18th moon [voice]

[vibrafinal]

Rosa Farrell has left Luceti.

[It comes abruptly, harshly, flatly. Cecil does not sound in terrible pain as he did the last time he had to make such an announcement. In fact, he sounds very much as though he's forgotten how to inflect.]

...She's left roses and notes for everyone she's met here. Please come pick them up when you have the time.

[That's all he has the energy to say.]

Comments

[Written]

[dragoon_pride]

...Cecil...

[Not again. Kain knows too well how often this has happened, and that it takes a toll every time she's disappeared...]

[Written]

[paladinlost]

[Writing. He can do that.]

I'm fine.

[Though Kain might be completely unable to read that, with the way his hand is shaking.]

[Written]

[dragoon_pride]

I know. She's safer back home, anyway.

[Kain is pretty good at deciphering writing. Though 'encouragement' is a thing he still needs to work on.]

[Written]

[paladinlost]

Seventeen years of peace. I cannot ask for more.

[Except having her by his side.]

[mistlegacy]

[Rydia doesn't respond over the journals. Instead, she goes to his room and knocks. If he's not there, she'll check every local place he's known to frequent.]

[paladinlost]

[He is indeed there, staring out the window. Staring at the sky, at the village, at nothing in particular. It might take some effort to get his attention.]

[mistlegacy]

[Does a hug help with that? Because he's getting one.]

[paladinlost]

[It certainly gets his attention, but can one say it helps...? Not yet, perhaps.]

[Voice]

[lostinmyway]

[...So many people have been leaving lately. She misses them all very much, even if she knows they'll come back someday.

She feels three different kinds of sadness at Cecil's announcement. One is for the friend she had been growing closer to. One is left over from when she had thought Rosa was like a daughter to her.

And one...]

...Cecil?

[...is for Rosa's family and dear friends left behind.]

[Voice]

[paladinlost]

...She's left you a gift.

[Speaking about gifts rather than feelings is easier, to some degreee.]

[Voice]

[lostinmyway]

[...That wasn't at all what she was thinking about when she replied to his post, and she sound slightly taken off-guard when she responds.]

She has?

[But no, that's not even slightly important now. She needs to keep her concentration.]

Can I come see you now?

[Voice]

[paladinlost]

You can come whenever you wish.

[A part of him would rather say please, but this is not the time to be selfish.]

[Voice]

[selphie_t]

[Her memories may have been altered by the Malnosso but her platonic feelings toward Cecil will never change. Selphie's just not sure what to say or write that will make him feel better because she's certain that he's just feeling absolutely alone in this place.

There really isn't anything to say that will make this better.]

I'm sorry.

[It's all she can think of to say. His abrupt manner has left Selphie a bit on the speechless side.]

[Voice]

[paladinlost]

Thank you.

[A pause.]

Our world will be at peace for many more years. She'll be happier there.

[It almost sounds like a question.]

[Voice]

[selphie_t]

But what about here and now? What about you?

[Voice]

[paladinlost]

I'll survive.

[And then, with a small sliver of strength-]

I've become quite good at that.

[Voice]

[anxiousgrace]

Cecil, I'm sorry.

[She hasn't talked to him since the last experiment, but she remembers how warmly he spoke of his wife then. Now he just sounds tired and empty, worn straight through.]

...Do you need anything?

[Voice]

[paladinlost]

Thank you. A world that is more friendly to us would be nice, but that is far beyond us at the moment.

[He needs a lot, truly, but nothing that can really be given.]

Re: [Voice]

[anxiousgrace]

I'll see what I can do.

Just... don't forget to eat or anything. You need to stay healthy.

[Voice]

[cladinthedark]

... I will be there soon.

[So ironic. He was talking to Kain about this possibility earlier, right after Fusoya's departure, but he didn't actually think Luceti would do it. He feels almost guilty... even though of course he had nothing to do with it.]

[Voice]

[paladinlost]

...Please.

[He should be saying thank you or as you wish or even <ì>do not trouble yourself, but this is much closer to what he actually wants to say.]

[Voice/Action]

[cladinthedark]

[That fervent plea makes his heart wrench.]

Just wait a few moments, Cecil. I'm on my way.

[And, indeed, he's already moving. He'll be at House 9 in under ten minutes. He doesn't bother knocking, just opens the door and heads for Cecil's room.]

Brother?

Just call me Latey McLateypants? >_>

[lastoftheredwings]

[It isn't the journal that tips Ceodore off. No, it's the sudden, miserable feeling like some part of him has been ripped away. He's felt this before, and when he did... things were bad. Very bad.

He enters remarkably quietly for one so clumsy, looking quite a bit shellshocked.]

What happened to Mother?

Since when is 3 days late?

[paladinlost]

[Cecil doesn't look much better, though his voice stays even.]

She was returned to our world. The disappearance of her belongings is the easiest way to tell.

[He'd hoped Ceodore would have more time to get used to Luceti before learning that, but he also knows the Malnosso don't particularly care about their feelings.]

Only three days? I lost track... *cringe*

[lastoftheredwings]

But...

[Thinking about it. Hard. He's heard things about the place, and he dislikes being caged (something he intends to try to remedy soon with some barrier bashing), but things at home are terrible at the moment.]

... that's good, right?