raisetheearth | 041 ♦ YouTube, mirrored to network; backdated to immediately after Thunder Corp's announcement

[The Winter that pops onto the screen, and onto the internet at large, is one that's quite a bit angrier than she's been in a while. She clearly didn't like something she heard.]

Thunder Corporation wants to blame the Numbered for this. They're pushing it on us again. They don't know anything. Where were they, when the violence broke out two years ago with the mafia? During the Invasion? There's something fishy about asking for help now, when we've never been given the time of day before. This press release... I'm not sure what to do with this. But I've got a response of my own.

If Locke City will have me, I would be honored and excited to protect my home once more. Like many people, I don't want to be put in danger because of who and what I am; it's why I left Locke in the first place. I've had my eye on things; I know Summer's been around Locke, keeping an eye on the city when I can't. I want to help, as I always have. It's my duty as a Precure; it's my duty as a person. That's never changed. But as my wife keeps reminding me, I can't help anyone if I'm dead.

I've always been an open person. Lily and I have nothing to hide. I've made some mistakes. I've done things I would just as soon take back. But I don't cover those things up. Maybe it's foolish of me, but you don't earn trust by only showing the things you're proud of. If they want to ask questions - if anyone wants to ask questions, within reason - so be it. If they want help keeping Locke safe... they didn't have to do something like this to ask. I still have an e-mail address, a YouTube channel, a Twitter account. I have a mailbox. I refuse to believe that anyone thought public shaming was the best way to ask for our help.

If Thunder Corp. is honest about their intentions, I have no issues lending a hand. We've shaped this world, since everything started, three years ago. I don't deny that, either. It would be irresponsible of me to leave everyone out in the cold now. Assuming I don't get attacked in the process, the light of wisdom will shine over Locke City once more. Count on it.

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No, no. [Lily's hands move and she wraps them lightly around Winter's neck.] This is the right thing. That's fine. I'm ready for whatever, in this case, and...

[Her voice catches at that comment. They are- oh. No, not where they originally were. Not where they found each other, and the majority of their friends. She sighs, planting a small kiss on the side of her forehead.] I know. And it's thanks to people like them we haven't been able to... But if that's what you truly, honestly want? I believe we can find the way.

[Well, that's reassuring, at least... she can chalk up one thing that she didn't break. Progress!

Except she notices the hesitation, and the sigh, and she recognizes that maybe she's still being a little too selfish.] I like this place well enough. It's something we helped to build, with our own hands. It's ours. But... it's not home. We said we'd stop running away, but... as long as we're here, it won't end.

[There's a part of Lily that tugs at her, stating that here, they're relatively safe. The government is cooperative. They'd built something between the two of them that was theirs, but even Winter said that much.

Yet, that regret isn't just going to go away, is it? They'd just left Locke City behind, after fighting tooth and nail for it... It feels a little hollow, and Lily can't really deny that. She holds to where she is though, not moving from her an inch. She smiles sadly and nods.]

You're not wrong, Winter... It's not that I want praise form people, but we sort of stuck our necks out there, and in return we just... felt like we had to leave it behind. Again. I'm... tired of that, too. I said what I did, and I meant it. I'll hold to that, even if it won't be easy.

[She's not sure she'd be comfortable expressing this if Lily had moved. There's a certain absolute trust Winter latches onto, and it's enough to keep her calm. She lets herself relax back into Lily, looking up at her.]

I don't want to commit us to something we won't both be comfortable with. If you don't want to do this... we don't have to. We can stay here. We have a life here, one I could live without wanting too much. But... mm. [She said it already, it'd just be overkill to repeat it.]

[She lifts her head up enough so that she can look down at her, look her in the eye. She stares and listens, before just... shaking her head.]

I'll be honest. If I could just stay somewhere, where we could be safe, where we could be a family... I'd be perfectly okay with that. There's a part of me that just wants to sit here and grow old and be happy.

But... that's not who we are, is it? We're not really afforded that, not yet. If we run from everywhere, we might have to run from here eventually, and... Locke has trouble. This place doesn't.

If we didn't go, you'd regret it. I'd know that, and I can't do that to you. I'm... worried about Locke City too, so... I think I'd be in the same boat, no matter how much I want to tell myself otherwise.

[She smiles.] So let's do what we both know we need to, Winter.

[She can feel the honesty in Lily's words. She knows she's... not going to break things, if she keeps pushing. That she needs to keep pushing.]

We'll grow old and be happy there, too. It'll be a little crazy sometimes, but... I think it's where we belong. [A smirk makes its way onto her face.] Besides, you'll have all your books again.

You're right, though. I would regret it. If something happens and we're not there to do anything about it, I'll feel like it's my fault. I've... been like that for going on three years, now. I think that's one of my bad habits you're picking up.

[She closes her eyes, a soft smile settling on her lips as she thinks of how to proceed. But... the fact that they're going back is comforting, somehow. That's enough to keep her calm, instead of making her get up and start working right away.] Yeah. Tonight, we'll rest here. Anything could happen, after all. But tomorrow... let's go home, Lily.

[Lily's expression brightens, and she can't help but laugh at the bit about her books.] Well. You certainly know me well, don't you?

[She can't help it though, the thought of heading back is oddly... exciting. She remembers how happy she'd felt, when she'd asked Winter to move in with her, and she'd agreed. The time spent planning it, putting things together... Even something as mundane as shopping for furniture felt so amazing, at the time. They'd been run out not long after, though, but the mafia. They'd had to abandon their college plans at the time, and they spent the better part of months bouncing around the world, constantly on the run and fighting for their lives.

But the time they'd spent before then was magical. Even if at the time, they'd only been dating for several months, their experiences both good and bad over that time had pushed them closer and closer together to the point it had just felt so natural to think of Winter as a face she could wake up to every morning.

That much hasn't changed, but... There's a part of her that certainly would like that back.]

I don't think that's just your habit, honey. If anything, we're two peas in a pod there.

[She reaches one hand up, running it through Winter's hair as she stares down at her.] It's decided, then. We'll go, and we'll do what we're made to do. No more running.

I might have picked up a few things. [The time they'd spent together in their little place was the brightest spot in Winter's life. She'd come to make a lot of happy memories, but... home will always have a very specific meaning for her. It's a certain address in a certain town, where nothing is ever certain except the passing of time and the presence of someone she can't be without. She'd said home was anywhere Lily was, and she still believed that, but... that place is where she belongs. Where both of them belong.]

Fine, fine, I guess we can be bad influences together. [She grins as she concedes the point; it's something they've both known for a long time. She might also be letting out a soft sound at Lily continuing to help her relax, after everything.] So... mm. No more running. We'll stand and face whatever's coming. Together.

[Winter pauses briefly, before making a face.] I have to be mad again to talk to everyone, don't I...?

We've been bad influences this long, I mean. Why stop now?

[She begins to lean over a bit more. Thankfully, her height makes it probably if a little awkward as she's trying to angle for some sort of... upside down, backwards kiss, though she pauses briefly as Winter makes that face and says that last bit.

She sighs.

Then kisses her anyway, gently and briefly, before pulling back up.]

No, you don't. Being mad at Thunder doesn't mean you can't be happy to see your home. Plain and simple as that. [She reaches, and prods Winter in the nose lightly.] The very last thing you need to do is hide how you're feeling. On anything.

041 ♦ YouTube, mirrored to network; backdated to immediately after Thunder Corp's announcement

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