[Video/Action in Figaro]

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[After Penelo's had a moment to recover from the shock of her letter, she grabs her phone, looking less than happy. Sure she can nag and scold like the best of the white mages, but by and large, it's pretty hard to anger her. This time, she's livid.]

Whoever 'Bear' is, this is not funny! [She holds up the offending letter which is now crumpled into a ball.] I hope a dozen Entites chase you from one side of Gaia to the next!


[Too bad for anyone in Figaro looking for a meal today. Penelo's locked the cafe up tight with a sign saying 'Closed' slapped on the front. Obviously she's around though if the intermittent sounds of her throwing cookware and sobbing her heart out are any hint.]

Comments

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

[Sabin shakes his head angrily. He has a very good idea about who would do this but he merely sighs before closing the door behind him. He can't tell her about Relm's antics as he spots the crumpled letter on the floor. Picking it up, he reads the drivel contained within as his face darkens into a deep glare before he crushes the letter in his fist.]</small. I don't know who wrote this Penelo, but we're going to find out and then I'm bringing them here myself to apologize to you.

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

I never want to see that horrible paper again. It's...

[She covers her face with her hands, trying to will away the tears. She's missed Edward so much and having her heartache thrown in her face like this is making it worse.]

It's not even serious!

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

We'll burn it, then.

[He tucks the letter into his pocket, intent on disposing of it after he leaves.]

Sit down, Pen. I'll make some tea.

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[Penelo sits down, staring blankly ahead.]

He wouldn't want me to be like this. It's just so hard to keep moving forward...

And that... thing! [Soft sigh.] If it were sincere, it'd be one thing, but it's a complete joke.

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

[He's only ever heard Penelo talk like this one other time and he'd manage to pull her out of that so hell be damned if he didn't try again. He busies himself making tea and starts poking through the selection in the kitchen.]

I'm sure that they meant no harm but what's happened while I was gone? Talk to me Penelo.

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Too much. Too many people have gone away. Edward vanished twice and he still hasn't come back.

We promised each other that we would never cling to the past but... I want to keep hoping. And I'm scared to.

[There's another sigh and she props her chin up in her hands.]

I'm scared of losing everyone again. It happens so much and each time it gets harder. I know if I just keep going things have to get better, but I can't even see how to do that now.

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

Edward...?

[Sabin's head lowers at the mention of Damcyan. He's a good man and would've made Penelo happier than a Mother Chocobo before the prince is cast a sideways glance at Penelo.]

And it's going to keep on getting harder but you can't cling to the past either. He could come back, yes, but you can't let that hold you back either. Think about this way, you're never going to lose them if you hold them in your heart.

It's always going to be hard, kiddo. Believe me; I know.

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

I'm so tired of being strong.

Tired of being the one left behind.

[It's a painful admission for her and rare for her to be so forthright in what's really on her heart. Just saying it causes her bottom lip to tremble and for small tears to well up again.]

When is it going to be over?

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

[Sabin's long strides take him to Penelo quickly as he grabs the girls' hand and bring her into the kitchen with him before wrapping one of his arms around her.]

When we beat Garland, it'll be over. For now, we've gotta keep going.

And to keep going, we need to find the teacups first.

[Action] Clingy hug icon~

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[Teacups can wait. The arm around her shoulders is all it takes for Penelo to fully break and she turns into Sabin's chest for a full hug, shaking with tearless sobs. She's cried herself dry by now.]

[Action] Awkward back patting time. XD

[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

[This. This is new to Sabin and it just about borders on foreign territory as well. Hell, he'd never been compelled to pull a girl to him in a sign of comfort as he decides to turn off the stove.

Tea can wait as he starts to awkwardly pat her back.]

[Action] Poor guy. XD

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

I... I'm sorry, Sabin.

[Hiccup.]

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

It's fine, Penelo. Go get some water for those hiccups though.

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Okay.

[Giving her some direction is possibly the best thing Sabin can do. It keeps Penelo moving and distracted. She pulls out the teacups, then gets a glass of water as well, wiping her eyes on a dishtowel.]

I should get that pie before it burns.

[No need letting good food go to waste, even if she closed the cafe. Out comes a stripped apple pie, steaming and bubbling with fruit juices.]

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

[Sabin puts the water back on to make tea and stares at the bubbling pie for a few moments before searching for the teapot.]

Anything else you'd like Penelo? It's on me.

[Rather... it's on Edgar but don't worry about that, Penny.]

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

No. I'm okay.

[And all too used to doing things for herself. Relying on others isn't how she works. In fact, for her, it's the opposite. She's the reliable one.

However, she sees Sabin eying the pie and can't help but slip back into Mother Hen mode.]

You can have some once it's cooled.

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

You sure?

[He doesn't like that she's just pushing all of this aside but if that's how she wants to "deal" with it.

He will nod at the idea of pie though.]

I'll look forward to it.

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

I'm sure. I'm tougher than I look.

[Maybe if she keeps repeating it, she'll start believing it again.]

What's a stupid letter anyway? I lived through losing my parents and Dalmasca being occupied.

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

[Her too, huh? Well... that's definitely one of life's little defining moments as far as Sabin's concerned before he nods.]

Call me anytime you wanna talk then, alright?

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[She freezes and then looks sheepish.]

I'm sorry, Sabin. I didn't meant to put you off. I guess I'm just used to doing everything for myself. Force of habit from living in Lowtown.

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

[Penelo is about to get a good, hearty hair ruffle.]

Don't worry about it Penelo. You don't always have to be strong for the sake of others.

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't mind the hair ruffle, although it's not happened to her in years. There's a faint smile from her at that and she sits down on the edge of a table, feet dangling in the air.]

I had to learn how. The war took so much from so many of us. So many kids lost their families and then they forced us down into the warehouses. First rule of the streets is that you have to learn how to take care of yourself, but there were just so many orphans. Somebody had to be the responsible one.

[She shrugs a little at that. It's pretty obvious the task fell to her by default.]

I've spent so long chasing after Vaan and keeping him out of trouble, and then just fending for myself here, sometimes I forget how important it is to depend on friends.

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

[Sabin rests his hand on top of her head for a few moments before moving it to her shoulder.]

It's never too late to start remembering that.

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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[Penelo flashes him a grateful smile, and puts one hand over Sabin's.]

Right. Thanks for reminding me.

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[hi-no-dansu.livejournal.com]

Anytime, kiddo.