♫ 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

[hippocampectomy]

It seems to be a communicator!

[Walter's in the same position as Tear. The addled old scientist had only arrived in the city a mere hour ago, long enough for his hair to dry at odd, stiff angles, matted with the salt. He doesn't seem to mind it, though. He's come to the conclusion that he's having a particularly intense trip at the moment, and he might as well enjoy it.]

Goes rather well with the nautical theme, doesn't it?

[mysterical]

[Tear turns to look at the old man, taking in the lab coat and the strange hair with a bit of a confused air. Slowly, she begins to pull the water from her hair with the towel as she examines him from a far. She's really reminded of Shu in Belkand that she's seen a few times since she and the others helped lower the lands and Ion's removal of the miasma from her body at the time of his death.

She'll ask about what a communicator is in a moment.] Are you a doctor?

[hippocampectomy]

[He's not exactly a medical doctor, but he's treated living people before. He's more of a doctor in the sense that Jade is a doctor - not really the sort any sane person wants to submit themselves to.]

Why, do you need one? I should have some leftover... medication.

[Walter goes digging in his pockets and produces a pack of Twizzlers. Strange, it doesn't seem like he's altered these. Maybe he'd just injected himself.]

[mysterical]

[She's never seen the bright red twist things before and she stares at them intently, getting close enough to smell the strawberries.] Is that some type of food substance? It reminds me of strawberry cake.

[hippocampectomy]

[He opens up the package, promptly taking one out to eat himself.]

Yes, it's a type of candy. Quite delicious!

[Walter holds the package out to her again, still chewing on his own piece.]

On the way to the Welcoming Center

[mysterious_groper]

Oh, hi! You're new, huh?

[mysterical]

[Tear pulls away, knowing better than to take food from strangers. She's no child or spoiled noble, willing to trust everything that is handed to her.]

I will pass, but thank you for the offer. [Her eyes are locked onto the comm again and she looks at the older traveler for a moment.] You said that you thought this was a communication device? What kind of fontech does this run on?

[mysterical]

[Tear turned sharply on her heels at the voice calling out to her, only to come face to face with yet another stranger.]

Yes. Are you not?

( at the defense force's office. )

[pendragon]

[ Saber is occasionally at the office to do paperwork. She doesn't have much of it to do, but there's always the obligatory summary of what's happened.. which has been very little.

Walking through the main entrance way to go between hallways, Saber comes across a younger woman. Saber is hardly one to be fitting for the position of welcomer or receptionist, but no one else is really around and she's likely interested in the Defense Force if she's here. ]

May I help you? [ The knight tucks her folder to her side beneath her arm and looks towards the visitor. Saber's not the most up to date on the network, but she doesn't recognize this woman. ]

[mysterical]

[Tear startled as she looked at the woman. Aside from the clothes, she reminded her strongly of Major Legretta. Even after two years, it was difficult for her to keep from thinking about the woman who loved her brother, who nearly helped destroy their world for that love. Her mentor.

She pushed all thoughts of Auldrant down, determined to save those for when she was alone. Her bitterness at being pulled to this strange place just before his twentieth naming day would do no one any good. Especially if she was truly stuck her as the brochure proclaimed.]

I am merely looking around the city. I have newly arrived and the...welcoming brochure that I received said that this was a volunteer service for defending the city. Do I have the correct building?

[pendragon]

You do. We don't have much of a recruiter system or even a welcomer, but I will answer questions if you'd like. [ The knight turns to the woman and lowers her upper head and shoulders briefly, bringing her hand to her chest. ] I'm called Saber, and I'm the Division Leader of the Pirate Quadrant. If you don't mind, the easiest way for me to relay information to you would be to send you the document we have shared across the network.

[mysterical]

I would appreciate that. [Tear isn't familiar with the gesture, but she can only assume that it's some sort of greeting. She attempts to return it, perhaps not as gracefully as the other woman though.] I am Tear Grants. I am still not sure how to use this communication device thing. Fontech has never been my forté.

[pendragon]

Hmm.. fontech? That's not a term I'm familiar with, so I'm unsure if it's related to the communicator. Vatheon has technology from all worlds.

[ Pulling out her own SFC, Saber opens the directory and finds Tear's name in the list. After a moment, her communicator will beep and the list of information will be there for her. It'll be pretty obvious how to open it, at least, with it saying "New Message" and letting her tap it to access it. ]

The Starfish Communicators allow us to speak to each other - one-on-one - or post to a network that everyone in Vatheon can access. You can use voice, image, text, or a mixture of them. You can also leave messages on each other's devices in case they do not immediately answer.

[mysterical]

[Tear looks down at the communicator as it beeped and hesitantly presses at the new message icon. She's amazed at the sheer amount of information there. She is reading it all as she listens to the other woman talk.]

So, if I wished to volunteer myself as a capable healer, how would I go about doing that? [She'll see if she can't get Saber to tell her more about the communication part of the device in a moment.]

Defense Force- Action

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Entering the Defense Force, Tear might be treated to seeing a familiar face. He's working on something, speaking with a blonde man about something before the other leaves and Jade is left to finally spot her. He sighs and almost looks relieved.]

I was hoping someone other than His Majesty would show up. Given my luck, I was expecting Dist again, but it's good to see you, Tear.

[He was being blunt, since wasting words on pretending he wasn't relieved would be pointless. She was a wonderful companion and he'd be glad to have someone like her around.]

I'd offer you a place of residence, but I'm moving up to the Island soon. I'd hate to pack up and leave right after offering the courtesy.

[mysterious_groper]

Nope! I've been stuck here a while now.

I'm Pascal! Nice to meet'cha!

[mysterical]

Hello, Pascal. My name is Tear Grants. [This young girl seems to be cheerful but without any forced undertones, unlike Anise appeared to be at times.]

[mysterical]

[There is a face that she is beyond relieved to see. There were only a handful of others that would be as welcome a sight to Tear as this man.]

Colonel, I'll say that I'm glad to see you as well. The emperor is here as well? [She could tell from the way that he spoke that Peony and himself would be all that this place had to offer in the way of those who weren't strangers. It was a disappointment, but she would take what she could get.]

The Island? I saw that there were open homes up there. I think I'll look around for a residence of my own, if you don't mind. I appreciate the offer, however.

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

Yes, unfortunately so. [Given how much he invaded on Jade's space at home, it's even worse when there's nothing else to occupy his time.]

Certainly. [A smile and a nod.]

Where all have you explored thus far. The Bubble is rather expansive for where it's situated.

[mysterical]

[She'd learned the nuances of Jade's tones during their near year of traveling together to tell how stressed he is with his current situation.]

Perhaps the emperor needs something else to occupy him? He doesn't seem the type to enjoy too much down time to me. And I've explored as much as I can. I woke up next to that large coral and spent some time reading over the brochure. This is one of the few stops that I have made. I was hoping to find a place to rest for the night and then some food before I make a better attempt to explore.

[She gives him a small smile.] Also, I was interested in the Defense Force, since I also cannot stand to be idle for long.

[pendragon]

You can leave your basic information here for Serph or Ky, or you can directly send them the information over the network. They'll want your name, any preferred positions, your abilities, and any relevant experience. [ Thinking about it, Saber tilts her head. ] It'd likely be more convenient for them if you can send it via the network, as they'll have to add it to that document eventually.

[mysterical]

[Tear sighed heavily before looking at the other woman carefully.] Do you have time to show me? I am not very savvy with technology. If Guy or Jade were here, that would make things infinitely easier, I suppose.

[mysterious_groper]

So, what'cha looking for? Maybe I can help out!

[pendragon]

[ Saber smiles briefly. It's short and curt, but there's a hint of warmth there. Nodding, she steps over to Tear and holds out her own SFC. ]

I'll use mine as I am most familiar with it, but yours will have the same functions and buttons. So.. [ Saber demonstrates how to post to the network in each format, how to send someone a direct message and leave a voice mail, and how to access the foreigner directory. She carefully announces each step she does, even if it's obvious, so that it's easier for Tear to catch on. The knight is a bit of a boring teacher, but she's thorough. ]

[hippocampectomy]

Phone?

[He looks a little confused before recalling the advancements in cell phones while he's been tucked away in Saint Clair's.]

Ah, yes, I suppose it could be a sort of phone. Perhaps like one of those... Eye-phones. It seems to have a video function as well as a written messaging system in addition to the usual long-distance audio.

[Walter tucks away his twizzlers since she clearly doesn't want any, now focused on trying to take apart his SFC.]