2023-09-22: Promise to Return
- Log: 2023-09-22: Promise to Return
- Cast: Lina Lombardi
- Where: Lombardi Villa
- Date: U.C. 0097 09 22
- Summary: Elsa objects to Lina's mission and Lina makes a promise.
"Is there any way I can get you to reconsider?"
Lina sighed. This was about the third time Elsa had asked her this since she had let her and Francis know about the mission to Jupiter.
"No, Elsa. It's final. The Guard needs all the help they can get."
"You said they would have people at your Orbit Base! Can't you just stay there?"
"You know how bad I am with deskwork, Elsa."
Elsa pauses. "I just don't want you to disappear again, Lina. Remember how you missed Christmas last year?"
"At least you know this time!"
"Some small comfort that is! We knew Papa was leaving too, and look at how that turned out!"
Lina's jaw tightens and her fist clenches. Elsa bites her lip, knowing the line she's crossed.
"Lina, I know it sounds harsh...But you need to think about the people you're leaving behind."
"I am! I'm doing this for you! I'm prepared to d--"
"WELL I'M NOT!" The room goes dead quiet after Elsa's scream. "Papa kept saying that, and you keep saying that, and I hate it! I've always hated it! It's so selfish! You think that if you make a show of putting all the pain on yourself, that we don't suffer?! Well, we do!" Elsa's eyes well up with tears and her voice begins to waver. "You're everything I have left, Lina. I don't know what would happen to me if I lost you!"
The breath is pulled from Lina's throat and all she can do is stare.
"I don't want you to die a soldier's death. Uncle Francis doesn't want that for you. And I'm pretty sure this Sonia you keep telling me about wouldn't want it either." She sniffles. "If you're going to go, at least promise me you'll be back."
"...Yeah." Lina walks over and grabs Elsa's hands. "On the Custom, I'll move the very heavens if they keep me from my home."
"That's all I want."
---
"That, and I still need to determine if this Sonia is girlfriend material."
"ELSA."