week 3

[airlockedmods]

Week 3

[Come week 3 of the Champion Excellence Program the high-flying feelings that came with the dodgeball game last week has dissipated, especially after the...everything that was that trial. Satan Mask sure was a thing that happened.

Just like last week, right on the dot at 7 am, the mechanical woman's voice chimes to awaken the remaining champions on Sunday morning. After the initial wake-up call though there's a new message tacked on:]

Congratulations, Champions! By surviving your second trial, you have unlocked the third floor of the ship. A new mini map has been added to your P.I.P.! To access the second floor please stand on the teleporter and select the floor you wish to be teleported to.

[And again the Champions are awakened they have regained one new memory from the ones they've lost. Starting again on Sunday, as well, Jamie and Bolton will be back to their usual office hours in their usual locations.]

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday


[ooc: welcome to week 3, everyone! Check-in has begun and don't forget to submit your memory regains!]

Comments

[bylight]

[Not returning? She crosses her arms, a wry smile on her face.]

Even if I had the option, where would I go? [There's no place she can think of where she wouldn't immediately go to seek out her sister.]

I can't abandon my duties. If I don't go back, it's not only Etro that would be affected. Time, life, death... everything in Valhalla directly affects the lives of millions outside of that realm. If Chaos were to enter that world, everything would end. [It's a thankless job, but somebody has to do it.] My life for the life of millions of others and my friends being able to have normal lives... it's the least I can do for them.

[Her family, even Fang and Vanille in their crystal sleep, deserve happiness.]

[kingshaming]

No... I understand. I could expect no less of you. Still... forgive me for feeling a bit selfish on your behalf.

[bylight]

[Confusion sets in as she carefully watches Xander.]

You barely know me and yet you feel like that? [She doesn't get it. This doesn't seem like pity.]

[kingshaming]

...my duties back home are not nearly so far reaching. But I can sympathize with the feeling of hating one's fate but not being willing to forgo it. Or let someone else suffer it.

I can't turn away either, so I guess a part of me is greedy by proxy. I would like to see you happy... is that strange?

[bylight]

I never-[Did she really make it seem like she hates her fate? It's not really something she can deny. His words are hitting a little too close to home right now. Hard to think there was someone in a similar situation as her here-

Wait

He wants to see her happy?]

You make it sound like you'd be happy if I was. Yes, I'd say that's strange. [This isn't said in a teasing way. She's genuinely surprised that anyone would say things like this.

Where was Serah when Light needs her?]

[kingshaming]

Well... I'd be happier. I suppose that would sound strange to a solider.

[Hey knows why he does it though. Because if not for the happiness of others, well-

- there'd be no joy at all. Without their

( the five of them at the table, pretending at being a normal family)

peals of laughter and the brightness of their smiles there would be nothing left to keep the ghosts at bay. And no more reason to keep them from their well deserved revenge.

It was instinct to fill that emptiness, even without his loved ones here. Maybe that was cruel to his new allies. But he couldn't bring himself to keep his distance like he should. Not when they lived and died shoulder to shoulder.]

If it helps just think of it as a personal quirk.

[bylight]

[It doesn't sound that strange now that she takes a moment to really think about it. She does the same exact thing.

Seeing all of her friends happy did make her happy. They make her smile, tease them, joke with them. That's what her happiness translates into.

No one's ever said that they'd be happy if she was. It's an alien concept. Was it okay to accept it?]

Seems we share that quirk.

[kingshaming]

[He laughs softly, turning away from the lovely view and strolling towards where the door is hidden away.]

It's always strange when it's aimed at you, yes?

[He thinks of Corrin- the first time she told him to stop playing with her, stop reading with her, and sleep. Please Xander, be at peace.

It's so strange]

[bylight]

[Unlike Xander, Lightning doesn't move. This place reminds her of one she wants to see desperately. The last place she saw Serah.

Her voice drops down low, it'd be quite a feat if Xander heard it.]

I'd be happy if the few people I care for didn't die in this place.

[She lets out a soft noise almost like a laugh before replying to him.]

Maybe I just need to get used to it.

[She'll see you around, Prince.]

[kingshaming]

[He couldn't hear more then the barest snatches of words, but her tone fills in some of the blanks.]

Maybe. Stay as long as you like Lightning. I'll warn the others away for the evening.

[And he will give her time as well]

[bylight]

[There's no reply on her part. Just the sound of wind and happy laughter.

She appreciates it, Xander. She really does.]