22nd Crystal: [Voice: Filtered to FF IV Cast]

[cladinthedark]

[Golbez pauses for a moment after opening his journal and setting up the filter, then clears his throat.]

... Status report from everyone who's still with us, if you please.

Comments

[lunarborn.livejournal.com]

Rosa and I are well, as is Edge.

We found Kain. He was less fortunate.

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

Kain... I see. That makes two losses from our world, then.

[lunarborn.livejournal.com]

It is my fault. I failed to protect him.

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

[There's a brief pause as Golbez thinks of a proper response.] Cecil, we both know that Kain is the type to launch himself into battle recklessly, without heed for his own safety. Your intentions are noble, but attempting to protect him would be nigh-impossible. Besides, you had Rosa to think of. You can't be everywhere.

[lunarborn.livejournal.com]

We met for a moment, and I cast Shell to protect him from magic. We found him stabbed.

I chose wrongly, and it cost him his life.

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

You believe had you chosen to cast Protect instead, he would have survived?

... It's possible, but on the other hand, he may very well have only ended up struck by a fireball instead.

[lunarborn.livejournal.com]

Perhaps.

What of your fiends?

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

Just a little tired, Master...

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

The only casualty I knew of prior to this was Rubicante.

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

[There's a note of relief in his voice.] Rest, then. It's all over now.

[lunarborn.livejournal.com]

Then... All that remains is waiting. It's true that those who die here are returned, is it not?

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

Yes. They'll lose something, but they will be back.

[lunarborn.livejournal.com]

What sort of "something"?

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

Really, it could be anything. Memories, an ability, a sense, an item... anything.

[lunarborn.livejournal.com]

....

Kain.

[Excuse him a minute, as he is off to brood indefinitely.]

[holyblade.livejournal.com]

I am well, as Cecil said, but...

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

I shall try.

I suppose her brother will come in handy while I do.


Speaking of... brothers...

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

[Fine, you go do that, little bro. He'll just be sitting here trying to sort out the situation.]

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

Kain.

Cecil blames himself. Which I suppose is no surprise.

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

I'm sure the young lady will do her best to allow you the rest you need.

Rubicante... gave his life shielding me.

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

I see... Will he... return?

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

He should, but... I intend to stop by his room later. If his journal is gone, that means... well, you know that much already.

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

I... I see...

[holyblade.livejournal.com]

I blame myself as well. I promised him that he would not fall.

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

[He sighs.] If he ran off on his own, which I find likely, there's not much you could honestly have done.