โ
โโ ๐๐๐๐๐ and safe with his second chance at love. Donโt even get me started on how your group would still be alive. Jesus, this is ALL my fucking fault!โ
โ
โ
โ. . . ๐๐ช๐๐ . Seriously?โ
[Brows creased with emotion upon being broke with such news, turning her face away slightly. Her voice even cracked a tad, forcing herself to process it all. Her little girl had been through ๐จ๐ค ๐ข๐ช๐๐, and of course, Christa โโ
โ
She grinned, shrugging. "We all thought so too, but... He's a tough guy. He was-" She feels something twist in her chest, and her eyes cast downward, a lump rising again in her throat.
"He was doing pretty well before I showed up." She said quietly, sighing. "Had a sweet lady+
โ
โโ Lee, so what gave me ANY fucking right to act the way I did? Youโre telling me Kenny died in a car crash, ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ฏ๐๐, and I assume eaten alive by walkers? God, if I had just pulled myself together and did a better job protecting you, heโd still be โโ
โ
โ
โClementine. I know you like to play, but please donโt do that again, okay? You had me worried out here.โ
[Christaโs tone was soft and gentle as she kneels down to the hatted childโs level.]
โ
โ
โโ ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐?! I thought he died when he . . saved me . . .โ
[Guilt makes its second appearance as she experiences a flashback.]
โ. . . Well, Iโm glad you two eventually found each other . . but that stubborn old bastard mustโve died, anyway, huh? Iโm sorry.โ
โ
โ
[Of course! Why ๐ฌ๐ค๐ช๐ก๐๐ฃโ๐ฉ she bring up Lee for the protagonistโs success? He left a major impact on all of their lives, especially hers. Clementine is quite frankly a chip off the old block โ but at the same time, her own person, and now a role model for this โโ
โ
Her filthy face streaks with bittersweet tears, remembering and embracing the past with a heavy heart. There was so much to tell her; so much that she had gained and lost in the years they had been apart.
She had been with Christa and Omid longer than Lee had ever been with+
โ
โโ little boy, just like how Lee was to her. Itโs a beautiful cycle to witness.
As much as she wants to stay on topic, the mention of an old friend practically yanks her attention away, dark orbitals widening in shock.]
โ
โWait a second. โโ
โ
โ
โโ ( *๐๐๐ ) now, huh? He damn well better not have come from ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช. If I couldnโt have a kid, what makes you think ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช have that right?โ
[A very . . sensitive joke, but itโs a joke, regardless โ hence, her smile. Itโs in the past, anyway. Omid wouldโve laughed.]
โ
โ
[Clementineโs emotional state is very contagious, tears slipping down bronzed cheeks as that rare smile graces her features.]
โGod, Iโm so glad youโre okay; that youโve ๐๐๐๐ฃ okay. Lee did an astounding job at taking you under his wing. Youโve grown to be โโ
โ
She lets out a deep breath, one that feels like she'd been holding since she was Eleven, and she can't help the gentle, vulnerable sobs that slip out.
When Christa pulled back, Clem peeked down at her leg and then nodded.
"My boy saved me... I can't wait for you to meet him."
โ
โโ just like him. As your temporary guardian, I couldnโt be more proud of you, Clementine.โ
[Acknowledging that her baby is now a young lady, a hand moves to gently caress that hat on her hand, thumb brushing overtop Leeโs dried blood.]
โSo, you have a โโ
โ
โ
โโ that, okay? Iโm not gonna fuss at you. It looks to me like youโve had bigger problems to deal with.โ
[Exhaling softly, Christa pulls away slightly, hands gently grasping her shoulders.]
โNow, about that leg. Is this another Lee situation? Did you get bit?โ
โ
โ
[The action is reciprocated almost immediately, malnourished limbs latching around the teenager. Although she knows sheโs irrelevant in the story, the prosthetic leg uprises a pang of guilt within her system, eyes falling shut.]
โDonโt even start with me on โโ
โ
She laughs briefly at that, knowing the feeling. Her lower lip wobbled, and she ran over to throw her arms around her old friend, prosthetic leg squeaking along the way.
"I looked for you - I promise I looked for you."
โ
[Her breath hitches for a moment upon the familiar voice of the other, tears already threatening to well up within chocolate orbs.]
โYeah . . Iโm real. But I havenโt felt like it. Not since I lost you and Omid.โ
โ