contempsi | 001 || {Audio / Action}

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001 || {Audio / Action}

[Groggy and disoriented, Hope awakens in the middle of the forest—just as he'd left it.

Or maybe not so much. The air is cold against his skin, and that's the first thing he notices as he lifts a hand to rub at his eyes. His clothes are gone entirely; there's nothing on his person but a simple pair of white pants, and in the chill of winter, they aren't much help.

Never mind the fact that Pulse wasn't this cold in the first place, by a long shot.

There's also a stiffness in his back, and when he folds his bare arms around himself for warmth, feeling the bumps raise on his skin—the ache in his shoulderblades is almost excruciating. Wincing in pain, the boy automatically lifts a hand to touch the afflicted area as his eyes dart around in search of his tiny companion, who had accompanied him on his food-gathering expedition.]

...Chocobo...?

[The confused question immediately catches on a gasp of surprise as his fingers brush against something decidedly feathery on his back. Hope immediately twists his head back to see just what the heck is wrong with him, finding a pair of wings there, of all things—wings with silken feathers the same pale silver as his hair.]

What—

[His heart begins to race in fear and uncertainty, though he attempts to will it down. If he allows himself to become too stressed, after all... Hope lifts his arm, staring at the marking on his wrist. The crimson eye, slowly on the edges of awakening, stares back—and he immediately squeezes his eyes shut, turning his face away. As he lowers his hand again, it brushes against something. He snatches the object up: it's a book.

It doesn't take Hope long at all to figure out the thing—he's a smart kid. Clearly, with the marked buttons and everything, it can be used to communicate with others. But where did it come from? This doesn't look like anything they have on Cocoon, even with its advanced technology... and Gran Pulse is so primitive in comparison. It doesn't make sense.

No matter. Finding the others is of the utmost importance, before it's too late. Pressing the button that would enable him to broadcast his voice, Hope attempts to send out a message to the other l'Cie, in hopes that maybe they were able to locate a similar device, or that perhaps it would transmit to some kind of central beacon.]

...um... guys...?

[His voice is thick from sleep, slightly slurred. He clears his throat.] Can anyone hear me? I... I think I got lost, and I can't find Chocobo either. Someone... or something... robbed me, too. As... as weird as that sounds. So... it doesn't look like we're alone here after all.

Um... I'm going to try to find my way back, but... [He trails off, biting his lip, feeling a little silly.] ...if I don't make it back... just... go on without me.

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[Lowering his hand, Hope turns his head to look at her. Despair would only further things along, anyway. Even if magic—and their brands—are affected here differently, it's not exactly a risk he's willing to take.]

I... I won't. [He attempts to look a little less despondent, though it's difficult with so much turmoil at hand.] But... what have you been doing for two months? [He laughs a little, shakily, trying to lighten things up.]

[ That's something she's been trying to keep in mind as well: it's not good to get too upset when you've got a countdown to losing yourself completely branded on you- one that's very well-known to respond to that kind of thing.

And well... good question. Lightning pulls back, blinking thoughtfully through long lashes. ]

... You want me to list everything?

Edited 2011-01-29 09:46 (UTC)

Yeah. Go for it! [Hope laces his fingers over his belly, offering a small grin now in spite of himself.]

But really... [He glances around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the outdoors through a window or something. Bringing a hand up, he rubs at the ache on his shoulder again.] What do you do here? I... I guess the buildings are where people live. [At least... he hopes they don't force them to sleep outside. But he hasn't seen anything resembling tents or bedrolls in the part of the village he's seen, so that's really the most logical deduction he can make.]

[ WOW, she's not really going to list everything, Hope. Her eyes widen a little, and then she looks away as she thinks, leaning an arm on the table. ]

Well... learn how to live in the cold, for the most part. [ That should be obvious though- a young woman from Cocoon wearing sleeves? Pretty rare, there. But seriously: ] Try to work out information, train... some people run businesses, even though there's no money here, or... go to school. [ And guess who is just about the right age for that? She frowns faintly at the thought. ]

There's several of these apartment buildings around town with places just free for the taking. Mine's... on the other side.

There's school here? [His ears catch onto that bit of interesting information. Strangely enough, like most other kids his age in existence, he didn't really care for school... and yet after getting swept up in the fear and panic of the l'Cie and fighting for the survival of himself, his comrades, and his world—he found himself missing it. Or, more accurately, he yearned for anything in his old life back... and even school wasn't exempt from that.

No, he must push that train of thought behind. Back where it belongs. He can't get comfortable here. Not when they need to get out and take care of their Focus.

Chin in hand, he leans forward on an elbow. Lightning's mention of the buildings doesn't escape his notice, either.]

And what do you mean... for the taking? If we're prisoners here... don't they tell us where we're supposed to stay?

[ Yes, school- she simply nods silently at that, expression veiled. She probably wouldn't make him go, of course... but she's heard about the subjects they teach there and can't deny she's curious. With her own age and sense of pride, there's no way she'd dream about trying to attend herself, though with Hope... maybe she can talk him into it later for the sake of strategy. ]

No. Actually, we're free to do as we like; anything really... except leave. [ Scowling and restless, she suddenly stands from her seat, striding around the edge of the table and trailing gloved fingers along the surface. On the opposite side, she stops and leans there, closing her eyes in agitation. ] Outside the village it's mostly forest... some mountains to the east, a sea beyond them....

But even if you go out there, there's a barrier to stop you from going much further than a few days' journey. Some sort of magic, as far as I know.

[ A pause and a sigh-- what were they talking about, again? She goes a bit quieter once more. ] You can stay with me, if you like.

[Hope looks visibly relieved by the offer. He'd been afraid of being confined in a small windowless cell, or something. At least if he could stick with Lightning, they could watch each other's backs. And it would make it all the easier to plan their strategy out of this place.

He gives a little nod.] I... I will. Thanks, Light.

[Leaning back in his chair, his eyes dart around the dining area again. Then he remembers something else.] Did... did they take all your stuff, too?

[His gaze is downcast now, studying the grain in the table. It's bad enough to be in a strange place without any visible way of escaping, but to have everything taken away is an added blow when you're already feeling pretty isolated and completely out of your element.]

[ Lightning shifts her weight, her lips pressed together thoughtfully. ] Not everything. We'll probably be able to find most of what you were carrying before you showed up too. Eventually.

[ Such as his clothing, at the very least, though a lot of good those will do in this damn frigid weather. They'll have to hit the clothing shops for sure, very soon. Of course, her mind is on one other thing too: her knife that Serah gave her, which has yet to show up still. Maybe with Hope here too...? ]

Haa... We should leave here. How are you feeling?

[Sliding the chair back, Hope rises to his feet. He stretches his arms out before him and cracks his fingers, wincing as the act pulls on the aggravating pain in his back.]

I'm okay... but do you know when these things stop hurting so much? [He gestures toward his back, where the blanket sticks out oddly, covering his new wings.

The possibility of retrieving his things is a small relief, at least.]

About a day. You'll be able to move them on your own more easily after that, too. [ And sometimes they sort of move without their owner meaning to, like hers do now in response to having her attention temporarily drawn to them. She seems a bit more at ease now though, and crosses over to retrieve her bag. ]

I'll show you around once we've found something warmer for you to wear. [ But then suddenly. A strangely awkward pause appears. ] There's something I need to do first, though.

Huh? [He'd simply nodded an affirmation to that, preparing to follow her out, but that statement gives him pause as well. Hope turns an inquisitive gaze upon her.]

What do you need to do?

[ ... Sigh. Well, it's either she tells him now or springs a surprise on him, and... she's not really one for just dragging things out for the fun of it. Therefore, as she slings the bag back over her shoulder and steps towards the door: ]

Do you like dogs, Hope? [ An odd, kind of random question, but she is going somewhere with it. A pretty obvious somewhere, actually. ]

[Hope shuffles after her, most likely looking extremely awkward in his baggy clothing, blanket and clumsily-fitting footwear. Still, it's definitely better than being exposed to such a harsh element.]

Yeah, I do...! I always wanted a dog, but... we couldn't have one.

[ Lightning just looks over her shoulder, her expression neutral as she leads through one doorway and makes for the other. This promises to be an interesting topic, depending on his reaction to what she's implying. ]

Good.

...huh? [Now he's even more confused. But instead of inquiring further, he follows after, pulling his blanket tighter around himself when they're outside again.]

[ Even when dressed for it, Lightning still doesn't like the cold. At all. But she deals, just as she deals with a lot of other things. She forces herself to keep her arms by her sides, putting her hands in her coat pockets instead of crossing them across her chest like she's tempted. It's time for an explanation. ]

A month ago, a lot of people here got a present from the guys in charge. [ If you pressed your luck and sort of asked for it by using a button on a giant statue in the middle of town, but she doesn't have to mention that now, right? ]

... I got a puppy.

Really? [He beams perhaps a bit too excitedly at that, hurrying after her until they're walking side-to-side.]

I... wouldn't have expected that. So it's at your house now? [Hope tries to picture Lightning caring for a puppy... interesting image there. Especially since they can be messy, and... clingy. Not a very ideal pet for serious-faced soldier Lightning at all.]

Yeah. [ Her demeanor seems to ease a little at that- Hope's enthusiasm is refreshing, even if she definitely wasn't expecting that much positive response out of him. She knows she certainly wasn't very excited when care of the dog was thrown on her, although now she generally minds only if... he's being a brat, honestly. She's still not very used to talking about him, though. ]

I didn't have time to do anything with him before I left... who knows what he's been doing by himself.

Um... when's the last time you took him out for a walk? [Hope laces his fingers together beneath the hold of the blanket. Even if he never owned one, he knows bits and pieces from school-friends' and the like.] And what's his name?

[He's trying to remain composed in the face of someone he looks up to, but it's a bit difficult, knowing that a puppy awaits his arrival and all.]

Baldr. [ She bows her head slightly, not really wanting to explain the naming choice there, but knowing Hope will probably ask, if not now, then eventually. She sort of deserves it, though. ] It hasn't been that long; he should be alright. [ Operative word being should- sometimes it's almost like puppies aim to be unpredictable.

... Even ones that can talk, which Lightning is obviously neglecting to mention. It's kind of a strange thing to insert into conversation though and... well, maybe it would actually be interesting to surprise him. She considers it as they walk. ]

Baldr, huh... [Hope repeats the name, attempting to pronounce it.] It... it sounds like something a fal'Cie might be named. [He doesn't inquire further than that, shuffling along beside her.]

...Maybe we should take him out when we get there. [Okay, he might really just want to walk the puppy because it's fun... but either way...]

Baldr. [ Her expression is a little strange as she repeats it herself in confirmation... but no, she trusts that Hope should know she's probably the last person who'd go and name a dog after a fal'Cie. She already feels a little sorry for the chocobo chick someone named 'Carbuncle.' ]

... We can bring him with us when we go into town. [ A town which is finally becoming obvious holds more than just houses, as some of the other buildings come into view upon crossing a bridge. With Lightning's pace, it won't be long at all before they're approaching the correct building's front door. ]

Good idea. [When Lightning stops at the front door, Hope almost runs into her, due to his faltering ability to keep his eyes forward as more and more of the village passes his view. He'd been craning his neck, attempting to see if he could locate a glimpse of the school she'd mentioned. . .

He stands up straight, though, turning his gaze upon the door, and lifting a hand to shift the blanket on his shoulders again. The building they're at seems quite large, leaving him curious as to just how many people dwell within.]

[ If Lightning had even just one gil for every time she sighed, she'd probably be pretty damn rich by now. She takes a deep breath and lets it out as she gets through the main door and, aside from sending a long glance at the doorway leading into the ground floor's hall of apartments, wastes no time mounting the steps. Fortunately, she decided not to take a room on a higher floor, so it's only two flights up before they're starting down another hallway and she's pulling a key out to #13. ]

... Probably should have warned you about something. [ Buuut whatever it is goes unaddressed before she opens the door, leading into her apartment with its bed in the living room, high number of blankets, and... a very fuzzy black puppy on the loose, clearly just awakened but still quite eager to sprint his way to the door. ]

Light! Hooome!

[ ... That kind of something. ]

[Hope had been eagerly awaiting the puppy's greeting, and as it approaches, he holds out his arms excitedly to pet Baldr as he comes racing over—the puppy nearly bowling the small-stature'd youth over in his excitement to get to Lightning.

What he wasn't prepared for, however, was the voice.

It almost seemed to come from where they were, but...

Hope lifts his head, brow furrowed in confusion as he glances about the apartment. Lightning would have mentioned another flatmate by now... wouldn't she? And besides, the place doesn't really look lived-in besides her.

He stares down at the dog again, reaching out to give its head a pat.] Is there someone else here...?

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