[video]

[focustrigger.livejournal.com]

[the video feed clicks on with the sound of a moogle mid-sentence, a sky covered with pyreflies only being visible at this moment in time.] - you understand all that, kupo?

Yes. Thank you.

[there's a soft crunching sound as the moogle totters off, mumbling something about the recipient of the sky phone being a fast learner. after a couple of seconds of silence, the holder of the phone moves a few paces, the sky being replaced by the ruins of Zanarkand behind her, before holding it up so she is finally being recorded.]

It feels like I've been asleep for a long time.

[it takes Serah a few seconds to build up the strength to ask. this is her one shot.] .... Snow? Lightning? Are you there?

Comments

[focustrigger.livejournal.com]

Okay. I know. I know you will. You and Snow, you'll always be there for me.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ She frowns a little at the mention of Snow's name -- but not for reasons Serah may think at first. ] He's not here. He was-- but then he vanished, and hasn't come back.

1/2

[focustrigger.livejournal.com]

[At that, Serah's face visably falls a little. The fact he was here, and now the fact he's not. Just... she...]

[focustrigger.livejournal.com]

[.... but she steels herself. It's alright. Lightning's here. If it were Snow here and not Lightning, she'd have the same reaction. And... she's waited this long, for her hero. She can wait a bit longer, right?

... still, her voice is a bit shaky.] I-I... see. I guess that's how things work, here...

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ Lightning puts a hand on Serah's shoulder, and shakes her head. ] He'll come back. He's the hero, right? Now that you're here, he'll come.

[focustrigger.livejournal.com]

[She nods, attempting a small smile.] Can't have one without the other, right?

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ She smiles a little brighter. ] Right.

[ A noise in the distance makes glance to the side and frown, drawing Serah closer to her. ] Come on, let's get out of here. It's not safe. I'll take you to Luca.. At the very least, you can get a better explanation of this place at Tifa's.

[focustrigger.livejournal.com]

Alright. I'll have to remember this place, though... it makes me curious. [Serah nods once again. Part of her wants to stay, to look around, since this kind of place is what just piques her curiousity, but... now's really not the time.] Tifa?

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

She's a friend. [ Lightning puts her hand over her heart and pulls out her summoning crystal. A bright flash of pink light, and Odin stands, in his horse form. Lightning reaches down for Serah, pulling her onto his back. ] Hold on tight!

[focustrigger.livejournal.com]

[She blinks at the summon, and- was that- no, it can't be, can it? Not a Brand? ... But she doesn't have time to ask, as the next thing she knows she is actually holding on for dear life in fear of being thrown off, holding Lightning tight around the middle.] O-Okay!

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ And off they go! Light keeps Odin from going too fast; he has a tendency to jostle people not used to him. ] Serah, this is Odin. I should probably let you know.. I'm a l'Cie, too. [ She's not looking at Serah as she speaks, keeping her eyes straight ahead. ]

[focustrigger.livejournal.com]

[She knows that, from her crystal. Somewhat distantly, but she knew, and, she may have said that. But- that wasn't what she expected to hear, for many reasons. For a moment, her mouth goes dry. And she looks at her arm, where the Brand... well, where it used to be. She came back because... Lightning, Snow, and everyone, they saved Cocoon, they saved the world, and-

Then, her gaze becomes fixated on Lightning's back, her voice half a whisper. Her chest pulls as she says it.] I'm... I'm not a l'Cie anymore. My Brand... my Brand is gone.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ Lightning relaxes as she breaths an audible sigh of relief. ] I'm glad, Serah. I'm so glad.. Our brands.. [ Lightning grits her teeth a little, finally looking over her shoulder at her sister. ] They're still evolving here. Before Fang vanished, she noticed it.. I still have a Focus to complete, and I don't know what it is.

[focustrigger.livejournal.com]

But you're...! It's... it's not fair that I'm fine, and you aren't.

[and at the part they're still advancing? she feels even worse.] Back on Cocoon, and on Pulse... I know you finished your Focus. That's the reason I'm here now, as... just me. [But even though she's confused, there's one thing that doesn't change.] I'll.. do everything I can to help you figure out what it is here.