second flight. ( video. )

[brands]

[A little after being taken off to Vanille's Magical Dirt Expedition, Fang has decided to laze about in a tree. She's leaned back against the trunk, one hand on her knee, the other hanging at her side, and looks to be the very picture of relaxation.]

Finally got this plant to stop jerking me around. [She makes a lazy motion to the mirror.] So, I'

Comments

[lovelikelight]

Hello, Fang. It's very nice to meet you. My name's Epsilon.

I'm glad that you have your family here, so that none of you have to be alone. [She wouldn't want her children to be here, but if they were, she'd rather be with them, so she could look after them.]

[She's not sure how to answer Fang's question. She does like to be occupied, but when she's not, she doesn't have the human desire to keep herself occupied.] I haven't been here very long, so I don't have any suggestions to offer you.

[brands]

Good to meet you, Epsilon.

[She shrugs.] Don't have all of 'em. I'm missing a few of those knuckleheads, but I figure they'll show up soon enough. [Despite her nonchalant tone, she's worried about them. It's been a while. Too long. She can only hope they're safe.]

[Fang stretches, crosses her arms behind her head.] It's fine. Didn't expect too many answers.

[lovelikelight]

I hope the rest of your family does show up soon. [She can understand how Fang must feel.]

A lot of people here seem to be using the magic dirt to make things. I've been enjoying the sunshine. And exploring a little. And meeting new people.

[brands]

Yeah. As bizarre as this place is, it's better than what we usually have to deal with.

I know all about the dirt. Vanille took a group of us on a field trip. [Her tone is flippant, but there's fondness underneath that.] Can't say I have anything to make, but I may give it a shot if things don't pick up around here. Have you made anything yet?

[lovelikelight]

I'm sorry to hear that. But I'm very glad most of your family is here, and safe. Vanille is one of your family members?

I haven't made anything yet. At first I was thinking I might make my house, but then I realized that without my family in it, it would seem so empty. It's much too big for just me. So now I'm not sure. Maybe something everyone can use?

[brands]

Yeah, so am I. More than I could've asked for, but I hope the others hurry up. That's right. [a dry laugh.] She's my nearest and dearest, you could say.

[With far more respect than she has exhibited thus far, she says:] I hope your family shows up soon too, or you get back to them. It's gotta be hard, being here by yourself.

Something everyone can use...'round where I'm from, everyone chipped in to help in the village. Maybe some sort of meeting spot, you think? A safe place. Seems like this place doesn't have one of those.

[lovelikelight]

I hope so, too. [She smiles at the "nearest and dearest" remark. She's never had someone like that, but she likes the idea.] That's wonderful.

Thank you. It is hard. [Epsilon hesitates at the mention of her family. She's very torn on that issue.] I'm worried about my children. Part of me wants to have them here with me. I think there may be a great danger in my world. Yet I'm not sure, and it's dangerous here as well. I only want them to be safe. [She says the next part a little distantly, as if she's trying to create that distance.] I won't be able to go back.

A meeting place is a good idea. You're right, I haven't seen anything like that here. I'll have to think about it.

[brands]

I'd say it's always better for children to be with their mother, even if it's dangerous here. Besides, I bet there are people who'll keep an eye on them for you too. [In Oerba, everyone pitched in to take care of the kids. The idea of doing otherwise seems odd, to Fang. Foreign. She absorbs what Epsilon says, about not being able to go back, and asks:] Why's that?

I figure even if everyone doesn't get some use out of a place like that, someone will.

[lovelikelight]

I did leave them with people I trust. [She smiles.] I run a home for orphans. I know the women who work with me will look after the children. Everything's taken care of. [She's the only thing that's missing. Of course, the children will miss her. She'd promised she'd be back.]

[Sometimes she thinks that the human ability to lie might make things easier, if only on other people, but she'll never know what that's like.] I believe I was destroyed, before I came here.

You're right. Even if it helps a few people, that will be enough.

ffs pretend i didn't log in with the wrong account ;u;

[brands]

[Fang's expression softens, considerably. She's familiar with orphanages, was in one herself. There were good people there, people that took care of her and Vanille.] That's good work you're doing, Epsilon. Not a lot of people are willing to take in kids and treat them like their own.

[She looks troubled though, almost pained, when Epsilon says she was destroyed. Covers it up by running a hand through her hair and looking away.] That's...that's rough. I'm sorry. [She shakes her head. Too many good people get the short end of the stick. The word "destroyed" has pinged her, but she doesn't press. It's none of her business.]

Yeah. Whatever you make, I'll look forward to seeing it.

that's all right, I think that's happened to everyone at some point!

[lovelikelight]

[Epsilon nods.] In my world, there was a war. So many children were orphaned. When I met them, it changed me. They taught me so much. I knew I had to do whatever I could for them. Now I have to trust that they're all right now, back home.

[Then she, too, sobers.] I made a choice. I don't know if it was the right one, but I can't undo it now, and I wouldn't wish to. I hope it helped.

Thank you, Fang.

[brands]

There was a war in my home too. Lots of kids lost their families. Me, Vanille. [Her tone is sober, but she brightens, after a moment.] But it wasn't all bad. We wouldn't have met each other, otherwise.

[She nods in response. She can respect that, definitely.] I hope so too.

[And she grins again.] You're welcome.