melodiesoflife | #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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Kidd was expecting the response. Not the specific way she did, but she wasn't fool enough to sneak up on someone and not expect a violent response. She moved out of the way of the shot, but only just so.

The enhanced agility that her jobs offered her certainly helped though.

"Easy now. I'm not an enemy." She was just making it clear that she wasn't an easy target herself. "They call me Kidd. James Kidd. And you are?"

"Not fond of surprises." Or of wasting ammo. Although if she was one of these Heroes of light like himself, then probably it was better that he hadn't shot her.

Coming out of the crouch as he re-holstered Death Penalty. Tall, and even without Jobs he blended into the night and shadows fairly well. "Vincent Valentine."

"A fair point, though you were the one who was tailing me. I needed to know I wasn't the one who was about to be surprised. What brought you up to these rooftops tonight? Or were you just out for a stroll?"

((ooc: Kidd is dressed like a man, and the disguise is pretty good, so he'd probably still think she's a guy))

[OOC: My bad. >.< I did know that, and forgot my pronouns in the reply. Sorry.]

"It's quieter up here during the festival." Vincent answered. So in the other's eyes--out for a stroll. Perhaps it was sniper-training and leftovers from his days in the Turks. Perhaps it was something that had changed in him with all the experiments. Being up high meant one could see more, observe more, and Vincent was fond of higher places for that reason.

"Aye, that's true. Unless they start another round of fireworks." Still, she had experience in keeping cover even with the sky lit up. It wasn't like she was actually hiding from anyone but it was good practice and even a little fun to keep it up.

Looking around, Kidd's eyes settled on a church a decent distance away. Close enough to run, far enough to make it interesting. "Do you fancy a race? To the top of that spire." It was a bit of an unfair challenge to the new hero, considering her own job levels as well as her personal skill.

The fireworks could be avoided, as far as Vincent was concerned. Still over-all quieter, and if they did start up another round, he'd probably just return home. It wasn't as if he needed to be out really.

He raised an eyebrow at the other's challenge. "Considering your ease in sneaking up on me, I doubt the odds would be in my favor. I am newly arrived." Not one for pointless challenges; that was more Yuffie's thing. "I'm willing to re-meet with you over there, if you'd prefer." But not in a race, even if there was a hint of amusement in his tone.

Kidd leaned back, actually looking a bit put off by the polite refusal. "Well you're a stiff one aren't you. Not much point in it then. We can continue as we are here." It wasn't like she was going to be completely unfair to the man, but this told her as much about him as the race might have.

"So...what do you make of this world and this Hero business?"

Privately, Vincent was amused. Cloud had called him 'cool' in how he treated people, and here he was being called stiff. Did everyone have to be so overt and obvious with their emotions and expressions that he was so unusual?

"I'm sorry if I'm not up for being made sporting fun by another." His voice was dry, on the barest edges of sarcasm in anyone else. Moving back to his crouch, then sit, on the edge of the ledge he was on. "The 'hero' thing is a new twist, although I was drawn from a point in my world where I was already aiding others in attempting to prevent its destruction."

Kidd quirked an eyebrow at Vincent's sarcastic nonapology. It wasn't worth chasing down but it was giving her a decent grasp on the shape of this man. She moved closer to where he perched but opted to remain standing herself.

"Aye. I suppose I can understand that. I wasn't precisely known for my good deeds back where I come from either. Then again what is lawful and what is right aren't always the same thing." She glanced sidelong at Vincent, "So you have some experience in all of this then? Any of your allies in this world as well?"

No, right and lawful weren't always the same. Good deeds even more subjective to interpretation. But that was neither here nor there in the conversation. "Quite a few. Miss Zelda has noticed that my world seems to draw quite a few to this place."

Vincent canted crimson eyes over to watch his companion in turn. "I am currently housed with Yuffie. I traveled with Cloud and Tifa among others."

"Ah, I know two of those at least. Cloud seems to be putting his best face forward as a hero though sometimes it seems he's pushing himself. As for Yuffie," The pirate smirked a bit recalling their recent conversation.

"The girl has a lot of potential to grow. Especially in this world. She may think higher of herself than she should but it hasn't gotten her in....too much trouble yet." Kidd still wasn't happy about when Yuffie was taken captive but the girl was recovering well.

"Cloud is from an earlier point in the time-line than when I know him." Vincent responded, voice neither warm nor cold even as he was speaking of friends and allies. "The core of who he will be, can be seen if one looks though."

It was interesting hearing what the other had to say regarding Yuffie. Some of it Vincent agreed with, although the estimation on Yuffie thinking higher of herself... That amused Vincent--considering the girl was a princess at home. Did the ninja know he suspected a lot of her bravado was to hide her own fear and insecurity? Especially since she'd opened up about what had happened to her before he arrived.

"Yuffie has many layers."

Kidd nodded as she listened. The description of Cloud was an interesting one and she was a little surprised to hear that whatever force that was bringing them here had been so liberal with their timeline. But perhaps there was a purpose to it. Like the way the Assassins had been taken to this world in that other time.

"And what are you to them then? You don't seem like the most storybook definition of a Hero. You seem like someone who would be more comfortable in the dark."

That brought a sound that might very well have been an amused snort. "I am someone who is atoning for a sin." The description was apt. Even as a Turk, Vincent had been more at home in the dark. The shadow bodyguard and marksman.

Hero was definitely not his style.

Mary can understand wanting to work to atone. It's what she had been doing since her own arrival in this world. It was recent events which helped her move beyond that point.

"As long as that's not the only reason you'd do the right thing." Her tone shifts to something more gentle. The sarcasm has dropped away. "It's all to easy to drag yourself down based on what you think you have to do or what you owe people. Just be sure you don't make your burden larger than it really is. Or the only thing that drives you."

#1 Settling in

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