vatheon | snow means . . . ? (open)

Who: Argilla & anyone
When: Monday morning
Where: Snowy island.
Style: I will match.
Status: Open!

[It's been a few days now since Jinana's disappearance; and while Argilla hasn't exactly given up hope that she would return, it's still markedly different around the base without her. After she'd fallen asleep, it'd become routine for her to check each morning that she was still all right-- that she hadn't suddenly awoken. But without that, the only thing left to greet her was an empty room.

Rather than stay in it, Argilla decides to leave while everyone is still sleeping . . . and upon passing by the Plaza, she gives a cautious look around, just in case.

But there's . . . nothing. No one she recognizes at all. So there's a sigh, but rather than dwell, she soon finds herself on the island, having taken the elevator alone.

It's where she usually goes to think, but of course, what she expected wasn't what she got, when she stepped out. The warm sun didn't hit her face as it normally did, and when she looked up, there was only grey. Falling from it--

White.]

This . . . isn't rain.

[Is it? She holds out her hand, allowing some of it to accumulate, but then it all falls to dust when she rubs her fingers together a bit to feel it. Definitely more powdery than liquid; not to mention it's colder than she's used to as well.

Regardless, she continues walking with her eyes wide, leaving footsteps. At least it's beautiful . . .]

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[. . . Oh, hey. Looks like Gale has decided to join in on the fun.

When she hears his voice, she turns around to face him; and she'll watch, letting him examine the snow for a bit before responding. She'll even attempt to crack a bit of a smile.]

It's a good guess. Rinoa calls it snow.

[Not quite so fun for him, with the shorter sleeves and pants he wears, but he's not quite about to leave when there's this to investigate.]

Did she tell you how it was formed?

[Yeaaah, Argilla's outfit isn't all that much more appropriate either. She's a bit cold, too, but she continues to ignore it and addresses his question.

Now how did she say it again . . . ?]

She told me the rain freezes and falls as snow instead. It only happens when it's cold enough, so . . . you were right.

Perhaps Serph will enjoy it. I do not expect Heat will.

[He lapses into silence for a long while.]

Argilla... I believe I owe you an apology.

[Ah, good. She was been planning to make a comment, poking fun at Heat -- but Gale saved her the trouble. If Heat were actually here in person, she might have more to add, but since he isn't . . .

She simply falls silent as well, quietly smirking in thought.

. . . That is, until Gale breaks that silence.]

An apology? [She looks surprised. Genuinely, innocently surprised-- her tone is curious, rather than demanding.] What is this about?

[It's kind of sad, if even Gale is making fun of Heat. He just makes himself that much of a target.]

A belated one. For my actions in the Junkyard, after Jinana's death.

[. . . Ah.

To say it's something she doesn't like to remember would probably be inaccurate, since it's Jinana -- and she'll always treasure all her memories of Jinana. She's long accepted that that these memories will include painful ones as well, so her expression remains neutral.

Though her gaze does fall to the ground as she thinks . . .]

I can hardly believe it was so long ago.

[A faint smile appears, and finally she looks back up at him. His eyes, no longer lifeless.]

. . . You were different back then.

I did not comprehend.

[He crosses his arm, stares out at the snow falling around him. That time seems very strange. Between his time in Vatheon and the things that happened to them in their world, it seems so very long ago. He's lived longer as an emotionless being, but despite that, the time when he couldn't feel is only a blur.

When things had begun to change he had been confused and troubled. He had not understood. And because he had been confused, he had said things he did not realize the gravity of.]

I do now. And I am sorry that she is gone.

[. . . He's come such a long way.

They both have, really, and Argilla is rather proud of him. It shows -- and no matter what memories Serph has now, and what he doesn't know, she knows he would be proud, too. Argilla is silent, allowing her expression to speak for itself, and even the reminder that she's no longer with them isn't enough to dampen it.

She puts a hand on his shoulder, shivering a bit from the cold.

She'd almost forgotten about the snow. Almost.]

I am, too. It's a loss for everyone, not just me.

[For the Embryon, and the people who never got to meet her. For that, she truly is sorry.]

. . . But you're still here. And for that, I'm grateful.

We are all here for you. That is what the tribe is for.

[He rests his own hand on top of hers, and nods. By now, his hands are cold, too, though he's not shivering himself.]

Of course.

[. . . She can feel the coldness of his hands on her exposed fingers, but they don't seem to bother him. She won't let it bother her either.]

And with any luck, she may come back, just like everyone else did. If she does, I'll be waiting for her.

We all will. Even if she does not remember.

[Hanging around in the Plaza isn't as much a ritual as it was before they all had showed up, but it's still something they as a group tend to keep an eye on, after all.]

. . . Thank you, Gale.

[Argilla actually feels hopeful again now, and it's because of him. It's like she has something to look forward to -- and even though living here is something to look forward to in and of itself, compared to Karma City and the Junkyard, she still feels like she needed this extra push.

She nods firmly, letting out a breath.

. . . Which comes out in the form of smoke.]

. . . Are you cold?

Only slightly.

[He is cold, but not to the point of shivering, or wrapping his arms around himself. It will probably happen soon.]

[. . . Yes. It's only a matter of time, and she realizes this. Since she's starting to feel it already.]

You will be.

[It will only get worse. At least until they go numb, after which they won't be able to feel anything at all --]

It might be a good idea to return to the city for now.

[Losing feeling in their toes is better than losing emotions, at least.]

Then let's go. If it remains this cold, then it is likely to snow again.

[That, she can certainly agree with.

She gives a nod, and already, she is leading their way back to the elevator, feeling her boots squish in the snow. At least they're warm, even if her skirt isn't -- long though it may be.]

New clothes may be in order, if it keeps up. Otherwise we won't be able to visit the island at all.

Not comfortably.

Perhaps so. The other option is to avoid the island. It is rarely necessary to come here, although it may be enjoyable.

[He's fond of his armor, okay.]

[She likes her armor too. But it's not exactly necessary here either, is it?

It has never been about necessity, in Vatheon. Not compared to the Junkyard. Not compared to Karma City.]

Very enjoyable.

[She just feels the need to stress that part. Really.]

But you've got a point.

[Just then, they reach the elevator; so she summons it.]

snow means . . . ? (open)

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