driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: Colette Brunel
Broadcast: Video to the whole fleet
Action: Aboard the Marsiva
When: The day after the attack

Excuse me? Hello! Ah... [She was excited that she finally got her line working to the fleet, but now that she's actually addressing everyone she feels a bit nervous. But she wants to help, and that overrides any nerves that are buzzing around]

My name is Colette Brunel. I just arrived the other day, and I saw... [she pauses, worried] I saw the attack that happened. I'm sorry to ask for help at a time like this, but I'm not sure how to get off of the ship that I'm currently on. If I can leave, I'd like to come and help on the ships that were hurt.

I think-- [it feels strange to say, and doesn't quite feel real] that I understand how to fix some of those ships. I'm not sure how, but I can see some of the damage from here.

So, I hope I can help! And if there's anything that I can do in the meantime before I leave this ship, please let me know.

[mm, she nibbles a bit on her lower lip as if she's not sure if she should say more, but she'll end it there. She feels bad asking for help before she's actually helped anyone, but she has looked all over this ship and hasn't been able to find a way to leave]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Kind of, but... I don't know how to explain it, and I... I don't know if I should.

[ this is a heavy subject, one that Lloyd is pretty sure he doesn't have the authority to share. he decides to leave it to Kaneis, so that he can share it with her either when he's ready to share or he lets Lloyd tell her what happened. ]

I'm gonna let him tell you what happened exactly-- it's better if he did, but this Zelos... he isn't our Zelos.

[Ah... she doesn't quite understand, and while it's clear on her face she doesn't protest. Zelos is Zelos, to be told that he's not doesn't quite compute... But she trusts Lloyd completely, so she's sure it will make some semblance of sense in due time.]

Okay. I'll talk to him.

[...]

Is it okay if I call him? Like you called me on this thing?

[ he sees that confusion and believe him, Colette, it's weird to him too. it even felt strange to say it, because to him, Kaneis and Zelos are one person, even with the notable distinction. ]

Uh, probably? I know you need his number so that you can make calls like this, but he should'a seen you by now... [ which is weird... he knows Kaneis is more mellow than he was in the past, but he really liked Colette. ]

Anyway! You gotta know about this now instead of later: he has a different name now.

[ah... So everyone can see this? Well, if he's choosing not to say anything yet, that tempers Colette's expectations and gives her some feeling of what to expect. Even if she doesn't understand the situation, she understands hurting and something being hard... And if she's something that's hard to face right now, then that's okay. Zelos is a friend, so...

Mm, but he doesn't want to leave Lloyd hanging, so she pushes that little jumble of thoughts to the side.]

What name does he use now?

His name is Kaneis now. Kaneis, uh...

[ crap, what was his new last name again? he struggles with it a little before giving up and shaking his head. ]

--Well, whatever! Make sure you call him that, okay?

[lamo, lloyd........... Raine is so proud of you, somewhere]

Okay, I will! [she pauses to consider that. Something happened, and now Zelos has a new name. Kaneis. K-a-n-e-i-s. She rolls over the name in her head, and she'll probably mentally repeat it over and over until she's sure that she'll get it right. It makes her wonder]

Did he choose it? As a new name?

[ give him a break he only heard it once ]

I dunno-- Probably. I didn't really ask. [ he didn't think it was important to know that detail. ]

It doesn't really matter, honestly. He's still Zelos. He's still our friend, even if he has a different name-- even if he remembers things differently.

[ even if... even if he's actually dead. ]

[she nods, and closes her eyes for a brief moment. Yes. That makes sense to her. And when she opens her eyes she looks decidedly hopeful. They're friends. Everything will be okay, somehow. And just like Lloyd taught her, if things weren't going to be okay? Then they wouldn't stop until a happy ending for everyone was found.]

Okay. I think I understand, at lease a little bit. Thank you for telling me, Lloyd.