vatheon | Digital Domestic Saga continues

Entry tags:

Digital Domestic Saga continues

Who: Argilla and you
When: Sometime during the day
Where: Near the Plaza, though she's wandered away from it a bit
Style: Whichever, but starting in brackets.
Status: Open!

["Welcome to Vatheon. Welcome to Vatheon! Welcome, to Vatheon—"

The name of this place is about the only thing Argilla's been able to get so far, since she woke up here. That, and a towel, although she isn't necessarily sure what she should do with it until she sees the other newcomers using them. Being wet doesn't really bother her, after all, nor the torn and charred clothing—just as long as the dash of orange is still visible on her skirt, which it definitely is. Even the pain she'd initially felt is slowly subsiding, which she's been told is something she can thank the Coral for after she touched it. That large structure at the center of the city...

But other things hold her interest at the moment—like where this place is and how she got here, so she's slowly exploring. She at least hopes this means they were successful, her and Roland; but she accepts that it's probably unlikely she'd ever find out now.

She'd made her decision. And now...somehow she's living with it.]

Hmm? What is this?

It's...cold.

[It's just about then that she passes by what appears to be an ice cream shop, where a local stops her to offer her a free cone of ice cream. Apparently, Argilla's hair made him think of it—it's perfect for her! Because the first thing you do when seeing a person wet from head to toe (and still trying to dry off) is to offer them ice cream—

Ah. Regardless though, she takes it with a tilt of her head. She's supposed to eat it, she assumes, but it almost feels like it's going to fall off if she moves or touches it the wrong way. Besides, is it...looking at her?

...

The local goes on to explain something or other about the shape of the ice cream, about how it was specially made in the spirit of the Fisholympics which just took place-- but she's really looking for an excuse to leave and explore more.

Come to her rescue?

...Or don't. Whatever. She'll quietly leave eventually—]

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[......Oh.

Right. Argilla accepts the towel-- a nice dry one is rather welcome-- and she nods in thanks, as she finally takes another lick of the ice cream. It's sweet, and certainly more pleasant than the feeling of flesh. She's never had the stuff before, but...

She'll keep quiet about it, idly pretending like she does it every day.

She can't help but look just a little fascinated, though. Especially when she gets a better look at the "sky" above them.

So much water...]

How did I get here?

[She's already been told a little bit about this place, including its name, but she still appreciates Rinoa's time.]

Hard to say. Most people think it's the coral who brings us here. How I have no clue. I never heard of a coral having that kind of power.

[Rinoa looks up with her. It's actually strange for a moment, because Rinoa realizes that she's gotten used to seeing the water above and around her all the time. Whether or not that's a good thing...

Then she's looking back down, and she notices her tattoo. Oh right, better mention that to the newcomer.]

Important bit: see this mark? [Tap tap on her mark.] There will be one just like it on your body somewhere. It's the mark of a foreigner, and it allows you to buy most things here in Vatheon for free.

[Coral? That's the thing she touched at the center of the city, if she recalls correctly. It's rather hard to miss, though she doesn't get much of a chance to think on it before Rinoa goes on to explain about these marks.

The only one she's used to having is her Atma brand, on her chest...

She looks down at it, almost as if to check if it's still there. But she knows that's not the one she's talking about.]

Free...

That's generous of them.

[There's a hint of suspicion and skepticism in her voice, but it's subtle. And just as subtly, she begins to search for this tattoo of hers, scanning the surfaces of her body as best as she can...

Hm.]

Exchange for dragging us here, I guess.

[Rinoa lets her check her body for a moment, and while she does, she debates asking Argilla about that orange streak. Kind of presumptuous, but...

Oh, what the heck? When did she ever really care about that?]

This might sound odd, possibly, but... would the term Embryon mean anything to you?

[They are kind of being held captive, aren't they?

The natives must do something to keep everyone at peace, so in a way, that makes sense. But she's still not sure she's comfortable with being here. It's just lucky there isn't much waiting for her at Karma City, after what she did, so...she can't complain.

...That question, though. She's surprised, but at that, her gaze does return to Rinoa's orange ribbon.

Orange, huh...]

You know of the Embryon?

[That would be a "yes" on both their counts--]

[Essentially they are. And Argilla's not alone in not being comfortable with it.

But onto more important matters!]

Yeah! I knew it! You're with Serph and the guys, right?

[...She knows his name, too. She's speaking like she's met them.

A bit hard to believe, but considering the day she's had and where she's standing at the moment, she's willing to humor her.]

They're my comrades, and the Embryon is our tribe.

[There's a pause. Why is she bothering, when it feels like she already knows all this? Creepy--

Oops, but there's something she doesn't know yet:]

I'm Argilla.

Nice to meet you! [Don't mind her excitability, Argilla. She's always thrilled to meet the members.] I'm Rinoa.

[Oop, yeah, now it's clicking that this is probably a huge surprise to Argilla. It's not like this is a network post where there's a good chance one of her comrades have seen her and explained things. This is face to face, so Rinoa does some mental backpedaling.]

Serph and ... four others I think are already here. One just showed up last month. They've got a base set up and everything near the forest. I met Serph when I came here, and Cielo a month or so later.

And, um... [She tugs at her ribbon.] Guess you've noticed, but Serph sort of took me into the tribe. Me and two others.

[Wow, she didn't realize there'd be such a gathering. Four others? She's glad Cielo is among them, but would Roland be one of them, too?

...She'll have to ask for directions to said base. But when Rinoa tugs at the orange ribbon, her attention is drawn to it again, smiling more warmly this time. Really, it's nice to meet her, too.]

How did that happen?

[Not that she's surprised; Serph has a way of touching peoples' lives, whether they're of the same tribe or not.

But still, she's curious.]

[The smile is a welcome relief. Heat didn't... react quite as kindly last month. Not that it was negative, but it had made Rinoa a little worried. But yeah, not everyone is gonna be super friendly. She knows this better than most.

Huh. Argilla's the first one to actually ask her that, but Rinoa doesn't mind regaling that event, although it wasn't so much an event as a conversation.]

It was awhile ago, but we had run into each other - not literally, but you know, saw each other - one day and just got to talking. Can't remember how exactly it was brought up, we were talking about a lot of things... anyway, topic of families came up. I told him I pretty much didn't have a family back home. So he said there was room in his and offered to let me become part of the Embryon.

[...Don't worry, she'll slap Heat for you later. She's done it before-- and she wouldn't take it personally, either. Roland says she's hard to please, but really, Heat is even worse. Even when it comes to family--

Her smile becomes something more neutral, since she can tell Rinoa's family life back home wasn't exactly ideal. But she's simultaneously glad that they're able to offer her a family here instead. She listens to her entire explanation before responding.]

I see...

I may have missed it, but you have my welcome as well, in that case. You certainly seem deserving of it.

[Of their blessing, of a spot in their tribe.

She doesn't know her well, and she'll have to talk to Serph for herself, but...well, she finds it difficult to be suspicious of her.

By now, Argilla's finally finished her cone of fishy-shaped ice cream, and she's licking her fingers a bit to savor the taste. Better than she'd expected...!]

[Aw, don't hit him! Rinoa's used to tough nuts. She'll just work her magic and get him to warm (haha) up in no time~ ~~maybe probably not but she's gonna try!~~

Speaking of warming people, Rinoa's heart might have just melted a little at that. She's always wanted to be really welcomed into something. Yes, she had been with the Forest Owls but there had always been a distance between them, despite her friendship with Zone and Watts.]

Really? I - Thank you. That means a lot. [There's pure sincerity behind those words.

The happy little moment changes once Rinoa finally takes note of her ice cream cone again.]

You... don't have ice cream in the Junkyard, do you?

[The sincerity behind her words is truly refreshing. Argilla is no expert on emotion by any means, but there is something here that tells her she's placed her trust in the right place. So she quietly nods.

Unless Rinoa wrongs her in some way, she sees no reason they can't be friends.

At the mention of the Junkyard though, she does feel a bit nostalgic. A lot has happened since then.]

No, we didn't. This is the first I've had it.

[That obvious, right. Haha-- there's a bit of a laugh, though, and she goes on:]

Do you want one as well?

[She was kind of thinking about another one, since it's free and all, but not entirely sure...]

[Rinoa's always open to more friends, especially those from her new adoptive family. Especially girlfriends... she is in need of those here.

Rinoa glances over at the ice cream shop in mention, debating Argilla's offer. It's a bit cold for ice cream, at least with the threatening rain, but...]

Sure! They're probably getting rid of the special edition Fisholympics flavor, so I might as well grab one while they have them.

[Up to the counter and ordering one! Once the order is placed, she looks over her shoulder.]

I know you just had one, but were you thinking of getting another? Or maybe something new?

[Ah...

She follows Rinoa to the counter then, listening to her order, maybe taking note of how to do it herself next time. Since she doesn't exactly expect the local to be as forthcoming the next time around.

She puts a hand to her chin at the question though, looking above at all the flavors that the shop seems to offer.]

I was considering it, but... what are "Fisholympics"?

[They must be pretty yummy if it's what she just ate, just sayin'.]

They were a series of friendly sport competitions the natives held just last week. A bunch of people got into teams and basically competed against each other in sports relay racing.

[And her order is done, so Rinoa takes the ice cream with a "thank you" before turning back to Argilla.]

It was a big deal around here, and the natives tend to... really get into the spirit of things when they put their minds to it. This is the ice cream shops' way of celebrating it.

[Sports?

...Hmm. She doesn't know a whole lot about those, but she does know about competition. Generally it's not a good thing, in her experience; the competition for Nirvana back in the Junkyard has kind of soured her on that, but she did say "friendly" so it was probably very different.

And she speaks rather fondly of it.

Argilla nods.]

I suppose that explains why he was so insistent I take one.

[She'll glance over at the native who had been pestering her, who's now found another ~~victim~~ customer; and a tiny grin appears on her face.]

Mmm-hmmm. Yeah, the natives are pretty friendly but sometimes pushy when they get a notion into their heads. If they get to be too much so, just tell them to back off. They usually can take a hint.

[She takes a few licks from her ice cream. Mmmm~]

This is pretty good. Why don't you grab another one and then we can walk over to the Embryon base? I'm sure your friends will wanna see you.

[Right.

Well, Argilla hasn't hesitated to speak her mind before; but she won't be unnecessarily rude about it, when she does. She'll keep that in mind though as she nods, and she'll order another cone quickly, since they seem to be waiting on her. This time, it's an orange flavor.

She couldn't resist.

And while she waits:]

You know the way, I take it?

[Rinoa smiles at her order. Very fitting, Argilla!]

Yeah, I know where it is in general. Might take a bit of poking around, but it should be easy enough to find.

[Well, she won't mind the poking around. She's been doing that since she got here, anyways, and it'll be less lonely now with Rinoa to snoop around with her.

She'll get to see more of the city this way.]

I appreciate the help.

[And a couple minutes later, she sees the local return with her cone, orange ice cream on top.

So she accepts it and turns to leave, after making sure there isn't anything else Rinoa requires.]

That's what tribes and families do, right? [As someone who has hardly known what it's like to have a family, Rinoa jumps frequently at the chance to help those who took her in and accepted her.

Rinoa turns and leaves with Argilla, her own cone in hand as she leads to the way towards the base.]

It's a bit of a walk, but you can see more of the city that way. [And Rinoa has every intention of playing tour guide. Brace yourself, Argilla.]

[She is prepared as she can be. It will be interesting to hear someone else debriefing her, when she is so used to Gale fulfilling the role, but she really doubts that she'll mind it much, in the end. It's a perfect opportunity.

Argilla does seem a bit excitable, sometimes getting ahead of Rinoa to look at this, that and the other thing-- so many buildings! But she'll try to keep herself in check and keep on pace with her companion guide.]

How long has the city been around? Is anyone aware?

[Someone had to have built it...right...?]

[No problem for Rinoa. She's pointing out things as they make their way, like the plaza and the shops and Vatheon's other landmark buildings that they pass.

Actually, she's rather proud by how much she knows, although Argilla's question throws her. That's... a good question, honestly.]

I'm not sure. People have been brought here for a couple years now, I think. But how the city got to be here, I'm not sure.

[Ah. Well, that's all right... she hadn't expected her to know everything, after all, and in the end, she supposes it doesn't really matter. But by now, Rinoa's probably noticed that Argilla's a curious person. If she's going to be stuck here, there are things she should know.]

I see.

[Idle acknowledgement of her answer more than anything else. By now she's finally tasting the orange flavored ice cream, though she'll make a bit of a face, stopping suddenly for a moment when she does so.]

Oh--

This is... this is a bit sour...

[Not that it's... bad. Just rather unexpected, wow.]

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