[OPEN] An easy quest...

[her_rose_is_red]

Characters: Ib and open
Where: The history museum
When: April 11th
Summary: Ib has been given a quest to get a new job. It's a simple one, but...
Warnings: None


[Ib is sitting on the steps in front of the history museum, a letter in her hand and a covered painting next to her. She's eying it somewhat warily. Rose is nowhere to be seen. Ib had wanted to do this quest all on her own, but now she's wishing that her moogle had come along.

It should be easy. Just deliver this painting to Jessie. It is easy. It's such a silly thing to be nervous about. The gallery... that was a long time ago. And it wasn't even in this world. Except... this world has a lot more magic and monsters than hers ever did.

She wonders if she should peek. Maybe if she saw the painting she'd feel better. Or maybe worse. Maybe she should ask someone for help? No, they'd only laugh. They'd think she was just a scared little kid. And she's worked hard to seem more grown up. So here she is, uncertainly glancing at the painting next to her.]

Comments

[goddessofthesky]

Ib?

[She hasn't seen the girl since she was sick and she isn't sure what she might be doing sitting on the steps in front of the history museum.

Zelda steps up next to her with a gentle smile.]

Everything alright?

[her_rose_is_red]

Zelda...


[Ib looks up at her with a mix of embarrassment and relief. She's glad to see someone she knows and trusts, but.... she doesn't want Zelda to think she's weak either. So its with reluctance that she nods.]

I'm okay...

[goddessofthesky]

[It isn't so hard to tell that she isn't but Zelda doesn't push. She knew Ib pretty well now and she believes that the young girl is strong no matter what she might be facing.

Zelda smiles moving to stand next to Ib on the steps.]

What are you up too?

[Her eyes flick over to the painting.]

Looks like your moving something fragile. Maybe I could help?

[her_rose_is_red]

I wanted a new job so.... I'm doing a favor for Jessie.

[She nods at the painting.]

I think she was trying to be nice by giving me an easy one.

[Because it is easy. She knows that. And its such a dumb thing to be nervous about. Paintings aren't scary. And yet... she can still remember with absolute clarity the first time the Lady in Red clawed it's way off of the wall to tear her apart. Or those liar paintings slicing each other up. She remembers having to get past the Lady in Blue to get Garry's rose back. And also.... Mary.

An involuntary shudder goes through her. No, paintings are very scary when they want to be.]

[aero_dienamic]

Since her roomie had taken an interest in the arts, Val, too, tried to further her understand of the people she cared about, lived with, and generally things that caught human attention. After all, then she could better understand them and stand out less...

Other than physically...

That said, a 7 foot woman that floats, with long sharp, Galaga-painted nails, and 15 feet or so of hair might be frightening to a small girl, no matter how well-meaning the blonde creature is as she floats over. "Dear, are you lost?"

[her_rose_is_red]

Ib scoots back up several steps nervously. Her first frightened thought is that Valvalis is some sort of monster that wandered into the city. It's not until she speaks that Ib realizes she's looking at a fellow hero. And that probably she should say something.

"Um..."

Brilliant start.

[aero_dienamic]

Val sets her feet on the ground, letting her hair just drag instead.

"I'm sorry dear, did I frighten you. I certainly didn't mean to." She kneels down, doing her best to come down to Ib's height and hold out her hand, though her nails are still there. She really does like children, and not in the 'I'm going to cook and eat you' fashion.

"I'm Valvalis, what's your name?"

[her_rose_is_red]

Oh. Now she just feels embarrassed. She must look ridiculous, scrambling away from a fellow hero like that. And now that she looks closer, Valvalis isn't all that scary. Ib smiles back hesitantly.

"I'm Ib..."

And because she feels bad about being scared of her, she quickly adds...


"Sorry. I... You just surprised me, that's all."

Not entirely true, but it sounds better than 'I mistook you for a monster.'

[victorix]

[Rikku's not one for museums, but her general wanderings bring her nearby. She recognizes the lone figure as the young summoner back at the battle against the giant machina with the Empire.

At first she makes her way over to introduce herself, but picks up from Ib's weary glances at the picture that something is amiss. Offering a reassuring smile, she sits down next to the girl a small distance away so they are near eye level when she speaks, rather than towering over her. As much as...Rikku's five foot nothing could be said to tower over anyone.]

Hey...you doing ok? Need any help?

[her_rose_is_red]

[Ib recognizes Rikku from the same fight, so she smiles. She still feels a little silly, being caught struggling with a job anyone would call easy.]

Yeah, I'm okay...

[victorix]

Yeah? [The Al Bhed quirks a brow, clearly unconvinced - she's not one to pressure someone into something they don't want to say, though.]

I'm Rikku by the way, never got to say hi - what with all the exploding and stuff when I saw ya.

[She eyes the wrapped picture with open curiosity, her eyes sparkling as might a child's when looking at a wrapped present.]

Whatcha got there? Did you buy something?

[Wait that wasn't how museums worked was it? Weren't they like temples - stuffy dusty places where people stood around quietly staring at things?]

[her_rose_is_red]

That fight was pretty confusing. I'm Ib.


[She follows Rikku's gaze to the covered painting, chewing nervously on her lower lip.]

No, I'm... delivering it. To Jessie.

[umslay]

"Now what have we here?" Ib was greeted by a voice coming from this tiny creature, curious about what's hidden beneath the tarp. "Is this a new artifact for the museum?"

While history was not his preferred subject of higher learning, Ales spent much of his free time away from home in the 3rd district, typically in the library. Today, braving the cool weather, he ran to the city's museums, hoping to better gauge the scientific advancements of Crystallis.

His attention returned to the girl. Without her Moogle, he couldn't tell if she was one of the Heroes of Light or a resident of Aqures Ixen. "Are you safeguarding this for one of the workers?"

[her_rose_is_red]

Ib manages not to lead off by asking him what he is. That would be rude. But she is pretty curious. Is there a polite way to ask that? Hmm, probably not.

And actually, she should probably answer his question instead of just gawking at him. She shakes her head and points back at the museum.

"I got it from them. I'm supposed to take it to Jessie."

[umslay]

If he could read the girl's mind, he would thank her for being considerate and not joining the tens of others that asked him what he was.

He diverts his attention from the painting to Ib. "Jessie?" There was only one way a little girl like Ib could possibly be involved with her. "Are you a Hero of Light or something?"

[her_rose_is_red]

Oh, she wants to ask. She would if she could think of a way to make it sound any less rude. Ib nods in response to his question, brightening up slightly.

"I am. I've been here since August."

[kobatonotdobato]

[Kobato happily wondered around going about her day when she spotted the other girl. It was someone who she hadn't met before so she made her way over with a smile.]

Hello there. What are you doing?

[her_rose_is_red]

[Ib smiles back weakly.]

I'm doing a favor for Jessie so I can get a new job.

[kobatonotdobato]

What job?

[She is happy enough to ask at least, but she wondered how doing things could get one a new job.]

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud was out for a walk, enjoying temperatures that were at least above freezing. It wasn't the best spring weather, but for a mountain boy this was nothing he wasn't familiar with. His walk was taking him past the museum when he spotted Ib and noticed the uncertainty on her face.]

Hey there. Is everything okay?

[her_rose_is_red]

[She smiles. It's been a while since she's seen Cloud.]

Hi!

[Ib is a little embarrassed at being caught having such a hard time with something so easy. So she tries her best to play it off.]

I'm fine. I'm doing a quest for Jessie.

[neverfirstclass]

[It has indeed been a while and his memory of the girl isn't as good as he'd like. At least he remembers she's a hero. He smiles and squats down in front of her so he's on her level.]

That's good. How's it going? Taking a break?

[red_planet_blues]

[Sparks is out on patrol when he spots Ib, and he raises an eyebrow. What was this even about?]

Uh. You uh, makin' a delivery or somethin'?

[her_rose_is_red]

[She nods.]

It's for Jessie. I asked her for a new job.

[red_planet_blues]

I see. So what's up? Why ya sittin' outside here with it? They're open, y'should be able to take it in.

[He noticed how she had been eying up the painting like it might suddenly bite her. But for the life of him, he can't surmise why.]

Is it... heavy? [He asks this very uncertainly.]