melodiesoflife | Slices of Life before the Looping...

Characters: Vincent Valentine, Open, one section locked (will be specified).
Where: Library, House A02
When: Septemper 16-18th-ish
Summary: Vincent is adapting to his new part-time job in the library. Come bother him, or be scared by his sudden appearance in the quiet. Also another session of Story-time, with Ophelia inviting some others now...
Warning: Potentially grumpy gunslingers?

Working in the Library

It wasn't hard work, so far. Organizing books and putting them away, and occasionally answering a question. Vincent found he kind of enjoyed the routine of it, as it required enough of his focus to not be mind-numbing, but not so much that it was taxing or a strain. It was almost zen, in terms of the calm he found. His height was an advantage in moving things around on the taller shelves, too.

He'd adapted well, aside from at least one complication so far. The flutter of wings coming around a corner as he was re-shelving, and a small voice "Excuse me kupo I was wondering if you could EEEEEEKUPO!!!" The younger moogle who'd come around the corner, obviously had gotten a look at him now. Dressed in black, even with his long-hair pulled back in a loose tail, Vincent's silhouette was still striking and creepy. His gauntlet at home( even if he felt the loss) so that his entire left arm was in black due to a glove over the ruined-arm, didn't help.

The poor little moogle, bearing a bag and a set of glasses and a bow around her pompom was shaking where she fluttered. Vincent sighed, and was careful to move slowly and as he looked at her. "What were you looking for?" Summoning up her courage, the moogle stuttered noiselessly before managing to get out her question. "His..hishistorical biographies of the first researchers kupo!" Wringing her hands, holding up her bag as if it were a shield almost.

"Down the hall past 3 stacks to non-fiction and biographies, it's next to the door."

The moogle bobbed a quick thanks and bow, and was off fast.

This type of encounter was becoming disturbingly commonplace.

Story time with guests

Ophelia was hoping Vincent wouldn't be too mad. She'd made sure to get his promise to resume his reading to her, and she'd grabbed her book about sea-legends and folk-stories. She'd also sent letters to Mogdelina and Annie, inviting them along. (Provided they didn't tease or make fun of Vincent, and respected his privacy by not sharing with their heroes.) Yuffie of course, was also informed.

The little moogle was humming happily to herself as she made tea, waiting for Vincent to get home from his part-time job, as she'd set things up so far. Making it easy for him, as she considered the debt paid and repaid. Not that she'd let him know it, just yet.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"If the text is in Ancient, then I do not believe there is a translation text in this Library, or a guide. I can show you what we have, but your best option is to find someone who is a Scholar with the skill to translate."

So long as Reno didn't make himself an enemy? Vincent would do the same.

"Ancient -- that's right." Reno nodded. "There's a couple Scholars already there. I dunno about all that, but... it's kinda just like crackin' a code, ain't it? See the figures that repeat, assume they're in the most common words or are vowels or somethin'..."

He shrugged. "I dunno. Really, I'm just hopin' for diagrams. Parts are parts, I'll figure out what the words are from there."

"You'd probably do better with hands-on practice then. But I'll show you to the section we have." There might be something useful at least. Vincent turned to walk to the appropriate section, taking it as a given that Reno would follow him.

"You are settling in ok?" Odd perhaps, to hear Vincent actually ask a question. But it was information seeking, and not necessarily an attempt at conversation. Besides, Reno was a potential resource and potential ally, if he was telling the truth. Best to keep track of him and his state.

It was nice to "talk Turk" again, even if it was with Vincent. And even talking to Vincent, things weren't as bad as Reno had feared they might turn out to be. This was... well, it wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. This was okay.

The small talk was a little weird, but Reno had to assume that Vincent felt just as awkward about it as he did. But it was a genuine attempt at being civil, and Reno would respect that.

"I..." Reno cut himself off before he just said yes. "Y'know, it's complicated? I got assigned t' live with Angeal an' Tifa of all people..."

He shook his head. "Not sure how I feel about all that yet."

"I'm in the same house as Yuffie. Aside from her falling asleep any and everywhere, and having to be sure she actually eats, it's a lot less of a problem than I expected." Vincent confided, moving through the hallway and section.

"I am unfamiliar with Angeal, although the name has been mentioned before."

Okay, that image actually got a chuckle out of Reno. Vincent was the last person he'd expect to be Yuffie's handler, but perhaps he was the most capable.

"You've heard of Angeal?" Reno's eyebrows rose, though he supposed he shouldn't have been surprised. "He was SOLDIER -- first class. With Sephiroth."

"The name has been mentioned, albeit in contexts here. Any information I've gained, has been filtered through their presence being in Crystallis and subsequent mentioning of any history from Gaia. I am also supposed to apparently know Genesis, although I have only had passing acquaintance with them. Again, on Crystallis."

No one can say that when Vincent felt it necessary TO speak, he wasn't complete about it. He'd heard bits and pieces, but mostly the names were familiar as people from the same world, whom he should know--but didn't. SO anything he did know, was based from their time in Crystallis as Heroes of Light.

Reno nodded. "Makes sense. I mean, as far as I can tell now, Angeal and Genesis hit their prime while you were already -- y'know."

He half-shrugged, feeling awkward and unsure how Vincent would describe the situation. "In Shinra Mansion."

Vincent would have missed a lot, having been in there since Sephiroth's apparent conception to, well, Cloud's return to Nibelheim with AVALANCHE. A good twenty or so years. Angeal and Genesis had come and gone by then -- Angeal permanently, Genesis... with some complications. Had Cloud not brought Vincent out of that basement, Reno would have assumed the older Turk was dead, too. Shinra secrets ran deep.

"He's not a bad guy," Reno continued after clearing his throat. "You'd probably get along."

Vincent said nothing in response, noting the awkwardness and not commenting. Simply taking in the information, as they walked through the halls. "Why would you think that?" Considering the things Vincent had seen in Sephiroth here though, he was more interested in the potential past Angeal and Sephiroth might've had, while in Soldier.

"He had a heart. Somethin' that was generally lacking in most Shinra personnel."

Himself included. Reno smirked wryly. It was something he'd accepted, and hey, progress had been made. But he still wouldn't compare himself to Angeal.

"Sure, bein' associated with the drama of Sephiroth an' Genesis didn't look good -- " Drama being an understatement. "But he had his principles. Gotta give 'im that."

"Interesting." Vincent commented, tone dry. Except he'd commented at all, which was telling. Now did Reno assume it meant most people would get along with Angeal, or was there something specific about 'principles' and/or a heart, that made him think Vincent would get along with him?

Certainly the ex-turk had paid for having a heart once. Been paying for his sins ever since. Guarded what was left of it most carefully.

"In any case, you have been assigned to live with them?" Conversation still, turning to lead Reno down a stairway.

That was apparently the end of that conversation trail. But that was fine; Reno knew to quit when he was ahead. And he was a lot further than he thought he'd be, chatting casually with Vincent Valentine. It wasn't his business to pair up other people.

"Yeah. I dunno if it has ta' do with the same world or not, 'cause the other girl there isn't from Gaia." He shrugged, following Vincent down the stairs, marveling at how large the library was. "I dunno if the moogles, or whoever organizes that shit, was tryna' be helpful but it's just as awkward as livin' with strangers. Maybe worse."

In some ways, definitely worse.

It wasn't as if the ex-turk didn't have SOME social skills. Turks were required to have a lot of varied skill-sets and experiences. Vincent just honestly didn't choose to exercise his social side more; wasn't in his nature mostly.

"Either circumstance brings its own draw-backs." Strangers, or people who 'know' you but don't? Sounded like a choice between Hell and Hades. Frying Pan or Fire.

Another hallway, and then a corner turned. "This is probably the area you'll find most useful. We're still working on organizing and cataloging parts of it, so I'm unable to offer you more guidance." Pointing to a set of shelves. "You'll probably want to start there." and then moving to point at another set. "Until about there."

Reno stopped and stared at the mess. Dusty tomes, spines with peeling labels, book trucks half full near shelves half empty. Vincent wasn't kidding when he said it was still being organized.

Great.

"Thanks," he managed, trying for a smile. It wasn't Vincent's fault, and the gunman had at least shown him the way. Now he was on his own. And sure, it sucked, but hey -- he was a Turk! He was resourceful, he could figure this out. Even if it tried his patience.

"Guess I'll take it from here." He gave the other man a thumbs-up before wandering toward the first large shelf indicated, trying to figure out how to start systematically.

Slices of Life before the Looping...

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