mogmelodies | Letters

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[It's surprisingly to the point and short, for Lydia. Not that she can't be so, just...usually her letters are longer and she's more enthusiastic.]

Ms. Armstrong,

You...might already know this, but I wanted to be sure you did; Mr. Kenshin has turned into crystal. The crystal stasis heroes go into, according to BP. He was helping me with my tumbling and dodging, as well as my friend.

Lydia

Dear Mr. Makoto,

I hope you're well. I'm not entirely sure what to think, with everything that's been going on. I did get to explore with a group at Stiltzkin's castle, but I came back to here where there's news of impending war! Not that I didn't think we'd all be in peace--I mean, we were captives of the Empire when we arrived.

But...I'm not used to this. America, at least in my time and where I'm from, has been very peaceful. I've been sketching a lot, trying to keep my mind occupied. Mr. Kenshin is also in crystal-stasis, and Yuffie is wandering around. I haven't seen her since the beach.

I really enjoyed our day out shopping. I hope we get to do something like that again sometime. Preferably soon. Maybe in Trano Golsaucia? I'm not sure yet whether I want to evacuate, or stay here. If I'm supposed to be a Hero, then I should be able to do SOMETHING, right?

I do want to know how you are though. You're my friend, and if I can help, please let me know? I've always done better facing things when I'm not alone.

Sincerely,
Lydia

[Included are some smaller sketches, mostly the housing around Aquares Ixen, and scenes as Lydia's been bicycling.]

Dear Sephiroth,

I'm sorry to bother you, as you're probably busy since you're a soldier. I do have my teacher, Ms. Armstrong---but you've been here longer. And your point of view is different than Yuffie's might be, since you ARE a soldier.

I'm...scared. I've never actually been in a war-zone or conflict of this kind. BUT, I know I'm not alone, which helps. Mostly I just wondered if you had any advice in this situation. Besides what I'm sure my teacher will say and want me to do, as she's a soldier in her home world.

Sincerely,
Lydia

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[Sephiroth is -unsurprisingly- very busy drilling the small squads that he has under his authority as Captain, back to back, around the clock...anything to get them as prepared as possible for whatever incoming assault the Empire had to throw at Esdham as a distraction while they made a move for Aqures.

As such, it's about a day and a half before Lydia gets any reply. As usual, delivered directly by Spencer. It seems that someone still doesn't trust the fact that Artemicion has recently enhanced the security on the Mognet; there are many other ways that Kalki might source their messages. Not to mention as a one-time Hero of Light herself...]

Lydia,

I might be a soldier but I can offer very little in terms of advice for those feelings and concerns, as it's all I've ever really known. I was actively involved in a conflict for the majority of my young adulthood, so it's simply a way of life for me personally. ~~[Not mentioning the relevance to Yuffie there.]~~

One thing is for sure, and that is that if you're scared then you need to get out. Not only will you put yourself in danger best avoided but hesitation to act out of fear might get someone else killed.

Despite Cid's advice, I imagine there are many others who want to use this to prove their mettle as Heroes and it's a fools mission. Take it from me, having witnessed a great deal of what the Empire is capable of first-hand, that the majority of people are not going to stand a chance.

Run, and live to fight another day.

~Sephiroth

[Lydia'll ask Spencer to stay, as she pens a quick response, and then hand it to him with her thanks. He can confirm to Sephiroth that no, Lydia doesn't need a reply from this letter.]

Dear Sephiroth,

Thank you. I wasn't expecting your advice on dealing with the feelings. You did give me what I was seeking--which is the practical viewpoint of a soldier. Please be safe yourself, and hopefully we'll both make it through this and can talk in person again.

--Lydia

P.S: Don't feel you need to reply. I'm always around and will always answer, but I know you're busy. Stay safe and good luck!

Rather than sending a letter, Olivier sends Alexandria ahead to let Lydia know she will be arriving shortly. And just a few minutes after the moogle arrive, Olivier is there with a bag in hand as she knocks on the door of the house.

Lydia appreciated it, offering Alexandria some space, and showing her what Lydia was working on with the dress. It seemed to be shaping into a cute gothic-type blue blouse. Sketches have been organized, and Lydia's has a large duffle-type bag set out as well.

"Coming!" Is heard muffled, before Lydia dashes down the stairs and opens to her teacher. She looks tired, but alright enough for the most part.

Alexandria chirps on in approval at the garment, then settles down in the spot Lydia cleared for her.

"I brought some cookies," Olivier offers as a greeting as she holds out the bag. She knows they won't make things right, but they wouldn't hurt either.

Lydia blinked in surprise, then raised an eyebrow. Staring at Olivier skeptically as only a teenager could. "Thank you. I won't turn down cookies--but this means you're bringing bad news, doesn't it?"

She moved aside though, and offered a small grin to her teacher to show she really wasn't upset about the possibility of bad-news. "I can get tea going if it'd help too." Lydia was in basic black, a loose shirt and shorts like she wore at home.

"And I won't turn down an offer of tea," she says as she moves inside.

"I wouldn't necessarily call it bad news, just news. First of all, I got a chocobo. It's a long story, but someone wanted to meet at the chocobo farm, and I wanted to get one anyway. Also, I'm going with Ahselia and a few others to steal a submarine from the Nabila. We need it to get to the prison."

She pauses a moment before going on. "We won't be gone too long, but I do think you should consider going with those evacuating before the invasion. Those who are evacuating are going to need someone who has the personality to keep people together. If you can encourage Yuffie and I to work well together, then you are have the appropriate skills for this."

Lydia lead the way to the kitchen, getting things down for tea easily. Coffee would be better, but she was making due. "What's your chocobo's name? How are they?" She was curious, but hadn't had time to investigate one herself. "And cool!" She was and was not glad she was going to steal a sub. It sounded neat, but there was more than enough trouble to go around ultimately.

Turning to face Olivier while the kettle heated up, her hands went behind her back. "Thank you." Lydia blushed a bit, but also was pleased for the compliment. She worked hard, and did have a lot of practice bringing strong and forceful personalities together. "I...was kind of hoping you'd encourage that." A sigh, and she reached up to flick strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm...I've never been in a war. I'm scared. But I also want to help. I was trying to think of possibilities to do that, and helping with the evacuations--both by going myself as a 'guard' and escorting back and forth, seemed like the best way for me to do that."

"I named him Briggs," Olivier says as she puts the cookies on the counter. "They curious things, at least most of them. And they seem quite loyal to anyone who feeds them. I'm still more used to horses though."

Olivier watches Lydia as she speaks, looking for any hint of sadness that Kenshin is 'gone'. "It's okay to be scared. Someone fearless makes mistakes. It takes a few battles to get used to war, and we haven't practiced for war. Helping with the evacuation is a noble cause."

There are definite hints, but Lydia is hiding it fairly well. She's been focusing on keeping busy. It's how she copes.

"I am worried for everyone though. And what about those who can't evacuate?" Like the heroes in the Hospital, or injured citizens. There's a sigh, and then the kettle whistles and Lydia makes a squeak of surprise. A little distracted there.

Olivier refrains from reacting to Lydia's squeak, but she does note that the girl isn't quite herself.

"See, you're already thinking about what will be best for people. Those who can't leave will be protected by those who stay. Kalki's letter is probably a trap, but she hasn't tried to out right kill us yet. She needs us for some reason, so I don't think she wants to destroy us. Not yet."

She looks around the kitchen before adressing Lydia again.

"Panic will be our worst enemy in this scenario."

She focused on pouring the tea, and not spilling it. Kettle aside, then carrying the cups and headed up to her room where Alexandria waited. Betel-Po was out scouting, and hopefully not getting into too much trouble.

"I'm...trying." A loud sigh, almost a huff, as she lead the way upstairs and maneuvered the door open. "Mostly because if I don't keep myself busy I want to curl up in bed and cry." Cracks in the control she was holding herself in right now. She really wished she had BJ there. Even without his magic, he'd help cheer her up.

It's been a long time since Olivier has thought crying would help anything. "Helping evacuate and going with those evacuating is helpful and will keep you far busier than waiting for battle would. Besides, I won't be here to keep you company."

She knows she's not the only friend Lydia has in town, but she's mostly looking for a luahg before she goes on.

Lydia sighed, curling her hands around her tea after passing Olivier's her own. "I know. Yuffie'll probably be out and about, and Mr. Ken.." She trails off, squeezing her eyes shut as she'd been trying to not dwell on it.

A deep breath in and out, pulling her tea up and sipping form it. "I know I'll do better going away. Especially since while I've gotten better, I'm not a fighter still. Scouting, running messages, and planning I can do."

"Don't worry too much about those who can't leave. People will be here protecting them," she offers, hoping that it will be some minor comfort.

"We do hope to throw a wrench in the Empire's plan by infiltrating before the attack."

It was minor comfort, but Lydia definitely appreciated the effort made. She knew several of the people here were strong and experienced. It was still scary though.

"I'll make sure those in charge on our end know it's a possibility." She offered a more genuine grin, and brought her hand up in a salute with her right-hand by her forehead.

She gives Lydia a grin as she returns the salute. It had been a long time since she'd received one. "No need for the salute. You're a good kid, but I don't think you'd be the type to let someone of a higher rank have almost absolute control over your life. Besides, you might not like the uniforms, and altering them is forbidden."

"Shall we meet back here once the fighting dies down, or should I head to the evacuation area?"

Lydia's smile was impish, amused. "I would absolutely alter them, and I don't really do well with 'orders' unless I want to." She agreed, but she had known Ms. Armstrong'd be amused. She was absolutely right, as Lydia was most certainly not one to let a higher rank have absolute control.

She marched to her own drum beat more often than not. And dragged others along with her, sometimes whether they wanted to go or not. More fun that way.

"If Aquares Ixen is safe, I'll hopefully be back here. If not, I'm sure you'll come find me. I'll try and send Betel-Po out with messages too, if I get word it's safe to do so."

She smirks a bit at Lydia's response.

"We'll figure things out when the time comes, then," she agrees. "And if Betel-Po is looking for Alexandria, remind him that she will be much more subdued in appearance."

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