[ Video ]

[i_love_squats]

[The camera turns on only after it’s thrown, tossed across the room like a ragdoll by a forgotten child. The angle’s odd, down and half blinded by light like an amateur photograph photoshopped with flare, but what’s shown is easy to make out: Zack, kneeling at the memorial, his face in his gloved hands, shoulders shaking with his grief. He’s

Comments

[Video]

[sugaryoptimist]

Zack...

[She knows what this is about.]

He wouldn't want you to...be sad. He would want you to carry on. In his memory.

[But that's hardly helpful in the face of grief. She knows that.]

Don't think about it too hard. It's better to...forget the pain until you're strong enough to bear it.

[Video]

[i_love_squats]

[The Forge is nudged with his shoe. Stupid thing, being turned on.]

It'd be different if it was the first time...

[Video]

[sugaryoptimist]

[You need comforting. That's why it's on!]

...I'm sorry. [She knows how he feels, believe it or not.] Can I...bring you anything?

[Video]

[i_love_squats]

[You're too nice, Vanille. Way too nice.]

No, I don't think so. Actually, if you could just... do you know who Kunsel is?

Voice

[fingersloophole]

People leave, Zack. [Tough love. Tseng is trying it. Sans the slapping him.]

I'm sorry that it has upset you, but surely you knew it would happen eventually. You have to know nothing is ever-lasting. [He's a SOLDIER, right? He should know that people die and people get stationed in far off places and you never hear from them again.]

Don't stay alone for too long.

Voice

[i_love_squats]

[Your tough love can go to hell, Tseng. He's pouty.]

He didn't deserve this. He didn't--shouldn't have--

It's not fair!

Voice

[fingersloophole]

Life is very rarely fair. Especially when it comes to events such as this one.

[Pouting is unbecoming though!]

He died once. You should be glad that there was borrowed time here. Secure in the knowledge that you may be sad but it isn't the end.

Voice

[i_love_squats]

He deserved fairness, though. He's suffered enough. And I should've been able to help! I should've protected him! I let him down again!

[You get frown lines...]

A lot of people have gone missing lately.

I'm starting to wonder if I'll be next. 'Cause I'm on borrowed time, too, aren't I?

[video]

[inpiecesofcloud]

Zack-Zack? What's the matter?

[video]

[i_love_squats]

[Oh, Yachiru...]

Anjelly's gone. He... had an accident, and he's gone now.

[video]

[inpiecesofcloud]

An accident? What do you mean an accident? Where did he go?

[video]

[i_love_squats]

[He's sure as heck not going into the details. Not to you, cutie.]

I ... I think he went home...

[Which means, "back to being dead".]

Private

[yetsleeping]

[...at first she isn't sure she should say anything. Really, she could get away with staying silent. No one would ever know she had looked back through the past few days - not if she remained quiet.]

[And she doesn't want to say anything, really - although she isn't sure whether it's because of her lingering anger at Zack or because... she just doesn't want to talk, especially about sadness.]

[But. Well.]

Zack.

[Her voice trembles a little.]

I'm sorry.

Private

[i_love_squats]

[...Shiva. He's silent for a long time, staring down at the Forge as if it had grown legs and was dancing across the floor. His throat clicked as he swallowed.]

Thanks. He's a good man. He'll be missed. A...A lot.

[Pause.]

How are you doing?

Private

[yetsleeping]

I- [...] He told me that if anything happened to him, his flowers could be relocated to the memorial tree.

[so much silence. She comes up with several different things to say, and discards them all for various reasons.]

There's sadness in the air, lately. But these things always pass.

[It's as close to an answer as she can manage.]

Private

[i_love_squats]

I hope it passes sooner than later. I've got to wonder how much longer we can stand this.

[His flowers. There's a sad smile on his lips. He waits for a moment, mulling it over, before he asks quietly.]

Would you like to help me move them? The flowers, I mean? We... We don't have to talk when we do it. I just...think he would've wanted it that way.

[Text]

[mirageof_deceit]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Voice]

[i_love_squats]

[He sighs, closing his eyes and raking his fingers through his hair.]

Thanks, Cloud. [There's a moment where he says nothing, before muttering under his breath.]

I'm sorry.

[Text]

[mirageof_deceit]

You have nothing to apologize for.

[Voice]

[i_love_squats]

Now I know how you felt when I ... left you.