[Action] backdated because I fail - pouring emo buckets all over the quad

[rebellingheart]

[In the quad, Rinoa sits under her usual tree. It's probably a rather peculiar sight as on one side of her there is Angelo, on the other side there's a young cat, and in her lap there's a little plush lion. Despite all this anyone who knows her will realize that she's absolutely miserable. Though to be fair those who don't know her will too as it's written all over her face. Which is a crime when surrounded by such cute things, but honestly she can't help it.]

I should probably know better by now, right Angelo?

[The poor dog just sighs and rests her head on Rinoa's knee with a long suffering look in her eyes. It always seems to bother Angelo when Rinoa gets all moody like this. Jules, the cat, just seems miffed that her purring isn't enough to cheer Rinoa up, and every now and then her tail lashes out crankily. Not being able to help sucks.]

Don't worry girl, it will be different next time. [She pauses and then adds softly.] If there is a next time.

Comments

I'm so sorry

[hotpinkwhirlwind]

[SHARPAY IS WALKING ON GODDAMN SUNSHINE.

[--until she sneezes, because there's a cat.

[Still some distance away, Sharpay waves to Rinoa, points at Julia and shrugs apologetically, then walks the opposite way, only a little less spring in her step.]

-Sometime later-

[rebellingheart]

[Sometime after Sharpay had walked by, Rinoa returns to her room. There she gets her pets situated and changes before heading back out again to find Sharpay.]

[She might not be in the best of moods, but she can't ignore the urge to see just what has Sharpay so happy right now. Maybe some of the happy will rub off if she's lucky.]

[So she goes looking in Sharpay in all of the places she usually expects to find her at. It can't be that hard to find one person, right?]

[hotpinkwhirlwind]

[And here Sharpay is in her office, curled up on her chair and reading a play she's half-thinking about shoving at her drama students this quarter. Despite the serious-looking cover, she's still looking downright chipper as chipper as Sharpay gets, anyway.

[Until Rinoa comes in, that is, and her expression softens. She hadn't gotten close to her friend on the quad, but she'd been able to tell something was wrong.] Hey. [And the book goes down.]

[rebellingheart]

Hey...

[She doesn't really want to talk about it, at least not just yet anyway. So Rinoa tries to stall the inevitable.]

Is that a new play? What's it about?

[nottheleader]

[He normally avoids trying to intervene when others appear to want solitude, but seeing here he wondered if solitude is truly what she needed. It would be wrong of him to pry, as he does not even know her, but leaving someone alone in that manner is not something he can do. After a moment of hesitation he makes his way toward her.]

Would I be disturbing you if I sat here? [He lifts the book in his hand.] I only intend to read while I have time between courses.

[rebellingheart]

[It's a public place, yet she's surprised when someone walks up to her. In fact she doesn't even notice he's there until he starts to speak. So it takes her a moment to register his request, but she does get there eventually.]

It's a really nice spot for reading. I read here often.

[She manages a small smile, after all he's a stranger so there's nor reason she should burden him with her issues.]

I don't think we've met. I'm Rinoa.

[nottheleader]

[He smiles at her in return, although recognizing her smile is more polite than because she's genuinely feeling better.]

I am Kaldur'ahm, but friends call me Kaldur as it suits them. [He motions with his book toward the tree again.] If it will not be too much of a bother?

[fighting4afuture]

[Trunks isn't the best at dealing with emotions and sadness. Sure, he's experienced it, but he prefers problems he can punch until they go away. Less complicated. But hey...Rinoa looks pretty horrid, and she's one of Bulla's friends--maybe one of his--and it would feel wrong to just leave her sitting there.]

Hey, Rinoa...

[Trunks sits next to her, calm and quiet.]

...what's wrong?

['cause something obviously is.]

[rebellingheart]

[Can't punch people who aren't here Trunks, it just doesn't work. She'd have appreciated the sentiments though, it's one Bulla tends to share which isn't surprising considering they're related. She also certainly counts him as a friend, even if their first meeting had been a little...awkward.]

Oh Trunks, hi. [She manages a smile, but it's mostly faked.]

It's no- [Rinoa stops and then shakes her head. No reason to lie to him. She's always been a terrible liar.]

There was someone, from my own time, but he's gone now. Back to the past, our present. Again. It happens a lot, most of the people I get to know always end up vanishing.

[She sighs, looking rather tired.]

He's come and gone at least three times now. It gets harder each time he disappears.

I've been in the future almost two years now. It's hard making friends when you never know when you'll lose them.

[No longer if you'll love them, as she sees it as just about unavoidable by now.]

[There. More than she'd tell a stranger, less than she'd tell his sister or her other super close friends. A nice balance.]

[fighting4afuture]

[And he's good at listening. He just sits quietly, until Rinoa's done speaking, obviously listening to her every word.

And he thinks he might know the feeling.]

...yeah, it is hard.

[He can understand because back home, he's in a similar situation--he's the one that doesn't belong, that has to eventually leave. And it makes him incredibly sad, if he thinks about it too much.]

I come from a different timeline than Bulla, I told you that already, I think. In my time, everyone I've gotten to know in the past is gone. That's the future I will eventually have to go back to...one where nearly everyone I care about doesn't exist anymore.

[He's not going to say 'dead' outright, but it's obvious on his face that's what he's talking about. Or in Bulla's case, she wouldn't be able to exist at all.]

...except in my case, I'll be the one doing the vanishing, I suppose.

[fierybluebird]

[Sits down beside her and instantly throws a blue wing over her shoulders. How many times had it been now? Too many to count. He was tempted to make a deadpan joke about it, but it was too out of place with the atmosphere so for now, this would have to count.]

[rebellingheart]

[Best big brother ever. Without a word Rinoa scoots over and leans against him with a quiet sigh. It's nice to know at least some guys are immune to whatever curse keeps sending all of Rinoa's friends away.]

[fierybluebird]

[He still doesn't have any words of comfort for her, just ruffles her head as reassuringly as he can. It's hard missing nakama, and lately it seems only other-worlders tend to stay.]

[distantbird]

[Raven doesn't really know the girl, but she has to admit she feels rather bad for her. She's not really the type to go up and ask if someone's okay, though - she doesn't have much of a way with words.

After observing her for a moment, she leaves, only to return a few minutes later, carrying something she had finished only the night previously.]

Here.

[Holds out a handknitted lace beret.]

[rebellingheart]

[Startled, Rinoa looks up at the unfamiliar girl blankly for a moment before registering that something is being held out to her.]

What's this?

[She takes the beret without thinking, running her fingers over it thoughtfully as she examines it.]

It's beautiful.

[distantbird]

It's to feel better.

[fashionably_strong]

[Bulla's irritated today, thanks to a mishap with a couple of cadets running in the cafeteria. Soup was never meant to be a fashion accessory, but they 'helped' her wear it anyway.

She's on her way to the dorms when she passes the quad and notices Rinoa. Irritated as she is, she's not too cranky to check up on her friend.]

So...who do I need to throw a T-rexaur at?

[rebellingheart]

[Rinoa doesn't glance up at first, eyes on Julia as she pets the cat carefully.]

It's a little hard to throw a T-rexaur at someone who isn't here.

[Her voice is quiet, but then she thinks to look up at her friend. Only to have her eyes widen quite comically.]

Bulla what happened to you?!

[Not so quiet anymore. Oops.]

[fashionably_strong]

[Bulla flips her hair irritably.]

...a couple of total idiots decided that the best way to settle an argument was to throw soup at each other. I got caught in the middle, and I have to say, I am not liking chicken noodle soup as a fashion accessory.

[Her expression softens as she turns back to Rinoa's problem.]

Anyway, it looks like you need a girls' night. I'd offer a hug, but you'd probably get noodles on you.

[werepanther]

[If a dog, a kitten, and a plush lion can't cheer her up... what about a life-sized werepanther? Tom doesn't transform much these days, but when he does, it's not uncommon to see him around the Quad either.

He walks up to Rinoa before casually offering her his paw... and because he's a dork, he's holding a couple of gil too.] Gil for your thoughts?

[rebellingheart]

[Even with her mood, Rinoa's lips can't help but twitch into a small smile. Seriously Tom is such a dork, but it's endearing in it's own way.]

You'd be better off saving that gill for Sharpay and not for my gloomy thoughts.

[werepanther]

Oh, I don't think even she'll notice five or ten gil if it's going to a good cause.

[He purrs, sitting down beside her and picking up Julia to put on his lap.] After all, if a lion, a dog, and a cat can't cheer you up... maybe a panther could.

[connects]

_{[They had never met in person due to circumstances, but that doesn't mean Ellone doesn't recognize Rinoa. It'd be nice if they could meet in more... happier circumstances, but she'll approach anyway.]}

Rinoa?

Sorry it got lost in the mail

[rebellingheart]

[Rinoa looks up, looking surprisingly guilty for a girl who's just sitting there doing nothing.]

Yes? [A small frown flickers over her face as she peers up at Ellone.] Do I... know you?

[Because while she does seem familiar, she can't place it for certain right now. Which is more than a little disconcerting.]

No problem c:

[connects]

_{[She smiles apologetically.]}

In a sense of speaking- we've never... met face to face, but I've heard of you. From Squall.

_{[It's more complicated than that, but Ellone hopes her short explanation is alright enough for now.]}

I'm Ellone.