030 [Action for Olivine Pokemon Center/Text]

[soggypastry]

[She doesn't think anything of it, at first. There's another three day hole in her memory and she assumes that he's just out of the city or dealing with something. It's happened before and she knows he'll call sooner or later. But when the call doesn't come, even after noon has come and gone, Lightning begins to worry. She tries to call his gear, but there's no answer other than what she's feared the most ever since people started to disappear on her. That cold, robotic tone telling her that he is gone and she wasn't even there when he disappeared.

That well known sentence that leaves no question he won't be answering her again, and he may not even remember her and everything they are. Still, she doesn't cry. Not even when Strike and Lucky pad into her room, Leon's bag in Strike's paws before she gives it to Lightning and goes to Sen, curling into his embrace as Lucky whines, putting her head on Lightning's lap as the woman digs into Leon's bag and comes out with his coat and a letter that she reads once, twice, three times over before it finally sinks in. Now she cries, one broken sounding sob that shouldn't come from a woman who is normally so strong, but when her world has just been rocked upside down...she's not sure what else to do.

Not sure what else she can do but slowly get out of bed and sit with her arms around Lucky, quietly ignoring the world around them for a long time. Those that come into her room will find her like that, Leon's jacket draped around her shoulders and Lucky's head in her lap. She's not likely to move anytime soon, either.]


Leon's gone. He said to tell you he was sorry.

[Private text to: Ventus]
Can you come by for a minute? I need your help with something.

Comments

[Action]

[chasingstorms]

[She'd only been out of the room for a little while, one of her daily "big sis kicked me out before we drive each other nuts" training jaunts more or less. When the message hits the network, it doesn't take her long to head back.]

[She doesn't run and when she enters the room, she doesn't say a word. She just walks over to where Lightning is and settles down onto the floor next to her.]

[When you're ready to talk, bb sis is here. Until then she'll just be a silent reminder that Lightning isn't alone.]

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[For a few while, Lightning sits and doesn't move, stiff as a statue if not for her breathing and her hands gently moving across Lucky's head as she stares at the ground. She knows Serah is there and she appreciates it more than anything else, but if she says anything she's probably going to start breaking down.

And she can't do that. She has to be strong. She has to not let this break her because she can't be broken while so many people need her to lead the Corps and....dammit she hurts. She hurts and she sighs, closing her eyes and speaking quietly.]

He was my first.

[First boyfriend, first romantic love, first time...the implications are there and Serah will know just how much this hurts her big sister because of them. What does she do, bbsis? She doesn't know how to make it stop hurting.]

[Action]

[chasingstorms]

[Serah doesn't mind waiting, she knows Lightning will talk if and when she's ready to say anything. Until then she'll just wait and offer support.]

[When she finally says something it's not what Serah's been expecting, but that's okay.]

I know. [Her voice is quiet as she shifts to place her hand on Light's chest near her heart.]

Just remember, that no matter what happens family and the people closest to us are never really gone, okay?

[Words that feel a little like deja vu for some strange reason, not that she knows why.]

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[In all fairness, it was probably pretty obvious to begin with, what with Lightning never having had a boyfriend on Cocoon all. Still, she isn't that surprised that Serah knows without having to be told. Instead, she just wonders why those words are familiar all of a sudden, and why there's a flickering warmth and the echoes of a familiar voice in the back of her mind.

Regardless of why those feelings are there, it's nothing concrete that actually reassures her and she shakes her head, keeping her eyes closed so no tears can spill out.]

I know. But that doesn't make this any easier.

[Action]

[chasingstorms]

[That and Serah knows her older sister very well, that's part of what being family means after all. Serah's not sure why the words are familiar, but they'd felt right and the warmth they trigger is certainly welcome. She smiles faintly at the thought of a certain person, but pushes her memory aside to deal with more important things, like her sister.]

[She moves over, leaning against her older sister lightly, after all Lightning's done for her over the years it's only fair that she does what she can for her when she can.]

I want to say it gets easier with time, and I guess it does a little, but it's not something that will just go away.

[Speaking from experience? Of course she is.]

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[Serah does indeed know her sister very well, and when she leans against Lightning's side, it should come as no surprise that the elder Farron wraps that arm around her little sister. There's no pulling her into a hug, because that kind of behavior belongs to a certain hero that is suddenly at the forefront of Lightning's mind for no apparent reason, but it's something that she normally doesn't do. She just hangs on because she needs reassurance that not everyone has left, and this is the only way she lets herself ask.]

It never does. You turn around and expect them to be there but they aren't.

[It's almost like they're dead, not just gone. They both have more experience in this than they'd like, even if Serah hasn't experienced many Johto-poofs yet.]

[Action]

[chasingstorms]

[Of course she knows her sister, it'd be really weird if she didn't after everything they've gone through together. There's no hug this time, though Serah does scoot in to lean against her older sister a little more. It'd be lying to say she isn't thinking about Snow right now, but she's paying attention to her sister too, it's the least she can do considering.]

Yeah, and every day you keep waiting to hear voices that are never there.

[The Farron sisters, it would seem, are all too familiar with loss. Johto-poof or not.]

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[Hardly the least she could do; the least she could have done is send a text that said she was still here and then nothing else. This is much more than that and Lightning is exceedingly grateful that she's here. Without her...well. Lightning doesn't want to think of that.]

It's worse when you think you hear them but they aren't there like they should be. Or when you see things that remind you of them being gone.

[Said as she tugs his jacket tighter around her shoulders. They're all too familiar with loss and the tricks it makes your mind play on you. She'll be hearing his voice in the night for some time now, and that's going to make it suck more.]

[Action]

[chasingstorms]

[No, that might be the least someone else could do, but that's not even something Serah would have even thought was an option. Light's been there for her ever since they were little, it's nice to be able to return the favor.]

Yeah... [She traces a finger over her pendant thoughtfully.] But even then it's better than nothing. Painful reminders are better than the possibility that we might start to forget.

[Almost everything's been reminding her of Snow lately, and she's not sure why. Her dreams certainly haven't helped either. After a small moment's hesitation, she adds on one last thing.]

Do you think, maybe I could sleep with you tonight, sis?

[Nights are always the worst, though she's not entirely sure why sometimes, but maybe it'd be better for them both if they weren't alone.]

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[Lightning hmms in response to that; it may be easier, less painful, if they forget, but she can't imagine a life without her memories even if they hurt. If she forgets again...well. Best not to dwell.

And being with each other is nice for Serah and Lightning both; they need each other, especially now, with thoughts of lost loved ones on their minds. It never gets easier to deal with, but at least they have one another. Without her sister, Lightning would have fallen apart a long time ago.

As for Serah's question, well, that's a bit more complicated. They're not kids anymore, not by a long shot, and so she should say no, but...since that day before the Purge, the very idea of turning Serah down gets her stomach in knots. Sure, they could probably manage to sleep alone tonight, but...well, Lightning doesn't relish the idea of sleeping alone either.]

I can't promise you'll be comfortable. These beds aren't meant for two.

[Action]

[chasingstorms]

[Each memory is precious and it's part of who she is, Serah wouldn't trade them for the world. Not even to save herself from pain of any amount.]

[This is certainly something that she wouldn't want either of them to have to go through alone. At least on Pulse she had all of Nora to rely on, but Lightning? Who would she have? The very idea worries Serah, now that she's thought to think about it.]

We'll be okay, it'll be just like when we were little.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[Saving themselves from pain is all well and good, but memories are better. It's too high a cost to pay, and they're no strangers to pain. They'll survive.

in Valhalla? She has no one but Caius who wants to murder her Lightning has Serah, of course. They are here, after all.]

We were a lot smaller back then, Serah. We wouldn't have kicked each other off the bed by accident.

[Action]

[chasingstorms]

[If what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, it's no wonder both Farron sisters are Commandos. Life's had a blast dumping things on their head for... pretty much as long as Serah can remember after all.]

[That's right, Light has her, and Serah's going to make sure it stays that way.]

I could pull your mattress onto the floor? Then we can't fall too far.

[Action]

[soggypastry]

[Life's had a habit of blasting them since their father died, so that pretty much is nearly as long as Serah can remember. No wonder they make for such good Commandos and Ravagers. They've had practice blasting Life right back.

Lightning finally raises her head from Serah's at that suggestion, glancing at the bed. Pulling the mattress seems like it could work...]

I think that's the best idea. We'll probably have to bar the door to keep the nurses out, though.

[Because she gets the feeling that if they find the sisters on the floor, there will be problems.]

[chasingstorms]

[When life tries to hit, do a backflip and then punch it in the nose. Right, sis?]

I can do that. [Just let someone try and stop her.] Watch!

[And she's going to do just that, baring the door before she tugs the mattress down.]

[soggypastry]

[Exactly, baby sis. All the backflipping and punching life in the nose. Break that nose.

Also she'll just watch, as requested, and smile faintly as the mattress hits the ground. She still thinks it's a little too small for both of them now, but the fact that Serah is doing this makes her think on something that needs to be said before it's too late.]

Thank you, Serah.

[What would she do without you, bbsis? She has no idea.]

[chasingstorms]

[Might take more than one hit for that, but she'll get there eventually.]

[See? This scrawny little arms aren't completely without muscle! She's stronger than she looks. Plopping a mattress onto the floor like that means the blankets and things need to get fixed, so she starts on that without saying anything. Only to look up as Lightning talks.]

You don't have to thank me, what are sisters for?

[Be even more miserable than you already are, what else?]

[soggypastry]

[Have Snow or big sis teach you. They're great at punching things...if they stick around. Goodness knows Johto is fond of yanking the Hero away.

Lightning shakes her head at that; what're sisters not for would keep them here for less time, really, but she won't go over that today. Too worn through for that.]

Maybe, but still. You didn't have to do this.

[Much more miserable. And a miserable Lightning is not one that's good to herself, let alone others.]

[chasingstorms]

[Maybe, she'll at least think about it.]

I know, but I wanted to do it.

[It's probably worst for Light herself, since she always seems to be harder on herself than anyone else.]

[soggypastry]

[That's all big sis can ask, then. That she thinks about it.]

Yeah. You wouldn't have done it if you didn't want to.

[She knows you, bb sis. You wouldn't do anything you didn't want to because you're just that stubborn. And it is worse for Lightning herself because she blames herself for things she should have seen coming. Things she thinks she could have prevented. It...gets hard sometimes.]

[chasingstorms]

Exactly! [She nods once for emphasis.] So see? You really didn't have to thank me at all.

[She looks at Lightning and then the mattress thoughtfully.]

You should probably get on first.

[soggypastry]

[There's nothing more she can say to that, so Lightning instead just nods and carefully moves away from Lucky to get to the mattress. And though it's more wobble than crawl, Lightning does make it to the mattress before all but flopping onto it and staring at the ceiling for a long moment. There's a spot at her side for you, Serah, so you might wanna claim that before the Arcanine in the room can. Small mattress is small enough for two humans, let alone two humans and a dog that big.]

[chasingstorms]

[No worries. As soon as Lightning is situated on the bed, Serah crawls in next to her, curling up in the empty space just like she's done ever since they were little. It might not be the same as it was back then, but it's still nice. Isn't it?]

[soggypastry]

[It's not the same because they are most definitely older than before, and they've changed in other ways, but...yes. It's nice and Lightning will just be pulling her sister in closer. She's not likely to ever admit it, but right now? She needs the physical contact more than anything. Proof that she's not really alone.]

[chasingstorms]

[Serah doesn't have to be told, when Lightning pulls on her, she shifts in closer and snuggles against her older sister with a quiet sigh. Closing her eyes, she just soaks up the warmth for a moment, just basking in the knowledge that if nothing else, at least they're together.]