(no subject)

[malik_caesar]

Who: Malik and Vatheon
Where: The Plaza
When: Thursday, August 23rd, Late Evening,
Style: Whichever you prefer
Status: Open

What the…

[ Malik was used to teleportation, he was even used to traveling through aquatic bubbles and landing on new planets, but this was something new. He had stepped into the teleporter to head to the Amarcian Enclave and ended up here, he clearly remembered that part.]

[He blinked. He certainly didn’t remember the giant coral thing standing right in front of him. Or being soaking wet?]

[ Did I get completely drunk and blackout? No, that wasn’t it either. No hangover. His hand goes to check for his mythril bladerang. That was still there. He relaxes a little and folds his arms across his damp chest while taking in the surroundings. A few drops of water fall from his goatee and onto his arms.]

[ Besides the enormous glowing coral, and… he finishes looking up… being under an ocean it seems somewhat normal. He was in some kind of plaza. Was that a sign for a welcome center? With hearts on it? ]

Huh.

[Wherever he was, it didn’t seem too dangerous.]

Comments

[zelda_hylia]

[Zelda had been on the way home from the committee for the night when she sees another dripping wet person standing there in the plaza. Grabbing a towel, she walks up to him with a smile.]

You just arrived here, I take it?

[malik_caesar]

Yes, although I don't actually remember getting here. I must be in the wrong place.

[Her easy approach and smile causes him to ease a bit more and his arms slowly unfold from his chest and move to his sides.]

[zelda_hylia]

I'm afraid this place has drawn you in, sir. None of us are here by choice. Would you like to come inside? I can explain things in more detail.

[Zelda gestures back towards the Welcoming Committee. The cutesy sign doesn't really suit her, but she's never bothered changing it. It's nonthreatening, so why bother?]

[malik_caesar]

Does that mean it's some kind of prison?

[ He extends his own arm towards the building to indicate his agreement and silently say 'ladies first'.]

[zelda_hylia]

In some ways, I'm afraid it is.

[She heads in, picking up one of the brochures and holding it out to Malik.]

This has most of the basic information about Vatheon in it. Why don't you give it a quick look? I'll make some tea. Please, feel free to sit down.

[There's a table and chairs nearby, and what looks like a small kitchen in the back. There's also a bathroom with a shower off to the side in case people feel the need to rinse off all that saltwater.]

[malik_caesar]

Thank you.

[ He switches the hand he's holding the towel in and takes the brochure. As the woman walks away to make tea, her answer causes a quick flurry of thoughts.]

[ In some ways it is? Meaning that it is? I suppose in some ways I deserve to be in one. It's a bit strange though. An ominous thought flashes through his mind. Am I dead? A rather pleasant one then follows. Maybe I can finally meet Lorelia.]

[He dries himself as best he can, focusing on his rear first, and then sits down. He opens the brochure and begins to read it while alternately drying his face and hair.]

[ The news is comforting. He's not dead. And what's this about time? Maybe Lorelia could be here.]

[zelda_hylia]

[The princess returns a few minutes later with a tray. She sets it down in the middle of the table and pours out some tea for Malik, placing it in front of him. It smells like it might be some sort of calming blend - chamomile, maybe.]

How do you take your tea? We have milk and sugar.

[He seems calm enough, but she knows it's an overwhelming amount of information. If he has more questions, he can ask on his own time.]

Irished up woman!

[malik_caesar]

[He sets the towel down and tries to smooth back his hair. It still sticks out in some odd directions.]

I don't suppose you have anything stronger?

[He sets the brochure to the side as well and straightens his facial hair.]

Wow, she is a *lady*, she doesn't have anything like that.

[zelda_hylia]

I'm afraid not. It didn't seem prudent to me to mix alcohol in with an already confusing situation. There are bars here in Vatheon, though. My friend has one inside his... establishment. You're free to visit.

[Ugh. Zelos is the most embarrassing roommate. Running a Host Club. Seriously.]

You can get cleaned up here first if you like. We have a shower, and I can take care of your clothing.

[malik_caesar]

[He almost smiles.]

I like my tea strong. No milk; no sugar. I'll make sure to visit the bars later, including your friends... establishment. [He says the last word like it's almost a question.]

For right now a little seawater isn't going to hurt me. I would rather hear more about Vatheon. To begin with, what is your name?

[zelda_hylia]

My name is Zelda. As you may have guessed, I work at the Welcoming Committee here.

[She reaches up and pulls the collar of her dress down just enough to reveal the mark of Vatheon below her collarbone.]

Like you, I was pulled here against my will. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have. After all, if we freely share the knowledge we've pooled thus far, we're more likely to figure this place out.

[malik_caesar]

I'm Malik Caesar. It's a pleasure to meet you. [He bows his head a little in a polite nod.]

You do seem very familiar with this sort of thing happening. That mark is the tattoo the brochure mentioned right?

[ He quickly looks over his arms and any other exposed skin to look for his. It doesn't seem to be in those places.]

You know you want to join the club of people Zelda has undressed.

[zelda_hylia]

[There's more than one reason Zelda sends people to the showers, Malik.]

That's correct. You can get most anything for free in this city if you show it to the locals, though if yours is located in a particularly inconvenient place, showing them your communicator will suffice as well.

[She readjusts her collar, pouring herself a cup of tea and gently nudging Malik's towards him again. If he takes it plain, it's ready to drink! As far as Zelda is concerned, though, hers needs some milk.]

Oh baby.

[malik_caesar]

[He takes a sip from the teacup somewhat awkwardly. Clearly tea parties and proper tea-sipping technique aren't his specialty.]

I also read something about a residency list. Is it possible I could see that?

[zelda_hylia]

[And judging from the way Zelda takes a sip of her own tea, she is very used to tea parties.]

Of course. There are only a couple hundred foreigners here, so it doesn't take long to scroll through it.

[She gets out her SFC and moves over next to him, glancing up to make sure he's watching her actions before bringing up the residency list and handing it to him.]

[malik_caesar]

[He watches as she uses it and then takes it from her.]

This is a little like Pascal's communicator.

[He doesn't seem to have too much difficulty using the device as he scrolls through the list of current residents. It doesn't take long for him to see a familiar name. His eyes light up as he sees Cheria's name. A few scrolls later, Asbel, then Hubert, there's Pascal, and last but not least, Sophie.]

[A genuine smile crosses his lips and lights up his face.]

It's odd. [Malik hands the communicator back to Zelda.]

Just an hour ago I was on Ephinea. I ended up here and thought that I had been thrown into some strange prison and felt more than a little out of place.

Now I see that I'm one of the last ones to arrive.

[He tilts back his teacup and drains it. No Lorelia. He would have to keep waiting. He was used to it. Besides, almost all of his young friends were here. This place isn't so bad.]

[zelda_hylia]

I'm glad you have friends here. Don't be alarmed if they don't remember everything exactly like you do, alright? They may be from different points in time than you, after all. No harm will be done to the timeline if one of you speaks of the other's future, though, so don't be concerned about that much.

[Hopefully, all the people he saw that he knows actually know him.. he seemed so pleased to see them, after all. Zelda tucks her communicator away, taking note of the time since he's mentioned that it's been an hour. Has it? Goddesses, it's late.]

[malik_caesar]

Ah... yes. The time thing. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

[Probably.]

Speaking of time, it is getting rather late and you've been more than accommodating to a complete stranger. The tea was excellent... [He moves the empty teacup closer to the center of the table.] and I don't want to impose any further.

The brochure mentioned something about inns?

[zelda_hylia]

Yes, that's right. Just show your mark to them and they'll let you stay for free.

[She sets his cup and saucer back on the tray so that she can carry it to the sink easily.]

If you haven't found your mark yet, showing them your communicator should suffice as well. You should have it on your purpose somewhere. And truly, it is no trouble. We all arrive here in the same situation, after all.

[malik_caesar]

[He raises an eyebrow.]

I have a communicator? [He stands up and checks his normal communicator pocket. Pascal's is still there but it has company. He pulls the one that has magically appeared from his pocket.]

What do you know.

[He inspects the sandy-colored starfish-shaped gadget.]

[zelda_hylia]

It seems you've found it without any difficulty. You can call me with that if you need anything else, all right? I'll be in this building during the day for the next while too if you prefer. It's the arrival cycle, after all.

[Zelda takes the tray over to the sink and puts everything in the dishwasher (such a handy machine!), turning it on before heading to the door of the Welcome Center.]

It was nice meeting you, Malik.

[lucentpalisade]

[ Sophie was often out at odd hours - she felt so restless lately, she just couldn't stay put, and the bubble of Vatheon was relatively safe. There was something a new scent amongst the usual scents of Vatheon tonight though. A familiar musk. ]

Captain?

[ Scanning scanning - AHA!! Sophie is trotting your way Malik, happy! ]

[malik_caesar]

It was nice meeting you Zelda. I'm sure we'll speak with each other again soon.

[He stands and heads past Zelda and through the door.]

Have a good night.

[He offers a leather-gloved hand which now has small crustings of white salt in the grooves which escaped the rub of a towel. ]

[zelda_hylia]

[Zelda shakes his hand firmly, wishing she had her own gloves right about now. She really should have insisted that he take a shower.]

Goodnight, sir.

[She'll just do a little cleaning up around the center and then head home herself.]

[malik_caesar]

[He had just stepped out of the welcome center and was looking at his brochure map for where he might spend the night when he hears a familiar voice. He looks up and sees an approaching Sophie.]

Sophie?!

[He had seen her on the list of course, but seeing her in person is a different matter. He quickly stuffs his map in his pocket and heads towards her, grinning widely.]