3/ video/ help me to find my way

[odinbolt]

This city can be tough, huh?

( There's something about Serah's tone which makes that sentence sound like the beginning of a motivational speech.

It isn't, not necessarily. But it is the start of something. )

Being away from home, away from your friends and family... It isn't easy.

( Okay, Serah, you're helping Tranquility, not Sorrow. Get to the point. )

Sometimes we forget to talk about these things. So, um, if you want, you can talk to me about it. Or anything else that's bothering you. Maybe it'll help you feel better?

( She hopes. She's kind of banking on it, really.

But one last thing: )

If you don't want to talk about it here, I'll be at the hot springs later.

( Serah Farron, out. )

( ooc: Feel free to post action tags if you wanna chat to her at the hot springs! Serah is here for all your agony aunt needs, so you can vent and feel more relaxed after. )

Comments

[am_i_a_monster]

That kind of depends on what your family and friends were like back home. You might be able to make a new, better family here. It can be easier here if home was tough too.

[She looks at her curiously.]

Did something happen to make you think about this stuff?

[odinbolt]

( She supposes that's true, but Abigail's question comes first. )

No. But the gods need energy and I want to help. And it'd be nice to help others, too.

( No point in hiding that, is there? But now onto what makes her curious. )

... Was home tough for you?

[am_i_a_monster]

[Oh. That's what this is about. She supposes she should have been able to guess that.]

You trust the gods. Which emotion are you looking for?

Yes, it was.

[odinbolt]

( Trust might not be the most correct way of describing it, and Serah frowns a little, trying to put her thoughts in order. )

It's not like that. ( Not to say she dislikes the gods. In fact, her discussions with Sorrow have been pretty enlightening. ) But I think they'll honour their word about giving us equipment if we help them, so there's no reason not to.

( And, as for that emotion. ) I'm hoping people will feel a bit more tranquil if they explain their problems to someone.

[Video]

[fadeling]

It hurts, sometimes, but there's people here who need help too.

[Video]

[odinbolt]

( A tilt of her head. That's a true general statement, goodness knows Serah feels the pain of missing people she knows too, but she's here to help and she wonders if he means it personally as well. )

Right. And people who want to help. It's good to have people to talk to when it gets hard, you know?

Re: [Video]

[fadeling]

Yes. But people don't like to listen.

[Video]

[odinbolt]

( A nod, expression thoughtful. )

That can be true. Some people aren't very good at it. ( And then, a smile. ) I guess that's why I'm offering, so people know I want to listen.

video.

[puzzlingly]

「Hmm. More like she wanting to help others talking about it, it seems like she's the one with the need. Often after people spend so long in here, they start... addpating. Not to say Atem doesn't miss his home, or his friends, but he's also made so many good connections in here. He has come to realise that he no longer feels alone (only he does, but he always will, but that's because of completely different circumstances). He also had to accept that after the Door had brought people from home, it did... help...」

You okay?

「Whoever you are.」

video.

[odinbolt]

( That's sweet, but Serah is pretty well adjusted. She's been here for a while now, and made good friends, and even found her sister. Sure, she doesn't have Snow, or Noel, or Mog, but she has faith she'll see them again. Besides, by now, she's sorta used to Snow running off on his own. )

Uh-huh. I'm fine.

( Serah does generally take her own advice, too. She has lots of people to talk to when something goes wrong. )

Are you?

video.

[puzzlingly]

Me? Yeah, I am.

「Is he, thought?」

As fine as anyone can be in here, I guess.

My name's Atem. What's yours? 「Yeah, yeah her name is in her post, but it's nicer this way.」

video

[faithliss]

[ Faith holds the phone steady as she replies, careful with framing and angle; she has a cell back home, stuffed in the bunker, long dead in preparation for a world that won't need it. She missed things like video chat, not that she would ever voice an opinion like that. ]

What a kind offer. [ She sounds and appears to be so sincere, the edges of her eyes crinkling as she smiles. Faith is aware that this young lady, Serah, was likely doing this for one of those false gods but it would be a shame to turn down such an offer when she has so many things on her chest. ]

You know, I do miss my family. Being so far from home, it... it's surreal. I sometimes wake and think that I must be dreaming. A place like this can only possibly exist if I close my eyes.

video

[odinbolt]

( The gods, or Fal'Cie - because they really are like them in a lot of ways -, may have prompted this, but Serah does want to use the chance to try and help others in whatever way she can. Working with the guard is one way, and offering whatever lessons she can teach is another, but that doesn't mean it's all she has to do.

Besides, Serah is incredibly lucky, because she finally has her only family by her side, after years of Lightning being missing. She knows not everyone is, but maybe, if they talk about it, they'll feel a bit better. Maybe they'd like to be her friend, too. She'd never object to that. )

I know what you mean. I didn't believe something like this really happened, that it was only for stories.

( There's a pause, Serah glancing down at her lap where she's sat in the eastern watchtower. )

What was your family like?

( Asked quietly. She doesn't know if the other girl wants to disclose that much, but she can if she likes. )

video

[faithliss]

[ Loaded question. Faith doesn't flinch or look away, managing instead to smile serenely. Half-truths and lies are her bread and butter. ]

Perfect. Complicated. I was the little sister even though we didn't have the same parents. We'd come from the same sort of place, seen the same sorts of things. More blood than blood. [ All true, sort of. No mention of the cult, the violence, the drugs, the abuse. ]

They mean everything to me. [ And anyone with a family can sympathize and relate, right? Her gaze turns curious. ] Have you been without yours for long?

action;

[barold]

[Barry is almost never on the network. Ever since his first encounter with this platform, he's just found it much too confusing. But something about the unfamiliar young woman's gentle offer is enough to make him pause his nervous scrolling and consider her words.

Yeah. This city can be tough. It's been a long time since he's really... talked to someone about it. Someone who doesn't already know the ins and outs of his situation.

He's a little too nervous still to reply on the network. But he makes his way to the hot springs later that evening, cautiously approaching the young woman.]

Uh... M-Miss Farron? [That's what the username on the network said, right..? Barry clearly looks nervous, tense, out of sorts.] I uh... Sorry, y-you don't know me, I uh... saw your post on th'network earlier?

action;

[odinbolt]

( She's relaxing on the edge of one of the springs, her legs submerged in wonderfully de-stressing hot water. She's been patrolling a lot today, outside of that post, and it's nice to let her muscles feel the warmth.

And then she hears her name, and perks up, catching the eye of an unfamiliar man/ )

Right. ( She remembers the offer, that's the other reason she's hung around this place for most of the evening. ) How can I help?

[Video]

[prophesiedone]

I don't know if anyone can feel better about being here. I've got a theory that we're all just going more and more insane.

[Video]

[odinbolt]

( She feels pretty okay about being here so that just makes Serah's brow furrow. )

Why do you think that?

[Video]

[prophesiedone]

Experience. [He shrugs and suppresses a sigh.] My emotions have been manipulated more times than I can count. I've seen my future and been reminded of all I lose and there's not a damn thing I can do about it.

Text

[hoperulesdespairdrools]

Giving support to those who are feeling low and miserable from missing their loved ones? You really are a symbol of hope. How wonderful!

Text

[odinbolt]

( askldjfds )

Well, I don't know about that... I'm sure lots of people would do the same thing.

Text

[hoperulesdespairdrools]

You think so? That's a pretty optimistic point of view. I certainly haven't met many people like that.

anon text

[abbatis]

But doesn't talking about it make you feel worse?

text

[odinbolt]

I guess it depends on the person and their problem.

[abbatis]

Doesn't talking about your loved ones that aren't there just going to make you miss them more?

Talking and remembering them is only hurtful. Especially when you can't see them.