fourteen | oo50 [voice]

[ When Xion arrived back home from a grueling month-long mission, the first thing she did was not check her journal. She headed home. Home, where Luke is. He'd been there, which was wonderful.

He'd also filled her in on all that she'd missed, which wasn't so wonderful. ]

It's scary, sometimes... how much things change. I missed so much while I was gone. I'm so sorry, everyone. I'm home now.

Sometimes, I feel like I've been here such a long time... maybe because it has been a long time. It'll be three years in November... won't it? I don't remember anymore when I got here... I'm pretty sure it was November. It feels like so long ago. Like lifetimes have passed since then. I've grown up so much in this place... and so many people have come and gone. [ Kairi.

A beat. ]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't be rambling like this.

We're starting to get some New Feathers in, right? My name is Xion. I work at the clinic, I'm part of the S.O.S Brigade, and I'm head of the Kyoshi warriors. If you ever need help, you can come talk to me. I'll do anything I can.

Um... I guess I have one last thing I want to talk about. I've got a lot of points now from going on missions... what do you guys do with your points? Or what would you do, if you had them? I sort of know what I want, but I guess I'm looking for other ideas, too.

Thanks, everyone.

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[There's a long silence on the end of the line as he tries to think of what to say. A lot has happened, hasn't it? Still...it's been a while.]

...about time. [Everything else, all other thoughts and feelings he has about everything she's said? He doesn't want to discuss over the journals. It's too personal.]

I'm sorry. [ Gently, and with something of a smile. ]

Are you busy?

[So, Xion has been away for a month. Azusa's noticed, but like usual she doesn't know why. She's not very good at asking that question to Haruhi.]

My, my, Xion-chan...! Welcome back. Are you well? It's so good to hear from you again.

[It's a tough call. Does she transform and respond as Hoshikyo, since this cute girl is part of some kind of warrior group? Or does she stay normal and try to get some connections at the clinic? There's no reason she can't just get to know her as both, but overlapping friendships were always so complicated...]

[Laziness wins out! Which means Xion gets Kari!]

I just got here yesterday, so I guess I'm one of those "new feather" things. But this is my second time around... I don't know if that makes a difference. New-old feather, maybe?

Hi, Azusa. Sorry I disappeared like that... I should have given everyone more warning.

How are you?

... hehe. That's okay! I can still try and help out. You don't have to be brand new.

I've been doing well. We've had a rough few days, but everyone's giving it their all~.

Goodness, I never realized you were in so many clubs, though. You must be very busy.

Well. That's good! I mean, it's been awhile since I was here before. Or at least, I think it so. I don't remember when I left except that it was definitely winter...

Yeah, I heard... I feel bad I wasn't here to help. Did you get through it okay?

And, well... I dunno. I guess as time passed I just got involved with more and more things! I only work part time at the clinic, anyway. But it is pretty busy. This will probably be my last year going to school, just so I have more time for everything else.

That means it's been at least eight or nine months. Maybe less, but it's still been a while. [ She smiles. ] I'd say welcome back, but ... not everyone is happy to be here. Are you settling in okay?

You better be. [His tone's teasing, definitely a lot happier-sounding than usual, considering.]

Nope. I think Nea gave up with his painting lessons for today. Where are you?

It is slightly impressive, I'll give you that much. I hadn't realized you'd taken on so much.

[ ... SIGH. ] Roxas, you can't keep making Nea paint! Cats aren't supposed to paint. [ This boy. ]

I'm at the apartment. I can meet you somewhere else, though.

I'm fine. It was pretty tense for a while, but we all worked through it.

My, my, so you're a senior already...? [No, Azusa. That's not how it works.] You'll have to work hard this year before you graduate.

It's been like this for a while, actually... I guess I just never mentioned it all like this before.

Hi, Draco.

I think I'd rather hear a warm welcome from someone in the same boat as me than whatever it is the guys who run this place would give. [Returning that smile.]

But I've been doing all right. I think. I'm not technically used to living on my own, but I can adjust.

Okay. I'm glad. I think this village can get through pretty much anything.

Um... I don't think there are grade levels. You just go as long as you want to... I think. I always have more to learn, but... it might be better if I kept learning on my own! School takes up so much time. I appreciate it so much, but... like you said, I'm very busy! [ She laughs a little. ] I wouldn't mind being a little less busy.

[ Eek. ] You definitely don't want a welcome from the Malnosso. Their idea of a good time is usually pretty miserable for us.

You're in one of the apartments, right? Oh! What's your name, by the way?

That would be nice, wouldn't it...? I wonder if I'm getting stronger, too...

Ah, is that how it is? I've been teaching someone on my own for a while now, but I don't think I'm anywhere near as good as a teacher. I wonder if he'd like to go to school, too...

I'm sure you are! As long as you work hard... there's different kinds of strength, too.

And I bet you're a great teacher, Azusa. But maybe you should ask him! You never know. Then again, most of the other kids don't seem to like it so much... I guess some people find it boring.

I'm not making him do anything! [Shut up, Roxas, yes you are.] He's happy this way. [SIGH. You just don't understand his cat, Xion.]

Well I'm at the library...what's in the middle? Are you hungry or anything? [A beat, and then--] I guess if you don't want to leave him, I don't mind coming over for a little bit.

I think I lucked out the last time I was here, but I've heard some pretty bad things...

Oh! The name's Kari. Probably should have said that first. [Eheh...] But yeah, I'm over in the seventh building. Probably the closest I can get to the library outside of just sleeping between the shelves...

Who knows? On the next draft, maybe I'll be unstoppable~.

I don't think he's from a world where they have schools, really. He said he's never been to one... What kind of things do you learn at the one here, though? I could try teaching him some of what everyone else is learning.

It can get pretty bad. But ... we've always got each other. Our friends. That's how we get through it.

It's nice to meet you, Kari. [ With warmth. It's okay, she's spent a long time in Awkward Town herself. ] So, you like reading?

I don't think Nea likes being covered in paint... [ YES SHE DOES IT WAS HERS TOO FOR A LONG TIME.

That makes her blink, though. ] Roxas, I always have time to meet up with you. Why don't we go get some pizza?

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