Mission 13: Shattered Hopes

[hellspawnedhero]

*The video is somewhere low to the ground, showing Dante standing at the edge of town, holding a nodachi that should be familiar to those who knew Roze. In place of Rebellion, there's a red long sword on his back, and he's staring at the sky with an unusually subdued expression. He almost looks emotionless, except for a notably melancholy air about him.

He doesn't seem to be aware he's being recorded, though, and the voice that speaks is that of Kid.*

He's been like this ever since he found out about Squall and Roze. I don't know what to do...he's never gotten like this before. Even when the city got destroyed...he still managed to enjoy the trip and stay upbeat. Now he's barely saying a word...I'm worried.

*Dante looks over at the sound of his partner's voice and realizes he's being recorded. With a subtle frown, he walks forward and reaches for the D-Terminal.*

Kid, turn that off. Jeeze, everywhere I go, I get partners that think they're my babysitters...

*And that's the end of the recording, as Dante grabs his D-T from Kid and shuts it off.*

Comments

[bewarethefaeries]

[Laguna had seen the face, he'd heard the voice that he himself had been putting out not that long ago, and before his partners had a clue, he was out the door. It wasn't that hard to find the edge of town, and Dante in his bright red coat was even easier; so without a word, he walked up to stand side by side with his newfound friend. For a while he just stood silently, but eventually he did speak; his voice was a little hoarse, but it was definitely much calmer than it had been earlier.]

So...you holding up okay?

[hellspawnedhero]

*Until Laguna spoke, Dante just pretended he didn't notice him, strangely silent in contrast to his usual excitability and talkative tendencies. He just stood with one hand in his coat pocket and the other holding the nodachi, staring out into the distance. When Laguna finally spoke, Dante replied in that same distant, almost detached tone.*

I'll manage.

[bewarethefaeries]

Yeah, I hear ya. Just know that I'll be around to help with that if you want...I'm right there with you.

[Two men from two world's sharing the same problem; it was almost poetic if it wasn't so heartwrenching to think about.]

[hellspawnedhero]

*That got him to look at Laguna, his face still set in that subtle frown but his eyes showing a spark of consideration, almost like this was a novel concept.*

I've always been fine on my own before, when it came to situations like this.

[bewarethefaeries]

I know, we've both fought our wars and we both know where we stand. People come and go, but it's the survivors that are left to shoulder the memories...just know this time around you have an extra shoulder.

[It was a small gesture, but it's one he would have liked back during the war. He reached up to give Dante a small pat on the shoulder, gazing out at the sun in the distance.]

Maybe we should have a party in their honor...I can't really say that's what Squall would have wanted, but Roze would definitely kick our behinds sideways for moping about like this.

[hellspawnedhero]

*He gave a very faint smile in response to that.*

If you think this is moping, you should have seen me the first and second times I thought Vergil was dead. At least I'm still mostly sober.

[bewarethefaeries]

I can imagine, but hey...we all deal with grief in our own ways, right? Some of us need some time for reflection and introspection...others collapse on their girlfriends and cry for about an hour.

[He chuckled, reminding himself that he realllly needed to take Saori out for a nice dinner once he got this fully out of his system; he owed her a lot for how much she was taking care of him right now.]

[hellspawnedhero]

*He nodded and turned his attention back toward the horizon.*

I'll be back to my old self sooner or later.