First promise; Video transmission

[sorcery_fledgling]

[When the feed turns on, the video shows a soaked, annoyed Rinoa. She looks something akin to a half-drowned, blue rat as she pushes back her hair. Her attempts only lead it to fall back into place, so she frowns as she grabs it and wrings it out to the side.]

One sec...

[As the water drains from her strands, her eyes dart back to the device. Now it has her full attention.]

I'm not really sure what to make of all of this. I can't decide if this is a bad prank or if the Sorceress did something to us. Who'd have thought that she'd send us to an underwater city... place in retribution? I mean, who does that?

Right. [With her hair sufficiently wrung, she tosses it over her shoulder.] My name's Rinoa. I was with my friends when we attacked a certain sorceress. I thought we had won, but... I think I fell over or something. Then I woke up here. So if anyone has seen or heard of Squall, Zell, Irvine, Quistis, or Selphie, could you maybe let me know? I'd appreciate it.

[She pauses, her brow puckered before she decides to add something.] If mentioned friends are here... would you guys meet me by this fountain thing and tell me what's going on?

Comments

[action]

[unshelledbullet]

[Checking the SFC network is something Squall didn't do often for his first month in Vatheon. He had little interest in the daily doings of people's lives and if someone really needed to reach him, they could just send him a message.

But ever since he became a part of the Defense Force, he's taken to looking at it more frequently, skipping over the things he just doesn't care about. You can learn some valuable things about the state of Vatheon by looking at the network.

It's about the time when new arrivals start coming in, so he's not surprised to posts from arrivals, some new, others returning from an absence.

And then, one of them captures his complete attention and Squall is completely silent as he watches the recording.

He almost doesn't believe what he's seeing and hearing, but the SFC tells him that yes, Rinoa Heartilly is in Vatheon.

He doesn't leave a reply. No video, no voice, no text. He simply gets up, goes out the door of his apartment, and he takes a direct path to the Plaza. He grabs a towel from a local's stand and heads straight for the fountain he saw in the video.

Yeah. That's her all right.]

Rinoa.

[action]

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Squall is fortunate enough to come upon Rinoa just as she's gracefully dumping water trapped in her boot into the fountain. It's as she's shaking it to get out every stray droplet that she hears Squall's voice. For a moment she stares at the fountain behind her, completely shocked before she turns around.

Although she had tried to address her friends, she honestly had never expected them to be here. She hadn't wanted to get her hopes up, especially with having no clue where she was or what had happened.

But Squall was here. Somehow he was here with her; he had found her and now he was standing there. She couldn't be happier to see him.]

Squall!

[She stands up, boot in hand, possibly with the intent to tackle or hug him. However, she is reminded as soon as she's on her feet that she is soaked and not even she could blame Squall for being cranky if she came at him and made him equally as wet. Instead, she stands there (still holding the boot) and smiling.]

You're here, too. Wherever here is. And - hey, why aren't you soaked, too? [No fair. Why does she have to be wet?]

[action]

[unshelledbullet]

[Graceful and dignified, that's Rinoa for you. Just like old times. Squall holds out the towel to her.]

That's because I got here before you did. Four months ago, to be exact.

[She probably would have gotten a huge kick out of seeing him soaked. She would have teased him and made fun of him and annoyed the hell out of him.]

Selphie's here too. She's been here even longer. And she's from the future or something like that.

[He just rolls with it. Speaking of time shenanigans...]

You said the last thing you did was fight Ma...the Sorceress?

[action]

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Just because she is called Princess does not mean she acts like one. Quite the opposite, in fact, and she's rather proud of that.

She gleefully takes the towel, dropping her boot to the ground as she runs the towel over her hair and face.]

It's so fuzzy.

[Her version of thanks. But as Squall begins to talk, more than is even normal for him, she stops her ministrations with the towel and peers from beneath it. His words make no sense to her, and her expression tells it all. But she trusts him, so for now, she bites back on her own questions to answer his.]

Um, yeah. Sorceress Edea, your Matron. [His little slip hadn't gone unnoticed.] We were in Galbadia Garden and we went to fight her. Why, don't you remember that? [Honestly, recalling what happened afterwards is unnerving, because she can't clearly remember, and what little she does makes no sense. And it scares her. Bone deep, primal fear kind of scary. Because she gets the feeling that something went wrong, but she can't place just what it is.]

Re: [action]

[unshelledbullet]

[Other people have been picking up the get-Squall-to-socialize slack, and he's had to talk a lot lately! When you repeatedly have to talk about where you come from, talking in general becomes a lot easier.]

The last thing I can remember is we were about to attack Galbadia Garden.

[And Selphie comes from way after that, or so she says. She won't tell him anything that happens afterward.

Though she did let slip that Laguna was his dad.

Life was cruel sometimes.]

Re: [action]

[sorcery_fledgling]

[She will have to find these people and write them hand-written thank you cards. Regardless, she will forever spear-head this movement.

Back to the conversation at hand: Rinoa is giving Squall a huge, completely blank face as she tries to understand what he just told her.]

But... you were - when we fought her, you were there. How can you not...?

[So confused.

Oh Hyne, of all the things she let slip, it was THAT?]

video

[bufudine]

[There's a small pause before he decides to use video instead of voice. It's likely Squall's already seen her post and Serph has no doubt he's gone to meet her in person, but Serph would still like to say hello to one of Squall's friends. Also I am going to be out today and tomorrow so I'll be slow.]

My name is Serph. I work with Squall.

[Slight headtilt. He should probably make sure...]

Has he found you yet?

video

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Whooooa. Who's this guy and how does he know Squall? She's confused, but he doesn't seem to be too insincere or anything that would send off warning bells. No problemo!]

Are you a SeeD, too? And um, yeah he just showed up. [She is so so confused right.]

video

[bufudine]

[In that case, Serph's just going to assume Squall has explained the basics of Vatheon to Rinoa. But... a seed? As in... a peach seed?

Serph shakes his head.]

I am part of the foreigner run Defense Force. Its purpose is to defend the city from threats, should they arise.

video

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Between Squall and Heavy, she's covered. And SeeD, as in elite trained mercenaries. It's such an obvious name for a military group, silly.]

A Defense Force? That sounds... kind of fun. And really helpful, too, of course. [Fighting and defense isn't all fun and games, Rinoa 8| ] Does the city get attacked often?

video

[bufudine]

[Serph shakes his head.]

I haven't been here long enough to know. But I've been informed it happens on occasion.

[Video]

[sandvich_good]

[Hello Rinoa, have a rather large Russian show up on your screen.]

Checked tiny starfish, two of your friends are here. Think names were...Squall and Selphie.

Anyway, you can call me Heavy. Welcome to Vatheon.

[Video]

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Hi big Russian dude!

Although really, Rinoa's just... staring at a moment. His accent is funny and he's big and... yeah, just all the general feels of any girl how's lost and confused and then confronted with a Russian man on their screen.]

I - I heard, but thank you.

Heavy... okay. I'm Rinoa. [Wait...] Vatheon? Is that what this place is called?

[Video]

[sandvich_good]

Da, is called Vatheon. Is city underneath sea. Supposed to be in different...dimension or something.

If you like, I can give you run down of city.

[Video]

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Dimension? Whoa, this was getting hairy...

Hmmm. It was a toss up between him and Squall to do the explaining.

...Yeah, she'll take her chances with Heavy.]

I'd appreciate it if you did~

Re: [Video]

[sandvich_good]

Okay. Umm...hmm.

[A pause.]

Bear in mind am not the best at English, but will explain as best as I can.

[And then, he begins.]

Supposedly, you were brought her by coral over there. Locals here worship it because of "power" it possess. Some of us are bit skeptic, but it does seem to be backed up by what have seen. If you ever feel weak, touch coral and will heal small injuries and make you feel better.

Also. Reason you were brought here is to power barrier. Keeps water out so people do not drown. Everything except items in Nostalgia Nook is free, including residency.

[He pauses to think...]

Umm...oh! Death here is not permanent. Is like respawn, but slower. Takes five days. And sometimes strange things happen in city, called curses.

video

[seablaze]

[Rinoa, meet a pirate with purple hair.]

Selphie is here. Might find her 'round the chocobo stables.

Video; aaljalfkjasldkamsdajsdasj FARIS

[sorcery_fledgling]

[That is some awesome hair, ma'am sir.]

They have Chocobos here?? [A piece of home... it fills her with a sense of relief. And if she had known that, she would have gone looking there first.] I've got my other comrade here with me, but I'll definitely look for her, then. Thanks for the tip!

Video

[seablaze]

[The best purple hair. If you ignore the tangles.]

Over in Nostalgia Nook in the lower district, lass. Good luck in finding her.

Video

[sorcery_fledgling]

Nostalgia Nook... okay. I'm sure I'll find her, somehow. Or she'll find me. [Honestly, she's expecting the latter.] How did the chocobos get here, though?

[booyaka_boom]

*Selphie had honestly really tried to speak into the SFC. But in the process of excitement she dropped the thing, so Rinoa probably only got a little squeal and a blurry screen.

Very soon, though, she was at the fountain with a basket on her arm complete with towels and the usual welcoming committee stuff, like maps and information.

She spots Rinoa and drops the basket though before rushing over to her with arms widespread*

[sorcery_fledgling]

[And so she had, but Rinoa hadn't been able to tell who it was, so she shrugged it off.

It was until she saw her very energetic friend speeding towards her that she realized it was Selphie. She got to her feet, ready for a hug when-]

Wait wait, Selphie! I'm soaked!

[booyaka_boom]

*Yeah, right, Rinoa, like that was going to stop her from giving a huge hug*

Rinoa!!~ You're here! You're really here! And you remember me, too!

*Cause it was all quite confusing with timezones and she had no idea what time version of Rinoa she was talking too. Still, she bounced aside and held out the basket with the towels*

Here! This'll help!

[sorcery_fledgling]

[Can't say she didn't try! Rinoa hugs her just as hard right back, giggling in happiness - and relief - to see her friend.]

Of course I remember you, silly!

[Ooo yay, towels! Rinoa grabs one and plops it on top of her head while she takes another one and begins drying off her shirt.

They're so warm and fuzzy, toooo.]

Thanks, Selphie. Now I might not die of hypothermia. [She's obviously teasing, judging by the smile on her face.]

[booyaka_boom]

*Selphie smiles in ecstatic relief as she watches Rinoa towel herself dry. Her friend is really here, the gang is getting slowly back together, and it makes her feel fit to burst*

Oh! Well, even if you die, you totally come back again!

*Yeah, still smiling. That was a joke, of course?*