for_two | (no subject)

[ The rain was beating down across the planes of the land between lands - the land the 012ers had been forced to cultivate, to protect the multiverse. It was never a thankful job... but, at least, nothing had gone wrong for a while. People still came here, on their way to whatever world they were meant to go to. Normally not staying for long, and not remembering it. Only a few stayed... and it felt the world seem more lonely.

Hope had been running for so long - even after entering this land, all she did was run from them. She didn't know quite where she was - but she was away from... her family. Her steps slowing, Hope let out a sigh... before noticing a tent, pitched near to a cliffside, protected from the rain. Anything was better then this rain and tiredness... even if there was somebody inside. Letting out a tired sigh, Hope entered... and froze up. That looked just like Lightning. What's going on. Sleep deprevation? Hoping for her big sister back?

...Perhaps she could sleep here - until this other person awoke. At least that might be a little bit of rest, a bit of time to let her feet rest. Nuzzling up to this lady, Hope couldn't help but smile a little.

...She smelled like Lightning. ]

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You don't know that. You don't know him. Not like we do.

[Not that they know him well, either. Lightning sighs through her nose, holds her ground, says:]

He'll try to get inside your head. Play games with you. He'd have showed up to try and get you to attack Snow if I hadn't been here. You're on his radar now. [she shakes her head] Staying in one place is just going to put your family in danger. Do you want that?

[ Do you remember the Seventh Arc, Hope? That hopeless fight before you lost them - before everything started to go wrong?

Hope is looking around. Eyes wide - before focusing on Lightning. This can't actually be happening what is screaming in her head. Well, it's not screaming-- it's using Snows voice.

Why don't you ask her about it? Or are you simply t e r r i f i e d ?

What did Lightning say? It takes a bit for Hope to re-focus, before giving a shake of the head. Was it her fault? It had to be, didn't it? ]

I-- If he's left alone, he mi-- will change again. Is that what you want?

[ Voice shaky. Something is clearly wrong. ]

He changed once. He can change again.

[And if Beoulve had something to do with it, he was already gone. Snow hadn't changed back. She shakes her head, hearing the shakiness to her tone but knowing they can't be slowed down. They need distance, now.]

I've changed a hundred times and always come back. [Thanks to Vaan. A beat, then:] And just because I'm not your Lightning doesn't mean I don't know Snow. He's too stubborn to let this be his end.

[ Hope gave a grunt. He did change... twice... but Hope was terrified. Gripping his non-glitched arm around Snow - gods, those voices were still screaming, like all her former family -- oh god.

That voice.

Isabelles' voice echoing though her head. Asking Hope to ask... ]

About the Seventh Arc? [ Hope whispered, to herself. ] Why-- how do you know about that? And what makes y-you think--

[ She might look. Hope goes back to glaring - or, at least, trying to. But all Hope could give was a terrified look. Those whispers, taunting... ]

He is pretty stubborn... didn't save him, though.

No. But it'll keep him alive.

[Lucky for Hope, the wind blew by in time to cover that little bit of conversation she had with herself, so Lightning doesn't hear. Choking up the terrified glare to the situation--what a day and it's not even noon yet--Lightning doesn't back down.]

Right now, that's the most you can hope for. We can't change him back all the way. [clearly. she swallows, then:] If anyone can, it'll be Vaan. We need to find him, and we can't do that if you're dragging him behind you. There's caves around here he'll be safe in.

[Or, if he does change back, wander in to.]

[ snow won't live. He won't. Not if Hope isn't here...

But this lady - this false Lightning - won't give up. Not until Hope finds an opening - gods these voices are taunting her for giving up. These familiar whispers.

...Fine. Hope let go of Snow - who didn't shift - and let out a sigh. ]

We keep him in a cave, then.

[ To get sealed away, to get destroyed. He'll die and it's all Hopes' fault. Hope wasn't aware her voice was sounding slightly... off. ]