❥ forgive & forget. // closed.
Ejected within a compact sea of people deemed to be the ‘normal’ as nobody spared a glance nor a friendly hand. Instead, everyone strode aimlessly in multiple directions as if they were zombies…only to be watched as pawns and entertainment for the scientists above.
Arms crossed aligning his chest, a heavy sigh evacuating his physique. He sketched an escape plan in his head, detailing every possible option that was available but it was clear that wrapping his head around this would only result in a tremendous headache. Plus, there was nobody in sight that stroke his memory, nothing but shadows and strangers.
As if on cue – a familiar melodic voice rang into his ears. Whether or not it was a hallucination, the man immediately turned in prospect that she was there. It felt almost like a long-shot, selfishly and silently wishing that maybe – just maybe, he wouldn’t have to challenge the Hive alone. Noel didn’t identify himself as ‘dependent’ but he did after adventuring and locking a bond between Serah, Mog and her friends. Though, the remaining recollection of their journey was distorted.
‘Did something happen?’
Before he could dwell any further, a brief shock disclosed his features seeing Serah physically exist in front of him. ‘Could it be that this was their new world to explore?’ Noting her radiant glow and enthusiasm, he chuckles in response. “What? You’d think I’d go without you, Serah?! How could I forget my trust and ever so loyal – sidekick.”
Happen? Well, if she were to be completely honest with him (which she should have been from the get-go), then yes, something definitely had happened. To which her wide eyes and pursed lips were trying ever so hard not to tell. It was at that moment that his single question had confirmed Serah’s own suspicions about their situation: this Noel was from another timeline. A steady smile remained on the seeress’s lips, mustering all the strength taht she could to keep with the facade that she was from the same timeframe as he was. ...And yet, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of strife. And so she decided to avoid the whole question altogether, shaking her head in response. Luckily for her, though, Noel was just as chipper as ever.
“‘Sidekick?’” she repeated, brows furrowing as if to pretend that she was mad; she might as well play along with the lighthearted mood that had suddenly rekindled between them. Serah crossed her arms, feigning annoyance with such a comment. “I hope you meant that as a joke.” She drew closer to him then, boot heels clacking against the city’s paved cement sidewalks. Her arm extended out towards him to give him a light nudge in the arm. “But I think you might be right -- maybe within this city we might find another artefact.”
Eyes slightly faltered then, as she was quick to blink back the sudden revelation that there would not be such an object here. Because in the timeline she had come from, all of them have been recovered -- and her fate had been sealed. “It’ll take us one step closer,” she said, her voice a bit softer in tone, “To Lightning.” Serah was quick to overcome her moment of remorse, and took a few steps ahead of him with her hands clasped behind her back. It was beginning to feel like old times, then; if only for a while. She turned around to look at her companion, smiling. “This place seems pretty big, though. Where do you suppose we start?”
