witchesreign | [ action ] Ϟ [ 01 ]

[ OOC~ Backdated to... a reasonable amount of time before the 'home' event start!

Regardless of the rather strange act of making sure to sneak in without anyone noticing at first, Claire Farron has now decided that she won't be hard to find any more- at least for now. There's a very distinctive, pink-haired presence around Balamb Garden again, and though most of what she's up to currently - making sure her rooms are in order, going through any changes that have taken place since her last visit before missions... make no mistake. The school's latest new Instructor is definitely eying up wandering students and anyone else who happens to pass her by as well.

And she's obviously, almost painfully tense, looking very severe in her dark, form-fitting clothing as she stalks the lobby, dorm, and classroom areas with broody purpose and a stack of various folders in-hand. Every time she bothers to take pause, her arms are crossed, posture stiff. Yes, she knows perfectly well that they are around here somewhere, and the idea that they've been allowed to teach and train here makes her blood boil. Time has done very little to fade the dark feelings she has towards the cursed Pulse l'Cie from her home.

Although "Lightning" won't really object to others coming to talk to her too, her sharpness is palpable- when it comes down to it, she knows that either she will find them... or they will find her. It's just a matter of when... and she might as well get it over with, in addition to 'greeting' those she'll be spending time near from here on in general. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ "Vanille." One of the girls who was not just a Pulse l'Cie, but actually from the execrable world below Cocoon! It's been over a year, and yet Claire still recognizes her voice... even if it was pretty far from sounding that cheerful in the times they'd encountered each other.

And well, by now, the absolutely bizarre behavior of the others 'from home' here has Claire extremely on edge. At the greeting, she turns sharply, already looking about ready to snap. ]

[ And she stops in her tracks, confused. ]

Light? What's wrong?

[ ... It's the name that really confuses Claire- after what she did to deserve being called 'Lightning,' why are the Pulse l'Cie so comfortable in calling her by it? Comfortable enough to shorten it? ]

I'm not a fan of the friendly act, so you can just cut it out right now.

[ Even more confusion, and Vanille's face falls into a frown. What..? Maybe... She didn't remember them? She'd been cold before, but this was a little much. There's a pang of nervousness inside of her, and even worse, guilt, and fear. ]

I-it's not an act...

I don't care what it is. I don't want to hear it.

[ Yes, she's being as blunt as possible. What's it going to take to hammer her sentiments in, anyway? ]

[ She is literally so taken aback she actually takes a step back. ]

Wait— Light... ah, what did I do? Are you... Mad at me?

I don't...

[ If hate alone had a way to be actually tangible, it probably would be wise for Vanille to step back- it's coming off this woman so strong that it would be very, very hard not to realize that something is Horribly Wrong here, even without the harsh words. ]

I'm not sure 'mad' is the best way to describe it. Why are you talking to me?

[ Furious, then? She's so lost. And the feeling of hatred isn't lost on her, either— she almost feels as if she's being pulled down to the ground. ]

I— why wouldn't I talk to you..?

[ A moment as Claire regards her, but... she's not even close to showing any remorse for now. Not for the Pulsian girl. ]

Let's see... is the part where it was my job to take you Pulse l'Cie down not enough? I'm not your friend like all of you seem to think here.

But... You're... [ She's one of them. How could it be her job to take them down..? ]

Light... You're... A l'Cie, too... Aren't you?

Yes... [ She says it with the tense, careful tone affected when talking to someone who's being way too slow on the uptake, glancing away in obvious indifference. It's pretty clear she has no desire to keep this conversation going for much longer at all. ] Sanctum l'Cie. For Cocoon.

You're... What? [ Vanille's jaw drops, her brow furrows, and that step back she took is being taken forward again. She wouldn't be too slow on the uptake (maybe) if it weren't for the fact that this is exactly what isn't true back home. ]

N-no, you're... You're a Pulse l'Cie, like us! Like... Like Serah...

Afraid not.

[ At that Claire can't even hide a bit of an incredulous smirk, a quick sigh that is almost like a laugh. The idea of her being a Pulse l'Cie-- it's just so ridiculous to her. ]

And I have no interest in having to deal with any of you here. [ Aside from... more or less keeping an eye on them, of course. ] I suggest you take the hint and leave me alone.

[ All of this is just a little bit mindblowing and she doesn't really know how to react. Lightning has always been harsh, but this is outright hostile, and now she's saying she's not even one of them. ]

But... We're... Family...

[ And Claire has definitely had enough, now. She blinks at Vanille with a narrowed, oblique gaze, and then just... turns to walk away without another word. Blowing minds and breaking hearts is busy work when you've got classes to prepare for as well. ]

[ She shakes her head, and follows her, taking a few steps after her. ]

Lightning.

[ Oh, Claire hears Vanille behind her... but although she's cautious, listening to make sure the younger woman doesn't try anything, she deliberately ignores her. What could she possibly want? ]

[ She stops following, slowing in her steps to watch her walk off. This whole thing has been bizarre, and... She needs to talk to everyone else. ]

[ action ] Ϟ [ 01 ]

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