vatheon | [Day 1]

Entry tags:

[Day 1]

Who: Roxas and whoever!
Where: Plaza
When: Late evening
Style: However
Status: Open!

The setting didn't seem unfamiliar at first: he was in some kind of alley and the sky was dark. He was sure he'd just been in a place like that. Maybe that was why, at first, he didn't realize the crucial change.

But he had trouble remembering what he'd been doing, moments ago. Why was he wet? His coat was sopping and heavy and--

And Sora didn't wear a black coat.

Roxas froze, forgetting to wonder about the circumstances for the moment, and stared down at his black-gloved hands. Sora wasn't with him; many of the memories were there, but Sora's presence, that person he'd felt himself slipping back into, was gone. He was Roxas again. Just Roxas.

If he didn't know any better, he'd say he felt a sudden surge of joy at that realization. Of course it wasn't real. Still, a tiny smile spread across his face as he stepped out into the plaza, baffled, slightly suspicious, but still glad.

"What the heck is this place...?"

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Vatheon.

[Whoops, she heard you.

Yukari didn't think there'd be anyone out this late, but seeing the confused boy, she decides to approach, grabbing a towel on the way.

They're practically everywhere.]

Here...you might need this, for starters.

Ah-

[Roxas gives a small start, not having expected a reply, and turns to look at her. Seeing the towel, his expression turns sheepish and he takes it hesitantly. Even if his hair is hardly drooping at all, he is pretty soaked, and starting to feel cold.]

...th-thanks.

[She notices the shiver. That's pretty normal, so she isn't too worried...it's a shame his nice big jacket is all soaked, though it might've helped otherwise.

But in any case, she's just kind of watching him.]

...Did you wanna go inside? You look cold.

[He towels off his hair first, succeeding in making it stick up even more. At her question, he looks uncertain. Sure, he'd like to be warmer, but random girl walks up to him in a strange place?]

Um, where exactly is this? Besides the name, I mean.

[Yeah, yeah, it's kind of weird and sketch. But it's not like she's been hostile, right?

She can understand his concern though, and that's a pretty normal question.]

Well...we're under the ocean, for one. I don't really know where you came from, but unfortunately, you're stuck here like the rest of us now.

...My name's Yukari.

[Maybe her name would help.]

The ocean?

[Roxas blinks, looks upwards towards what he had thought was the sky, and then down at his wet coat. Is he wet with... sea water? He nearly forgets to offer his name in return.]

Roxas.

How.. how did I get here?

[Because apparently it's a normal occurrence.]

[It sure is. There's an entire committee dedicated to welcoming new people like you, Roxas.]

It seems the big Coral at the center of the city brings us. [It's magic, you see. But she doesn't like to use that word unless she has to.

...It tends to set people off.]

...Pretty hard to believe, isn't it? But, well--here we are.

Coral. You mean like... [He makes a few vague gestures. He knows what coral is, but.] ...coral.

[He can't really complain about suddenly existing again, but this is making less and less sense. Could Sora be dreaming or something?]

Why... would a big anything bring people to an underwater city?

...

[Those gestures mean oh so much. She's just staring more--but yes, okay, by the sounds of it, Roxas at least knows what she's talking about, even if he doesn't understand.]

I think...it's because of the barrier.

[Yukari points up.]

[How do you really describe coral with your hands anyway? Roxas looks up again, but he isn't following.]

Huh?

You feel a bit weaker here, right?

[Has he noticed...?

Maybe not, but Yukari will explain a little more now.]

That's because some of our power goes into keeping the barrier...and ultimately the entire city, up and running. But we're trapped here as a result.

Weaker...?

[No, he hadn't noticed. Up until a little while ago he was someone else, so any perception of feeling weaker kind of got lost in that.]

...is it a bad place to be?

[Well, that's okay. He'd know soon enough, then--and hopefully it won't matter much in the long run anyway.

But at the second question, she...

...

Hmmmm.]

Not all the time. There are definitely perks to being here, but...there are a lot of drawbacks, too.

[Where to begin...?]

I could show you around a little to give you an idea. But if you'd rather settle in for the night and worry about it later, we can do that, too.

[Looking at him, she imagines he'll want to change into something dry...]

I'm- not really tired.

[Just wet. And cold. He's no longer dripping but his coat is still damp and the towel is damp and he can't help shivering again. But he just glances down at himself with a frown; it's not like he has a change of clothing handy...]

...How 'bout thirsty? Hungry?

[Usually after a swim, that kind of thing kicks in. But she doesn't really know if this counts. No harm in asking anyway, though.]

If not, we can always get you some new clothes first. I'm sure that big coat's starting to wear you down.

[...well, probably he could eat, but he'd feel awkward being treated by a girl he just met.]

I don't- think I have any munny.

[For clothes either. He searches his damp pockets and only comes up with some sort of device he doesn't recognize.]

[Ah. Well, there we are then--

A perfect opening. She may as well start here; she watches as she pulls the device out of his pocket.]

You won't need any.

And that--that's your Starfish Communicator. SFC, for short. It's kind of like a phone, if you've ever used one.

[...Usually, she assumes people have, but. Well, you know. She'd better check.]

[A slightly blank look at that explanation, and then some comprehension hits.]

I- I haven't, but I know what they are.

[He peers at it. Even if the concept is familiar, he clearly doesn't know how to use it.]

Everyone has one?

Mmhmm!

[She pulls out her own, which looks nearly identical to it, except for the decorations she's put on to personalize hers.]

It's a bit more advanced than a regular phone--so everyone's number is already programmed in, and you can pretty much call anyone in the city. It's actually a pretty good way to see if any of your friends from home are here.

[He looks back at her with a start at that-- But then his face falls. Axel's... gone. It's not like he'd be here.]

I guess that's useful.

[But he's sticking it back in his pocket.]

[Heheh...

There's someone very important to her that she thought was gone, too. She wouldn't be so quick to dismiss--

But then, he'll find out on his own. He wouldn't believe her anyway.]

...Yeah.

[Hrmm.]

Anyway...like I was saying, you don't actually need money here, because the shops won't take it.

So, everything is free!

[Remember those perks she mentioned...yes, this is one of them.]

[He nods a bit, distractedly.]

Then, is there somewhere I can- find something dry?

The shops should still be open for a bit longer, I think...

Come on. I'll take you.

[And with that, she starts to lead the way, motioning for him to follow her.]

Thanks.

[He tags along a few steps behind, looking around him. A new world, and he's himself again... But, he's also by himself. What is he supposed to do here?]

[Her 'you're welcome' is a silent one, as is most of their walk. Not a lot of people are out around now--

But she gets the feeling he doesn't mind the quiet much. She will just lead him into the marketplace, lit by the light of its stores. All kinds of varied outfits are on display in the windows, so there's a lot to look at.]

Let me know if anything catches your eye.

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