16 - video

[firstaid]

[She smiles fondly at the device, almost as if the previous day was more than enchanting to her. Everyone dressing up so regally, it was like being back at the castle, but still had the freedom she knows now. However, that grand time got her thinking of all the stories she had read, and of course, a one that she’s very fond of comes to mind.]

I wanted to tell everyone a story. It’s about the brightest star in the night sky, Brave Vesperia. I’m sure some of you have heard the name before, however, this is the story behind it:

"In the days of old, a great cataclysm occurred that plunged the world into ruin. Countless lives were lost as the people struggled to stand against the oncoming disaster. Its energies all but spent, humanity's hope seemed lost when a pair of siblings appeared. This brother and sister together fought the calamity, and saved the world from annihilation. The sister they called Child of the Full Moon. After the struggle, she remained with the earth. The brother they called Brave Vesperia, and ascended to the skies to watch over the world."

The end.

[She thinks fondly on the story. Of course, it’s actually a fairytale version of an actual event that occurred in her world, but no one really needs to know that. She likes this version. It’s happier. A lot happier.]

Comments

[negativegate]

That story ended being pretty sugar-coated compared to the real thing.

[Rita: always a bundle of joy.]

[firstaid]

Well, yes it is. But it's still a nice story.

[She is such a little ray of sunshine!]

[negativegate]

Is it? I thought it was depressing.

[Totally bright...And she can't not think of what the reality was when she hears this story now.]

[firstaid]

Maybe since we know the true events that inspired this story, it can be seen as depressing.

[Aww, Rita, you made her all pouty!]

[negativegate]

That does make it worse...But the story's pretty sad on its own, don't you think?

[D-don't pout, Estelle-!]

[firstaid]

I always thought it was a wonderful story about a star protecting our world...

[Stupid realism, get it away from her!]

[negativegate]

Really? It says in the story that until those two showed up, things were so bad that everyone was hopeless. That sounds pretty sad to me. And "ascended to the skies" makes it sound like he died or something.

[/drips realism!]

[firstaid]

But...

[See this? It's a pout. STOP RUINING THIS STORY SHE LOVES!]

[negativegate]

[Finally gonna clue in now to the pout. I-IT'S NOT TOO LATE RIGHT...]

Uh--y-you didn't still like that story, did you?

[...smooth...]

[firstaid]

...I do.

[Nope, you were too late, Rita. You've ruined it. At least for now. She'll recover eventually, just... not right now.]

[negativegate]

[Oh, no, gloomy Estelle...]

Oh--I...I-I wasn't saying it's that bad--I mean...Sorry, Estelle.

[firstaid]

I... love this story. It's a happy story about bravery and hope. That even when all was seen as lost, these pair of siblings did what they could so their world would remain safe.

[She doesn't know how that's sad. It's noble, something people should try to be like.]

[negativegate]

[Rita just can't view the story the same way Estelle does, but she does feel like a complete jerk for upsetting her friend.]

...Sorry. I guess I didn't--I didn't get how much it meant to you.

[firstaid]

I've always loved stars, and since Brave Vesperia had always shined so brightly it was something I enjoyed looking at through my window when I was at the castle. The stories behind them all were always so well thought out, and even if they were simply tales... I felt like they were watching over us and protecting us.

[Even if the story of Brave Vesperia had some truth to it.]

[negativegate]

[Somehow, Rita gets the clue that chiming in to tell her that stars are just giant balls of burning gas that can't protect anyone might not be such a good idea right now.]

Uh...I--I hope I didn't ruin it for you. It's not like believing in them is a bad thing--I mean, if they're hopeful to you, then...Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

[Especially not herself. It's been a while, but Rita feels like she's being reminded of how good Estelle is. Rita doesn't want to ruin that.]

[firstaid]

[Yeah, Estelle knows that too, but once again, sometimes it's nice to escape all the realism and run off into a fantasy world.]

Then I won't. And don't worry, Rita. You didn't ruin it for me!

[She smiles, happy to know that it's okay to have hope in these stories she believes in. Yes, she knows they're fake, and they're not real, but the escapism in these stories... they're nice sometimes.]

[negativegate]

[And that's what makes Estelle...well, Estelle. Rita feels a bit relieved, but she should be a little more careful sometimes...]

Well, you know...I'm still sorry. But--good.

[firstaid]

[She shakes her head.]

There's no need to apologize.