[ Lightning didn't walk so far out here, carrying the dog's equivalent of a toddler most of the way, with the intention of making today the day she finally spills her reasons for being so off-center since arriving in Luceti. True, she's thought about it over and over and over, but although Aerith told her she was willing to listen... where do you even start?
She could still probably just brush it off, of course- point out that in a place like this anyone can go missing at any time, then act like worrying for the puppy is her biggest concern. However, even though Lightning's generally reluctant to open up and outright adamant about trying to avoid hopelessness, being deceitful and dancing around a problem isn't her style either. As far as she can tell, nobody else here is familiar with the concept of failing a Focus and turning Cie'th as a result. Choosing to tell someone has nothing to do with wanting pity at all.
And Aerith should know. It's not right for Lightning not to tell her friend, so that if the curse kicks in nobody has the foggiest idea that it was about to happen or why. Lightning doesn't want to hurt anyone, but it's either this or trying to push Aerith and everybody else away completely- something she's done quite enough of in the past already, and something she can't really deny would be ultimately more painful for both of them.
Her existing behavior is probably ominous enough, but she stays silent for a moment more, eyes never leaving the dog begging attention near their feet. When she speaks, it's quite a bit softer than her normal tone, but not sad or upset at all- for her credit, it's completely neutral. ]
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She could still probably just brush it off, of course- point out that in a place like this anyone can go missing at any time, then act like worrying for the puppy is her biggest concern. However, even though Lightning's generally reluctant to open up and outright adamant about trying to avoid hopelessness, being deceitful and dancing around a problem isn't her style either. As far as she can tell, nobody else here is familiar with the concept of failing a Focus and turning Cie'th as a result. Choosing to tell someone has nothing to do with wanting pity at all.
And Aerith should know. It's not right for Lightning not to tell her friend, so that if the curse kicks in nobody has the foggiest idea that it was about to happen or why. Lightning doesn't want to hurt anyone, but it's either this or trying to push Aerith and everybody else away completely- something she's done quite enough of in the past already, and something she can't really deny would be ultimately more painful for both of them.
Her existing behavior is probably ominous enough, but she stays silent for a moment more, eyes never leaving the dog begging attention near their feet. When she speaks, it's quite a bit softer than her normal tone, but not sad or upset at all- for her credit, it's completely neutral. ]
I'm dying, Aerith.