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Post by vincent on Nov 21, 2009 14:15:30 GMT -5
Everything continued to play out in Vincent's head. In fact, it looped itself and replayed itself again and again. He stared at Jasmine blankly for a moment before he spoke again.
"I...I think you made a mistake," he started slowly, "but not the one you think you did."
He motioned for her to move in closer to him gently.
"I think I may actually understand this, for once. And believe it or not, I don't think he was trying to upset you. I really don't think he wants to do anything like that to you at all..."
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Post by glitters on Nov 21, 2009 14:18:19 GMT -5
Jasmine took note of Vincent's actions, and followed through with them by inching herself closer to her father. She didn't look any better even after hearing the possibility of Andy not trying to upset her, however.
"I don't understand," she simply answered him.
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Post by vincent on Nov 21, 2009 14:36:48 GMT -5
Vincent reached his hand out and pulled Jasmine into a warm hug saying, "Of course you don't understand. Come here and I'll try to give you the lesson for once."
He relaxed himself, keeping his arm around her, speaking with the same gentle tone that he used years ago to her, finding it finally had a place it belonged now with the girl who was 'too old for that kind of thing'.
"You'll call me crazy for it, but I think Andy's finally learned something himself. Particularly what it really means to be a warrior, to fight in a war like this and most importantly knowing all of those people who he's never met all over the world are counting on people like him to set things right. We've been at this war for years, Jasmine, you grew up in it. It tore apart our family, and you remember that I too held secrets from you and your mother," a smile creeped on his face, as painful as it was to do it, "and it wasn't something that I wanted to do...but it was something I felt I had to do. I had to because I was scared, because the one thing that would have broken this stupid man's heart would have been for me to come home and find you and your mother dead. I don't think you know just how terrifying of a thought that really is for guys like us. That's why we do things that seem wrong and unfair, that's why I did what I did...and despite all the hell it's caused our family, when I look at you and see your beautiful face I know I don't regret ever doing it, either. This is because I know at the end of it all, the choices I made as hard as they were will bring me back to you, my special girl. And somewhere, I think he's realized this, too."
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Post by glitters on Nov 21, 2009 14:55:10 GMT -5
Jasmine let herself be pulled in, securing her arms around Vincent and cuddled up closely to him. He went on and on, again about their family, and somehow he was managing to make a parallel between him and Andy. She sighed when he finished.
"Papa," she started quietly, "...it's all nice what you're saying, and it's good to hear that you aren't filling Andy with negative remarks for once, but you make no sense. You tell me that you're scared and that's why you lie to those you love, but I don't see the value in that, Papa. It doesn't in any way clear Andy's case, either--Mother always told me I had to believe in him and he'd believe in me, and we're supposed to help each other fight off the Sumata. If he won't agree to let me in and help, and believe in us to stop the evil in the world...what am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to think? I don't think you understand, either of you."
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Post by vincent on Nov 21, 2009 15:15:44 GMT -5
To Jasmine's response, Vincent merely smiled and chuckled slightly.
"Do you remember when you left me in Ignis, and what you said to me before you left?" he ran his fingers through her hair, "it's come back to you, now. Jasmine, you don't understand. Maybe you will someday, but for now..."
He pulled Jasmine back to face him, he looked gently in her eyes with that warm smile on his face.
"As silly as it sounds coming from me, I think Andy needs you, but you need to change the way you think a bit. You're very much like your ma, believing in your gods and the like and that's perfectly fine, that's what every young girl needs is a strong belief in a higher power, in herself, her friends and family, and a special guy by her side...but honey, we men think that's a lot of horse crap and don't believe in it. We believe in shattering a bastard's skull in when we see him touch you, and we do that because we feel strong and not because we believe that a god or someone's faith is going to help us do it--if that were the case, we could very well be losing this war right now."
He chuckled, rubbing Jasmine's shoulders slightly and trying to brighten the mood quickly and avoid any dirty looks she'd give him.
"But you know what really works for guys like us? Don't tell us this 'I believe in you' stuff, that's not going to do much, those are only words. You come up to us, look us right in the eye like this and smile the warmest smile you can ever give us. Look longingly up at us with your cute eyes, warm smile, and then say 'I'll see you when this is over'. Gives us so much motivation, you wouldn't believe...because the reason we fight is to see those people who are close to us when it is over," and before she could open her mouth again he shot in, "and before you can tell me 'I don't understand', I'm going to tell you you don't have to understand--just do it. Seriously, it'll work better."
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Post by glitters on Nov 22, 2009 13:09:42 GMT -5
She stared up at Vincent, yes, still clearly not understanding what exactly he was talking about. She didn't get the way he thought, or how he figured things should be done.
Nevertheless, the kindness and genuine tone of his voice assured her that this time, it was best to listen to her father. A smile crept onto her face and she smiled before leaning in to give him a big hug.
"...I-I'll do that, Papa. I just hope wherever he is, he's alright," Jasmine said quietly, "I miss him, I pray for him all the time."
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Post by annabelle on Nov 22, 2009 13:24:57 GMT -5
Annabelle had been quiet throughout this whole exchange. It was a time simply put for Vincent and Jasmine, both desperately needing more alone time together to further help patch what time took away from them. Despite her dislike for Vincent, Annabelle wouldn't try to interrupt it.
"If I may, Granddaughter," Annabelle finally spoke, feeling it safe to step in, "you are aware that the longer and deeper you pray for someone, the higher the priority the gods will put them regardless of them originating from other places than the twilight kingdom? The exercises I shall teach you can also help you, but in order to do any of that we must move forward..."
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Post by glitters on Nov 26, 2009 20:00:29 GMT -5
Jasmine nodded, hanging on tightly to Vincent yet.
"I want to learn, Grandmother. I want to be able to help my friends in every way possible, and if I am granted abilities by the gods to do it then I want to learn and master them."
She pulled away finally, though quickly regretting it as the cold set in on her again. Her father had been so warm.
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Post by vincent on Nov 26, 2009 20:06:54 GMT -5
Vincent chuckled as he noticed Jasmine shiver. He ran his hand through her hair as he said, "You need to move way more, get your blood flowing. You're so thin, just like your mother was. Do you need me to do anything for you so you can train better and learn your hocus pocus cult tricks?"
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Post by annabelle on Nov 28, 2009 23:30:19 GMT -5
Annabelle instinctively turned herself around and slapped Vincent across the face with her staff.
"It's not a cult! Ancient family technique that is slowly being revived thanks to people like me and your daughter!" she straightened out her robe and took a look at the sky before she continued, "you can help by staying out of it."
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Post by glitters on Nov 29, 2009 13:17:30 GMT -5
Jasmine couldn't help but giggle as she listened to Vincent and Annabelle exchange insults...again. She smiled up at her father.
"You can help by keeping yourself safe and out of trouble. And if you come across a rare pouch of crocos powder, that would be wonderful," she spoke up, glancing at Annabelle, "I need it because grandmother insists I need to start creating napalm..."
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Post by vincent on Nov 29, 2009 13:47:16 GMT -5
Vincent raised an eyebrow.
"I'll be fine," he insisted but then gave Jasmine a worried look, "but I don't know if you should be playing with fire, little lady."
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Post by glitters on Nov 29, 2009 13:52:35 GMT -5
Jasmine glared at Vincent.
Really, that was all she did.
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Post by vincent on Nov 29, 2009 13:58:31 GMT -5
Vincent cowered.
"H-hey, I'm joking! Don't give me that evil eye!" he spat at Jasmine, looking away from her.
Getting back on-topic though, he pocketed his hands and saw that his men were not too far away waving him down. He smiled back to Jasmine and Annabelle.
"But seriously, it's about time we all got out of here. I have work to do, you ladies apparently have your own work to do--stay out of trouble yourselves," Vincent directed this last phrase specifically to Annabelle, giving her a half-glare as he said it. He then gave Jasmine a quick hug and a kiss on the head before turning and walking off to his ship.
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Post by glitters on Nov 30, 2009 22:38:33 GMT -5
Jasmine smiled as Vincent hugged and kissed her--she returned the hug as she said, "Thank you, Papa."
She watched him leave, and then turned her attention back to her grandmother.
"I'm sorry, Grandmother...but you almost had us killed!" she spat suddenly, balling her hands into tight fists at her sides, "and telling me to strip for the enemy isn't anything I'd consider a smart escape strategy!"
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