[012]

[fortune_sought]

[when Sophie turns on her CAT, her expression is neutral--very carefully so. on the surface, she seems normal, but someone looking closely might notice that her eyes are a bit red and puffy. otherwise, she has a blue shawl wrapped around her shoulders and is seated on the sofa in her townhome. as soon as she begins to speak, that neutral expression goes out the window, and her bitterness is clear]

Since they've so graciously given us some time to ourselves, I think we should use it wisely. It's been cold all day, and--knowing this town--that means it'll be worse tomorrow. I suggest everyone visit the stores and prepare for that. Also, I am going to knit hats and gloves with protective charms in them for anyone who is interested. If you'd like some, please stop by my townhome so I can take measurements.

[she pauses] And...to everyone who... [but her voice catches in her throat, and she lets it trail off. she swallows hard before adding, quickly, her voice thick:] Oh, nevermind! [she quickly shuts off her CAT]

[filtered to Kanaya]

[she takes a moment to collect herself before sending out another message, keeping her tone as businesslike as she can do] I know we met under rather...false pretenses. But if you do know how to knit, and you wouldn't mind, I could use your help. Would you like to?

Comments

[filtered ; video]

[worldsapart]

... Are you okay?

[fortune_sought]

Xion! I... [she shakes her head] No. No, I suppose I'm not. [she opens her mouth to say something else, but she can't bring herself to. she shakes her head again and says instead, her voice thick:] Come by when you can. I'd like to knit a hat and gloves for you.

[worldsapart]

Okay. I'm not doing anything, so I can come by now, if that's okay.

[fortune_sought]

Yes, of course. I'll see you soon. [she smiles weakly before she turns off the CAT]

[worldsapart]

[It's nice, to be able to use a corridor of darkness again. Powers that she never knew she had, in that "other life"...

Well. Xion's certainly there almost immediately. She steps out of the corridor in front of Sophie's townhouse and knocks on the door.]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie had forgotten Xion could do that, so she jumps at the knock on the door. she hurries over to it, pulling it open] Xion! Come in. [she gestures]

[worldsapart]

Hi. [Xion smiles, and to her credit, it doesn't look too forced.

She comes on across the threshold.] How... are you doing?

[fortune_sought]

[she tries to smile back] The same as a few moments ago, I'm sure. You were very quick. Would you like tea? Or a snack, perhaps?

[worldsapart]

Oh, w-well, I meant... Nevermind.

No, I'm okay. I don't need anything.

[fortune_sought]

[she frowns at that reaction, but her hospitality isn't to be deterred] Then at least have a seat. [she gestures at the sofa in the living room] Do you mind if I take some measurements for the hat and gloves?

[worldsapart]

[Xion sits obediently.]

No, I don't. [A pause. Then,] What color's it gonna be?

[fortune_sought]

What colour would you like? [she picks up a tape measure and notepad, coming over to sit beside Xion] Hold out your hands, please.

[worldsapart]

Um... Blue? [Xion obliges, sticking her hands out and holding her fingers out straight.

Meanwhile, she shifts possibilities around in her head, attempting to figure out how to bring up what everyone just went through.]

[fortune_sought]

Light or dark? [Sophie measures Xion's hands, taking note of the measurements] Lean forward so I can measure your head now.

[worldsapart]

Light! [She obeys and leans forward.

Then, cautiously, averting her eyes:] ... I... Despite myself... I kind of... liked that. What happened, I mean.

[fortune_sought]

[and she measures Xion's head] Thank you. [she leans back again, jotting down the measurement, and sets both the tape measure and pad of paper back down]

Ah, yes. [her expression darkens] But we were meant to, of course. The people running this place want us to stay here, after all.

[worldsapart]

[Xion feels a strange pang in her chest that she can't quite identify. Guilt? No... Not entirely. She manages not to shift uncomfortably, but her eyes cast about for something to settle on.]

I... don't like that they covered up our memories. It's important to me, to remember. [She puts her hand over her heart and it lingers there as she continues talking.] But, I... I'd never had a family before. I didn't know what it was like. So that... was nice.

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie's expression softens] Oh, Xion... There's no need to feel bad for enjoying that. And I do hope you realise we're quite like a family even without this town's tricks. [she gives her an encouraging smile]

I... [she hesitates, her smile immediately fading] I found it...nice...as well. [but she cringes and quickly adds:] At the time. But I didn't know that this place had--had replaced my family! [her voice thickens as she continues] It was--wickedness! Wickedness and awfulness! I... [she trails off, fighting back a lump in her throat, and shakes her head]

[worldsapart]

I didn't, at first. But Natsuo said we didn't actually have to be related to be a family.

[Xion stops fidgeting to reach out for Sophie's hand. Her voice is soft.] They weren't really replaced, though. Even if the memories were hidden, even if it seemed like we'd forgotten at the time... They're still there, in our hearts. Nothing could ever truly replace that.

[Even though she knows this, it still troubles Xion she forgot in the first place. She knows those memories and people are still there in her heart and always will be, but... It's important, to her, to be the one who consciously remembers. So that, at least, someone does.]

[fortune_sought]

Which is exactly right!

[she takes Xion's hand, looking up at her as she tries to fight back tears] Thank you, Xion. But... [she pauses. she wishes she could find more comfort in Xion's words, but the realisation that this town could take all of that from her--possibly forever--whenever it wants has scared her horribly. her voice is soft as she continues] It makes it no less wicked. And...it could happen again, if they chose it to.

[and then all their fighting to get home would be meaningless, and she might never find Howl or Calcifer--or even see Morgan again. and that's an excruciating thought that she can't get out of her head]

[worldsapart]

[Xion's expression is deathly serious.]

If they were going to do something like that, lock away our memories of home, forever... They would've done it by now, right? They care so much about keeping us here... That'd be a surefire way to do it, right? I mean, there's nothing stopping them from deciding to do it again, but...

[Her voice trails off for a moment. She squeezes Sophie's hand gently before shaking her head, hair spikes flopping back and forth.]

There must be something more to this, than just keeping us here.

[fortune_sought]

[she considers Xion's words for a moment, looking at her rather uncertainly. she wants to believe that's true; she's just not sure she can. but finally she nods] Yes. Yes, you must be right.

And no matter what they do, they should know by now that we'll always find a way to fight back!

[she says it with more confidence than she feels, considering that memory loss experience, but it's something that she has to continue to believe--or she really will despair]

[worldsapart]

Someone would've found clues to the truth sooner or later. The entire family we were put in... It's not like anyone was prone to keeping their noses out of things, right?

[fortune_sought]

[she actually smiles at that. it reminds her of Howl calling her Ms Nose] No, I suppose we're all quite keen to explore the strange things in this place.