[open] if this moment was for me

[erythristic]

Who: Grell Sutcliffe (erythristic) & open
When: IC 6/10 - 6/17
Where: Various places around the colony.
What: Getting settled in, having minor adventures, and beating up imaginary opponents.
Rating/Warning: None for now.

---

[dojo.]

[originally, she had wanted to do this at the gymnasium, but there was something more reassuring about going here. it's always early in the morning, hair braided back tightly and bearing no trace of a smile that she does her training. the routine's been modified since she came here, enough to suit the area, but still. practicing forms, slipping under an enemy's guard, using one of the wooden swords to remember how to move with one in her hand despite the odd shape. though she pulls back her strength so she doesn't break anything, she doesn't restrain her speed and reflexes the same, allowing for the same tactic of offense over defense that she knows so well. she knows fighting, knows combat as much as anything else, and just because this place wasn't at war or needing her to be on high alert was no excuse for falling out of shape.

here, when she takes a break, either to go check something in her bag or to simply sit down and stretch, she's in a quite good mood, and the familiar and foreign faces alike get a smile and a nod to indicate good morning.]

[library.]

[of course, with a lot to learn about and catch up on, she goes to the library to see if there's anything to help her catch up. usually she's in the nonfiction section, pulling down books full of facts, but fiction grabs her eye too, and ones with pretty covers are going to end up in her stacks as well. really, if it looks interesting, she'll at least give the cover a glance before shelving it or adding it to her arms. if she's not trying to reach a book on a higher shelf, then she might be reading something on technology, a dictionary open at the same time next to her that she's flipping through to understand about...every minute or so. it's slow going, but Grell is utterly determined to sort some of this out, even if she's having to make her careful pace through both the explanation and the dictionary. one page might take a while if she has to keep checking things.

or, later on, she's completely given up and has pushed the tech aside for fiction, where despite the rules of the library she occasionally gasps and lets out a soft "no" or "oh no", absorbed in her book enough that she doesn't care that other people can hear her commentary. but the story is so enthralling that she can't help it!]

[church.]

[there's a lot that will have to fall by the wayside in this place. certain schedules, courses of action that had seemed as easy as breathing to her, people she had been in close contact with no longer forwarding regular reports. but one thing that can't, she feels, is respect. so hearing there was a church around...it feels like a central place to conduct what rituals she can get away with. (Grell really doesn't think that people are going to be pleased if she brings in something slain and dead, no matter how much it had been an appropriate offering before.) so, regularly, she comes here when the place is quieter, going off to one of the alcoves with incense and a candle in hand to kneel and pray in a low voice.

always to Him and his brother. mostly to Him, though, the Old Shadow, not in this alien tongue but the language of that land where they met. if He hears and knows somehow, then she wants to speak and maintain that she is still as she ever was, a servant happily who had not forgotten the duty she'd been charged with. she prays, and she never expects anyone to answer.]

[gardens.]

[it's the closest this place has to nature. and while she's disappointed there's nothing too familiar - how could one neglect roses, even one in a shade that wasn't red would have been loved - it's enough. the scent soaks into her skin and her lungs with every breath, and if she closes her eyes she's not here but somewhere far away, in a castle's gardens or in the depths of a forest, when summertime was close but not there yet. then she has to open them, and the illusion is shattered. but still, there's enough to take pleasure in that it's not a waste of time, and she thinks it's going to be a fine time with these strange plants.

except, as things tend to, it's not going too well. either a small cluster of flowers is getting a little too toothy and needs to be sent to sleep with a huff and a "honestly", or some vines have decided that they need to give out a hug and simply...not let go, which frustrates her to no end, or some flowers are particularly lovely and in full bloom, but perhaps the sun is too hot and taking a nap...right here...is the best idea, while a small sign next to them warns of soporific fumes. it's always a gamble, but at least the weather's perpetually nice out.]

[wildcard.]

[have a scenario other than something described? hit me.]

Comments

dojo!

[adornmental]

Morniiing!

[A BRIGHT AND PLEASANT GREETING while Grell is on one of her breaks. Kashuu's usually one of the later arrivals at the dojo since his mornings are already crammed full of work or taking care of this or that, but he certainly makes up for it by being ungodly levels of chipper. He's definitely one of those morning people that make normal people go how.]

Early-bird students here today, huh?

[erythristic]

[he's chipper, and she seems almost too awake for having just run through a set of her routine, which means that she's stretching when she sees him, raising her hand to wave.]

I prefer the term dedicated, if I have a choice.

[and besides, why wait until later in the day when it was already a way to wake up fully?]

[adornmental]

Dedicated's just as good. A little less cute-sounding, but more of an- [PUNCHING ONE HAND INTO HIS OPEN PALM] -impact!

[He'll shuffle over to where she is after taking his boots off and leaving them by the door, sticking his own bag off in a little corner.]

How're you finding things so far, anyway?

[erythristic]

In this dojo place? You've got a decent setup - I like that you can choose whether to be in or outside. If this place didn't control the weather, I'd say something about how if it rained it made it impossible to excuse skipping training, but we've gone and lost the seasons to try and offer that one fragment of Eden to the visitors, haven't we? Useful, but...rather dull to look forward to.

[she pushes herself up to standing to punctuate that sentence, using one hand to adjust her glasses.]

In a storm, there is just as much freedom as there is in sunlight. So! Do you come here often?

churchhh

[manolia]

[Chibi normally prefers to pray among nature, among wakfu as it flows; there is a serenity in feeling the breeze around one's shoulders while one gives an offering. Still, there's something familiar in the church as well, its hollow stone and the way it reflects the reverent words off his tongue. It makes him feel larger than he is, but also every bit as small.]

[Maybe, after all that's happened, he needs to feel small for a moment.]

[When Grell is done praying, she might notice that Chibi is kneeling a bit away - he's murmuring a prayer in Draconic and tracing runes in the air with wakfu, then allowing them to dissipate. Maybe She will listen in that way, if not through his voice. But soon enough, he stands and takes a look over to... Well, the red hair is difficult to miss.]

Good morning, there. [A little nod of his head.]

[erythristic]

Good morning, Chibi.

[she remembers this one from ViViD, and his own devotions...while the runes were unfamiliar, the sentiment burned strong and she could respect that. smoothing out the front of her skirt, it's no matter at all to draw up a pleasant smile to wear, calm to suit this place.]

And so fate has drawn us together again.

[manolia]

Ah, Fate; how she is ever the mediator. [He stretches his knees out, one after the other, letting the joints pop just enough. His voice remains at a respectful low.] It is good to see someone else using this place; perhaps our respective gods are smiling at this meeting, as well.

I trust you are settling in well?

[erythristic]

[imagining hers smiling is enough to make her chuckle, covering her mouth with the back of her hand so she doesn't laugh too loud.]

As well as could be hoped when so much of this world's technology feels more akin to unknown magic to me. But it's all more to learn! [and she sounds pleased at the prospect.]

I'm sorry for my delay in reaching out to you again, as I promised I would - can you forgive me for it?

Gardens

[faithfulflame]

[It's a pastime of Rei's to wander the gardens with her two crows, the birds enjoying the chance to stretch out and roam the area until she's ready to leave. Today isn't any different, honestly, though she is a little bit surprised to find Grell napping under a tree. A tree that Rei had long ago marked as a potential producer of sleeping spores. She hadn't thought the woman the sort to miss those warning signs but nobody was perfect.

Covering her mouth with the sleeve of her haori, Rei strides up and nudges the redhead's shoulder.]

Grell? Are you alright?

[erythristic]

[being roused wasn't so effective, when the spores have had time to work and she's deep in dreams of somewhere else. groggily she peers at Rei, closing her eyes after getting a glimpse. long dark hair...there's one person it could be.]

...Professor...let me be.

[at least it will take a few moments before she's passed back out again.]

[faithfulflame]

[Lovely.  Joy of Joys.  Rei scowls at the tree, holding up a hand and calling fire out, burning away some of the spores falling around her to keep her own head clear, before giving Grell another shake.  More firm this time, insistent.]

Grell, wake up.  There’s danger.

[In the form of vine creepers starting to slither across the grass, it’s evident to Rei at least, her warning senses putting her on high alert.  She does not want to stay here, but she can’t very well leave Grell.  Nor can she set the garden on fire, since the robots would put that out. Killer plants are, after all, rare and valuable.]

[erythristic]

[the harder shake pulls her further out of sleep, and she blinks slowly, trying to sit up.]

...Rei? What do you mean, danger?...

[had an alert gone out and she'd missed it? already her mind's providing vague scenarios, and she's trying to get up, torn between how tired she is and the reflex of getting prepared for battle if she was needed.]

Do we need the troops...?

Church

[thispubliclife]

[Ky has sought out this place because he needs to find some sort of peace of mind, and because looking at a church says something about the kind of place and what other people are there. It lets him find his own balance a little more and allows him to keep him hoping about making things right here, about letting go of the things that bother him instead of clinging.

He leaves the other person to their prayers when he enters, when he focuses on his own, but when they’ve both finished it seems as though it’s a good enough topic to bring up, to comment at least on the kind of solace he finds here.]

It gives me more faith, to find a place like this one here.

[erythristic]

A sentiment I can gladly share.

[turning to him, she seems in a good enough mood - and she is, more serene than she had been before she started. if nothing else, it was wishes and care put forward into the world.]

It also means there need be no shame in paying the same respects one did before, even if we have been so unceremoniously thrust through time and space. A small and odd sort of comfort, but with how someone spoke of certain things needing to be hidden in this world...

[thispubliclife]

There's never shame in it anyway, I don't think.

[Ky's face is serious, his lips pursed in a contemplative manner.]

I can understand making an effort to hid for our own sakes, but I think it only hurts us in the end. There are some things it's fine to be open about.

[erythristic]

Yet discerning what those things are, when the forbidden is such that even a mention draws suspicion, is a bit of a troubling subject when you're new like I am.

[which is why she had resolved to get the answer out of that person she'd met in ViViD when time allowed.]

But enough on that from me, there's no reason to darken today with such troubling thoughts - at least, while the sun is still out.

gardens

[heiwana]

[ Kousetsu tends to the gardens as if they were his own back at the citadel. The sword spirit spots Grell not long after she's decided to take a nap. Though he can't really condone taking one among most of the plants in this place, at least he can direct her towards a more...suitable area.

He sees those vines getting a bit grabby and his hand rests lightly on his sword's hilt. For now he'll try to wake the other up before resorting to cutting down the plants. ]

You must wake up. It is...not wise to remain here.

[erythristic]

Is it...going to rain?

[the words are mumbled and half slurred, her not so far asleep that she can't hear a voice, although she can't place it. and when in her imaginings she's all the way back in her world, rain seemed like the most normal occurrence.]

I don't mind...

[heiwana]

No. These plants are dangerous...it is not safe to remain here.

[ Despite the calmness of his voice there is a small hint of urgency coming from Kousetsu as he looks around them again. ]

I am sorry, but, we must go.

church

[kirkwalled]

[ so, it's kind of hawke's fault there's a church in cerealia in the first place. she'll never ever ever let anyone know this because her reputation as sacrilegious asshole is on the line here -- but she was there at the meeting with natalia, made a joke about there needing to be a church in cerealia since there's always churches everywhere, kind of was genuinely confused there wasn't a church in cerealia. then it sort of... spiraled.

and hawke ended up building the church! she had help, of course, but it ended up kind of being Her Project and she tries to keep that fact quiet a lot of the time. no one needs to know!! especially not the maker. fuck the maker. he never did anything for hawke anyway.

it doesn't help though that she tends to come here for her quick daytime naps. it's just... quiet in there and weirdly enough reminds her of home (most likely because hawke had it built very much in the image of a chantry). still, she doesn't have to admit this to anyone.

so one of the times grell goes to the church and gets to her praying, there's a hawke there already mid-nap. she wakes up sometime during the prayers and sits up, blearily looking around for the sound of the voice. when she spots grell, she sneers a little before yawning and then calling over -- ]

Sweet Maker, could you do your worshiping a bit quieter? Some of us are trying to get a little shut eye here!

[erythristic]

[her voice wasn't even loud enough that she had seen it to be a problem, really. if there had been a service, someone in some sort of emotional distress, she would have kept it internal and her head bowed. as it was, her voice soft but enough to be heard...

she might have been kinder, if the interruption hadn't come in the middle of her lines asking that they all be kept safe, that He would judge their time to not be yet, that she accepts if so but if she allowed to hope - it's a delicate moment, and she finishes the line before she looks over her shoulder, sneer met with a fellow, and raises her voice.]

Find a proper bed, or invest in earmuffs.

[except...that's going to come out in a language that's definitely not Cerealian, since she had no time to switch her internal thought over to using the translation again.]

[kirkwalled]

Oh!

[ oh wow, what's going on here? hawke just blinks for a moment, surprised before holding a hand to her mouth and breathing into it before sniffing. okay! she's not drunk, completely sober, so there definitely isn't anything wrong with her. instead it's... this lady. what's going on with this lady? hawke is crazy nosy though so time to just straight up ask.

hawke folds her arms over the back of the pew she was napping in and drops her head down to pillow her head on them. then she stares at grell, openly curious. ]

Are you possessed by a demon or something, serah? You can tell me, I won't kill you or anything.

[ well, no. that's a lie, she totally would! haha, yeah. she would. ]

library during the first part of the week! ...a solid week later sorry Mira :x

[zerotohiro]

[With a few of his most important friends gone from Cerealia, Hiro's found that distractions are needed. He's not really up for anything involving a lot of people though and so it's the library that gets his attention. Even if he's a little wary of the library after what happened last time, it doesn't stop him from peering around shelves and at spines of books.

This is how he comes across Grell who seems to be studying something so intensely that he can't help but wonder. Curiosity gets the better of him and he approaches her quietly, waiting for her to finish poring over the words in the dictionary before he speaks up.]

This place really is brand new to you, isn't it?

hugs anyway

[erythristic]

[his voice stirs her from where she's been researching, still familiar despite the differences, and so she can't bring herself to be startled. and she's grateful for the distraction - these texts were so dry that it was hard to stay focused for too long.]

Did you think I was maybe joking about it?

[she's not offended, only very gently poking fun at the idea. even now, she won't lie to him if she can help it.]

[zerotohiro]

[Other things that may feel and look familiar to her is the way he's holding himself, awkward and uncertain like the first time he'd met her in Mair, or the dark circles under his eyes betraying the fact that he hasn't slept well recently. Despite these things he's more alert now and he watches her carefully.

The tone's welcoming though. That's a start.]

Not really, but I didn't think it was really that bad. [There's a hint of a smile.] Is the dictionary really helping?