Mission Report #25

[leon_dormant]

[As far as the eye can see, there is nothing but ocean, and sky, and a long straight railway bridge running from one horizon to the other with no end in sight. To the west, the bridge vanishes into the setting sun; to the east, it disappears into gathering darkness. the moon that hangs in the sky overhead is enormous, occupying so much of the sky

Comments

[reparateur]

[And Rinoa's here, too. Another Rinoa, that is- one that is decidedly more conscious than the Rinoa on Squall's back. She's a little ways ahead of Squall, currently, and she looks a little thoughtful.]

So that's how...? By yourself?

[leon_dormant]

[It's unexpected enough that he checks himself for a moment - but just for a moment. Then he keeps walking, fixed steadily on his goal.]

Not the whole way. [His voice is flat, a little tired.] The others met me at the end of the bridge.

[reparateur]

[Rinoa falls into a pace alongside him. And although it's weird there's technically another her on his back, she'll keep with it.]

Luckily for you. I'm kinda heavy. You probably needed the moral support.

[leon_dormant]

[Squall has either accepted the presence of two Rinoas, or isn't quite fully aware of it. He plods steadily along, and answers her comment with his eyes still focused straight ahead of him down the length of the bridge.]

...not that heavy.

[reparateur]

[Rinoa frowns, clasping her necklace. It's hard seeing him like this- when she wasn't there to be able to do anything about it.]

It's all okay in the end, you know. I hope you believe that, too.

[leon_dormant]

...I'm trying to.

[His answer comes quietly, after a long silence.]

I want to believe there's a way.

[reparateur]

[Rinoa doesn't take quite as long to respond, but there's still a pause there.]

Well- you know what they say. "Where there's a will there's a way." [She glances at him.] Seems like you've got the will part covered!

[leon_dormant]

[He nods once, shortly a grimly determined little tuck of his head.]

I'm not going to give up.

[reparateur]

[Rinoa smiles a little.] Thankyou, Squall. You know this means a lot to me, right? That you didn't give up?

[leon_dormant]

[His steps don't falter, but his face turns a little red, and he ducks his head slightly as though in embarrassment.]

I just don't want to lose you.

[reparateur]

Don't worry- you don't. You won't. I'm here for the long haul.

[leon_dormant]

Nothing's guaranteed. You said that yourself.