[Voice Transmission]

[seditiousrose.livejournal.com]

[Audio feed opens. Beatrix's voice is close enough to be heard, but not so close that the output is incomprehensible. Between her words are her footsteps and obvious shuffling. It would seem she is adjusting her garb as she travels.

Excuse her if she should say anything strange, for inevitably, the results of her return will land her in a position where she does.]

General Beatrix reporting in.
The return to Gaia has been successful. The threats in Spira appear to have been alleviated for now. They will need to keep close watch to ensure this peace continues.

[There is a brief pause as she adjusts her sword. No, this new style of outfit really doesn't fit her standards at all.]

Now, then.
I'll request a report of what's occurred in my absence.

Comments

[ video / locked ]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[ This is... actually, one of the first times Celes has given someone a video feed since Locke disappeared, but as it's Beatrix... She looks surprised and a little wary. ]

Beatrix...? You were sent to another world, too?

[ video / locked ]

[seditiousrose.livejournal.com]

[Sorry, Celes. You're the first victim to Beatrix's temporary memory loss. Bear with her for a little bit.]

So it would seem.

[There is a pause.]

And you are?

[ video / locked ]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[ Sob. She looks surprised for a moment, and that might be a flash of hurt in her eyes, but she shoves it down and looks away. ]

Celes Chere.

[ May as well get this over with. ]

What's the last thing you remember? Of Gaia, I mean.

[ video / locked ]

[seditiousrose.livejournal.com]

[Beatrix, in all of her professionalism, knows hurt when she sees it, even for as brief as it is. So she attempts not to be quite so... curt.]

Natural service to my queen, to be expected.
Nothing specific prior to my return. I'm under the impression, however, that we are acquainted.

[Or at least were. At the very least, Beatrix is aware of her reputation. It wouldn't be unheard of for someone to know of her for her feats.]

[ video / locked ]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[If it was a normal situation, Celes wouldn't have allowed such a thing to cross her face, but as it is it's too soon after Locke's disappearance... and Beatrix had been someone she knew well.]

Nothing specific? [So it happens even to people native to Gaia. That's... a depressing thought.]

We are... were. It's complicated. A lot's happened. I could attempt a condensed version, but I'm not sure how helpful that would be.

[ video / locked ]

[seditiousrose.livejournal.com]

[She shakes her head. Perhaps she ought to feel some form of remorse. It's hard to feel it when you don't know what you're supposed to feel remorse for. There's simply a blank spot where there ought to be something other than her obligation. What else is she missing?]

Allies, then?

[For that's the most important question to ask. Is Celes a friend or a foe?]

[ video / locked ]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[Celes takes a deep breath and nods, turning to face Beatrix again.]

Allies of a sort. Our pasts are too similar not to have been.

[Which means she is more than aware of Beatrix's past, doesn't care too much about it, and is willing to admit that she's done the exact same thing.]

[ video / locked ]

[seditiousrose.livejournal.com]

[A brow raised, the questions beginning to form, and Beatrix nods very slowly. Their pasts are too similar. Celes must be close, indeed, for Beatrix to have said anything of the sort. The general wonders what she might have said.

In due time, apparently.]

I may have been affected by something in the world I just returned from.

[Why yes, this is her form of reassurance.]

[ video / locked ]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[It's a reassurance Celes takes with a grain of salt. She knows (mostly) how these things work. At least for non-Gaians, memory loss tends to be a more permanent thing. She's not holding out hope that Beatrix will remember. If they have to re-establish their friendship, then so be it.]

You aren't the first to have experienced something like that. It's difficult to say what the effects really are. Regardless... [She trails off for a moment.] It's good to have you back.

[Another pause.] I haven't been to Alexandria in a while. Maybe I'll be able to stop by soon to visit you and Steiner.

[ video / locked ]

[seditiousrose.livejournal.com]

[Not the only one...

Beatrix files this away for future reference. She'll need to consider it in her time apart from others, the same time she'll be taking for herself.]

Thank you, Celes.

['It's good to be back,' doesn't sound like the kind of thing she should be saying just yet. Then she furrows her brow. Alexandria, right. Because she's definitely... not there at the moment.

Beatrix casts a glance around, as if to reorient herself. At least it's familiar.]

I will be returning to Alexandria post-haste.

[ video / locked ]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[Because Beatrix has been a good friend to her in the past, Celes doesn't want to just write everything off or confuse her. Her two years in Gaia have changed her...]

There's a map feature on the phones. That should help tell you where you are and how to get where you need to go. The landscape has changed quite a lot.

If you have... questions about what's going on, I can try to answer them. There are some things better left being said in person, though.

[ video / locked ]

[seditiousrose.livejournal.com]

[It's an astounding kindness that is both foreign and recognisable to Beatrix. Celes will be an invaluable asset, indeed. Beatrix nods slowly, trying to disguise her uncertainty under contemplation.]

I had momentarily forgotten. You're right, of course.

When you come to Alexandria to visit, it would be a good time for you to perhaps spend some of it with my inquiries.

[It's an inconspicuous way of saying she'll gladly take Celes's help.]

[ video / locked ]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

I have a hunt to complete in the Sunleth Waterscape. Maybe after that, I'll take a detour to Alexandria. Normally, I'm stationed in Figaro, but I don't see why Edgar would miss me if I stay away a bit longer.

[After all, it's easier for her to take time off than Beatrix. She pauses for a little, looking like she wants to say something else. Eventually, she works herself up to saying it.]

It's okay... if you don't remember. Most people don't when they return.

[She's not holding out hope for this to be any different.]

[ video / locked ]

[seditiousrose.livejournal.com]

[Except it isn't all right, and the more Celes says, the more Beatrix hears, the worse she feels on the inside. It's not all right. But she can't possibly say that at this point in time. Not yet. She's too held back, and relying on others has never exactly been her forte.]

I just need a little time.

[And that appears to be the excuse she'll be using until further notice.]

[ video / locked ]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[There's a nod. She understands.]

I'll let you know when I'm in Alexandria. It shouldn't be long.

[ video / locked ]

[seditiousrose.livejournal.com]

Keep me informed, Celes. Take good care of yourself.

[She nods in return, as though that will simply say everything that ever needs be said.]

[ video / locked ]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[It's enough for now.]

I will. You as well.

[ video / locked ]

[seditiousrose.livejournal.com]

Confirmed.

[And most affirmative before Beatrix switches off her video and sound feed.]