♫ First Hymn: The difference is perception ♫

[mysterical]

Who: Tear Grants
Where: Inside Vatheon
When: Backdated to June 24th
Style: starting with action, can match
Status: Open

[Tear didn't have much experience with swimming, unless one counted the few times that Luke and Jade and suggested that they relax at the spa on the top floor of the Keterburg hotel. Natalia had tried to teach her how to swim, but when you spend a good portion of your life being surrounded by miasma, you don't really like water.

Of course, she'd found things back on Auldrant to appreciate, especially after facing down her older brother and finding herself with a two-year wait for the boy she loved to possibly return to their group. She'd learn to properly swim in pools, taken up singing more and other things than just Fonic Hymns, helped Anise and Teodoro restructure the Order of Lorelei and hunted down the stray replicas that Van and the God-Generals had left of the Oracle Knights in places like Mt. Roneal and the other Sephiroth on Auldrant. She'd even spent time travelling to Baticul and Grand Chokmah to see Natalia, Guy, Jade, and Emperor Peony.

Although, waking up in a bubble, surrounded by water was the last thing she ever expected.

It took everything in her to keep from screaming. She hadn't realized how stifled the Qliphoth had felt until she spent more time on the surface of Auldrant. So, to be back in a similar atmosphere made her have to bite back the panic. She shoved it back and looked around her, seeing a towel, a brochure and a strange device.]

What's this?

[Later, after reading through the brochure and using the towel, Tear can be found walking through the middle section of the city. Her first stop was the Welcoming Center. Then, you can find her checking out the Volunteer Defense Force's office. Then, she'll be found checking out the various other sections of the city as she tries to find a place to live.

Lastly, you'll find Tear on the island, breathing deeply of the fresh air, despite the barrier keeping her from leaving. She's looking at the houses and finding one she loves. One that requires very little work to make habitable and would keep her happy.]

Comments

[mysterical]

[Tear turns at the voice that she doesn't recognize, her hand going for the staff at her side out of instinct before she can stop herself. When she sees that he's unarmed, her face blushes as she moves her hand.]

Yes, I am. I can only assume by the way that you phrased that that you have just arrived as well.

[seaborg]

[Pyunma doesn't reach for his own weapon, or even step back. He was reacting similarly not too long ago, and while he doesn't try to get any closer to her, he doesn't hold it against her, either.]

Yes, only a few hours ago. It takes a while to sink in.

[mysterical]

[She's grateful he doesn't call her on her nearly paranoid behaviour. It makes it easier to deal with things.]

I...I read the brochure, but I don't think it will completely sink in until I've slept. I don't know if that makes any sense or not.

[seaborg]

It does. According to that, we will have plenty of time to get used to it.

[He's not sure whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, but it certainly seems to be true, according to the people he's talked to.]

[mysterical]

I've spoken with one of my friends from my world. He said that sometimes people fall into comas for no apparent reasons. That's...not comforting at all. I don't know if that is something I will be able to find acceptable ever.

[seaborg]

More than being kidnapped in the first place?

[That's the part he's more troubled about, though it probably helps that he has friend he'd trust to look after him, if a coma happened.]

[mysterical]

[It's not that she doesn't trust Jade to look after her if something befell her. She's sure that the Malkuthian colonel would watch over her as best he could. It's the loss of her faculties that has her worried. What is she if she isn't being useful?

That was part of the problem she'd been experiencing back home. Too much time alone with too little to really do, despite all of the work that there had been. The others had thought they were sparing her by keeping her from having to do anything strenuous with the rebuilding of her world after losing both Luke and Van at the final battle. Instead of being to do some good to repair the damage her brother had done, she'd stayed in Yulia City with her morbid, circular thoughts.]

They are both equally unacceptable.

[seaborg]

I don't know about the comas. But there must be something that can be done about the way they're bringing people here. Even if it takes years.

[mysterical]

Have you attempted to speak to the locals about this? [Surely they would know something about what was happening. Not that Tear put any hope in getting straight answers, but it was a start.]

Surely not everyone here is a foreigner.

[seaborg]

I asked, but most didn't have any answers to give.

[In fact, they were amazingly good at dodging the questions.]

They all seem to have something to hide.

[mysterical]

Hm. I have yet to actually speak with any of the locals, but I wonder if you spoke to anyone who had anything worth knowing. [Tear understood the difference.]

[seaborg]

That may be so. But again, the most direct method of finding that out seems to be through asking others who were brought here like us.

[mysterical]

The few that I've met so far are just as lost and confused about the why of our captivity as we are. For now, I plan to content myself with slowly gathering as much information as I can before acting hastily. [That was how she was trained to react in a situation like this, and since she had no clue how to reaction, she fell back into her training.]

[seaborg]

Would you be averse to sharing what you find? The more sources, the better, I've found.

[mysterical]

I agree that sharing information would be wise at this point in time. I don't mind a mutually beneficial exchange.

[seaborg]

Then I will do the same. My name is Pyunma.

[He doesn't ask for her name, but the implication is that he'd like to learn it.]

[mysterical]

I am Locrian Sergeant Tear Grants. Not that my rank matters here, I suppose.