(no subject)

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun doesn't like this one bit.

When he had gone to bed, it had been in his own bed, in his own house. But when he woke up, he found himself in an unfamiliar condo in some kind of a resort town. None of the locals had ever heard of Orb, and for whatever reason, it was being treated as if he lived there. The only sign that something else was up was a note he had found on the kitchen table, saying that there would be someone he knew here that he needed to meet.

So now, Athrun is walking up and down the street on which "his" condo is located, eyes scanning for familiar faces.

But, as it would turn out, that someone was behind him, in his blind spot. And she would see him first.]

Comments

[infinitejustice]

No... It's not the same...

[Athrun wraps his free arm around Meer's waist and continues sobbing.]

When that happened...I tried to get you to come with me...but...but I couldn't...I couldn't convince you...and then...

...They used you as bait to try to...try to kill Lacus...but you took...

[Try as he might, he can't finish that sentence. Just more crying.]

[lovelyemotion]

{ Even now as she held him, she didn't understand anything he was saying. He couldn't convince her? Sure, she had been quite frightened to go with him. After all, the side he chose was so uncertain. She also ... wanted to be needed. She hadn't been needed when she went to the side Ms. Lacus was in. }

I took ---?

{ When he continued to cry, she began to croon to him to stop. }

I don't have to know. Please stop crying. Whatever you saw was probably just a terrible nightmare.

You did save me. You saved us, actually. Me and Meyrin. So, don't cry. Please?

[infinitejustice]

It wasn't a nightmare, it was real! It happened!

[His memories of that day are crystal clear. He doubts they'll ever fade. Like when he heard the news about Junius Seven. Like when Nicol died. Like when he was shot by his own father.]

But this is also real...and it's not our home...and I just...

[Some of the angst is ebbing, but only to be replaced by confusion. How could this have happened?]

1/2

[lovelyemotion]

[ She pouts. Not quite understanding why he was being so stubborn about this. Did he forget what happened? That was a little hard to believe though. Coordinators didn't have faulty memories. ]

Well, I'm here and I'm real!

2/2

[lovelyemotion]

[ She smiled teasingly and leaned closer. ]

... of course. I'd be happy to prove it.

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun stiffens. His face turns red. Yeah, this was definitely her, all right.]

Y-you can't be serious, a-at a time like THIS?!

[lovelyemotion]

[ That was more like it. As touching as it was to see his vulnerable side, she didn't want him to be that way because of her. The fact that he was crying for her was touching too ...

... but she was very much alive and she wanted him to know that. ]

That's better.

[infinitejustice]

[Well, now Athrun is facepalming. He finds it hard to cry after that happened.]

...Figures.

Can we go someplace private? We need to talk.

1/2

[lovelyemotion]

[ She smiled and nodded. ]

And I know just the place. Follow me!

[ She turned around and walked ahead. ]

2/2

[lovelyemotion]

[ With Athrun now unable to see her. She looked a little more frightened now. Was she dead? Was she supposed to have died? She was scared of the thought of dying ... ]

[infinitejustice]

[And Athrun is thinking as well while he follows Meer. It was at this point that he began wondering about parallel worlds. The people here don't seem to know anything that he would consider common knowledge. What's more, the fact that Meer is alive is compelling evidence.]

We don't have too far to go, do we?

1/2

[lovelyemotion]

No. Not at all. It isn't far. I've been here a while so I know where the best place to go to be alone to talk ---

2/2

[lovelyemotion]

---- or we could just go to my room where we can really be alone.

[ Tease. ]

[infinitejustice]

[Dammit, Meer, now is not the time.]

No! I mean. No. That. Won't be necessary.

...I hope.

[lovelyemotion]

[ She knows that, but she isn't really feeling the devastation the way he does. She doesn't die and she was learning so much watching the people in the Archangel.

She felt their kindness and it surprised her. Not long ago, she supported the cause of Mr. Durandal. They should hate her and though some did, there were still people that helped her understand.

One of them being Athrun. He doesn't seem to know that though.

She showed him to a private little spot at a restaurant at the hotel she was staying. Since it was still early, there were not a lot of people around. ]

Is this good enough?

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun looks around while scratching a spot on his scalp. It was pretty quiet, and it looked like it would be hard for anyone present to eavesdrop.]

It should be. And while we're here, I can order some food.

[It might help him clear his mind.]

[lovelyemotion]

[ Meer smiled. This all seemed rather familiar. Them having something to eat together. It was the same as the first time they met. Except a lot of things now seem different.

... she still felt like herself but at the same time she knew she was different. She had Athrun to thank for that. Did she wish she could still be Lacus? She would be lying if she said she didn't. ]

The food here is really good!

[ Then maybe ... he could explain better what ... happened to her. The question was ... did she really want to know? ]

[infinitejustice]

Is it? Is there anything in particular you recommend?

[He's not sure he should let himself fall into silence. He might think too much about the situation and work himself up again. So he'll look for ways to keep conversation going.]

[lovelyemotion]

Let's see ... I personally love their 'Honey Lime Fruit Salad' but you might like their Balsamic Glaze Pork Loin. It is their bestseller.

[infinitejustice]

Hm...

[Athrun quickly peruses the menu.]

I dunno, I think I'm more in the mood for some seafood. Maybe the tilapia with crab meat? Looks like they've got a lunch portion here.

[lovelyemotion]

That sounds interesting. You mind letting me try too?

[infinitejustice]

Hm? Oh, sure, I wouldn't mind letting you have a bite.

...I guess we never really talked about food, huh? Do you enjoy seafood?

[lovelyemotion]

[ Nods. ] It is a treat I always indulge myself when I visit Earth ...

I know we have it at home but I guess having it straight from the source seems different somehow.

[infinitejustice]

Atmosphere can make a world of difference. And I don't mean the scientific term, either.

[Athrun's lame attempt at humor.]

So...any idea where we are?

[lovelyemotion]

I know what you mean. [ Laughs. ]

No. I have no idea at all. I've been here a few days but all I know is that we're on Earth --- but no one has heard of the PLANTs. Don't you think that is a little odd?