☼ six; video.

[recalls]

[Vanille's sitting on a low branch of a tree, bouncing her heels against the trunk. It is immediately apparent that she does so halfheartedly, without her usual overenthusiasm and energy. She lets her head fall back, lets it bump against the bark with a dull thud, and peers up at the sun through a canopy of brilliant autumn leaves. The Queen has

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[fatedmagia]

... Momma and Pappa. My little brother, too....

[recalls]

[Her own blood family is long gone, but Vanille still remembers the pain of being separated from them. She'd cried for so long, she thought she might waste away.

Madoka must be terribly sad without them. Maybe talking about them, about happy memories, will help.]

You have a little brother? What's he like?

[fatedmagia]

... [ She smiles fondly at the memory. ] Tatsuya-kun is still really small, but... He looks just like Papa already. And he's always really energetic. He gets in trouble a lot, but... Eheh. He's still learning. I know that no matter what, Mama and Papa will be proud of how he grows up.

[recalls]

[Vanille smiles, too, effectively distracted from her sadness by the thought of a little boy causing mischief.] I knew boys like that back home, too. It's good for them to have older sisters to keep them out of trouble, huh?

[fatedmagia]

Mama can be pretty strict when he breaks the rules, too.

What about you? What was your family like?

[recalls]

[Her smile falls, and she looks down, twining her fingers together. It is a nervous gesture, something to do with her hands when she's upset. Eventually, though, she speaks.]

I don't remember my parents, but I think they were very nice. But I have a family in my world, and I love them. Lightning's very brave, and determined. She can be kind of mean, but... underneath, you can tell she really cares about everyone. Snow is a hero. I thought he was all talk at first, but now... I really believe he'll save Cocoon, and Serah. They're going to get married. Sazh is funny, and really nice, and forgiving. He... he's a really good dad.

[She doesn't mention Hope, that loss is too fresh.] Ah, and, I can't forget, the chocobo chick! He really keeps us going.

[fatedmagia]

[ A pause, and she giggles quietly ] Your family sounds really lively. ... I hope you can see them again soon. It's... reassuring to have them with you, isn't it?

[recalls]

[Her smile in response is subdued; it's clear she's remembering her time with them, and missing them.] Yeah, they are. We've been through so much together.

I was happy when Serah and Lightning and Hope were here... It would be nice if we could all stay here together, but we still have important things to do. [She looks up, determined.] And I'm not going to run away from that.

[fatedmagia]

... You're... really brave, Vanille-chan. [ She doesn't know about the situation--but she can tell from the way she talks that what's happening isn't easy to deal with ]

[recalls]

[She shakes her head.] Whenever anything bad, or scary happened, I would run away, or cry, or pretend nothing was wrong.

[She pauses, takes a deep breath.] When I ran away, I got a lot of people hurt. I'm not brave, but my friends are. I'm just trying to follow them so I can make things right.

[fatedmagia]

... I did that, too. A while back... Whenever something sad happened, I never knew what to do. All I could do was apologize and say I was sorry--

But--I think you're really brave if you try to change that. It's... hard to face scary things at first, isn't it...

[recalls]

[Vanille nods.] But they forgave you, right? My friends did, too.

Someone told me once that if something's too much, to face it later. I didn't understand what she meant, but I think I do now. She was telling me to find a different point of view, not to run away. She said things don't seem so bad, when you look at them from a distance.

My friends were my new point of view, and I think together, we really can change the world. I was afraid before, but now... I found the path I have to follow, and even if it gets scary, I have them to help me. I'm not alone.

You're not alone, either.

[fatedmagia]

Vanille-chan...

[ She didn't think she could relate to her so much, but Madoka seems to find all sorts of surprises from being here. An understanding expression. ]

A... And-- you're not alone here, either. No matter where you are, you still have friends. ... We're friends too, aren't we?

[recalls]

[daklfjd cutest friends... Vanille brightens up, some of her perky cheer returning.] Of course we are! Don't ever forget it!

[fatedmagia]

[ Madoka's own expression brightens upon seeing Vanille being much more cheery ] Eheh... I won't. .... Even when I leave, I definitely won't forget any one I've met here!

[recalls]

Mmm... when I left, I thought everything here was a dream.