michel or Klan must've notified Alto about it, she thinks. Just the memory of hearing his pain-stricken voice at the realization is enough to cause Sheryl's heart to tug harshly.

Living with the disease has been a harsh experience, but there is one good thing about it.]

Somehow, Frontier's government found out about the infection, but that's when I learned I can use it to my advantage — to protect Frontier by fighting the Vajra with my songs. They told me my voice has a similar power as yours, Ranka.

[She chuckles under her breath, smiling without a single regret.]

So, I took up that offer. My days were numbered, anyway, so I figured I could do something to help everyone. I kept singing until my body couldn't take the infection anymore.

I was able to help with that?

( it's so much to take in and try to understand, so much that happens and was happening without her knowing, that it's breathtaking and almost impossible. that grace had done so much, made sheryl sick and then held that over her head, threw her away for ranka because of her ability - the power she doesn't understand and fears so much, this strange connection to the vajra whom she can't hate and can't help but care about - and how much everyone's had to suffer for it. she tightens her grip on sheryl's hand as if afraid she might vanish on the spot. )

So - after that, we sang together for Frontier, working together to fight the Vajra?

[Her smile grows a tad larger at the inquiry, then she nods to confirm.]

That's right. We've joined forces to protect Frontier, but also to control the Vajra so they can help us out... I know. It's strange, right?

[The irony of the giant, destructive bugs winding up as their asset is not lost on Sheryl, but somehow it happened. Brushing her fingers gently against Ranka's knuckles, she lets out another sigh as she continues.]

But so many things have happened that led up to that point.

[Sheryl's stay at Alto's estate, Ranka's next concert at Mihoshi Academy, the subsequent Vajra attack during said concert which led to Michael's death, President Glass's death which led to Leon becoming the replacement, the plans to colonize the Vajra planet and Sheryl's own involvement with her songs, everyone at Macross Quarter fighting against the Vajra themselves...

Sheryl explains all this in some detail as she pauses and takes a break once in a while, going through several emotions (sad, confused, suspicious). But the most important and shocking revelations of all, in the idol's mind at least: Grace controlling the Vajra and keeping Ranka hostage, and Battle Galaxy being in cahoots. Of course, she makes sure to mention that Alto rescued the girl just in time. Her tone slowly turns hopeful once she inquires this:]

— Ah! You asked how you were able to help me get cured earlier, right? Well... somehow, you were able to move all of the infection from my head down to my stomach.

[Yeah, even Sheryl sounds baffled despite the flicker of hope in that statement.]

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[action] oops I had to summarize a few bits in brackets 'cause otherwise it'd get too long. My bad