Was it wrong to call it a family dinner? Clarity and her were of course, but she wanted to include Caius in that statement as well. He was a kind man who had already done so much for them. He helped Claire, and Clarity. He really did remind her of Snow in so many ways. Ways that made her jealous, that the man she loved couldn't be here with her right now. The man who would do things like this for her in a heart beat. The man who could look god in the face and punch him if it meant saving her, or travel through time itself simply on her own beliefs.

Yes, it made her jealous but... more than that... it made her happy.

Happy that her sister had someone like that in her life. Happy that she had her own 'Snow', someone who would do everything in his power to protect her, keep her safe. There were so few people who ever looked to her sister's happiness.

Whether that be when she was little...

When she was grown....

Or anything in between.

So part of her was jealous, she couldn't deny that feeling nor could she help it, more than anything she wished Snow was by her side right now. But more than that she was happy, oh so happy for Clarity.

Because people like Snow and Caius? They were one in a million. People who would go to the ends of the earth to see the people they care for safe.

Maybe that.... was why her worries lessened some. Perhaps that was why no matter what that bug would do in the future, no matter much she broke down, or blamed herself-she would know there was someone else there, someone else who wanted her to be happy. Someone else who wanted 'Clarity' 'Lighting' Lumina' Someone who wanted that girl for all that she was to smile.

That could keep her going, that would see her to the end.

Caius was family at this point, in that sense. Everything that led to this point.... Serah had no problem making that statement. So she wanted him to feel at home, like part of the family-Serah smiled.

"Yeah let's eat! I think you'll enjoy it, family meals are the best!"

It was hard not to worry so much. It really was, Because it seemed like every time they came close to having a peaceful life someone new came to try and use her sister in some way or some form. Cocoon, the Goddess Etro, Bhunivelze and now this parasite that wont let her go. Every time, they wouldn't leave her alone, they wouldn't leave ANY part of her alone! It was like the world looked at any chance for her sister to be happy and just went Nope, not happening Why? Why even now, when she could have her own partner, when she could just.... live her life, did the world continue to deny to her?

It just.... it just wasn't fair

How could she not worry about that? How could she not worry about the sister she cared about so much?

She just.... wanted her sister to be able to be happy. She didn't want her sister to fight anymore. Of course she understood having to overcome your demons but.... coudnt she do that by just.... Using the Farron family spirit? That would be nice, really. But with the way these things usually went.... she doubted it could be so simple.

She didn't see any way she could just... not worry, how she could dispel them so easily. But.... her sister's smile despite it all. The feeling it caused in her, is that how she felt when the situation was reversed? Her sister was one of the two people she believed in more than anything. Somehow in that smile she wore she could see an ending to this where they smiled despite what had happened so far, she could see the end point where they all had fun on some beach somewhere, or anywhere really.

She could see... a happy ending, so thats why she could smile, smile and go forth with there dinner!

On that note? Caius' reactions to her excitement were just adorable, it showed his lack of experience in this area, but she just couldn't help it!

"Don't worry Caius~ you'll get used to it in time!"

And so they sat down to there dinner, something that funnily enough wasn't as cold as it should be by now, if anything it was getting warmer. Huh... that was nice, really nice! She listened closely to Clarity's words. She wasn't so sure how she felt about her looking into the Parasite's memories, there was no telling how the thing could use that to its advantage. On the other hand... Claire was strong, she didn't see her being brought down in a mental fight to easy. Besides.... That bug didn't deserve the satisfaction of seeing her more worried. More than that though... she owed it to her to give her a happy dinner, for them all to just... enjoy themselves. So she wouldn't bring up her sore thoughts on that subject, at least for now.

There was always another time right?

Besides, something else caught her attention....

I'm counting on you

A simple statement that filled her with confidence, a statement that increased her resolve. He was counting on her...? yeah, she would keep her sister safe, no matter what-and they would get rid of the thing plaguing her to.

"Thank you, I won't let you down Future Brother in law I'm counting on you to~"

Yes, yes she did fit a bit more playfulness in there, she had to-but it also showed how she felt. She had come to trust this man. She believed he would find help for this, even if he couldn't.... it didn't change anything. She knew he wouldn't give up-the three of them WOULD get through this together. It seemed Caius shared her concerns about the bug, so perhaps she wouldn't need to bring it up at all...

And then Caius proceeded to make a statement that Serah, in all her esteemed big sister, big mean teacher energy had somehow not even remotely considered. Serah had assumed that, because Clarity was not currently in possession of the gunblade on her back that clearly there was no way she could be sneaking off to do training, or sparring or anything.

She had no considered that Claire could just get a weapon to train with whenever she pleased, or that Mog Might pull a MOG and just start helping his rival keep herself sharp.


.......She wanted to be the younger sister again.....

Well, it's not like she could just make her not fight, it was better she stay trained anyway, more so if she enjoyed it. Just because SHE wanted her not to have to fight anymore didn't mean it was what she wanted after all, she needed to respect that to...

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if she was sparring with Mog to, He does so love those matches~"

A knowing look Mog's way, before returning to her sister.

Trapped in a loop? was that possible? Different from what the others experienced but... It would explain a lot. It would explain little Claire's state, why she was how she was now and...

"It explains your state.... and hers... Claire's just after mom.... and your..."

The idea that they could be copies bothered Serah,and she gripped her hands together.

"Were not copies, were us, your real, I'm real... were all real, sis. I'm Serah, your Clairity and he's Caius. were all us... that's what matters"

Serah then rubbed her temple, remembering SO many memories from the other possibility Serah was bringing up.

"I... Really want to assume it's not time travel, I have had... way more than enough time travel for SEVERAL life times! ahhh..."

She sighed, taking more bites of her meal.

"Still... different points in our lives... that feels a little... to eerily fitting from what we can see... It shows how me, you and her can all be here like... this..."