#vierandancer

The sun, the sea, the hot sand. They were all familiar sights and sensations to Rikku, and yet at the same time felt strange. This was not her world, she knew that for certain now, after having spent the last few weeks doing her best to gather information and find her feet.

The last thing she clearly remembered was being with Yuna and Paine. Since Yuna had settled down with Tidus, they didn't all go on adventures much, but there had been old ruins found hidden in the forest on Besaid and they'd thought 'why not?', it could be like old times for a bit.

But when Rikku had reached out to grab the sphere they'd found deep inside, there had been a bright flash of light and next thing she knew she had woken up where here was.

Well, technically she knew where it was. Costa del Sol, a beach resort in Eastern La Noscea. Not that knowing that meant much, she still didn't know much about the larger world, nor how the sphere had brought her here.

Was this how Tidus had felt, when he'd first arrived in Spira? Unlike him though, there didn't seem to be anything like Sin toxic which she could use as an excuse for her lack of knowledge. She had to be careful.

At least this world also used gil, which made surviving easier. The amount she'd had on her when she'd arrived had almost run out though, which was how she'd ended up in her current situation, working at the resorts bar.

Thankfully she had picked up a few things from Barkeep in the past, the Hypello having been more then happy to pass on a few tricks during slow days on the Celsius.

❝Here you go, one Qiqirin Firewater!❞ Rikku said, sliding the concoction across the bar towards the woman that had ordered it, trying not to stare at the rabbit like ears on her head. There seemed to be quite a few races in this would that didn't exist in Spira, though she had at least seen some that reminded her of the Ronso.

❝Uahhhhh, am I not supposed to be here ?❞

There had been no sign, no marker, no rope blocking it off ! If he had wandered somewhere he wasn't supposed to be, then surely it could be brushed off as a mistake, right ?! Being in a foreign place and getting into trouble- by accident too !- would be the worst, how do you explain that when your mother was someone of decent repute ?

Give Princess Zelda the Kokiri Emerald. That was what he had come here for, and Link hadn't forgotten, honest! Navi said the princess lived in a place called the "castle" and that it was the biggest building here. The only problem was that he couldn't just walk up and ask the man at the castle gate if he could go in because, for some weird reason, that wasn't allowed.

So, while they tried to think of a way to get past that annoying guard, they allowed themselves to take in the sights of the town. Link had already gotten into a bit of trouble when he ate a bunch of food at a stall without paying, but he didn't know how to pay. And he was hungry! In the forest, they just took whatever fruit they wanted from the trees...

"It's getting dark, Link. You should find somewhere safe to sleep." Navi recommended, bobbing above his head as the market began to pack up for the night. He'd been hanging out on the outskirts after running away from those angry men at the food stall, but now he wasn't really sure where to go. Being out in the world was confusing.

"There are doors back here," he said as he peeked down an alley. Navi told him that he could go into shops if they were open, but some of the buildings were people's homes, so he couldn't just walk in without being invited. She said that things worked differently here than in the forest, and he was gradually learning that.

"What does that say?" A sign hung above one of the buildings, and he knew some letters but sometimes struggled putting them together. Navi floated up and read aloud, "It's called the Back Alley Bar... we shouldn't go here. This is a place for adults."

Link tilted his head and wondered why a kid couldn't go in. Before Navi could tell him off for not listening to her (again), he was reaching for the door handle and letting himself into the "place for adults."

"Link, come back here!"

"I mean, I like t'think I'm bein' honest." The worn axe strung behind her back was pulled in preparation. "Yer not gonna be without a paycheck, I promise, I'm jus'... I'm gonna warn you ahead've this that it's gonna be dangerous."

Though one would think an in-and-out into a set of semi-abandoned mines would be quick and easy, Hikari knew all too well the contrary. "An' I need you t'trust me on this, alright? I'm gonna be goin' ahead--if I get hurt, an' I will get hurt, I need you t'not freak out an' let me handle it. I'm, ah, used t'it. It'll look bad, prolly violent, but I promise that no matter what's in Copperbell, I'm gonna be able t'stay upright. You jus' make sure nothin' hits you, got it?"

Borte was completely caught off guard by her friend's compliment, and it was writ clear as day on her face. The capabilities of others were so easy for her to notice — almost as easy as identifying her own many, many flaws. Trying find her own strengths, however? Now that was a tall order. She had all but been conditioned to do the opposite, after all.

Even if she were better at it, charming others was perhaps the last thing Borte would have thought of. Her? Charming? Were it coming from someone else she would have been convinced it was a joke, but Meiko didn't seem the sort to be so cruel.

positivity time! ( still accepting! )

okay you're so right actually, I think it should be far easier and more accepted to send unprompted positivity to each other 🫵🏼

this blog was initially a very small, closed off thing for pre-existing friends & long-term plots, I never had much intention of making it as public as it's become. but when I did, you, lanna, were one of the very first people to both welcome me and give my confidence with emet such an incredible boost. you're so personable, so easy to connect & have fun with. you make things feel both incredibly engaging and also low-stress, enjoyable, and I love seeing you both on my feed and in my notifications.