pullmeoutalive | Scattering the roses;

Entry tags:

Scattering the roses;

[ it was a blur, one Sharon had tried to latch onto, because she needed to know what had happened. It hadn't been long since her bond with Equus had returned, and she knew they'd been headed to Sablier, but whether they had been close and the Abyss' effects had come into play or whether it had been something else... she couldn't say. She had felt a tug (to put it lightly), and before she could call out to Break, she fell.

And kept falling.

Had she still had her ribbon, she would have lost it to the force tossing her in every which direction, but she can't bring herself to think of that right now, when it feels like she can't draw a breath under the weight of this pressure.

Then, abruptly, it ends. She has enough awareness to register that much, at least, that everything hurts and that the ground is hot-- but with the promise of something solid and a last thought towards her family, she loses consciousness.

Sorry, citizens of Xian Du, please don't mind that limp, somewhat battered blonde figure on the ground as you go about your day. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He'd kept conversation casual on the trip over, choosing to talk about this and that rather than their destination. Admittedly, he was a little disappointed in the lack of visible excitement (anything to tease her with, he'd take), but he knew she'd like Fennmont, and the look on her face, even at that tiny glimpse, is rewarding in itself.]

Isn't it? I sometimes still have trouble believing this all exists myself.

[And he's been around for 20 years. From what he's able to recall, Elympios didn't have anything like this.]

Don't forget to keep an eye on things out here too. We'll be entering Fennmont's night clime soon.

[And it's only moments after he says it does the clime shift, the bright mid-afternoon sun giving way to an everlasting night. Despite the soft glow of the trees that litter their path, the stars are in full view. They always are.]

[ Sharon visibly reacts, giving a start that effectively ruins any sense of calm she'd steadily portrayed during the trip. Her steps pause, and her gaze lifts to the sky that had been close to blindingly bright only a few seconds ago. It hits her - more like slams - then, that she's so far away from home where something like this is utterly possible and apparently a natural thing for the people who live here, no matter what Alvin says.

It's so beautiful, at the same time that it makes her heart ache.

Alvin may have to nudge her, she's stopped moving entirely to stare wistfully at the stars. ]

[There's joy to be found in this, Alvin finds. In sharing another's happiness. It's a warm feeling, one he's felt too little in his years, and he takes a moment longer to simply watch her as she watches the stars. It's probably a good thing she doesn't notice his smile turns tender.

Eventually, he rejoin her, coming to a stop before her to carefully, almost hesitantly take her hand.]

Hey, spacing out already? You know, we're not even in the city yet.

[ Sharon blinks, startled when there's a gloved hand enveloping hers, and whether her face is flushed because of it or because he caught her "spacing out"-- well, she won't clarify. ]

I can appreciate more than one sight, can I not? [ she could be sulky, but she folds her fingers into his instead with a soft sigh. ] I'm sorry for causing you delay, however.

A delay? Not a chance. We've got all the time in the world.

[Really. He doesn't have anything else he needs to be doing anymore, and truthfully, this is where he'd rather be.

Gently tugging her along, Alvin resumes their trek to Fennmont. It isn't much further at all now.]

But if the night clime's all it takes to sweep you off your feet, you just wait until you see Orda Palace.

Orda-- there's a palace?

[ Alvin.

Alvin, you have no idea how excited you just made her. Because yes, her inner romantic still lives on. And castles, and days changing rapidly to starry nights and this still feels like a dream, but it should be fine to enjoy it. ]

[He'd openly laugh, but he ends up keeping it to himself; these sort of reactions are priceless, as much as they are heartwarming.]

Yep. Where the King used to live and everything.

[Up until he was killed, but he doesn't mention that part.]

It's the biggest building in Fennmont. You won't miss it.

Used to...? Is it unoccupied now?

[ did the King move on? INQUIRING MINDS. ]

There's been a change in political power recently, yeah. It's sort of unoccupied for now, but I'm thinking that's gonna change in the coming weeks.

[Ie. it's a long story.]

I came during an interesting time, didn't I? [ but she nods, accepting this and letting him lead her further on. She's got more to marvel at coming up. ]

The most interesting we've had in a while, I'll give you that.

[He nods in the direction of the city.]

Come on, almost there.

[ walking on uneven terrain isn't the most pleasant thing in heels, but Sharon certainly isn't going to complain when they're so close. At the same time, her fingers curl around Alvin's a little more tightly, as she nods. It's not apprehension, exactly, but entering a new city where she's completely out of place is still just a bit rough on her nerves. Not that she'll show it, beyond this. ]

[Her hand tightening around his own doesn't go unnoticed, and as if to say "I'll look after you", Alvin gives her hand a gentle squeeze in return. It's brief, but it's there.

A gate, large and perhaps intimidating soon looms into sight, and despite the two guards posted outside, they allow the two to pass through without so much as a glance. The grass beneath them gives way to a boardwalk, and once they arrive at the end of it, they'll be in Fennmont's Central Plaza.

But even then, the residential buildings on either side of the walkway ought provide enough entertainment until then.]

I talked about the buildings here, didn't I? How they're carved right into the trees themselves?

[He nods in the direction of one of them.]

You did, yes. [ and she sounds as though she's listening this time, for all that her sense of awe is progressively welling up as they walk. He hadn't been joking, but that kind of feat was amazing to her, and the houses themselves are too charming for words. ] But really... all of them?

Yup. All of them. This is a major city after all, wouldn't do to not go that extra mile for the tourists.

[And they really outdid themselves for the palace. But all that in due time; they're coming up on the Central Plaza now. It's buzzing quietly, as it always is, though with the exception of the additional Kanbalar troop here and there.

Alvin comes to a stop, eyeing the stalls to their right, then glancing back at Sharon. They never managed to get something for her hair before they left, did they?]

Wanna stop for a souvenir first?

A souvenir? [ and this is the moment that Sharon looks down at herself, dusty and dingy as she still is, and also lacking a certain important item.

(Besides a ribbon.) ]

As tempting as that sounds, I'm afraid I can't afford it at the moment. [ and would they even take her form of currency? She doubted it. ]

[He waves her off, as if the very idea borders ridiculous.]

Even if you had the cash, I'm not so inconsiderate as to make a guest pay. It's on me.

... Thank you. [ really, there's no point in being stubborn. She'll merely have to add this to the list of things to repay him for before she returns home. ]

Just enjoy yourself. Save the gratitude for the end of the tour.

[He nods his head in the direction of the Fennmont Trading Post. The first two floors, sans the accessory shop are for battle purposes, but the rest of the building ought to be worth a wander.]

We can find you something for you to wear too. Maybe something with a bit of a local flavour to it.

Ah... yes. [ and she'll look at her poor dingy dress, the one that still manages to draw attention to herself. ] It might do to blend in a bit better. Shall we search?

[Is what she says, but his clothing isn't exactly local to Rieze Maxia in the first place. The coat isn't even his.]

Sounds good to me. Just don't expect me to pick something out for you. For all my style- [wow just casually stating it.] -I can't say I really know what girls prefer.

[ there's her smile again, something a little more confident in the midst of so much unfamiliarity. ]

Then you're about to find out.

I just hope you find something you like. Going by what you've got now, there isn't much of that. Even here in the capital.

[He holds his hand out again.]

But we'll try our luck.

[ And she'll take his hand again.]

Yes, we will.

[ and you know what, Sharon can pull off looking like a civilian with some minor fussing. And some feminine advice from a clerk or two. BE IN AWE, ALVIN. ]

[And so begins the trek towards the Trading Post! Not that it's far at all, just on the other side of the fountain in the middle of the plaza.

Even when they step in, it's bustling with people. Surprising, considering the current state of affairs, but then again, Alvin suspects a whole lot of these people are actually stationed here from Auj Oule.

He pipes up again when the elevator door opens to the third floor.]

Well, have at it.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject