[open] I don't plan on breaking down

[pinwheels]

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


I ☆ Old Friends and New (Mortis Lake)

[ Whether it's because he's apparently part one of those Pokémon things or for some other reason entirely, Felix seems to be quite trainable. Scraps and barbecued meat from the cavern market and promises of affectionate pats and praise seem to be all he needs to keep him going. In that regard, he reminds her a lot of Angelo, even if he seems to be more cat than dog in a lot of ways. He's learned to fetch already, and today she's among the purple trees and foliage of the forest, teaching him to answer to her whistle. He likes to explore, after all, and Rinoa wants to make sure that he'll come back to her when she calls for him.

He's been gone for three minutes, so it's the perfect time to call him back, she thinks. The pointer finger and thumb of her right hand tuck between her lips, her left hand extended with a chunk of the meat. When she whistles though, there's not one shape but two - Felix's small form comes into view from behind the trees just before a dark brown blur overtakes him, crashing straight into Rinoa's solar plexus and sending her sprawling to the ground.

An alarmed, angry squawk from Felix is followed by... a bark.
The feel of a wet nose pressing against her skin.
A heavy, familiar weight against her.

Dazed as she is from the fall, Rinoa manages to sit up, looking at the dog now in her lap. ]

Angelo?

[ Another bark, and just like that she's laughing and crying at the same time, hugging the newcomer close to her, burying her face in her fur. It's not until Felix makes another sound, a gently confused chirp, that she looks up, smiling even as her tears stream down her face. ]

I'm sorry, Felix. We probably scared you, huh?

[ She reaches out to pull her newer friend in, too. Anyone who comes across her for however long will find her like this, both animals in her lap as they sniff each other out, greeting each other cautiously as she showers each of them with love and affection. ]

II ☆ Furniture Shopping (Takoba Beach)

[ She's not sure when it happened exactly, but for a little while now, any trips she's taken to the beach have resulted in her finding more and more stuff for the humble apartment she's taken to calling home in the extended absence of the real thing. So far, she's managed to find a nightstand and a lamp that doesn't do a whole lot more than sit on top of it and look pretty, along with a small coffee table that would pair incredibly well with the sofa sitting in front of her right now. It's a little dirty from the sand, and still waterlogged, but it's otherwise in great shape.

The main problem? By herself, she has almost no chance at all of lifting it. Angelo and Felix are both eager to help, but there's really nothing that they can do either, and so it's with a resigned sigh that the young woman decides to wait for someone to come along and give her a hand.

Anyone who comes across her here will find her sitting on the couch with two animals curled at her feet, a book in her hand as she tries to make sense of its entirely nonsensical text. She'll look up at the approach, a hopeful smile on her lips. ]

Hi! Do you think you could help me out?

III ☆ Relaxation (Bathhouse)

[ Rinoa's been meaning to visit the bathhouse since she first learned of its existence in the cavernous Wall Market, but... well, it's not that she hasn't had time - it feels like here she has nothing but, despite its strange lack of existence (or maybe because of its lack of existence) - it's more that it's been lower on the priority list than... well, than a lot of things, really.

But now that Angelo is here, it's like something has settled in her mind. Squall isn't here, but that doesn't mean he won't show up, the same way she has, the same way Angelo has, the same way all her new friends have from their own worlds. He's not here, but she's not alone, either.

She wasn't before; it just took this long for her to realize it. To accept that she's stronger than she's given herself credit for, before.

And if that's not the kind of thing that deserves a nice, hot, relaxing bath? Then nothing is!

It's with a contented sigh that the young woman slips into the water, eyes closing as she immediately feels her muscles relaxing under its warmth. ]

Mm, I should've done this sooner...

[ Perhaps you're someone coming along for a bath of your own, or perhaps the distortions in the air carry the sound of her voice directly to your ears as she contentedly hums a song to herself. Either way, she has no intention of leaving the area for quite a while! ]

IV ☆ Wildcard

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

Comments

i.

[bachagain]

[ because of course leo only walks in when rinoa's crying--

--but on a more serious note, this is something of a warm scene. leo can't help but pause over it a little bit, though ultimately he does choose to interrupt. it's half wanting to know who rinoa's new friend...s are, and half wanting to just speak to rinoa herself, honestly. he's gotten to know her surprisingly well? it's funny.

and, he's already fond. so excuse him as he makes his way over, rinoa, and crouches down right in front of this cuddly scene. ]

Those're happy tears, right, Rin? [ hello. surprise. here is leo, and she's rin now, ] You look comfy!

[ he can recognize felix as something she may have picked up here, in all his pidge-cat glory, but angelo... well! he's happy for her. ]

[pinwheels]

[ She's already halfway between tears and laughter when she hears Leo's voice, and when she half-sits to look at him through the blur of the water in her eyes, another peal of laughter bursts from her lips. Of course he would find her like this, covered in friends while tears stream down her cheeks.

(And of course he'd greet her so casually, too, a new nickname that warms her heart more than it already is.)

She untangles one hand from Angelo for long enough to dash the tears away from her eyes, trying in vain to see him properly before she gives up and just grabs a hold of him, fingers on what she hopes is his arm. ]

I don't think you met Felix yet, right? He's my friend from here. And this dog, she's Angelo. She's from home.

[ There's a catch in her voice at that, another swell of tears, and Rinoa laughs again. ]

They're really happy tears, I promise!

[bachagain]

[ her hand on his arm and the ever-present tears prompt him to shuffle on closer, patting his hand over hers. guess he's part of the warm pile now! having someone from home must be something of a comfort... he's glad, truly, that rinoa has that.

leo lets out a little laugh in response to her own, less of a cackle than usual. ]

Good, good. I wasn't sure how I was gonna get Felix and Angelo off of you if they were giving you a hard time...! I've got no arm strength!

[ he's kidding. kind of. not really, on the last part.

his focus'll go onto their two animal friends now, his gaze lowering from rinoa to angelo and felix. leo shifts the hand he has on rinoa's to offer it gently to the two of them instead. he won't pet, not yet... though the desire is there. ]

Nice to meet you guys! I'm Leo! [ ♪ ] Any friend of Rin's is a friend of mine, 'specially when they're so cute, so be nice to me too, mm'kay?

[pinwheels]

[ Rinoa's not about to complain about an extra body in the pile, especially not when it's someone whom she's quickly come to consider a friend. A lot of the others around the Void are the more serious, stoic, grumpy types like Squall, or the kind, motherly types like Edea. Leo's more like her, though, and while she prides herself on being able to get along with anyone, it was definitely easier with him from the start.

That's why she smiles so brightly when Angelo and Felix are quick to welcome him, the hand he moves from hers greeted by a headbutt from the bunny-eared creature and a happy, tail-wagging lick from the dog. ]

Looks like they're agreeing to be nice.

[ It's said with a laugh, a playful lift of her eyebrows, and Rinoa takes the freed hand as an opportunity to wipe her tears away, eyes seemingly determined on their own to be wet no matter how much she laughs and smiles. ]

They'll be okay, you know. If you wanna pat them.

Relaxation

[bridge_princess]

[Rinoa had been in the bath for a little bit when the sound of a door closing behind her could be heard. There was the usual sounds of getting ready. Washing, cleansing, undressing, covering in towels. Right about the time that she'd sighed in relaxation, there was a short pause, followed by a little audible groan.

Momentarily, though, the door opened. Parsee was there in the doorway, glancing to see who it was. She looked like she was deciding if it was worth it for just a moment, but seeing Rinoa, she sighed and nodded before entering. There was a towel firmly around her body to the mid thigh, and one wrapped around her head. She still had on those weird sleeves over her arms she wore, but otherwise everything was folded in the changing room.

With a sigh, she started to step into the bath.]

Sorry, don't mind me. Thought I was coming at an off hour.

[Because naturally, she didn't think she was great company in the baths.]

[pinwheels]

[ Great company or not, Rinoa greets Parsee with a smile when the door opens, a quick wave offered to beckon her over to the water. Her own towels are laid carefully behind her, on the edge of the bath - she can be surprisingly obedient when she's in the mood for it! - and her smile becomes a grin when the spirit starts to step into the water. ]

Hey, you read the rules, right~?

[ Her tone is teasing, playful, a touch of amusement at the edges of her voice as she leans back with her eyes closed, another sigh of content on her lips. Honestly, she doesn't mind if Parsee follows the rules or not - she just couldn't help herself from teasing. As usual. ]

And don't apologize for coming here, okay? Everyone's allowed, you know.

[bridge_princess]

Yeah, I read 'em, what about 'e *POP*

[There was swearing from outside. The moment her doe had dipped into the water, she was transported outside. More swearing. More reading the rules. The sound of thumping feet, splashing water and shifting clothing and when she re-emerged, she looked very very annoyed.

She also had two towels draped carefully over her arm instead of wrapped around her body. She grumbled and muttered.]

Don't stare, please.

[And she'd come over to the water before walking up to the pool and starting to get into it very carefully. She set the towels along the lip so they weren't in the water and when she finally got in with a grunt and a sigh, draped them over her arms. It was pretty apparent she was covering her arms at this point, and a little self conscious about her looks.]

Stupid freaking rules. I didn't bring any fish this time.

[pinwheels]

[ Rinoa can't help but laugh when Parsee's toe touching the water results in her immediate disappearance and the sound of cursing outside of the bathhouse. Having followed the rules on her own arrival, she had no idea what would happen if someone didn't, and... well. It's kind of funny, right? Even if the other woman doesn't seem happy about it at all.

Politely, she averts her eyes when Parsee comes back, waiting until she's pretty sure the other is settled in the water until she looks toward her again, a small smile on her lips. It's obvious that she's covering her arms with the towels, and while Rinoa might usually be the type to try to press someone for their secrets... well, whatever this is, it seems like something into which she shouldn't pry, at least not until they know each other better. And so instead of asking, she just offers the other a slightly broader smile, an indication that she's not planning on asking her anything. ]

You tried bringing fish in here? Did they disappear too?

II

[symbolofstrength]

If you need a couch moved, then the stocky, active man with shoulders to rival a Tauros is a pretty good option, right? It's curiosity that draws Sam near, as he spots the strange creature he's never seen before (not Felix, those are a common sight by now, but Angelo). He kneels down nearby, a silent invitation to let the animals approach him. At the sound of her voice, though, he glances up; he's at least left his labcoat behind this time, after the Smeargles decided it made for a good canvas, so maybe she'll be a bit more comfortable around him now?

"Rinoa, right? What do you need?" As much as he doesn't want to promise anything before he knows what he's promising, lest it be something he's unable or unwilling to do, he doubts that will be the case, so he's still friendly enough about it.

((I just looked through our thread and I don't think Rinoa ever introduced herself, so I hope it's okay if I handwave that she did that at some point?))

[pinwheels]

Without the white lab coat marking him as a scientist, it takes Rinoa a moment or two to recognize the man. And where she'd already judged him as someone who was not an immediate threat, her friends are quick to back her up on that, greeting him warmly as she gets off the couch. Better than her own judgement, she trusts theirs, and so it's something of a relief to see them interacting with the older man.

"I want to get this sofa back to the apartments," she explains, gesturing back to the couch where she was sitting a moment ago. "But it's a little too much of a job for one person, you know?"

Realistically, she thinks, it might even be a little too much for both of them. But she has to try.

( Yes, totally okay! She initially forgot in the panic but she would have eventually. ^^ )

[symbolofstrength]

Sam grins at the greeting he gets from the animals, petting them affectionately even as he looks up at her again.

"Oh! Well, it'll take a bit of effort, but I don't think it'll be a problem." He walks over to the edge of the couch, kneeling down to get his fingers under it, and after a light grunt of exertion, lifts the end a few inches. After holding it there for a moment, he lets it drop back on the beach and lets out a slow breath to relax his muscles. He's clearly more than strong enough to support half its weight; it's the sheer bulk of the thing that will be a bigger problem in moving it.

"And maybe in return, you could tell me about this little one? I've never met a creature quite like it." He gives Angelo another pet, to indicate which one he's talking about.

Though, there is one element about the couch that bothers him; he rests his hands on his hips, looking down at it.

"But isn't it a bit wet? Won't it get mildewy?" Does she have some way of drying it that he's not aware of?

[pinwheels]

Nosy and affectionate as ever, both Angelo and Felix trail over with him as he tests the weight of the couch. Rinoa smiles and nods, happy to accept his terms, although once again, she's left a little surprised by the things he does and doesn't know. Does he really come from a world that doesn't even have dogs? The thought is crazy to her... but then again there's already been so many things about their respective lands that are different, right?

"This is Angelo. I'd love to tell you more about her. Perhaps while we walk?"

But then his next question has her stopping, and her hands fall to her hips too, a look of confusion crossing her face.

"Mildew?"

She's heard the term before, but... well, she's a rich kid, so... forgive her for not understanding exactly how it would form on a wet sofa.

iv wildcard

[forethinking]

(Upon reading the note left on his door, Ren leaves immediately to her door - not like it's hard to find, since she's on the same floor as him, a few doors over.

It's with a heartened smile that he knocks on her door, hopeful of her presence so he can meet Angelo. She must be so happy!)

[pinwheels]

[ She's halfway through a written page in the book when a knock on the door is answered by both a bark and a chirp, and two friends running circles around her legs even before she can get up out of the chair. There's some playful grumbling on her part, some laughter as she trips and dances her way over her companions on the way to the door, and by the time she opens it for Ren, her eyes are bright and amused. They light up even further as she lays eyes on him, and in her excitement, she can't quite help herself; she lunges forward and pulls him into a brief hug, standing back just a moment later so she can gesture him into the apartment. ]

Hi! You got my note, right?

[ She wonders if it feels kind of bittersweet for him. Together, they'd talked about their pets from back home, and it almost seems unfair, even in her happiness, that Angelo could find her, while Ren's still without Morgana. But at the same time, if her friend can offer him any comfort, that would be good, right?

She ruffles the top of Angelo's head, nudges her forward so that she'll greet Ren, a smile on her lips as she watches. ]

Ren, this is my partner, Angelo! Angelo, this is my friend Ren.

[forethinking]

(From the other side of the door, he can hear the commotion and he smiles, putting together the scene in his mind while having close to no idea what Angelo looks like. Whatever, it's a happy thought anyways. She seems so happy to see him that it honestly baffles him, but a perk of the Void is that there's little to no reason to distrust him or avoid him as most people would back home with the labeling. Either way, he is stunned but similarly happy as he retributes the hug.

He enters, respectfully leaving shoes at the entrance before he can look around, kneeling to greet Angelo with a beam, hand out for her to sniff.)

Hi Angelo. Nice to meet you. (His eyes turn into thin lines.)

[pinwheels]

[ The truth is that even if Rinoa knew about Ren's label, she's not the kind of person to judge him for it. Not only does she have black marks on her own record, but she understands from experience how easily people allow themselves to hide behind the names they've given to others. For her own part, anyway, she's always been kind of good at seeing behind the mask and understanding how others think, so...

And then there's Angelo. She's a good judge of character too, sniffing Ren's hand all of twice before her tail wags and her tongue laves wetly over his fingers, leaving Rinoa laughing. ]

She's saying it's nice to meet you too, Ren.

iii

[anciently]

...Hello? Mind if I join you?

[ Though she hadn't recognized the voice at first, Aerith perks up when she spies the other woman in the bathhouse, entering (admittedly, before Rinoa says it's all right), and standing with her back to the door. ]

It's a nice place, isn't it? I really need to come here more... [ As it is, this is only the second time. ] I've been so busy since we first got here that I haven't even really remembered it's available to us!

Re: iii

[pinwheels]

[ Her eyes are still closed when she hears the voice behind her; they open to the sound and Rinoa turns her head, smiling to see Aerith standing in front of the door. She's already inside, but there's no complaint from the other woman, her eyes bright and warm when she sees her. ]

No, no! Come in, Aerith. It's so nice...

[ She gets it. It's weird to think of them being busy when it seems often like there's nothing to do here, but... somehow, it makes sense. ]

This is my first time here, actually... I guess I've been busy too!

[anciently]

Weird, right? It's not like there's anything we have to be doing here, but everyone still seems so busy.

[ Aerith slips into the water nearby, her braid wrapped up in a bun to avoid it dropping into the water. The brunette sighs contentedly, visibly relaxing as she sinks into the hot bath. ]

You have a pretty voice, by the way. [ She remarks, tilting her head playfully in the other woman's direction. ] Unless that wasn't you humming?

ii

[memorate]

[ Well, if anyone is suited to help her carry furniture to her apartment, it would probably be her neighbour. Assuming that's what she's asking for here, since she seems to have made herself pretty comfortable here. ]

Depends what it is and what do I get for it.

[ Always the mercenary. ]

sorry this was so slow ♥ hell of a time!

[pinwheels]

[ Rinoa grins when she sees Cloud. It's always good to see him - perhaps partially because he seems like a nice guy, even when he's trying to extort her in return for his assistance. The other part is about the fact that he's kind of fun to tease.

She's quick to school her grin into a pout, arms folding over her chest. ]

I need help, and you're looking to get a payday out of it? Are you always like this?

all good! ♥

[memorate]

[ He shrugs in good nature, but he doesn't see anything wrong with his response. Midgar's all about this life... even if he's often talked into doing things for free anyway! ]

Isn't that how it's supposed to go? When was the last time you did anything for free?

II.

[king_in_dreams]

[Noct is down at the beach, too, though he's combing through things randomly more than trying to find something specific. He's secretly hoping he might find a fishing pole in all this somewhere, though he hasn't had much luck so far.]

[He actually notices the animals before he really looks at her - priorities, sorry - but he tilts his head a little when she asks for help.]

Uh... yeah, sure. What's up?

[pinwheels]

[ She'll never complain over someone noticing her animal companions before they pay attention to her. To the contrary, when he does, it brings a smile to her lips. Anyone who likes animals is someone who can be trusted, in her opinion.

Perhaps more important than that, though... she hasn't seen this guy around before. Is he a more recent arrival in this place?

With a smile, Rinoa stands from the sofa and gestures back towards it. ]

I kind of need someone who can help me drag this back to the apartments. [ A pause, and then: ] But they're kind of a long way from here. It might take a long time. Not, you know, that time really means anything here, but... it's still a lot of work, right?

[ And here she is, explaining what she wants done without so much as introducing herself... ]

Uh, I'm Rinoa! [ She sticks her hand out, offering it for him to shake if he wants. The other gestures to the animals still sitting on the sofa. ] This is Angelo, and Felix.

[king_in_dreams]

[Noct hesitates a moment before he takes her hand - and honestly, it has more to do with the fact that he is a socially awkward mess than anything to do with her. He does reach out to return the handshake after a moment, though.]

Noct. It's, uh. Good to meet you. And your friends.

[He looks to the animals again and smiles a little before he shakes his hair back out of his face and looks back at her.]

Oh, uh... yeah, that looks heavy, but we can probably do it? It'd help if we had a cart or something.

[But if they don't, they can manage.]