Seventeenth Light (A hero's welcome)

[curseu_reflexes]

1.

[The Seattle colony of the LS Cluster... a colony not even graced with a stationary orbit unlike those lucky bastards at the Sides.  The outer reaches of humanity's settlements in the Earth Sphere.  And more importantly, it was home.  It had been for eleven years of her life, and it had been almost a whole year since she'd said goodbye to

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[minorbeat]

That's quite the welcome for you Richardson.

(While Seiren's tone is happy and has a playful smirk, her eyes look almost jealous of this.)

[curseu_reflexes]

It's just some close friends and family is all. Schoolmates, a few teachers I was really close to-

Oh she's just being humble. When Reilev first got the mascot job, journalists from neighboring colonies flooded the place! It was one of the big events that helped put this colony on the map! And she was so brave, reviewing her speeches before press conferences and needing help with the big words!

[And at that she blushes a little.

M-Mom! Y-you didn't need to say that last part!

[minorbeat]

(Seiren continues to look out at the people. Her envy is shown in a sad smile and a look of longing.)

I see...It must be nice to have so many people close to you welcome you back. I wonder what it feels like.

[curseu_reflexes]

Well... I'm sure you were all worrying about me though. I-I mean the expo was a disaster and a lot of people died! And then I just... went into the fight again!

[And at that her father's expressions darkens somewhat.]

I'll admit... I wasn't excited to hear that, Julia. Especially when we got word that the original Corona was destroyed. News travels here slow though... had we known when the Chalice was heading to Mars we would've sent for you.

[She felt the color begin to drain from her face when she heard her father speaking.]

Dad, I didn't mean to-

[Aaaaand cue him getting elbowed in the ribs by his wife.]

Of course we were just worried for you all that while. Using a mech meant for advertising in combat like that! But that's all in the past. You've grown quite a bit, both after you left us and after the old Corona's destruction!

[minorbeat]

(Seiren watches the scene quietly. Her eyes hold a whirlpool of emotions as old fond memories start to surface. She throws up her emotionless mask in hopes of hiding how she really feels. She didn't want to cause a scene here. As she speaks, her voice is hollow. Devoid of any noticeable emotion.)

I suppose I should let you catch with everyone Richardson. I'll just be off.

(Seiren starts to leave slowly.)

[curseu_reflexes]

But you don't have to do that, Seiren!

[Julia grabs the girl's arm all the same, pulling her back.]

This is Seiren... she's a PreDesu! She's... sorta like me, except a bit more glitzy and glamoury. There's a bunch of them on the ship now, and one of them's actuall Lira!

Wait, Astor's little girl? Get out... you Predecies recruited an Irgelion? What about you, Seiren? Anything special about you?

[minorbeat]

(Seiren keeps her mask and speaks in an official fashion.)

You mean Myoudouin? Yes, we recruited her a while back as the pilot of Itsuki.

I am the pilot of Ellen and the ace of Project PreDestiny.

[curseu_reflexes]

An ace! Well then Julia, it sounds like you're in plenty of good company on the ship then!

I really am!

[All things considered though, it wouldn't be right to keep Seiren here forever.]

Still... would it be okay if I showed Seiren around the colony? It's been a while since we've had the chance to really stretch our legs.

Sure, sure... just set aside time for your parents at some point. You're with these people all the time; you might not see us for another year!

[minorbeat]

(Seiren turns slight towards Julia looking at her with her mask on still but a slight curious look in her eyes.)

Are you sure that is alright Richardson? It must have been a long time since you last saw your family. Don't feel as if you must cater to me.

[curseu_reflexes]

It's fine, Seiren. I'll probably be crashing at my folks' home until we're ready to leave but I'm not forget about people here!

[minorbeat]

(Seiren remains silent for a beat and looks a little caught off guard by that and fidgets ever so slightly before nodding a little.)

Alright...Lead the way I guess.

[curseu_reflexes]

Right!

[And at that, Julia pulled her along out into the open air of the colony. So far away from the rest of civilization, supplies were a bit tighter than anywhere else so it wasn't as impressive as man, but Julia was still beaming proudly at it all.]

Seiren...

... This... it's my home.

[minorbeat]

(Julia probably had good intentions but that hit a real sour note for Seiren. Her mask goes back up but Julia catches an angry glare before it is fully up. Seiren speaks in a hollow tone but Julia can feel a slight edge to her words.)

You house seems rather nice. How good for you Richardson.

[curseu_reflexes]

I'm... sorry Seiren?

If this is really touching a nerve for you I swear I didn't know and didn't mean any harm!

You can... go, if you'd like...

[There she was, falling into the same self-centered behaviour she'd chewed Hana out for not too long ago.]

[minorbeat]

(There is a few seconds of silence.)

...I lost my home and my family. They are all still out there but I doubt they would want to see me again. And I know they wouldn't recognize me...It is the life I was force to leave behind.

...I won't hold it against you as you didn't know but...please just keep it in mind.

[curseu_reflexes]

Seiren that's...

[She can't control herself. She hugs the girl tightly.]

Seiren that's terrible! I'm so sorry that you... that you have to live with that hanging over you!