♫ First Hymn: The difference is perception ♫

[mysterical]

Who: Tear Grants
Where: Inside Vatheon
When: Backdated to June 24th
Style: starting with action, can match
Status: Open

[Tear didn't have much experience with swimming, unless one counted the few times that Luke and Jade and suggested that they relax at the spa on the top floor of the Keterburg hotel. Natalia had tried to teach her how to swim, but when you spend a good portion of your life being surrounded by miasma, you don't really like water.

Of course, she'd found things back on Auldrant to appreciate, especially after facing down her older brother and finding herself with a two-year wait for the boy she loved to possibly return to their group. She'd learn to properly swim in pools, taken up singing more and other things than just Fonic Hymns, helped Anise and Teodoro restructure the Order of Lorelei and hunted down the stray replicas that Van and the God-Generals had left of the Oracle Knights in places like Mt. Roneal and the other Sephiroth on Auldrant. She'd even spent time travelling to Baticul and Grand Chokmah to see Natalia, Guy, Jade, and Emperor Peony.

Although, waking up in a bubble, surrounded by water was the last thing she ever expected.

It took everything in her to keep from screaming. She hadn't realized how stifled the Qliphoth had felt until she spent more time on the surface of Auldrant. So, to be back in a similar atmosphere made her have to bite back the panic. She shoved it back and looked around her, seeing a towel, a brochure and a strange device.]

What's this?

[Later, after reading through the brochure and using the towel, Tear can be found walking through the middle section of the city. Her first stop was the Welcoming Center. Then, you can find her checking out the Volunteer Defense Force's office. Then, she'll be found checking out the various other sections of the city as she tries to find a place to live.

Lastly, you'll find Tear on the island, breathing deeply of the fresh air, despite the barrier keeping her from leaving. She's looking at the houses and finding one she loves. One that requires very little work to make habitable and would keep her happy.]

Comments

Last Place She Visited.

[fatedking]

[Akashi was walking around the bubble when he noticed a brown haired girl was looking around at the residency. His days are bound with dullness, yet he still try to find something useful for him to do. Maybe getting more connections here may grant him more influence and information, so he decided to go along.]

[Akashi approached her, and gently gave her a warm talk.]

Looking for a place to live in?

[mysterical]

[She turned to silently take in the man who'd approached her. At nearly nineteen, Tear had been long confused with a woman a few years older than she was. However, she hadn't changed in looks in the last two years, so it was okay to be confused about her age.

However, she wasn't quite sure what to make of him just yet.]

Yes, I can't live down in the bubble but these homes are lovely.

[fatedking]

[Akashi knew that talking to a stranger might raise her awareness, but he try to make the conversation as comfortable as he can.]

"They provide us with quite a comfortable place to live, and judging from your reaction, you might be a new foreigner too, correct?"

[mysterical]

[She's wary of strangers naturally, and after what her brother and his subordinates put her and her planet through, trust is something that Tear struggles to give to others to this day, two years later.]

I can see that. The places down in the bubble are nice, but they aren't somewhere I'd like to live. [She hadn't realized how stifling Yulia City had been until the Outer Lands had been lowered and the miasma dissipated. It had been difficult to go back to the domed city after Van's defeat.] If I'm stuck here, I'd like to at least feel the wind on my face some part of the day.

[fatedking]

[Akashi grinned for a while, looking at some houses, and take his response again.]

Haven't found one suitable for yourself? I have been here for a month myself, and if I can tell you, we're stuck here and I haven't find out how to get out of here myself.

[mysterical]

[There is just something about him that makes her uncomfortable, stranger-wariness be damned. Of course, it could be that she can't look at a redhead without feeling a pain in her chest. No matter that his eyes had been the same shade of green as grass.]

No, not yet, but I think I might find a home up here. These look rather nice.

[fatedking]

[Well sure, Akashi presence may cause quite an impact to anyone around him, maybe due to his wicked yet strong aura, not mentioning how sharp his eyes are. But Akashi himself does not feel the same way when he meet strangers, so he's quite expressive.]

[while looking at the resident, he answer.]

I see. If that suits you the most take it then. I remember we are only given a week to choose a home for our own.

[mysterical]

[She stares at him, almost rudely.] I haven't read that anywhere. But it doesn't matter, I like this one. [She pointed at the house labeled with a clear number seven.] I think I'll take it.

[fatedking]

[As usual, Akashi didn't like people to stare at him as he was below them or rudely.He then decided to turn the table around.]

Let me give you a warning, I don't like being stared like that.

I don't know if I make you uncomfortable, but you should tell me if I'm bothering you. [that being said, he looks at her chosen house.]about the house, I can see it's a nice one.

[he then take a step forward and got past Tear.]

By the way, I'm Seijuro Akashi. I may be suspicious for you, but I have no intention of harming you.

[mysterical]

[She's not ashamed to be caught staring at him and she doesn't back down either. She's at the point where it angered Luke the most with her ability to shove things down and function on a soldier's instinct only.]

You aren't bothering me, but I'm still not sure about you, so I'm reserving judgment until later. [When he steps past her and gives his name, she's a little taken aback. His arrogance was on par with Asch or Luke. It was...oddly comforting. She can't help but smile.]

My name is Tear Grants. [She held out her hand for him to shake.]

[fatedking]

[hearing her response ease Akashi a little bit, since she's not a rebellious person, so Akashi ease his tone as well, and with that, he accepted her hand.]

Tear, Nice to know you. I understand that you need to be cautious around stranger, but my policy is that the one who can stare at me while I speak is the one who serves me, so be careful.[he might be more arrogant than both of them.]

We are now on the same boat however, so we have no choice but to work out to return to our own world.

[mysterical]

I agree that we are at the same level. As such, you should probably reconsider your opinion about those who serve you, Mr Seijuro.

[fatedking]

Reconsider? What part of it do I need to reconsider, Miss Tear? I don't think I need to reconsider anything.

and one more thing, you should call me by my family name instead, which is Akashi. For Japanese it is more polite, you should call people with their direct name if you know you're close enough to them.

[mysterical]

Then, I apologize, Mr Akashi. As such, I believe that I would prefer it if you called me by my family name, which is Grants.

[Half-truth, but close enough.]

As for my other comment, it is a sign of respect to look someone in the eye as you address them. Only liars refuse to do so.

[It had taken her a long time to realize how often Van would look away when he spoke to her. Especially towards the end.]

[fatedking]

Ah, I see. I guess I must apologize as well, Ms Grants.

[and hearing her last response, Akashi smiled and look Tear in the eyes.]

Interesting. A sign of respect, eh? I still doesn't really agree, but I will acknowledge you. You may do so then. Consider this, a privilege.

[It has been some time since someone give a reasonable argument to Akashi. Guess it's worth it.]

[mysterical]

[She nodded before looking back at the home she was rather set on. It was the same as the others on the island, but there was something about it that called to her.]

If you'll excuse me then. I believe that I want to look this house over before night falls. It was...interesting meeting you, Mr Akashi.

[fatedking]

Same goes here, Ms Grants. I'm looking forward to seeing you again.

[and with that, Akashi also takes his leave. Providing her a private time with her favored house.]

[mysterical]

[She watched him leave, a thoughtful expression on her face as she did so. He was the strangest mixture of the two redheads she knew from home. It was...disconcerting and comforting at the same time. She'd have to watch herself around him then.

Shaking those thoughts from her mind, she went inside the house to check it out more closely.]