[Closed] Bittersweet Memories

[abileunaspada]

Who: Adela Milani (abileunaspada) & Sephiroth (silverterror)
When: BGS 9, Winter (December)
What: One day, Adela simply doesn't come back from academy. At least, not of her own volition.

This was the worst day ever. She never wanted to go back.

The girl was cold, hiding in the bared tree in the misty forest she had found. She kept training with Sephiroth, but as the kids got older their teasing got worse. The sparring matches were getting more brutal and the kids were cheating, the teachers weren't defending her either. Everyone said she'd get killed. Everyone said she'd never be like him.

The six year old was still sniffling a bit then, allowing herself to cry as she curled her beaten and bruised form on the branch she was sitting on. She'd failed to be any good at it, at fighting like that. Would she really never be any good at being a ninja?

She'd probably disappoint Sephiroth like this... No. She just wouldn't go home...

Comments

[abileunaspada]

"It matters to me..."

She hiccuped quietly from there, her head hanging as she tried to keep wiping at her eyes, by then thoroughly miserable both because of what already happened and because of how Sephiroth was speaking to her. Did he hate her now...? "Why does no one think I can...?"

[silverterror]

"Stop it. Stop it now." He gave her a shake, then brought her back in, practically growling at her. "No one else matters. No one. If you look to them for approval you will be stifled. Do you understand me?"

[abileunaspada]

Again she shook her head, making discomforted noises with the shaking as she looked at him again. Why didn't he understand? He really hated her, didn't he? "You matter, a lot... You matter."

[silverterror]

"There is no reason for me to matter." He made a noise of aggravation. "There is no reason for anyone to matter. The only one who should matter in how you do is you."

[abileunaspada]

"I-It matters 'cause I care... I care about what you think," There was no stopping that sniffling, and that was probably when she did something he wasn't ready for. She hugged him, her arms wrapping comfortably around her neck as she buried her face against his shoulder. She couldn't stop crying, feeling more and more pathetic by the second.

"You don't hate me, do you Sephiroth...?"

[silverterror]

He grimaced at the feel of her putting her horribly wet and snotty face on him, just sort of awkwardly standing there not hugging her back as he held onto her where he had been the whole time. "I'm not prone to hating people on an individual basis."

[abileunaspada]

Adela didn't answer then, shaking as she tried and tried to get her crying under control. Which... Was really difficult, considering she was six. Still she didn't let go, just holding on and trying to calm down.

[silverterror]

He finally brought his other hand to press against her back, releasing her with his other hand to let it dangle at his side with a sigh.

[abileunaspada]

Her breath caught, and she was tense for a second before relaxing and holding onto him more comfortably. What Sephiroth might find surprising was that the soft contact seemed to help -- her sobbing began to quiet down and she seemdd to calm over time.

[silverterror]

He was stony faced, just... waiting for her to release him. His hold wasn't doing much to hold her up, honestly, her clinging was doing that, so all he was doing was waiting her out.

[abileunaspada]

It was a slow process, but she did eventually let go and lower herself to her feet, wiping at her eyes one last time. She still seemed pretty upset, but at least she wasn't wailing like she had been previously.

"... M'sorry..."

[silverterror]

He huffed a breath, staring down at her with a rather put upon face. "Learn to be calmer."

[abileunaspada]

After a moment she just nodded, holding her arms close to her body as she mumbled, "I'll try..."

[silverterror]

He huffed a breath. "You'll learn how to use the emotions as weapons. Eventually."

[abileunaspada]

Again she nodded, though she didn't say anything else or move. She was really cold by then... Beat up, cold, and having just been crying. It probably wouldn't be good for her to have her out there much longer, but at the moment she didn't care.

"... M'sorry... You got angry..."

[silverterror]

"You weren't listening." It was said with a sigh, and he frowned at her. She looked like she was about to start shivering. Taking off his coat, he draped it over her head.

[abileunaspada]

Ah? She blinked a few times, looking up at Sephiroth with the sudden weight of the coat on her head. That was... It didn't take her long to try and hike it up so that it wouldn't touch the snow that much, bundling herself up in it where she could. It was really nice and warm, and... Now that she could breathe a little again, it smelled nice. Comforting. Like him.

[silverterror]

"Go eat something warm." It was a stern, pointed statement and he just stared her down, narrowing his eyes a little.

[abileunaspada]

"... I dunno the way back," She shrank a little where she was, bowing her head again with embarrassment.

[silverterror]

He huffed a breath, then turned to walk off that way. "Keep up."

[abileunaspada]

It took her a moment, but she trotted to keep up with him -- though it was hard to trudge through the snow with his coat on her. Other than the crunch of the snow, she was completely silent as they made their way back. She still didn't know what to think, with what had just happened - with what Sephiroth had said. She still didn't know if he hated her or not...

[silverterror]

He didn't say anything else, keeping just slow enough she wouldn't trip and fall and hurt herself, arriving back at her home and holding his hand out to her. "I expect to find you in a better state next time."

[abileunaspada]

She blinked at that, clearly surprised at the gesture. Wait... Sephiroth wouldn't do that if he hated her. He didn't offer his hand to a lot of people. Again she was quiet, only nodding to show her understanding as she took his hand, her skin going a little red beneath the mess of coat and hair.

[silverterror]

He walked her inside, then released her hand and plucked the coat off her to pull around his bare shoulders. "Good. Now go eat something warm."

[abileunaspada]

Once more she nodded, pausing for a bit before hugging him around his hips. She knew it wasn't sudden enough for him to react to as a threat, but... She still needed the comfort, even if she didn't fully realize it at the moment.