[June 23] Recipients: All Heroes of Light

[pactfulfilled]

Everyone,

Has anyone seen Sophie?
She hasn't come home yet, and I'm starting to get a little worried.
It's not really like her to wander off this late without telling somebody.

So, if you could, let me know when you see her.
I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Asbel Lhant

[[OOC: Sophie has entered crystal stasis. Let me know if you'd like to be the one to find her, or if you'd like to action it out.]]

Comments

[pactfulfilled]

[His eyes flicker to where Zelda stands only for a moment, because the next thing his gaze falls on is...]

Sophie--!

[At least a dozen emotions flicker across his face as Asbel breaks into a fierce run, skidding to a stop at the base of the crystal. Reaching out with shaking hands and grit teeth, his fingers meet only stone. Inside, Sophie's eyes are closed, like she's asleep. Fear rips its claws into him. No, no no no this can't be happening. Not again! Not again...!!]

Sophie, come on! Wake up, you have to wake up! Sophie!!

[goddessofthesky]

[Zelda doesn't move closer. Her eyes are on Asbel watching as he mourns the separation with his friend.]

She is safe in there and out of danger.

[She doesn't know if they are really still in there.]

[pactfulfilled]

Safe? Safe?! [Asbel turns his head then, his voice shaking with frustration and anger.]

How can you even say that?! She's trapped in crystal!

[His fingers scrape against the hardened shell, as he tries to hold on. Can she feel it? Does she hear his voice? Is she okay in there? He doesn't know, he doesn't...]

She's all alone! She could die like this--!! I can't lose her again!

THat wasn't suppose to submit!!!

[goddessofthesky]

[Zelda knows what it's light within those crystals even though it's only been there for a week.]

She's dreaming... [Her voice is soft but she doesn't know what else to say.]

[pactfulfilled]

[Zelda's words don't make him feel the least bit better. Asbel's shoulders heave, his expression twisting as a sob threatens to break what little control he has left over his emotions. Just like a little kid. Deep down he's nothing but an eleven-year-old boy trying to make up for his mistakes without a damn clue how to do it.]

Dreaming?! What good is that? I swore I'd protect her this time, I promised!!

[He turns back to the crystal, wet trails straining his face. Sophie'd probably tell him it isn't nice to yell at friends, but he's beyond reasoning with and no one's trying hard enough to stop him.]

Sophie! You can hear me, right? You're going to meet lots of new friends, and you wanted to see the sopherias when they bloom, remember? And we'll make lots and lots of new memories together. So, come on! You have to wake up!

[goddessofthesky]

[Zelda's eyes shift down towards the ground at Asbel's out burst. She doesn't know what else to say. She wishes she could help but she knows that there is no comfort she can give those left behind. Her gaze shifts over to the young girl who she taught how to garden. She had promised to plant those seeds for her and she knew now it might never happen. She will still try, so if Sophie ever woke up; she'd be able to see that purple flower bloom.]

I'm sorry.

[There is nothing more that Zelda to say and knowing that hurt more than the young goddess care to admit. She's been trying so hard to help others but when it came down to it she can't help anyone.]

[pactfulfilled]

[Of course, no matter how much he shouts, there's no response from Sophie and no change in her condition. There's nothing he can do, only wait in uncertainty for as long as it takes. However long it takes.]

[Asbel slumps slowly to the floor, his head bowed forward as he cries.]

What am I supposed to do? I can't protect anyone...! Not Richard, not Sophie... Not back then an-and not now.. I'm not a hero, I'm a failure.

[goddessofthesky]

[There isn't anything else that she can do. She feels tears gather in the corner or her eyes but she doesn't let them fall.]

You aren't a failure.

[of course he has to be the one to believe that.

Zelda steps towards the door.] I will leave you alone with her for now. If you need me, I'll be here.

[pactfulfilled]

[Asbel's head bobs, although it's impossible to tell if he's actually acknowledging Zelda's words or not. Whatever the case, he's too exhausted to do any more shouting, and he has no one to blame for what happened but himself. If he'd been more, he could've done something. But he didn't. How can he not feel that he's a failure?]

[Later he'll be grateful for what she did, but for now...he's just going to stay with Sophie for awhile - at least until the tears run out, heaped on the floor at the dreaming girl's feet.]