Voices from Heaven (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thespaceopera) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
driftfleet2017-09-15 08:53 pm
thespaceopera) wrote in driftfleet2017-09-15 08:53 pm
Entry tags:
- !event,
- adalwolfe hawke,
- anders,
- carl grimes,
- cloud strife,
- edna,
- edwin jarvis,
- felix gaeta,
- fenris,
- fie claussell,
- ginko,
- ignis scientia,
- justice,
- katie mccoy,
- looma red wind,
- maedhros nelyafinwë maitimo fëanorian,
- matt murdock,
- max rockatansky,
- nami,
- noctis lucis caelum,
- pavel chekov,
- prompto argentum,
- psycho mantis,
- riona cousland theirin,
- sam winchester,
- serah farron,
- shouta aizawa,
- snow villiers,
- sorey,
- takeshi,
- uraraka ochako,
- vash the stampede,
- yuri katsuki
the veil is thin . . .
[ On the night of the 16th, the feeling of tension and horrid anticipation comes to a head. Everything stops when the sun goes down-- even the ever-present music in the hoppingest part of the city center. One by one, everyone turns their eyes to the skies. The young and old alike pour out of their houses, some in bare feet, and they point to the velvety blanket of stars.
It takes a second to find it, especially if one is unaccustomed to the starscape. But even a casual observer can see it.
A brightly-shining star, larger than the others, and growing larger.
An announcement cuts across all communication channels that encourages people to evacuate to the space station, but it’s clear that these are just people and they’ll need some help. Supplies, equipment, organization, there’s something for everyone to do.
Civilization is disrupted by a panicked stampede of people vying for limited seats aboard spacefaring craft. Within hours, there will be crushed glass, looting, and chaos.
The clock is ticking. Will you help? Or would you rather watch the dying gasps of a Singing Planet from a safe distance? ]
[OOC: Please see this post for plot details. Phase two has begun! Feel free to use this post as a reaction post, mingle, etc. or make your own!]
It takes a second to find it, especially if one is unaccustomed to the starscape. But even a casual observer can see it.
A brightly-shining star, larger than the others, and growing larger.
An announcement cuts across all communication channels that encourages people to evacuate to the space station, but it’s clear that these are just people and they’ll need some help. Supplies, equipment, organization, there’s something for everyone to do.
Civilization is disrupted by a panicked stampede of people vying for limited seats aboard spacefaring craft. Within hours, there will be crushed glass, looting, and chaos.
The clock is ticking. Will you help? Or would you rather watch the dying gasps of a Singing Planet from a safe distance? ]
[OOC: Please see this post for plot details. Phase two has begun! Feel free to use this post as a reaction post, mingle, etc. or make your own!]
Wildcard
Snow!
[ Pushing her way through the throng of people she followed the sound of his voice, but it didn't seem to be getting any closer at first. For a moment she almost panicked. Desperate, she called out- "Snow!!!" -startling enough people to give her the room she needed to break free of the crowd and see him resting off to the side by himself.
The sight of him hits her like a freight train. She wants to surge forward and throw her arms around him, she wants to ask a dozen and one questions- at minimum, but she does neither of those things. She instead jogs over, slowing to a stop in front of his seat with most of her emotions laid bare. ]
It is you, isn't it...?
[ He looks older, more worn, and his hair and clothes are different from the last time she'd seen him. The memory of his brand also comes rushing back, but... one thing at a time. First she has to know she isn't just dreaming, and that he's not some desperate figment of her imagination. ]
no subject
However, being down on the planet's surface, stretching his legs and putting his curse to use has been good. While he still isn't smiling like he once would, his face has made it out of the perpetual scowl. And of course, he's still human and needs to take a break. This rock is as comfortable as anything and he's relishing the pull on his muscles that all the work has caused.
Then he hears a sound that makes him stiffen and sit up straight.]
Serah?
[No, no. It can't be her. It's a trick of his imagination, a mirage created by the ache in his heart. And not or the first time. But then he hears his name called again and he slowly stands, half-curious and half-furious.
Until he sees her.
His eyes go wide in disbelief before shutting down completely. Everything is in turmoil. He wants to go to her and hold her, bury his face in her hair, in the warmth that she might exude. But what if she's another trick, like so many times Lumina has tortured him in the last thirteen years? What if he opens his eyes and she's not there?
What if she is?
How can he face her?
How can he not?
For the first time in ages, he has no clue what to do. No clear path. No way to go forward. And he just stands there, like a statue, refusing to open his eyes.]
Not sure there are many others like me, but it depends on who's asking.
no subject
She's reminded of Claire, who'd come from sometime in Serah's future, but where Claire- Lightning -had seemed somehow softer and more open for the change, Snow seemed more closed off. If Snow was also from her future, then how had he changed? Through everything she'd been through Snow was always like her rock. Even after everything that happened after Cocoon's fall he'd more or less remained the same. What was it that had shifted so much that he wouldn't even look at her? Serah was beginning to really suspect that maybe her first suspicion had been correct. ]
Hey... what kind of answer is that? [ Her voice trembles a little, worry evident. ] Look at me, Snow. What's wrong?
no subject
He's not sure that his heart—what's left of it anyway—can take it, but not seeing her, even for a moment, is harder than all the torture he's suffered with Lumina at the helm.
He opens his eyes at her request. He's never been able to deny her anything she's wanted, except for one time. And that was only because she didn't really want it. Neither of them had.
She hasn't changed, not a single hair is out of place. She's beautiful. So beautiful. It's like every dream and every nightmare he's had for the last 900+ years wrapped up into one petite package.
He's not sure when his hand started raising to try and touch her face, but he quickly takes it back. It's a mockery of an interaction with another small woman he's had recently. One that reminded him of the very woman in front of him now.]
Serah.
[Saying her name is so hard, and his voice cracks in the middle of it. So much pain, love, desire and anger wrapped up in five letters.
What's wrong, she's asked, but the answer to that is too complicated to really say on a dying planet in a foreign galaxy, surrounded by strangers. And talking, talking just hurts even more, but he can't not talk now.]
What's wrong? Everything.
no subject
Everything.
Everything seemed a pretty accurate summation.
The tension and emotion ROLLS off of him in waves, almost battering at her senses even though of course, that's not physically possible. It would be impossible not to notice, though, how on edge he seems, and his body language tells a story all its own. Her eyes followed the movement of his hand until it fell away, but where Snow hesitated to initiate that physical contact, she didn't. For too long now they'd been separated, and each time they saw one another on her journey through time there were things that she'd wish she hadn't left unsaid. Now he was right in front of her, and clearly hurting, she wasn't about to recycle past mistakes a third time.
She reaches for his hand, trying to clasp both of hers around it gently. And at first she's at a loss for words, doesn't know where to start to try to make things right, but she owes it to him to try, after everything he's done for her, and with how unconditionally she loves him, she can't just stand there saying nothing like an idiot. ]
That sounds pretty serious... but no matter how bad it is, we're going to face it together, Snow.
[ Simple, maybe understated, and maybe even foolishly optimistic, but an honest admission. She thinks maybe she understands some part of what brought him to this point, but she won't presume to know the full story. No matter what it is, though, she intends to stay by his side to help him deal with it, or to deal with it together. This was also her way of telling him that she wasn't going anywhere. Years ago, in her timeline, he'd stopped her from walking out on him to face her burdens alone. Now she fully intended on doing the same for him. ]
no subject
But he knows he's not dead. Not yet. If only because everything else is there to remind him of his greatest failure with every breath.
Even through the thick leather of his gloves, he can feel her touch. And he wants to cry, but he's not sure if he can anymore. All he can do is stare down at her like a man dying of thirst looks at a pool of poisoned water. It's worse when she says that they'll face it together, because how can they?]
Together.
[It's exactly what he wants and exactly what he fears. How can she still say something like that when he's failed her so many times. He couldn't save her this time. Couldn't protect her, couldn't help Noel keep her safe.]
It might be too late for that.
God damn it Snow
[ He had her genuinely unnerved now, and there was even a part of her that questioned what right she had to be pushing him like this without even knowing what had brought him to this point, but what scared her more than any of that was the idea of being pushed away and shut out. Maybe that wasn't the picture he meant to paint, maybe it was, but at the moment he didn't sound anything like the man who'd pledged to stay by her side even when there was a real risk she'd lose control of herself and destroy the world.
She let out a sharp breath, shaking her head, ponytail brushing over her shoulder several times as she did so. It was a small thing but it reminded her that no matter how surreal the moment felt, it was something really happening, here and now.
When she brought blue eyes up again to look at Snow she studied him more closely, really took him in. Unfamiliar worry lines had taken up residence on his face, but he was still Snow. His hair was a bit longer, and he didn't wear it pushed back or tied under a scarf anymore, even his clothes were drastically different, but everything else was the same, visually. ]
Snap out of it, Snow.
[ There wasn't time to do this right now. She wanted to get answers, but there were too many other people who's lives were at risk, so... yeah, maybe pushing personal issues in the middle of an evacuation wasn't the best time.
Her voice took on a firmer tone as she squeezed his hand insistently, still thick with emotion, but more direct. More like the tone she'd use when he was getting scolded for doing something beyond reckless. She needed him to snap out of his shock. ] We're here now, both of us, and there are people who need our help right now. But after this we're going to talk, okay?
The Siren Song of My People!
His fingers slowly start to relax in the hand she's grasping, while his other hand reaches up to finally touch her face. For the first time, he hates the fact that he wears gloves, but that doesn't stop him from tracing the shape of her cheek bone with his thumb.
Even with her scolding him, he can't help the fact that he's in a daze. Five hundreds years of dreams seem to compress into this single moment.
Until she turns completely serious. Then his eyes turn hard and he's no longer a lover reunited in a strange land with the object of his desire. He's the Patron, the Leader of NORA, a man used to giving orders and having them followed for the safety of others. He shakes his hand free from her grasp before talking again.]
Go back to the ships.
Once more, with feeling!
Then in the next breath his demeanor changes, his touch withdraws, and his order brings out her stubborn streak, hot and sudden and sharp. It's not a knee-jerk reaction, she's never been the short tempered type. If anything her patience runs generously deep. The problem being that once she's been pushed to her limit Serah can rival her sister for stubbornness.
She didn't flinch, or balk, or falter. There was a moment of genuine surprise that flashed across her face as he pulls his hand away, but it's replaced quickly by steely resolve.
She'd let him convince her to stay behind when he left to search for Claire. She'd had to watch him disappear from right before her eyes at the Sunleth Waterscape. She'd had to leave him behind in the Coliseum. If he honestly thought she was about to go back home and wait for him like a good little girl again, he had a rude awakening coming. ]
That's not happening, so you can kiss that stupid idea goodbye right now.
[ Her tone was hard, and her now free hands crossed as she folded them over her chest, a silent dare for him to try to push the issue. She wasn't about to budge unless he found a way to physically MAKE her. She wouldn't be able to even think about relaxing with everything going on, let alone the idea of Snow running around on a planet on the brink of destruction, unsupervised. To be blunt she worried he'd do something stupid.
Like get himself blown up waiting until the last second to evacuate. Just the thought of him facing the fate of a l'cie was bad enough, but asking her to face the reality of a world, a life without him in it? You'd have better luck telling her to never draw another breath of air. ]
Let him rest in peace
Of course she's going to fight him about this.
Of course.
She's as stubborn as him. As stubborn as her sister.
And he's missed this so much.
Still, he doesn't reach out to her again, balling his hands up at his side and staring at the people waiting to be evacuated. A small sigh escapes him as he resigns himself to the fact that he can't force her to do anything that wouldn't make her hate him.]
Fine, but if things turn bad, you're going to the ships.
[Losing her a second time would kill him. The flaring light on his left arm through his jacket's sleeve is proof enough of that.]
This is what he gets for marrying into the Farron family.
As it stands he doesn't need to initiate contact, and Serah doesn't feel the need to wait for permission or feel any sort of hesitation about reaching over to touch said sleeve, let the tip of two fingers draw closer to the brand on his arm. It's the same spot that she'd seen his brand poking out from beneath his sleeve, twice now. It's no less worrying now than it was back then, though she has to wonder if brands still work so far from Cocoon and Pulse. If there were no Fal'cie here was it possible his brand wouldn't progress and his focus wouldn't need to be fulfilled? And what about her? She didn't even know where to start asking questions about her visions.
Serah had a ton more besides those, some more pressing than others, but it wasn't the time to bring them up just yet.
They definitely needed to talk after this. ]
Fine, but I'm not going to go without you.
[ The "Not this time." is implied but not spoken, particularly with the light tug he might feel at his sleeve as her fingers curl into the fabric briefly. After that she took a steadying breath, quietly, and lifted her eyes to his again. ]
Together.
[ She said again as if for emphasis, affirmation... then- ]
I'm ready whenever you are, Snow.
But they aren't married. Yet.
He can hear the unspoken words. 'We'll talk.' 'Don't leave me alone again.' 'Don't be stupid.'
Snow slowly closes his eyes before looking at her directly, trying to figure out how the hell he's supposed to feel and what he's supposed to do. Because he's not sure at all.
But he knows what he has to do. And he claps his free hand on her shoulder.]
Serah. Serah, promise me that you won't do anything stupid. [He tries to smile, not sure what his face looks like.] That's my job.
He's gone to hell & killed godlike beings for her. Let's not pretend it's anything but a done deal
She waits. It's something she's gotten good at over the years, for better or for worse. She waits for his answer both verbal and through his body language, and she isn't disappointed.
It's still not really okay, but he's not going to shut down or shut her down either, at least not yet. If he isn't sure, that's fine. Serah was willing to step up and lead on this one if need be. Something else she's gotten better at.
When she sees his hand reaching out she almost braces for the welcomed, familiar gesture. It's one he's done with her and others many times before. For a second it's like the old Snow is peering through the layers of pain and conflicting emotions she saw in his eyes. Serah rewards his efforts and his smile (small as it is) with a nod and a smile of her own, tinged with hints of patience, relief, and understanding.
It's not okay yet, they still need to talk, and there's bound to be a LOT to talk about, but it's a start. As long as they have that there's still hope. ]
Promise. At least one of us has to keep a level head, and that's my job.
[ It's teasing, in spite of everything. It felt too good to be alive and hale and whole, and together even though there's an enormous cloud of foreboding hanging between them. Maybe even because of that. ]
Come on. I was thinking about starting to look for stragglers. There's bound to be at least a few.
Man, he'd do so much more than that even. :/
She's always been the best part of him. The one person who's motivated him to try to be a better person. And to have her trying to tease him is like a dream he's had before many times, but it's difficult to really remember what it's like to respond to it.]
You're good at that.
[And he'd had enough passion and drive for the both of them. Except as a Farron, she'd had enough of her own as well.]
Stragglers are probably more likely to listen to you than me. [It's not like he's been asking, exactly.] I'll just carry their things.
This is part of what makes him a damn good boyfriend. Now if he'd stop being so hard on himself SIGH
For now, though, they had something else to focus on. They work well as a team, and she's maybe counting on that some to help keep him with her and focused. ]
Hey, don't sell yourself short so quickly. [ She says as they start off further in, heading in the opposite direction of the evacuating natives. ] You had enough stubborn charisma to win over Lightning, after all.
[ She's seen it, and she'll carry that memory of Claire's blessing all the way to her grave.
... Wait.]That is *never* going to happen. Someone has to ride him now that Light's lightened up.
He takes one long, longing look at her before finally drawing away. In a way, it feels as if he's lost a limb, but he doesn't reach for her again either.]
It was just a case of wearing her down after everything that happened.
[Because it was something he wanted, Lightning's approval to marry Serah. He wanted her to know that he wasn't going away. And he'd won...
But paid for that as well.]
These guys are just like the people in Bodhum after the scare with PSIcom and the Pulse fal'Cie.
[He looks around and puts his sizable arm between two men who look like they're about to fight about who was first in line.]
Hey, knock it off. There's plenty of space and time to get to the shuttles.