snow means . . . ? (open)

[teradine]

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 . . .]

Comments

[dualbladewarrior]

I always assumed we were far too tropical for such a thing as snow.

[Hubert lets out an amused sigh at that, reaching a hand out to let some of the white flakes fall in to his palm and melt away.]

Leave it to a place like Vatheon to defy all logic and reason.

[teradine]

Indeed . . .

[Argilla looks a bit amused, too. Despite being here for so long, Vatheon never did make much sense -- though she likes it here. She looks up at the sky as the snow continues to fall . . .

Then turns her attention back to Hubert.]

But is that the only thing that's bothering you?

[dualbladewarrior]

... I suppose not, no.

The snow reminds me of Fendel, though the landscape looks nothing like it.

[There's a drawn out silence from him after that, before a puff of breath in the cold air precedes further explanation.]

The memories are somewhat bittersweet. I can say we made some valuable allies and friends there, but we lost some as well. Though it seems a bit silly to be affected - I didn't know the man who sacrificed himself for us as well as Captain Malik did.

Still, it's one of those memories I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get out of my mind.

[teradine]

[Argilla doesn't interrupt. When Hubert pauses, she senses there's more to the story than just the landscape, so she waits . . . she waits, and it's only once he finishes does she say anything. It's hard though -- because what can she say? Her words won't bring the man back.

But luckily, sacrifice isn't something she is a stranger to.]

It's . . . something that sticks with you. I don't see how that's silly at all.

[She smiles faintly, remembering the moment of her own sacrifice--]

I'm sure Captain Malik feels the same way.

[Even if they did only speak once.]

[dualbladewarrior]

... yes. You're right, I'm sure he does.

[A faint smile appears, though it's still sad. If anyone regrets what happened in Fendel it's Malik, but nothing can be changed about it now.]

I didn't mean to burden you with depressing talk. What brings you up here?

[teradine]

[Burden? . . . Ah. It's not really a burden at all, especially since it keeps the topic off her own "depressing talk." But lying after being asked so directly is something Argilla would like to avoid.

She thinks a moment before responding; but at the very least, there's a slight smile on her face as well.]

I suppose it's not so different from you. I'm wandering as well.

[Her mind and her body.]

[dualbladewarrior]

It sounds like something is on your mind as well.

[But he doesn't pry. If she wants to speak about it, he'll let her do so without being a pest over it.]

[teradine]

[His respect for boundaries is certainly appreciated. But . . . since Hubert has been gracious enough to disclose what's on his mind, perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to do the same.

She never did often get a chance to speak to anyone about Jinana to anyone outside of the tribe.]

. . .

Recently, I lost someone.