forty second dance | video; tiny bit forward dated to midmorning!

[motioned]

[The face on the screen, when first she appears, looks a bit somber.]

I guess the longer you live here, the longer you learn to expect the unexpected, huh? But even then, I didn't think - I mean, Halloween passed, so I thought maybe nothing awful would happen. I've lived here for two years and it still catches me off guard, things like that. I just hope it wasn't anyone with powers behind it. If it was, they should be ashamed of themselves. But that's not what I wanted to talk about, even though I'm really sorry to anyone who saw things that hurt them.

[But then her expression brightens considerably.]

I wanted to talk about, um, being here so long, but it's not as self centered as it sounds, I promise - I guess I just wanted to thank everyone. I think I might have said already, but it's been two years today, and even though the first few months I hated it and just wanted to go home, I think I wouldn't be the same person I am now if I hadn't come here. Not just a different person, but not as good of a person, either. I mean, I've learned so much, and so many people have helped me learn that stuff, both stuff about me and stuff about life, and I wouldn't trade that for the world. Maybe not for any world. I can't help but feel like this is my home. I've met so many people, so many amazing people, people I think of as family who I would never have even known about otherwise. And a lot of them aren't here anymore, some of the best people I've ever met, but I would much rather have known them and lost them than the alternative, you know?

[Her voice gets a bit thick, though it's not in the least unhappy, and she has to pause for a moment to recollect herself.]

So I guess, just - even though horrible things can happen here and things can get very bad, and everything seems dark, I just hope everyone here can find as much light in this island as I've been able to. But I know not everyone's as lucky as me, and I know there are people who have been through things I can't even imagine, so... I'm not the best with technology, but I guess since I'm saying this to everyone, you can all tell what my NV number is, so if everything gets to be too much - there's always someone you can talk to, even if I don't know you.

[Filtered to Fakir]
I need to talk to you.

[Filtered to Gilbert]
Are you busy?

Comments

[motioned]

I'm trying to, trying to tell you something important, and you aren't listening!

[Avoiding eye contact (like a boss).]

[rewritter]

I am listening! I just...

[ Mytho. everything she'd done, everything he'd done was for Mytho. he couldn't blame her. everyone was in love with Mytho, he was just that kind of person. story-perfect.

and he'd chosen Rue. Ahiru was fine with it, and Fakir was fine with just being by her side. but she'd given up everything for Mytho, so why was she saying something like this now? ]

... I just don't understand.

[motioned]

[Still avoiding eye contact, she pauses, biting her lower lip for a moment.]

I know you don't, I just thought - that's why I should say something.

[The words come out slowly, anxiously.]

[rewritter]

[ that look didn't fit her. he reached forward, took her hands almost without realizing it. ]

... What about Mytho?

[motioned]

[That makes her look up and catch his gaze, finally; it's surprising enough that she makes eye contact once more, trying to see why he had taken hold.

The question, though... She can't deny it gives her pause. She also can't deny she still loves him - a part of her thinks she always will. Is it even possible to love two people at once? Maybe she's doing this wrong. But, she shakes her head, trying to decide how to answer.]

He isn't here. And even if he were here, he wouldn't be here, I mean, not for me. Not the way that you are. I don't know if that makes any sense, but...

[rewritter]

It's fine to be hurt that he loves someone else.

[ he wasn't hurt that she loved Mytho. but it was like a fact of life. hearing something like this was like hearing someone debunk the theory of gravity. ]

And I'd be here for you if you loved me or not.

[motioned]

I know it is, and I know you would be, but that doesn't change—

[Another pause, another breath, another glance to the side.]

The fact that I do. Love you, I mean, I do.

[rewritter]

[ he doesn't know what to say to that, but he knew what he'd always wanted to do since their pas de deux in the lake. and he still had her hands in his, and she was this close and she said she loved him, which was something he never thought he'd have a chance to say to her.

but he didn't say it, just leaned down to kiss her. like he'd always wanted to do. ]

[motioned]

[She doesn't really know what she expected him to say or do; if he had said he didn't feel the same way, she knows somewhere deep down that she would have moved on, just like she had with Mytho. She hadn't really thought of what would happen if he said he returned her feelings, and she hadn't even considered what was happening as a possibility.

There's a flood of surprise, her eyes opening wide, but it's followed by a wave of warmth as they slide shut. She moves her hands to his face as she kisses back, smiling despite how flushed she is, not saying a word to ruin this moment.]

[rewritter]

[ he'd been okay with being selfless and protecting Mytho for so long, he'd forgotten what it felt like to just be selfish and want something like this for himself. but he'd wanted this kiss for a long time, even if he tried not to admit it to himself.

after a moment, he finally pulled back, searching her face with an awed look, like he still had trouble believing that this was even real. ]

[motioned]

[She looks down, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear absentmindedly. There's no hiding how strong her blush is, but for once, it's almost as if she doesn't notice or care. The smile on her face is bright, spreading without hesitance or doubt; it feels as if her very soul is buoying. Lightly, sweetly, as she looks back at him:]

I really, really love you.

[And then suddenly she feels her eyes moistening, and she raises her hands from his to wipe the beginning of tears away.]

[rewritter]

... I love you, too.

[ but the sight of tears in her eyes almost made him panic again. what did he do? maybe he should've said that before he kissed her, on second thought... ]

H-hey, what's wrong?

[motioned]

[She looks at him for a moment, processing those words, before the tears intensify and she presses the heels of her hands against the bottoms of her eyelids to stem the flow. After a minute or so, she opens her mouth, trying for an answer, before deciding against it and just throwing her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder and letting her eyes slide shut again.]

I missed you so much.

[rewritter]

[ right. what he said about being there for her... he hadn't been. and it didn't matter if it was his fault or not, not when she was crying. he wrapped his arms around her, pulled her closer. ]

I'm here. And I'm not going to leave you again.

[motioned]

Yeah.

[It's a simple acknowledgment and she shifts closer, relaxing. She sighs happily, taking in the feeling of peace and warmth she finds.]

[rewritter]

[ he just rests his head on hers, presses another kiss to her hair, gently, like he's still unsure if he could actually do this or not. ]

So don't cry anymore, idiot.

[motioned]

[She laughs, happily but a little nervously, pulling away for a moment to brush the last few tears away with her thumb.]

I'm sorry, it's just, I don't think I've ever been so happy...

[rewritter]

If I knew that saying that would make you happy...

[ well he would've done it a lot sooner. wondering if he should get a handkerchief or something, how do I deal with crying girls. ]

[motioned]

[She blinks, a bit surprised]

How long have you - I mean, I thought you were going to say no!

[rewritter]

... I've been in love with you for a long time, you idiot.

[motioned]

[Aaaand we're going even redder!]

Oh my God, you should've, should've said something!

[rewritter]

Wha... but I thought that you... and Mytho... how was I supposed to know?!

[motioned]

[And suddenly, everything she'd said to him about Mytho, all the times she'd talked about how she loved him or cried over him, seem altogether different now that she knows he was feeling the same way towards her each time.]

...I'm sorry.

[rewritter]

[ caught a little off guard, why is she apologizing? everyone loved Mytho. that's just the way it was. ]

You don't need to apologize.

[motioned]

But, I mean - wouldn't it have hurt you, talking about it as much as I did?