Mooglenet Archives

[Ellone waits until Tifa's settled before she takes a seat, too, more out of politeness than anything else.]

We haven't talked out the details yet, but... we need Marlene because she's got the same kind of abilities that Rinoa has.

[She pauses for a second, pushing hair behind her ear as she tries to think about how to explain this.]

Do you remember... when there was that big issue with time a while back, where all the Sky People noticed days repeating, but the people native to Gaia didn't? And I had to straighten things up? Rinoa helped me then because it was a matter of... just dealing with Gaia. What we're trying to do now affects more than just Gaia, so we'll need that extra bit of help to make this work.

[If Tifa doesn't believe anything else, she can believe this:] I'd never ask if it wasn't important.

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[The littlest sorceress huffed, plopping herself down onto a chair. She just wanted Tifa to say yes already!]

Please, Tifa? Rinoa and Ellone and Onion Knight will take care of me!

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I remember. [She bites her lip. It's true. She doesn't believe Ellone would ask if it wasn't important.] Can you promise me that Marlene will be safe?

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[Ellone nods seriously.] I'll make sure of it. And like I said, her knight can come, too. It's this sort of thing that a knight's supposed to help with.

[She takes a deep breath.] And after all this is over, I'll come back just to visit. Maybe next time, Raine and Uncle Laguna can come with the kids. I know Marlene would adore Slai.

[Both girls would be horrible influences for each other, but Ellone knows they'd have fun.]

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[Marlene's not going to interject anymore, because this is ultimately Tifa's decision. But she does perk up at the mention of a visit. With Raine, and Laguna! Plus, she'd love to meet Slai.]

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Maybe. [She's not sounding too enthusiastic at this point. That seems like a faraway prospect.]

Where will you be going? And how long for?

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[Ellone can't blame Tifa. She's not too happy herself.]

We'll be staying with Matoya for a few weeks, at most a month. I know it's not... the best of places, but she's out of the way and it'll be safe. If things start to turn south, I'll get Marlene back here as quickly as I can. I promise you she'll be safe.

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[She's silent for a few seconds, thinking.]

A month... I suppose, if it'll help people return home...

Are you sure you want to go, Marlene?

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I really want to go, Tifa. I want to be able to help out!

[Which means she wants to be able to help out like the adults.]

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[Finally, she nods.]

Okay. This is important, I understand that. Be good for Ellone and the others and come back in one piece, okay?

[She crouches down to draw Marlene into a hug. The prospect of not seeing her for a whole month is hard.]

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[Ellone nods, waiting for Marlene's response.]

Thanks, Tifa.

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I promise I'll be good. [She nods her head quickly, then runs to Tifa to hug her tightly. She doesn't want to leave for a whole month, but this is going to help out everyone.]

I'll call you and give you updates, okay?

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[Tifa hugs her back, then stands up to let Marlene go over to Ellone if she wants. Since they'll be leaving...]

Every day. Do you want to say goodbye to Denzel and Shelke before you go too?

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[Marlene nodded her head again.]

Will you help me pack some things? I don't want to be lonely up there.

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Sure.

[To Ellone:] We won't be long.

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