[attr=class,t]

[attr=class,avvie]

[attr=class,img]

[attr=class,paccent]

[attr=class,bulk]She had not had anyone listen to her since Black Mage Village. Black Mage No. 288 had inquired about Terra and her history in order to make a decision on letting the Genomes stay. And he only did so after Vivi's advocacy. It was her only choice then to talk to secure a safe place for the empty ones. Even if she had felt it was pointless during Kuja's rampage. Back then, Gaians were just insects struggling against the inevitable. But now, after being among them...
[break][break]
It certainly felt more complicated.
[break][break]
He spoke as if she meant protecting her bonds was a question for herself. She had meant to reassure him with his own question, but she realized his reassurance seemed to ease what had been shook inside her by Garnet's words. She did not really understand this 'friends' word. But Zidane had told her the same thing about his companions. That he would show Mikoto what they were capable of together. They simply wanted to protect each other.
[break][break]
And even he agreed that the world he was from and these Lunarians could not coexist. She had thought Garnet an idiot for thinking Gaia and Terra could co-exist. Terra needed Gaia's life crystal to survive. One could not exist without the death of the other. She gave him a nod of acknowledgement.
[break][break]
She followed his eyes up to the empty sky. It was okay to miss her home? Is that what she felt? She creased her brow at the thought. It seemed like something she would have to explore later. Instead, she listened to his answer with devoted attention. It obviously was not an easy question for him to answer, but he tried. And it gave her cause to reflect. It sounded so very similar. Even how he seemed to pause on such terminology as brother.
[break][break]
She wasn't sure if she felt the same way as him. The Terrans made Garland and he simply wanted to serve his function to save their lives. He had expected his creations to do the same. She wanted to see life in her peers too and would have continued his work unheedingly, if things had not happened the way it had. Zidane - she had no real conflict with other than his lack of memories and his Gaian nature. But Kuja...
[break][break]
She wondered if this was the same conflict Cecil felt. She touched a hand to her chest to quell its ache. "I see. Your words help me sort my thoughts." She stated her eyes didn’t waver from the void of the sky. “I want to stay by his side and see from his perspective.” Not the Gaians. Especially not Garnet’s perspective and her contradictions. Yet, there was hesitation in her voice. Part of her itched in nervousness at even thinking of asking him of those past events. Would he leave her? Would asking him make him relive some discomfort? She certainly didn’t want to hurt him. Or was she worried about what she would learn? Either way, she knew she wanted to hear what happened from a Terran.
[break][break]
After all, wasn’t he hurt by Garland? Garland would recycle their souls when he was done. And though he exiled Kuja from his home, Kuja was still expected to do a job. Mikoto had not thought of such things as being stressful before. One offered themselves to their home. But after finally breathing and having thoughts beyond the assimilation process, she realized Garland had done something similar with them. They were nothing but tools in his game for survival. And if the tools had too much free thought, their parts were recycled to make a better one.
[break][break]
It was then there was a loud bang and the genome found herself attentive again in the direction of the sound. More bangs came, followed by sparks of color that lit the sky and dazzled the water. She gazed up at the display and there was something entrancing in the transient colors. The wind carried the scent of smoke. But it seemed no one in the distance was in a panic. It seemed the show started again.
[break][break]

“I hope you see Golbez again.” She said as she watched the lights. “It was happy to see Zidane and Kuja.” She was certain of it. The thought made her cheeks warm - almost a smile. “I want us to get along.” And to give each other a chance. She didn’t want to see them hurting or fighting each other. They were granted a fresh start, even if it felt disorienting and terrifying. She gave a soft yawn, her eyes watery. But not from sorrow. She was simply exhausted.

[attr=class,t]

[attr=class,avvie]

[attr=class,img]

[attr=class,paccent]

[attr=class,bulk]Cecil’s words were encouraging and held a weight of someone with a similar experience. It felt like something heavy had been lifted from her vessel. Or something similar to a shadow looming over her suddenly vanishing. There was so much here for her to process and understand. Her prior encounter tossed too much at her at once and used terminology too difficult for her to understand. And she wasn’t ready yet to talk to Kuja about it yet, especially not the state it left her in.
[break][break]
She thought being alone would soothe her ache. But it now seemed fortunate she crossed paths with Cecil instead. And the silence felt nice. It reminded her of the silence that fell between her and Kuja on the trip here. It was a gentle pleasure of being in another’s company.
[break][break]
Mikoto had seen the fireworks previously, but it seemed Cecil was just as confused as she was about the fireworks. She shook her head, unsure what they meant. But she didn’t mind watching their transient beauty. Perhaps this was a human attempt to scrape away at the darkness with fire. She had no way of knowing and to seek the answer required energy she did not currently have tonight.
[break][break]
Her? Find peace? She turned to stare at him quietly. She had never thought of having it for herself. She only wanted others to have repose, such as the souls sleeping on Terra and the genomes. But for herself, she touched a hand to her heart. Her tail laxed and draped down over the end of the bench.
[break][break]
Time passed and colors lit the night like violent, fading stars. She would have to ask Kuja what it meant. He had much more experience than her. Cecil expelled air and spoke again. “Is it not typical to rest where you are tired?” She probably would have slept on the bench. After all, genomes did not follow a particular sleep pattern, though they did have few platforms scattered for when their vessels grew tired. This bench would have done just fine. “I have someone to return to.” She reassured him. “He is watching over me now.” She was sure of it. He kept a certain distance from her all day. Always near, but also just beyond. She was sure it made her happy knowing he stayed so close.
[break][break]
Or she could return to Jessie. She had her address now.