[Thread;Closed] Ageless Friendship

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Characters: Penelo and Larsa
Progress: Complete
Summary: The two kids reunite and attempt to catch up.
Location: Lindblum
Date: May 31, 1803 (pre-dated)
Warnings: Wibbles?

Penelo took a deep breath as she once more navigated the streets of Lindblum. It seemed like years had passed since she was last here, with Larsa and all her other friends, for the Festival of the Hunt. It had been years for Larsa. Enough that he totally forgot about his time here. Or did it happen for him at all? The very thought that none of her life here would make a difference if she went home, that she could utterly forget it, was truly distressing for her. She'd made friends. Being forgotten would be worse than if they died. And she'd face enough deaths to know this.

Still, Larsa was back. Older than before, but still Larsa. She whisked away the unwanted tears from her deep considerations and continued into the heart of the Business District. Penelo was armed with a plan. Larsa had promised her that she could see his gardens some day. Well, she aimed to take him around to the ones they'd seen mere months before, in hopes he might maybe remember something. Anything.

She was delighted to see her friend again, yet her heart was heavy. She couldn't bear losing people over and over again. It was simply too much. Her thoughts then drifted to the others she'd lost. Her parents, her brothers, Velis. And now, in a way, Larsa too. She could hear her friends encouraging her to dance to ease her heartache over Velis. Maybe it would soothe her now. So with tiny steps, she began to dance, slowly moving to a song she hummed to herself. People began to pause as they crossed through the square to watch the young woman, whose body seemed entirely in tune with her own little world. With each gentle move, each step, Penelo grew to forget what hurt and move on, losing herself instead in the sheer joy of dance. But one tiny tear slipped down and splashed out into the air as she turned away quickly.

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There was a pause in her steps as Penelo detected a voice in the crowd. It sounded like Larsa, or really Larsa as she'd talked to him recently. Such an adult voice. It still surprised her to see and hear how grown up he was, and she missed her young friend. But their friendship went beyond age. She already felt better about everything, just from taking the time to forget and dance.

Her head craned in the direction of the voice, as she popped up onto her tiptoes to try to see over the crowd. Thankfully, with little left to see, it began to disperse. There was a young man standing there, who looked like... yes it was him! She was struck by how different he looked, so surprising to see him so much taller than herself.

But despite her surprise, her feet raced her up to him. In a mere moment, her arms were flung around Larsa, for a tight, relieved hug.

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Penelo rocked back to her heels, smiling up at the face that was so familiar to her and yet at the same time, not at all. "I'm so glad you made it. I can't believe how much you've changed." It was still awkward for her, to look up into her friend's face rather than down, but at least he was here and he hadn't forgotten who she was.

"I thought we could go for a walk while we talked. Is that alright?" she asked him with her head canted just slightly to the side. Meanwhile, the dispersing crowd was smiling and remarking on them and 'young love', comments which was impossible to miss hearing and put a deep blush on Penelo's cheeks.

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Everything would be alright. She just knew it. All the previous worries were whisked away by Larsa's embrace. She could forget that he didn't remember anything. At least for now. Still, she wondered at what he was saying about changes. "You forget, when I saw you a month ago, you were only thirteen." So strange to find herself being held by a young adult now than an adorable young teen.

"Do I look that different?" Her hand strayed up to her hair. He'd brushed some of it to the side. Did it look bad? And why all of a sudden did she care how she looked?

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"A year ago?" she echoed quietly. She could believe that Larsa had aged, but that a year had passed since he saw her? She could understand it. Vaan was always off on one adventure or another. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to imagine that they hadn't visited friends for a year. Especially since Larsa was probably too tied up with matters of state.

Not that the compliment was lost on her. In fact, it drove another blush onto her cheeks. Her friend would always be a charmer, regardless of how old he grew.

She tilted her head to the side, making a study of his more mature face before asking, "Have you been terribly busy?"

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Penelo was surprised too, and it showed in her expression. "Without Vaan? I'm surprised too. Being here is the longest we've been separated except when he went to Nalbina." Her lips twitched to the side in a half smile and she arched an eyebrow at him. "Do you realize you looked tired just from mentioning the Senate?"

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That response worried her, and Penelo's immediate reaction was to wrap her arms around Larsa and hold him close. Just what has he been going through all these years? It reminded her so much of his broken sobbing, sitting on the floor in the inn a few weeks ago, that it broke her heart.

"Larsa..." she stroked his head lightly, like she'd done then. "It's alright. I know it's not home, but here... here we have the chance to start our lives over. To have the things we don't have in Ivalice." It was certainly bearing out for her in most senses, seeing Reks alive again, Ashe getting the husband she'd love back and having a family now, even her own little cafe and quiet corner of life. "There's no Senate here to bother you. You're free."

Funny speech coming from the girl who was just contemplating if her life was going back to the status quo she had in Ivalice only a few hours before.

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"I'm sorry, Larsa. I didn't mean it like that." Penelo sighed quietly. She'd only meant to assure him that he didn't have the worries that were on his shoulders at home. Instead, she'd managed to insult him. Maybe things really were more different than she'd expected.

Still, he was holding her so close. This much was familiar indeed. And it dawned on her that he had been shouldering everything alone, and from such a young age. Just because he was capable didn't mean he should have to deal with that burden.

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And then appeared that familiar smile, with the bright eyes and small dimples in his cheeks. If there had been one ounce of doubt left in Penelo who this was, it was gone in an instant. Being whisked off her feet and swung around surprised her though and she squealed softly, before burying her head in Larsa's shoulder and giggling once her feet found the ground again.

"I'm really missed you, Larsa." No, no more worries or fears. Vaan was here, Larsa was back. There wasn't much more she could ask for. "I want to hear everything you've been up to. I feel like I've missed so much."

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Penelo's blue eyes went wide with surprise. When had Larsa turned into such a charmer? Another blush was threatening to arise and just stay permanently in place with such gallant treatment. Yet at the same time, walking hand in hand was so familiar and comfortable, it was easy to forget the time that had passed.

The blonde's head bobbed in confirmation. "I wanted to visit the gardens we went to before. I know you don't remember it, but I know you'll like them." Then her slippered feet followed the directions to lead the way, as they slowly wound their way through the sprawling city. "There had been a festival in town and..." she paused then, not wanting to bring up that horrid attack by his doppleganger. "... there was a fete with dancing."

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Being pulled close for an impromptu dance surprised and delighted Penelo. Larsa was correct that she quickly caught onto the steps and kept up with him. "Something like this. Although I recall you asking me for nothing fancy. I think I've been had." She grinned at him, tickled with the chance to tease him mildly.

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His teasing response made Penelo laugh, especially as she was spun again. She had enough presence not to get dizzy from it. But she found herself a touch lightheaded regardless. He'd pulled her in very close and she suddenly found herself gaping like a fish out of water, looking up--not into the face of a young boy, but a young man who was very very close.

She gulped once. And not one word would come out.

Which was ultimately ridiculous. Not that much had changed in one month, aside from his age and appearance and by the Gods, did he still have to have those adorable dimples? Penelo cleared her throat and finally commented, "Yes, I think I have been had." How brilliant.

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For a fleeting moment, Penelo leaned her cheek into that touch, before she realized what the heck she was doing and stopped. What has gotten into me? It wasn't like she was that starved for attention. Was it?

No, just Larsa teasing her. Honestly! He was getting to be as bad with the buckets of charm as... as... as Balthier! Which remembering just how cosy he'd gotten a couple of weeks ago and how she'd turned into a puddle of goo with big eyes then, made her cheeks flush utterly crimson.

"I think I can manage on my own," she said decisively, personally willing the stain in her cheeks to go away. Her eyes darted around until she spotted the closet thing she could see that looked like a flower bed and started off in that direction. "Have you been taking flirting lessons from Balthier or something?"

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"The Judge of Wings? You know about tha-- of course you do." But a handful of weeks ago, Larsa had no knowledge of that affair, nor of the events surrounding it and in a way, it was a relief to know that now he did. Not having to hold back on the things that she did know about was a great relief to her.

She reached out a hand to touch the petals of a white rose, in all its velveted glory. He knew what was in her future now. for a moment, she studied to flower and asked quietly, "Are things still peaceful?" Not that Penelo wanted to know there was another new war looming if there was, but still, she wished to know. It, along with one other tidbit of information, was all she really cared about enough to want to know before it happened. "And are you happy?"

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The mention of the palace feeling empty got her attention. She looked up from the flowers and studied Larsa's face for a moment. She had no reason not to trust his assertion about his happiness anymore than she did about the general peace. So she smiled a little, eyes even crinkling at the corners. "I'll try to remember to visit more often. But as long as you're happy, that's all that I need to know. I worry sometimes about you."

She looked away, off into the distance. "I know you're capable of handling things, but I wonder how you manage it all. I still can't imagine running a whole country."

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"Of course," she murmured, eyes dropping to the ground in discouragement. It was too hard for her to forget what his family had done, to Ivalice, to Larsa. And hearing him talk in those terms twisted the knife just that little bit deeper.

Her entire body tensed up the moment Larsa spoke the word 'brother'. It was very fresh in her mind, seeing him curled up, sobbing his heart out. For that matter, it was a little over a year ago since the events on the Bahamut. Even with his assurances there was no need to worry, there was. He'd have to face learning about the presence of his family here again.

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Conflict raged inside Penelo's heart. It would be so easy to concede and allow Larsa to take care of her for a change. Following his directives usually came easily to her, and were welcome. But on the other hand, she had a responsibility to him, to look out for him, and frankly warn him.

Only with his insistent prompting did she even look up, and when she did, her eyes were misting over. She just... couldn't do it. Nor could she let him worry over her when he had bigger concerns, even if he didn't realize it.

"It's alright, really. Just promise me you won't leave again. That's enough."

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"Larsa?! Larsa, what's wrong?" It was all she could do to keep from panicking herself, fearful that he was hurt, or worse, she'd somehow inflicted it. Immediately, she tried to cast a curative spell on him, watching as ribbons of light washed over him then faded.

She dropped to the ground, wrapping her arms around him and pleading, "Please..." Please don't die on me too.

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One more cure for good measure, and to make her feel better. "What's wrong? Let me help." Larsa had crumpled so quickly, she just knew something horrible must have happened.

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That response explained so much, and Penelo couldn't help but be overjoyed. He remembered! She hugged him tightly, then wiped away the tears on his cheeks. "I'm fine," she assured him. Actually, more like wonderful, although she felt bad that he seemed to be taking it so hard. "It was only a month, but I was so worried. You... said you would come for lunch, then never did. I thought something awful had happened."

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She would never demand that of him. Ever. Instead, she relished his embrace, leaning into it with a soft sigh. "It hurt so much to think that I had been left again. That no matter what happened here, it would be nothing more than a temporary memory." So much had been shared, it was distressing to think it could be lost on a whim and forever gone. But then another thought struck her...

"Larsa? Prince Rasler and Ashe...is he still..." She couldn't bring herself to finish the question. But she wondered very much if a presence here would impact their lives in Ivalice.

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That was all she had to hear. Numbly, she nodded. It didn't seem fair, not at all. "I guess that means that nothing that happens here matters," she whispered, heart heavy with that realization.

"I don't think I want to go back then." She had said it before, that she wasn't sure she did, but now she knew, although her reasons were different. Instead, she clung on to Larsa, drawing comfort from his proximity.

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"I'm sorry, Larsa. We were supposed to be enjoying a walk." Penelo drew a deep breath, willing away her fears and hurts. She could survive this. Even if in the end, it didn't matter. If she stuck it out, things had to get better.

A tiny smile started out forced, but then grew as she spoke, eventually lighting her eyes again. "I am glad you remembered though. I know it's selfish, but I am."

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Penelo beamed up with delight into Larsa's face. "I know you wouldn't. And I could never forget you." Strange to be looking up instead of down or eye to eye, but still, it was so familiar that she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. "Let's go to that spot with the red flowers."