[10 | Canon Move | Accidental Video -> Video | Filtered from Hibiki]

[tranquilrhythm]

[It's the evening of the day Hibiki and Kanade switched places, and after a disastrous (to her sensibilities, at least) dinner, Kanade's returned to Hibiki's room to lay down and think about how things went; ordinarily, she'd have eaten with her family - and probably still be talking at the dinner table with them, or cleaning up - but Hibiki's father had taken a pass, having work to do, and by the time Kanade had gotten around to asking, Hummy had already eaten. So she's a little despondent, staring up at the ceiling.]

Kanade, tell me... are you sad because I ate first? [The not-cat, in Kanade's arms with her paws being rubbed, seemed worried.]

No... [A long pause. Then:] Hey, is Hibiki always alone? [It was a rapid realization Kanade had been coming to over the course of the day: with her father busy with work all the time, and her mother overseas on a concert tour, Hibiki's interpersonal contact outside of school, Precure work, and Kanade's own house consisted of... nobody.]

No, I'm with her.

[Okay, one fairy. But that was worlds better than being alone, she supposed.] Yeah, you're right... [Rolling over and picking up Hummy, she presses the soft, squishy paws to her face with a grin.] Hibiki can use these awesome paws to heal her loneliness! [Or maybe that was just her. Either way, Hummy counted for something, and Kanade wanted to make sure she knew it.

A series of tones forming a nearly-complete musical scale from off the bed reminded her of seven other friends Hibiki could turn to in a pinch: the Fairy Tones, one looking a little more insistent than the others; Kanade leans off the side to look down at them, smiling.] You're all here, so she won't be lonely.

[As the Fairy Tones glanced meaningfully at each other, Hummy seemed to finally pick up on a way to help.] What? Are you lonely? Let's hook you up, then! [With a questioning look, Kanade gets up, at Hummy's insistence, and follows her downstairs; the video ends as the door to Hibiki's room clicks shut.

About fifteen minutes later, a different camera feed starts; this one looks like Kanade's sitting at a computer, and has consciously turned the camera on. Hummy is, distantly, playing with the Fairy Tones, leaving the girl alone with her thoughts.] I never realized how lonely Hibiki must be... She's strong, to be able to push through it every day. I don't think I could do that.

Anyway, Hibiki and I have a ceremony tomorrow - we're getting an award for being voted the best friends in the school, or something like that. We're going to have a piano recital after that, with the two of us playing together. Don't tell her, but I talked to her mother, and she's going to come see it! She's in France right now, and I don't think Hibiki's seen her in a while, so it's going to be a great surprise, and I can't wait to see the look on her face! It's going to be a great night, I think.

[A pause.] I... feel like it's the least I can do for her. I think she hides things, sometimes, because she doesn't want us to worry. Maybe it's just me, but... I want to worry. Hibiki is important to me, and...

[She trails off, not really able to get out the words she wants to use, her face coloring just a little, before her expression shifts to a smile.] Um, anyway... maybe it's forward of me, but I want to thank you all for taking care of Hibiki, in whatever ways you have. For supporting her when I can't. She'll probably never say it, but I think she appreciates it more than you'll ever know.

[Kanade seems to turn to look at something off-screen, before returning her attention to the camera.] That's all I wanted to say. Good night, everyone.

[The feed turns off again, this time not coming back on.]

((OOC: Pink text is Hummy, regular is Kanade. Replies will be answered after the second half.))

Comments

[hearts_beat]

...

[Ellen desperately wants to say something, but she can't think of anything. They're still at that "She's the enemy" stage, even if they know how she'll end up.]

...I... mmm...

[tranquilrhythm]

I, um, think I might be making this a little awkward for you. I'm sorry.

[hearts_beat]

No, no, it's okay! I'm still getting used to all of this. You and Hibiki are really close, so... it's nice to see that through here.

Something I... probably wouldn't of bothered with back then.

[tranquilrhythm]

I don't think that's true... Hibiki thought highly of you, you know, even before... this. She always thought you weren't a bad person. I always thought she was crazy, but as time went on, I think I started to see it a little. And now... this is unequivocal proof.

Hibiki and I have been close for a long, long time. For the most part, we're used to it. You, though... it makes me very happy to see it.

[hearts_beat]

It does? Really? I...

...wow, I... I didn't know that.

[tranquilrhythm]

Even if you regret what happened before, you're trying to move past it. You're talking to us. Isn't that what's important? Scars fade. Wounds heal. With time, we'll think back to the last couple of months - for Hibiki and I, at least - and say, "hey, Hibiki, remember that time you got punched into a tree?" And we'll all laugh about it.

[Kanade pauses for a moment, closing her eyes.] Well... Hibiki will, at least. I tend to take a little longer to get over things, but it'll come eventually. I'm sorry if I say something too caustic between now and then.

[And with a smile, eyes bright with understanding:] I know everyone always assumes I'm the smart one, but Hibiki sees a lot more in people than I do. She's most of the reason I'm the way I am today.

[hearts_beat]

[Ellen thinks a little about this and starts to understand everything, nodding as she does.]

In my time, you two really are understanding towards me. Right now, it's the idea of... just knowing that even then you two are friends with me.

I'll understand if you do say something like that. It... may hurt, still, though...

[tranquilrhythm]

It's... still hard, I have to admit. Even if I've reconciled that this "you" is not the same as the one I'm fighting, it's a very different thing when my life's in danger, you know?

[Kanade sighs.] Knowing myself, it probably will, because I'll snap at you in the heat of the moment. It's the same thing that happens with Hibiki.

[hearts_beat]

I understand... I'll have to keep it in mind, then.

...no hard feelings, either way?

[tranquilrhythm]

No hard feelings. [A pause.] Well, I won't get mad at you, at least. Mad at myself... no promises.

[hearts_beat]

...oh, Kanade.

[tranquilrhythm]

What, am I that predictable? I mean, I know I can be a little hard on myself, but...

[hearts_beat]

Just a little. But... that's who you are. Can't easily change that.

[tranquilrhythm]

I guess not. But then... I'm not sure I want to. Being that way so long... I really think my mouth moves faster than my head, some days. But I've gotten to trust it, almost. It's kind of weird.

[hearts_beat]

Heh, I understand... I still doubt myself even now...

[tranquilrhythm]

Ellen... It'll be okay. Just keep going, and you'll push through. And Hibiki and I are working hard to catch up to you, too - I think you could use someone in your own time to talk to.

video;

[selene]

Hides things..? [ Usagi can't help but blink a little after hearing all of that. Sure, she does know Hibiki, but she never thought the girl was hiding things at all. ]

Like what? She's.. okay, isn't she?

[tranquilrhythm]

She's okay. I just think she gets very lonely, and she doesn't want to burden me - or any of you - by admitting it. Hummy helps, but I just wish she wouldn't keep quiet about it. I shouldn't have to hear it from her mother, half the world away.

[selene]

That's so weird though, why would she hide it from everyone? If she's really that lonely, then she could just tell any of us and I'm sure we'd talk out to her and help her.. I know I would, she's such a nice person!

[tranquilrhythm]

Hibiki... it's more that she doesn't want us to have to worry about her. She knows that most of us have other things to deal with, and it would be taking time away from those things if we kept her company.

[Kanade's eyes flash dangerously.] But if that stubborn girl thinks she can keep me away, she's got another thing coming.

[selene]

.. Hehe, so you're going to help her? I'm glad!

[ Usagi has no problems with doing it herself, really, her whole life revolves around helping other people lately, but.. it's nice to see people close to each other helping each other no matter what. ]

I'm sure that if anyone could get through to Hibiki-chan, it's you!

[tranquilrhythm]

I should hope so. We were always close... it's a little weird to say, but I know her almost better than she does, and if I have to bribe her with cupcakes every day for the rest of our lives to talk to me, I'll do it.

[She almost sounds proud of it, along with the determination.]

[selene]

Uwah.. I wish we were that close, Kanade-chan, I'd gladly talk to you every day if I'd get cupcakes! [ .. oh, wait. ] N-not that I wouldn't talk to you normally already too, don't worry!