☼ 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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[video]

[heartovertime]

[They may not have talked much, but there is certainly the lack of the energy the woman had in the past, Homura notices fairly quickly.

With a rather mellow tone, the girl responds after opening up a mirror.]

In my case, I don't really miss much... I think it's a better place here, at least for me.

There isn't really anything that I left behind. Nothing that's important, anyway... [She pauses, just a flicker of hesitation before she builds upon that.] Maybe a few I could call friends, but... I don't think they would appreciate this place. [And they are not nearly as important to her as the friends she does have in this place, most particularly Madoka. But she keeps that realization to herself.]

[recalls]

[Vanille understands that, too. If her Hope, Sazh, Snow, and Lightning we all here with her and Fang, she thinks she wouldn't miss much either. In the Gardens, there are no fal'Cie to worry about, no brands ticking down the time to their transformation into monsters. There is no impossible choice to make

[heartovertime]

[Homura nods softly.] You're right, it is beautiful here.

[She lowers her eyes a little.] I know not everyone is happy here but... I do think I am very fortunate to be here, along with those I care for.

I wish everyone could go as they wanted, though...

[recalls]

[If Vanille were next to Homura, she would nudge the girl's shoulder with her own, a nonverbal way to let her know she shouldn't feel guilty about anything. But they're not together, so she has to find the right words. It's a struggle through her sadness, and if she's honest, there's some jealousy too, but she manages eventually.]

I'm happy for you. [And it's the truth - Homura deserves to be with the people she cares about, in a place like this, if she wants to be. Vanille's selfless enough not to begrudge her that.]

That would be perfect, wouldn't it? That way... no one would have to be sad when their friends left, or angry that they were being kept from something important.

video

[grandtheftmecha]

[ Arms crossed, thinking - though it's not all that difficult to answer really. ]

Probably... my fellow soldiers. They're like a second family.

[recalls]

You're a soldier, too? [So many of them here, with nothing to fight. She recalls Lightning's frustration with lacking an outlet here, lacking a purpose.

Ah, but this is a woman she does not recognize, she should introduce herself before asking questions. She manages a passably genuine smile.] We haven't met, right? I'm Vanille.

[grandtheftmecha]

How many soldiers do we have here?

[ Well, she'll probably find out eventually anyways. Introductions come first. ]

Nope, I'm still pretty new here. Name's Katina Tarask.

[recalls]

I don't know, really. There's Sephiroth, and then have been more, but... [Vanille looks troubled, sad. The one soldier she really knew has been here and gone again twice now.] They left.

[She shakes her head, as if to clear her thoughts enough to focus on not being rude, and smiles again.] It's nice to meet you!

video;

[poupeechan]

The people. Mama and papa, and Mariko-san and Tomoko, and St. Juste-sama... I wonder how they're all doing without me.

[The last sentence escapes before she can really stop it, and she hurries to correct herself, to force away the somber tone of voice.

After all, neither does this young woman look very happy either; she doesn't need to hear her troubles on top of whatever she's feeling.]

But I'm sure, everything will turn out alright... They're all capable enough to take care of themselves. [She hopes so, at least.]

[recalls]

[That's something Vanille thinks she can help with.] I went home once. I woke up exactly where I'd been when I left. I thought the Gardens were just a dream, and my friends were right where I'd left them, too. So I don't think you have to worry about that, okay?

[As sad as she is, as much as she misses her friends, she's too perceptive, and too kind and caring a person to allow herself to wallow when someone else is clearly upset right in front of her.]

I'm Vanille, what's your name?

[poupeechan]

I'm Nanako Misonoo. [She smiles brightly, partially out of gratitude, and to force away her doubts. Vanille's words have helped; maybe, when she leasts expects it, she'll wake up in her bed again too.]

It's nice to meet you, Vanille-san.

[recalls]

[Being able to make someone else smile is a surefire way to cheer Vanille up, and the smile she gives in return is just as bright.]

It's nice to meet you, too! [She leans forward, resting her chin in her hands.] Tell me about your friends!

video;

[prejudical]

[ Her eyes narrow, something seems to flash in her eyes, but it fades out as quickly as it has arrived. Her head tilts the slightest, a mask of indifference on her face. ]

...Nothing.

[recalls]

[That's an unexpected answer, but then, Vanille doesn't know this girl, or what her world is like. Maybe there really is nothing to miss. But still, it strikes her as false. It's something she can't comprehend, not while she's missing as much as she is.]

That can't be right, can it?

[uberlikehermama]

Umm... Nanoha-mama and Fate-mama. And Corona and Lio. And Einhart.

And everyone else who isn't here.

[recalls]

I met Fate, when she was here. [She smiles, soft and gentle. Her heart's not in it, but she's trying. Vivio's so young, Vanille thinks, she needs someone to look after her.] I can see why you'd miss her. Are the others your friends?

[uberlikehermama]

[Vivio nods.]

Yeah, they are. I really miss them. It's been almost a year since I've been here...

[recalls]

[Vivo's sad face snaps Vanille out of her own sorrow a bit, and she makes a decision.] We's have a celebration, for all the friends you've made here.