first prayer ❧ video

[virtu]

These are funny little things, aren't they? Almost like a mirror, except you see other people in them, and they're not even a hologram. But you see yourself too! I think it'd be easier just to talk to people in person, but I'm sure everyone has their reasons for using this. I guess not everybody can fly.

Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Colette Brunel, and I'm looking for anyone who's from Sylvarant or Tethe'alla, or even Derris-Kharlan. It's very nice to meet you all, and I look forward to fighting by your side. Don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything.

Comments

[fujibayashi]

[Sheena's eyes widen, and then she frowns.]

What are you talking about? Of course he wants you to be his friend. You're probably the one who understands him the most, so--

[virtu]

[ She shakes her head. ]

I'm not. [ Because if she understood him, really understood him, everything would have turned out differently.

If only she could tell Lloyd, Colette knows they'd be able to fix things. Or--not fix them, because you can't fix death--but mend those jagged wounds. But she thinks of the long, solemn looks Lloyd had after Zelos, after Mithos, after Kratos left, and she can't bear to put the responsibility of her own mistakes on this Lloyd's shoulders when he might not have to bear them. Colette is alone.

Or not, perhaps. Sheena has seen Colette at her lowest and most dismal. She doesn't like the idea of burdening her friend any more than Lloyd, but this isn't a problem two people can solve. ]

I talked to him. He... It didn't go well.

[fujibayashi]

[It's not something Colette can do by herself, either. She might not know Colette as well as her childhood friends, but make no mistake-- she cares, and she cares about what happens in their little group.]

That's... I'm sorry. [She gains a look of determination, however.] My first conversation with him didn't go well, either. You just have to keep trying. [She sighs.] I don't even know if I'm getting through to him half the time, but he talks to me. That's good enough.

So don't give up, all right?

[virtu]

I'll try.

[ Her look grows more serious. ]

Has he told you about what happened?

[fujibayashi]

[She looks down at her hands.]

He told me that he betrayed us and-- and died. I don't know how, and I'm not sure I want to know. It's... it's too awful.

[virtu]

[ She nods.

Then she won't tell Sheena what the others told her. Painful as it is, Colette will have to bear it alone. ]

It may be that he doesn't know what it means to live, and we failed to help him learn it in time. He's lonely. He just doesn't realize it yet.

[ For the longest time, Colette never did. ]

[fujibayashi]

[She can guess. She just doesn't want the confirmation-- unless it's from him.]

Yeah.

[She clasps her hands on the table, studies them for lack of better things to look at.]

In his place... I'd be so scared. I wonder if he's scared, too.

[virtu]

[ She looks to the side, averting her gaze, and her voice is full of melancholic self-reflection. ]

He is. If he weren't afraid, he wouldn't hurt as much as he does.

[fujibayashi]

[Sheena glances over at Colette.]

... Then it's settled. We're going to keep bugging him until he listens! I don't care if he says something stupid like, 'I'm not the Zelos you know,' because it's obvious he is. We're his friends and-- and if I've learned anything, it's that friends don't leave each other behind!

[Lloyd taught her that much. Even if something happened, it's not what they should be dwelling on.]

[virtu]

Right. [ And she forces a smile to reflect her determination, trying to be brave. ]

You're so amazing, Sheena.

[fujibayashi]

[Sheena turns a little red.]

N-- no... It's you who's amazing, Colette! You've been through so much, and you're still able to smile afterward. I'm really happy I met you.

[Even if that meeting involved being dropped into a hole.]

[virtu]

So have you, and I'm happy I met you too.

[ She wouldn't have things go differently for the world. ]

Please don't tell Lloyd what we talked about. I know I should probably tell him, and I know I can't protect him from everything, but... You haven't seen him, when I'm from. What happened with Zelos really hurt him. He shouldn't have to experience it again before he has to.

[fujibayashi]

[Sheena nods.]

I won't say anything unless you want me to. But... you know, I think Lloyd will find out sooner or later, if he hasn't already. When that happens, we'll all be here to support him, okay? He won't have to deal with it alone. We won't let him, because we'll know.

[virtu]

He will, but I want him to be ready for it when he does. Right now... It's too soon.

[ She shakes her head, more to shake away the morose feeling gripping at her heart than anything. ]

Thanks, Sheena.