Twenty-Fifth Shooting Star - voice;

[risingwinds]

[It's been a while now since Fuuko's departure. During that time, Ven's been quieter than usual. Not tearful, but a bit more subdued than his usual, goofy self.

Even when he addresses the journal, his tone's a bit soft.]

You know, I gotta wonder. I know lots of you guys have found love here, but how do you guys deal when that person disappears? D'you keep waiting 'til they come back, or do you just... move forward? It's kinda tough spot for me. I'm not gonna let it bring me down or anything, but it's still sad. And it's just like when anyone else leaves-- unexpected.

But it was nice while it lasted. Fuuko's a great person, and I think she brought something special to the village. Who else would go outta their way to throw a huge starfish festival? To tell you the truth, I don't think I'll ever look at starfish the same way.

[He pauses.]

Wonder what Terra and Aqua'd think, though. It's been almost three years now...

[He doesn't expect anyone to react to that last bit. After all, his friends haven't shown up in a long time.]

Comments

[risingwinds]

Yeah. And this isn't the first time I've felt it, either.

[Ven carries a soft, somber tone when he speaks, complete with a sigh.]

First Minako and now Fuuko. I got through it before, so I'm gonna do my best to pull through again. It's just something you never expect... at least, I never expect it.

[Funny, given how he's been in Luceti for so long.]

[mischiefbreeder]

That'd be pretty dang pessimistic of you to just expect people to leave, wouldn't it?

[risingwinds]

'Course! And I'd never wanna think of it that way. It's not fair to the people who come here, either. If you focus too much on them leaving before it happens, then you miss out on the present.

[mischiefbreeder]

You got that right. If all you think about's the bad stuff happenin' around you, you'll never notice the good things that're happenin' too, right?

[risingwinds]

Yup! Or you might think that the good stuff just won't last. I gotta wonder how anyone survives with that kinda mentality.

[It just sounds so miserable. And who wants that?]

[mischiefbreeder]

[Gold didn't want to admit he had been kind of feeling like that since all his friends went home. And that's why he was glad for Ven's optimistic attitude right now to remind him it's not all bad. He just needs to focus on the good.]

Exactly! Gettin' lost in your own despair... Who needs it!

[risingwinds]

Heh. I just wish it was easy to bounce back up sometimes. Kinda strikes me like this big balancing act. I know some people think that too much optimism's naive. That's one of the things I've learned from being here.

[His simplistic, upbeat way of life certainly has been challenged a fair bit between drafts, departures, and the outlooks of others. In a way, he wonders if he's changed as a result.]

[mischiefbreeder]

Heh... Well, sometimes, findin' the strength to get back up's the hardest task of 'em all. Especially when things like this really get you down.

[risingwinds]

True, but if you can find that strength, don't you think you can grow from it? I feel like the best way to learn is to deal with problems every now and then.