(no subject)

[selfless]

[there's a soft clearing of the throat, and then a stretch of uncomfortable silence. When Colette finally speaks, her voice is soft but steady. She's making a focused effort to not sound calm, but at least sound together. All of this was a sobering and personal reminder-- how terrible Paradisa could be. She really doesn't want to be talking on the journal at all, but people should know...]

Excuse me, but I... [no, that's the wrong way to start. She sighs slightly, and then starts again]

Zelos Wilder died yesterday. Another man has also died, although I don't know his name. He had very short light hair, wore a modern Earth suit, and was very skilled with a gun.

To their friends, I -- [an awkward pause, and then a soft apology] I'm sorry. Everything is really dangerous right now, so please... everyone please try to stay safe.

Comments

Colette

[wolfchild]

[ Very quietly: ] You promised.

Arya

[selfless]

[a pause]

I know. I'm-- [sorry doesn't cut it, does it?] I failed him... and you.

Colette

[wolfchild]

You did.

[ She closes the journal. ]

[rose_of_battle]

[If any voice could penetrate the haze of Sheena's mind, it would be a voice of one of her friends.

Even the soft tones of Colette as Sheena opens her own journal to dictate an entry.

Hand shaking, she runs trembling fingers over the words of the page for a long moment before her voice finally finds its way to the surface, saying only two words out of severe shock.]

You're lying...

[Please forgive her, Colette; it's nothing personal.]

[selfless]

[Sheena. A quick wave of relief to hear that her friend is alive and unharmed is quickly pulled back by that wave of guilt at her words. She wishes she was lying, so desperately. She doesn't know what to say, what else can she say?]

I'm so sorry...

[rose_of_battle]

[Alive, yes. Unharmed, no. Well, physically, maybe, but the ninja hadn't been paying any attention to that as she searched the ship yesterday. And now, any physical pain she might have had is surmounted by the emotional one.

Annoying as he is (she's not going to go with "was") at all, Zelos had been a constant in her life, giving her stability when she needed it most. And now, that annoying stability is gone--like a rug pulled violently out from under her--making her crumble, and her world along with it.]

Stop saying you're sorry! Why are you lying?! Zelos can't be dead! He can't be!

[Even as she says those last words, the heat is going from her voice but she's stubborn.]

He just can't be...

[whichwayyoulean]

[...What.

he Once-ler stares at those four words. Just four little words but they carry all the weight of the world on them. This couldn't be right. They SPOKE yesterday. How could it be that he wasn't there now? That'd he'd... it didn't make any sense. But so much had happened on this stupid mess of a ship already.

He takes a few, deep, shuddery breaths. It wasn't supposed to BE like this]

How?

[He's not even sure he wants to know. But he knows he can't NOT know, either]

[selfless]

[Colette was hoping no one would ask that, but that was a stupid wish, wasn't it? Discomfort claws at her stomach, but she still tries to remain... together as she answers]

He was... killed. The other man in the suit was talking about death and suffering-- he attacked us. And Zelos, he-- protected us.

[whichwayyoulean]

...So it is spreading.

[The same thing with Vriska. That wasn't a comforting thought, but his concerns about the people running about going insane are getting severely clouded by the grief welling up inside him]

It sounds like something Zelos would do. Are you guys ok?

[Don't let it be a waste]

[spongetastic]

Colette... Colette, are you all right? Where are you? [he doesn't sound as worried as he should be]

[selfless]

[Peter? His tone is strange... but she hopes for the best. What else can she do, when everything else is so dark? He must be in a safe place, if he sounds like that, that's good]

Not far from the medical bay. J-Just in case anyone needs help. [she second half of that statement sounds a bit half-hearted]

Are you in a safe place?

[spongetastic]

There is no safe place. Nowhere.

I woke up in the medical bay. I could come find you.

[savethedarkness]

[and then M's blood turned to ice. she knew better than to panic, not on such shoddy details, but...]

The other man. The shooter. .... What color were his eyes?

[if she didn't know, then it wasn't Bond. those blues were impossible to miss, even at a distance]

[selfless]

Blue, I think. [it all happened so fast, and the hallway was so dark. But still, she was pretty sure that was the color. But she wonders... maybe would this person be able to give her a name?]

[savethedarkness]

[she took another breath, deep and slow, to steel herself]. Did he say anything to you?

[therealrisette]

[What?! Oh no...]

Colette-chan...?

[This is the first Rise's heard of someone actually dying here. She didn't know Zelos very well, and the other man doesn't sound familiar, but still... people have died. And others are still in danger!

Ugh, if she could only use her Persona!!!]

... Are you okay? What's happening?

[She sounds panicked and worried and just... entirely overwhelmed with this news. But she's not going to let it get in the way of checking on her friend.]

[selfless]

[oh no, Rise. Colette hears that panic, and the last thing she wants to do is worry a dear friend. So she pumps up that effort to sound calm, and replies promptly]

Rise! I'm alright, really. Zelos... [some of that forced calm falters] he protected us. Lloyd and I are together, so I'm not on my own.

A-Are you also on the Even Horizon?

[therealrisette]

[Okay... Colette's safe, at least for now. Lloyd, too. That actually does help her calm down a bit.

But... the Event Horizon? Wasn't that the name of the other ship?]

No... I'm on the Lewis and Clark. We're trying to fix everything, but...

[She's having a hard time holding tears back now. She's just been staying out of everyone's way because what is all this spaceship nonsense? But every time she opens the journal, there's more disturbing messages from the other ship - a lot of them from people she knows. It's starting to get really overwhelming...]

... Just stay safe, okay?

[ofhope]

What about Lucrezia?

[ Priorities! Feel free to ignore this douche, Colette. ]

[selfless]

I haven't seen her... but I saw her say something over the journal. [she assumes Joshua saw it as well. The worry is clear in her voice]

Did you talk to her?

[ofhope]

That was yesterday. She's not checking in consistently anymore. I think she was one of the first affected. But I promised I'd come over there as soon as I can, to save her.

Even if she's carving people up, there are others stronger than her.

Colette /late late late

[heal_theworld]

[Martel hears that while she's working, she's keeping her journal open just in case they get any calls for a medic and just to keep up with everything.

She freezes when she hears that announcement by Colette. It seemed almost prophetic, the way that just yesterday Tsuna had asked her if she knew where Zelos was. And that description of the man... it had been the one that attacked Tsuna and Reborn. She bit her lip, feeling tears stinging her eyes because of everything that was going on, because Zelos was dead.

She hadn't wanted to lose anyone else dear to her. Not like last time. But she was, again. She lost her almost grandson. Zelos would come back, yes, but that didn't mean anything. He was still dead, he would still experience that...nothingness that Yuan described. She wouldn't wish that on anyone, least of all him. She sniffed, slightly, reaching up to wipe at her eyes.]

I... Colette...I'm so sorry.

[Colette could probably hear the wobble in her voice when she said that. But Colette had known him for longer, they were closer. Colette and Lloyd and Sheena... It must be terrible for her, to have to announce it, to possible have to have seen it. And Colette was her other almost grandchild, even if they weren't as close. Martel had to know... had to ask to see if she was all right as well.]

...Are you all right?

Martel (I'm even later! alkdhg I'm sorry)

[selfless]

[she hears that wobble. They really are... similar, aren't they? Colette is so quick to put herself down in comparison the Martel, but in this moment... she's not thinking any of that, and is just putting all of her will into not crying]

I'm--

[she pauses. 'alright' would be the easy lie, but something urges her to continue in a soft voice]

I'm sad. Very sad. But I'm sure you are too, so...

filtered; timed to when people wake up from stasis

[commandsthewind]

[It's just a scrawled note, her words are privately meant. No one knows how she cares, they both prefer it this way. He was all of her love, what little she could afford. Passive as it was, hidden as it was, it was no less true to her mind. Even if he was not so inclined, it was easier to privately acknowledge, it made it easier to let go again.]

My condolences for your loss, my lady. [and thank you for telling me of this.]

filtered! (and sorry this is so late)

[selfless]

[when Colette receives this, she'es a little confused. She considers the note for a moment, before she writes back. She hopes this reaches the mystery person]

Did you know him?