vatheon | ღ Data Entry #1 ღ

ღ Data Entry #1 ღ

ღWho: Lucrecia Crescent and you my dears!
ღWhere: Town Square
ღWhen: Evening, Tuesday
ღStatus: Open! PS: I don't mind two on one convos because of the curse going around! She hasn't been affected by it so you're safe!

[Dreams.

Dreams carved into her like memories. They were... memories, weren't they? Sharp fragments, long forgotten shards that shifted into place and fused as though they'd never parted -- reflecting out like smooth cut glass, feeling warm only after you'd grasped it in your hand for a time. And so very much had slipped away. Images of the son she'd never once touched, the man she'd never been able to show her love to, the people whose fate had been altered by her own... they are seared into her mind. Branded. Like a wound that will never fully scar over.

Between that war torn terra and the people affected by her sins... she had still struggled to atone long after her body faded away. Even if she begged for forgiveness (and she had) it could never be fully obtained.

Vincent had been the one to bear all of it, shouldering it by himself as though it would crush him -- not daring to even let it past his lips. (Old embers burn there, flickering like dim candlelight against stone and mortar, it's cold but... even nearing them a little can't hurt, can it?) How long had he kept all his feelings locked away like that? She wasn't afraid to admit anything anymore... as long as he survived, as long as he was a whole human being and remembered his love -- then, surely he'd continue on. When they meet again (if they meet again) she assured herself she'd say what she should have said all those years ago without hesitation.

But there's a chill that passes through her. As if being beckoned by the cold her eyes flutter open, unfocused at first as she tries to grasp what it is that's happening... why is she waking up?

I'd only wanted to sleep an eternity... free from the pain. Have I been summoned back to the planet...?

She sits up slowly, hand moving to her chest as she represses a shiver. She's thoroughly drenched, her cheeks flushed, looking less like a statuesque Greek tragedienne and more like a woman who was late for her wedding day in the middle of a rain storm. She looks around herself, seeming less panicked (not as serene as she did while sleeping) than she should, brushing her hands against her SFC and then picking it up to stare at it (looking both surprised and perplexed by it). Then she notices the small welcome package... She reads through it quickly enough. Vatheon...? The more she digests what she's skimmed over the more anxious she becomes. Looking up from the brochure, she folds it and pulls herself to her feet. If she was here... was there also a chance that Vincent was too?]

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Jade's used to people "washing up" near the Coral, so when he spots a new body, he's intrigued at the timing. He decides that investigating and assisting a woman out of chivalry was better than just leaving her to swim in confusion. He approaches, a passive smile on his face.

"You look bewildered enough to be a newcomer." He offers a towel to her that he'd grabbed on the way over.

[Admittedly she's grateful to this stranger, smiling at him and accepting it a little hesitantly. He doesn't seem familiar at all. No one that she's met at least. She doesn't entirely trust him based on sight alone... she should know better than to be so naive that people will help you simply because they want to. Most look for somethign to gain.]

Thank you, very much!

[She moves to wrap it around her shoulders but it won't keep her warm, really.]

This is... Vatheon, right? Am I to really believe I've been pulled from my own world into this place?

Unfortunately so.

[His hands rest in his pockets after he adjusts his glasses.]

Unfortunately so. However, you aren't in immediate danger.

[She blinks, well... it's isn't like this theory never existed before. The lifestream was not something that simply existed on their world alone, other worlds might have it too and it was reasonable to also believe she had been brought here because of its flow.]

I... see. Have you been pulled from your own world, also? Oh, forgive me for not introducing myself! I am Doctor Lucrecia Crescent, it's a pleasure to meet you. And you are?

I have. My native world is called Auldrant.

[At the sudden introduction, Jade smiled politely in return.]

Jade Curtiss. The pleasure is all mine, Miss Crescent.

Edited 2012-11-29 02:31 (UTC)

[She watches him curiously, it's not every day you get to meet someone from another world... much less someone that seems just like a normal human being! He's not like an alien at all. She smiles warmly at him.]

Auldrant?

[She shakes her head.]

Please, call me Lucrecia. It's been a while since... well, since anyone has called me that. Thank you all the same Mr. Curtiss. I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to do from here, I'm afraid. Is there a way newcomers go about getting situated here?

[Oddly she isn't afraid or upset about the prospect of being here a while. It intrigues her! But what about Vincent...?]

Edited 2012-11-29 04:32 (UTC)

And the same to you. I'm not accustomed to being called by my family name.

[He nods to her lightly at her question.]

For now, it's best to find an apartment and settle there, or try to locate anyone you know.

Ah, alright! Jade, then!

[She has to do her best to put on a brave face. No matter how much it hurts.]

Alright. Is it through the SFC I can browse... Oh, um. I was wondering if you -- there's a man I know, his name is Vincent Valentine. Have you met him?

Yes, the SFC is useful for quite a few things like that.

[Jade thinks a moment, then shakes his head.]

I've met many people, but his name doesn't ring any bells.

Then I'll look into it. Thank you.

[She looks a bit disappointed but understands not everything can happen just how (and when) she wants it. She smiles anyway.]

It's alright, it was a small chance I'd see him again, I think. Do you know of anyone else from a place called Gaia?

Gaia? No, not that I can think of.

[Mostly Earth and a few other places.]

I've heard the name, so I believe one or two are likely from there.

[He's done enough research for it to be familiar.]

[ It had been a long and fruitless day. Having awoken early, he had decided to explore the whole of the city of Vatheon. It was important to understand the territory of a new place. Not that it was difficult, though, he mused. He had stopped to look in shop windows, walk through the rows of homes available to those who needed them, and went to check out the great piece of coral that the natives called "Lamufao." All in all, the trip had taken less than six hours time. This place isn't much bigger than Kalm.

The night he had spent in the small forest had been warm. Even the air here seemed to be controlled -- monitored and maintained at just the right temperature. No more cold winter winds. His clothes had dried quickly enough, though. He couldn't complain. Nestled in the arms of a tall tree, he had felt more at ease -- away from the sights and sounds of the city's heart. Vatheon appeared to have resources plenty, but slowly and surely it was getting more crowded. Filling with newcomers like himself.

Just as the sun was dropping out of sight and the street lamps increased their fluorescent glow, he had found himself in the town square for the third time. Fountains splashed quietly in their crystalline pools and created a mirthful background noise in his ears. His footsteps were quiet echoes on stone as he rounded the pool, having decided to sit for awhile on the far side. Fate, he reasoned later, must have had other ideas for him.]

Lucrecia...

[ It was all he could think to say amongst the shocked questions filling his mind. Completing his route around the fountain, he came to a slow stop within a few feet of her. Was it really her? She looked as wet and bedraggled as he must have when he'd arrived. How did she get here? How is she...alive?]

[Any words she might have wanted to say had halted, stopping behind her slightly parted lips and instead of an unbecoming expression of anguish at seeing him again... she was flooded with relief. Happiness, even.

There was a nostalgic sort of warmth filling her chest, making her heart flutter, her footsteps light (she would almost forget all that guilt and shame if she didn't know any better) and she goes to him only stopping short to fold her hands in front of herself. It's a bit of a sad smile that she dons, she has no pride to hold onto and certainly nothing left to lose when she peers up at him.

She understands fully what she's done. She understands the consequences of her actions. She understands that this is something she must also shoulder for the rest of her existence. That doesn't mean Vincent has to always do this alone... she's here now. Forgiveness is not something she expects from him -- what she expects is to be rejected for her true feelings. But even if that's his choice she can't regret her choice to save him.

No matter what they would be, friends, enemies, lost loves or lovers... She would do her best to carry the entirety of their feelings, even if it meant that nothing ever came of them. He needed that support. She no longer had the right to be a selfish child.]

Hello Vincent. I'm... glad I could meet you again. You seem well.

[Her voice comes softly, gently, even somewhat amused -- if there was any pain before, she isn't showing it now. There are things from the past that she may never forget, that may continue to pierce her heart but she can't allow that to get the better of her like she did back then. ]

[As her footsteps drew her closer, he could smell the sea water on her skin. She was dressed the same way as she had been in the cave -- The serene image of a sleeping goddess. A goddess who took a dip in the ocean and got cold.

Her voice was exactly as he remembered it. Light and sweet, with that hint of maturity that marked her as the woman she was and not just a girl. A voice that he had held on to in memory throughout the years, just to hear it say his name every once in a while.

Happiness. That was what this was, it couldn't be anything else. He could feel it draw himself to her. Slowly, and then more quickly in a move that he would have never allowed himself to do in the past, he closed the distance between them and hugged her. It was a tight hug, but gentle, as if he was afraid to squeeze too hard.

He knew that if he tried to speak, it would come out choked. Managing not to make a fool of himself was all he could do for now, but he had to say something. It was possible that she might reject this, reject the closeness so soon. Shelke told me to tell her how I felt...and she's right. I can't hold it back this time. So maybe...]

...I'm glad too.[ He managed after a few seconds paused, his voice rough.]

Even if we're meeting again in such a strange place.

Edited 2012-11-28 23:56 (UTC)

[She makes a soft surprised sound in response, honestly, she'd been expecting a great many reactions (anticipated them even) but that wasn't one of them. Maybe he would have lurked and watched from a distance, maybe he would have quietly denounced her and left... but this was a far better response.

At first she doesn't move because she's stunned -- her eyes soften, she presses them closed and returns the embrace (albeit a bit hesitantly given their past). She wasn't sure she could convey how much she'd missed him. They'd spent their days together frivolously hadn't they?

He was at the center of all those kind memories that left her heart glowing and frozen all at once. She's always going to be a contradiction like that. A hypocrite. A coward. He deserves better than this. Tears gather at the corners of her eyes, she doesn't open them, she just stays close -- is it because of happiness, too? She shouldn't cry in front of him already!]

I-I'm just happy you're alright... I can say it now, as a whole person instead of through my fragmented self -- I'm... I'm sorry, Vincent. I'm so sorry for everything.

[She hates pulling back... but if this is a dream, if this is some reality where their meeting and parting is brief, then she has to say it. She waited far too long and allowed her guilt to control her every action before. She moves to look up into his face, brows drawn together and her tear stained cheeks still flushed.]

I should have listened to you, all those years ago. Even if you never accept it, even if I have to carry on like this and never return to the planet, I don't care! I wanted to say it... just once! I...

[She averts her eyes and holds one clasped hand to her chest, murmuring it softly -- because she knows it's sudden. But sudden after over... thirty years now? That's not soon enough.]I love you!

[If there was a single trapped breath in his lungs, it had escaped him as soon as those words had left her lips. Words failed him for a moment as he simply let that phrase wash over him -- get caught in his memories for just a moment longer so that he could savor it.

It was what he had always dreamed about as the young man who had met her -- Met the stunning woman who was a scientist, a playful spirit and... a broken heart all at once. She loved him. Every pain that he had ever endured over the years, every dark moment -- it suddenly felt less like of an eternal burden and more a payment towards this single... fragile moment. And where it might lead.

Reaching forward with a slow, deliberate pace, he took hold of her hand. Hoping that the motion would catch her attention, A small tender smile lit up his face.]

I love you too. Lucrecia...I should have just said it years ago. Looks like...neither one of us ever got it right. But just maybe, the planet is taking pity on us. The ones who can't enter her embrace.

[There was so much more that he wanted to say, but now was not the time. He had to make her fully understand how he felt...or risk ruining it all. If that happened, he -- no. He wouldn't let it happen. He would never stand idly by and watch her just walk the other way again. This time, he would fight. If he failed, he would fail trying.]

I'm sorry, as well. And...thank you. Thank you for bringing me back. If you hadn't I...wouldn't be able to see you again like this.

Maybe she feels sorry for us.

[It feels bizarre to hear him say it. She's overwhelmed by his response, squeezing his hands with her own and looking down. Honestly, she doesn't deserve this... she doesn't deserve him being kind. Doesn't deserve his love. Or his honesty.

But she is grateful. (Her heart still aches, she wonders if it will ever stop and she might regain something of her former self... before everything happened.) She knows that she cannot go back to the past and change it, though she would without hesitation if it were possible -- to spare them both so much pain.

All the regret she carries will never melt away. ]

No, don't... don't thank me for that, Vincent. It was selfish of me. I'm... really happy we're here together but -- hasn't it ...

[She looks up at him slowly through her parted bangs.]

Been painful? I've caused you so much trouble. I don't know how you're able to say it to me after everything I've done.

[With Vincent's arrival, it makes two months in a row now that someone from her world has come here to join her. Maybe it's just getting her hopes up to think she might see another familiar face, maybe someone dearer to her, but the thought of it brings her wandering back to the square. True, there's some risk of getting caught up in the curse, but on the whole it seems harmless compared to others.

But she doesn't come across any familiar faces today. There's some disappointment in that. Still, there's no reason not to help out a stranger instead, and try to provide a friendly face. With a smile, Tifa offers the soaked woman a towel.]

Here. This might help a bit.

[Lucrecia doesn't know her name... but she remembers her from her dreams. When Vincent came to her final resting place and brought the party along... she'd been amongst them, hadn't she? She'd seen her fight along side of him. Were they friends?

And if so... Had they managed... No. She can't think about that.]

Thank you, very much!

[She's grateful to her, at least, for the kindness she's showing. She smiles and then pauses only briefly to start drying herself off.]

You seem like you must be used to this kind of thing. Are... there others that come here like this, too?

Mmhmm. I showed up the same way a few months back.

It just kind of happens around the end of every month.

Oh, I see! That's... very strange.

[Give her a little bit to adjust. But she has to ask.]

I'm sorry if this is... sudden, but, do you -- know Vincent Valentine, by chance?

[Tifa blinks in surprise.]

Yes, he's a friend of mine. He actually just showed up here yesterday.

[She's relieved. She wasn't imagining Tifa being his friend. It's good, she thinks, that he's managed to make any.]

A friend...? Ah, did he? Then I'm sure I'll run into him eventually! If it isn't intruding too much... how did you meet?

Ah... Well, I guess we were the ones who woke him up.

[She's not sure 'we met him in a basement full of coffins' is the best thing to mention to someone who must also be a friend of Vincent's. ...but from when, exactly?]

I'm Tifa. And you are?

Woke him up?

[While Lucrecia saw a lot of things... there are some things she doesn't know. She seems a bit puzzled.

But she isn't about to give up more information than necessary.]

I'm... Lucrecia. Lucrecia Crescent. It's nice to meet you, Tifa.

He'd been asleep for quite some time, I think. Dreaming.

[Having nightmares. But she figures this woman can ask him herself.

Some of the friendliness leaves Tifa's expression on hearing her name. Lucrecia... Sephiroth's mother.]

Vincent's mentioned you. I'm sure he'll be glad to see you.

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ღ Data Entry #1 ღ

Scientists, ho!

SCIENCEEEEEEEEE

FOR ALL THE SCIENCE

HOW MUCH SCIENCE?

ALL OF IT

THAT IS A LOT OF SCIENCE NGL

YES

CAN WE MAKE PANCAKES WITH SCIENCE

WE CAN MAKE ANYTHING

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It's a shame that the curse might ruin this.

nope nope nope oh my god lucrecia really

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Let the ruining of Vincent's reputation commence!

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