The 4th Storm [4th Wall Four; Video/Action for Olivine Pokemon Center]

[soggypastry]

[Normally there would be some kind of comment from Lightning about this, being that she currently has her memories of this being the fourth time things have gone to chaos in a handbasket, but instead of that, her gear feed is focused on something else in the Center room she still occupies; something that Sen is pawing at in curiosity. It appears to be a regular old Clefairy doll, but the moment that Sen gets close enough to sniff it, it giggles and transforms into something else entirely. Something that sends Sen skittering back in surprise and has Lightning blinking.

Not that she has time do much of anything about it, though; the creature is already forming pink bubbles and launching them everywhere, bouncing on one and sending the rest bouncing across the room, walls and ceiling included. Sen immediatly starts yipping in amusement, chasing and popping bubbles, while the Skitty that had been on Lightning's lap does the same. The creature continues to giggle and make more bubbles for the two mons to chase, and Lightning? Well. She just smiles and watches for a bit. It could be a lot worse, right?

Definitely could be a lot worse, especially since the creature is floating in front of Lightning's face now, blowing a small bubble that pops right in Lightning's face and makes her jump, soft amusement now replaced by a most definite lineface as the creature nearly falls over itself laughing, Sen and the Skitty doing the same no matter the looks she gives them. Anyone coming in for a visit is likely to get the same treatment, so watch out. At least it's friendly, though! That's good, right? ....Right?]

Comments

[encountersbarriers]

[Ooookay, not really the details he'd been hoping she'd supply. What about his heroic charge? The shout of victory? (For the record, this shout came during the heroic charge and not during any actual... victory.) The steelguarding!? Oh man, Lightning's making him look like a fool in front of Serah!]

Hey, I had a plan! [Maybe.] You guys just didn't give me enough time to pull off any hero moves.

[He gives Serah a wink and a winning smile.]

What's life without a little adventure, huh?

[Admittedly, this particular adventure probably would have gotten them killed if they'd stuck around any longer, but hey! It had been fun for a few minutes before that giant foot lifted into the air...]

[chasingstorms]

An Adamantoise? Did you really?

[The look on Serah's face is this comical mixture of horror and delight, leave it to Snow to do something so ridiculous and think it was a good idea.]

It's a good thing Fang and Vanille were there then, otherwise you might have been flattened.

[She grins, laughing a little at the very idea. Charging an Adamantoise? It takes a special person to think that's a good idea.]

[soggypastry]

Snow, your 'heroic moves' consisted of yelling "Steelguard" at the thing and hoping it would be focused on you instead of the rest of us. [headshake] Considering it make the ground shake every time it took a step, I'm still surprised you thought it would work at all.

[Making him seem like a fool in front of Serah was not the idea, but if it makes her laugh, then Lightning doubts he truly minds much at all.]

[encountersbarriers]

What can I say? I gotta try.

[He bounces back well enough and punches his palm; seeing Serah happy definitely makes it easier. Sure, Lightning makes a very good point about whether or not the thing would've noticed him to begin with, but hey, it's worth a shot.]

That's my job. Keep 'em distracted while you guys take it down. You think I should try climbing its leg next time?

[If there is another time...]

[chasingstorms]

I'm not sure if climbing on one of its leg would really help, either.

[She's still smiling, because the idea of her family fighting one of those things seems so preposterous somehow. They're bigger than some houses after all.]

[soggypastry]

It might, if your plan is fall twenty feet when it stomps again. I doubt even a l'Cie could have survived a fall like that.

[Sure they had healing magic back then, but still. Falling the height of multiple stories? Would have been hell on their bodies. Especially since if he climbed the leg and got onto its back it would have been a much larger fall.]

[encountersbarriers]

I'm not gonna stay on its leg. Just think--if I could get on top, we could ride the thing.

[He grins and winks at Serah.]

Could be like that one time in Sunleth Waterscape.

[Travel across Gran Pulse could certainly be a lot easier on top of an Adamantoise, or so Snow likes to think. He is, of course, very optimistic about the idea that such a creature would listen to them if they were on its back.]

[chasingstorms]

Ride an Adamantoise?

[Her hero or not, there's a certain amount of alarm in her voice at the very idea. Riding through fireworks is one thing, but this is something else.]

Would it even notice if you were on it's back?

[She's not sure, they did seem pretty huge to her. Not that she's ever seen one up super close or anything.]

[Wait a second.]

That one time in Sunleth Waterscape? What one time?

[soggypastry]

Snow, do you honestly think that Sazh or Hope could have gotten up onto its back, even if the rest of us could? Besides, we outpaced them when we were walking. It was faster on foot.

[Sure, the Steppe was huge and they were all tired by the time they reached the entrance to the Mah'habara, but it was still faster than riding one of those things...or getting bucked off somehow. Also, she has no idea about what Snow means by the Sunleth, so she'll just be listening. Hero, what kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time?]

[encountersbarriers]

[Wait, hold on.

Snow focuses his attention on Serah, momentarily disregarding Lightning's comment on Sazh and Hope. Besides, Sazh and Hope totally could've climbed up there, no sweat! And if it was a problem? Well, they'd just have to find a place to jump on board at. Problem solved!]

You don't remember? With the flan and the crystal pillar?

[And then it hits him like a ton of bricks: Had she not been there yet?

Snow scrubs a hand through his hair, looking awkwardly from one Farron sister to another. He didn't just create a new paradox by saying that, did he?]

Whoops. Busted.

[chasingstorms]

The flan and the pillar?

[The look on her face should say everything. She doesn't have a clue.]

The last thing I remember was when Noel and I activated the Crux for the first time.

[Does this mean that during their travels she got to see Snow again? That's certainly good news.]

Sorry.

[soggypastry]

[Busted is certainly the proper term, and for a moment, it seems like Lightning's temper is going to spike in a very, very, very bad way, but then she sighs and shakes her head, rubbing the bridge of her nose. No use getting angry, Farron. It won't change anything.]

People show up here from different times. The last thing I remember from home was the day after we defeated Orphan. Fang and Hope are from around the same time, but you and Serah obviously aren't. It's impossible to remember something you haven't lived, Snow.

[She's not going to mention that, other than here, everyone has come and gone with different memories than the last. It gets old, fast.]

[encountersbarriers]

[Whereas he'd been able to just brush aside Lightning's comment earlier, she's got his full attention this time around. For a brief moment, his smile genuinely falters, but he forces it back into place a second later.]

Alright, so you caught me. I've got a couple--[Hundred]--years on you. Nothing to write home about.

[He shrugs his shoulders, letting his arms follow through with the motion. Now that he knows that both Farron sisters are definitely not as far along the timeline as he is, Snow sort of clamps up a bit; he's definitely not sure how much he should even mention now--to Lightning, especially.]

Just some time-traveling for your local hero.

[chasingstorms]

[She'd been so floored to see Snow that several questions she should have thought of right away, are only just now popping up. So with a small smile for Snow, she turns to her sister.]

I thought people always showed up at New Bark Town. So how's he here in Olivine? Not that I'm complaining, but it seems really weird.

[soggypastry]

[Something about the way Snow reacts has Lightning's hackles going up like a spooked cat. He's not like this normally, and after all that time they spent fighting together, seeing him like this sets her teeth on edge. She'd normally immediately try and get the truth out of him, but with Serah here...it's not good if the memories they have of each other end in fighting. Not if she's right about this.]

It happens sometimes. Days where things that shouldn't happen, happen. [A glance over at where Mew is still floating, playing around with Sen and Skitty, then she turns back to Serah. She hates having to say this, but...]

You probably won't remember when it's over. This is the fourth time it's happened and I only remember that today.

[encountersbarriers]

Whoa, whoa...

[Snow raises his hands, concern crossing over his features again. This time, though, he doesn't bother trying to hide it. He takes a few steps toward Lightning before folding his arms over his chest.]

You saying that I'm just gonna disappear? And no one is gonna remember anything?

[He probably shouldn't be so surprised, what with his unexpected arrival here, but that sort of thing just doesn't sit well with him. He's finally gotten to see his family again, so the idea of not remembering any of this... Well, it hurts.

Snow looks back toward Serah. He's going to lose her. Again.]

[chasingstorms]

[That's not exactly the news Serah's expecting to hear and the answer catches her off guard. There's a traitorous voice deep down that whispers she should have expected something like this, but she pushes it aside. She's never really been one for pessimism and that's not about to change anytime soon.]

So...when he leaves we won't remember it? At all?

[The look on her face as she tries to absorb this news is easy to read. She's never really developed a good poker face after all. Serah takes one tiny step towards Snow and then stops, her hands fisting into the folds her skirt as she tries to sort her feelings out. Then after a moment she looks from Snow to Lightning and then back again. There. She manages a small smile - it's shaky at best, but she's trying.]

Maybe we won't remember it later, but at least we can make the most of our time together anyway, right?

[Always find the silver lining. It's not always easy, but what in life is?]

[soggypastry]

That's basically how it goes. [A pause as she curls her hand over her chest in an old habit, glancing between Snow and Serah as if to memorize this scene before it disappears.] We'll remember feelings, or there will be signs that something happened, but actually remembering...[She shakes her head.] No one ever does. I'm sorry.

[And she is. This is her family, the one thing she wants to keep together, but here she can't fight for them. Here she closes her eyes for one second and he'll disappear. They'll be left behind again and there's nothing she can do about it. The look on her face makes it obvious that she hates it, too.]

[encountersbarriers]

Can't we take a picture? Write something down? [Anger mixes with desperation in his expression.] Anything that'll stay even if our memories don't work?

[He looks from one woman to the other, appearing increasingly agitated. After a moment, Snow turns away and paces in a circle, head down and eyes on the ground. Nothing makes sense, and for a good few seconds, he just punches one palm with the other hand as he slowly shakes his head.]

Are we really just left with memories? [He finally lifts his gaze and looks at Lightning.] Sorry. Not even memories--feelings.

[Snow slowly shifts his attention back to Serah, and he drops his arms before reaching one hand for hers. He tangles their fingers together and gives her hand a tight squeeze. This just isn't right. If it's not one thing that's pulling them apart, it's another.]

[soggypastry]

We could, but I don't think it would stay. Any calls or texts are erased from our gears when we lose our memories of this, and I'm pretty sure pictures would be the same. Feelings are all that we have when it's over, if we stay here.

[It's said as she watches the two of them, her family, and she can feel her heart ache for them. They shouldn't have to get torn apart like this, time after time after time, and if she could do something, anything, to change this, she'd do it in a heartbeat. As it is, she's reaching for a little hope she can give them, and all that comes up is something Hope told her over a year ago.]

But you might remember, Snow. Some people remember this place when they go home, but there's no guarantee it'll happen. Most people forget, even when they come back.

[It's not good news. It's not a promise or a vow. But it's something. They ran for weeks on less, back when they were l'Cie. This will have to do for now.]

[chasingstorms]

[To say that this isn't what Serah wants to hear is an understatement, but then again it's not something any of them want to hear so it's not like she's exactly in a special place at that moment.]

At least there'll still be feelings, right? So it could be a lot worse, I think.

[She's clinging to whatever positives she can find right now almost as hard as she's squeezing Snow's hand. Not seeing him was one thing, but then seeing Snow and finding out she'd forget all about it? That's beyond depressing.]

[encountersbarriers]

Tch.

[He turns his head away, but his hand doesn't loosen around Serah's. If anything, it tightens a fraction more. For a brief moment, he wonders if he's hurting her like this, and Snow shifts his grip, easing it a little.

So there's a small chance he'll remember? Well, he doesn't know how to increase the possibility of that happening, but Snow sure as hell is going to try. He forces a smile onto his face and looks from one individual to another.]

I'll come back and find you both. Just wait for me.

[This is how it's got to be, right? They're both stuck here, so this is where he needs to be. He'd promised Lightning that he'd save the pillar that held Fang and Vanille, and he'd given his word to Serah that he'd find her sister and bring her home. The former was done, so now it was just the latter...]

This hero isn't gonna let you down.

[That's some forced optimism right there, but he's good at that sort of thing.]

[soggypastry]

[Lightning knows that smile is forced. Knows that at least half of Snow's optimism is as forced as that smile. But if it keeps him alive, keeps him afloat long enough to find some way here and be there for Serah? She won't call him on it. She'll just tilt her head to the side, a hint of a smile appearing on her face.]

You haven't let us down yet. I'd be worried if you chose to start doing that now.

[Because, other than that aforementioned Adamantoise incident? She trusts him beyond measure. If he says he'll find a way, he'll find a way. Somehow. ....even if it's probably going to involve a lot of yelling and "heroics".]

[chasingstorms]

[It hurt a little, but it was a reminder that at least for now, he was there. So she didn't really mind. Not that she doesn't appreciate it when eases up a little, and to show this she squeezes his hand again.]

[Sometimes you have to act strong until you actually can become strong, kind of applies to this situation too. They all know that not everything's okay, but what can they do about it? Nothing, but try to convince themselves that they'll manage this obstacle just like they have all the others.]

I never had any doubts.

[Not when it comes to her hero anyway, she's always believed he'll keep his word. That's one thing that hasn't changed and it never will.]

[Only probably going to involve? It's guaranteed, this is Snow after all.]

[encountersbarriers]

[He laughs softly, almost but not quite embarrassed, at their faith in him. The moment of doubt is quick to pass though, and Snow nods resolutely, a bright smile spreading over his face again. Faith fills him up and buoys his spirits; he can do this!]

Alright then! [He pulls Serah close before slipping his hand away, only to sling his arm around her shoulders. Snow then winks at Lightning.] Let's make the most of the time we have together.

[With that said, he starts edging back toward the bed, tugging the younger Farron sister along with him. If he's going to have a limited amount of time with his family, Snow sure as hell is going to take advantage of every minute of it, and the first step in doing that is dispelling the heavy atmosphere that's settled over them.]