dualisnet | UN: Almasy

Hm. That might be kind of hard, but I'll do my best.

[No promises. But she'll try her best!]

At least no scratching.

[He'll tolerate yelling... for a bit.]

Okay, okay. I promise. Jeez!

Alright. Good. I'll let you know when we're back.

[Which will take some time. It's quite a drive to the outskirts of the city, and quite a drive back. Not to mention the time it takes to get Seifer stitched and Squall calmed down enough to shove him in the car.

At last, a few hours later, he'll send the text along letting Rinoa know they made it.]

We're back. Heading up.

[He really just wants to lay down and rest now.]

Edited 2019-09-09 00:47 (UTC)

[She's... not doing anything particularly special when he texts her. And by 'special,' it's Rinoa's flavour of the month book. So probably not something she wants to publicly disclose to anyone.]

On my way!

[And in no short amount of time, here she is at Seifer's door. In one hand, a bag of cocoa ready-to-make. If she's going to work at the cafe, then at the very least she can make use of the cocoa there. Besides, maybe it'll make him feel better.

She knocks. And waits patiently. Or as patiently as a girl like Rinoa can be.]

[What, doesn't want to share her cheesy romance novel with someone who would probably enjoy them just as much, given his taste in literature? It's understandable.

He has just enough time to change his shirt before Rinoa's knocking, and Eos is at the door making rumbling croaking sounds as though Seifer couldn't hear the knock himself.]

Settle down, I'm gettin' it.

[Seifer can be heard shooing his dog aside as he moves to open the door for her. Stepping aside to let her in while he moves to go settle down on his bed. He's tired, no more standing. His old shirt a conspicuous ball of bloody rag in the wastebasket.]

Hey. You're quick.

[Maybe next time, Seifer.

She presses her ear to the door to listen in and grins. It's not like she was just repeatedly tapping on his door. Maybe she should have, though, just to get under his skin. Not entirely unlike him, she kind of likes pressing buttons.

...Maybe she's gotten that from him.

He shows her in and she gives him a look over. Instead of immediately handing him the cocoa she's brought, however, she lets him wander off to make himself comfortable. She'll handle everything else. Including giving his dog some good little pets.

Hyne, she misses Angelo.

Eventually she makes way for his doorframe and leans against it. Taking a moment to eye his quarters, she gradually moves her gaze onto the blond in question.]

Well. I was worried. You expected me to wait? It's not like I was busy, anyway. [She pauses.] Is there anything I can get for you?

[She should hook him up. It might keep him entertained when he's not working himself to death.

Seifer is the worst influence, he's probably rubbed some ornery habits off on her. Although he wouldn't be convinced it was all his influence. He just encourages the behavior that's already there.

Eos dances in delight and spins around on his little webbed clawed feet, clacking his teeth in delight. He does so love attention, especially from new people! Might be a strange creature to call a dog, but with those mannerisms? All dog.

There's nothing special about the dorm. Just another dorm, clearly shared by two people, both of whom were tidy and minimalist. One might find it difficult to guess who even lived there were it not for the dog toys and bowls for Eos.]

Eh. [He shrugs. Really shouldn't be surprised by her being concerned anymore. Sometimes it still catches him off guard.] I'm more interested in what you've brought with you?

[Prideful as ever. She can't even blame him for feeling like that. Even she has some pride, too. A similar kind where she doesn't want to ask for help if she doesn't have to. Seifer doesn't want her mothering him. Doesn't really need it either.

At his question, she wears a smile and looks back to where she left his impromptu 'gift.']

I haven't been here long enough to get you anything substantial, so I brought you some cocoa from the cafe. In fact, you should probably just get prepared to have a lot of cocoa as presents until I can afford something you know... that isn't cocoa.

[Rinoa chuckles.] Unless you have a sweet tooth.

[Seifer will eventually own up to needing help for physical trauma once he thinks he needs it. Which will... probably be later than most normal people but hey, he's used to it. Anything else he'll just flatly refuse is a problem forever so.

Never mind any of that. There's cocoa.]

Hey, no way, that's perfect. I love cocoa.

[While he doesn't have a strong sweet tooth for everything, cocoa is always a winner.]

That and tea, we used to share it back at the village...

[Oh. Oops.]

[Rinoa is all smiles up until his last sentence. Not that it fades completely, but that there is a definite change in her demeanour at his words. Another one? Another one. Another person who knows of a different Rinoa from a different time. And the 'village.' It isn't the first time it's been referenced to her. Steph from the cafe said something similar. Or rather, that she recognised Rinoa from there.

Once more, she cannot help but wonder what was this other Rinoa like. Was she kind? Was she the same? Who will she, the Rinoa of now and here, become? Nida's declined from telling her much, perhaps to stop some kind of strange sci-fi time paradox from occurring, but her insides burn with an undying curiosity.

After a moment, she straightens herself up.]

...Huh. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. Seems like... there's a lot of people here who knew a me I don't know. [She tries not to frown. It's hard. It's really hard just to pretend it's not getting to her when she knows that it is. And she can't even talk to Squall about it because she doesn't think he'd get it. Rinoa swallows and forces a smile, something that isn't a first for her and she's willing to wager it won't be a last either.]

So you and her... [Which is weird to phrase is like so considering 'her' is really... well. Her.] Were you guys close? [The way I want us to be?]

[Seifer and his big mouth. He sighs, flopping back... carefully. Stitches are sore and he doesn't want to make things worse. It's not like they had anesthesia on them or anything.]

So you've already heard some about it. Did anyone else tell you much?

[Guess he might as well tell her some of village Rinoa, whom he is quite certain was also really Rinoa. She just doesn't remember anymore, which is sad.]

You, [He corrects, because they are one and the same. Just with weird memories, he's sure of it.] We lived together.

[Oh, wait, maybe he should elaborate.]

Uh, the three of us. You, me, Nida. Y'know, keepin' an eye on each other.

[Yes. They were very close.]

[Rinoa shakes her head.] No. Nida wouldn't tell me much. He... I think he was afraid if he did, I might try to be more like her.

[Like me, except it wasn't her at all. Not to her. She tries not to, but can't help it. With so many others where she feels like she has to smile constantly, at least in Seifer's company, she feels like she can be a little more like herself.

At least, she thinks that until he continues. They lived together? Nida definitely didn't say as much to her. It takes her some moments to put herself back together. She clears her throat and tilts her head thoughtfully.]

...I see. Keeping an eye on each other. Sounds like... us, I guess.

Sounds like Nida.

[Overly cautious. Probably wisely overly cautious. Still... she deserved to know. He was just thinking of it in a way similar to how they experienced Guardian Forces. All of them supposedly growing up, this life Seifer can't at all remember. Did any of it really happen?

They know each other better than some of the others. At least, he'd like to think so, given how they were before the war. After... things are still awkward here. He still wants to try to fix it.]

Mhmm, you insisted I come. Didn't have anywhere else to go so... [He shrugged. Hyne it had been awkward starting out.] It was... nice. We had a good system going. I cooked, you took care of tidying, Nida brought firewood and supplies. It was simple.

[That sounds like something she'd do, too. Give him a place to stay. Regardless of whatever the past holds or how it still seems to have a hand on both of them, she never wants anything bad to befall him. At least, not if she can help it. She might not deserve to feel that way after all that's been said and done, but it's the truth. Asking Rinoa not to care is... well. It's like asking her not to breathe.

Seifer continues and her expression softens ever in slight. Sounds like the three of them had the right idea. Strength in numbers, or something like it. Quite possibly 'misery loves company,' though she's too optimistic to say so.]

That doesn't sound horrible. Hyne knows I can't cook, but I can clean. [Maybe in that respect, this other Rinoa and she weren't too different. She wants to ask and can't. Fear grips at something inside of her and she realises she might not like the answer. As such, she can only wonder. Unless she somehow sprouts courage.]

[She did. She absolutely insisted. Having nowhere else to go, and feeling a kind of responsibility to look out for her he'd accepted. In a lot of ways she looked out for him and Nida as well. They made an interesting little family. They still have a lot to work through, and while she might not remember it Seifer did remember the progress they'd made.

Even if he was still gunshy about having to do it again. He isn't very good at these emotional things. She knows that much about him he expects. Interestingly they weren't miserable at all. Well, alright the situation sucked a little but they made it work.]

I'd like to think I'm an alright cook. Nida still insists I feed him daily. [As does the cat-like Squall now, hilariously. He'd feed Rinoa too if she came down for meals. Seifer likes to cook.]

You helped new arrivals outta the fountain. Always there with towels and directions. Always helpin' people.

[He kind of admired that about her. She just seemed to know what was needed while the rest of them were clueless.]

Well, it's kind of sweet to see you taking care of him. To know you took care of us. [It's a little hard to picture, but endearing all the same. The thing about Seifer, though, and most people, is that he isn't simply one way and one way only. The reason people are so miraculous as they are is because of their multifaceted beings. Rinoa's like that, too. But she never starts really thinking about it until someone else says something she didn't quite expect.

As he continues to fill in the holes, she's reminded of a recent conversation she's had with Squall.]

Sounds... like me. Again. You know, it's interesting. Squall not too long ago told me he thought I always knew what to say. To people. In situations. Made it sound like some great gift. [Dismissively she lifts a hand and wiggles it to and fro.]

Sometimes you can't think about what to do. Sometimes you can only do. Even a bad action is better than inaction.

To be fair, you started the birthday thing. [The boys hadn't even considered trying to celebrate. That was a Rinoa tradition. Trying to learn how to be people. It's funny what happens when you have the time to step back and really try to get to know someone. More than just the mask they put out there for you to see. It's difficult for all of them, they've spent so much of their lives wearing a mask to appear a certain type of presentable. Rinoa included.

They ended up being pretty good for each other in the end.]

Yeah, well, she was you. Far as I can tell. Dunno how this time and space bullshit works exactly but I'm pretty sure you were you, even if you don't remember it.

[He just huffs an amused, rueful sound, and gestures faintly as if to say 'you're talking to the expert on bad action here.'

As if Seifer would have ever been capable of inaction back then. It sure did backfire horribly though didn't it?]

She was me. I don't know if I agree with you.

[Rinoa eyes him for several moments, but when she realises she can't keep her gaze there, she draws it aside. She doesn't have those memories. Doesn't know the same people. Doesn't know what happened, what she was like, what she did. All she has is Nida and Seifer to rely on, one of whom seems to have little interest in giving her information. Probably for the right reason. There's no way to tell that Rinoa is meant to follow one path and one alone. Likewise, there's no way to tell how Rinoa will be shaped by the events of the present and those of the future.

None of their futures are certain. Maybe that's why Nida keeps his mouth shut.]

It... doesn't really matter at the end of the day. We're still two different versions of the same person. I might not become like her. I can only be who I am. As can we all. So whoever I become in the future, I guess I want to make the most of what I've got here in front of me.

[Now. Tomorrow. In a week from now. In a month. In a year. As usual, Rinoa's heart is displayed right out in the open.]

[He just shrugs. To him they're both Rinoa, but he supposes he can understand. It's a lot of how he feels about this whole orphanage thing he's heard about. Can't remember enough of it to confirm or deny that it was even him. Felt like an entirely alien, separate life. Maybe it's a bit like that for her.

Seifer has a big mouth and says too much. One day maybe he'll learn to shut up. Probably not, sadly.

Still, he glances away, heaving a sigh. She's right, after all. That other Rinoa isn't her. She's not going to remember what they went through together already. They'll just have to start fresh.]

Then... [He hesitates, frowning over at her warily.] Maybe we should get to know each other here instead?

[He's full of surprises.

She's distracted by something, anything that isn't him. At least until he finds the courage to utter his next words. Was there a point at all, in their summer romance in which she ever thought she really knew him? She doesn't even have an answer to that.

It's never too late to start, is it?]

I'd... like that. [She nods slowly and gradually brings her dark stare back onto him.] I think I've wanted that for a long time actually. Maybe... I just didn't have the courage to say so.

[He tries!

With the war hanging like a giant, hungry behemoth between them, that summer felt like a lifetime ago as well. They may never have the easy, uncomplicated relationship they had back then, but in a way this is more meaningful now is it not? Trying to cross the bridges that Seifer at least thought were forever burned.

Could someone like him really ever earn forgiveness?

Still, if she's willing to let him try he'd like that chance. Maybe it's just the stupid, desperate part of him wanting to find out if he's really as lost a cause as he's always thought.]

[He nods, maybe even brightens up just a touch. She doesn't know how much a chance means to him.]

Well... why not? And this time we don't have any wars loomin' over our heads to distract us.

[Yet, anyway.]

[Is she... colouring? A little bit, actually. Feelings never really go away and maybe that's part of why Rinoa has, in turn, kind of avoided him back home. She's never known what to say and she knows herself. She knows how transparent she can be. She knows of her very bad habit of saying things and not being able to properly filter out what's right and what's wrong. So maybe she's been afraid of saying something she'd regret.

Maybe it's even deeper than that.

Every time she looks at him, she just thinks about what she said back in Galbadia Garden. And her heart threatens to catch right in her throat. She has no right to even think about it, much less to feel it. not even back then, she imagines.]

I can think of fewer things that could compare to spending time with you. It's been long overdue. I've got a lot to make up for, don't I.

[She chuckles.] Good thing I'm just annoying enough to make that happen.

[Not that Seifer would have noticed as he was trying to hide from everyone in return. Though for decidedly different reasons. Until his time in the village and here he'd assumed the worst. Sometimes it was nice being proven wrong. Rinoa's blushing only helped confirm that maybe he wasn't the only one still harboring leftover feelings, complex as they now were.

There was still so much left unspoken between them.

Her comment, however, does earn a rueful huff.]

Tch, I'm sure you can think of a few things.

[Spending time with Squall he'd imagine would be much higher on that list. Don't mind Seifer he's a little self depreciating deep down.]

Still. Wouldn't mind trying again on that friendship thing.

[She laughs a little, even as she contemplates what he might be implicating with his words. She suspects that it could... very well be... envy. Of what, she doesn't know. She won't ask either, in spite of the curiosity that's roiling within her.

Shaking her head, she issues a soft sigh.]

I thought we already agreed we were going to. Unless you just want to hear me say it over and over again. Which I mean, I can.

[Rinoa grins as she weaves her hands together.] But that aside, is there anything I can do for you? I could read to you or something. Tell you stories? Something to let you relax since you're still recovering.

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