Log: Sora and Catherine have a talk
It had been a long day. Tennis practice had served to relieve a lot of Sora’s stress, and shopping for groceries with Piyomon had been fun. She was really looking forward to the Hanami party the next day, and spending time with her friends for nothing more than admiring the beauty of nature. But she had made an early trip to a park, it seemed… and the phone call from the troubled French Chosen was the reason why.
Standing near the railing overlooking the water at the edge of the park, Sora stared at the ripples, lost in thought. The sun was low in the sky and beginning to set, reflecting off the sides of buildings and deepening the shades of all the plants. The water caught the light and soon it would be tinted with the colors of sunset. She was vaguely aware of it all, but foremost on her mind was how to handle such a delicate situation. Just what was she going to say when Catherine-san finally got there…?
And then there was Gennai-san. Sora had never seen him angry like that before. It was humbling in a way, like a parent scolding you. Even if it had been generally directed, his words kept running through her head and she felt guilt that she knew she shouldn’t even be responsible for. She felt like if there was anything she could do for her friends, she needed to do it.
Sora checked her watch and looked around the park to see if she could recognize Catherine. She had blonde hair, right…?
Catherine was glad for the fresh air. Things had been slightly tense between herself and Takeru, and with Jean-Luc on the way, her mind was extremely muddled with thought. She wasn't sure why she had called Sora, but it seemed like the right thing to do... Although she was slightly worried the older girl might hate her now... She paused and began her search, finally starting to call out Sora's name.
When she thought she heard someone calling her name, Sora turned around, finally spotting the girl. She gave a tentative smile and a wave.
“Catherine-san? Is that you?”
Catherine was relieved to see the smile on the older girl's face, at least she didn't look angry! She jogged over to her and put a smile on her face.
"Takenouchi-san! I-I am sorry to call you out like this... I hope that this is not too big of an inconvenience to you..."
Sora shook her head. “No, it’s not! Piyomon and I just finished getting groceries, and I really don’t have anything else to do tonight…” Well, she had to prepare the food for the next day, but Catherine didn’t need to be told that. No need to worry her.
“I’m sorry Piyomon couldn’t make it. Is Floramon recuperating alright?” Sora pointed to a bench nearby that wasn’t occupied. “Would you like to sit down?
Relief was evident in her face. She was so glad to have someone to talk with! Although, at the mention of Floramon, she frowned slightly.
"Oh, do not worry! We will have to get them together sometime... And Floramon... Well. She is getting better, but very slowly. I am still not exactly sure what happened to her while she was there... She is always so worried about worrying me..." she paused and then nodded with a bright smile. "Ah, yes! That would be good. It is so nice to be out and about again! It's so beautiful in Japan at this time of year!"
Once it was agreed to, Sora walked over to the bench and sat down with a nod. “Yes, I’m sure there will be time…” She wondered if Catherine was going to the Hanami, but she decided to save the question for later. She paused at her enthusiasm. It really made her sad that she needed to bring it up, but she wouldn’t accomplish anything by staying quiet.
“Catherine-san… can I ask you just what you do know that happened? There’s a lot I don’t know. I’m sorry if it’s painful for you, and you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. But if you do, then I’m willing to listen.”
Catherine sat down with the gracefulness of a queen and she turned to smile over at Sora. She was really grateful for her time outside of the house!
"Oh... Well..." her smile faltered and she looked to her hands with a small frown on her face. "Hmm... I do not really know where to start... Basically, Francois kidnapped Floramon and was keeping her prisoner... He was worried I wouldn't agree to marry him, and since Floramon was always with me everywhere I went, he thought she would make for good blackmail.... Floramon says she was out... Searching for me... And that is when he attacked her..." she shuddered visibly and glanced out at the sea, willing herself to calm down... Why was this so hard to talk about out loud?
“That’s awful…” Sora sighed quietly to herself. It didn’t really tell her much that she didn’t know already, and it was clearly difficult for Catherine to speak of. “This Francois…,” she began, following her gaze out to the sea. “You said you met him through your father?”
All she had heard was that it was this man, and her father that had been involved. But she was having a hard time seeing how any parent would sell their child, custom or no. It was just… too sad. And she hoped that Catherine had somehow misunderstood, as she had once, so that going back to France wouldn’t be so hard.
"It really is a sad story..." she whispered with a sigh, clenching her hands in and out of fists. "My father said he was going to be my tutor... But I heard him tell Francois something about a huge dowry, in exchange for me becoming his bride... My father was hoping for an alliance with Francois' father, from what I understand... I wish I knew all of the story, but I am afraid I do not know how involved the two actually were... I just know that my father was fine with Francois kidnapping Floramon and that it was him offering the money.... My mother says my father needs some help... I really hope that she can convince him to get some..."
“I remember that,” Sora replied, thinking back to the post she had replied to. She somewhat wished the tiny voice in the back of her head had been a bit louder in prompting her to speak up back then. “Is dowry the normal custom where you live? Or…”
Catherine-san seemed to answer the question for her, and Sora rephrased her reply halfway through, leaning forward to rest her arms on her knees. “I see. It must be tough, being in your position. Your father… It’s hard to understand what motivates parents. Especially in a political situation. But I’m sure your mother will be able to get through to him. She cares for him, doesn’t she?”
A smile slowly formed on Catherine's face at this question. Love really could save the day, couldn't it? If so...
"Yes, she really does... She thinks that he is just a little strung out and worried about the future... Well, more than a little... She thinks that he sort of snapped. After all, I am the only child in the family and I have no interest in politics..." she let out a soft sigh. "Maybe he and I will be able to fix things up some day..." she stared into the evening sky with a smile. "I really do not like being the way I have become... So untrusting and scared all the time... I even got mad at your friend, Ms. Tachikawa today... I just... I feel so trapped and I am lashing out, I think..."
Sora smiled slightly as well. It sounded quite familiar, even if very different in it’s own right. There wasn’t much help that making comparisons could help here, however.
“I can understand not wanting to be forced into a career choice, and I can definitely understand not wanting to marry someone you don’t choose. Those choices are for you to make because it’s your life. But… Catherine-san, because of who you are, you are in an important position. It’s important that, even if you don’t follow the path that your parents set out for you, that you still be careful in the choices you make.” She turned to face the girl then, watching her carefully to see if she understood what she meant.
“And as for Mimi-chan… well, I think you should apologize to her, but if you still want to be friends, I don’t think she’ll hold it against you.”
Catherine nodded somberly, the information setting in and making sense in its own way. Sora was such a good voice of reason!
"I understand what you are saying, Takenouchi-san.... I really do... I know that I should not have left so abruptly... I really should have thought things through first..." she chewed her lower lip and turned to face Sora with a sad smile. "As for Tachikawa-san... Well... I really do want to make amends with her... But... She really did hurt me... I did not think that she would go and say things about me behind my back, you know...?" her eyes teared up and she looked to her hands finally. "I understand that she was upset, but... I wish she hadn't have said things to everyone without consulting me first..."
Thank goodness that Catherine seemed to see where Sora was coming from. Somehow, going into this discussion, it seemed like it would be much more difficult than it had been so far. Bit by bit Sora’s worry disappeared, but there was still the matter of… “Mimi-chan is… well, she’s Mimi-chan. She’s blunt, at times, but she means well. I think that she was afraid that if she came to you, you might not listen. She also gets angry easily, and she has been pretty stressed lately.”
Sora shook her head. “I can’t make excuses for her though. You should speak to her about those things, and find out why she did them, from her and not me.” Tentatively, she reached for one of Catherine’s hands, to give it a squeeze of reassurance before asking something, “Did you see Gennai-san’s post on Live Journal?”
"Yes, I did notice that... " she murmured, remembering that Mimi was having troubles with Yamato. "Perhaps... Perhaps I should make amends with her... Maybe I can see her before I leave tomorrow..." she mused with a small smile. "I really would like to apologize the her properly..." At the mention of Gennai, she paused and slowly nodded in affirmation. "Yes... He is closing off my Digiport, I saw... I guess... After I go... It's goodbye, until I get my Visa..."
Letting go of Catherine’s hand, Sora tilted her head to the side in thought. “Tomorrow… tomorrow is Hanami, you know. So if you can make it, you really should.” She smiled. “And don’t be sad. We can all still stay in contact by the internet, even if we are apart. You shouldn’t forget, don’t you have a best friend in France waiting for you too?”
The sun was pretty low in the sky at this point, disappearing behind the buildings and the street lamps turning on to replace light where it didn’t reach. The sky was turning orange, with a soft fade to purple, and Sora’s gaze found its’ way back to the water again while she spoke. It was just pretty, she thought.
“Gennai-san isn’t doing what he does because he’s mad at you. He has a great responsibility, maybe more than any of us here do. I still don’t know exactly what it is he does, but he’s right when he says we shouldn’t abuse the Digital World as an easy means to solve our own problems. When I first was brought there, we had to travel for days just to get anywhere. That’s the way it is for them there, and it would be unfair to them if it were any easier for us, don’t you think?”
Hanami? She had completely forgotten! "Oh, mon dieu! How did I forget that?! I will have to see if I can find her there tomorrow... I would really like to see her before I go..." she paused and a grin lit up her face at Sora's comment. "Well, Jean-Luc will be happy to see me, he is coming to get me tomorrow night, but..." her smile faltered. "I am going to really miss Takeru... I am worried that he will forget me while I am gone..." she shook that thought and nodded once more. "I understand what you mean... I have little knowledge of Gennai-san, but he seems to be a very hard working person... Perhaps I can pop in and apologize to him at some point, as well... You are right, though... We really should have taken an airplane... If only we had thought of that before..."
Sora gave a sympathetic look but she soon smiled. “I don’t know what to tell you about Takeru-kun. But I don’t think he will forget you. Especially as long as you two keep in touch!”
She glanced around again, then down to her watch with a sigh. “Catherine-san, everything will eventually work out, ok? Just remember, if you have trouble, you can ask any of us for help. It… I know it will be hard for you to trust again, but all of us Chosen are a team. We all care about each other.”
Finally, she stood, turning to face her before they parted. “Now… it’s getting late, and I really don’t want to cut our conversation short, but both of us should get home. If we don’t, both of us are going to have worried digimon to answer to, ne?”
Catherine felt much better after this conversation. She stood up and smiled brightly at the older chosen, happy that she had decided to ask to speak with her. She would have to bring a cake for her at some point, as well.
"You are absolutly right! I really do not like to leave Floramon alone, although I am sure that Takeru is watching her... I feel guilty if I leave her behind, since she worries so much! I am very grateful for you help, Takenouchi-san." she gave a polite bow and then smiled happily. "Hopefully I will see you tomorrow!"
Sora returned the bow, finally able to grin and not worry. She was still concerned for Catherine, of course, but it seemed like she’d been able to get through to her. Thank goodness! “And I wish that I didn’t have to spend so late at school and miss Piyomon! I know what you mean! I’m afraid that they wouldn’t be too happy if I snuck a bird into the kitchen.” She laughed.
“It’s been good to finally meet you. I wish that we had a happier reason to finally do so, but I’m no less thankful for the opportunity. And hey-you don’t have to call me Takenouchi. Sora is just fine. I had better see you tomorrow! We need to make some fun memories in Japan before you leave!”
Catherine smiled wistfully and gave a nod of her head, feeling so much better now that she knew that she still had at least a few friends she could talk to.
"I promise I will do my best to be there, Sora-san! I look forward to meeting you again tomorrow! Hopefully with Piyomon!" she gave a little twirl and waved vigorously as she started on her way. "Bye bye!"
"Goodbye! Sleep well!" Sora called as she turned off to head back to her apartment as well.
Standing near the railing overlooking the water at the edge of the park, Sora stared at the ripples, lost in thought. The sun was low in the sky and beginning to set, reflecting off the sides of buildings and deepening the shades of all the plants. The water caught the light and soon it would be tinted with the colors of sunset. She was vaguely aware of it all, but foremost on her mind was how to handle such a delicate situation. Just what was she going to say when Catherine-san finally got there…?
And then there was Gennai-san. Sora had never seen him angry like that before. It was humbling in a way, like a parent scolding you. Even if it had been generally directed, his words kept running through her head and she felt guilt that she knew she shouldn’t even be responsible for. She felt like if there was anything she could do for her friends, she needed to do it.
Sora checked her watch and looked around the park to see if she could recognize Catherine. She had blonde hair, right…?
Catherine was glad for the fresh air. Things had been slightly tense between herself and Takeru, and with Jean-Luc on the way, her mind was extremely muddled with thought. She wasn't sure why she had called Sora, but it seemed like the right thing to do... Although she was slightly worried the older girl might hate her now... She paused and began her search, finally starting to call out Sora's name.
When she thought she heard someone calling her name, Sora turned around, finally spotting the girl. She gave a tentative smile and a wave.
“Catherine-san? Is that you?”
Catherine was relieved to see the smile on the older girl's face, at least she didn't look angry! She jogged over to her and put a smile on her face.
"Takenouchi-san! I-I am sorry to call you out like this... I hope that this is not too big of an inconvenience to you..."
Sora shook her head. “No, it’s not! Piyomon and I just finished getting groceries, and I really don’t have anything else to do tonight…” Well, she had to prepare the food for the next day, but Catherine didn’t need to be told that. No need to worry her.
“I’m sorry Piyomon couldn’t make it. Is Floramon recuperating alright?” Sora pointed to a bench nearby that wasn’t occupied. “Would you like to sit down?
Relief was evident in her face. She was so glad to have someone to talk with! Although, at the mention of Floramon, she frowned slightly.
"Oh, do not worry! We will have to get them together sometime... And Floramon... Well. She is getting better, but very slowly. I am still not exactly sure what happened to her while she was there... She is always so worried about worrying me..." she paused and then nodded with a bright smile. "Ah, yes! That would be good. It is so nice to be out and about again! It's so beautiful in Japan at this time of year!"
Once it was agreed to, Sora walked over to the bench and sat down with a nod. “Yes, I’m sure there will be time…” She wondered if Catherine was going to the Hanami, but she decided to save the question for later. She paused at her enthusiasm. It really made her sad that she needed to bring it up, but she wouldn’t accomplish anything by staying quiet.
“Catherine-san… can I ask you just what you do know that happened? There’s a lot I don’t know. I’m sorry if it’s painful for you, and you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. But if you do, then I’m willing to listen.”
Catherine sat down with the gracefulness of a queen and she turned to smile over at Sora. She was really grateful for her time outside of the house!
"Oh... Well..." her smile faltered and she looked to her hands with a small frown on her face. "Hmm... I do not really know where to start... Basically, Francois kidnapped Floramon and was keeping her prisoner... He was worried I wouldn't agree to marry him, and since Floramon was always with me everywhere I went, he thought she would make for good blackmail.... Floramon says she was out... Searching for me... And that is when he attacked her..." she shuddered visibly and glanced out at the sea, willing herself to calm down... Why was this so hard to talk about out loud?
“That’s awful…” Sora sighed quietly to herself. It didn’t really tell her much that she didn’t know already, and it was clearly difficult for Catherine to speak of. “This Francois…,” she began, following her gaze out to the sea. “You said you met him through your father?”
All she had heard was that it was this man, and her father that had been involved. But she was having a hard time seeing how any parent would sell their child, custom or no. It was just… too sad. And she hoped that Catherine had somehow misunderstood, as she had once, so that going back to France wouldn’t be so hard.
"It really is a sad story..." she whispered with a sigh, clenching her hands in and out of fists. "My father said he was going to be my tutor... But I heard him tell Francois something about a huge dowry, in exchange for me becoming his bride... My father was hoping for an alliance with Francois' father, from what I understand... I wish I knew all of the story, but I am afraid I do not know how involved the two actually were... I just know that my father was fine with Francois kidnapping Floramon and that it was him offering the money.... My mother says my father needs some help... I really hope that she can convince him to get some..."
“I remember that,” Sora replied, thinking back to the post she had replied to. She somewhat wished the tiny voice in the back of her head had been a bit louder in prompting her to speak up back then. “Is dowry the normal custom where you live? Or…”
Catherine-san seemed to answer the question for her, and Sora rephrased her reply halfway through, leaning forward to rest her arms on her knees. “I see. It must be tough, being in your position. Your father… It’s hard to understand what motivates parents. Especially in a political situation. But I’m sure your mother will be able to get through to him. She cares for him, doesn’t she?”
A smile slowly formed on Catherine's face at this question. Love really could save the day, couldn't it? If so...
"Yes, she really does... She thinks that he is just a little strung out and worried about the future... Well, more than a little... She thinks that he sort of snapped. After all, I am the only child in the family and I have no interest in politics..." she let out a soft sigh. "Maybe he and I will be able to fix things up some day..." she stared into the evening sky with a smile. "I really do not like being the way I have become... So untrusting and scared all the time... I even got mad at your friend, Ms. Tachikawa today... I just... I feel so trapped and I am lashing out, I think..."
Sora smiled slightly as well. It sounded quite familiar, even if very different in it’s own right. There wasn’t much help that making comparisons could help here, however.
“I can understand not wanting to be forced into a career choice, and I can definitely understand not wanting to marry someone you don’t choose. Those choices are for you to make because it’s your life. But… Catherine-san, because of who you are, you are in an important position. It’s important that, even if you don’t follow the path that your parents set out for you, that you still be careful in the choices you make.” She turned to face the girl then, watching her carefully to see if she understood what she meant.
“And as for Mimi-chan… well, I think you should apologize to her, but if you still want to be friends, I don’t think she’ll hold it against you.”
Catherine nodded somberly, the information setting in and making sense in its own way. Sora was such a good voice of reason!
"I understand what you are saying, Takenouchi-san.... I really do... I know that I should not have left so abruptly... I really should have thought things through first..." she chewed her lower lip and turned to face Sora with a sad smile. "As for Tachikawa-san... Well... I really do want to make amends with her... But... She really did hurt me... I did not think that she would go and say things about me behind my back, you know...?" her eyes teared up and she looked to her hands finally. "I understand that she was upset, but... I wish she hadn't have said things to everyone without consulting me first..."
Thank goodness that Catherine seemed to see where Sora was coming from. Somehow, going into this discussion, it seemed like it would be much more difficult than it had been so far. Bit by bit Sora’s worry disappeared, but there was still the matter of… “Mimi-chan is… well, she’s Mimi-chan. She’s blunt, at times, but she means well. I think that she was afraid that if she came to you, you might not listen. She also gets angry easily, and she has been pretty stressed lately.”
Sora shook her head. “I can’t make excuses for her though. You should speak to her about those things, and find out why she did them, from her and not me.” Tentatively, she reached for one of Catherine’s hands, to give it a squeeze of reassurance before asking something, “Did you see Gennai-san’s post on Live Journal?”
"Yes, I did notice that... " she murmured, remembering that Mimi was having troubles with Yamato. "Perhaps... Perhaps I should make amends with her... Maybe I can see her before I leave tomorrow..." she mused with a small smile. "I really would like to apologize the her properly..." At the mention of Gennai, she paused and slowly nodded in affirmation. "Yes... He is closing off my Digiport, I saw... I guess... After I go... It's goodbye, until I get my Visa..."
Letting go of Catherine’s hand, Sora tilted her head to the side in thought. “Tomorrow… tomorrow is Hanami, you know. So if you can make it, you really should.” She smiled. “And don’t be sad. We can all still stay in contact by the internet, even if we are apart. You shouldn’t forget, don’t you have a best friend in France waiting for you too?”
The sun was pretty low in the sky at this point, disappearing behind the buildings and the street lamps turning on to replace light where it didn’t reach. The sky was turning orange, with a soft fade to purple, and Sora’s gaze found its’ way back to the water again while she spoke. It was just pretty, she thought.
“Gennai-san isn’t doing what he does because he’s mad at you. He has a great responsibility, maybe more than any of us here do. I still don’t know exactly what it is he does, but he’s right when he says we shouldn’t abuse the Digital World as an easy means to solve our own problems. When I first was brought there, we had to travel for days just to get anywhere. That’s the way it is for them there, and it would be unfair to them if it were any easier for us, don’t you think?”
Hanami? She had completely forgotten! "Oh, mon dieu! How did I forget that?! I will have to see if I can find her there tomorrow... I would really like to see her before I go..." she paused and a grin lit up her face at Sora's comment. "Well, Jean-Luc will be happy to see me, he is coming to get me tomorrow night, but..." her smile faltered. "I am going to really miss Takeru... I am worried that he will forget me while I am gone..." she shook that thought and nodded once more. "I understand what you mean... I have little knowledge of Gennai-san, but he seems to be a very hard working person... Perhaps I can pop in and apologize to him at some point, as well... You are right, though... We really should have taken an airplane... If only we had thought of that before..."
Sora gave a sympathetic look but she soon smiled. “I don’t know what to tell you about Takeru-kun. But I don’t think he will forget you. Especially as long as you two keep in touch!”
She glanced around again, then down to her watch with a sigh. “Catherine-san, everything will eventually work out, ok? Just remember, if you have trouble, you can ask any of us for help. It… I know it will be hard for you to trust again, but all of us Chosen are a team. We all care about each other.”
Finally, she stood, turning to face her before they parted. “Now… it’s getting late, and I really don’t want to cut our conversation short, but both of us should get home. If we don’t, both of us are going to have worried digimon to answer to, ne?”
Catherine felt much better after this conversation. She stood up and smiled brightly at the older chosen, happy that she had decided to ask to speak with her. She would have to bring a cake for her at some point, as well.
"You are absolutly right! I really do not like to leave Floramon alone, although I am sure that Takeru is watching her... I feel guilty if I leave her behind, since she worries so much! I am very grateful for you help, Takenouchi-san." she gave a polite bow and then smiled happily. "Hopefully I will see you tomorrow!"
Sora returned the bow, finally able to grin and not worry. She was still concerned for Catherine, of course, but it seemed like she’d been able to get through to her. Thank goodness! “And I wish that I didn’t have to spend so late at school and miss Piyomon! I know what you mean! I’m afraid that they wouldn’t be too happy if I snuck a bird into the kitchen.” She laughed.
“It’s been good to finally meet you. I wish that we had a happier reason to finally do so, but I’m no less thankful for the opportunity. And hey-you don’t have to call me Takenouchi. Sora is just fine. I had better see you tomorrow! We need to make some fun memories in Japan before you leave!”
Catherine smiled wistfully and gave a nod of her head, feeling so much better now that she knew that she still had at least a few friends she could talk to.
"I promise I will do my best to be there, Sora-san! I look forward to meeting you again tomorrow! Hopefully with Piyomon!" she gave a little twirl and waved vigorously as she started on her way. "Bye bye!"
"Goodbye! Sleep well!" Sora called as she turned off to head back to her apartment as well.