OF MIST

“I’d assume it’s meant to be demoralizing.” It’s only a guess, but Wolf has more a mind for war than she does anything else. “To discourage any rash attempts at leaving this place behind. Who knows what consequences they have for us.” 

It could be nothing, but it could be any sort of something, and so, Wolf takes it seriously.

She shrugs. “Nothing to do but improvise.” 

     ☁ ❝ Well... Not only that, but if we could communicate with others outside of this realm, then I’m sure that would invite others to come and investigate this place. I think that doing so from the outside would be problematic for our captors and thus, they have done everything they can to make it nearly impossible, ❞ she offers a light shrug shortly after her response.

     ❝ Then again, that’s only my guess, ❞ and with that the summoner looks at the stranger now, humming in thought for a moment before replying once more.

          “ is that so? ” he grinned, lifting his right arm to flex it in jest, “ good thing this old man is pretty tough then, huh? ”

     he faltered upon her remark, then reached back to scratch at the nape of his neck, laughing it off awkwardly. she was pretty frank, wasn’t she? he felt a little strangely about the situation, although he couldn’t quite place why. since when had he cared about a little misunderstanding on occasion? well whatever, it wasn’t as if he was without reason, “ hahaha, y’got me! i thought you looked familiar, so i was trynna take a peek without bein’ too conspicuous, but that really backfired, huh? ” there’s a reason he’s not an assassin class servant, after all.

     lancer shrugged it away then, his hand dropping to his side, “ aah well! in any case, sorry for botherin’ you, miss. ”

     ☁ ❝ Tough, or maybe just made of steel? ❞ she easily jests in return, a soft chuckle soon following her words. For a moment, she wishes to say that if he is old, then he certainly doesn’t look like it... But refrains from doing so. After all, she has been told such a thing before and she doubts it will stop anytime soon and thus, she can think of how (supposedly) tired he must be from such assumptions.

     ❝ Hmm... That’s interesting you say that, though, ❞ after some silence she hums in with a comment, (hopefully) preventing him from leaving so quickly and readily.

“You’re not the first person who’s tried to make contact with home.” Wolf adds that much in, drumming her fingers against her leg as she considers her unlit cigarette. “I’ve seen a few people try to do it, talk to them or try and reach out further. It’s always been a waste of time. Probably on purpose, that separation you’re talking about.”

     ☁ ❝ I’d certainly hope not, ❞ she almost snorts, her expression becoming thoughtful now.

❀|  Valefor accepted the scratches with another bow. Despite her original size and majesty, she did not mind the extra affection. The Aeon  was comfortable between the two,afterall, she would have been their peer before becoming a Fayth. Valefor hopped from the branch to hover in the air when the wood lowered. Yuna’s positive attitude dispersed to pensiveness. “So few of us…”  she repeated under the guise of a whisper, but the fell off her lip too thick and heavy, all realizing. She gazed down, both hands on the branch. She never thought about that before.

 “ There.. were several summoners where I lived.. in Spira.. “ She began carefully. What would her friend think if she was the reason why there were no more summoners? “But because the Fayth were tired of dreaming, we did away with summoning. there were a lot of lies covering the truth to it… And, they were gone after I and my friends tried to fix things. I think I’m… the last one now.  To.. be honest, I shouldn’t be able to summon Valefor anymore. Not… normally. I’m very fortunate she’s still with me. “ Valefor responded with another small noise,but her message of summoning by her own power and heart were hushed. 

     ☁ With the the mood and chatter between the two girls becoming quiet now, all the summoner can do for the time being is simply listen as Yuna begins to speak once more. Her tone, while hushed, seems to be one full of uncertainty... And to a degree, some hurt. From what the brunette told Rydia about ‘Aeons’, she supposes that she can see why she did what she did... Not only that, but ‘Aeons’ were once people, unlike Eidolons who had always been the way that they were.

     ❝ How strange... You know, back where I’m from, Summoners... Were a race; you had to be born a summoner. So, hearing that people can just become one-- or could-- is a little strange to hear, ❞ she admits with a weak smile, looking idly down at her feet now. What a troubling thing her past is; it’s been so long and yet, still talking about it at times is enough to make her tired and weary... Enough to make her heart feel heavy and empty.

“Oh!” It certainly wasn’t anything Orihime would have been able to be comfortable in, even with the weather no longer being quite so cold; but that was probably obvious, bundled up though she was. To each their own. Maybe this stranger was used to colder climates. “I’m glad to hear that.”

…now that she thought about it… just in general, they really reminded her of Nelliel. Even the way they spoke, and just seemed so gentle, was so reminiscent of being home again. That had her quite noticeably relaxing from the state of borderline-worry she’d been in, a soft smile on her lips. It would be out of the blue, but she really couldn’t hold herself back from–

“I… I like your hair a lot! You remind me of a friend back home.”

“I’m Inoue Orihime!” And if being here had taught her anything, it was that people could be taken from anywhere and be anything, a thought that was still beyond incredible to her. “I’m a human.”

     ☁ ❝ I’m sorry to have worried you but I promise; I’m fine. ❞

     Comes the reassurance of the mage, offering the girl a kindly smile now. From her voice and mannerisms, Rydia can already tell that this stranger is a bit more on the shy side... And perhaps, in a way, the summoner can relate to the other ever so slightly. While not so much shy, she does find herself a little awkward around others at first due to her many years within the Feymarch, away from other people.

     ❝ Really? That’s not something I hear everyday, ❞ on the contrary, all she ever hears is how she’s different.

“Besides, she’s way prettier than you! You look like an ugly, burnt-up potato that has been rotting in a dumpster for centuries! How about you go pick on someone else before I make you regret it!”

Who would have thought that she would find herself advocating for someone else? With endless thoughts and questions still circulating through her mind about this strange place, Masane had been too preoccupied with her own problems to pay much attention to others. However her conscious prevented her from simply turning a blind eye. 

Once she had tired herself from bellowing out insults, she spun around and greeted the other with a kind smile. 

“Me?” her cheeks immediately burned with a rosy color, “I’m not all that special. Us girls have to stick together, right?”

     ☁ Upon seeing the girl’s shy reaction the summoner can’t help but chuckle lightly, her verdant hues looking at the stranger with a certain fondness. While she, too, can be a strong personality at times it seems that this girl shares the trait with her as well... Albeit on a higher scale. So perhaps, in a way, Rydia finds herself admiring the other just a bit for her courageousness and even kindness, in a way.

     ❝ Aha, well... I suppose so, yes! ❞

     ❝ So if the favour needs to be repaid, I’m here for it, ❞ the mage soon adds with a knowing smile, lightly crossing her arms for a moment. While she hopes that such a thing needn’t ever happen, Rydia realizes that life is unpredictable... And that it’s important to be there for others when no one else can be.

THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER: paper dolls.  rain against a windowpane.  fish for supper.  silent communications through eye contact.  a tiny tin heart.  cobbled streets.  deep rivers.  open fireplaces.  well-loved toys.

THUMBELINA: water lilies and lily pads.  red and yellow tulips.  sun reflecting against water. iridescent beetles.  singing beautiful songs.  swallows.  butterfly wings.  dresses made from flowers.  dark tunnels.  stories about summer.

LITTLE MATCH GIRL: bitterly cold winds.  sound of a match striking.  falling stars.  the most beautiful dream.  tiny flickering flames.  fat snowflakes.  the feeling on New Year’s Eve.  ignored by all but one.

THE SNOW QUEEN: shattered mirrors.  early morning sled rides.  rose bushes.  crows.  dancing shadows.  robbers and thieves.  sleeping with a knife.  reindeer.   ice skates. tears of joy.  northern lights.

     ☁ ❝ You didn’t need to do that, but... Still, thank you. ❞

     Comes the summoner’s appreciation, offering a smile to the stranger all the same. While she has since learned to ignore the comments of others regarding her appearance and outfit, it seems that the stranger in question isn’t one to let someone go without a lecture. So while Rydia feels a bit embarrassed that another felt the need to stick up for her, it’s also... A bit reassuring in a way; to know that there’s still good people out there that care for others, even if they may be complete strangers.

❀| After her initial surprise, and the Aeon’s reassuring and gentle  apologetic coo, the smile returned to her face, sweet and sincere.  It felt like an eternity since she was able to see Valefor again, even smaller.  The pull and strain on her energies were lessened, and no doubt the Aeon’s abilities were weakened just like her. She didn’t mind if it kept her around longer.

 “She’s.. normally much bigger. ” Yuna chuckled and lowered the branch slowly. She reached an arm to scratch the side of the Aeon’s head. She turned toward the other. “Valefor, this is Lady Rydia. She’s also a summoner. And very nice too.”   The creature shuffled, studying Rydia with wisdom beyond its form and with wings spread, puffed her chest before bowing her head and body. Summoners with pure and honest hearts were more than welcome under her wing.  ‘ Maybe you’ll have some other friends in the future too, right Rydia? Have you tried to summon lately?”

     ☁ ❝ Aha, yes; I guessed as much, ❞ comes the chuckle of the fellow summoner, offering a gentle nod in return to the Eidolon’s bow. Soon after the mage would offer out her hand, allowing the summon to inspect it and allow her to offer a scratch to her head as well if it is allowed. During her time in the Feymarch, Rydia has come to realize that every Eidolon is different, much like people; while some appreciate attention from strangers, some might not think the same at all.

     ❝ And I have, but... I never get any results. Though from how much of my ability the scientists have taken away from me, I can’t say I’m too surprised, ❞ she soon admits, looking melancholy for a moment.