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[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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[ ... 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...?

[ Oh, whoops. Lightning makes a soft snort that might have been something like a laugh as she shuts the door behind them and then bends to greet the puppy. One track minds... what do you do? ]

Ah... no. [ Expression serious, she moves her hand and turns Baldr around- who fortunately isn't very discriminatory about petting at this age. His eyes are bright as he accepts Hope's hand, tail wagging. ] This is Hope. Say hi, Baldr.

Hi! [ It's the dog, Hope. It's the dog. ]

Um... [Woodenly, Hope continues to pet the animal on the head, rubbing his soft ears. His expression is blank.] Hi...

[Immediately turning his gaze upon Lightning, he scratches his head.] So... animals can... talk here? [He'd only barely glanced at the guide, and it doesn't occur to him that everything can be understood—even animals, who technically already "speak"—just in a language of their own.]

This place is really weird. [Lifting a shoulder in a shrug, he gives Baldr another scratch.] N-nice to meet you... Baldr.

[ Baldr is all lankiness and fluff right now, and he definitely doesn't care that at full-grown size he'll be way too big to be the lapdog he's currently attempting imitation of. A brief smile passes over Lightning's face, but then she just stands slowly to lean against the door with her arms folded. ] Most of them... except really they're not that much smarter than normal- unless they've got wings tacked on. [ Which is good for her, not having to raise something with human-like intelligence.

... And come to think of it, this actually gives her a good opportunity. ] You're going to have to get used to some pretty weird things here, Hope. At least... until we figure out a way back.

[He leans down a bit, rubbing his face in the dog's fur, soaking up as much of its puppy-love as he can in a vain attempt to make up for all the times he begged for one only for his father to shut him down.]

...and he doesn't have wings. But you're saying there's animals here that do? Ones that... shouldn't, normally, anyway.

[Hope rises then, standing up straight, and pulls the blanket from his shoulders—which has mostly fallen off him at that point anyway. Gingerly, he reaches up to touch one of his wings, trying not to aggravate the soreness.] What else do I have to get used to, then?

The people, the food... the magic. [ That last one seems pretty important in Lightning's opinion- there's no fal'Cie here, and in relation, no l'Cie except for the two of them now. She pauses, a bit distracted, and then shrugs her shoulders a little in the space provided by her own wings pressed against the door. Another sigh. ]

One thing at a time...

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