[Elza starts to laugh--] That's right. I used to take it with me everywhere.
Children like to be in their animal forms more, so it was tattered by the time I was a bit older. [Because lion cub Elza was always taking it around everywhere in his mouth... sharp little lion teeth...]
[He moves to drop his hand, taking one of hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. He's always known they'll go back to Weblin, that there's still things left to do there.]
Aa. [...] It's painful to think about, isn't it?
[He does think her going to her world, going back to her friends, is the best thing, so why is there this conflicted feeling? Is this what Mary's feeling?] But... There's a chance that that wouldn't have to be the case either, isn't there? [And maybe that's why he says that--even though he thinks the possibility is real as well.]
I'm not ready to say goodbye to you or see you say goodbye to your friends here yet. If they're able to... [that whole complicated stuff] do what they do to bring us here, surely there must be some way to travel between places.
[At the very least, he wouldn't be quick to give any chance up, for her sake.]
[The words make his eyes go wide, his fingers loosening on hers... but then he renews his grip. Elza berates himself mentally, blaming himself for saying things to upset her.]
But right now, the people around you aren't gone. It's true that we can't anticipate when these things may happen... but that's all the more reason to be with them in the present.
Mm. [ It's very quiet, subdued agreement, and she really doesn't like thinking about this at all, not when it reminds her of all the years she spent alone, the dreams where everyone lay crumpled at her feet, bloodied and unmoving--
But Mary swallows hard and nods. She has to focus on the now, or she'll be engulfed in her own worries. ]
[Elza leans forward, stretching his arm around her, placing his hand gently on the back of her head and pulling her face toward his shoulder. It's a soft motion, one she could as easily stop if she leaned back a bit.]
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Children like to be in their animal forms more, so it was tattered by the time I was a bit older. [Because lion cub Elza was always taking it around everywhere in his mouth... sharp little lion teeth...]
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[ BABY ELZA... ]
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[ Him and his ribboned tail... ]
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[Eeeeh-- But, well, it's a compliment... but eeeeeh--]
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Thank you. [He'll give in.] I don't get compliments about my other form that often-- because I don't show it, usually.
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[ So solemn. ]
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After she sets her cup down, thankfully. ]
I wouldn't mind, b-but I said it because I don't want you to feel like you can't!
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I know. I was just teasing you.
But, I suppose I do feel that way; it was how I grew up. And, of course, what I'll eventually go back to when we find our ways home...
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[ Going home... she does miss it, of course, and she misses all of her friends, but when that happens...
She's quiet for a long moment, staring down at her hands as she lowers them. ]
Maybe it could change...
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[But he trails off, watching the way that she looks at her hands.
He reaches over to her, setting his hand lightly on her shoulder.] Mary? [His expression is a apologetic. Is it because he mentioned going back?]
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... Sorry. I know it would be a good thing to go home... I just sort of forgot that when that happens, we won't see each other anymore.
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Aa. [...] It's painful to think about, isn't it?
[He does think her going to her world, going back to her friends, is the best thing, so why is there this conflicted feeling? Is this what Mary's feeling?] But... There's a chance that that wouldn't have to be the case either, isn't there? [And maybe that's why he says that--even though he thinks the possibility is real as well.]
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I don't know how other worlds work... this is the only other one I've been to.
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I'm not ready to say goodbye to you or see you say goodbye to your friends here yet. If they're able to... [that whole complicated stuff] do what they do to bring us here, surely there must be some way to travel between places.
[At the very least, he wouldn't be quick to give any chance up, for her sake.]
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[ Mary, no, don't actually tear up-- ]
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[He squeezes her hand again for emphasis and ducks his head to look into her face with a reassuring expression.]
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[ SORRY ELZA, SHE'S IN A SENTIMENTAL STATE RIGHT NOW. ]
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[The words make his eyes go wide, his fingers loosening on hers... but then he renews his grip. Elza berates himself mentally, blaming himself for saying things to upset her.]
But right now, the people around you aren't gone. It's true that we can't anticipate when these things may happen... but that's all the more reason to be with them in the present.
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But Mary swallows hard and nods. She has to focus on the now, or she'll be engulfed in her own worries. ]
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She's not ready to think of certain things, it seems. Not calmly, anyway. ]
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