originally posted in:The New Dojo
[b][u]In Need of a Friend[/u][/b]
Panta Rhei was picking flowers just outside the Dojo, a large bundle rested underneath her right arm. She wasn't as happy and smiley as she normally would be because her boyfriend was currently off fighting, but she still had a small smile and skipped along with the necklace Isaac had given her across her neck. The necklace was in the shape of a rusty gold triangle and her one hand frequently touched it, rubbing it as if it would bring him home faster.
[spoiler]Orn.[/spoiler]
English
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"...At least you're confident in your ability. It's fine, Pan. It's your first try at running, you'll get use to it." [i]Irina chuckled a little to herself, as she carried the girl up to the Dojo. About fifteen minutes later, and they were in Courtyard A1 again, sitting against a bench and resting.[/i] "So. I hope you're ready to continue tomorrow? I'll...try to take it a bit slower. Sorry, just...didn't know that you couldn't run that far. Still, it's impressive."
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Panta leans on Irina a little and smiles widely. "Thanks, Irina! I hope I'll get better." She hugs the older woman.
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"Hey, you will-" [i]Irina went silent as Pan hugged her, but sighed in an almost relieved manner, hugging the little girl back.[/i] "...You'll get better. I'm sure of it."
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Edited by Stitch: 5/1/2017 11:07:46 AM"Thanks! Like I said, I'll try my very best! Maybe even better than that!" Panta smiles up at Irina, happiness and determination clearly seen in her eyes.
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"Yeah...here," [i]Irina took a small bottle of water from her pocket, handing it to Pan.[/i] "Sorry for not giving you it earlier, didn't think about it."
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Panta takes it and shrugs. "It's okay." She opens it and drinks half of it in a matter of seconds.
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Edited by Orn: 5/2/2017 10:54:42 AM[i]Irina's eyebrows raised a little as Panta drunk most of the bottle, although she chuckled a little too.[/i] "Y'know, you're supposed to take a sip from canisters, not chug down everything. It's fine, though. So...anything you want to do? I'm free, for...every day, least for the moment."
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Edited by Stitch: 5/2/2017 1:17:53 PM"I dunno. I've just been roaming around since Isaac left. I picked some flowers for Grant and I'll do the same for Isaac when he returns. I don't have any hobbies." Panta shrugs, not really sure what to do.
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"I can help you pick flowers, Y'know. You wanna get started?" [i]Irina looked down at Panta with a smile, crossing her legs as she leaned against her seat. She didn't mind picking flowers with a teenage kid. It just..didn't effect her.[/i]
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"If I picked them for him now they'd die before he came back." Panta sighed and looked around. "I never stay in one place this long..."
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"I guess you're suited for wandering, then...I'm the same, so is Isaac. He can't stand staying in the same spot for long, maybe when he's older, he'll...settle down."
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"I don't think I ever will. I love seeing new things and having unique experiences. I love making friends and randomly helping others....My real mother told me that was my one fault...I care too much." Panta stared down at the ground.
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[i]Irina wrapped her cybernetic arm around the girl, warm metal pressed against Panta's neck as she nodded.[/i] "It is. But it is an admirable thing. I'm happy that you didn't take a path where you would end up like...like me."
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"I just wish I could put myself first for once. I'm a doormat. Anyone could ask almost anything of me and I'd have a hard time saying no." Panta leans on Irina and her smile turns to a blank expression.
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Edited by Orn: 5/6/2017 8:06:20 PM"...I see. I wouldn't know how it feels, but...I'd help if I did. And I'll help still, knowing that you feel that way." [i]Irina quietly spoke in a whisper, twirling locks into Pan's hair softly, metallic fingers running through the blonde hair in a caring manner.[/i]
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"Thanks, Irina. You remind me of my mother...my real mother. The one you've seen is just me using her power to keep some fake mirror of her alive." Panta's eyes water. "....I don't want to let go." Her voice dropped to a whisper.
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"...I know that feeling. Not at your age. But... ...I know how it feels. To want to see them again. The lost ones. Samuel, my parents..." [i]Irina closed her eyes for a moment, before she wrapped her arms around Panta and lifted her up to her knee, looking into the girl's eyes calmly.[/i] "...Panta Rhei, you are, perhaps...the kindest, most caring individual that I have ever met. If there is anything -[i]anything[/i]- that I can do so that you may remember your mother, then...please tell me. Seeing you like this, it...it's painful."
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Panta starts to cry and buries her face in Irina's chest, soaking Irina's clothes with sadness. "Why did she leave that day? I begged and pleaded for her to come back inside, but instead she just made a promise she couldn't keep. That she'd be back home. I want my mom. Why did she go?!" Panta tightens her grip on Irina, her crying getting louder. "I want my mom back! She was the kind one!'
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[i]Irina didn't speak as she held Panta tightly, allowing the girl to cry into her shoulder as she herself closed her eyes and rocked her, back and forth. She had never had to calm anyone in such a terrible situation before, so...this was quite new for her.[/i]
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The little girl cries for several minutes, mumbling about her mother between sobs. When she's done she sits there in complete silence except for a few sniffles.
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"...Panta, darling? ...I'm here. And I'll always try to be here, unless the time comes when I have to protect you, and my two children. What I find brace...is that you would tell me all of that, instead of keeping it bubbled up, allowing it to build up until it drives you mad...that's something that I respect."
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"Thank you....You remind me of mom. You've done truly horrible acts, but you're kind and loving." Panta still speaks in a whisper. "Please don't leave me too...."
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"I'll try, kiddo...and when I say that, I mean it. Even if something happens between you and Isaac... I'll be here, alright? And if I'm not, then Arianna will.."
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"Thanks again, Irina. You're the best." Panta giggles lightly and nuzzles her face on Irina.
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"You don't have to thank me." [i]Irina smiled, hugging Panta tightly. The girl reminded her so much of Arianna...well, if Arianna didn't know swordsmanship.[/i] "It's...getting somewhat late. Want to head off to bed?"