voice;

[starlightheart]

I guess the last week sort of gave me the answers I was looking for before, didn't it?

[ It is perhaps one reason she's just doing this by voice this time. A touch of paranoia makes her not want to share where she is at the moment. ]

They would hurt children, or endanger them. Who or what's involved doesn't matter otherwise to these people, does it? I can't endanger my students. [ That last part is t remotely questioning in tone; it's firm. ] So I won't.

I've taken an extended leave of absence from my school. I explained it as some family problems but I figure that won't hold up for very long. I have family outside the barriers I could go to, just forget all about this... It's tempting, really.

But... I don't think I can just do that. If I ever came back to remember things, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. I'll be going to Vegas for however long I need to, and... I know there are kids, or even just teenagers, who will be having to abandon their schools for awhile thanks to all this.

If anyone needs it, I'd like to help. I might have only just taught elementary, but I should still be able to tutor people in subjects. It... might not be much, but it's something, I hope.

Comments

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

... Guess I should make my own exit. Not that I like it, but...

[starlightheart]

This isn't really a matter of whether I like it or not, unfortunately.

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

We've got to figure out how to stop them, but...

[starlightheart]

Stop them...

[ She sighs. ] Maybe, but I'm not exactly some superhero. Or law enforcement. I just have people I need to keep safe.

voice

[scarlet_devil]

Some of us aren't going anywhere. As long as I have my strength and my will, I'm staying put.

voice

[starlightheart]

I hope you at least have the power to be safe then... but what about the people around you?

voice

[scarlet_devil]

I do. And so does my cousin, in a way... I'll have her hide due to this anyway. No one knows my uncle and my older cousin have anything to do with us, same with my parents.

voice

[starlightheart]

If you do, then that much is... good at least. [ It's all she can do to bite her tongue and not lecture anyone that's staying. Everyone has to have their reasons, right? ] Still... I don't exactly have much of a choice in this case.

[charcoalfeather]

...I thought about leaving school, but I don't want to. I don't want people to be scared of me if I'm around.

[starlightheart]

It's less about anyone being scared of me, and more about what might happen to anyone caught in the crossfire. We know already they don't care about whether or not that happens.

[voice]

[truthcharted]

It is tempting, isn't it? To just put your head under your pillow and pretend nothing is wrong.

But you're stronger than that. And I appreciate it. There's just something that rubs me the wrong way about leaving everything to a bunch of kids.

Are you all right? This isn't exactly something easy to work with.

[voice]

[starlightheart]

Ah, Agent Steele... [ She hadn't exactly spoken with him much since he triggered memories from Nanoha - including her name - but perhaps she's been a little nervous to. ] It's tempting, but I don't want to be the sort of person who'd just... abandon everyone and everything like that. Right now, I'm doing what I think I have to...

[ A sigh. ] I'm just worried about the people staying. I don't know what I could do to convince them otherwise, or if I even have the right to say anything there...

But. Ah. I'm fine! [ Totally. Really. She only had to abandon her career and students she was only just meeting, that's all. ] I'll... I'll be okay. My problems here are probably a lot smaller than some other people's...

[truthcharted]

I'm glad for that. Not everyone is. Even some within my own office are afraid to step in and take action, so I'm happy to see others doing what they can. But as a word of advice, don't worry so much about the people that are staying behind. They have their own reasons, or they just don't want to go. Nothing - not even the imminent threat of death - will move them until they can see it coming. Let them sort out their problems themselves, and worry about yourself and those you can help. If they'd listen, then you'd absolutely hate the right to talk to them. But your words will fall on deaf ears.

Your problems might be small compared to others, but they're not insignificant, by any means. If there's anything I can do, let me know, all right? Do you have a place to stay, or are you planning to join the other Numbered in the space set aside?

voice

[arrowpoint]

You're a teacher, huh? It sucks that you feel like you have to leave your job... but it's kind of awesome of you too. To protect the kids, I mean.

voice

[starlightheart]

[ Awesome? Really? ...she can't say she's used to being described like that. ] Oh, ah. Thank you very much, but... Really, what else could I do?

There's been people's families lost in this, they kidnapped and threatened a girl just to send us a message... I couldn't in any good faith put my students in that line of fire.

[arrowpoint]

Well there are people who wouldn't really think about it, I think. So you getting paid while you're on leave or...?

voice

[seed_of_memory]

It goes without saying, but I already have everything arranged. I made sure to acquire some of the things you'll need to accommodate students as well, Natalie.

... It also goes without saying, though, that perhaps it's time we both began to practice more in the use of Bardiche and Raising Heart.

voice

[starlightheart]

...thank you, Fuyuka. I guess I really would be lost without your help. [ That hangs for a moment, and she coughs. ] But... you're not wrong, there.

voice

[seed_of_memory]

Natalie, trust me. It's no trouble. You have me a home when I needed a place to stay... you forgave me after everything.

It's the very least I could do, really. Through it all, you're my best friend. That'll never change.

[... ahem]

A-anyway... I suppose all we need to do is find a place to do so, then. I have a feeling that anywhere indoors would be... ill-advised.

voice;

[brotimaeus]

[A bit of a sigh, then--]

So much for hopin' it wouldn't come to this.

voice;

[starlightheart]

[ She echoes that sigh. ] For the moment, it's for the best. It's... really, it doesn't give me a whole lot of choice.

voice;

[brotimaeus]

Yeah.. I hear that.

[He sounds worn out, but...]

Me, I'm stayin' here. Got too much set down to be headin' off anywhere else.

[Voice]

[gobybessie]

People get hurt. Once you realise that, it's difficult to stay away.

[ It was the tipping point for him. It changed everything. ]

[Voice]

[starlightheart]

That's true, and... I want to prevent more people getting hurt that aren't even connected to this. That shouldn't be connected to this.

[Voice]

[gobybessie]

I think most of us share that goal. Let's hope we succeed.