Natalia Luzu Kimlasca-Lanvaldear (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
worstintheworld) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
melodiesoflife2016-11-10 01:06 pm
worstintheworld) wrote in melodiesoflife2016-11-10 01:06 pm
Entry tags:
The Sky is the Limit
WHO: Natalia L.K. Lanvaldear, Naminé, Sora, Yuri Lowell, Possibly Castmates???
WHAT: Determined to get herself up to speed as a Hero of Light, Natalia marches right into that lab to face her Calamity Self. She doesn't know what she's getting into, as her biggest concern is choosing which job she should keep equipped.
WHEN: November 10th
WHERE: Palitutu's Laboratory - Aqures Ixen
WARNINGS: Tales of the Abyss spoilers regarding Natalia's origins
Natalia awoke bright and early that morning, bathing herself and dressing in her blouse and leather jerkin. She looked as fresh and clean as she always did before setting out to work, and today would be a busy day indeed. She'd contacted those few she knew and trusted to inform them of her decision to face her Calamity Self promptly, as she had every intention of returning to Trano Golsaucia with better supplies to help them protect themselves against the Calamity. Battling the monsters during her week-long stay there had helped her build up a significant stash of gil, which would be used to purchase warm blankets, clothes, food, weapons, and medicine. She kept only enough to refresh the pension she'd had to use to pay for her own needs; the rest was earned in Trano Golsaucia so she meant for it to be spent on fortifying the city. She couldn't stay rooted in that place forever, but she could at least ensure it had a fighting chance. There were other places that required her attention as well, such as Flence, Aerilon, and Nabila from the sound of it.
Hopefully conquering her Calamity side would boost her ability to move about these lands and battle the creatures that dwelled there as well.
Natalia waited outside of the laboratory, patiently waiting for the others. She didn't demand perfect punctuality, but if anyone was more than fifteen minutes late, she would simply have to assume that they weren't coming.
"Thank you for accompanying me in this endeavor," she said graciously, before turning on her heel and pushing open the doors to the laboratory. "Though I am unsure what to expect, I do know the ultimate goal, and will strive to complete my task swiftly." She led the way with a confident smile that belied the butterflies that fluttered wildly in her stomach. Naturally she was a little nervous, but she wasn't afraid. Her friends were here beside her, so what did she have to fear?
WHAT: Determined to get herself up to speed as a Hero of Light, Natalia marches right into that lab to face her Calamity Self. She doesn't know what she's getting into, as her biggest concern is choosing which job she should keep equipped.
WHEN: November 10th
WHERE: Palitutu's Laboratory - Aqures Ixen
WARNINGS: Tales of the Abyss spoilers regarding Natalia's origins
Natalia awoke bright and early that morning, bathing herself and dressing in her blouse and leather jerkin. She looked as fresh and clean as she always did before setting out to work, and today would be a busy day indeed. She'd contacted those few she knew and trusted to inform them of her decision to face her Calamity Self promptly, as she had every intention of returning to Trano Golsaucia with better supplies to help them protect themselves against the Calamity. Battling the monsters during her week-long stay there had helped her build up a significant stash of gil, which would be used to purchase warm blankets, clothes, food, weapons, and medicine. She kept only enough to refresh the pension she'd had to use to pay for her own needs; the rest was earned in Trano Golsaucia so she meant for it to be spent on fortifying the city. She couldn't stay rooted in that place forever, but she could at least ensure it had a fighting chance. There were other places that required her attention as well, such as Flence, Aerilon, and Nabila from the sound of it.
Hopefully conquering her Calamity side would boost her ability to move about these lands and battle the creatures that dwelled there as well.
Natalia waited outside of the laboratory, patiently waiting for the others. She didn't demand perfect punctuality, but if anyone was more than fifteen minutes late, she would simply have to assume that they weren't coming.
"Thank you for accompanying me in this endeavor," she said graciously, before turning on her heel and pushing open the doors to the laboratory. "Though I am unsure what to expect, I do know the ultimate goal, and will strive to complete my task swiftly." She led the way with a confident smile that belied the butterflies that fluttered wildly in her stomach. Naturally she was a little nervous, but she wasn't afraid. Her friends were here beside her, so what did she have to fear?
no subject
He was a blunt person, and he knew he had his own flaws. With that being said, how could he ignore someone in need. She may not appear like she needed his presence, but he figured if she had more support she'd opt to talk about the things that bothered her. In the end if she wished for him to not talk about what he saw here, he'd keep it a secret for her. The former imperial knight looks at her as she continues her conversation with her shadow.
Perhaps, this was why she was not as most Princess were. Not because she was raised to be the headstrong person she was today but also because she was not really of royal blood. He wondered how long she knew about that and how long it ate her before she accepted it? Well, considering the situation right now, she looked like she was fighting it tooth and nail.
"Hey, Princess. I'm all for you strangling me up and all but can't you fight your own emotions? Now's not the time to get indecisive. Just because you have doubts right now, doesn't mean you can't be okay later. Who doesn't have doubts and who doesn't know what they truly want but deep down you know. You just got to say it."
no subject
"I'd be much better suited to take the throne," Calamity Natalia preened, narrowing her eyes coolly. "Father never listened to reason. Never saw my potential. I'm sure he would have been satisfied if I'd just sat there and looked pretty, when I could have been soooo much more." She spread out her hands as her expression soured, brow darkening. "I hate him."
"No! You're wrong!" Natalia rounded her and stamped her foot stubbornly. "I love my father, with all my heart. And I love my people!"
The shadow narrowed her eyes at her, and began to laugh haughtily. "You can't even admit it to yourself! You just have to be perfect little Natalia, don't you? But deep down, you know who you really are. Meryl." She spoke the name viciously, smirking as Natalia flinched. "Just a simple mercentary's daughter. You're not cut out to rule over anyone, let alone an entire kingdom. Your life is nothing more than a lie, and it's high time you realized the truth!"
Natalia tensed, ready to fling back her own retorts. But she stopped, her eyes flicking briefly to Kumew who stood close by, paws clasped together, tiny face screwed up with worry. Natalia wasn't here to deny her shadow. She had to listen. This was a part of herself, something she'd buried so deeply that she couldn't bring herself to believe they were her true feelings.
"Please. Give me a moment to think this over." She bowed her head, eyes squeezed shut. Did accepting this part of herself mean that she despised her father? That couldn't possibly be right, her affection was still there. What was she supposed to believe?
no subject
He was okay with that and crossed his arms as he stepped back from her as she didn't get any closer to strangling him. He offered her a smile, an arrogant, confident one at it as she seemed to be recoil into herself.
"Sometimes you love them so much that you hate them. Isn't that right?"
He spoke aloud, after a moment, listening to her speak of her sorrow. Yuri didn't want to be intruding but kids with parents were lucky. Yuri had none so he couldn't relate to any of this. He was trying his best to though. There was nothing else he could do other than state his thoughts.
"It's a human thing isn't it? Sometimes you feel that you're wronged by the very person that you cherished. Sometimes, stuff just happens and you don't know how to take it. It's not shameful to admit that you harbor those kinds of feelings. It's what makes you human and it's something you can't deny."
"Think all you need. I'll be here until the end."
no subject
Natalia raised her head to look at Yuri, her brow furrowed. Love someone so much she hated them? Initially she didn't understand, but as he continued, clarity slowly erased the confusion from her face. Her gaze fell to the floor as she stood in quiet thought.
"I suppose...you're right. If two people were to call you an insulting name, it would hurt more coming from someone you love and trust, rather than a stranger who doesn't know you. I always wished Father would recognize me, and what I could do. And to be offered poison...so I would not suffer..." Her lip trembled, and she stilled it with a tightening of her jaw. "Of course it hurt me!" She balled her hands into fists as her head jerked up, her gaze fierce as it fell on her shadow.
"But that doesn't mean I hate my father. I hate what he did. I hate that he had no confidence in me. But he changed. He accepted me, and because of what happened, we're closer than we ever were before. We may not share royal blood, but our bonds go far beyond that."
She strode forward, shoulders working with each forceful step. For a moment it looked as if she intended to slap the insolence right out of her shadow. But she didn't.
"Even so...you're right."
Calamity Natalia tipped her head back, regarding Natalia suspiciously, but listened.
"There's a lot about myself I don't understand. The nature of my birth...the role I was raised to play...the changes that are sure to come. Reconciling all of that is not going to be easy, and we don't have the luxury of time right now for me to sort everything out at my own pace."
Her shadow narrowed her purple eyes, but allowed the princess to continue.
Natalia took a breath, forcing her shoulders to relax, and unclenched her hands. "But I promise, when it's over, I'll do what I can. I want to find out what happened to my mother and father, and why they did...what they felt was necessary. I'm not fit to rule if I can't even decide who I am. The people of Kimlasca need someone with strength, and confidence. I will reconcile with my father, and we will build a stronger kingdom together."
Slowly, Natalia went to one knee, and put a fist over her heart. "I swear it. If you really are a part of me, then surely it's the same for you, isn't it? Our people must come first."
"...Please. You're embarrassing us, stop kneeling like that." She folded her arms and turned her head away...but smiled.
"Meryl and Natalia...we're the same. Thank you." Natalia rose to her feet, taking a quick, shallow breath. "I hope to reconcile with my true self as well."
The shadow inclined her head, once, before her image blurred into a bright flash of light that quickly faded, surrounding Natalia and becoming one with her again.
Her legs lacked strength, and she put her palm against one of the consoles to keep herself from sagging to the floor. She was drained, emotionally and physically, but she couldn't show weakness now. Instead she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing.
"Thank you." She turned her head to offer a weary but warm smile to the others. "I truly thank you. All of you."
no subject
Yuri mused giving her a small smile when it was all over and done with. Beyond that he didn't need to say anymore. He already put the thought in her mind-- to think about how she truly felt. He was glad that she understood it to some extent and took it to heart. In the end, she benefited the most from accepting things the way they were.
The swordsman didn't need to get into the gritty details for her to understand. She was a smart person with a head strong personality.
He was happy for her and glad that things could settle down now. He walked over to her and offered her a hand when she sagged down to the ground. His smile was sincere and had no mix of sarcasm, "You did well, Princess."
no subject
As Yuri held out his hand, Natalia gazed at it for a moment, hesitant. Part of her wanted to stand on her own to prove that she was fine, that she still had the strength to return to her tasks. There was no need to be concerned.
But...
Her gloved hand grasped his and held it tightly, allowing him to draw her upright once more. In truth, she did need the help, and she would rather appear weak than give unnecessary insult by turning down his offer of kindness.
"Thank you. But I do hope you choose to knock the next time you trespass on someone's private shadow confrontation," she smiled, releasing his hand. Her head still felt light and woozy, but she made no move to voice her discomfort. All she needed now was to return home and get some rest, trusting that she would feel better after a few hours of sleep. "I will see you on the morrow. Good day."
With a polite incline of her head, Natalia focused her attention on putting one foot in front of the other. There had already been too much exposure on her weaknesses for one day, she was not in the mood to showcase anything more.
no subject
He replied as he waited for her to take his hand. Of course, she was also free to not take it if she felt more comfortable that way. No on knows what happens to the things that they suppress. Sometimes it's worse than others. This was just a small example of how cruel the world could be for all of them. At the very least, she accepted herself as she was and knew her own faults. That's all he really admired.
Yuri pulled heron her feet in a matter of seconds as he pats her down almost gently. Whatever protest she may have, he completely ignored it for the time being as he checked her for any possible injuries.
"I'm afraid that's not my style and like I said I didn't intentionally walk in on it. It just happened."
He shrugged with a laugh.
"If anything you should lock the door next time. That should solve your problem."
HE teased briefly as he watched her start moving outside. Unfortunately, he wasn't ready to let her walk back on her own so he followed after her as she left the building.
"Good idea, but I don't think you should be heading off on your own after what just happened there."
no subject
No matter how good his intentions might have been, some things were simply not done! She stormed away from a little faster, even if it meant that it would weary her that much sooner. Honestly, this man had no respect for a lady's privacy.
"I'll be fine," she informed him crisply. "I think it's safe to assume that I can move through the streets in broad daylight without fearing an ill-timed assault, outside of your own intrusion just now." What did he seriously think was going to happen, that bandits would leap out and no one would move to her aid?
Suddenly a bunch of thugs jumped out of the alleywayno subject
He shrugged as she sputtered at him. Honestly, gender was never really a thing with him. He had forgotten that she was a girl and that she had some sort of upbringing that was completely different from his. He was quite use to patting his friends down, or doing things subconsciously. He had no ill or perverted intentions, thus her response seemed to have thrown him off guard if for a moment.
"I was only trying to help-- guess I forget your upbringing does make it difficult to do things casually."
He made no effort to apologize but continued to follow her despite her protest about being okay and that nothing would happen. That was the extent to how much he actually cared about her without saying. Honestly, he was sure she'd be fine but who knew if some dumb monster or a crazy thief would try to rob a girl? IT was that kind of world.
AND THEY WILL NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY AGAIN. no one knows where they went.no subject
It didn't sound likely, but that gullible little part of herself could have been easily tricked into believing him if he pushed at it.
"My upbringing has nothing to do with it, a man simply doesn't touch a woman like that unless they have a very intimate relationship! Something you and I do not have." Natalia stopped at a corner to check for oncoming carts, and unleashed a little sigh. She really was tired, but she was loathe to let anyone see it. Not only was it a matter of pride, but responsibility as well. The people of this city believed in the strength of the Heroes of Light, and if she flagged visibly, they might begin to doubt and lose hope.
"Please, go home. You've better things to do with your time, and I assure you I am in no danger of fainting."
no subject
This wasn't really a joke in all honesty, but if she wanted to believe that nothing was going to happen. That wash er choice. He wasn't going to press it anymore since if she didn't think about danger, that's her own responsibility if something were to happen in the future right?
Needless to say, she was a valuable ally, thus his words. He really didn't get why she was so touchy about it. Honestly. He had patted down Estelle and a fair amount of other people that he knew. What was the whole idea about being intimate to touch people? Sadly, he wasn't Flynn, so none of this made sense.
"Right, because touching other people is considered intimate."
He sighed. What kind of thinking did this girl really have?! Okay, maybe he's too casual but hey, he wasn't going to change himself so he wouldn't tell her to change either.
"I'm pretty bored right now actually. Tell ya what," he paused a moment as she continued to walk behind her, "I'll stay about five feet from you until you get home. Then I'll be on my merry way."
As in he's not going to let her go on her own.
no subject
Her head drooped forward as she sighed.
"I simply do not understand you, Yuri Lowell. But if you must, there's no need to keep pace behind me. We are allies, are we not? We should walk at each other's side." She looked back at him over her shoulder with a little smile. "I'll be vexed if you behave like a servant."