melodiesoflife | THE ROOM(MATE)

WHO: Rukia Kuchiki, OPEN (especially to people in B-03)
WHAT: Rukia explores the city to learn how to navigate this new place ~~and to find the best trees to climb what no~~, as well as get a look at the house where she was assigned to live.
WHEN: Backdated to September 5th - Early Evening
WHERE: Aqures Ixren, then B-03
WARNINGS: None. Rukia is short.

[Moving Around the City]

Chappopo the Moogle was lucky. The hero she'd been assigned to was a couple of inches under five feet tall. As such, there was no need to worry about keeping up with a long-legged stride. Rukia's pace was brisk and confident, but her stride was short. She showed her curiosity without reservation, moving past the populace and pausing occasionally to examine a vendor's cart or a shop window. Doing so allowed her to catch a glimpse of her reflection. The ninja's hood and mask were slipped down long ago, and she was relieved to find that her appearance was largely unchanged. She still looked as she had when she was a Soul Reaper.

"I should like to know the places of importance," Rukia said, pulling herself away from a clothing shop. Wearing robes of black so openly amongst other humans was a little strange, but at least she wasn't alone. She saw at least one or two others wearing the same ninja garments as she did.

"Kupo? Should we visit the airship port?"

Rukia smiled. Airships... She could imagine what those would be like. She inclined her head. "I would like that, thank you."

Maybe they could get something to eat, as well. Surely they would have given her some of these 'gils' they'd mentioned, to see to her basic needs.

[Finding B-03]

It was dark by the time Rukia had got her fill of the city. There was still much more to see (particularly the Chocobo Stables, which were closed much to her disappointment), but she was tired and more than ready to rest. Following Chappopo's directions, Rukia approached the house to which she was assigned. It seemed like a comfortable place, at least from the outside. As to what the interior held, she couldn't guess. Rukia rapped politely on the front door with her knuckles.

"There will be others living here as well?"

"Three, I believe," Chappopo answered.

Rukia nodded slowly, thoughtful. Interesting. It would be good in any case to meet others who were better versed in the world and the duties of being a Hero of Light. She stood patiently on the front step, arms resting loosely at her sides.

"I'll leave you to it, then. Good night, Rukia-po!"

She smiled warmly. "Good night to you as well. Thank you for your guidance this day."

[OOC: Still new, feel free to let me know if I made a mistake, and I'll edit!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"There is, though they seem confused about us too, at times." Robin sighed. "But Wedge, Biggs, and Cid have all been quite helpful. But one--ah, Jessie."

Robin glanced to the side. It still hurt to think of; they had trusted Jessie, and it hadn't gone well in the slightest. She was behind much of what happened. "We thought we could trust her, but she was using us. The answer, unfortunately, is that we have a mystery on her hands."

Rukia was quiet. Yes...it was difficult, when one of authority abused their station and betrayed the ideals of the whole. She was very much aware of the hurt it could cause.

"I suppose we must find our own answers, then," she sighed. "I have no doubt, then, that the three you mentioned are besieged by questions from newcomers like myself." She looked at Robin, then at the books. "Ah! I understand. You seek answers in the library!"

Aizen Sousuke might have sneezed, if sneezing benefited his plans.

"Mm-hmm! And information about this world!" Robin said, with a slightly wider smile than before. "Ah, you see, it has a quite thorough history that well predates our arrival. We're as new to this as the people here are new to receiving us--well, er, sort of." The previous Heroes of Light were a bit of a wrinkle in that. "Unfortunately, the books just give me more questions..."

"And more wisdom," Rukia pointed out. "Even if they yield more questions, you nonetheless take a step closer to finding truth. Your studies are worthwhile." She adjusted her hold on the books to shift them under her arm.

Hmmm...

"Perhaps I may assist? I have little else to occupy myself at the moment. We can cover twice as much information if we work together."

"Yeah!" Robin exclaimed, excitedly.

She never could turn down research help. For one, Rukia was absolutely right; two minds would read through more books and take better notes. They could also talk them over, explore more theories, and investigate more ideas. For two, reading things together like that was simply fun.

"That sounds like a plan," she said. "Did you do a lot of research back home?"

"Some," Rukia said. "The 12th Division was the scientific research branch of Soul Society, and I was a member of the 13th, so I cannot claim research as a specialty. But when I was enrolled at the academy, I was a diligent student." She'd had to work hard. She and Renji came from a place where knowledge and books were a luxury; there was no one to bring them up with knowledge of a shinigami's duties or the nature of Hollows outside of the classroom.

She was pleased at Robin's enthusiastic reception to the idea. It was far easier to learn with a 'study buddy' to be sure.

"Let's arrange to meet at least once a week, then. It will be an excellent opportunity to expand our understanding."

"Ah, I see! That's all that it takes. A willingness and an eagerness to learn!" Robin said, with a knowing smile and a proud nod. She was, perhaps, a little too sure of the importance of learning -- and how well people took to reading. But, in Rukia's case, she doubted that she had anything to worry about.

"Once a week sounds fantastic," she said. "I can fit that into my duties in the military easily." She already came to the library more than once a week, after all.

"Excellent!" Rukia grinned, liking the prospect very much. "We can meet and exchange notes over tea, then move to the library to continue our studies. We'll take home different books to see what results our research yields." Yes, it was the perfect plan.

But don't be surprised if the occasional horror novel worked its way into Rukia's stack.

"What is the military like?" Rukia asked. "Do all Heroes enlist, or is service voluntary?"

"Oh, that sounds fantastic!" Robin said. Nevermind that they had, essentially, invented a book club. It was a book club with a purpose. Even if novels sometimes slipped into their stacks of materials.

The other question, though, made her tilt her head. She saw how someone might wonder; it made Robin smile, before she shook her head.

"Oh, it's voluntary," the tactician said. "It's based out of Esdham. It's worthwhile--plenty of time for our other duties, I find. If you have military experience, it can be useful."

Esdham? It must be another city or neighboring country, Rukia reasoned. She would have to examine a map when she had the opportunity to do so. That led her to wonder if the Soul Society's Gotei 13 could be considered a military. She had always seen it as a form of government, but technically, so was the typical armed forces of a nation. They protected human souls, vanquished enemy Hollows... It was more military-like than she realized.

"I think I will look into it. Thank you." And if she did join, at least she would be acquainted with another officer.

"Of course. If you ever have questions, feel free to ask them," Robin said. She smiled, then clutched her books tighter under her hand, as she saw it rising up: the library. All told, it was a fairly large building. It still had a few burn scars from the battle, too.

"Ah, here we are!" she said. "Thanks again, Rukia. I'm in your debt for the help."

"Nonsense." Rukia carried the books the rest of the way, as did Chappopo, until they were safely delivered at the front desk. "Remember that you also shared information and informed where the library was located. Consider the debt paid."

Besides, she felt like they were starting to become friends. Friends didn't keep tabs on favors.

Robin plopped her books down on the front desk, too. The look that the librarian gave her could best be described as 'knowing.'

She came here a lot.

"Mm, that's very true!" She smiled. "Besides, keeping track of debts could be more effort than it's worth. We have many meetings over tea ahead. I think I would lose track."

She wouldn't, actually -- she kept the numbers and logistics in order for Chrom's army -- but it felt like work to keep tab who owed what to whom.

THE ROOM(MATE)

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Ha ha ha ha!

:D

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