[Action]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Sometime in the morning, Rydia departs the suite she shares with Edge and heads down the hallway toward the guest quarters. She nods absently to passing people, her mind clearly not on her surroundings as other matters have taken precedence; namely, her new guests from Dali.

The summoner didn't ask questions during their flight from the town; the mood was tense enough, and all she wanted to do was alleviate that. Perhaps now that they'd had a chance to rest and refresh themselves, it would be a different story. She would gladly keep them as long as they wish to stay, but if there was more that could be done, it was time to find out.

Upon reaching the correct door, she pauses and knocks.]

Comments

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

But I knew... I... [Had she known? It's all such a jumble of talking and betrayal that she's just boxed it all up and tossed it into the attic in hopes of forgetting. She doesn't want to remember.]

I suspected Ultimecia was responsible for the time loop trouble we had... I should have said something. Maybe Rinoa could have been spared...

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

And if you had said something, what could have been done? No one really knew what to do about Ultimecia, as I remember, not even the people who had fought her before.

[She shakes her head.]

Ellone, focus on what might have been and you'll go mad. That's no way to live.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[there's just so much pent up inside the poor girl that she barely even knows where to begin.]

I know... I-I just... I know they want the best for me, Edea and Raine... but I'm tired of just being the person everyone has to hide. I'm tired of being the reason everyone's split up.

[It's been that way for as long as she can remember and she hates it. Back home, she'd been learning to live with what she had, but here... here she has Raine... and Uncle Laguna's gone... Her whole world's turned on its head and now Edea's here, but she thinks she's still a danger to everyone. It's so confusing it's almost too much for Ellone to deal with.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[She takes Ellone's hand, squeezing it.]

None of them blame you, do they? We do whatever we must to protect the people we love. I don't know about you, but I don't regret that and never will.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

It's not just that.

[She sighs, subconsciously taking a better grip on Rydia's hand. Rydia wouldn't know that having her hand squeezed reminds her of how Raine and Uncle Laguna used to comfort her when she was little. It still works, even now.]

Uncle Laguna wouldn't have left Winhill if I hadn't been kidnapped. I've... I understand that it's better to live in the present and that the past can't be changed, only viewed, even with my power...

[But it's tiresome to always be on the run, to be the person everyone wants to capture and use. She can't ever explain all this to Raine, because honestly, how would that make the older woman feel? Terribly, and there would be nothing she could do about it.]

Maybe things would be different with him here. But it's not. It's like everything's happening all over again.

I miss him so much.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia doesn't move to let go, letting Ellone hold onto her hand as long as she wants.]

If Laguna can return, I'm sure he will. It's happened to plenty of people before, right? I know we can't predict when that will happen, but we can't rule out the possibility, either.

And it's not the same as before. Raine is fine, Ultimecia is dead, and if Edea is truly free of her as well, then you don't have to worry about her.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[but they had no idea how long Raine would be there, how long Ultimecia would stay dead... none of it. Hyne help her, the feeling of being a five-year-old throwing a temper tantrum is back.]

I know... I'm sorry. I shouldn't be throwing a fit like this. It's been hard. I just want things to go back to normal.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

I know...and I wish I could promise that. I can promise that I'll everything possible to help. The last thing I want to see is another family torn apart.

[Families should stay together. Having lost hers, Rydia is adamant about protecting others.]

And don't worry about 'throwing a fit'. You needed to let this out, didn't you? If you can't tell anyone else, tell me. I can take it.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[And Ellone understands more than she can say.] It wouldn't be the first time for us. [She says it dryly, but then disentangles her hand to wipe at her eyes a bit.]

We'll manage, I guess. We have before. [She tries for a grateful smile, but it's hard.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia nods, sympathetic.]

There's a place I'd like to show you, later.

[Since she doubts Ellone would want to go very far from the girl, after all.]

It's one of the most beautiful parts of this area, and somehow it escaped Lufene's wrath. I go there when I need peace. Maybe you'll find some, too.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[She glances at Rydia gratefully.]

Okay. I... I could use some peace right about now.