[color=darkgray][center][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/KcJygoU.png[/IMG][/center][hr][B][COLOR=GOLD]Location:[/color][/b] To the Strategy Room! [b][color=gold]Interactions:[/color][/b] Lys [@Force and Fury], Desmond [@Theyra], Poppy [@dreamingflowers], Akaia [@Exit], Ajax [@DClassified], Vincent [@Daxam], Dallas [@pantothenic] [b][color=gold]Mentions:[/color][/b][hr] Erik was in the middle of counting the members as they entered when Vincent approached. Keeping in mind to subtract even one person always stung. Many had come and gone, but nothing like this. Not someone who had been here so long and contributed wherever she could. Taking in the faces of everyone present, it was easy for Erik to figure out who knew of Cerise’s departure versus who hadn’t yet. After Ajax and himself, Cerise was the most senior member of the Commune and during her time here, she treated everyone with nothing but kindness. [color=gold][i]I’ll start without Ajax. I’m sure-[/i][/color] The sharp sound of Vincent ruining his fourth megaphone snapped Erik away from his thoughts. He glared for about a second before chuckling. [color=gold]“It’s all good Vincent! I know that sometimes you ABs don’t know your own strength. Just means I need to make the next one more durable, right?”[/color] His words lacked the flavor of a comeback, and instead rang with genuine enthusiasm at the new tinkering opportunity Vincent presented him with. [color=gold]“And as far as the map… Some of us will be heading out there today, BUT FIRST…”[/color] Erik snatched the map up from the table and placed it faced down. He looked around the room, counting everyone again as his smile dropped. There was no moseying around this. [color=gold]“I must inform everyone of Cerise leaving us. As of now, she has no plans of returning to the Commune. We-”[/color] His eyes instinctively searched for the one who had always helped keep his spirits high with her pleasant heartwarming smile. Her absence was already getting to him. [color=gold]“We usually throw a small going away party but she left us with something just as memorable. Just as precious.”[/color] He turned away from the others to he could grab a stack of five white envelopes on the marker tray of the whiteboard. Turning around, his eyes searched for her again, and in his failure to find her, he remained strong. At least that’s what he believed being strong for the others was. [color=gold]“In these letters, Cerise leaves us with her love. And in [i]this[/i] one, she addresses the Commune.”[/color] Erik set the other four envelopes down on the overturned map. [color=gold]“So I think it’s only right that I read it in her absence to everyone gathered here right now.”[/color] He carefully removed the neatly folded paper from the envelope and unfolded it. His face didn't show it, but he was afraid he might not be able to read it because of how he might feel. His composure was already compromised and he was so sure the contents of the letter would only break him. As Erik’s eyes found the first sentence, he smiled. [color=gold][i]There you are, Little sis.[/i][/color] As he read it in his head, he could clearly hear her voice speaking her written words. Words that did not break but strengthened him. [color=gold]“Ehem! ‘To everyone in the Commune. My friends, my family. First and foremost, I'm very sorry for doing this so suddenly. That is, I mean, leaving without saying anything directly. Secondly, I'm sorry for taking some supplies without permission. I tried to take as few as I can. Aside from my own personal effects, I took 3 clips of ammunition for Lariat and a single blood bead. Again, I'm very, very sorry. I know the most important is to explain my reasoning for leaving... It's the really difficult part. It took me quite a while to decide how to even explain it. My mind... doesn't feel like it's entirely mine as I write this. But in the end, I think the best way is to just get directly to it. I touched a vestige. My vestige. I'm still wondering if that was a really big mistake or not but what's done is done. I blame no one but myself and my own curiosity... The vestige revealed to me things about myself and my past. Bits and pieces that I really really wish I've never gotten to know. I guess the instinct that had always told me not to ever touch my own vestige was right after all... But yes, what's done is done, and I believe it is truly for the best that I leave this place. As much as it really really pains me to even just think of leaving, it is more frightening to think of staying only to end up hurting any of you, my beloved friends and family. I'm not who any of you think I am. Not who I think I am either. It's such a weird feeling. I'm now wondering which is the real me, and that's a big part of why I'm leaving. Now that I've started this, I can't stop. I have to keep seeking the fragments of my past. I need to if I ever want to understand who I really am. And I have to do this alone, without endangering any of you.’ … The other envelopes have more, each addressing some of us specifically. I’ll give you all as much time as you need to read them before I begin the mission briefing. Unlike the last one, we’re only taking those that want to get out there and investigate a missing group. However, if you do remain here, Poppy may need some extra hands as she’s already chosen to stay.”[/color] With that, Erik grabbed his envelope from the table and proceeded to walk away from the overturned map with the envelopes laid on top of it. He strode over to where Akaia was standing and leaned his back against the wall beside her. Erik did not believe he could imagine how she might feel right now. The two were near inseparable. Sisters. Not saying a word, Erik removed and unfolded the letter addressed to him from Cerise. [hider=To Erik] [color=#DE3163]"Big bro, please take good care of 'Kaia, Ajax, Poppy, Lys, well, everyone. I know you will, of course, but I want to ask you to do so regardless. Everyone in the Commune will need you, even if some might not look so. I know I needed you, that had always been the case. But now, I have to go on this journey on my own, without your help. Still, I'll always remember you, your smile, your kindness. Memories of you, my big brother, will bring me comfort and give me the fuel to keep going. Please continue being the wonderful sunshine that you are... I hope we will meet again someday. With love, Cerise."[/color][/hider] [center][color=gold][sub]“Thank you.”[/sub][/color][/center] The words were spoken so softly that he practically mouthed them. A sigh escaped the revenant, wishing things did not have to be this way, yet a smile graced his face as he knew absent or not, every member of the Commune carried one another forward. Through presence or through memory. [hr] [center][u][h3]The Other Letters[/h3][/u][/center] [hider=Ajax] [color=#DE3163]"Ajax, you have always protected me. I sometimes didn't understand it, sometimes wondered if you're being too protective of me, but in the end, I know that you always had my best interests in mind. You're probably disappointed that I left so suddenly like this... But for this one, I feel I need to be the one to protect you and everyone else in the Commune. Protect you all from the... thing that I might be. I can only ask for your forgiveness and your understanding. Know that everything that you had taught me, all the advice and its of wisdom you had imparted to me, will also give me the strength to go on this journey. Perhaps, it will even be enough to allow me to survive on my own, and I cannot thank you enough for that. I wonder if things would have turned out differently had it been a wonderful person such as you that was truly my father, instead of the what the vestige showed to me... I hope I will see you again one day. Please be safe. With love, Cerise."[/color][/hider] [hider=Poppy and Lys] [color=#DE3163]"Poppy and Lys. We didn't always see eye to eye, but to me, you're my precious family nonetheless. Without you both, the Crow's Nest wouldn't be the admirable safe haven that it is today. All in the Commune, me included, will always be indebted to the hard work and sacrifices that the two of you had done for us all. And for that, from the bottom of my heart, I cannot thank you enough. The journey I'm taking will be all the more difficult without any of you to help me like you always did. I hope I will see both of you again, when things are better. If things turned out better for me. Please stay safe. With love, Cerise."[/color][/hider] [hider=Dallas, Vincent, and Desmond] [color=#DE3163]"Dallas, Vincent, and Desmond. We only knew each other for a rather short period of time. But even in that short amount of time, I've considered you all my friends, You're all precious parts of the Commune nonetheless. I wish there had been more time to get to know each of you even better... Maybe that will come true one day, if I ever return. Desmond, I wish you the best with Amelia. I hope she will wake up soon... I wish you all the best, and know that everyone in the Commune are people each of you can rely on. They will never forsake you. For now, goodbye. With love, Cerise."[/color][/hider] [/color]