♢ 11 ♢

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

[In pops Marta, mid-walk. It's a slow walk, and her gaze is on the ground. She's sad again, and it shows in the way she's holding herself, how she's fussing with the ends of her hair with both hands, in her heavy sigh.

'The most important thing you can do right now is run...' well, may as well run to the Plane and get some thinking done, right? And what is there to think about? Well, nothing pretty. Altamira under attack, Regal and Sheena in danger, the Vanguard's twisted plans... And somehow, it all comes back to one central idea for her... ]

Is this my fault, for being so naive? ... What should I do...?

[She finds a quiet spot in the forest, beneath one of the trees near the edge. She sits on the ground, knees drawn up to her chest, and quietly lets her thoughts spin on themselves. Maybe she'll just sleep here, while she has the chance...]


((OoC: Canon bump!! Marta and Emil are now in Chapter 7! /confetti! For those keeping score at home: Magnar was defeated and the Vanguard's plans have been revealed - the group is now traveling to Mizuho.))

Comments

[lamb_of_gold]

Marta?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

[Marta looks up, and gives him a tiny smile over her folded arms .]

Hm? Oh. Hi, Mu.

[lamb_of_gold]

Whatever happened, it must have been serious, to dampen that smile of yours.

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

[She hesitates, then nods as her smile drops again.]

The Vanguard... attacked a city. They planted bombs everywhere, then said they'd detonate them if I didn't turn myself in. We managed to get out of it, but two of our friends are still there, fighting. And now, we've found out what the Vanguard's doing, and...

[She bites her lip, not entirely sure how to go on from there. It's hard explain so much all at once, after all, especially when it's someone not even from Aselia in the first place.]

[lamb_of_gold]

What are they doing?..no, you don't have to tell me if you're uncomfortable with it...

[bonnypiperlad]

[Jamie, naturally, is concerned.] Marta? Is something the matter?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

[Marta tries her best to put on a smile, and though she manages, it's definitely not as bright and sunny as she usually manages.]

I'm just worried about some stuff from home. It feels like things are getting worse...

[bonnypiperlad]

How so? Is there anything I can help ye with?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

Probably not. But thank you, Jamie.

[She sighs before she explains herself... somewhat.] I feel like I'm putting everyone in danger. Even innocent people, and complete strangers. It's like it's... all my fault.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[Emil's presence is announced by light steps on the forest floor. He hesitates a couple feet behind her, the tension hanging in the air... Then he drops into a sitting position, close to her personal space but not invading it.]

Marta...

[For once, he's alone. There are no kittens, Wolves, or Tenebraes nearby.]

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't even hear Emil coming until he's seated, and she turns to face him. She does smile a little - it's Emil, how could she not? - but it's gone quickly enough.]

Emil...

[She doesn't know what to say right now. Too many possibilities are running through her mind.]

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[He returns the smile, but just like hers, it's fleeting and nervous. He sees one of her hands in the grass and covers it with his own.

She's not alone. They're running scared, but at least she's not alone.]

Everything will be okay.

[Who is he reassuring anymore?]

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

[She closes her eyes. She's not sure if it will be, and if it isn't, she feels she's partially responsible. Well, more than partially. His hand on hers is enough to reassure her that no, she isn't alone. But...]

Emil... Thank you. I'm sorry.

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

[As first, Aster looks happy to see her. He's all smiles and ready to call out a greeting. Before he can manage that, he notices that she looks upset and while he still smiles, he does tone down his enthusiasm quite a bit.]

Marta?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

[Marta tries for a bright, reassuring smile - she doesn't want Aster to worry about her! - but it falls short, though she pretends it hasn't.]

Aster! How are you?

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

I'm doing fine.

[He doesn't sit down yet, but he does stand beside her.]

I feel like I should be asking you that question. How are you?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

I'm alright. [She tries not to frown!] I'm worried about what the Vanguard is doing right now

[ex_fatalist246]

[Satoshi stops by Marta. He really doesn't know what to say, but...] The library's better for sleeping in.

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

Hmm? [She looks up, a little surprised.] Oh! Thank you, but I think I'd rather be in the forest. I don't really know if I want to sleep or not.

[ex_fatalist246]

All right. I just thought... [What did he just think? That she looked tired and very very sad.] Sorry for interrupting.

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

[She blinks.]

No, you're not interrupting at all. [A pause, then hesitant:] Are you alright?

[oliverplus]

[when Oliver sees Marta like that, he approaches her immediately, sitting down beside her with concern clear in his gaze] Marta? What's wrong?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

Oliver... [She shakes her head.] So much is going on back home. I have a lot to think about.

[oliverplus]

[gently, offering more than prying] Wanna talk about it?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

It's such a long story... [But she definitely wouldn't mind.] I can try to keep it simple, but are you sure?