trustfell | Initiative.

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[...one of these days she'll have to ask what emotion she smells like, jesus christ.

But you know what, Sayaka pulls Elda in tightly and just...laughs. Laughs, while crying and smiling and she gets to see her mom again and she's gonna live and she'll never have to be anything but herself again--]

I know. I know, I know. I'm--I missed you so much...

At least-- You're not telling me sorry?! I was going to- scold you if you did!

[ After that damn letter. But she hugs her tighter, pulling her close as if she fears she might vanish. Crying, laughing, relieved...

so relieved.

She feels lighter than anything, and she kisses Sayaka on her cheek several times as they make a mess of themselves here. She loves this girl so much. This is her daughter, and through Elda's own efforts, the girl is alive. She's alive, and with her. ]

I missed you so much...

Mooooom...

[She's not sure if that's in response to the threat of scolding or the kisses--Sayaka just kind of giggles, though, and while the reply is a bit of a whine, it's something she's genuinely enjoying. God, she's missed...well, literally everything she had before she died.

If they'd been reset, they would've never have had this. And...Sayaka's selfish, just as selfish as Lisbeth says, but she's so happy she doesn't care.]

Me too. Me...me too, I'm so happy to see you again! This is the best...!

Oh, my -- my girl, the best is still before you! [ She bursts out laughing, and though it's wet, emotional... it sounds like a giggle. She's hugging Sayaka close, holding her tight. Feeling her heartbeat. She grins all the more...

And then probably gets even more overbearing ]

I've secured you a future! You've got that bar before you! And- and marrying that damn girl of yours! Many, many years with me and the others! You and Karin need to befriend each other! Maybe you ought to even go to that college thing? Maybe you want to do more with your life? How should I know?! But you've got a lifetime before you, and I, I... I, your mother! I shall be with you until you breathe you last, and wish you off to the other side with a smile! This, I promise!

[...God, this is all so much. She was gonna die, she was gonna die without any of this--that's--]

I-I'm--I'm so excited, you know that. The future is...the future is so bright, and I'm...I'm...

[She smiles.]

I'm...I'm not alone anymore. And I never will be, and...and...I want to meet all of them, and see how Karin-chan grows...how Anju-chan grows, and just see every bit of Shihaba. I'm gonna be a daughter to be proud of, Mom, I...I promise!

[She feels light as air...]

...Should I...hmm...would it be too bold to ask to...change my last name...? I guess to make it more...official, if you want?

[ Oh my god.

All of the promises of the future - they're still important, they're still precious. But Elda ...

Elda's eyes go wide at that. She pulls back, not enough to break the embrace. But her eyes are clearly brimming with tears, shocked, happy, overwhelmed, joyous as she looks at the girl.

She almost, almost asks "are you sure" but - no.

No, of course she's sure. ]

... Marker or Maaka?

Hmm...

[Sayaka doesn't really need this long to think about it, honestly. She's kind of inwardly decided before this, after all, hasn't she?]

I think that..."Sayaka Marker"...has a wonderful ring to it.

A-are you sure?! You're full-blooded Japanese right and you will be in Japan, so in a lot of ways Maaka might actually be easier for you?! All of my grandchildren use it and Karin is using it now too [ why is she differentiating Karin from the others...?

... But Elda is giggling and smiling even as she protests. ]

[She doesn't know, honestly, but...well, for now...]

Well...I'm not a granddaughter, you know? I'm a daughter. It only feels right to take the proper name for it. And...it's something I can take a lot of pride in, too, because of the woman who looked after me.

[Sayaka beams, brightly.]

T...then I shall add your name to the family registry. We might need to forge some documents, but we were going to have to do that anyway for your citizenry. They have all these forms these days, you know? It won't be a problem, though.

... Sayaka Marker, my beloved girl.

[...God, her face feels so warm, she feels so light, she's--]

...I'm so excited to see it. Shihaba, it's...it's gonna be beautiful, no matter what. No matter what kind of work goes into it, I'm...I'm looking forward to seeing my new family, and getting to know them, and...

[She's just excited in general, really.]

It's all so much, honestly! I want to know so much more about it!

[ this, more than anything, reminds her of the tragedy of when Sayaka died. That a girl who was just finishing the first chapter, just at the first step was snuffed out. To have both made sure she's alive and to make sure that there is more to see...

To her, that's a miracle. And her warm, teary smile shows it. ]

Of course. I'll show you everything I know. And I'm sure... I'm sure once you befriend her, Karin can show you even more. She knows that city in the sun, after all.

...I can't wait for it, you know? We'll have to make some outings together--there's bound to be some place we can all go, and enjoy a big outing together. It'd be fun.

[Sayaka sighs, dreamily.]

... No. You'll know Karin apart from me, I'm afraid.

[ ... YEAH HERE IS WHERE IT HAPPENS. ]

...What? What do you mean by that...?

[oh boy time to get the popcorn and tissues]

... The way Henry and the others saved her, so now she'll never be noticed by the vampires again, and she'll never run a risk of her blood rising again... was to allow her to be human. She more or less was one already. There's just one final step.

... She needed to forget that she was a vampire.

...She doesn't even remember that she's a...

[What. The...]

Is this...is this so she wouldn't be hurt by those people again?

Or by herself. She's a savior to vampirekind - but ever since the kidnapping, you remember I said her blood wasn't rising? If she forgets that connection entirely, if she never injects blood again... well, then it's easy. She'll live and die as a human, without her life ever being at risk again.

...But--but doesn't that leave her all alone? Even with Usui-san, that's...

[Sayaka finds she...can't exactly judge, but--]

What about your family, too? Won't they miss her? Won't she miss all of you?

Of course we'll miss her! [ . . . That's too sharp, mmm. Okay, exhale. ] Of course we'll miss her. We can never talk to her, but there she is right in the same city. As for her, though...

She doesn't remember us to miss us. There's a high chance that'll be broken the minute she meets any of us again, which is why we need to keep our distance.

Initiative.

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