melodiesoflife | #1 Settling in

Entry tags:

#1 Settling in

Characters: Vincent Valentine, Open or Closed depending on prompt.
When:June 9th onward
Summary:Vincent is getting used to life in Aquares Ixen, to being 'human' again, and to a little thing called the Blitzball World cup (and vuvuzelas).
Warnings: None yet?

House A02--Yuffie

Vincent was a surprisingly boring person as a housemate. At least that was his opinion, and Ophelia had been surprised by it too. Given his demeanor and appearance, his moogle had expected something else. She'd expected something far more dramatic anyways, but she'd adapted to him well. Vincent was practical, really. He had his own tastes, but he wasn't there to put on a show for anyone.

Once he'd worked through the memories, in his own way, and dealt with a hysterically worried Ophelia, the gunslinger had started to settle in to life here. He'd chosen the Gunner and Red Mage jobs, and Ophelia had helped him retain his gauntlet. It was as much psychological, as well as physical support, for his weakened left arm. From there, it had been shopping.

Food was first, and clothing that was basic and casual. Sheets, and a note book and pencils. The kitchen was now stocked with basics to do a variety of simple meals, quick and normal. His room and clothing favored the darker-hues, as he did like his red and black and dark blue. Ophelia had aided him, as there was a very nice basket in the bathroom. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, washcloth, brush and comb. And smaller fur-comb and soap, as Ophelia insisted. She'd also made part of her bargain, that Vincent read to her.

So they had books now. More often, if Vincent wasn't out and getting used to his new jobs or wandering around the city getting used to things, he was at home. Often in his room, occasionally in the living room in a chair. Reading to Ophelia from a book she picked out. He didn't do funny voices, or act things out; his tone was dry and businesslike. But Ophelia enjoyed hearing him read, and the little moogle had used it to bargain loaning him some gil.

Aquares Ixen, pre-world cup. Open

Supplies. Learning a new city. Vincent is out and about, dressed casually as he stands out enough otherwise. Dark pants and shirt, medium length dark brown jacket over those. His gauntlet covers his left arm, although the sleeves from the jacket help disguise most of it. His hair is loose but the red bandanna keeps it out of his eyes mostly.

Feel free to approach him. Occasionally a little moogle in a bright red long scarf will zip to him. This is Ophelia, as the two are out buying supplies. He'll be in and out of shops, and the library.

Aquares Ixen during the world cup--daytime. Open

Vincent's out and about again although people are giving him a wider berth. Mostly because in the midst of his shopping, he's had to put up with greater crowds. The crowds are not the issue--it's the horrible sound from the long trumpet-like instruments. He is keeping to himself more, as he tries to pick up normal supplies (weekly groceries, a new book, ammo which is guarded jealously).

He doesn't begrudge people their excitement, and has even tried to figure out what this Blitzball is. So you might be able to find him around food and drink stalls, or watching the artistic matches. He looks more annoyed than usual, given the constant buzzing of vuvuzelas and chatter of excited people.

Aquares Ixen during the world cup--nighttime. Open

The noise has not stopped, even if parts of hit have gone from deafening clamor to dull roar. It's definitely given Vincent headaches, and insomnia. Not that he wasn't prone to insomnia before...but the noise isn't helping.

He really is doing his best to not squash other's excitement though. Even if they're being idiots, so long as they're not causing harm? Not his problem.

It does mean he's prowling around the city, lurking on the edges of roofs though, trying to find quieter spots to just observe things. Keep himself busy. If he spots some of the annoyed losers going to ruin things or make trouble, he's likely to intervene. He might also have dabbled in a least one fight-club (sans gauntlet) as a practical means of getting used to his 'human' body again. He's keeping himself very carefully controlled and disciplined through it all.

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"If you want. I'm used to the idea of sports tournaments." They'd had them in various cities on Gaia. He'd never been much for sports though. Not these kinds anyways. Hunting was fun, and sharpshooting as well.

"Well it can get a little bit rough out there. People use skills to try and stop people or to score." Yuna had a lot of bruises forming after her last match. Specifically a large one growing on her ribs. She'd heal it later since it wasn't yet causing her discomfort.

She pointed at the player with the ball. "Two offense, two defense, center field and then goalie." She didn't point to them all since she assume he knew who was who. "Tackling can get rough but that's pretty much it."

Yuna looked up at him. "What sorts of things do you like?" If he mentioned guns Yuna might get a little excited.

Vincent nodded with her explanation. He had gathered as much, but it was nice to have what he'd guessed confirmed. Especially since the matches he had observed weren't as competitive in the way the main ones were. They'd been deemed 'artistic' matches, and he supposed now he could definitely understand why.

Her question had him shifting his eyes to her. It was a normal question that most people might ask, but it always threw him for a loop. It had even when he was much younger; much much younger.

"Books." A simple enough answer, although he suspected her next question would be 'what kind?'. "I was only brought here shortly before whatever bared our memories for all to see." So he was still finding his way around this world. Hopefully that would set her on another tangent that would be more easy to deal with.

Yuna smiled softly, almost knowingly. He must be feeling uncomfortable and while she wanted to get him excited about the sport she'd rather him feel comfortable. She sighed softly her eyes on the game with a wistful smile.

"I like books too but mostly fantasy and history. There is a library here that's pretty neat. I've notice a few books that don't really fit in here and I always wondered if they were from other worlds too." Yuna couldn't really say for sure.

She looked up at him with her smile looking a little brighter as her gaze falls on the tall hero. "If you ever run out of things to read I have bought a few favorites from book stores. I'd be happy to lend them to you."

"I think it will take some time before I run out of books that are interesting. I shall keep it in mind however." Inclining his head in a nod, acknowledging and thanking her. "There is little to be read that does not fascinate me." No particular favorites or dislikes--Vincent found it all useful.

"I have been to the library, as Ophelia insisted on it." Referring to his moogle, not that Yuna necessarily might recognize that. The companion really was a bit of a dreamer and liked books of her own, but also had wanted him to read to her. Part of the negotiation for loan of money.

Yuna smiled leaning forward slightly.

"Ophelia? Is she someone from your world or your moogle?" It might be someone that he knew before and then met again in the city. If he was very interested in books it made sense to make his first stop there.

"In that case if you find any good books maybe you can suggest them." There was a loud cheer behind them as the crowd roared and cheered.

"My moogle-companion." Vincent replied. Not that there weren't people here from his world he knew as well. It was comforting amidst all the unfamiliarity.

"How long have you been here, Yuna?"

It was a curious question but she didn't think there was harm in answering it. "It was winter...November by Aqures's calendar." It's been so long.

She sighed. "Though it's been a lot longer since I've been home." She paused looking up at the stoic hero. "Why do you ask?"

"It seems to be the easiest and most conversational question to ask, aside from 'where are you from'." If anyone else had given that answer, in as calm and dry a voice as Vincent had, they'd have been accused of sarcasm. For him, he was sincere in answering that way.

He wasn't really one for small-talk. But it was a useful question for information, as well as conversational. "You were somewhere else before being brought here?"

Yuna smiled, “I suppose you are right.” She was used to the different ways that people spoke and she found that meeting people met giving them the benefit of the doubt when it came to tone. She watched the taller hero curiously for a moment before he continued.

“Yes, I was trapped in a different world. It was a city…” It had been horrible and yet she had managed to make it through. She sighed softly thinking back on it was filled with bittersweet memories and imagines of horror. She hadn’t really talked about the specifics with anyone before.

“There are a few people I think. Who’ve been to other places before too.”

It seemed he had stumbled onto a difficult subject for her.

"I have not been to any other world before this. I am also not the only one from my world, Gaia." Changing the subject if she wished.

“Gaia?” Her mismatched gaze looked up at him with a few force. She knew a lot of people from Gaia both in this city and in the last. She smiled wistfully at that before turning her gaze back to the game. “Ah, I see.”

Yuna laughed softly. “I know a lot of people from Gaia and a fair amount about it. I had a friend explain the life stream to me. It’s a lot like my own world and I think this world is a little like that too.” She looked back up at him before shrugging. “But that’s awfully serious talk to be having at a Blitzball game.” She smiled hoping that she hadn’t putt a damper on the mood.

"I am from the same point in the timeline roughly as Tifa." Vincent responded easily, as this was a much more comfortable topic in some ways.

Yuna hadn't put a damper on things at all; if anything Vincent hoped he had not. Conversations were not usually his thing. Nor had he intended to make her remember painful things either, when she clearly enjoyed her sport and was enjoying the high of the crowd during the festival.

Yuna nodded, "I know a lot of your world and that... group but.. I'm not close with them here." That had been another life time, or so it seemed. They didn't know her here and the memories were a little confusing so she usually just stayed away. Not on purpose but it was easy not running into them.

She smiled as the crowd cheered frantically. Someone had scored. "Though I didn't know you then." She had met Barret, Yuffie, Tifa, Cloud, Elena and a few others. "I might not be making sense."

Vincent did not voice his thoughts on the matter. In truth they ranged from the outlandish, to worrying about the time-line, to darker possibilities. Instead he shoved them to the back of his brain as irrelevant to this world and time.

There was more than enough that needed to occupy him, without indulging in wild theories about other worlds and multiple times and what not.

"You are making sense enough, Miss Yuna." He understood that whatever the complications, this was their first time meeting.

She smiled. "I'm glad. Either way it's nice to meet you Vincent." She rocked back with her eyes on the game. It was almost over and it looked like the one team lost by a large margin. She could hear some around them moaning as their team clearly lost.

"My game is coming up soon so I need to go get ready." She turned towards him with a wide smile. "You should watch it too."

Yuna almost said that he should cheer for her but that didn't seem like something the silent tall warrior would do.

Vincent simply nodded, his expression closed but his posture relaxed enough. Glad that Yuna seemed to understand he was not a very overt or open person. She was friendly, and not overbearing the way some could be.

"Good luck." He would watch at least part of it. It depended on how crowded things became, but he would watch now that she had explained it fully.

"Thank you!"

What that she ran off into the seats and down the steps towards the locker rooms. She might look for him before the game starts to see if he really watches but she won't say anything if he chooses to leave.

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#1 Settling in

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