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

[Action]

[paladinlost]

[He answers the door physically unhurt, at least. There is that. But it's obvious he's been crying, and whatever emotion was could not be heard in his voice is present on his face.]

Hello, Grune.

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[For once, Grune forgoes her manners. She doesn't say a word in response to his greeting. Instead, she takes two quick steps forward and enfolds him in a tight hug.]

[mistlegacy]

That, I don't know. I wish I did, Cecil. If I could stop this from happening, I would.

[paladinlost]

By this point, I doubt we could truly stop it. Change it, perhaps, but not stop.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

[That's alright. He needs the hug more than the manners right now.]

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[Which is good, because it's going to be a very long hug.

Eventually, though, Grune will pull back enough to ask:] Cecil, would you like to go for a little walk?

[mistlegacy]

We have to keep hope, Cecil. If we just gave up, we'd never have accomplished all that we did.

...but I know it's harder to believe that, right now. Would getting away from town help?

Re: [Voice]

[anxiousgrace]

I'll see what I can do.

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

[Voice]

[selphie_t]

But what about here and now? What about you?

[paladinlost]

...It might. It might not. Frankly, I have no idea what would help at the moment.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...I might have the energy for it, if it stays little.

[But he doesn't sound so sure of that.]

[Voice]

[paladinlost]

I'll survive.

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

I've become quite good at that.

[Voice]

[paladinlost]

Of course. Everyone in the house will be upset enough as it is. I cannot allow myself to fall ill.

Re: [Voice]

[anxiousgrace]

It's hard not to, when you're stressed.

...Oranges help. Eat lots of oranges.

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

We don't need to go if you're feeling tired. Why don't we have a cup of tea instead?

[She wants to make him feel better, not worse.]

[Voice]

[selphie_t]

I guess I have too but still...

Being alone like that sucks!

[Written]

[dragoon_pride]

Still, I regret that this happened, for both your sakes... if anyone deserves to be happy, after what you've been through, it's both of you.

[mistlegacy]

[She nods, frowning in thought.]

There's always those missions. We could use them to get away for a few days or a week....

[Written]

[paladinlost]

We will be happy. Not even this world can stop that.

[paladinlost]

We'd need to leave no one behind. Especially now.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...Tea. Perhaps that'd be nice.

[He sounds slightly more sure of that, at least.]

[Voice]

[paladinlost]

It does, but it's also inevitable under these conditions.

[Voice]

[paladinlost]

...Oranges? I could try.

[mistlegacy]

Kain would join, I know. But putting him and Golbez together is never a good idea, Cecil.

[She hasn't seen a single time aside from alternate universe events where they've ever been able to get along.]

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

Then let's go do that.

[She reaches for his hand.]