and if you close your eyes, does it almost feel like nothing changed at all?

[assent]

CHARACTERS: Sonia Nevermind, and assorted others!
DATE: January 6th - 31st
WARNINGS: SPOILERS for Danganronpa 2 are heavy in here, but I will mark individual threads for it. Also cw things for violence
SUMMARY: Just putting all my log plans for this month in here! If you want to do something just drop a prompt, hit me up at serves to work something out or there are 2 open prompts inside!

Comments

[heritors]

[ She leans in just slightly, eyes taking in the picture. ] It's wonderful. [ It's also probably what happens when two canonically beautiful princesses take a picture together, but you know, details.

Mostly because there's a term Lucina's never quite familiarized herself with her before. ] Print...? What do you mean?

i hope you know i got an instax camera bc of this thread... next time she'll be ready!!!

[assent]

[ Sonia smiles even more when Lucina approves, though really it is just what happens with two beautiful princesses are in the photo, it's true. ]

Oh! So that rather being stored in here... [ She points to her bracelet. ] You have them on paper instead. That way you can place them on your wall or in an album.

NO CUTE i'm so glad, let's have them take a selfie per mission or smth

[heritors]

Oh! A ... painting? Or something similar —

[ But it makes sense. ] Regardless, I would prefer that greatly to this. [ Something tangible, to hold on to. ] Although... if it's not too much trouble, I'd like a copy for myself. To store in my magitek.

YES OFC...!!! more than one okok

[assent]

Something similar. It is done with ink, and not by hand after all.

[ Though, ah! Of course. Sonia quickly tries to send it over to her, looking pleased with herself when she manages it. ]

I believe you should have it now?

yeah!!! >:c

[heritors]

Interesting... [ A futuristic painting, then!! How exciting, perhaps she'll be able to see it one day. ]

Oh, er— [ Her interface pops up from the ring on her finger, and as Sonia as said, there it is. ] Yes, I do. [ It really is a lovely picture. ]

Thank you. [ Though before the silence can stretch on longer — ] I suppose we should... change back into something more comfortable, now? [ Unless there are suddenly more dresses to try on. ]

[assent]

Yes. I am glad that we could share this, Lucina.

[ Despite being close enough already, Sonia reaches to give the other girl a hug. It's been a nice change, having a girly moment like this. ]

Though... I suppose we should, no? This is a little tight actually.

[ Considering she couldn't even zip it up past her waist oops. ]

[heritors]

I couldn't agree more, Sonia. [ With the hug returned in full, because this is probably the girliest thing she has done since... ever. Definitely something that should be celebrated with a hug.

But ah — Lucina takes a gentle step back, slowly untangling herself away from the hug. ] We can have the snacks after. [ With that, she turns around — see u next time, dresses. ]

[assent]

[ Definitely to be celebrated!

Sonia has to twist a bit to pull the zip down the rest of the way, sighing in relief once it's off and her normal clothes are on.

With that done, mind you, it just leaves a rather grave topic. ]

Actually, I wished to talk to you a little too. Though, admittedly it seems a little wrong to do so after trying on our dresses.

[heritors]

Oh? [ A pause, turning around with her eyebrows raised ( once she's changed, she has her priorities straight ). ] Is everything alright?

[ She's quick to take a step forward again, reaching out for Sonia's hands. ] I'm more than happy to listen, Sonia.

[assent]

[ Sonia waits while keeping her eyes averted, giving the other girl privacy. ]

It is fine, I just... [ She actually flinches a little this time as Lucina takes her hands, almost like she's remembering how tainted they actually are. ] It is just a difficult topic. I admit, I am a little nervous to bring it up as well.

[heritors]

... I'll wait for as long as you need. [ Which — really doesn't do much to combat the anxiety Sonia might be feeling. Frankly, she's not sure what to say in this kind of scenario, because "people" have been much more father's thing than her thing.

She's happy to sit in silence regardless, keeping her word. She'll just hang up the dresses back in the closet again, idly tidy parts of her room. ]

[assent]

[ It doesn't really, which is why she pauses as Lucina busies herself with her room instead. It's a lot more awkward than when she'd spoken to Nami, Lance or Haise in that Lucina isn't sitting with her and it just feels... more detached.

Slowly, she sits down, hands on her lap and stares at the floor. It will take a bit of time before she starts, just because she fears how this will go now given that reaction.

Still... it's better than lying to someone who has only shown her kindness and generosity. ]

Do you remember what I told you at the ball?

[heritors]

[ None of her friends had been — they all had their own ways of dealing with the tragedy at their hands. Talking about it wasn't exactly the highest priority, for they all knew what they were going through. Occasionally, Lucina might bet the upset Cynthia or the quiet-er Nah, their small moments of weakness, but ...

She does sit down, once Sonia begins. Unfortunately, if Sonia shows any signs of discomfort... Lucina doesn't quite notice it ( yet ). ] ... Yes.

The state of your world, yes? [ At least, she's better at listening now. ]

[assent]

[ She breathes out slowly as Lucina sits as well now, her hands clasping tightly together, almost until parts turn white from how her skin pulls against bone. Then, slowly, she tries to relax. ]

The reason behind that is quite complicated. I think it may be best if I were to be more honest about it, however... it is not a pleasant thing to recall. Please bear with me.

[ More than that, she's terrified Lucina will turn her away once she learns the truth. ]

Perhaps in its simplest form... "I was one of the people behind it" would summarise it well, though it was never of my own accord. My classmates and I were brainwashed into spreading despair, I had no control over my thoughts or actions at the time, so now I just have to live with it.

[heritors]

[ Her stay in ALASTAIR hasn't been long, yet Lucina wants to believe that she's learned quite a bit in her time here. But every time something she had never imagined before surfaces, she knows her painfully limited view of the worlds is... painfully limited.

She's patient, at least, letting silence and a gentle hand on Sonia's knee speaking more than actual words; she braces herself, for whatever it may be. But when the admission comes, the hand tenses along with the rest of her body, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes widen, jaw snapping shut. Her mind jumps to Validar, to Aversa, to Grima — all those that sought to bring ruin to the world.

But just as quickly, she's back in reality, sitting in front of Sonia, a friend, who has shown unconditional kindness time and time again. The one that's afraid to speak for the sake of — what? What could she possibly be afraid of? That's what gets her body to relax, her tone of voice to ... it still stays grim ( but then, happiness wouldn't really fit here ), but the edges of it are soft, understanding. ] You remember all of it. [ It's not a question when Sonia has made it so plain. Lucina takes the next silence to inhale, pause, then exhale. ] ... You remember all of it, yet you have not let your past define who you are.

[assent]

[ Everywhere certainly does have differences that few could possibly imagine, yet this is not something Sonia really divulges often. If at all. Nami, Lance and Haise are the only people who knew until Lucina... and Urahara knew the tip of the iceberg but not how deep it went under the water. ]

I remember most of it... There are probably parts I am trying to suppress, I am not so sure. Though I would have to disagree with that, too. Part of the reason why I keep trying so hard is because while I am aware I cannot be forgiven for what I did, I do wish to make things better.

It is probably quite selfish, in the end.

[heritors]

Seeking atonement is not selfish. [ Because Lucina's optimistic to the point of desperation/ ] I have seen many more men and women — those presumably stronger than you — succumb to despair and inaction.

[ Guilt is an incredibly powerful emotion, that much she cannot deny; yet for her attempts at trying to relate to her, it'd be naive of her to believe that their experiences were... similar. What would her father do? She can't blame Sonia for anything she had done, regardless of whether or not she experienced it for herself, but... how does she say that? ] I understand it's not in my place to say, and I can't ease your burden with just my words, but—

You are one of the strongest people I have ever met, regardless.

[assent]

Given the fate that I will likely face at home, it may be selfish to wish for it. [ She says it quietly, letting that hang in the air.

Her hand picks at the edge of her top, plucking at it lightly. She's frowning through Lucina's words though, using her actions to try and digest everything. ]

You... do not hate me for it?

[ It's the fourth time she's done this and is still surprised apparently. ]

[heritors]

Your actions here do not affect your fate there. [ And that's all she has to say on the subject — how much Sonia has been trying is implied, quite obviously. At the same time... she's not here to speak of her own opinion on these matters.

This is Sonia's life, after all. There are only certain things Lucina can control, as much as she wishes she could ease her friends burdens. ] No, of course not.

You're still a dear friend of mine; my opinion of you would not waver so quickly. [ This is the easiest sentence she's had to speak this entire conversation. ]

[assent]

Does that not make it feel all the more useless? [ It implies that no matter how hard she tries here, it won't make up for the casualties at home, at least. Only a pessimist would take it that way though, and with that Lucina might realise that a lot of her bubbliness and positivity is merely a mask. ]

Though I am glad to hear that. I was worried... No matter how many times I tell someone this I am worried.

[heritors]

I'm sorry. I can't imagine— [ She's at a loss for words; only this time, she decides to do something before the silence begins to suffocate the room again. Her arm moves to wrap around Sonia's shoulders, holding her closer. Her voice lowers in volume, just barely above a gentle murmur— ] While we have not known each other long, please know that ... [ She tries to search for the correct words, but they're not that hard to find, this time. ]

you will always be my friend.

[assent]

[ Words don't come right away, as when Lucina reaches out to pull her in and hold her and says those words that mean a lot more than she can describe she has to bite her lip to not cry again. She's tired of it, of always fearing the worse than being overwhelmed when that doesn't happen. Even if it's only been three... four times so far, it's more than enough.

Instead she lets her head drop to rest against Lucina's shoulder, her hand moving to cover the other girl's tenderly. ]

Thank you.