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)
melodiesoflife2017-02-20 10:12 pm
worstintheworld) wrote in melodiesoflife2017-02-20 10:12 pm
Entry tags:
A Match Made In Heaven
WHO: Asch the Bloody, Natalia L.K. Lanvaldear, Yuri Lowell
WHAT: The Valentine Love Matchmaker™ might not have all of its kinks worked out, because it generates not one match for Natalia, but two?! Or maybe the Moogles just figured that Yuri and Asch were the type to ditch and theorized this way the odds were better at least one of them might show up. It's not like they'd both go along with a Moogle scheme, right?
WHEN: February 14th
WHERE: Aqures Ixen
As expected, Natalia was not only punctual, but arrived in front of the Temple of Fire ten minutes early. One could never rely too heavily on timepieces, as they had a tendency to run slow under the most unfortunate of circumstances.
She'd been told little about what was expected of her, save the mention that the event was largely diplomatic in nature and that she had best dress herself like a princess, not a warrior. So be it, she supposed. In her trademark colors of turquoise and white, she adorned herself in a regal gown with a skirt that tapered from baring her knees in the front to nearly touching the ground in the back. She fastened a pristine white camellia blossom to the blue band in her hair, elegant white gloves sheathing her hands all the way up to just a few inches below the shoulders.
However, when she arrived to find Moogles with trumpets, an elegant carriage, and a choir singing the praises of love and romance, her expression became cross. "What is the meaning of this? I was told to expect diplomacy!"
"Dates are diplomacyyyyyy~!" the choir sang at her.
"Now really!" she planted her hands on her hips. "I don't have time for something so silly. Shouldn't we be preparing to save the world? How is a date going to help with this?"
"WELL ACTUALLY!" A bespectacled Moogle wheeled out a chalkboard with several complex formulas already written upon it. Deftly he wielded the chalk, his short stumpy arms a blur of motion. "As you can see, the complex bonds formed by Heroes of Light, exacerbated by situations which provoke unavoidable attachment can often simulate--"
More Moogles had begun to gather around the board, writing furiously on their clipboards and nodding in fervent understanding.
"--and by extrapolating the data gathered from numerous simulations involving the test subjects it becomes increasingly likely that bonds of intimacy can form more successful bonds when the subjects are placed in combat or situations involving great distress--"
"Mm hm, mm hm, mm hm!" Nod nod nod, scribble scribble scribble.
"Resulting in-- MAAAAAAAAAAGIC!"
Natalia stood dumbfounded. She wasn't entirely sure she understood half of the facts and figures being flung at her, which had all been capped off by one big heart drawn on the chalkboard with 'SUCCESS!' written in the middle. But she had to admit, there was some sense in becoming better acquainted and familiar with her allies if they were going to cooperate as a team when it came time to fight Garland.
"I...I see. Very well, then," she cleared her throat. "Just who is my...my destined match?" she asked, feeling a faint touch of heat warm her cheeks. Surely it was Asch. They had been betrothed as children, so who else could it be?
Rather than answering Natalia directly, the Moogles swiveled as one, raising their trumpets and blaring out a triumphant fanfare to announce the arrival of her intended date. It seemed at least one of them had arrived after all!
WHAT: The Valentine Love Matchmaker™ might not have all of its kinks worked out, because it generates not one match for Natalia, but two?! Or maybe the Moogles just figured that Yuri and Asch were the type to ditch and theorized this way the odds were better at least one of them might show up. It's not like they'd both go along with a Moogle scheme, right?
WHEN: February 14th
WHERE: Aqures Ixen
As expected, Natalia was not only punctual, but arrived in front of the Temple of Fire ten minutes early. One could never rely too heavily on timepieces, as they had a tendency to run slow under the most unfortunate of circumstances.
She'd been told little about what was expected of her, save the mention that the event was largely diplomatic in nature and that she had best dress herself like a princess, not a warrior. So be it, she supposed. In her trademark colors of turquoise and white, she adorned herself in a regal gown with a skirt that tapered from baring her knees in the front to nearly touching the ground in the back. She fastened a pristine white camellia blossom to the blue band in her hair, elegant white gloves sheathing her hands all the way up to just a few inches below the shoulders.
However, when she arrived to find Moogles with trumpets, an elegant carriage, and a choir singing the praises of love and romance, her expression became cross. "What is the meaning of this? I was told to expect diplomacy!"
"Dates are diplomacyyyyyy~!" the choir sang at her.
"Now really!" she planted her hands on her hips. "I don't have time for something so silly. Shouldn't we be preparing to save the world? How is a date going to help with this?"
"WELL ACTUALLY!" A bespectacled Moogle wheeled out a chalkboard with several complex formulas already written upon it. Deftly he wielded the chalk, his short stumpy arms a blur of motion. "As you can see, the complex bonds formed by Heroes of Light, exacerbated by situations which provoke unavoidable attachment can often simulate--"
More Moogles had begun to gather around the board, writing furiously on their clipboards and nodding in fervent understanding.
"--and by extrapolating the data gathered from numerous simulations involving the test subjects it becomes increasingly likely that bonds of intimacy can form more successful bonds when the subjects are placed in combat or situations involving great distress--"
"Mm hm, mm hm, mm hm!" Nod nod nod, scribble scribble scribble.
"Resulting in-- MAAAAAAAAAAGIC!"
Natalia stood dumbfounded. She wasn't entirely sure she understood half of the facts and figures being flung at her, which had all been capped off by one big heart drawn on the chalkboard with 'SUCCESS!' written in the middle. But she had to admit, there was some sense in becoming better acquainted and familiar with her allies if they were going to cooperate as a team when it came time to fight Garland.
"I...I see. Very well, then," she cleared her throat. "Just who is my...my destined match?" she asked, feeling a faint touch of heat warm her cheeks. Surely it was Asch. They had been betrothed as children, so who else could it be?
Rather than answering Natalia directly, the Moogles swiveled as one, raising their trumpets and blaring out a triumphant fanfare to announce the arrival of her intended date. It seemed at least one of them had arrived after all!
no subject
"I'm not entirely sure myself," Natalia admitted with a sigh. Of course Yuri would just happen to wander into an embarrassing display such as this, why wouldn't he?
She had yet to learn that he was actually invited here, but soon. Soon she would know.
"According to the scientific data, I'm learning the finer points of dating diplomacy." Though she didn't voice it aloud, it was probably clear that she found the whole notion convoluted, but she couldn't truly deny what was presented to her as 'fact' without any contrasting evidence. "We don't have this holiday in Kimlasca. What about you?"
no subject
"Alright-- don't tell me," he paused a moment and somehow thought about what time of the year it was and why the moogle was preaching right now. He stopped and realized what month it was. no wonder. There's a huge sigh coming from his mouth but there was no doubt about it that he just got himself stuck in some game the moogles came up with.
"Diplomacy huh? You threw that word around a few times since we met. What about it?"
He's curious and color him partially interested in the conversation.
"Not that I can recall."
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"It's a matter I really haven't had time to sit down and think about, given everything else that was happening in the world at the time," Natalia explained. "But a princess is expected to marry eventually, even if it's a political marriage instead of a romantic one. Being able to socialize with someone in public like this is, in a way, a form of diplomacy. A king and queen must be unified if they're going to instill any faith in the public, you understand."
Then she sighed. This is where things got tricky. "But that might change now that it's become known that I am not the true princess of Kimlasca. I'm not of royal blood. And there's the matter of my fiance's identity as well. Asch was replicated when he was just a boy, and the replica grew up believing he was the son of a noble, while Asch abandoned his former ties. As far as politics go, I can't say what will happen." She clasped her hands in front of her. "But I am prepared to perform my duty to the people. If my father decides that a marriage is in order, then that is what I must do. I'd like to be prepared for the event in any case."
So really, going on a date was a matter of being a good and loyal ruler of Kimlasca. It made sense to her, where the tangled web of stolen identities did not.
no subject
The clamor surrounding Asch's arrival meant he had no clue what she and Yuri were discussing, which really is for the better given his feelings regarding the subject in spite of having resolved his identity.
Natalia was glowing and radiant as ever, but Asch—
"What are you doing here?" Not directed at Natalia, of course, but rather the miscreant otherwise known as Yuri Lowell. "Don't tell me they summoned you here, too!"
no subject
So that's how it is. No one the other is like some sort of prickly porcupine. He had everything taken from him, abandoned his own role and had to deal with a clone of himself? Did Yuri hear that right. The whole time he's not sure what to even say of it. Eventually, he manages to open his mouth to speak as casually as he can, without sounding like he's dead on concerned because it's Yuri. He doesn't want to show this side of him all the time. It's a bit embarrassing.
"You know, you don't have to do everything as your father says. As good of a man as he seems to be, his child's happiness should be the most important thing right? If you're going to marry some damn noble, make sure you're at least attracted to them. A loveless diplomatic wedding is going to hurt you more than anyone else involved and, wait.... hold up."
He paused making a face, "That Asch is a noble too? No wonder I had this weird feeling when I was talking to him. He sounds like he's been brought pretty well. I thought he was some sort of soldier in a military station like Flynn but this is some development. Are you even sure you can tell me all of this? Isn't he going to get ticked off if I know?"
He puts a hand under his chin. Seriously, though what is even happening? He was about to say more but speak of the devil. Yuri slowly turns his head to Asch as the teenage guy drops into the conversation, loud as usual.
"Well, look who made it to the party for two? Guess we're a party of three now huh?"
He teased lightly before speaking again, "More or less. Is there a problem? Still don't like me?"
He chuckled.
no subject
Surprised, she looked left, saw nothing, looked right, saw...
"...Asch?!" He looked so... Her eyes flicked briefly up and down, taking in the fine details of his chosen garments and recognizing that he must have taken great care in choosing them. She'd grown so used to seeing him in the black and red armor that the contrast was absolutely striking. It was enough to cause her heart to beat just a little faster. He looked so regal...!
But there were some things that fancy clothes couldn't quite change, and his demanding tone was one of them. Asch's reaction, coupled with Yuri's words, sealed the connection in Natalia's mind as she glanced back and forth between them. "You know each other?"
Before her question could be answered, one of the Moogles took charge of the situation. Clearly they weren't expecting both Yuri and Asch to appear, but it couldn't be helped now, and the date could not allowed to be stalled any longer.
"Hurry up, hurry up!" she urged them, fluttering behind each of them and pushing at the back of their shoulders to herd them toward the carriage. "Let the romantic fluttering heart sparkles of the date begin!"
"The what?!" Natalia stared, but allowed herself to be nudged near the carriage just the same. She started to step into it, but paused, and shot a critical look at the two warriors. "Do you plan on bickering for the whole night? Must I sit between you two, or are you willing to behave yourselves for the sake of diplomacy?"
One of the Moogles in the very back slapped a paw to his forehead. She'd really taken to the whole 'diplomacy' thing, but if it worked, it worked.
no subject
Though the way things are now, Asch really doesn't know what he was expecting. But on that note, he turns to Yuri as the Moogles sweep the three of them to the carriage.
"Let me get this straight: so, you were invited?" Even though he doesn't sound demanding, he says this less like a question and more like a resigned realization. "So, did you know what was going on?"
no subject
He rubs the back of his neck a little, "Yeah I met him a while back. We-- uh hit it off pretty well," he replied giving the best wording possible. Of course, Asch's face made Yuri quickly chuckle. Man teenagers these days are so bold!
"In short we got tricked by a god damn moogle to go on this supposed 'date' made for Valentine's Day. I should have known when I got this letter of distress."
He waved the small index card briefly as he said that and sighed, "More like forced tricked into this mess and I highly doubt my intel is of any use here right now. We're stuck with each other, so we might as well get along."
Right.
no subject
There was simply nothing to be done, so she hoisted up her skirts and climbed into the carriage, settling herself as comfortably as she could. It wasn't until she was seated that she realized there was no seating across from her -- it truly was a carriage meant for two. That couldn't be right!
"Excuse me, but isn't there a fourth person?" she asked, perplexed as she leaned out the window. "We simply can't leave until she arrives." At least, Natalia assumed it would be a girl. In any circumstance, dates couldn't be conducted with an odd number of people. Natalia might be brand new to the world of dating, but she knew at least that much.
Then again, she'd thought Van had power eyebrows, so who knew?
no subject
Still glaring at Yuri, he asks, "Wait, if this is a trick, then why do we have to go along with it?!"
Because really, that doesn't make any sense! If anything, Yuri doesn't have to be here. He can just leave, can't he?
As he ducks into the carriage, Asch quickly realizes just how small it actually is. There's hardly any space! Turning to Natalia, "Even if that's the case, how are four people supposed to fit in here? And if we're all meant to be here, then the carriage shouldn't be this small."
no subject
"I doubt we're waiting for a 4th person since they'd probably never existed to begin with," he mused.
Moogles were strange things. Chapopo, Rukia's Moogle was the oddest Moogle he had ever met so this was pretty light compared to the screaming, overenthusiastic Moogle.
"We don't. Look, if we want out of this then we better dive for the ground. If not, then we're stuck doing this gig."
He spoke again to Asch as calmly and nonchalantly as he possibly could. Asch might not like that. Yuri just sighed and waited for the two of them to get comfortable.
no subject
But Natalia thought nothing of it. She was a little squished, but she offered no complaints, trying to shift and settle more on her hip to give the others more room. Besides, it wasn't often she got to be quite this close to Asch, and whatever he'd used to wash his hair, she had to admit that it smelled rather nice.
"Oof!" she winced as the carriage hit a rock, rudely jostling all three of its occupants. That didn't concern her as much as what the others were saying, however. She leaned forward, looking at each one and trying to discern their expressions. "Oh? You don't want to?" Asch seemed more reluctant than Yuri, but neither seemed all that pleased to be stuck on a date with her. "I wouldn't want to force either of you into something like this out of obligation. So if that is your wish, I will honor it."
Was that a twinge of disappointment in her voice?
no subject
Although it had occurred to Asch before, he'd been too distracted by Yuri's presence to pay Natalia much mind. Which in brief retrospection, is terrible—why would he want to focus on that idiot when he should be cherishing his time with Natalia?
As everything starts making sense, Asch suddenly notices that he's been staring perhaps a little too long at Natalia. Feeling his face grow warm from his furious blushing, he quickly casts his gaze elsewhere.
"—That's not it. Argh!" How could he have let Natalia feel this way? Now he's mad at himself for not really thinking about her feelings at a time like this. "They're the problem, and he's stupid for going along with it! If getting us on a date was so important, they should've just said so and not pretended it was something else!"
He lets out an irritated and deflated sigh, and even though his face is still red from his embarrassment and humiliation, he turns to Natalia and continues, "Besides, I would've come anyway just for you!"
no subject
Yuri spoke after Natalia's comment. He didn't want to make her sad that he didn't want to hang out with her. It was just the whole situation was awkward for Yuri who felt more like the third wheel in this date right now. Not that he needed to be on a date with anyone. He was tricked and stupid moogles.
"Sorry, it's not that I'm upset at you or anything. Let's try to have fun, Princess."
He replied offering her a small smile as he looked to the side. However, Yuri couldn't help but smugly grin when Asch's face grew hotter and redder. Huh. Now he knew exactly what was going on and he props his elbow against the window on the side he was sitting.
"Was that a hot confession Asch? I didn't think you'd like her that much! Heck, I didn't even know you two knew each other. What a surprise!"
Yeah Yuri freaking Lowell, Enjoy.
no subject
How comforting it was to know that in spite of all he'd gone through, he hadn't cast aside the ties of their childhood friendship. Asch or Luke, engaged or estranged, they were still dear to one another.
"Agreed," she spoke at last with a single nod of determination. "Fun should be our objective tonight, given how precious little of it we can afford in the days to come. That said..." Natalia leaned forward, peering past Asch to give Yuri a sharp look. "I do hope that your definition of 'fun' isn't limited purely to embarrassing others. Surely you can be more creative than that."
In other words, shut up, Yuri.
"Well! Now that we're all in agreement, shall we eat first, or engage in some sort of activity?" Natalia wasn't sure if the Moogles had anything in mind or not. They probably did, but if it was their date, then they should be the ones to decide what they did with their time.