31st Bloom

[latelybloomed]

[It had been awhile since Hana had been told the news about Mad - that she really was her sister. While it seemed that she took it in stride, there was a bit of her that doubted that Mad WAS her sister. For all she knew, the scientist could have forged it. Mad was friends with Clan Wolf, right? And since she's not too thrilled about the Desus, she

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[sunshine_maiden]

[There's a familiar giggle from behind you, Hana.]

Not that we haven't all changed a little bit. Somehow, I don't think you mind most of it, though. [She sighs.] Not with what's at stake these days.

What are you going to do? About... this whole mess?

[latelybloomed]

[Hana blinks and turns around, smiling widely as she sees Sora behind her.] Oh! Eheh... I guess I miss the old days, but... you're right.

Though, the mess? I need to talk to Mad before it degrades even more. Have her understand that we're not going after her... and that we're all here to help her. Better said than done, but...

[sunshine_maiden]

Memories of better days are all well and good, but... become a better person, make new memories. I think that's the better path.

You're missing something important here. Mad doesn't want our help. She wants the truth. Everything will follow from that. If we get proof that this wasn't our fault, she should almost immediately warm up to us at least a little. That's my theory, at least.

...waaaay too much guesswork in here, though, when all our lives - and hers - are at stake.

[latelybloomed]

It really is. But... one step at a time, right?

[She can't help but chuckle before she brings herself closer to Sora, absentmindedly resting her head on her shoulder.]

Makes it a little harder, though.

[sunshine_maiden]

Right. Just take it easy... everything will come in time. [She runs a hand through Hana's hair.] I know neither of us are very good at "subtle", but I think it's the best way for us to get through this.

Think, though - are you doing this for her, or for you?

[latelybloomed]

[There's a soft hum as Sora's hand runs through her hair, enjoying the affection.]

...I think part of me wants to do it for myself, but... that's now how I should do it, is it?

[sunshine_maiden]

No, I don't think so. This isn't about you, or me. It's about Mad... or rather, it's about Nadeshiko. She's just as afraid of all this as we are, is how I see it. She just... she lost everything she lived for, and now she's got a family she never knew about and thinks was hidden from her.

We've got to be careful. We can't just ride in and fix things. We... all we can do is be there for her, and let her take this at her own pace. We'll help as much as we can, but...

[latelybloomed]

You're right. I guess a part of me still wants to be this wonderful white knight to save everyone, but...

...I can't save everyone. Not the way I want to.

[sunshine_maiden]

[Sora sighs, throwing an arm around Hana, giving her a serious expression.] Welcome to the world of the "hero". Where you can't save everyone, you're going to screw up sometimes, and despite your best efforts, even those you can save invariably hate you for it.

But... even so, we're the kind of people that can't do nothing while people in front of us are suffering. So we do what we can to protect the people we are able to help, and we try not to let the ones we can't get to us too much.

[latelybloomed]

[Hana blinks as Sora throws an arm around her, then looks at her as she tells her her statement. She closes her eyes and nods, looking back at Sora as she does.]

You're right. We're not perfect... I'm not perfect. But... we just do the best we can. [A big smile forms on her face, letting Sora know she understands.]

[sunshine_maiden]

[Without warning, she pulls the girl in for a hug.] Good... I was worried you'd missed the big, unstated "please don't get yourself killed" in there. There's still a place for heroes in this world, but a dead hero can't save anyone.

I heard a saying a while back... "Two in harmony surpass one in perfection." I'd bet three's even better than two. Together, we can do anything we set our minds to.

[latelybloomed]

Eep! [The sudden hug caught her off-guard, but she quickly recovered, returning the hug.]

"Two in harmony surpass one in perfection"... yes, I think so, too. [There's a small giggle leaving her lips.] ...it makes me glad I have you and Eri around. I don't think I would of handle things if you two weren't...

[sunshine_maiden]

I don't think any of us would have coped alone. Eri might have managed for a little while, but I fall apart when I'm alone. You don't seem to take it well, either.

I owe a lot to the Professor for giving me hope and a new start, but I think it was you that gave me direction. Even back when I barely knew you, six months ago, I just couldn't leave things alone. [She blushes a little.] Who would have thought it'd end up like this?

[latelybloomed]

...I guess that's what drew us three together. We're lost souls who found new purpose with being a PreDesu and through our trials, we've found something more than just being teammates...

[She blushes a bit.] ...and I wouldn't want to change that in any way.

[sunshine_maiden]

I didn't think of it like that... it makes a lot of sense. [She laughs.] Maybe that's why so many of the other Desus tend to find matches amongst themselves. We go through so much together, we just click. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I certainly could have had worse partners than the two of you. In either sense of the word.

[She sighs after a moment.] In any event, I've done a very good job of distracting us from the problem at hand.

[latelybloomed]

[Hana can't help but laugh at what Sora had said. She was right - their talk about how close they were had distracted them over the Mad problem.]

I think we needed it, though. Too much stress isn't good for any of us.