[Action for Ellone]

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[Raine's really tried to put off this discussion, but after watching Ellone opt out of the Winterfest celebrations in Alexandria to stay behind with her, she really can't avoid the topic anymore. Besides, she's due soon. Very soon. And with Aerith vanishing from Gaia, the time's come. She's walking through the house in search of her daughter, leaning around the door frames until she finds her.]

Ellone? Are you busy?

Comments

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[Ellone isn't really doing a whole lot. For the moment, she'd taken a little time to rest in her room. Raine finds her sitting up against the head board of her bed, debating a nap. Those thoughts are quickly banished as she glances up and notices the look on Raine's face. She stands.]

Not at all. What do you need?

[She's putting on the happy face, the happy "everything's fine" face.]

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

It's alright. You don't have to get up.

[In fact, Raine would quite like to sit herself.]

I just want us to talk.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[She takes her seat on the edge of the bed and makes sure Raine has a space to sit, too.]

All right. That sounds like a good way to spend the afternoon. What would you like to talk about?

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[Raine settles herself on the bed with a soft sigh. She's hit the tired and ready to be done stage of her pregnancy. She's anticipating a protest about the topic, but it needs to be done.]

Ellone, if something happens this time...

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[And the smile slides straight off her face. Protesting indeed.]

What do you mean, "this time?"

[Oh please don't say it.]

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[This is Raine. There will be no pussyfooting around the subject, even if it's hard to say.]

If I die... [Alright so it's hard to be direct with this, but it needs to get said.] ...I don't want you giving up your chance for a normal life. You, already lost that once because of me.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[No. No no no, don't say that!]

But I'm not- [Breathe, Elle.] Living here... being with you again is a normal life. It's what I've always wanted. I can't lose that again.

[Sob, she might be fighting a few rogue tears now. She doesn't want to cry in front of Raine, but this is a possibility she's been trying to avoid thinking about for ages.

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

Sweetheart, taking in children is a hard thing. It was my choice and I don't regret it for a moment. But I can't ask you to do the same. I want all my children to have a family, a place to call home. But not at the cost of not having a life of their own.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

How could I not? How could I turn my back on them? I can't... I can't let them go through the same thing I went through. It wouldn't be fair to them. I'd hate myself.

[She looks down for a moment.]

I'm old enough to know how things go. But they aren't. Slai... she's already lost one parent. She needs the third charm.

[That third charm that Ellone never had.]

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[Raine nods slowly. Slai's been through enough. Then again, so has Ellone.]

Are you sure? I was going to ask Aerith, but... well, I suppose that's just not a choice.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[She nods and tries to smile.]

Taking care of children... it's what I do. When I lived on the ship for all those years, I took care of the ones who were younger. It's... [She tries to find the right words.] -natural for me now. I'd want them close to me.

[It would be like keeping Raine and Uncle Laguna close to her again. She couldn't let that go.]

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[Raine gives herself a moment to think about that, then reaches over to place a hand on Ellone's.]

Sweetheart, you're a young woman and you deserve the chance to fall in love and have a family of your own. I don't want to saddle you with obligations and chains binding you to the past.

My choices don't have to be yours.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

But it's a past I wanted so much. [She glances down at Raine's hand and then back up.] It wasn't that long ago when I first really tried to use my power and that was so I could... change things. So Uncle Laguna would go home, so you'd be okay. But I know I can't... I can't change what happened. Even so... This is my life now. I'll live it. If someone comes along for me, then that's what happens. But I'm not looking for it.

[She turns her hand over and gives Raine's a squeeze before reaching over to hug her surrogate mother.] I'm happy right here.

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it's hard to remember you're not a little girl anymore.

[Raine returns that hug with the ferocity of a mother bear defending a cub.]

But don't you worry. I'm not going anywhere without a fight.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[That brings a watery laugh out of Ellone.]

I wish I could still be that little girl for you. [They'd all missed so much of each others' lives.]

You better not. Maybe I'll have to come drag you back. [It's said fiercely, but she's being serious. She's not letting Raine go without a hell of a fight, either.]

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

Or put jam in my shoes?

[The dire threat earns a teary laugh from Raine as well, although as she calms, she has a serious addition.]

Be the beautiful woman you've become instead, Elle.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

Worse. Peanut butter.

[It was something she'd considered when she was little anyway. The smile fades only a little before she nods once.]

Okay. I will.