second bullet :: video/action

[headedforhope]

[After the events of this thread, Mami can be found in the Gardens. She's become very....popular with the local wildlife; there's a fox snuggling in her lap, rabbits nestling contentedly by her feet, a quail perching on her knee and a cat nuzzling her arm.

For awhile, Mami silently preoccupies herself with petting all her animal admirers. For awhile, she focuses on them and not what occurred inside the Labyrinth, not the lurking idea that everything she saw was a horrible illusion. (She deserves for it all to have been real, so that cannot be. Never mind the sudden vanishing of all those bloodstains....) Then she reaches out to a nearby Vine, speaking to it, and the plant obliges her with a mirror shrouded in leafy boughs.

She's very tired, but still smiling- although the expression itself seems...a little less there, a little more whittled down. To those who might notice that sort of thing, anyway.]

I don't suppose this kind of behavior is normal for these creatures? Not that I mean to fuss- this is rather nice. I never had a pet before, or anything similar.

[a pause to scritch the cat, who has by now become quite persistent, behind the ears]

.....However, that's not important right now. I don't know if I was able to save the Queen. Please, has anyone heard from Miss Harlaown or her daughter, Vivio? They went into the Labyrinth with me and I've yet to hear from them.

I can only hope they're safe.

Comments

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

[Once again, Fate kneels next to Mami and pulls her into a tight hug. She doesn't say anything, she doesn't do anything else... she just lets the girl cry.

She'll continue to hold her, not budging until Mami's tears have stopped, and will mentally go over the promise she made to herself: she's going to protect this girl, just like she protects all her children, and will do whatever she can to make sure she's happy.]

[headedforhope]

[It's not her job to cry where others can see. It's not her job to be held by arms that aren't her own.

Yet she does anyway, pressing her face into Fate's shoulder; she wants her mother, but her real mother is dead.]

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

[But there isn't anyone else around, so 'her job' doesn't matter right now.

Fate would never, ever want to replace Mami's real mother, but she's more than willing to act as a mother figure if Mami needs it. Hell, even if Mami doesn't ask, Fate would still step into that position, as long as she doesn't anger the girl.]

[headedforhope]

[After a bit, the sobs dwindle to sniffles.]

I'm...so sorry. You must think the worst of me...

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

I don't. Crying helps, doesn't it? I'm glad you were able to let it all out.

[headedforhope]

[Only it's not out, not all of it. Maybe it never will be.

....but some of it is out, yes. And it does feel better. Mami makes a move to pull away and wipe her eyes.]

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

[Fate reaches out to help her wipe her tears away. Sure, Mami's a big girl, but that doesn't stop that motherly urge.]

I'm really glad I could help you, Mami.

[headedforhope]

[She de-transforms in a soft flash of yellow light, and when she speaks, it's in a quiet, thick voice.]

Thank you.....I don't really know what to say beyond that.

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

[And in a flash, Fate returns to her normal attire as well.]

You're welcome. If you're ever feeling like this again... even though I hope you won't have to, I do hope you'll come to me if you want to talk.

[headedforhope]

Mm....

[She rubs at the corners of her eyes and looks off into the beautiful scenery of the Gardens; it's too much to admit, right now, just how often she feels this way. A rabbit hops up to nestle her hand.]

....I wouldn't blame her for feeling like that illusion did.

[She pets the rabbit, distractedly.]