[open] I'm in love with a shooting star

[pinwheels]

Who: Rinoa Heartilly + you?
What: catch-all for January!
Where: different places around the Void
When: during January
Content Warnings: n/a! will update if anything comes up


I ☆ ❝We promise to see shooting stars together.❞

[ It's easy to miss the changes that happen to the world when you've spent most of the last however-long indoors. In the end, her time in the nightmare that was Mementos hurt Rinoa somewhere deep, bringing with it a heavy feeling in her heart that took time alone to process. It was a little while after the clocks started to work that she emerged again, and she wasn't surprised to find that her processing time had brought with it further changes to the rest of the world.

The sky was one such thing, dark where it had been a light near-nothingness before, complete with auroras and stars that aren't from home, but could be. Since finding it for the first time, seeing the lights dancing across the darkness of the endless abyss, Rinoa's found herself spending a lot of time outside, amongst the ever-cycling purple scenery of the lake, looking up through the canopy and watching the stars. Sometimes, Angelo and Felix come with her; sometimes, like now, she's alone, her companions resting back in their apartment.

Every time a star falls from the sky, it brings with it a mixed feeling. There's a sense of its beauty, an absent-minded smile on her lips as she watches its path across the sky. But with it comes the hollow sense of homesickness that has haunted her ever since she got here, worsened by the fake Squall in the nightmare, strengthened even further by the taste of her magic, pulled abruptly away upon waking.

It's a feeling still trying to burrow itself into the pit of her stomach when she realizes that the star she's watching is getting remarkably close. But where most might try to move away, Rinoa moves toward it, black boots hurrying over the withering grass, and it's with pursed lips, a curious expression on her face, that she gathers the small glowing rock into her hands. ]

Wow...

II ☆ ❝I can be fearless, too.❞

[ When she's not watching the night sky, the next best thing is training. Rinoa's never been good at fighting alone; even here, she's proved that she needs people around her if she wants to stand even the slightest of chances against a foe. But she's already seen how people tend to wink in and out of existence around here, which brings with it a special kind of fear unique to her existence in the Void.

It's not the same terror that woke her from nightmares back at home, or the pain of the reality she's living now - no one can be as precious to her as Squall; there's no one she can fear losing as much as she fears being without him - but she does have friends here, people she trusts and has come to rely on. If something happens, and if they disappear too... what then?

She can't fight alone.

But maybe she can learn.

Without the power of her magic, Rinoa is left to the blaster edge perpetually strapped to her arm, and it's with that that she makes her way from place to place, setting up targets of whatever she can find and obliterating them before starting over. Today, she's in one of the many caverns within the mountain. If you find her here, feel free to join her; perhaps you can even teach her how to use something new! ]

III ☆ ❝Cool 'em down, Shiva! Freeze them to the core.❞

[ It's not like snow is a new thing in the Void; it was part of Rinoa's arrival on the top of Mt. Silver, a constantly-falling cold in a place that otherwise seems to not know how temperature works outside of "mild". She's even experienced the sudden storms before, the way the snow sometimes just tends to just dump itself out of the sky into whatever is underneath it, only to disappear moments later.

She's never tried to actually build a snowman, though.

This particular snowfall has been going for quite some time now, and the rocky ground underneath it is covered in a blanket of crunchy white. Rinoa's clothes don't offer much in the way of warmth, but that doesn't stop her from stomping into it, gathering handfuls of the stuff and piling them into rough spheres in order to try and create a figure.

Whatever she does make, well... it's not very good.

If you try to tell her as much, though, you're liable to get a snowball to the face! ]

IV ☆ Wildcard

( something else in mind? hit her with something random, or hit me up if you want to request something specific! ♥ )

Comments

All the world will love you, just as long as you are a shooting star

[bridge_princess]

You can be so ... positively... young sometimes. You know that?

[She'd watched that display, seeing Rinoa as she'd chased after a shooting star and caught it in her hands. Wasn't that thing hot to the touch or something? Stepping away from a tree, she walked over in the direction of the other girl. She was instantly jealous that Rinoa had been the one to catch the star because of course she was.

Before Rinoa could turn around to look, though, she did a little gesture of her hands. There was a hazy wave. Energy flowed out from herself, towards and into Rinoa. It wasn't something the other was probably going to feel unless her sensitivity had improved. No jealousy. None of those tricks. Just... she was a spirit again. And people had been coming to her for help, or to pray... and well, she had a little extra now and again.

Who was going to say no to some good luck, especially when they just caught a shooting star? Might as well have reason to be jealous.]

Don't tell me your wish, now. Please tell me you know that much. You want it to come true after all.

[pinwheels]

[ Sometimes, Rinoa doesn't think. She just does as she wants, and stops to think about it after. In any other time or place, holding a newly-fallen star wouldn't be the wisest thing in the world to do. Even here, it's hot in her hands, although somehow without burning her skin. She's busy admiring it from all sorts of angles when she hears Parsee behind her and turns—

—not noticing the wave of energy that passes over her; the only connection to the aether she has is the empty pool of her own magic within her—

—and smiles. Of course she has a wish - off the top of her head, she can think of several. The most obvious one... well, she wouldn't even have to say it, would she? All of her new friends know what it would be without even having to ask.

...Predictable as it may be, that's her wish. But she doesn't confirm it, just nods and smiles at Parsee. ]

Mm, I do. More than anything!

[ A few steps closer, and Rinoa holds the star out for the other to inspect. ]

If it doesn't just suddenly disappear or something, I think I'll take it back to my apartment, you know? Find something to put it in. It's pretty.

[bridge_princess]

[It was, all told, kind of a harmless action. And, honestly, any time Rinoa came to the shrine and prayed there, she'd probably get that same feeling of being lucky afterwards. Parsee, secretly, might have been doing it to keep her coming back... though it was also starting to feel more like a natural thing for her to do, which was weird. But the thought of bribing someone to keep returning seemed so natural to her as well, that she'd do it. Probably not tell her she was doing it either.

Parsee had a pretty good idea what that wish was, or she assumed she did. Rinoa wanted to go home, to Squall, to her friends, to her life. She was happy to help here, it seemed, but she was far away from home. And, however content Parsee was to be in this place, Rinoa had a happy life to go back to, and she wanted the people closest to her to be happy and safe, so the youkai just kind of assumed that was her wish.]

Mmmm, I barely remember what it was like to be as young at heart as you are. [She looked down at the warm glow of the thing, smirking.] You know, it probably would make a nice decoration.

... Me, I'd probably try an eat it if I got one. See if I could make the wish part of me. Doubt it'd work, but it's a thought. But that'd light your room up nicely, even if you'd have to cover it to sleep.

[pinwheels]

[ Perhaps it's selfish, but at this point, Rinoa's concern isn't necessarily even about going home. "Home" is something that for her has constantly changed over the past years, being first the house she shared with that man, and then Timber, and then Squall. (Perhaps it's strange to think of home as a person, but it's the truth of it, at least for her.) Now, the Void. Angelo helps, but she does miss the world from which she came originally, the people, and her powers, regardless of how poorly she was treated by those who didn't know any better.

But she has friends here too, people she's come to like a lot. Perhaps her wish isn't so much to go home anymore as it is to bring home to her. Squall, mostly, but any of the others who would come too. Selfish, surely.

She shakes herself from her thoughts, an amused smile lighting her lips in response to Parsee's statement. And the other says she's young at heart? Trying to eat a shooting star to make its wish a part of you is the youngest, sweetest thing of which Rinoa can possibly think.

It's for that reason that she holds the object out a little, offering it in part to the other. ]

I'm sure it'll still light up my room nicely even if there's a little bite taken out of it, you know. So if you wanna try, I say go for it! It's just... pretty hot, so be careful.

iii

[activatingcombatmode]

[Snow and cold weather isn't too much of a big deal to Zack Fair. Having lived in a small town in the middle of nowhere had its own fair share of cold weather and blistering snowstorms. One couldn't complain about cold weather when there were chores to do to keep a small town running and things like that. Climbing old mountain trails, hunting in the woods, ice fishing... Ah, those days were simple.

He's trudging along in the snow enjoying the brisk feeling of the cold chill on his nose when he notices a girl doing her best to roll up balls of snow to make what he thinks is going to be a snowman? That's a good guess?]

Yo, I think your man is turning out to be a little lopsided there.

[He gives a friendly grin. Need some help?]

[pinwheels]

[ In just about any other situation, Zack would definitely get a chunk of snow thrown at him, but the truth is that he seems pretty nice, not mean and teasing like Squall was on that one day back when they first met. So any potential snowball gets held back - for now. Rinoa does, however, put her hands on her hips, irritation written over her face. ]

I'm doing my best! I've never built a snowman before, and snow isn't that easy to work with, you know?

[ Before she came to the Void, the only time she'd ever seen this much snow was in Trabia, and they'd hardly had the time there to stop and have fun; too much had been at stake. So in a lot of ways, she's clueless here.

She pauses, looking at the young man - she's sure she's seen him around, but there hasn't been a chance for them to actually meet. ]

If you can do a better job, then you should help me!

ii

[thats_it]

[out for a walk, Ignis stumbles upon Rinoa at some point or another. he stops, then, a polite distance away, just watching her, and once she's gotten through her latest round of targets, steps in to help her start setting them up again]

What would you call that? Your weapon?

[he's not sure he's ever seen anything like it. a wrist mounted machine gun on an MT, maybe, but ... ]

[pinwheels]

[ Rinoa was focused enough on what she was doing that she didn't see the man standing and watching her; only now, when he steps in to help her set her targets up once more, does she notice his presence. He's someone new, at least to her, but she's never been the type to let that bother her; she offers him a bright smile and disengages the blade from its base, holding it out for him to see. ]

Be careful. It's really sharp.

[ It's a warning that comes despite him seeing her shredding targets with it mere moments before; even up close, the material of the weapon looks more like feathers than the sharp metal of which it is really made. ]

My weapon is a Blaster Edge, which is, um, in some ways it's like a gun, I guess? [ She lifts the base, strapped to her arm, so he can see it too. ] When you hit the trigger, it fires, and then comes back to the base after. [ When he's done looking at it, Rinoa will take the blade back and fire it so he can see it in action, turning to him with another smile after. ]

This model is called Shooting Star.

[thats_it]

[he takes the weapon from her delicately, both not wanting to cut himself and not wanting to break it, for how fragile it looks and despite the fact that he knows better. when he's satisfied, he does, in fact, pass it back, with a hum, and watches her fire it off again]

Useful, that you needn't carry any extra ammunition. [Prompto was also always lucky in that regard, for all that there seemed to be a near-endless supply of bullets, magically tied to his gun] Is it magic, then, or something more mundane that makes it return?

[pinwheels]

[ In response to his question, Rinoa's expression turns a little sheepish, an embarrassed smile tugging at the corners of her lips. ]

Um... sorry, I feel like I probably should know the answer to that question, but... I really don't.

[ She pauses, her head tilting in thought. ]

I don't think it's magic, though. My normal magic doesn't work here, but this does, you know? I think if it were magic, it just wouldn't work.

[ Which would be bad. Without her magic to help her, if she suddenly lost the ability to use her weaponry too, Rinoa would be nothing but a helpless girl with a dog and a Felix to help protect her. ]

III

[halloflamer]

Uh,

[Blue pauses by his stroll on the mountain paths that connect between the bar at the rocky foothills of Mt. Silver and the paths towards the apartments. He passes by people fairly often on these paths, given that they're some of the most traveled- but since the snowfall began, they haven't been quite as busy. A little harder to traverse. Luckily, Blue has an enormous fire dog to help him out with that- Arcanine treads paths through the snow much more easily. Eevee, meanwhile, is a furry bundle warming the front of Blue's jacket.]

[It wasn't exactly great weather without having coats and mittens available- but other people seem to be taking advantage of the flurries, regardless.]

That's a real... artistic interpretation. [Blue grins, crunching into the snow as he walks a circle around it.] Who's it supposed to be?

[pinwheels]

[ Rinoa's eyes narrow as she looks at the young man. Artistic interpretation? She can read between the lines; she knows he means that it's no good. She huffs, ready to offer a litany of explanations, but then she sees the gigantic dog with him, and her eyes widen. ]

Oh my God, who is this?

[ She hurries forward a few steps before remembering her manners. Not only should she not randomly pet Blue's (that's his name, right? she's pretty sure she's seen him from time to time at the Heavenly Blanc) dog without asking permission first, but also, the young man asked her a question that she's managed to completely ignore in her excitement. ]

Oh, um. It wasn't meant to be anyone... I've just never made a snowman before so I thought it might be kind of fun, you know?

[halloflamer]

Hah? Oh, [Blue glances to Arcanine beside him, who gives a boof and wags his bushy tail as Rinoa approaches. For his intimidating size, he seemed friendly enough!] This's Arcanine. And this's Eevee, [Blue gestures to the floof in the front of his jacket, too, squirming jealousy.] Vui vui!

[Returning his attention to the snow... person, Blue hums and nods along.] Never, huh? Well, I guess everyone's got a first time.

Does it not snow where you come from? [He stoops next to the snowman and starts to pack some snow into his own hands, slowly forming a larger and larger ball.]

[pinwheels]

[ As soon as they're introduced formally, Rinoa takes the few steps needed to close the gap between her and Arcanine, reaching a hand to him and burying it in his mane in order to give him a good, solid fur-ruffle. (Of course, a split second later, she hears Eevee's little cry and wants to hug him, but... one thing at a time!

As she continues to ruffle Arcanine's glorious mane, promising herself that she'll introduce Blue to her own companions sometime, she turns back to him, watching him form the snow into a ball. ]

In Galbadia and Timber, it snows a little sometimes, but never like this. And when we went to Trabia, in the mountains, we were just too busy.

But I've always wanted to try, you know?

ii GALS FIGHTING

[anciently]

I thought I heard someone in here!

[ Aerith peeks her head around the corner, waving cheerily to Rinoa before stepping inside the cavern, glancing around. ]

Seems like you're hard at work, huh? [ She tilts her head curiously, glancing from the other woman to surroundings. ] Really hope you're just doing some training, and not actually fighting anything...

[ If there is something to be fought back, it's invisible, anyway. ]

HECK YEAH

[pinwheels]

[ The latest barrage of shots is just finished when Aerith pokes her head into the cavern Rinoa is using. As the Shooting Star slots itself back onto the launcher on her arm, she turns and smiles, shaking her head slightly at the offered concern. ]

Just training. After the whole nightmare thing, I thought it might be a good idea to practice a little more, you know?

[ Rinoa's head tilts, and she looks at Aerith, and then back to the targets. She's not sure if the other is much of a fighter, but... ]

You're welcome to join me if you want!

[anciently]

I sure do... I wish I had a little more training myself, after that...

[ The shadows notwithstanding, she'd had to stand practically helpless against Sephiroth as he debated whether or not to kill her. None of this shows in Aerith's expression, though, and she brightens as she approaches. ]

If you don't mind, I'd love to! [ It sure would be nice of her materia worked, but in the meantime, she withdraws the silver rod she wields and grips it in both hands. ] I hope you don't mind the targets getting a little battered... I'll see what I can do to fix 'em up afterward!

[pinwheels]

[ Oh... wow! Rinoa's eyes widen in response to Aerith withdrawing her rod; admittedly, she wasn't sure what she was expecting, but to think the other has had a weapon on her at all times and she hasn't noticed, somehow! Unlike the other woman, her feelings display themselves clearly on her face, the drop of her jaw a little too obvious. ]

Wow, I... I didn't know you had that!

[ It's said with a laugh, something a little embarrassed, but impressed too. ]

How do you use it? Is it just a... [ Rinoa gestures, swinging an arm as if she's bringing the rod (or a chair; she's equally the type, Aerith) down on someone. ] Like that?

ii !!

[starshower]

[Tifa is on the way back up from Wall Market, heading to the apartments when she hears commotion in one of the many winding caves. It's usually pretty quiet in the mountain, so hearing anything besides the echo of footsteps is a little on the odd side, which is why she proceeds with caution as she wanders down the bridges towards the noise.

It's a relief when she finds out that it's nothing to worry about—Rinoa looks to be... practicing? Something? She isn't quite sure what's going on, but she waits for a break in the girl's movements to call out to her, so as not to spook Rinoa and turn herself into the next target.]

Not too cramped down here?

[pinwheels]

[ She's done firing, moving to pick up some of the targets when Tifa calls to her, and Rinoa looks up with a bright smile, pausing in her motions. ]

Tifa! How are you?

[ Rather than stay where she is, she jogs over to the other's side. It's been quite a while, especially with Rinoa closing herself off from others for a little after the Mementos experience. ]

It's a little cramped, but I think it's safer being in here than being outside somewhere where I could accidentally hit someone, you know? People aren't always safe with this kind of weapon.

[starshower]

[Tifa responds with a smile, pausing in her steps once Rinoa reaches her so that she can take a better look at the weapon. It's nothing like she's ever seen before—she leans this way and that, examining it from any angle that she's able to, and from what she spied during Rinoa's practice, the girl sure knows how to wield it.]

That's different...

[In a good way!]

What is it?

[pinwheels]

[ When Rinoa notices Tifa examining her weapon, she disengages it from the wrist mount she wears, holding it out. ]

Here, you can take a look if you want! Just... be careful, okay? It might not look it, but it's really sharp.

[ Indeed, the weapon itself looks more like it's made of feathers than metal, but each blade is sharp enough to slice through the skin of anyone who underestimates it. Rinoa definitely doesn't want to see Tifa hurt herself. ]

The trigger launches it from this— [ she indicates the mount, strapped to her arm ] —and then it loops back around to hit the mount again!

II

[metachrosis]

...Rinoa?

[The name escapes him before he can think better of it - Espio knows full well she likely won’t remember him. After five years in places like this, he’s seen people come and go enough times to know that.

Hell, even if she does happen to remember him, she wouldn’t recognise him in this almost-human form he’s been saddled with. He knew her when he was still his original chameleon self.

He shakes his head, and leans against the rocky walls.]

What’s this? Target practice?

[pinwheels]

[ She pauses in her actions, the blade slotting back into its place on her arm, turning towards the unfamiliar voice with raised brows. And sure enough, it's a face she doesn't recognize either, the young man met with a curious tilt of her head, a slight narrowing of her eyes. ]

Yes, that's right. But— I'm sorry, do I know you?

[ After all, it's possible that she's seen him somewhere around the place, right? There are a lot of people in the Void, and she certainly doesn't know all of them... ]

[metachrosis]

...probably not. That's how it usually goes when time gets messed up.

[It's said with a deep sigh, Espio long tired of the same old routine of being forgotten. There is still a small chance, but he still expects nothing when he introduces himself.]

Espio. I'm a qualified SeeD and Instructor from Balamb Garden.