paladinlost | 24th moon [video]

[The room is dark, as befitting the middle of the night. The soft sounds of sleeping Pokémon can be heard, undisturbed. A shadow that appears to be an Eevee can be seen sleeping on a pillow at the head of the bed. Cecil is in the middle of it, sitting up, his skin so pale it almost glows. The sheets around him are rumpled, twisted by an uneasy sleep. He looks tired, but does not sleep.]

I dreamed. I dreamed of them. I miss them all, I think. Even those who are waiting for me. Even those who came here but left. Even those we've forgotten. I hope they do not think badly of us because of it. I'll try to remember their names, next time.

[He sounds lost, somehow. Perhaps lost within a dream. Perhaps lost within a memory. But he soon shakes his head.]

So many opportunities, yet I've never asked. About any of it, Conflict and home both. Well, he never volunteered the information either. All that talk of foolishness and crystals and plans, but he never bothered...

[He interrupts himself.]

I apologize. I appear to be overly sentimental tonight. The exact date matters little in the end. I should simply choose one and be done with it, after all these years.

[He reaches out and closes the Pokégear.

Not that he'll sleep for the rest of the night.]

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I'm fine. I simply... dreamed about events from a long time ago. It brought a wave of nostalgia with it.

It sounded like you were having...a nightmare. [Pauses.] Do you want to talk about it?

...It was not truly a nightmare. It was more like... It was more like dreaming of old friends, except I could remember who they were. Their dream selves were smiling and laughing, but I could only feel confusion and guilt.

Hmm... [She's thinking over his words.] Did you see any faces in your dream?

I did. One of them was my best friend. Two of the others were definitely Lightning and Tifa. But everyone else... Even after seeing their faces, their names would not come to me.

Don't worry. I'm sure you'll remember the rest of their names. Maybe...you just need a little push.

I know someone named Lightning here. Not sure if it's the same person, though.

I'm nearly certain they're the same person. Their ressemblance is uncanny. ...Unless they are like Squall and Leon, which would complicate everything.

...Squall and Leon?

[Something about hearing Cecil talk about those two names caught her attention. Was he talking literally or figuratively? I mean, Leon was known as Squall once upon a time, but not many people knew about that unless Yuffie mentioned it. She knows how the ninja will always call Leon by his name as a way to annoy him.

...maybe she should ask.]

Do you know someone called Squall?

I do. He's a friend of mine, from a world that was not quite home but closer to it than Johto. In fact, the two of us first met because we were both looking for him. He... left Johto about two weeks ago.

Really?

[Aerith couldn't help look a little hurt at the idea that she couldn't remember another friend. She only recognized the name by Leon, it's the same name he once had.]

So, we met throught him...? [Fiddles around with her fingers a bit.] What is he like? Your friend Squall, I mean.

We did. He'd decided to hide for a few days; I was going north to find him, you were going south to visit his Pokémon. We met on the road, and after talking about it we decided to look for him together.

Overly serious, overly closed off, overly quiet. He thinks and thinks and thinks and gives short answers, and I could probably count the number of times I've seen him smile on both of my hands. He cares deeply for his Pokémon and friends, and he is always willing to help someone he knows, even in a dangerous land.

[Somehow the description really did reminded her a bit of Leon when he was younger. She couldn't help find it a little odd. A weak laugh escaped her lips.]

He sounds a little like a younger version on Leon. Did Leon meet him?

[He laughs a little.]

You could say that's what he is, but not in front of them. They'd not like it at all. I believe they've spoken, but I do not know the details.

Oh. [It kinda surprises her Leon didn't get along with someone just like him. Then again, it really didn't, either. Could the name have anything to do with it? Hm.] That's too bad. Leon is a really good guy. It would have been interesting to see him friends with someone with his same name and personality.

[Then she wonders...] Did Squall and I get along well?

Or it could be extremely unsettling. Not everyone would be happy to speak with their mirror image, interesting experience or not. Especially considering some of the enemies Squall had to face during the Conflict.

You did, as much as Squall gets along with people.

[Which means 'yes, but he never said so out loud'.]

[Wait, did Cecil just say...?]

Mirror image? [She slowly mulls over his words a bit.] I don't understand. What does his experience in the "Conflict" have to do with not getting along with Leon? [No one has told her anything about doubles.]

I see. [She can't help smile.] I'll keep an eye out for him then. I would like to meet him if he ever returns.

...They have the same name, the same personality, the same face, the same style... [Everything except the age.] At that time, we were forced to fight enemies that looked like twisted, crystalline versions of ourselves. After that seeing your face on someone else can be alarming at first.

If he does, I'll bring him to visit you. And if he does not remember, I'll bring him to meet you. I'll not let him escape.

[If he does not remember the Conflict... Cecil doesn't want to think about it.]

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