[Video/Closed Actions]

[innocent_royal]

(Video: OTA)

[The image on the screen is that of a young woman, roughly mid or late teens, dressed in a formal black gown and a silver tiara which draped a sheer mourning veil over her face. She removes the veil to reveal the saddened face of Anastasia.]

I'm back from the dream docks… Has anyone ever lost a parent? Sibling? A child? Or have watched them wither away? …How do you cope with it?

(Closed Action: Trunks)

[Rain. How thematically appropriate. Yet, also a problem. Anastasia is without cover as she walked out into the open, hugging her father's grimoire. Her heels made light splashes as she walked. But then she heard a deeper-sounding splash near by. Glancing up, she sees Trunks. Her face is still veiled, but it hid nothing, not her identify or her sadness.] 

(Closed Action: Soma)

[Scattered showers all over. As if she wasn't soaked to the bone already. An odd thing to note was the grimoire she held in her arms remained dry. As the veiled young woman clad in a black gown entered the Cloak & Dagger store, she made her best attempt to gain attention.]

Excuse me… May I see the store owner? 

(Closed Action: Satsuki)

[One way or another, Anastasia found her way back home at Heavens Court. With the Ruby Circlet now gone, the sunlight is pure, absolute torture. But she made it, with help without a doubt. As she entered the apartment, she listened for a moment, then spoke up in a way that Satsuki would recognize. But can she still recognize her, despite only growing about 6 or so inches and looking more distinctly like a grown teenager? Only one way to find out.]

Tadaima.

Comments

[notquitedracula]

[Soma's at the counter, being the store's only employee just at the moment. The place looks a lot more like a working business now than it did the last time she was here.

On hearing the bell over the door chime, he looks up to see the veiled woman in black. Some of his customers do turn up looking like that - this being Everglade, it's sometimes best not to show your face. So Soma gives a small bow. The voice is naggingly familiar, but... surely not, Anya is shorter and stuck that way. Right? But... that dress, it also looks familiar. Where did he see it...?]

Welcome to Cloak and Dagger. I'm the current owner - if you're looking for Mr. Lynch, he isn't here anymore.

[innocent_royal]

I see...
Actually...

[She approaches the counter, resting her arms and freeing a hand so she can lift the sheer veil to reveal her face.

Do you recognize her now?]

...I was looking for you, Soma.

[notquitedracula]

[Jaw. Dropped. Were you expecting some other reaction? It takes him several seconds to put his extremely jumbled feelings into words.]

Anya?! Is that... really you?

[innocent_royal]

[That got her to smile a bit. The first time in a while.]

Yes... It's me...
I'm... I'm sorry I left without telling you.

[But her thoughts strayed to her father again, her smile faded. She once more hugging the divine grimoire that he passed down to her.]

[light_of_willpower]

[Good thing he brought an umbrella then, although he's not bothered by the rain. Still, it's a good big umbrella and it's being opened and held out for her to be under. In his messenger bag, he has a thermos of strawberry tea, and a sympathetic smile when he recognizes the depression.]

I'm a good listener, and I know what pain is like.

[It's an offer if she wants, or just to give her company.]

[innocent_royal]

[At least in the rain, she would be safe from the heat that would otherwise be fatal to her. But she steps undernearth.

She tried to be strong. She was the High-Princess for four years before her father fell ill. But at the end of the day, she was still, at heart, a little girl who was about to lose her father.]

...How do you... How do you cope?

[light_of_willpower]

My ways of coping may not work for you...

[Keeping the umbrella mostly over her, and stepping closer.]

But...time. Time, and company. I'm prone to brooding though, while some people find it easier to talk about things.

[Still general, as he doesn't know just what has happened yet.]

I've been dealing with it since I was very young though, younger than you--although when I was as old as you were before...

[Trailing off...]

Do you want to just go home? or go somewhere else for a bit...

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia glances up at him as he steppes closer. Idly, she looks around at the rainy scene.]

...Let's talk for awhile. I want to get used to being back.

[Video]

[kalmaleader]

I've lost many members of my clan, including my two sons. I simply cope by continuing to survive.

[Life can't be any simpler for him, really...]

[Video]

[innocent_royal]

[Easier said than done.]

But... Would that not be easy for a mighty being as yourself?

[Video]

[kalmaleader]

Being mighty doesn't mean being immune to emotions. It's just important to remember what is really important. Sitting around moping won't do any good for the surviving members of my clan, especially when they're coping with the losses as well. Someone has to remain above the trench and direct the clan forward. And as the leader, it falls on me to do so.

[Video]

[innocent_royal]

[She glances away. Can she be strong now? As someone facing ascension, she will be forced to put on a brave face.]

...Did you have someone to hold you up when no one is looking? Someone to help you stay focused when in the forefront of society?

voice.

[sadisticsinner]

That is a tricky one. Everyone has their own way honestly. I let it pass me and moved on.

Re: voice.

[innocent_royal]

[It's hard to imagine being able to just let it go, however an attactive thought that is to not be so burdened.]

However did you come to be able to steel yourself so?

Anonymous text

[willing_sheath]

My mother died giving birth to my brother. My father was never the same after she died. I also lost someone dear to me within the last year.

It is difficult. The only advise I can give is to keep yourself busy. After the death of my mother I stepped into her role to care for my brother and my father. It may seem strange, but I believe I coped with her death better than my other loss for the sole reason that I was too busy to dwell upon it.

[Yeah... more like she didn't cope AT ALL and just bottled it up for ten years and then imploded the next time she had a loss, but heeeeeeeeey...]

[ooc; anon because she is too private to openly talk about this to someone.]

Re: Anonymous text

[innocent_royal]

That sounds reasonable. Your story reminds me of one of my retainers...

I'll see what I can do to distract my mind. Thank you for your advice and sharing your story with me, good stranger.

Anonymous text

[willing_sheath]

You're welcome, and I am sorry for your loss. I hope you are able to find peace of mind.

[weavemyownfate]

[When Anastasia returned, the first thing she may have seen is Satsuki's Furfrou being lazy at the front door. She gives the Princess little more than a glance, then goes back to being lazy.

Satsuki steps out from the living area wearing an apron that holds her pruning equipment and first her brows raise in surprise to Anastasia's change in appearance, but then greets her with a small smile.]

Okaeri nasai.

[She walks up to meet the princess face to face, though immediately notices something particularly troubling.]

Where is your circlet?

[innocent_royal]

[Same old Furfrou. Her own Sylveon is probably lazing about as well.

As for that question? Yeah, she expected this. Anastasia adjusts the grimoire in her arms.]

...I woke up without it... I guess the dream docks ate it.

[Granted, she probably outgrew it anyway. She can only hope Soma can get her another one, or get the ruby back from Shi. In the mean time, she'll have to rely on Primarina and Glaceon.]

[weavemyownfate]

Not exactly off to a good start, are we?

[Satsuki gave a playful smirk as she reached to set a hand upon Anastasia's shoulder. She gestured toward the kitchen.]

You must be baking; let us get you something to drink to cool off. Lemonade or green tea?

[scarlet_devil]

...Anastasia?

[ Remilia is still her tiny cute self. ]

I... am working on that.

[innocent_royal]

You too, Remilia?

[Indeed. No longer are they the same height. Anastasia is now just a bit taller. By how much? Can't be determined over the phone.]

text

[deathsought]

{ Zeref stares at the screen for a few seconds, unsure if he should even answer. But ultimately, he decides that everyone whom the information would affect already knows, so there's no harm. }

I lost both of my parents and a younger brother at a very young age, yes.

text

[innocent_royal]

[It goes without saying that that is a devastating loss. As much as he has her condolences, it would be patronizing to say so and stick to the topic at hand.]

I'm sorry to hear that... How did you cope?

text

[deathsought]

I dedicated myself to the study of magic that could give my younger brother a second chance. He was barely two years old.

{ And the rest is history. }