#flora spodune

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[seine-draws]

Doodles for Hearts’ 11th anniversary!

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[soutenshikku]

A Long Kept Secret

Just a thought I had, that I decided to develop into another short fic. This one involves Richea discovering her sister's diary, and what she discovers within it.

--It felt so strange, being back home. Richea was surprised at how calm she found herself, though. Knowing she had played a role in it's destruction so long ago... and she had never returned until now. Perhaps it was because she had already paid for her sin? Or perhaps because she was so close to finally setting everything to rest.

She wandered the abandoned town silently, ignoring the others. They would understand... they had to. This place was precious to her, after all. She realized that her time was short, but surely she could spare long enough to take in what was left of her home?

Either way, she continued on, pausing only when her already weak body demanded it. Eventually, she came to her sister's room--Flora's room. Inside, it was just as she remembered, except that there was no sign of life... that was saddening... yet another reminder of what had happened, those many years ago.

Crossing over to Flora's desk, Richea's eyes rested on a small book, one that she didn't recognize. Carefully, she picked it up, and pried open the front cover. "Is this...?" She blinked, having never realized her sister even kept a diary.

She knew she shouldn't, but she was curious to know what she might find. Flipping through, she didn't stop to really read until one of the final entries...

I can't believe that Gardenia is nearly complete... already, I am both excited and concerned about the possible outcomes of using it. Creed's plan to absorb only the hateful Spiria of Quartia.. I do not know if it can truly be done. Even if it can... would a world created this way be worth living in? I do not know... and I cannot seem to convince him that this may be the wrong path. Why, Creed...? Why won't you listen to me? Richea too... both of you... Why can't you at least try to give the Soma Link a chance?

Perhaps we can discuss this further later. For now, something else has been plaguing my thoughts. It's Creed... he's been so obsessed with the Gardenia project that he hasn't even noticed... I've barely caught his glances anymore, let alone any time to truly spend alone with him.

Now, with this disagreement, I wonder if I should tell him at all. I shouldn't burden him with the knowledge... what if something goes wrong? I could not leave him with that guilt.. that burden... If something were to happen to me, and the child growing within me. I cannot imagine the pain it would bring him, if something like that were to happen.

If something does go wrong, I have vowed to do whatever it takes... whatever I can, to protect Creed and Richea. To protect Quartia. Even if it means sacrificing everything.

I love you all, and if I must fall to save you... So be it. I only pray that it will not come to such extremes. Yet... I cannot shake the feeling that something will go wrong. This power... something about it doesn't seem right.

My dearest wish, is that everything goes according to plan... so that Creed and I can eventually raise this child... this new addition to our small family of three.

The entry stopped there, and Richea slowly closed the book, while one hand lifted to wipe away a tear that had dared to slide down her cheek. "Flora... why didn't you say anything?" She murmured, referring not to their disagreement about Gardenia, but... to think her sister had kept such a secret from them. For her own part, she had been blind to Creed and Flora's relationship to begin with... to think that she hadn't noticed...

Sighing softly, she shook her head. "I will set things right, Flora... I promise." She had already made this promise before, but... she had to say it once more, now that she knew more of how Flora felt. Now, more than ever, she felt guilty for what she had allowed to happen.. and the one life she had never known she was partly responsible for erasing.