01 ☀ ACTION [ Everywhere! Ending up in the Quad! ]

[brightens]

[ The clack of shoes on the floor can almost be heard from around the entire lobby, uneven footsteps laying down an erratic beat of heel against ground. At first, it might sound like running, or maybe even a hurried pace, but the sounds are a little too spaced out. Of course, anyone who can see the sound's originator as she turns the corner can tell that what's causing the noise is, in fact, skipping. And cheerful skipping, at that, accompanied with a whimsical hum. Oerba Dia Vanille is out and about and exploring the Garden, having found herself here suddenly and unexpectedly. ]

[ Waking up in unfamiliar places was starting to become a trend for Vanille; she'd done it once before, waking up in the Pulse Vestige on Cocoon. Now was a little different, however, because even though she was probably even more confused than she had been when that had happened, this time, there was an explanation— in the form of a letter. It had definitely cleared up some of her confusion, but definitely not all of it. At the very least, it had put her more at ease; they hadn't seemed to have been captured by anyone who would do them any harm, but... That was only part of the problem out of the way. ]

[ For instance... Setting the letter aside, Vanille bites down on her lip she shifts a little to prop her hip up enough to pull her skirt up and reveal the brand hidden underneath, afraid of what she'll find— an opened eye staring straight at her, for instance... Certainly not the whited out, scarred-over brand she actually found there. It was a shock, to say the least, but something she could deal with later, when one of the other problems was squared away with. For now ]

[ The biggest part of the problem for her, and in a strange way, possibly the scariest part— where was everyone? Was she here alone? The thought made her stomach lurch as she slipped out of the dormitories, taking a few cautious steps down the corridor. The letter had made it sound like they were safe here, but... She could never be sure, and it was better to be cautious than be sorry later. ]

[ Despite everything, through, it had only taken Vanille a few moments to realize that the people here, much like the people she'd encountered during her and Fang's time on Cocoon, didn't seem to view her as a threat; she'd gotten a few odd look so far, but she didn't mind; she probably did look strange, just like everything here looked pretty new to her, too. They had to be used to people appearing from other worlds, by now, didn't they? ]

[ She was pretty much done with her exploration when she reached the quad, slowing to a stop at the top of the stairs, leaning back to look up at the sky, shielding her eyes with her arm. She sighs loudly, stretching up in the comfort of the sunlight. It felt good to be outside, like the entirety of her exploration was just meant for her to end up right here, inexplicably drawn to the sunshine. ]

Feels nice..! [ She decides with a nod, letting her arm drop down, swinging at her sides. She hadn't been able to find anyone else so far, but... Even with as scared as she was, it was hard not to enjoy a beautiful day like this. ]

( ooc: Vanille will have stopped in just about everywhere on the first floor, so, feel free to pick and choose a place to bump into her! If you don't specify, we'll just assume it's in the quad. Sorry for the TL;DR, by the way..! )

Comments

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

He comes off as a real jerk, but he's a decent guy under the crusty exterior.

[Just keep that in mind, Vanille. Because sometimes it's reaaally hard to see.]

[brightens]

[ She gives a little laugh. ] That sounds kind of familiar.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Just don't tell him I told you! I think he'd be mad at me for letting the secret out!

[brightens]

You can count on me!

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Don't I always?

[He flashes a bright grin, though it fades quickly to a sincere, happy smile.]

I'm glad you're here, Vanille.

[brightens]

[ She smiles back and bumps his shoulder again. ] What would you do without me, right?

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Be a little sadder.

[Which... okay, to be fair, was not saying much. Snow had settled in here at Garden as much as could be asked for, and now with Serah and Lightning here, as well as a student body he liked and friends among the other instructors... if not for the rest of his missing family, he'd honestly be content to stay here. But Vanille was family, after all. Without her, this place would never really be home... even though it still wasn't really, with Fang and Hope and Sazh missing, among others.]

[brightens]

Only a little, huh? [ She's poking fun at him, don't mind her! ]

[ Honestly, she can understand how he feels. Part of her is more than happy to be here, and it seems like the perfect solution to all of their problems! No brands, no Focus, no fal'Cie, no problem! Except... Without everyone being there, it wasn't complete, and it was hard to be entirely happy about it. For Vanille, this was especially true in regard to Fang; she was already feeling the effects of not having her around. It felt like they had just finally found each other again... And now they were separate once more. ]

Do you think it'll be long before everyone else shows up, too..?

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Good question. Lightning and I have both been here for a year, but things were so different for us I missed her till just recently. Maybe some of them are already here too, just not here. But then, you and Serah are much more recent. I don't know.

[brightens]

You mean... In other parts of the world?

[ That's actually a bit less comforting than them not being here at all. She doesn't really know the scope of this place, yet, but thinking about how she and Fang constantly managed to miss each other on Cocoon doesn't help make even the Garden seem much bigger than it actually is. ]

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

It's possible, and if anyone out there can take care of themselves, they can, right?

[Hope can get a little benefit of the doubt here, right?]

[brightens]

Yeah. They can. [ She smiles, but, it's a sad one. ]

[ She knows Fang can take care of herself, but, being without her still feels... ]

[ Not to mention she shouldn't have to take care of herself! Vanille should be there to take care of her, wherever she is... ]

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

[Vanille and Fang separate are the saddest thing in the world, or at least one of them. It's kinda heartwrenchning.]

It'll be all right, Vanille.

[brightens]

I know.

[ She doesn't. But... She forces a smile. ]

After all, we've got a hero right here..!