15th moon [voice]

[vibrafinal]

[As far as accidental voice messages go, this one is simple enough.

All that can be heard is the journal falling to the ground, and Cecil screaming in pain.

One cannot be expected to take the sudden and brutal loss of a somewhat telepathic father-son connection gracefully, after all.]

Comments

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

[It does, and once she's done, Rydia moves to support him. She stares at him wide-eyed and pale, suddenly reminded of when Rosa was kidnapped by Golbez. That was the last time she's seen him in remotely the same state and it's severely unsettling to see now.]

Cecil...is she....

[Action]

[paladinlost]

Not her. Not a kidnapping.

[Perhaps it would have been easier had it been Rosa, in fact. He knows she still has seventeen years of happiness and peace before her.]

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

[If not her, then...it would either be Golbez or--

...

...

....]

No. Not him....

[Action]

[paladinlost]

I cannot feel Ceodore anymore. It's as if he was never there.

[Which is an utterly alarming thought, even for someone who never lost anyone here before.]

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

[Her eyes fill with tears as she clings to Cecil.]

He went home, then. Oh, Cecil....

[Action]

[paladinlost]

[He clings back numbly.]

One moment he was there somewhere, and the next it was as if my head was being split apart...

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

[Automatically, she begins to guide him over to the bed. It doesn't take long for to start sniffling.]

I'm so sorry. It's unfair, splitting your family apart like that. Even if he's now free of them....

[It's not much consolation, she knows.]

[Action]

[paladinlost]

Free of them, perhaps, but what awaits him is not much better.

[Even if he believes it will get better. It has to.]

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

[She glances up sharply, forgetting to wipe her tears away. It wouldn't be effective anyway, though, since more are brimming in her eyes.]

Don't say that, Cecil. It will get better. We've overcome a threat to our planet before, and we'll do it again. Have faith in all of us...and him. I'm sure he can do it.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...The last thing I remember is a great attack aimed at us, Rydia. I've no idea what is its power or range.

[For all he knows, it could have destroyed the moon itself.]

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

But--it can't end there! It just can't!

[Her voice cracks at the end of that, and she begins to sob on his shoulder. None of this is fair.]

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...Everyone is strong. If that attack was not our immediate cause of death, we stand a chance.

[It takes a few seconds, but he starts petting her hair gently.]

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

[She clings back, unable to speak for a stretch. Sobs are getting in the way, after all. When she does, her voice is a bit hoarse.]

You have to make it. They'll pray and heal you, just like last time.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...The crystals need their prayers more than we do.

[His left hand clenches instinctively, but his right keeps up its soothing motions.]

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

Surely, there's to go around. There has to be.....

[She trails off into hiccups for a bit, trembling against him.]

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...We've all become too good at praying.

[He wishes they didn't have to, for once.]

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

[Oh, so does she.]

Rosa...we need to....

[The thought of telling Rosa that her son has been returned home causes a lump to form in her throat.]

[Action]

[paladinlost]

She knows.

[So many people who ran to his side. His scream must have been louder than it felt.]

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

[Her sigh is one of both relief and despair. She's glad not to have to tell Rosa, but still...her heart aches for her friend, both of them.]

I can't bring him back, but whatever you both need...I'll do my best to help provide. You're not alone here, Cecil. Don't ever think otherwise.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...I know. Not everyone is here, but that's still enough.

[He sounds a little glad, in fact. For all that's he's upset about Ceodore's disappearance, he doesn't want them all stuck here.]

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

[She gives him a gentle squeeze.]

You'll see him, sooner or later...and you'll succeed. I know you will.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

Your faith is appreciated, I must say.

[Even if he's not sure he shares it. He squeezes back.]