[Action] When alternate universes make you uneasy

[rebellingheart]

[Rinoa is sitting under a tree on the quad, staring at what looks like a newspaper clipping with a bemused look on her face. Because this article and that picture just can't be real. They just can't.]

What do you think Angelo. Should I read it again?

[Rinoa turns to look at her faithful dog for advice. When Angelo just huffs and settles back down she takes that as a sign to read the caption out loud again.]

Celebrated First Lieutenant Rinoa Caraway receiving her promotion upon successfully apprehending the Commander of the SeeD terrorists, Squall Leonhart, and his companions?

[She sighs and glances down at Angelo again, though it's obvious the clipping is bothering her.]

You know this could never happen, right girl? I'm not even in the Galbadian military! And I'd never do this to Squall or the others...I know just what Galbadia does to people who stand in their way.

[Zone and Watts did a good job making sure that's one lesson their princes would never forget.]

Comments

[werepanther]

[Although Tom's usually not bothered by dogs, he still can't help making faces every time he passes by one. Angelo's no exception - mainly because he swears dogs can pinpoint his secret - and so Tom inadvertently wrinkles his nose.

Then he glances over at its owner and manages a weak smile.] Oh! Hey...

Nice dog you've got there. [Which is the truth! Tom likes dogs... they just don't often like him back.]

Have these two every really met before this in game? Because I can't remember it if they have.

[rebellingheart]

[Angelo's a lady, so she behaves herself even around cats. Not to mention Rinoa happens to be owned by a cat herself, so Angelo is quite used to having felines around by now.]

Thanks. [Rinoa looks up from the paper and offers him a warm smile. The paper might have her conflicted, but praise for her baby is always welcome.] She's the best friend I could ever ask for.

[Angelo gets up and heads over to Tom, apparently knowing that he's talking about her. She stops in front of him and then just stares up at him with knowing, dark eyes. If you're going to talk about her, she can darn well get some pets or scratches out of the deal. Right?]

I don't think they have? 8( they've just got mutual friends

[werepanther]

[It takes Tom a moment to realize the dog's not afraid of him... or is out for his blood... or anything of the like. He laughs, kneeling so that he could pet her better.]

I bet. I kind of wish I could have one myself, but... I can barely keep an eye on the kids I'm supposed to watch. [He means the Damians.] So what's her name?

Well they're eboth SeeD/Instructors now more or less. So they have more reasons to mingle now

[rebellingheart]

[Yesss! She's getting pats! Angelo loves them sooo much! She's totally grinning a doggy grin right now.]

It's not so bad. Sometimes I thinks he keeps an eye on me more than I keep an eye on her. [She smiles at Angelo fondly.]

Her name's Angelo. [She makes a face and then hurries on before he can say anything.] I know, it's a silly name for a girl, but I didn't realize she was a girl at first and by the time I did it was too late.

yes exactly ♥

[werepanther]

Hey, that happened to me and my pet hamster... [He grins, continuing to scratch Angelo behind the ears.] Hopefully you learned before she had puppies?

[Ah, right...] I'm Tom, by the way. Congratulations on attaining SeeDship---I think I congratulated you at the ceremony, but it feels like forever ago.

[nevergetscredit]

[Merlin wasn't exactly the most cheerful right now, what with finding out that two years in his future Morgana had turned and Arthur still didn't know about his magic, and his own picture. But the sight of the dog manages to make him smile, just a little bit.

He doesn't really understand what the woman was talking about, but her expression does have Merlin a little worried] Are you alright?

[rebellingheart]

[Glancing up at the stranger, she manages a small smile.]

I think so? I found this on my dresser. [She holds up the newspaper clipping slightly.] And it's just really weird. The person here looks like me, but I would never do what it's talking about!

It's just really upsetting somehow. If this is someone's idea of a joke it's not very funny.

[Angelo seems to agree, reaching her neck out to rest her head on Rinoa's knee lightly.]

[nevergetscredit]

[When Merlin replies, his voice sounds a little flat] I got...something...too. It's not real. It never was real.

[rebellingheart]

Maybe I should be asking if you're okay. [She looks at him curiously, forehead furrowing a little.] Do you want to talk about it? I know we don't really know each other, but it's good to get stuff like this off your chest.

Actually... [She climbs to her feet, brushing herself off lightly before holding a hand out to Merlin.] I'm Rinoa. What's your name? Because once we're introduced we're not strangers anymore, so it's not so weird talking about our problems, right?

[espio]

[Have an Espio peering at what you're looking at from above, Rinoa. He's not very subtle about it, though. He's heard what she's said, but still...]

Didn't peg you as an enemy spy, Lieutenant.

[rebellingheart]

[And watch Rinoa jump a good half-foot into the air. Don't surprise her like that Espio!]

That's because I'm not!

[espio]

Oh?

Almost convincing, but I think that's too defensive!

[rebellingheart]

Espio!

[C'mon you big jerk, you're gonna hurt her feelings at this rate.]

Squall and Selphie are still here aren't they?

[Please say they were still here. Hyne knows what she'll do if they vanish on her now.]

[platinumheritance]

[After some time spent in this place, she was getting used to the feel of it all. Things were settling into being more normal, except for a few anomalies.

Rinoa was the biggest one. The further away a magic was from Rita, the less and less she could detect it, but Rinoa emanated it powerfully no matter where Rita was. She was madly curious, and drawn to the Sorceress. She must have been very strong.

When she finally finds Rinoa, Rita stops at the edge of the grass, still dressed in her own world's clothes. Her wings were just slightly opened.]

Hello! Are you busy?

[rebellingheart]

[Looking up Rinoa has to take a second to gather her thoughts. She'd thought nothing Time Compression threw at them could surprise her too much anymore after everything she's seen, but people with dragon wings weren't something they'd prepared her for at all. Which is saying something, because she's used to the pink talking lizardchameleon.]

No, I'm not busy. [She stands, slipping the paper into her pocket as she does so.] Is there something I could help you with?

[platinumheritance]

[Rita stepped up onto the grass, approaching her once she answered.]

There's nothing I need help with. I just felt a huge source of magic, and so I followed it here, to you. [She pauses a moment, not really sure what to say next. She hadn't actually thought that through.]

My name is Rita.

asd;lfjkasd poor Rita ;A;

[rebellingheart]

[For a moment Rinoa's back stiffens and then her eyes narrow a tiny bit.]

I don't know what you're talking about. I'm no different from anyone else.

[She looks like she's about to say something, but then pauses before saying something else.]

I.. just remembered I have something I was supposed to be doing. Sorry!

[And with that she starts to walk off, Angelo on her heels.]

[tempest_lion]

[Squall surprisingly enough had found himself at loose ends for the day and had gone out for a walk. He didn't have any clear destination in mind, just let his feet move by by instinct.]

Rinoa? What's that?

[rebellingheart]

What?

[She looks up, surprised to find Squall so close.]

Oh this? It's... nothing really.

[Rinoa's truly a terrible liar, but she hastily moves to shove the paper into her pocket.]

Just this weird paper I found lying around. That's all. Nothing serious.

[If you ignore the picture of her as a Galbadian officer anyway. Honestly she'd normally talk to him about it, but he hasn't been back very long and she's still not sure where they stand.]

[tempest_lion]

[There was a very dubious look on Squall's face. He couldn't remember Rinoa ever lying directly to him like this. ]

If it's nothing then you should have no problem showing it to me, right?

[And he holds out his hand expectantly.]

[rebellingheart]

[She is so busted and she knows it. Wincing, she hands the paper clipping out to him. Excuse at the ready.]

I'm sure it's just somebody's idea of a dumb joke.

[Even she's not convinced of that, but honestly she wishes that were true.]

THIS IS NOT THE LATEST.........

[hotpinkwhirlwind]

[Enter stage left Sharpay, wondering if it would be insensitive or even productive to ask for boy advice from her friend with easily the most boy trouble. So she doesn't even hear Rinoa's talking to her dog. But she does see her friend's upset expression, and that drives her boy trouble (mostly) to the back of her mind as she sits down next to Rinoa, giving Angelo a scratch behind the ears.]

Hey. You okay?

[rebellingheart]

I don't know.

[She hands over the small piece of newspaper. Sharpay's been around long enough she'll likely know exactly what it means.]

[hotpinkwhirlwind]

[She reads the caption with a raised eyebrow. For a moment, she contemplates lightening the mood ("wow, their dress blues aren't as bad as I expected"), but she decides against it, and just hands it back.]

I'm pretty sure this is a Time Compression thing: I got one too that no one here could have Photoshopped. [And if someone had Photoshopped it... Let's just say their copy of Photoshop would soon be useless. Along with their copy of every other program.]

[rebellingheart]

[Could be worse. Espio joked about her being a spy.]

I know. It's just hard to believe that there's a me out there who'd do that to them.

How could I... could she live with herself working for them like that?