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Tweak says, "Choose. Red pill or blue pill."

Jeanne Fránçaix (fleur_de_glorie) wrote in marinasylum,
@ 2011-02-27 15:15:00

Entry tags:

jeanne francaix, saya otonashi

[Closed] Late evening
[ Jeanne had a busy afternoon. While Saya was out, she decided it was high time to do some cleaning. Empty out trash cans, dust a bit, hang up some pictures she had taken with her camera, arrange some of Saya's clothes in the drawer, go to the store and grab some posters, put them up on her walls, consider her wardrobe--

...yes, she's not really cleaning anymore, and still won't be when Saya gets back home.

Whoops? ]

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	crimson_blade 2011-03-03 12:57 am UTC (link)
	[Saya slips inside, hoping Jeanne is in her room and maybe, just maybe, she can get to hers unnoticed.] [Careful, careful. Step around the end table, avoid knocking the lamp with your sword. And make sure you look down, because Jeanne (both of us, really >.>) tends to leave shopping bags on the fl--] CRINKLE [...Whoops.] (Reply to this) (Thread)

fleur_de_glorie
2011-03-03 02:08 am UTC (link)

[ Jeanne pauses, looking to the door.

...huh, a bag must have fallen over. She'll have to make sure it wasn't anything important later, but right now she really needs to finish putting up this poster.

She resumes her efforts, precariously balanced on a swivel-chair as she holds the paper up with one hand and maneuvers the thumbtack in place with the other. Jeanne mumbles to herself. ] Hrm. I can't tell if this is crooked or not...

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	crimson_blade 2011-03-03 02:12 am UTC (link)
	[Saya freezes at the sound, then slowly, slowly relaxes as she hears only murmuring from the other room. She really should be more --] WHAM [Damn! And she's been trying to avoid that end table!] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fleur_de_glorie 2011-03-03 03:05 am UTC (link)
	[ She gives a start at the sound, turning a bit too swiftly toward the door, thoroughly off balance. ] Say--?--aaah! [ CRASH!, she goes, right off the chair and onto the floor. ] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	crimson_blade 2011-03-04 12:44 am UTC (link)
	[For half a second she freezes in shock, but the next her stealth is forfeit as she runs into Jeanne's room, worry creasing her forehead.] Jeanne? Are you -- [she stops. Looks down.] ...Were you standing on the chair again? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fleur_de_glorie 2011-03-04 01:00 am UTC (link)
	[ She hisses, and looks up to her friend. ] H-hi! Aheh, I was putting up some posters. [ Jeanne pointed up behind her. It was mostly in place, and mostly straight! ] Maybe we need a step-ladder... (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	crimson_blade 2011-03-07 04:45 am UTC (link)
	Oh. [Saya glances around, wondering if they'll have an inch of wall left once Jeanne's through, and then reaches for to help her friend get up. So much for a stealthy entrance.] It looks nice. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fleur_de_glorie 2011-03-07 04:47 am UTC (link)
	You think so? [ Taking the offered hand, she pulls herself up. ] I was hoping to get to your room next, before you came back. But I didn't know how long that'd be, so I started with mine! [ Don't ask how that worked, logically. ] [ And being that close for a moment, she can tell Saya's been exerting herself a bit. ] Where'd you go? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	crimson_blade 2011-03-09 03:02 am UTC (link)
	[she smiles at Jeanne's incorrigible aesthetic sense, but it falls away as she tries to consider that question. A lie wasn't something she'd feel good about, but...] Training. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fleur_de_glorie
2011-03-09 04:58 am UTC (link)

Oh! [ She nods. ] That's good. I've been slacking off on my exercise, and being the only one at the shooting range is kind of boring.

[ Jeanne stretched her arms up above her head, then snapped her fingers. ] Hey, we haven't exercised in a while. We should fix that! [ Still smiling, she clapped Saya's shoulder. ] What about training together? I'm not that good at hand-to-hand combat, but I won't ask you to show me around with a sword. [ A laugh. ] I'd probably just hurt myself.

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	crimson_blade 2011-03-10 11:36 pm UTC (link)
	[Train? Together? Oh, no no no. Saya can't have Jeanne getting more involved than she already is. She agreed to bring Jeanne to sign up for the Force so she'd have a way to defend herself, but that didn't mean she wanted to encourage even WORSE things!] [Saya's speechless for the moment, but her expression should say it all.] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fleur_de_glorie 2011-03-11 01:46 am UTC (link)
	[ Jeanne had no honest clue what that look was for. She tilted her head. ] ...what's the matter? I didn't mean right now, silly! [ She laughs and waves it off. ] Just, you know, the next time you go. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	crimson_blade 2011-03-13 07:57 pm UTC (link)
	[Saya shifts her gaze to the floor, trying to think of some way to say no and have Jeanne not get mad. Nothing comes to mind, and before she knows it she's been quiet for a good long time...] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fleur_de_glorie 2011-03-13 08:11 pm UTC (link)
	[ Carefully, she reaches out to put her hand on her friend's shoulder. ] ...Saya? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	crimson_blade 2011-03-13 08:14 pm UTC (link)
	[Saya flinches at the touch, stepping back quickly.] Uh -- sorry. I'm kinda tired. [she can't look at Jeanne in the eye, which can't be good...] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fleur_de_glorie 2011-03-13 08:15 pm UTC (link)
	...okay. [ It's not good, but maybe it was just that. She was tired. Jeanne smiled. ] We'll figure something out for another day, alright? [ Then she paused. ] Oh! I almost forgot. I should... clear off your bed before you go to sleep. [ Sheepish smile. ] I kind of dumped a lot of stuff there from shopping. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	crimson_blade 2011-03-13 08:24 pm UTC (link)
	[It wasn't alright, not at all. Saya just stands still, her brain sluggishly trying to think. This is why she had tried to move away, wasn't it? Why had she come back again?] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fleur_de_glorie
2011-03-13 08:28 pm UTC (link)

[ And Jeanne is just standing there, a hand nervously scratching at her other upper arm, trying to figure out what it is she could have said to have Saya close up like that. ] If you're... not going to bed right away, I could warm us up some dinner? Some of that instant macaroni sounds good right about now! [ Food! That should snap her out of it, right? Slowly, she tries to step around Saya, to go take care of that bed first. ]

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	crimson_blade 2011-03-13 08:31 pm UTC (link)
	Jeanne. [Saya's voice is sad, but cuts the air like her sword. Not having to look at her makes this easier, shamefully.] I can't train with you. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fleur_de_glorie 2011-03-13 08:31 pm UTC (link)
	[ She stops just outside of the door, hand on the frame, and leans back in. ] Huh? What do you mean? I said not to worry about it, tonight! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	crimson_blade 2011-03-13 08:34 pm UTC (link)
	[For a minute Saya debates trying to continue this, to somehow find that final statement that will make Jeanne stop and back off. But she just doesn't have the energy. With a slow nod, she turns, eyes fixed on the floor, to go clear off her bed in silence.] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fleur_de_glorie
2011-03-13 08:36 pm UTC (link)

[ Oh no she doesn't. This has gone on long enough, and Jeanne is tired of being the one to always be left out; behind and confused. This isn't new behavior for Saya, she knows that much, and Jeanne steps so that her back is to the other side of the door and her arm is rigid against the other, blocking her friend's path. ] Saya. What's wrong? This isn't like you. Did something happen today? Did you... see someone? [ She bites her lip. Was it Diva? Conrad? Zero? What is running through that head of hers? ]

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crimson_blade
2011-03-13 08:40 pm UTC (link)

No. [It's true enough, but of course there's more to it, and before Saya can realize she's speaking it's too late.]

This is me, Jeanne. I was only different before because I forgot who I am. You keep trying to help when there's no going back. I can't just be like everyone else.

[She stops for a breath, and weakly finishes,] There's nothing anyone can do to help me.

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fleur_de_glorie
2011-03-13 08:46 pm UTC (link)

[ Jeanne winces. ] Saya... I thought we went over this. [ She doesn't mean to sound chiding but, honestly, this was frustrating. They really did talk about this. They came to an agreement. They signed up for the Defense Force together, and everything! What more must Jeanne do? ] I'm not... trying to say you need to be anyone but yourself. But I thought you were going to let me help you. That's--

[ She sucks in a breath. Maybe it wasn't an oath, exactly, but it was just like a promise to her. ] I gave you my word.

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	crimson_blade 2011-03-13 08:56 pm UTC (link)
	You can't train with me. [I don't want to see you get hurt.] You'll be in the way. [I couldn't stand it if you got hurt because of me.] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fleur_de_glorie 2011-03-13 08:57 pm UTC (link)
	In-- [ 'In the way'? Wow. Jeanne straightens up, a bit of hardness in that stare. ] I think you're underestimating me. I know I'm just human, but give me some credit! I've been trained, you know... (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	crimson_blade 2011-03-13 09:04 pm UTC (link)
	You are not 'just a human.' [that almost irritates her, because it's what she herself wanted to be.] You're my friend. I don't care what we promised, I am not going to swing a sword at you. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fleur_de_glorie
2011-03-13 09:07 pm UTC (link)

It does-- [ Okay, she did mean it like that because she knew this wasn't anything like the conflict between humans and the Zor back home; they were not that much more powerful in person, it was just their mechs that provided them with the advantage on the battlefield. They still hurt like humans did; bled and died like them.

She pushes those thoughts aside, and gives a weak laugh. ] And I don't want you to, believe me! [ A shake of her head. ] I don't know the first thing about a saber, except which side points out. I just figured we could, I don't know. Find something else to practice. Boxing or something. [ Jeanne is a mean street brawler, after all. ]

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crimson_blade
2011-03-13 09:10 pm UTC (link)

[Saya tenses up, not knowing how to be any more convincing. She tried telling her to go away and then telling her the truth, but nothing was working.]

[Finally, she just moves, at her top speed, the speed at which no normal human could even follow her visually. She ducks under Jeanne's arm and out into the hallway to appear behind Jeanne in less than a blink.]

[Do you see now?]

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	fleur_de_glorie 2011-03-13 09:23 pm UTC (link)
	[ In the time it takes for her to blink, Saya was gone. But how-- The rush of air and sound past her is a swift answer to that question, and she turns quickly, thoroughly startled. ] W-wow! How did you-- (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	crimson_blade 2011-03-16 01:59 am UTC (link)
	[Saya just sighs.] I'm not like everyone else, Jeanne. Diva moves even faster than this. [She closes her eyes against welling tears.] Don't you get it? I don't want you to get hurt. It's bad enough that you're close to me -- [and that's it, that's all she can say right now, because Riku comes crashing through her mind and she just. Can't say anymore.] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fleur_de_glorie
2011-03-16 02:48 am UTC (link)

[ Jeanne turns and puts her hands on Saya's shoulders firmly. Despite trying to intimidate her, all it does it worry her more. ] If that's true, why are you doing this alone? Saya, Diva has two of those knights, now. If they're all faster, stronger, and in greater numbers than you, why are you doing all this alone? [ She can see a stupid idea from a mile away; at least, when they're not her own. ]

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crimson_blade
2011-03-16 02:53 am UTC (link)

Because! [She has to take a deep breath to even get that one word out, and still her voice shakes and wavers.] I can't get hurt if I fight Diva or her Chevaliers. But I have to watch everyone else die fighting them. It's -- [by now she's just sobbing, her eyes far away, holding her father's hand as the light leaves his eyes, watching Riku crumble to dust.]

You can't ask me to watch you die too. You just can't!

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fleur_de_glorie
2011-03-16 04:31 am UTC (link)

[ She can barely fight to keep the tears from her own eyes, thinking back to all her lost comrades; her friends; Seifriet... ] A-and you think I'm just going to let you run off and get yourself hurt over and over again, because you can't die? Is that what I'm supposed to do? [ Her hands curl into fists, and she actually hits one of Saya's shoulders, trying to vent her frustration before it consumes all her thoughts. It's a weak blow; like someone trying to deliver the knock-out punch with a fist made of cotton balls. ]

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	crimson_blade 2011-03-16 04:36 am UTC (link)
	[that little punch does nothing physically, but in Saya's mind it had a much worse bite to it. Doesn't she know how quickly she could be killed facing Diva or any of her Chevaliers? How can she not understand...?] [Saya just turns away, wiping messily at her tears.] Yes, Jeanne, that's what you're supposed to do. Because this is my fight. My responsibility. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fleur_de_glorie
2011-03-16 04:42 am UTC (link)

I won't! [ Her hands slip away, but she stands with her shoulders square. ] We're all in this together. If she's a danger, it's not just to you, and you can't think everyone-- [ She gestures strongly with her arm to the side; she doesn't care how she just slammed her elbow into the door frame. ] --ah! That everyone is just going to... sit on the sidelines.

What if she doesn't even want to hurt people? What if she just wants to... live? [ If only she sounded more convincing in this, but she had to try to find the humanity in everyone. Even someone like Diva. Perhaps especially so... ] You have needs, and she does, too. Maybe she has friends she wants to protect, too?

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crimson_blade
2011-03-16 04:48 am UTC (link)

Don't say that! [Saya shakes her head hard, as if trying to keep the words from reaching her.] She took two fathers and a little brother away from me. She has to be stopped.

[Another sniffle, and Saya's voice and posture harden.] She will be stopped.

[For a second she thinks she might say more, but no. She's exhausted and miserable, not having fed properly (ugh), and just wants to lay down. So she starts walking away, hunching over, swiping angrily at the tears on her chin.]

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fleur_de_glorie
2011-03-16 05:08 am UTC (link)

[ Jeanne stood there, utterly amazed at her own stupidity. She not only managed to put her foot in her mouth, but cram it down so far she'll be choking on boot polish for a week.

She can't even look at her friend's back as she walks away. Can't even call after her when she hears the footsteps echo down the hall. Can't even stay standing when she hears the door shut hard.

Way to go, Jeanne. Just goes to show that she really doesn't understand anything at this point. ]

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