eachdraidh | Video; open to both courts ; backdated before the event

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Video; open to both courts ; backdated before the event

[ There's no complaining, no asking for clarification on the technicalities of being pulled to a place like this. It's not that Vanille doesn't have concerns, it's just she doesn't want to voice them to a large group of strangers. Besides, this is a means to an end. If she's here, she can't be Ragnarok. She doesn't have to worry about being forced to play a part she desperately wants to avoid. She's caused enough problems, after all. She's done enough harm. And even if she turns Cie'th here, she's just one l'Cie. She has no doubt there are plenty of people here that could dispatch her, should she become a danger.

So instead of asking about Fang or her other friends (People she does want to see, that she will miss) she instead focuses outward, towards the other people here. She's spoken to a few already, but wants to know more about the different worlds and lifestyles that are out there. What's it like, outside a world controlled by the fal'Cie?

She smiles down at the locket, cheerful and friendly. In imp sits on her shoulder, tugging at her hair. She doesn't seem to notice and just hums thoughtfully a moment. ]

We all come from very different places, right? I've only been here a short while and I can already see that. [ She tilts her head, considering something. ] I don't think I've spoken to two people from the same world yet, actually.

And if I'm being honest, everything I've learned so far has me wanting to know more. That is, of course, if anyone is willing to share? What's your world like? Where do you come from? If you'd rather not, I understand. A world can be a very personal thing, hm?

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At present, the capitol of the largest empire in my world is overrun by plague.

[ That's totally the sort of thing you want to know, right Vanille? ]

[ Oh definitely. There's nothing like a good plague story.

She frowns a little. She doesn't know too much about plagues. They're horrible, awful things, but just knowing that doesn't mean much. ]

I'm very sorry to hear that. Do you think it'll run it's course, or will the capitol be stuck with it a long while?

Many are dying. Many more are already dead. There are ways to prevent it, but not many, and they are... expensive, and in limited supply.

[ Admittedly, Gabranth is curious about the breadth and variety of worlds from which his fellow combatants have been abducted — er, chosen. More importantly, though, the information could prove useful; every investigation has to begin somewhere.

So, it's with caution that he decides to first offer his own. ]

For one so curious about the homelands of others, you seem to hold little interest in divulging your own.

[ Not before he makes a snipe, of course, though he says it in the tone of any other casual observation. ]

The realm of Ivalice, from which I hail, is every bit as vast as this 'Drabwurld.' As Judge Magister I serve the Archadian Empire, which holds the northern lands of Valendia and much of the Galtean Peninsula under its domain.

[ Because geography lessons are super interesting, right? Right??? ]

[ Vanille gives an apologetic kind of smile. She is, of course, withholding most of the information for a reason, but she does feel a little bad, asking for something so important without also offering up some information of her own. ]

Well, I'm not trying to hide anything. If people want to know something about where I'm from, they're more than welcome to ask. [ She doesn't have to tell them everything, after all. ]

So are there a lot of different nations, on your world? Does the Arhadian Empire get along with it's neighbors?

[Lumina has her locket open but isn't really paying attention to it when she hears that familiar voice, and it actually takes her a bit for her brain to finally register what it is. She knows that voice? She knows that voice.]

[She nearly drops the locket scooping it up and turning the video on, staring at the screen in what can only be described as genuine shock.]

...Vanille?

[ Vanille looks equally shocked, because when she first sees Lumina, she thinks it's Serah. It takes a moment of carefully studying her face to realize that no, this is someone else. She just looks a lot like her. ]

Do I...know you?

What? [Of everything Lumina might have expected the redhead to say, that was not one of them. There's a genuine sort of fear suddenly on her young features.]

O-of course you know me! It's me, Lumina.

I'm sorry. [ And she really, truly is. She doesn't want to distress Lumina. ] But I don't know anyone by that name.

That...[That was stupid. That made no sense at all. But she didn't say that, instead she looked away for a few seconds, trying to gather her thoughts.]

Uh. Look. ...Where are you?

Mmm...[ She looks around, swatting her hair out of the imps hands as she does so. ] I'm near the great hall.

Stay there.

[Lumina clicks her locket closed, and a minute later she's appearing outside the hall in a swirl of black shadow and crystalline energy. Steel-blue eyes flick around until she spots that familiar hair, and then she's practically running over to Vanille.]

[Up close, Lumina really does look like a twelve-year old Serah, although there are hints of Lightning around the eyes and mouth. And in a gothic lolita dress. She comes to a stop a few feet in front of her, her eyes narrowed, studying her.]

It is you...

[She was sure she'd been right. So why didn't she know who Lumina was? But right then, the child just didn't care, because she'd been here for two months on her own.]

[She darted forward to give her a hug, whether Vanille liked it or not, it seemed!]

[ Vanille doesn't hug back at first, she hadn't expected it. But she doesn't mind, not really. She mostly just feels bad that she doesn't seem to remember this girl. The question is, why? Is she from the past, had her crystal stasis actually taken memories she hadn't been aware of? Or is this something else entirely?

Vanille returns the embrace gently. ]

I'm sorry.

[Vanille apologizing. At least that was familiar. But she could tell the hug wasn't the same, Vanille was hugging her because she'd hugged her first, there wasn't a connection.]

[After a few moments though the child squirms away, taking a couple steps back and peering up at her.]

You really don't know who I am, do you.

[ Vanille looks down at her feet and twines her fingers together, just to give her hands something to do. ]

No, I don't.

[Right. Okay. She didn't really understand this, but she could work with it. She could. She sucked in a breath and took another half step back, letting her 'mask' slip back into place and offering the taller girl a little grin.]

Weeeell, who do think I am, hmm?

Where would you prefer me to start?

[it's an ugly little thing on her shoulder, but calling attention to it so early would be rude.]

Anywhere is fine. [ Though, she might as well get a little specific. She hums thoughtfully. ] Where are you from? What's it like there?

It's one of the seven great cities in the world. Beautiful in design -- it's known for its style of elegant romance. Grand without feeling oppressive. I've lived there for quite some time, and the word I would use to describe my experience would be "sparkling."

It sounds lovely. Do you think it's better than the other cities? Or do they each have their own charm?

How about we make a deal?

[ Vanille's smile gets Kelsi's. She's mirroring it unconsciously, but it's genuine. Something good. Something positive she can focus on despite the terrible situation. It's nice.

She's no Gabriella, of course, but Kelsi likes to think she's learning. There's something just a tinge weird in the other's voice, a little bump in the thoughtful pitch. Maybe she's just imagining it, but it sounds an awful lot like a girl who pretend's everything's right when it's all gone wrong.

Kelsi would know about that, that's for certain. ]

You tell me something good from your world, and I'll tell you something good from mine. I think it would be fun to sort of make a game out of it, right?

[ Vanille only really has to think about this for a second, especially since the focus would be on the good. She would rather not share the unfortunate things about her home world, especially since she has had a hand in them. ]

Sure! Sounds fun. [ She nods, her head tilting in thought. ] Hmmm...Well, Gran Pulse is beautiful, especially my home, Oerba. There are wildflowers everywhere, and great, open plains. There's no place better.

It must smell so good.. [ She can picture the girl, definitely--picking flowers in a field. She seems so innocent, so full of life. It's refreshing and Kelsi doesn't really feel alone. ]

Hmm. Where I come from, I just moved to a really big and busy city, but I found this really peaceful coffee shop I go and study in sometimes. That's really nice.

Do you have a favourite place, back home?

You're fortunate. It seems everywhere I turn I run into a troublesome person from my own world.

[ some he knew previously, some not. either way, it's all a colossal headache for him. ]

[ She laughs a little. ]

You don't have any friends among them?

"Friends?" No, I'd call them acquaintances at best.

Some are more hostile than others.

You should easily come across someone from my world sooner or later. There is a good number of us so far, though from what I gather it is no common thing. [ For now, he answers only one of her questions. ] I come from a land called Middle Earth, in the world of Arda.

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Video; open to both courts ; backdated before the event

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