35th Bloom

[latelybloomed]

...I understand why you're upset. Believe me, having everything turning upside down isn't the biggest thing to have happen to you. But, look at you, Nanohana - you might not think it, but you've grown!

[With the battle drawn to a close, the PreDestiny All-Stars, the former and future PreDesu fighters, have hopped on board the Chalice for a little while, recoperating from the final fight with the Invaders. At the moment, a young woman is chatting it up with Hana, her big tell-tale mark being the fact that she has her semi-long hair loose but with two small pigtails.]

You really think so? I mean...

Nanohana, listen: have you ever stopped to think about the accomplishments you've done and not the failures you've stacked up? Here's your problem - you think you haven't done enough. You've let mistakes like that get to you. But, what you have far outweighs that. You've seen so many things that a lot of us PreDesu never did. You've saved the world countless times. You stopped Adventus and showed that those "Inspectors" aren't as invincible as they thought they were!

And that brain of yours - beam sabers, beam shields, the Silhouette System. A lot of this stuff is your creation. Stuff that we had to have specially made, you just used what the ship had! It's time that you finally made that first step forward and not keep stepping back and this will be the first step!

...I... th-thank you!

Aht! No more of that, it's been decided! Besides, Director Kurumu's waiting for you back at Fairy Park. She says a lot of good things about you, despite your problems. It's time to really bring it home. Show her and everyone that you mean business!

Mmn! I will! Thank you, Sakura!

Ah, you're making me blush!

Comments

[sunshine_maiden]

Thanks. I've been trying to get that through her head for months now.

[Enter Sora, looking... much better than before, though still a little unsteady on her feet, almost... uncoordinated. She's still smiling, though; she stumbles once, but catches herself right away, turning her attention to Hana directly.]

You underestimate yourself, Hana. You've done so much that a few problems are... still unpleasant, but they can be overlooked. But I can safely say that I wouldn't be standing here - wouldn't be alive right now - if it weren't for you.

[latelybloomed]

Sora...! [She's quickly trying to get to her side as she stumbles, but she's caught by herself, which she's a little relieved about.]

I think a lot of the ship being a bunch of macho men at times reflected poorly on her. We can't always save everyone, but you can't beat yourself up over everything...

I know...

And stop beating yourself up! [Sakura can't help but laugh.]

Sorry, sorry...! [And now, her attention's back to Sora.] ...are you okay, Sora?

[sunshine_maiden]

Well, yeah. Nothing breaks your self-esteem like being told your entire existence is wrong. I admit I didn't help at first, but... we're past that, I think. And yes, she takes everything on herself. Hopefully we can stop that.

[Her smile turns a little more rueful.] I'm better, at least. Physically, I'm as good as I'm getting, but I need some more training before I'n ready to fight, especially in Itsuki. I've been slacking long enough... it's time for me to get back to work.

[latelybloomed]

I'm glad... [And Hana reaches over to hug Sora before pulling back.] Though, if you're going to get back to training, you're going to need something...

[And Hana gives back something Sora might have noticed missing - her Soul Perfume, all fixed up.]

[sunshine_maiden]

[Sora grins at the hug, gingerly wrapping her arms around her partner for that moment, feeling like all's well with the world again, and surprise crosses her face when Hana produces her Soul Perfume.] Yes. Yes, I will. [And she reaches out a hand to take it back; she grimaces as her arm wobbles a bit, but the look of relief when it's in her hand is clear.]

Thanks, Hana. I figured I burned something out in here, and that's why I didn't have it. Did you fix it?

[latelybloomed]

Mmmn, I did. I figured I had to do something to help get you back on your feet somehow, so... this was it. Hopefully, the Itsuki's back in one piece. It... really took a beating...

[sunshine_maiden]

I do appreciate it, really. I just hope POTPOURRI's not too angry with me... I really overdid it this time, huh? I never even saw what I did to the Itsuki, and I don't think I ever want to.

[latelybloomed]

I think, if anything, POTPOURRI's just utterly concerned about you. And, yes... yes, you did.

As for the Itsuki... let's just say it took awhile to convince people not to just call for a replacement.

[sunshine_maiden]

I'll apologize to him later... and I do owe you an apology too. I really went overboard, without thinking of what could go wrong. That was thoughtless of me. I, um... [She sighs, bowing her head a little.] I'm sorry, Hana. Forgive me?

[latelybloomed]

[Hana blinked at Sora's apology, totally not expecting it. However, she couldn't help but smile at her.]

I forgive you, Sora. Though... I think a lot of people were impressed with your actions, no matter how reckless it was.

[sunshine_maiden]

Well... I'm glad they liked it, but there still was a very real chance I could have died. Or have broken something beyond Letriel's ability to repair. As it is, I'm still a little tingly in a few places, and she doesn't think I'll ever get feeling back in some of them. I think I found one on my arm...

[She pokes at the spot, clearly jabbing significantly, but she doesn't wince.] She warned me there are probably more, though. That's mostly why I'm apologizing - I found the line in the sand. And I'm afraid to get too close to it again.

[latelybloomed]

I understand. [She leans forward, resting her forehead on Sora's] But, don't let it hold you back. You know your hard limits now. I'd say use it as a learning experience...

...though, I have to admit, I'm curious about that lack of feeling... especially with our suits.

[sunshine_maiden]

You say that, but... I'm terrified. I know it was something most mobile suits don't dream of having, and at the same time I know I will not survive it if this happens again. I've come too far to give up now, but I can't keep going like I have been. [She grimaces.] My life is important to more than just me, these days.

I don't think the lack of feeling will be an issue... if I can figure out how, I might try to dampen the pain response in Itsuki, actually.

[latelybloomed]

...Sora, I... [Now it's her turn to feel bad for thinking that way.] I'm sorry... I think everything's finally taking its toll on us...

[sunshine_maiden]

Stop right there. I will not have you blaming yourself for this travesty. There's no way you could have known I'm scared out of my mind after all this.

We'll figure this out. Right now, I need you to be you, not to help me work out how the hell I'll keep fighting. Okay? [Sje looks not unlike a kicked puppy at this moment.]

[latelybloomed]

...Okay... [And she's going to let her arms slip around Sora, holding her close]

[sunshine_maiden]

That's my girl. One thing at a time.

[Sora relaxes at Hana's touch... and then goes very still. A moment later, Hana will feel the weight of Sora's head on her shoulder, which is tellingly wet.]

Haa... of course. No damned breaks for me.

[latelybloomed]

Sora...?

[Was she... crying?]

It... it's okay... it's okay...

[sunshine_maiden]

I can't... I can't feel it. I know you're there, b-but I...!

[She can't continue, dissolving into sobs in Hana's arms, reassured even of there's no feeling in her back.]

[latelybloomed]

Oh... Sora...

[She tightens her grip on Sora, as if she hopes that it helps her through this and trying her best not to cry. And the entire time, Sakura's watching. Looks like none of the other PreDesu knew how bad it was...]