vatheon | 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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The garden is a pride and joy. Honestly, I think Serph was more concerned with that than the wall.

[Junkyardians had their priorities, she supposes. The flowers really are pretty, though, and she's glad to see some repairs had been made.]

Ah...ha. Yeah, I've noticed. And so did the guy who wandered in here by the end of that skirmish. Afterwards Serph made a post on the network reminding people about it. Hopefully it won't happen again. No one got killed, luckily, but-

And oh, that reminds me. I don't know if you've heard yet, but death works differently here. Basically, you don't stay dead.

[Haha, well Argilla would be concerned too, had she been here. More because of the money than anything else, but it doesn't look like he intends to sell these. It's a good thing too; it brings life to their base that they never really achieved in either of their bases in the Junkyard.

She's listening to Rinoa and nods to agree, because she would hate to have to deal with something like that in such a peaceful place. But then she suddenly looks surprised.]

Don't...stay dead?

[The dead rise to the clouds and fall again as rain. This is always what they believed; the nature of death isn't permanent, but...what Rinoa seems to be referring to something different entirely.]

So that's why--

[Why she's here. Why Serph is here, is that it? Because...death isn't permanent, they were both able to find refuge here?

...This doesn't explain the presence of the others, but either way, it's something to think about. She cuts herself off there, though, because she doesn't see the need to discuss her death or his at the moment.]

Do you speak from experience?

[Please say no.]

[A wise decision on Argilla's part. Rinoa isn't aware of Serph's death back home, and hearing so would upset her considerably. While it may not affect him here, it makes the thought of him returning home someday all the more terrifying.]

So that's why...? [She can't help but ask, even if she is better off not knowing.] I don't get how it works or what does it, but people come back in time.

Oh, no! Not me. I talked to someone who knew people who had died here, though.

[...Yeah. She wouldn't be the only one, either. Argilla is in for a bit of a nasty surprise, since none of them will know; but that's all right. It means that knowledge won't become a hindrance to their lives here, which seem otherwise quite pleasant.

Unfortunately, this also means she won't be answering Rinoa. Not unless she asks directly what she meant, and even then...

...Well. Argilla's just glad she's moved instead, answering her question. She looks contemplative as she absorbs the information.]

I honestly am not sure whether this is good or bad.

[That people come back.

Death being impermanent wasn't meant to be anything like this...]

[Rinoa may find out in time, depending on what the others know, and secrets have a way of coming out eventually. But hopefully not for awhile yet.]

It's strange, but it's nice to know if something happens to your friends, they'll be okay in a few days. We have some... bad people here, ones who aren't afraid to hurt others. So it's a defense against someone just going on a mass killing spree or something equally as horrible.

[Yes, there is that. It does seem to imply no matter what, people will recover here-- so this must mean the people they devour will recover as well.

...She doesn't even want to think about that. The fact that they might still have to devour in such a peaceful place...

That's something she'll have to talk to Serph about, or anyone else afflicted with the same curse as her. Rinoa... she doesn't have to know, and Argilla will hope that she doesn't already.]

I understand. Even in peace, there will always be people set out to ruin it.

[...People like Bat. Like Mick. Like the Karma City soldiers who wanted to spread this horrible disease...]

...But thank you, for telling me.

[It's something she'll be keeping in mind, definitely.]

[Oh, that is something she actually knows about. Serph had to explain it to her and the others he took in. It was bound to come to light in time, and after meeting Heat who has no tact, she would have found out either way.]

No problem.

[And with that bit of heavy news out of the way, Argilla manages to tear herself away from the garden at last-- finally turning her attention back to the door leading into the base. Hole aside, she intends to use its proper entrance, so...she turns to Rinoa with an inviting smile. Even if it is a tiny bit forced.]

Shall we go inside?

[She's eager to see who is waiting, personally...although she's a bit more apprehensive than she'd intended.]

Digital Domestic Saga continues

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