[ She rolls over and just... the memories come flooding back to her. Once she's cogent, she realizes Croix is gone. Eventually, she waits for Croix and she returns to the room, probably back from a shower or something. ]
I need to shower, but I'll do it later. Um... Croix, I remembered your machine... I'm not sure what it was called, but I can clearly recall some kind of giant black machine holding me hostage that you made. And after that, Akko and the others... happened to show up, and... I don't know, it's all kind of a blur to me, I'm still trying to process, but what I can recall the most vividly is... it... consuming me. It turned into some kind of dragon...
I was trying to stop it from hurting you. I don't know... for some reason I couldn't use my broom. I didn't have it with me... I kept getting the sense that it wouldn't help, in the memory, anyway...
[ She's sort of rambling this out, half-awake, but... ]
There's more, but... Akko stopped it. She--she did it, Croix, she awakened the final Word...
...She did more than that, Chariot. She helped revive Yggdrasil.
[ Croix looks proud. There's no traces of the pain that she would have suffered before at that. Instead, she's just beaming. To see that tree, to have helped its seedling sprout into something so beautiful... ]
...My magitronics gained life of their own. They took over a missile, and were aimed to start a war. So the girls... All seven of them magically tied their broomsticks together, using the last of the magic they could, to chase after it and boost each other a bit at a time. Diana and Akko... Mm. The two of us used our powers--mine with technology to transmit a mysterious I was receiving, and yours transmitting your voice to encourage others to put their faith in them. And the power of the belief became something unstoppable.
Belief... Belief was the source of magic all along, Chariot. With Diana and Akko fighting to save everyone, their belief in magic was restored. And with it, Yggdrasil grew again!
[ She's smiling. Seeing that. Knowing what she can tell her. ]
...I always thought that magic was beyond comprehension. But seeing those two... Maybe it was my own blindness that didn't allow me to see it. But... They did it. They defeated my monster and restored magic to the world.
[ Come here. She's going to hug you. ]
...The Claiomh Solais... It was never meant to be wielded alone.
Phasansheer Shearylla. "Connect with other people and your dreams will grow." ...I was a fool back then. We both had things we needed to learn. ...I guess it's better late than never, huh?
[ She might feel a little wistful. ]
...They both used the Shiny Arc to destroy my beast. Hand in hand, together.
... But Croix... I'm not suffering because of you. I mean--obviously I must not be, not anymore. It all sounds like it's fine. Right now, I'm only suffering because of what's happening here.
More than anything... if you hadn't done all of that, I might never have inspired so many people the way I did. My shows might never have been so grand. Sure, I hurt a lot of people, too, but... belief means a lot, too, right...?
[ She wrings her hands. ]
Yes, I was hurt by it. And... I don't know if I'll ever be entirely the same person as I was before all of that. But people change. These things... happen. No one stays the same. And I've grown and learn from my mistakes. It's time you did, too. You can't... go on blaming yourself.
... So let those people be the ones to constantly remind you of how much you did wrong. Not you, not me, the people who forgive you, and should forgive yourself.
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Before the meeting on 12/17, breakfast
Croix! I remembered something... we need to talk.
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[ She'll sit down and smile. ]
...Sorry, didn't want to wake you.
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[ Something, for sure. ]
I need to shower, but I'll do it later. Um... Croix, I remembered your machine... I'm not sure what it was called, but I can clearly recall some kind of giant black machine holding me hostage that you made. And after that, Akko and the others... happened to show up, and... I don't know, it's all kind of a blur to me, I'm still trying to process, but what I can recall the most vividly is... it... consuming me. It turned into some kind of dragon...
I was trying to stop it from hurting you. I don't know... for some reason I couldn't use my broom. I didn't have it with me... I kept getting the sense that it wouldn't help, in the memory, anyway...
[ She's sort of rambling this out, half-awake, but... ]
There's more, but... Akko stopped it. She--she did it, Croix, she awakened the final Word...
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[ Croix looks proud. There's no traces of the pain that she would have suffered before at that. Instead, she's just beaming. To see that tree, to have helped its seedling sprout into something so beautiful... ]
...My magitronics gained life of their own. They took over a missile, and were aimed to start a war. So the girls... All seven of them magically tied their broomsticks together, using the last of the magic they could, to chase after it and boost each other a bit at a time. Diana and Akko... Mm. The two of us used our powers--mine with technology to transmit a mysterious I was receiving, and yours transmitting your voice to encourage others to put their faith in them. And the power of the belief became something unstoppable.
[ ...She seems more energized than ever before. ]
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[ She looked floored. ]
I... I distinctly remember... her coming up to me... and giving me back the Shiny Rod, telling me how much I'd inspired her. It was so...
[ Her breath hitches. She's cried too much lately, but she's threatening to again. ]
I had been so afraid to tell her the truth all that time, I'd kept trying, but getting interrupted...
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[ She's smiling. Seeing that. Knowing what she can tell her. ]
...I always thought that magic was beyond comprehension. But seeing those two... Maybe it was my own blindness that didn't allow me to see it. But... They did it. They defeated my monster and restored magic to the world.
[ Come here. She's going to hug you. ]
...The Claiomh Solais... It was never meant to be wielded alone.
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[ She looks... confused. But contemplative. She accepts the hug, though. ]
Croix... then, that means, you weren't not chosen, you were... probably meant to help me...
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[ She might feel a little wistful. ]
...They both used the Shiny Arc to destroy my beast. Hand in hand, together.
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[ It's important. ... Although, she does laugh a little awkwardly, first-- ]
After I bathe, but...
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[ ...And now she's frowning. ]
...I'm sorry. I remember... Saying I'd return to Luna Nova only after I'd found a way to break Wagandea's curse.
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[ ... She does have some scarring on her hand, doesn't she? Was it from hurting herself? ]
... Did I somehow... expose myself to the pollen?
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[ ...She'd wanted to destroy Akko. She did... And Ursula would... ]
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Besides, I stole Akko's ability to fly... it's really only fair, isn't it? Ha ha ha...
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More than anything... if you hadn't done all of that, I might never have inspired so many people the way I did. My shows might never have been so grand. Sure, I hurt a lot of people, too, but... belief means a lot, too, right...?
[ She wrings her hands. ]
Yes, I was hurt by it. And... I don't know if I'll ever be entirely the same person as I was before all of that. But people change. These things... happen. No one stays the same. And I've grown and learn from my mistakes. It's time you did, too. You can't... go on blaming yourself.
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[ It's your sacred duty! ]
I can't just forgive myself like that. I'll be carrying these mistakes for the rest of my life, Chariot.
[ And witches live a long, long time. ]
...No one's going to let me forget what I've done.
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[ ...It'll take awhile. To stop feeling guilty. ]
...I... Have a lot to make up for--there and here.
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[ ...She really appreciates it. ]
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[ A gentle squeeze of her girlfriend's hand. Just as a reminder. ]
No matter what happens, or what anyone else might say.