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year 5, quarter 3
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Post by Claire Farron on Mar 24, 2023 22:31:18 GMT -6
"Light"
So, you want to be a Farron? Pt.1
Lumina despite her selfish desire, did seem to relent on that dinner five days after their date. Conveniently, Claire was on a class trip which made this much easier. Serah would be heading to Sonora tomorrow so Lumina could enjoy having the house to herself. Especially in the event tonight was more embarrassing than what she did on her date. Well, a year's worth of embarrassment or not, Lumina genuinely had a lot of fun. The days after consisted of making good on that ramen bowl. Visiting the Rest sometimes with Claire, other times alone while Claire was on campus for club activities. All while giving Serah a run for her money because she was always cooking something! Lumina wasn't cooking tonight though, she was happy to leave that to Serah, if it meant it would distract her.
What was Lumina distracting Serah from? Honestly, she didn't want Serah to have time to speculate on what she was doing or feeling. Each of those days, she sent Serah to get something to prepare her for the trip to Sonora. Having her visit the crew of her airship to make sure the supplies were in order. The shopping trips...it was meant to give Lumina time to sort through her feelings and figure out what was going on inside her mind and heart. Particularly, there was an annoying intruder who seemed to be easy to drown out when she gave into her positive emotions. When she began to feel doubt and was alone, that's when it came forth to whisper demeaning words. Well, it didn't whisper, it screeched and barked more so.
Today it seemed contemplative, moody even. The silence played into paranoia but she'd rather shove it to the side and lock it up for tonight. This dinner couldn't go like her birthday party in the past. A simple goal to clear given she was the problem that time. This time she wasn't grumpy, it wasn't her birthday, Snow wasn't present, and besides feeling nervous? The circumstances were much better this time. Serah got along with Caius after all. He was practically Claire's hero and she wasn't here for any mischief or insightful remarks. As for her feelings? Lumina wasn't going to address them~! It was all confusing and indecipherable admittedly.
...With some luck, it'd be indecipherable to Serah too! Sure, Lumina was happy even now as she waited for Caius to arrive. She tried not to show that she was but Serah was really good at reading her mood even when she said very little! Fortunately, Serah was in the kitchen so even while Lumina waited near the door, surely she was out range for Serah's mysterious powers. There was one foil, of sorts that was also different from that prior dinner scenario. Mog, whom Claire insisted was better off staying with Lumina, was also present.
...Lumina could throw Mog off easily. As she was playing rock, paper, scissors with Mog while waiting. It helped to take her mind off how this could all go wrong. How she could end up blurting out something bold and...inappropriate. It helped that she was winning and kind of getting into it too.
Post by Caius Dragelion on Mar 25, 2023 14:15:52 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
Caius had expected to be invited to have dinner with the Farron sisters eventually. He had been steadily growing closer to the girls over time, all three of them now instead of just Claire and Serah. The third Farron sister had been a bit of a surprise, but he had grown to like her all the same. So Caius for once didn’t actually work overtime at the office and left at a decent time, surprising the administrative staff in the process, to ensure that he was there in time. He had been informed though, that Claire was busy and wouldn’t be able to make it. Which was disappointing, he was morbidly curious to see what she thought of how the “dates” she had booked him in had gone. Sarah had been quite nice, and Lumina had certainly been… Interesting, to say the least. So he wanted to know just what Claire had in mind by doing all of this. But it seemed he would have to find out on another day.
However, he was not informed that Lumina would be joining them instead. Nor did he expect her to show up – she had declined doing so during the date, after all. Claimed she “wanted him for herself for a bit longer”, whatever that meant.
Caius had dressed in a nice blue shirt, with his hair tied back. While it wasn’t a fancy affair by any means, he did want to look at least presentable. So with that, he knocked on the door. To his surprise however, it was not Serah at the door, but Lumina. Caius had seen a fair bit of her in the last week, having taken her up on her offer to cook ramen and actually had shown up at her place again, and she had found the time to visit the Rest various times. Sometimes with Claire, sometimes alone. It had grown so frequent that she’d come looking for him that some of the mercenaries had begun to talk.
It seemed she and Mog had been playing a game when she opened the door. Caius blinked a few times at the sight of her, as he slowly realized that the pink hair indeed belonged to Lumina. Obviously he was a touch confused at why she was here when she had refused a group dinner just this last week. Still, once the initial surprise had come and gone, he managed a gentle smile.
Post by Serah Farron on Apr 2, 2023 9:34:42 GMT -6
The Truth Still Survives....
Tomorrow was the day of her trip. She was glad to help her sister. Lumina had helped her a lot, her and Claire both. But it wasn’t just that, Serah would have done it even if she had been the one doing all the helping. Lumina, Clarity was family, her sister. She would do anything for the people she cared about. She’d go to the ends of the word, to the ends of time.
Well, maybe she was being a little dramatic in her thoughts, but the point was that her family meant everything to her. Lumina had compared her to their mother before… she wished her memories were as bright as hers and Claire’s but… she still hoped she was right. She wanted to make her parents proud of her. Lately Lumina had, funny enough been giving Serah quite push with how often she was cooking. What was with her and Claire cooking so much lately! Geez…. Take all her hobbies why don’t you.
Well… it was after meeting Caius. For Claire she looked up to the man, she had suspected a bit of a young hearted crush at first but… she had the feeling now that wasn’t the case. It made sense Claire would respect, and want to be friends with someone like Caius. It was… ironic though how similar Caius was to ‘Lightining’
On reflex she touched the Gunblade at her side at the thought. ‘Lighting’.....
That memory hadn’t faded despite her sister’s changed form. She still remembered that conflict. Why was that? She remembered the most painful fight of her life but….
That guy
Her sisters…
…..something, something, she knew it was something, and it still gnawed at her. It had been someone important to her sister, To Clarity.
It was someone she had known to right?
Yet she couldn't place it and it…. It hurt and… it made her angry when she thought about it.
She had never been the type to forget the people she cared about, so why…?
Uggh… But Lumina was distracting her from more than she knew. Her goal was having a double effect as she reached the distraction she wanted, but also took Serah’s mind from thoughts like those that raced through her head. Questioning her, questioning her memories. Serah rarely had time to focus on theses things as she prepared for the trip, memorized the crew's names and what they needed to do. Had she had time between these things she surely would have noticed her sister’s conflict but… as it was she only had enough to think she was worried about the trip, and perhaps the dates she had been on recently.
Snow wasn’t here, but she wished he was. After all Snow could handle all of this so much better than she could. Heroes were like that. And…. it would make this dinner so much easier to. Well, she was happy to go, happy to attend but…. Well it was hard to see past the fact that Lumina ‘had someone with her’ and Serah did not. Still, she wanted to have fun. This was just a dinner to enjoy between them as friends.
Besides it was better to focus on the fun things. Mog and Lumina were playing with each other in by the door, no doubt Lumina trying to distract herself form wore on there guests arrival.
”Hey Mog! Make sure Clairity doesn’t try flee to her room ok?””
A clear tease at her sister, one that showed while she of course didn’t know everything,those strange sisterly Serah powers were very much still in effect while cooking.
”Besides, I think he’s getting used to the awesome that is our family~!”
Was she laying it on to thick? Probably, but if it got a laugh or a quip back from her sister it was worth it, better than her worrying to much for sure. To that end she’d continue to make small talk as she finished there meal for the night.
”So what’s the score sis?”
Serah would lean out from the room she was in as Caius arrived and smile. Once she and Lumina exchanged greetings she’d give her own.
”Hello Caius! Dinner just finished you three! A special meal, for a special trio. Ah it’s so roman…. Fun…tic, yes, funtic, that is what this is. So let’s all enjoy~”
Most things were already set at the table, and the strong smell had likely been wafting through the house, namely from the main course in the kitchen about to come out.
Had she over done it? No way! A Farron dinner, meant a full dinner!
Caius would soon learn why Claire and Lumina never went hungry~
Well if he hadn’t already from his previous encounter with her food!
Post by Claire Farron on Apr 2, 2023 15:30:14 GMT -6
"Light"
So, you want to be a Farron? Pt.2
"I won't run!" did not at all sound convincing, given how quickly her quip came. Honestly, it must have been a rare and special sight to see, even if the one in control was different to what Serah would expect. There was her older sister, having fun, not brooding, and like some shy teenager, was keeping an eye on the door. Had she not been distracted, certain signs that her memory was making difficult to process, would have been crystal clear. Along with new emotions and reactions that she'd not seen on her older sister's face before, regardless of the form. For one, she shyly ran her left hand through her hair, tucking some strands behind her ear. The very hand she was wearing her crystal ring on, the one she never took off and when she thought no one was looking, babied it.
"999 to 0, according to our new Zephon only rules. If we add what my original score was from our world~" she flashed Mog a knowing look with a smirk he knew all too well, given it was Light's usual mischief, upon Light's usual face. Which was the second obvious change. Outside of Claire and Clarity's twin antics, she largely maintained her true appearance. Lumina must have really been distressed about not looking her age after all! Of course, there was subtle differences between Lumina's manifestation of Light and the one Serah had grown up with. The one Serah had been seeing, was her sister who hadn't become a member of the Guardian Corps. The fashionista of a sister, that enjoyed helping people, enthusiastically did chores and had an overall bright demeanour, mischief included. She really didn't look like a soldier at all.
"...If I'm being honest, he really is getting used to our family's antics. Enough to joke and say 'Claire will start telling me to marry in'." with this admission, Lumina conveniently looked away from the two of them and just in time, as Caius had arrived. When he said it was a pleasant surprise, she smiled bashfully.
"...This was my idea, in truth~" and true enough, Lumina was dressed for this, donning a formal dark blue dress with gold and white stars making constellations all over. Looking closer, the stars seemed more like blooming flowers, a nice touch, especially when light refracted on them to give the impression of sparkling stars.
Naturally, when Serah mentioned "Roman(tic)", Lumina turned the colour of her hair and looked as if she wanted to run to her room. Except she said she wasn't going to run, so she defaulted to moving to Caius side and trying to make herself as small as possible. "This is going to be a long night~" she muses to herself but while Lumina was embarrassed, Serah would glimpse something briefly... Caius didn't appear as the Caius they'd come to expect. Instead he looked like the Caius Ballad, whom she was worried Claire had encountered sometime ago~ In particular, when Lumina guided Caius to the dinning room and took a seat next to him, Serah could hear something within her mind, playing upon a doubt she noted earlier.
"Well, well...how the tables have turned. A fitting glimpse as part of our...fated reunion. You've been thinking about Light and her disappearance, haven't you, Serah? Well...what if I told you...Light has been with you this whole time. Right there, making those doe eyes at Mr. Ballad, whoops, I mean Caius Dragelion. Clearly, they merged but it seems Lumina is the one in control, the stronger Claire Farron. She hasn't told you, has she? The memories...as well as something unexpected. Me~ You thought you'd gotten rid of me but I merely transferred to the other available Claire Farron back then. Sealed her powers while the two merged and...Well, I can't explain what a younger version of your sister is doing here. The Old Gods of Zephon have their hands on that one. We can worry about that later, what's important is...your sister has someone now, doesn't she? Which means you're all alone, Serah~"
such was the voice of the Parasite, seemingly stronger than before and leveraging Lumina's unique abilities.
Worse of all, only Serah could hear it for the moment. As for Lumina, she looked to Caius once they were seated and leaned in to whisper,"Are you sure you're ready for this? My teasing is one thing...you should be happy Claire is not here to make this worse." unfortunately for Caius, Claire was just building a case as Mog was naturally a double agent.
That said... "Oh, did you bring your ring with you?"
Post by Caius Dragelion on Apr 2, 2023 16:17:37 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
It was her idea? Caius blinked a few times at that, leaning forward and staring a hole into Lumina as he tried to ascertain what sort of mischief the pink-haired minx was up to. Though something about her dress seemed familiar. Didn't the pattern sort of remind him of the ring? Remembering she could conjure illusions, he had to wonder if she had used her magic to conjure a dress that resembled the ring. Was that a matter of teasing? Or coincidence? Caius, of course, just wasn't sure what to think here.
Serah called out then, with things that Caius didn't quite understand. Roman, fun, tick? Funtic? What in the Infernian's name was she talking about? These sisters were all confusing, so Caius just... Slowly nodded his head and went with it. What he did understand though, was the strong smell of food. Serah had outdone herself it seemed, even compared to their little dinner before. Was this a special occasion? Of course, Caius hadn't been informed yet that Serah would be going to Sonora. If they had, he would have told them that he would be leaving for Sonora himself in a few days. Something he intended to mention here.
"Trio? I know I'm not part of the family with you, Lumey and Mog, but that's just harsh" Caius joked at that as was guided into the kitchen to see what was cooking. Also, he'd blurted out the nickname he'd given Lumina off the top of his head back during their date. That definitely wouldn't make things worse. Speaking of Lumina, she'd retreated next to him and seemed to be trying to hide from the moment they'd walked in, as if Serah's words had some kind of meaning known only to them. Sisters and their codewords, seriously.
Once they were seated, Caius couldn't help but stare long at the food a moment as it hit him right then and there that he was starving. How long had he been working at the Rest? Between paperwork, training the recruits, ensuring that things were in order and that the admin staff had everything noted and memorized before he left on his trip... He realized he hadn't eaten since this morning. He'd skipped lunch in his bid to get everything settled in time. Whoops. How hungry he was probably wasn't hidden from the sisters either, it was obvious just by his face.
He was startled back when Lumina whispered about how Claire would have made the teasing worse, and he blinked a few times as he turned to stare at her. Tease over what, now? The date? How much had Lumina told her, he wondered. Things had certainly turned out... Unique, at their dinner.
Speaking of, he had to wonder how Serah was taking Lumina's transformation. It had to be strange, her coming back from the date in grown-up form. Then she asked if he brought the ring.
"Aye. One moment" Caius responded as he held his hand out, which so far didn't seem to have a ring. In truth, Caius wasn't really a ring-wearing person. He was a combatant, it would put the ring at risk even if it was more durable than a crystal. "I am still learning how to do this properly" he made clear before Lumina got confused at all as he focused his magic.
Poof. There it was. The ring materialized on the same finger that Lumina had placed it with a small light show of blue sparks, showing that Caius had in fact been holding onto it. "The glaive keeps it safe" he explained then. He shot a side glance to Serah, wondering what would be her take on this whole rings thing. Though she seemed a bit far and away at the moment...
Post by Serah Farron on Apr 9, 2023 7:45:00 GMT -6
Am I really....
Her sister was not at all convincing. The quickness of her reaction only cemented how nervous she was about all this. It reminded her of the first date she went on with Snow. She had panicked all before it. It reminded her of exactly that. Her sister not brooding, but nervous about the evening. Whenever she peeked from her cooking she saw the older Farron eyeing the door in between games with Mog. Yes… it was just the same. She remembered Light thinking someone had done something to her, it was…. Difficult to worm her way out of it. But now the similarity of the situation made her noticeably laugh. Though they couldn't see she shook her head, then called back.
It was those memories that told her what to say:
”He’s gonna love it, breath Clarity, you silly sister of mine”
The way she cooed at that ring? It told Serah everything she needed to know, if she was being honest. Everything…. She could say for one sure. One thing that she liked, one thing she appreciated: Like this her sister wasn’t a Soldier. She wasn’t the Savior.
She was just…. Her sister.
That was all she ever wanted, her sister.
”I’d say to give Mog a pity win, but that might just make him more frustrated eh Mog? ‘I’ll overcome my rival myself kupo!’”
She did her best Moogle impression as she teased her friend. She smiled warmly at how happy, if nervous her sister was. It was wonderful to see. A sight she hadn’t seen in so long. In fact she’d have given anything….
…….
……
Marriage??!!!
Oh no no no no! Not before Snow and her that COULD not happen ahh!!
The minor freak out might have been noticed, but it would be overshadowed by one soon to come, that was certain.
”I'm still surprised Claire didn’t send him running for the hills.. His wills pretty great~”
The main course finishing up she picked it up to place on the table, however before that she’d give her sister a cheshire grin as she came out. Oh she had one more thing to bring out, she wouldn't escape~
”Reminds me of Snow actually~”
Serah couldn't help but give a playful giggle as her sister retreated to the newly arrived Caius. She chuckled at the stoic man’s antics, shaking her head.
”Don’t be silly, I meant you three Cai…us….”
The illusion had terrible timing. As Serah was about to comment on the nickname Caius’ form shifted. Becoming a figure from her nightmares. A figure that had caused her so much pain. Someone she understood, but never the less never wanted to see again.
A man who broke the world.
It was only brief, almost to brief for the farron to react and yet her hand still twitched on instinct, almost going towards the gunblade at her side. W…what was that? Was she just being paranoid? T…that had to be it right? Was some part of her still worried about Caius? N…no that couldn't be. She had been excited for his coming, his time with the two of them, she….
The sister’s face contorted the moment she heard that voice again. Previously twisted with her sister’s she could never mistake it.
No
No
……Please no.
Its words raced through her mind. Seeped into her like tentacles of malicious reething through her head. No, no she killed it herself. She remembered the moment. They…. She? No They… definitely they right? But she couldn't remember… but she… she knew the ending, With Light’s knife she ended it! She knew she did. So why? Why… Why was it haunting her?!
She hadn’t turned to face the pair at the table yet, so maybe the panic so clear on her face wasn’t noticed yet. If nothing else though? That delay certainly was being noticed by now. And if not?
The main course finishing up she picked it up to place on the table, however before that she’d l give her sister a cheshire grin as she came out. Oh she had one more thing to bring out, she wouldn't escape~
”S…shut up! Gods leave me alone! Haven’t you done enough?!”
Lighting was…. Was in Lumina? The sister she… she saved back then…. She… but Lumina had never mentioned…. Why didn’t she….?
What's important is...your sister has someone now, doesn't she? Which means you're all alone, Serah~"
The sister’s Farron were stronger than each other in different ways. This applied physically of course, but more than anything it applied emotionally.
Claire Farron could hold up the world if it meant protecting the people she loved.
Serah Farron could cross time itself if it meant being with those she loved.
Claire Farron could, ultimately stand on her own to do these things if needed. That was ‘Lighting’
Serah could not, she did not have a ‘Lighting’ She… was just Serah.
More than anything Serah’s greatest fear was being alone.
Snow, where are you?
She trembled, her hands shook, her body shook.
Serah Farron needed the people she loved to stand, that was a true fact. Without the people she loved she was….
Alone
Serah did not get the chance to comment on the ring, not now. What might have been a beautifly embarrassing moment for her older sister was instead meant to be a potentially dinner ending freak out instead.
You’re all alone, Serah
Slowly she went to her knees, the main dish placed on the ground in front of her. A meal she had so painfully worked on the whole day.
All alone
Snow…. where….?
Pain she had been holding in sense she got here, the parasite uncorked that bottle effortlessly.
Alone
Was she really….
Alone?
Her mind went back to her crystallization.
To when she died to the visions and her soul…
Was…. was that it?
No… no….
My hero… I….
She couldn't…. She didn’t….
If it happened again, who would come for her this time?
Here people forgot.
So many feelings converged on her.
People forgot, they would forget her.
Alone
She’d be alone in the emptiness
And then the floodgates broke in full, to a likely very confused trio behind her. Such tears did not touch the food, but they did stain the floor with their wetness. It probaly looked like a breakdown for anyone else, but for Serah…..
It was all the pain she had been ignoring, all the pain she had tried to keep inside or pretend didn’t exist….
All coming out at once
Yes because it all crumbled down
It all crumbled down with a single bite from a worthless little insect.
Post by Claire Farron on Apr 9, 2023 20:09:37 GMT -6
"Beautiful Chaos"
The Parasite's Ploy
"Oh...Well, of course. It's your cooking after all~" yep she was too nervous for a proper quip too. She wasn't so sure she was being silly though, that much she would have protested were it not for her split focus. Mog was probably doing a bit better in terms of focus. He had no worries, except giving it his all.
"I'll do one better, kupo! I'll get a win streak over Lightning this time, kupo!" Mog's words were simple enough, despite Serah's teasing but he did say one little thing that foreshadowed the events to come.
Whether it was detected by Serah, would depend on how she'd recover from Mog's own comeback~ "Why so surprised, kupo? The older sister getting married first is normal, kupo~" Between hanging with Claire and Clarity for so long, Mog had adapted, no evolved. With some luck, a lot of luck he'd best his rival yet!
Now that the two of them were in an upswing, when Serah remarked about Caius not running for the hills because of Claire; they nodded in agreement. However, Serah's sly remark merited a unanimous response from the duo:
"NO!" "No way, kupo!"
Inadvertently, the game was a draw because of that. A nice way to curb the 999 to 0 losing streak. Even as they both had a hand to their foreheads. Emotional damage, clearly! Thankfully Caius arrived and that snapped the two of them back to normal, well mostly Mog. Lumina was back to being nervous. Thus far, Caius seemed to hold his own gracefully, joking about the composition of Serah's trio. What Lumina expected was Serah's strong follow up to set the pace of the dinner. What she got instead was...Serah becoming distracted? Her expression was as if she'd seen a ghost. It didn't seem clear if she regained her composure or simply forgot something on the stove in the kitchen. Either way, Lumina was worried but managed to guide Caius to the table all the same.
Lumina was confused at first when she saw nothing but was patient enough, especially when she heard the brief explanation. Blue sparks came forth as the ring manifested. Each ring detecting the other, resulted in their harmonious colour as per the gimmick of the couple crystals. Lumina was certainly excited, "It's nice to see their true colour return. When the two are separated, the colour is very sad." perhaps that's why she babied her ring so much. Since it was always blue in the absence of its counterpart.
"The glaive keeps it safe? That's good, I'm glad I'm not the only protective one~" after saying this, Lumina also turned to look to Serah. One moment she had the main course, then she was on the ground. Mog had quickly flown over to her, trying to assess things. It didn't take long for his Pom to stand rigid.
"It's the parasite's...magic, kupo! I think Serah is infected, kupo!" no sooner did Lumina teleport to be right by Serah's side. Crouching to hold her as she looked up to Mog.
"If Serah's infected, she can't go to Sonora, not like this. I'll get her to a chair in the living room. Follow me, Mog." Lumina was quite decisive about this as she took a moment to lift Serah in a fireman's carry. She moved cautiously, getting her to the single seat recliner and resting her down gently.
Alas, the Parasite had their own machinations:
"There is one benefit to being alone, Serah. How do you think Light got so strong? Look, she's already doubting your capabilities. Maybe it'll be Light taking the sword from you. She's just dying to get off the bench and back to fighting. Which means...you don't have what it takes, Serah. Unless...you take my help?"
Post by Caius Dragelion on Apr 10, 2023 9:51:40 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
Why the bunch of them had looked mortified when Caius had arrived, as if they'd just said something that Caius didn't quite catch, he didn't know. And it didn't appear to be that they were going to elaborate on it either. So it was that they were sat down and Caius showed Lumina the ring. Serah had tried to correct him on the trio thing, but she had weirdly faded off. Caius squinted with suspicion at that, but played along for now. "Well you can't just leave Mog out of the loop here. He is part of your family, after all. Not to mention that between the lot of you, that makes four people. Three sisters, a moogle, and... I guess I'm a fifth?"
Caius didn't really get it, but his attention was taken by the color of the rings returning. It had been strange that they'd changed color after being separated, and Caius had been beginning to think that maybe he'd just been imagining it. But upon seeing them revert to their actual color, now he knew. They really were paired rings. Lumina had certainly picked quite the theme for a first date, hadn't she?
But he couldn't keep his eyes off Serah, still suspicious that something was off. Did he see her reach for her gunblade when she was looking at him? Something was off, and Caius' expression had been more serious since. Up until she started screaming something about being left alone, and promptly collapsed into a puddle of tears.
"Serah!"
Letting out a cry with a tone and urgency that did not help Serah's previous comparison, Caius shot to his feet. Fighting his urge to race to her side but not wanting to create a mess with his larger frame, Caius instead focused his magic and Warped to her side. It seemed Lumina was thinking the same thing, for she too was immediately by Serah's side in that same instant. Caius placed a hand on the plate to get it out of the way so they could move her, and the plate of food comedically vanished into the glaive without a trace. Hopefully he wouldn't forget about it.
Mog and Lumina seemed to come to the conclusion that Serah had been infected by the parasite. Caius quirked a brow in confusion. "You said it's a parasite, not a virus. Are you sure she's infected? You're the host, you told me" Caius brought up to Lumina, at first with an all-business tone and look. But after a moment, what he had said washed over him properly, and it brought back to the surface thoughts he had been repressing for the last few days. Lumina was still infected, a host to that... Thing, that had done something to Lightning all those years ago. Lumina was in trouble, and Caius didn't know how to help her. He wanted to, but... He had been repressing that familiar feeling of helplessness that had plagued him his whole life. Knowing that someone he cared for could die, and he could do nothing. Caius' expression reflected that inner anguish within moments as his gaze darted from Lumina. But he pushed it aside for now, to focus on the business at hand.
Lumina tried to get Serah in a fireman's carry, but Caius took a deep breath and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'll do it" Caius pledged to her, then, reaching over to grab her hand a moment and squeezing it, trying to reassure her. "I know you can, but I want you to take a minute to breathe, ok? Let me help."
Caius was bigger and likely physically stronger. He could lift Serah more easily, and he knew Lumina's emotions were all over the place. After seeing her emotions interact with the parasite before in how they allowed her to regain her powers, Caius didn't want her straining while under this much emotional pressure if at all possible. Not while he could bear at least some of the burden for her. If Lumina allowed it, Caius would gently lift Serah in a bridal fashion and motion for Mog to guide him to the recliner. He'd set her down from there.
Post by Serah Farron on Apr 15, 2023 22:42:35 GMT -6
Please Don't....
Serah was lost in her mind.
Her emotions weighed upon her heavily.
So lost in her mind it was difficult to process the people around her as they came towards her.
So much pain that she had been ignoring all this time.
The pain of fading memories
N
N….
It started with an N
N and…. One of her friends helped her save Lighting right?
She wasn’t alone then… she couldn't have been then.
Because… I can’t beat Lighting alone…?
No, not just that they all worked together to do it. So why… was it so hard to remember the details? Was her mind right? Was she remembering this right? The only thing she could envision clearly was…. Her fighting Lighting.
Of Scattered love
She had been so happy.
So happy for Lumina.
She had found someone, she teased her about it. But….
She was happy
But….. it wasn’t what Lumina was doing now.
It was different. A different person.
Starts with a Z…… right?
Someone she met, someone she had hung out with.
But she couldn't… she just couldn't…. Place it. On Lumina’s ship…. Her home…. She could only see….. Her
Did it really…. happen?
And Bonds she couldn't bear to part with.
The Parasite ate way at her inside, in her head. The flood it unleashed gave it room to worm its way in on her, her vague memories not helping her stand her ground.
I saved Lighting…. Alone….? Lighting was strong… Alo….ne? N…no, shut up… please….
That wasn’t right. Even if these memories… wearn’t right… Lighting…. Lighting’s greatest strength wasn’t alone
I saved Lighting…. Alone….? Lighting was strong… Alo….ne? N…no, stop it you don’t… know her
Lighting… She tried to do so much herself, that was true. But in the end….
Bhunivelze…. She stopped him with everyone’s help. That wasn’t… alone… Lighting would never… Like her, I’m strong because….
She waned, her inner turmoil wracked her but…. That was true. Despite all the struggle with her memories. Why? So you can use me like you used my sister? No…. No! Your trying… to worm your way in but…. There's something you don’t.. get….
She took a deep breath, Caius and Lumina’s actions outside of her still lost on her.
You didn’t then…. And you don’t now, and thats why you’ll lose again. Because….. Whatever you might be right about… you’ve never understood the bond we sister’s have… it's not something you can tear apart! She won’t take it, she doesn’t need to… I… I’ll protect her from you, I did it once… and I can do it again! No… I don’t need you, so just go away!
That was right, it was such an intense struggle but in the end…. She had been able to save Lighting, their bond shined through even as they were forced to fight each other.
The two fighting…. It was their bond that allowed Serah, despite having to fight on her own, To fight like she wasn’t, and to reach Lighting and bring her back.
A memory decayed
Parasite's...magic, kupo!.....
Infected……
Can't go to Sonora……..
Serah"
She came to herself in a cold sweat, at last aware of herself
”No! I can go!”
Were the words that first came from her mouth as she came back to herself, she was in a chair, unaware of who had put her there, but it wasn’t all that important…. What was?
She breathed deep, shaking her head.
”That things… not in me… it can’t be… But it wants to be, it won’t let go of my sisters…. Of our family”
She looked up to Lumina, Tears welling up in her eyes even as she looked back down.
”You didn’t tell me….”
Tell what?
There were several things, but it was the nature of the bond the sisters shared to know.
About Lighting
About the Parasite
What else didn’t you tell me?
”But I destroyed it….. With Lighting’s knife I….
She took the knife from her pocket, currently sealed up tight, and looked at it longingly.
Post by Claire Farron on Apr 16, 2023 11:24:45 GMT -6
"Beautiful Chaos"
Scattered Dreams
"Hmm, five is a good number, kupo~" Mog seemed fine with forming a five person unit, a veritable squad, perhaps~? Shame his good mood from Caius banter would be dashed. Not before he got to also observe the rings charming capabilities. He seemed to nod to himself, as if taking note for later, especially with the colour change.
The Parasite's ploy was now in full bloom and whilst Caius and Lumina had reacted quite quickly, they had not understood the Parasite's newfound capabilities. Now was the time to shed a light, on such~ Starting with Caius who questioned whether Serah was infected. The Parasite was a parasite but he only needed to examine Lumina closer. First though, he'd best start with her words:
"...Yes, I am the host. She's been...weak, recovering really but it was very slow. The more memories I've regained, the more her strength returns except for...moments where she's sealed off. They're like blackouts and thus I can't hear her voice when they happen." that was her assessment given the duration since she was cognisant of its presence within her. Unfortunately, that was all she knew until more memories surfaced. Fortunately, Caius would not be left in the dark for much longer. As he thought upon his helplessness in protecting Lumina, the parasite called out:
"Lumina is half the host that Lightning was in the past, less so given that her physiology is different. Yet I completely snuffed out that god-slaying woman, leaving her a mere husk, a vessel that carried hundreds of souls. What do you think I'll do to her as my power returns~?"
All from a mere glance, what would happen when he touched her shoulder then? Well naturally, he'd begin to detect something oh so familiar. Inadvertently, that touch was all he needed to know on its viral capabilities. For what Serah was going to suffer was a thing from his homeworld specifically. As for the lady of the hour, her response was a look of worry. It was probably far more tender than Light would express but the origin emotion was the same. In her arms was Serah, the sister she'd been protecting, raising really, for quite some time. Biting her bottom lip, she consented as she carefully gave Serah to Caius to hold.
"I understand, thank you, Caius. I'll be there in a minute." taking that moment to breathe, in light of the memories surfacing, left her to understand the expanded powers. A chance meeting with a man who seemed to be able to sweet talk the parasite into taking on something beyond its understanding. Thus, Caius' wisdom proved right, Lumina's emotions interacting with the parasite had profound effects. Good and bad for the Parasite, mind. Once she joined Mog and Caius by the chair, her eyes had turned purple.
"I admit, I acted rashly regarding your sister. I can see that now, Serah. I have many more roads to take now and my purpose is divinely inspired. There is no need for me to use you, Serah, not as you think. Think of it more as mutual cooperation, I'll scratch your back and you'll scratch mines."
These were the thoughts the Parasite would leave Serah with as it was ready to set the stage in a big way. When Serah looked up to Lumina, she'd see that familiar worried look of her big sister. Especially as her words were a by hysterical, due to the missing context. Except one part, even with the omission, Lumina knew what she was driving at, causing her to look away in guilt.
"Serah...I'm...sorry. I was trying to figure this all out. Thanks to Caius, I understand what it means, so I was hoping to tell you tonight." wisps of light and shadow floated to her left side before manifesting a very convincing illusion of Lightning as she was when infected with the Parasite.
"She didn't tell you because she was afraid, Serah. That you only missed part of her. Truth is, this is your sister properly merged with her complete heart and soul. Just as you remember her from the New World. The Light you met, took on the form of the Saviour as Bhunivelze intended. Throwing the remnant pieces of her heart and soul, the ones most deeply in contact with yourself; into the chaos. Oh but if only it ended there. As the Saviour, Light descended upon Zephon like a meteor. Where she proceeded to 'harvest souls', so that she could cure this sick land. Hundreds of souls and more still that had nowhere to go, made the Light you remember, a shell of herself. Just a serial killer with a divine motive. I did her a favour by taking over her body and turning her into the perfect skin suit."
now the Parasite utilizing the illusory body of Lightning, just as Serah remembered from their battle, would laugh.
"I must have tipped the Old Gods off when I stole mana from the Metaia Temple, cause they shouldn't have summoned another copy. Shame that one didn't have the right body or memories to stop me. She doesn't even have the drive to fight. The grand lesson learned by the candidate for New Goddess of Death. It's pathetic but her physiology did have its uses. A potent connection to a different kind of Chaos from my own, that could help me to reccuperate after your violent stabbing. Oh and it seems like the perfect incubator for this blight I received. I figure, you'll start feeling it in a couple of weeks. The perfect guinea pig, subject zero. Go to Sonora, help it spread further and undo all your sister's plans to save that worthless city."
She hadn't even gotten to the best part of it all, the invalidaton of bringing Lumina here due to the Parasite shifting to her. Absorbing Light steadily instead of allowing her to properly recover? The coup de grace in the Parasite's proverbial gunblade.
"Don't get mad at me, the signs were there. Those little moments where she felt more like Lightning and worried she'd soon face her demise. Just perfect~"
