closerift | (no subject)

A girl should always be careful. [ Cecily corrects lightly. ]

I'm all right now that I know you're here and that you haven't forgotten me. [ Was Sharon still here when the Null stopped her heart and slit her throat? When she was revived without her memories for months until Confusion saw fit to return them?

She doesn't ask. ]

Things-... aren't good, granted, but we aren't in an all-out war anymore, thank the Maker. They're at least stable, now.

[ More or less. ]

It sounds like I missed a lot. [ And it stings to know. She wasn't here to defend the people she loved and cared for but, in reality, when has she ever? Everyone she loves is cursed; it's just how it is. ]

I'll make sure not to let it happen again, even if I have to make a deal.

You did. [ She admits. ] But, you're here now.

[ That, though - that vow of Sharon's - makes her nervous. ]

You can come and go; I've no doubt I'll see you again. But, I won't have you making any deals to stay. I've seen how badly it can go, and I would never wish that for you. Not for anything.

It doesn't change how much I missed. [ Or who.

The next bit though gets her to roll her eyes. Yeah, Hadriel can get bad, but so can the rest of the world. At least in Hadriel, she's got people by her side.

Back home? It's her and Vincent. Just her and Vincent. The cops were likely still looking—and not just for an alias, but for Sharon da Silva thanks to that dumb PI. ]

Look, Cecily, I'd rather be here with you and... [ Mello, but he's gone. ] everyone else than have to go back to my world where... where I'd be hunted for the rest of my life. Going home isn't an escape from all the bad shit, it just changes the tune of it, and leaves me with significantly less allies.

With less friends. [ AKA: no friends. ]

I understand that. [ She'd left Hadriel for two years in her time, once, but no time had passed in the then-cave city. It'd been... an experience so jarring that she hasn't forgotten the feeling to this day. ]

Well, you're here now. You have friends now. [ There's a pause; Cecily knows Mello is gone. ] ... Will you come stay with us? At least for a while. We've got a spare room.

[ The better to keep an eye on you, my dear. ]

I've never been one to stay in one place too often. [ Hell, it took three months for her to find an apartment instead of just living like a hobo and then another year before she finally moved in with someone. It's not an easy step to take. It invites people to see her weaknesses, her sleepwalking, the nightmares that throw her awake screaming into the night.

But still. This wasn't the first friend of hers to offer and somehow she doubts it's the last. Maybe she can stay with certain people depending on her emotional state. She'd rather be with Cecily when her heart hurts and she remembers all the nasty nightmares they endured together and alone. ]

Would you mind if I stayed some days and stayed other places on others? [ Her question is careful, hesitant, but no failing in warm curiousity. ]

I know you aren't. There isn't any pressure to do that now.

[ She can wander, she can come and go... so long as she's safe. Or as safe as she can be in Hadriel.

Cecily chuckles faintly. ]

I wouldn't mind at all. Our home is yours. Just remember that there are two mabari living within our walls at the moment.

[ Cecily's response brings with it a wave of relief. There's nothing more touching than when a friend truly knows you. Sharon's always been a wanderer, some part of her wanting to keep herself safe, and the ones she cares for, by never remaining in one place long. ]

So, what you're saying is I shall never leave your home dry ever again, huh? [ The slobber those proud (and totally adorable) beasts could produce would send any hound from her home world yelping. Or drowning. ] Why am I looking forward to it?

So, where'd this second one come from? Another friend from your home?

Ah, nothing like that. [ Probably. ] But you may leave with a fresh layer of hair on your clothes.

[ Better, or worse than slobber? You decide!! ]

"Friend" - well, now we are, I think. But... back in Thedas, she was another person, the way that I'm told that I am. You know: multiple Inquisitors? She earned the title of "Hero of Ferelden," but so did someone else, in my own memories.

[ SIGH. When will the madness end? ]

Every time someone new comes from your varied worlds, I swear it gets more and more complicated, but... I'm glad you've got another friend from home here. Especially if they're a Hero, like you. [ If one is good, two is better, and if Cecily likes this Hero of Ferelden than all the better! ]

I know what you mean. [ This is the second Hero of Ferelden who's been in Hadriel, after all. ] And I'm no hero, thank you very much.

[ Sharon, please. Don't embarrass her. ]

I'll introduce you. Her name's Aren, and she's a riot, honestly.

You're delusional and need to have more pride in yourself. Give yourself some credit some time. And if that doesn't get you, then all you have to believe is that I believe it. [ it sounds like an issue that might be difficult to budge.

there aren't enough people like Cecily in the world. ]

If she drinks, then I'm sure I'll get along with her. [ If there's one thing she remembers clearly was the amount of time she spent sober-ish. ]

I believe that you believe it, however wrongfully. [ Hmph!!

She's not modest, Sharon: she's just stubborn. ]

She's also got a lot of great stories. ... Did I already say she's a dwarf?

You idiot. [ She states before continuing on. A dwarf? Huh. ]

A hero dwarf. Cool. I promise not to stare or something.

I'm sure she wouldn't be offended if you did.

[ Right? She's famous for being a hero, not for being a dwarf. ]