we'll make it to the foot of the rainbow.

[cantante]

Who: Tear (and open!)
When: May 15th
Where: Around Aqures Ixen.
What: Tear wakes up from having spent a month in stasis, now to navigate her way through the storm because Bad Life Choices.
Warning: None so far!

[ The first thing that registers, even before opening her eyes, was sound—or rather, the lack thereof. It was unsettling, and the sight that met her when she did at last reveal blue irises was even more so when the haze of sleep was slow to dissipate completely. Confusion took its place, because this was definitely not where she remembered falling asleep.

Fortunately, Tear was quick to recognise her surroundings. For all the times she had visited this particular wing of the hospital, waking up locked within it was another thing entirely, especially surrounded by familiar faces that had yet to wake up themselves.

She couldn't tell how long she spent studying them before releasing a tired sigh, turning toward the door to request she be allowed out. The time that followed after was a blur, only vaguely catching the calls of the occasional person she passed by in the halls. It was only when she reached the entrance and she stepped out that it occurred to her what they might have wanted her attention for, stopping dead in her tracks at the sight of the darker clouds and heavy rain that fell from them.

Needless to say, barefoot and in a nightgown were probably not the best way to travel through such weather. However, such a thing wasn't about to stop her, because there was the one thing she knew she had to do for certain—she had to find home.

So with a frown on her face, she tentatively placed one step forward to start the trek in search of it or for any other familiar faces that might come across her path. And hopefully, she would find more suitable to wear soon... ]

Comments

[cantante]

[ Tear set right to work with applying the bandages, listening carefully to every word he spoke. Though she often held herself back on asking more about his family, it didn't mean she wasn't interested in that part of Ace's life. If anything, knowing how different their families were made her all the more curious of anything he chose to share. ]

She's your mother. [ Pausing to rearrange the next bandage, she continued. ] It might be something she would do whether you gave her reasons to or not.

[ Or so she had gathered from her limited experience with Luke and Anise's mothers, the former going as far as designating her his 'big sister' to watch over the boy in her stead. ]

But I hope you don't intend to try it again alone. [ If it was in the controlled environment of the Arena, maybe that made it a little better. Maybe. ]

[confidentia]

[ Being unable to die while within its confines was certainly a plus, but Ace didn't intend to make an argument for a case already lost. He would accept the punishment of her chiding tone, shifting slightly to press his forehead against her shoulder the moment she was finished wrapping the bandage around his arm.

Or maybe she wasn't, ever thorough in her treatment, not unlike his mother she so inquired to know more about. Letting his eyes fall shut, he settled for a light shake of his head as an answer. ]

I have you, now.

[ And whatever he meant by that was completely up to Tear's interpretation. He would also let the melodist resume what she'd been doing... eventually. For now, he seemed far too content in his half-awake state. ]

Do you feel any better? You're... no longer shaking. [ His bandaged hand hovered over one of hers as he spoke, fingers lightly tracing her wrists. ] Should you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

[cantante]

[ Tear did indeed have more finishing touches to apply on his wounds, but the way Ace leaned against her, not to mention the words he spoke, kept her from pressing the point for the time being. Instead she could only stare at him quietly with parted lips, completely at a loss for how to respond as her hands fell into her lap. Those words, simple as they were, had all the power necessary to send her thoughts in disarray.

Eventually she gave up in interpreting exactly what he meant by it, manifesting itself in the soft colour adorning her cheeks when she pressed her lips against his hair—both a gesture of her affection, and an answer to his question. ]

I'm all right... [ It was mostly the truth. Her skin still felt cool to the touch after having endured the storm, but that problem would resolve itself in due time, even faster now that they were this close and his fingers traced over her skin, creating a soothing, if a bit odd sensation that bordered on ticklish. ] But Ace... I should be asking you if you're okay.

[ A sigh pushed past her lips even as she nuzzled him gently, her voice softer when she continued. ] I heard from others of the tournament happening, and about the sickness that has been plaguing the other Heroes. But I want to know about you, too.

[ The girl had been "safe" while in crystal stasis, so to speak, yet the same could not be said of her partner as her eyes scanned the room again, a clear indication that he had been having troubles of his own while she'd been asleep. ]

[confidentia]

[ Ticklish or not, Tear would find his fingertips traveling upwards, as though wishing to map out the entire surface of her arm. It was a playful gesture rather than a distress signal, though it showed some signs of the latter, especially when the movement momentarily came to a halt when she expressed her concern for his own well-being.

Needless to say, the events of the month before were still weighing heavily in his mind. It felt like they had never been given the closure they deserved, and ever since they'd all gone their separate ways, he'd heard not a word from the others.

Ultimately, Ace accepted the melodist's request with a faint nod, but it wasn't the reason why he chose to suddenly pull away. The burning sensation spreading across his cheek told him everything he needed to know as he grabbed some dressing off the table to apply it to the reopened wound.

Carelessness aside, he seemed to ignore the issue for the most part, though. ]

Shortly after you fell into Crystal Stasis, something happened. For many, it's become a rather uncomfortable topic to speak about, so I'm not surprised that you weren't told.

[ And while he'd have rather not included himself in that group, the truth was, he felt a bit uneasy. ]

There was a series of kidnappings among the Heroes that occurred overnight. We were divided into groups and left to fend for ourselves for days, without much of an access to weapons, or even food. [ He scoffed. ] A twisted game for somebody's entertainment.

[ Unsure as to whether he should continue, he searched for a permission in her eyes. This could get long. ]

[cantante]

[ The sudden departure left Tear confused for a few seconds, even going as far as lifting a hand to reach out for him out of pure instinct. Yet she could see what the reason might have been right away, causing her to reach out and grab another bandage to help him if need be. Still, she held back from touching him again so soon.

All of the movement hardly distracted her from what he had said so far either, and what she heard was already enough to have her brow furrow in both worry and disbelief. Kidnapping...? ]

A game? [ Lifting her eyes to meet his, she nodded once to grant him that permission to continue—but only if he so wished. ]

What could anyone possibly gain from doing such a thing...? [ The question was muttered mostly to herself, because surely whoever was responsible would know of how resilient the Heroes of Light could be. ]

[confidentia]

[ Tear was giving him that look again, but for naught would have been words of reassurance if he he hadn't been able to move on just yet. Noting her hesitance, he stuck out his injured cheek for her final touch; all it needed was a small strip to hold the dressing in place. ]

The knowledge of our limits. [ A humourless smile pulled at his lips as he met her gaze. ] Extreme circumstances are capable of either unleashing a person's true strength, or breaking them completely. Somehow... they had been able to extract our fears and use them against us.

[ With that, he breathed out a sigh, leaning his head against the back of the couch. ]

It worked, to an extent. A girl lost her life while on my watch... and she has yet to wake up.

[cantante]

[ Despite the many thoughts running through her mind, the sheer number of questions, Tear held her tongue and willed her expression to return to one of calm as she reached out to apply that last touch to his injury. But she didn't pull away once it was secure—rather, she allowed her fingertips to trace along it lightly, lips pressed into a thin line as she did.

The truth was, she didn't know what to say. The girl had never learned how to properly comfort another as most people did, what she believed to be one of her failings as a sister and a person. The words would come out too harsh, and in her experience would often have the exact opposite effect of what she'd intended despite her efforts. And for such a situation, what could words even do?

All she could truly offer was a quiet sigh, lowering her gaze and pulling her hand back into her lap. That was how she stayed, for perhaps a little too long. ]

The point of being a soldier is to do what it takes to protect the people, and fulfil our mission. [ The girl had spoken those words to him before, so long ago. ] But we have our limits, and afterward it is our duty to learn and move on.

[ It was inexcusable, yet she wanted to believe he had done his best given the circumstances. ]

[confidentia]

[ Ace had fully expected her to provide an answer worthy of a comrade-in-arms, but the circumstances in question were a separate topic altogether. He couldn't blame her for neglecting the full picture which remained between their group of three.

Sensing the edge of tension to her tone, he sought to relieve it with a kiss to her temple that seemed almost featherlike in how brief it lasted, careful, even. Although words could fail her, she granted him peace of mind by agreeing to listen in the first place. ]

For the... greater good, isn't that right?

[ Sounding somewhat less than convinced, he swung his feet off the couch onto the still slightly damp floor. As he fully pulled himself up, the ache from before reverberated through his body anew, further cementing his decision to fulfill his part of the arrangement, now, that he'd been all patched up. First came the tea to bid farewell to the lingering cold, followed by some food if only he could find any. Though he definitely wasn't as capable or talented as his Moogle, he didn't entertain the idea of calling Hana over just yet, fearing it might cause the little moment of privacy they had to slip through his fingers.

He wasn't finished talking, either. After filling the kettle with water, he placed it on the spell-induced flame; for such menial tasks, he never saw much of a point to resort to conventional means. That, and it granted him some extra time to mull over his thoughts as he watched the fiery sparks dissipate from the surface of his fingers. ]

We walk through our lives, treating each loss like another number to clear our conscience, regardless of whether it's a stranger or somebody we know...- the point is that the survivor never looks back. Just like you said, it's expected of us.

[ The cadet swallowed, and then calmly continued. The girl - it was no longer just about her, he'd barely known anything about her save for her name; what she'd done, however, was spark something important. ]

Except this time, it didn't feel like it was a mission. There was no comfort of following orders and applying the same principles.

[ And I feared I'd lost you- ]

I found out I had no clue how to respond. Not necessarily as a soldier, but as a... human being.

[cantante]

For the greater good. [ Neither was the girl's voice firm in its declaration as she echoed those words, for a moment closing her eyes and focusing instead on the memory of the brief kiss to try and soothe herself. She could repeat those words to herself over and over for as long as it took, if it meant keeping back the thoughts of a future she would rather not think about right now. ] Because so often, we can't undo what's been done or take it back. We simply have to learn.

[ Except this moment was Ace's, and it was her wish to support him even as she still faltered on how. So when he finished speaking... ]

'A human being?' [ This time she couldn't quite keep the confusion out of her voice, brow furrowing together just a little as her eyes opened and she lifted her head to better look at him. But it didn't seem like enough, so she slowly pushes herself off the couch and onto her feet, walking closer to him yet not quite at his side. ]

I don't understand, what do you mean? [ Maybe she could understand the sentiment of trying to apply soldier training to a situation involving citizens—and how much of a mistake it was to do so. ]

[confidentia]

[ Ace briefly looked over his shoulder, mentally shaking his head. He'd been perfectly intent on having her stay in the warmth of the couch, she made a point of joining him, regardless. That stubborn girl with her bare feet and tousled hair.

His partner.

Not wanting to provide a rushed answer, he returned to his preparations with a thoughtful hum. The unrelenting headache wasn't helping him concentrate on either of the tasks, but there wasn't much philosophy behind retrieving what he needed from the cupboards. The mugs made a small clinking sound as he set them against the counter. ]

Well, I…-

[ He finally turned around. Once again, she had his full attention. ]

I think it's time for us to apply to the rules of the world we live in, rather than fall back on what we know. Here, we're not any different than the people around us.

[cantante]

[ For a while Tear doesn't say anything, turning her gaze away and focusing on an undetermined point on the counter instead. While the logic supporting his words was sound, the execution of it was much less clear. ]

No... I suppose we're not. [ From the very start they had all been referred to as 'Heroes of Light,' a title which had always been ambiguous as far as what its true role was. And as more time passed, it became even more so. ]

Honestly, I'm not entirely sure of what the rules of 'here' are, either.

[ Another pause, and she turned her gaze back to her partner with furrowed brow. ]

Or do you mean... 'normalcy?' Something different from the soldiers we were raised to be?