We're Still Here, We Still Have Each Other

[induality]

[It takes Fukawa some time to pull herself together but when she does-- she moves with a purpose. Everyone will find a note in practiced writing:]

Though all we've be through today was awful, and you might not want to face it-- you're not facing it alone. There will be food and drink in the VIP Lounge. And company. Whatever your feelings are now, it's okay. I won't tell you want to think or how to feel. But you don't have to carry it alone.

- Touko Lucis Caelum

[True to her word, she worked hard to make snacks and light warm foods for everyone as well as drinks-- alcoholic and otherwise. Everyone is welcome. She even stops by the information desk to extend an invitation to SIS.]

Comments

[tokencanadian]

...You don't have to do that alone, Touko. I believe that you can do this, and we have to do it, for everyone's sake... But you don't have to be the one person that holds everyone together.

[One hand reaches up to run against her necklace again.]

Because... there's others here, people who will stand with you, no matter what happens.... If you'll let them.

[If they can forgive themselves enough.]

[induality]

After everything... I'm not going to ask anyone to keep fighting if they don't want to. Honestly it might just be a foolish dream. But... I don't want to accept that I can't-- that the only thing waiting for us after all this is more despair.

I refuse.

And if... you're willing to do that with me, then-- nothing would make me happier.

[Fukawa takes off the neckace she was wearing long enough to pull the bottle charm off of it. It's a swirl of black and blue that imitates the dark night sky with little glittering sparkles.]

...here. I gave this to Noctis. I wanted to hold on to it until I could give it back to him but-- I think you could use it right now. Things are... dark. And uncertain. But there's always a light.

[tokencanadian]

[Pyrrha looks at the bottle charm, and the way it sparkled even in the low light of the lounge.]

I... [She raises her hands, lightly pushing back against Fukawa's.] T-thank you, Touko. But... I can't accept this. It's yours, it belongs to you... You said it yourself, it's to see the light in the darkness.

And, I think you should return it to Noctis. When we see him again. Together.

[induality]

It's not mine anymore. I already have something of his. Besides... I don't need something like this to see the light in the darkness anymore.

I have you guys.

[tokencanadian]

...

[She realizes, somewhat glumly, how that sounds like something she would say.

With a small sigh, Pyrrha relents, accepting the little bottle.]

Look at us. We've both come a long way, haven't we?

[induality]

[Fukawa looks down at her hands and laughs a little.]

It's... kind of crazy, isn't it?

Some moments I hardly recognize the person I am now. When you compare it to the person who used you as a shield that first day in Starfield; shrieking, ready to accuse anyone and everyone... it doesn't seem real.

At least one of us has been consistent. But... even I can tell you're stronger than you were back then. You've faced a lot with just your own strength. You're... pretty amazing, honestly.

[tokencanadian]

Well, when you put it like that, it is pretty crazy.

[She doesn't laugh, but hearing that is enough to make her crack a small smile.]

You've come a very long way from back then, Touko. I'm... I'm really proud to see you like this, and I'm glad to have you here. [She looks down at her free hand, grimacing.] I suppose I am strong, but lately I've been feeling a little useless. Today was... it wasn't easy for me.

[induality]

...none of us have been able to do anything. It's not... just you.

But there's a kind of hope that never existed for us before. Not for me in Hope's Peak, or that any of us even knew in Starfield... even at it's worst there's still room for us to take it all back.

And I know that if we're gonna do that? We're gonna need you-- at least. I know I will.

[tokencanadian]

[She thinks about what Touko says, she thinks about it hard, for several long seconds.]

You're right. There... there's a hope here that's different from any time before. We're all trying together. I... need you too, Touko, all of you.

[......]

If you can- I need your help with something. It's... it's important.

[induality]

We know it's not easy. Hell... we all get that we don't know exactly how to do it. But... we know we can. That's... a lot.

[Fukawa blinks, but she doesn't have to give it much thought.]

...of course. What is it?

[tokencanadian]

...Do you remember that night a couple weeks ago? The one after the afterparty, when we had... a visitor in our room?

[Please remember. Don't make this weird.]

[induality]

Oh--!

[Yeah. She remembers. She remembers hearing Pyrrha talking and stirring. That time... it had been...]

...Scraggly, right?

[tokencanadian]

[There's a finger quickly raised up, right in front of Fukawa's face. Another finger pressed to Pyrrha's lips.]

Sshh. There's cameras everywhere. [And she doesn't feel much like letting out the things she heard that night.

But she also gives a nod.]

[induality]

R-right, right... s-sorry.

[Whoops. She quiets down real quick and nods sharply.]

Wh...what about it?

[tokencanadian]

[Cool, we're whispering now. This is better.]

What he said... I want you to help me. I need to find Radical Skullqueen.

[induality]

Rad...

[She still remembers the information from the investigation of Blaze's ship--]

Yeah, of course.

[tokencanadian]

That's right. She's important to Blaze. Scraggly told me I need to find her... so we can save Flavortown.