Initiative.

[trustbound]

Rachel looks a bit conflicted about what should happen from here; Lisbeth is still on the floor, but she's told her what she should do, and so... Well, she's never really been good at saying no, though she does walk up and reach out to pet Lisbeth's hair gingerly for a moment before turning to everyone else. "We should leave." And with that, the courtroom changes, all at once; it was one thing, and then quite simply it isn't, and the podium circle has been replaced with a round spread of consoles wrapping around a center spire. The room is no longer concrete and steel, but rather stark white, all done up in glossy tile that looks like it'd crack if you hit it hard enough with something – that said, it's not recommended to try, given that it's just as indestructible as everything else in the building. Rachel approaches the consoles, reaching out to touch them, fingers tapping gently against several of the unmarked buttons; it's probably not precisely necessary for her to do so, given the state of things, but she seems to like doing it, so do it she shall. There are a pair of slots that look like keycards are required; she glances at them for a second before manipulating more buttons, causing a small panel to open up in front of her – it looks like an authorization mechanism of some sort, the kind that you press your hand against to get it to recognize you. "It's going to be a bit jarring when you wake up; sorry about that, but you've been asleep for a really long time. I'd suggest giving it a moment." She pauses, though, once that's out there, glancing back at everyone. "I'll be on the other side with you, but not like this. We can still talk, though, if you like." And with that she just turns and presses her hand against the panel without waiting for an answer; the next thing you're aware of is the flash.

Comments

[matchbreaker]

The whole time, I was just doing what felt right.

[ There is some part of her that wonders if, from the spectator's side, Kimblee was still three steps ahead of her. ]

[greenmamabear]

What's right is all we can ask, sometimes.

[matchbreaker]

Yes... yes, I suppose so.

[ She... ]

... What infuriated me about you is that you're so young, you know.

[ It's far too late to confess that, but she does it all the same with a gentle smile. ]

[greenmamabear]

...Yeah, I get that.

[She rubs her neck a little, still smiling herself..]

There were a lot of little things- our first impressions weren't great.

...But you know, at some point, I think I was a little jealous of how well you and Sayaka got along. [Trying not to be too ashamed about that]

[matchbreaker]

It... it's awkward to say, but that's chance, as much as anything else. A girl I happened to like, a moment that happened to terrify me, and a promise I happened to make because of it. It was here that foisted the title "mother" on me - I didn't accept it until weeks after you were dead.

[ . . . ]

I suppose some things are just like that.

[greenmamabear]

Yeah. Things just turn out that way.

[She thinks about it for a sec before just shaking her head.]

Look at us idiots. Getting riled up for so long about stupid things we can't control. [But maybe it was because they couldn't control it that they squabbled so much.]

[matchbreaker]

Yes.

[ . . . She presses her hands a little on Fern's hand. ]

What we have won today is the future itself. I don't pretend to know how things played out for you between those strange things inside you and your son, let alone the end of your memories... but you're young yet. You have a lot of life ahead of you. Don't think you know everything, and use it effectively.

[greenmamabear]

[oh buddy. She tries not to look too touched.

And also not too upset at the family mention]

I'll do my best to live, alright?

[matchbreaker]

Good.

[ . . . ]

I assume you know where you're going?

[greenmamabear]

[She considers for a moment.]

...I'm not sure. Sigrun's invited me to her world and it'd definitely make Celia happy to go somewhere with some good fights.

I suppose I'm just going where the wind takes us.

[matchbreaker]

[ . . . ]

You aren't going back to your boy?

[greenmamabear]

[She looks away, as if she might see the kid himself if she looked directly at Elda. And that's too painful.]

Its... complicated.

[matchbreaker]

[ . . . . ]

Ah, is it?

[ She presses her lips together, inhales, and exhales. ]

We've all got circumstances which are complicated. I remembered some. Don't worry.

[greenmamabear]

...Yeah. I suppose you're right.

If there's anything this place has taught me, at least... ya gotta have hope that things'll work out.

[matchbreaker]

... [ Exhale and... ] To explain the whys of this would be complex, and while I'm willing, I merely wanted to reassure you.

But my son and his family - with me agreement - erased the memories of us from one of my granddaughters for her own safety. She'll never remember or meet us again... even if that will save her life. It's something I need to have hope in as well.