exsilium | 03✽ video

[ First the Captain, Hubert, and now Cheria... ]

Has... anyone seen Cheria?

[ The reluctance can be heard in her voice. Sophie might be already accepting that one of her dearest friends left. If she were still her, she would know. Even if she were blind, she could easily take notice a person's presence by the sound of their footsteps, scent... and while wandering around the moon base, she couldn't pick up Cheria's presence anywhere.

But just in case, she wants to double check. ]

She ran a relief organization here and was a part of one back home too. She has very pretty pink hair and I usually see her put ribbons in them. She's always so friendly and caring. And she would always look out for me. She's like a mother to me.

[ More like she is your mother now, Sophie! There's a faint smile while she fondly talks about her. She has to keep herself from going on and on about her. ]

I think... she might have left... but can everyone keep an eye out for her, just in case? Thank you.

[ It goes by quickly, but her smile falters just seconds before she ends the video feed. ]

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I know... I understand. As long as I keep everyone in my heart and in my memory, everyone will always be with me. [ Even after death. ]

I want to go back and do a lot of things. I want to make so many new memories together as a family. Before you, Cheria, and everyone else... it was only me here. I wonder...

[ A beat. She's almost afraid to say it. It's a thought that she's dreading. It's true that she made new friends in Exsilium to keep her company, but she can't ever forget the people back in Ephinea. They were the ones who first treated her as a human, friend, and now family.

With everyone leaving one by one, it's making her think that Pascal or Asbel will be next any time soon.

And it scares her. ]

I wonder if it's going to be only me again. We can't make new memories to hold onto when we're far apart.

[Sophie has a good point... Thinking of others is one thing, but no number of thoughts and nostalgic feelings can compare to sharing new experiences with them. They can make plans for the future, but what about in the meantime? What comfort can he offer her right now?]

[Asbel firmly shakes his head.]

It won't happen, Sophie. No matter what, I'm not going to leave you here alone. I'll stay as long as I need to.

[He says it with conviction even knowing the others must have all felt similarly. The Initiative's technology is still a confusing jumble to him. How it works, what dictates when and how people come and go. He knows the Transports don't have any control over it, but if it's between some stupid machine carrying out a bunch of data and Sophie feeling sad and lonely, Asbel definitely isn't going to let the machine win out. He'll put up a fight to remain here if he has to.]

[ She is thinking of the same thing, considering what the Initiative's technology is capable of. It's completely random and they never know when it's going to take anyone away. And what was it that Captain Malik once told her? Aside from protecting others, she should believe in the ones that she loves. ]

...I'll stay too.

[ Her voice trembles again as she says those words, having difficulty saying it with the same conviction that Asbel has. It could be that Cheria's departure had hit her too hard. But she's trying. She wants to believe in him. ]

For as long as I can, so that way... we'll go home together.

I know you will, Sophie.

[Asbel loosens his hold on her just a little so he can rub at one pesky eye that's decided to water now.] And I'm...I'm sorry about Cheria.

[He doesn't know what else to say. He is sorry. But he's also come to realize something else, too. Maybe that dream he had for the future...doesn't end with him. After a moment, when he's sure he's got it together, he offers Sophie the tiniest of smiles.]

...What would you say about going on a trip together? You know, like a mission. To do anything you like. We could...make a new memory.

Edited (nope that icon kills the sap.) 2013-11-18 06:17 (UTC)

...I'm sorry too.

[ Sophie finds her apology to be necessary as well. Judging from the look on his face, she knows Asbel must miss Cheria and the others just as much as she does.

When he mentions a trip, she looks thoughtful for a moment. It sounds like a great idea. She tries her best to smile her own tiny smile, although there's still a tinge of sadness to it. She's trying, because he's trying too. ]

I would like that. There's so much that I still need to learn... I want to do something that I've never done before. Then when we go back, we can tell everyone all about it.

...Yeah. But hey, we can't both keep feeling sorry, right? I mean, if the others saw us like this, we'd probably get a scolding. [Asbel's tone remains soft as he gives her hair a final ruffle and lowers his hand to his side.]

[Talking about the others and reminiscing isn't something that Asbel minds, but. Well... He needs to do what he can to stay strong right now. For everyone.]

That's true We've really only gotten started with that. [He considers.] Well, we could always make use of the transporter. Is there anything you've never done that you'd like to, Sophie?

03✽ video

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