25. Expectations

[corrinesbell]

I hope everyone's doing okay. If this is like all the other 'experiments,' we should be out of danger soon. ...As out of danger as we ever are, anyway. It's a little worrying that the hunter hasn't shown him itself much lately...but I guess we should probably be thankful for that, huh?

Caesar? Lute? You guys doing okay? How about you, Al? I haven't seen you in a while.

...I...I didn't know it'd be this bad. Maybe I never considered anyone actually dying on our journey, either. ...Even though some of us came pretty close sometimes. Really close. But seeing...with Colette gone, and seeing...them, this way... And it doesn't help that I'm next to useless because of the Malnosso, either. 

...That's a lie, isn't it? It isn't because of them, not entirely. It's got to be partially my fault, too. ...Damn it, I thought I was supposed to be able to face this! Didn't I learn that already? That there's no point in constantly being scared of the past? But it's not making any difference...

Like I said, anytime you're...not occupied, and once it's safe to go outside again, I'll gladly...talk about it. If you still think it'd be useful, anyway.

Comments

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[corrinesbell]

I don't want this to keep happening.

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[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

Then we won't let it happen.

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[corrinesbell]

What can we possibly do to stop it?

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[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

...I may have been a bit too optimistic. I don't think we can stop it, but we can, at least, ease the impact. We have to do our best to better prepare ourselves. Learn from this in any way we can. I know that the messages the Malnosso send out are always cryptic, but if we study it, we may figure out if the experiment is a harmless or dangerous one.

That's all I can think of to do... And I know that right now, we're all still needed.

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[corrinesbell]

I know that. ...It's just a lot to think about, and when you can't do anything about it...

I shouldn't let thinking take over like this. I start walking in circles inside my head.

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[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

I know... I know. It's killing me to stay inside, but I promised him I wouldn't go anywhere...

There's little else to do when one is grounded like this. But I know when this is all over, the first thing I'll do is give everyone I know a hug. Even if they don't want it. ♥

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[corrinesbell]

Stella...do you think you could...show me how to use the Filial power?

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[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

You knew?

...Of course I can. It's not that hard once you learn how to do it.

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[corrinesbell]

...Yeah, kinda. I can...tell it's there. It helps with my cards, sometimes. But I have no control or anything.

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[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

Alright. As I said, it's not hard, but it may take a few times to get a good grasp on how it works.

You have to concentrate. Close your eyes and just... listen. Listen for the voice of the element. Once you hear it, let it carry from your ears to your hand.

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[corrinesbell]

The voice, huh? ...Problem is, these aren't the voices I want to hear.

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[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

...What voices do you hear?

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[corrinesbell]

They're...strange. And...very excited.

But they're not my spirits.

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[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

Ah...

Those are the Filial elements.

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[corrinesbell]

They remind me...the voices...

I don't think I can call on these elements.

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[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

...? Why--Oh...

I understand. It's alright... You do very well even without magic. Besides, you'll have to help me once I start teaching other people how to use their magic! I'm sure we'll have several houses or trees catch on fire.

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[corrinesbell]

...No. No, it isn't okay. It's another stupid hangup on the past. ...A past that I don't even have here.