FEBRUARY MINGLE

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: February 14th - March
WHERE: Etraya
WHAT: The arrival of newcomers, a mini mission, and some new city features!
NOTES\WARNINGS:

⏵ arrival ⏴ Welcome to Etraya! Arrival goes as expected - characters awaken on hospital beds and are offered an explanation of their situation: that they have arrived in the city of Etraya, and they are their world's only hope. They are welcome to wander the hospital if they would like to - the upper floors are mostly empty, full of pristine hallways and numerous rooms filled with supplies, cots, and things one would expect from a relatively average 21st-century hospital. In the hospital's lobby are several party tables set out with miscellaneous baked goods: croissants, cookies, breads, cake slices, as well as tea and coffee to accompany them - or hot chocolate, for those who are opposed to the other offerings. Outside the hospital, the last remnants of snow are melting in the sunlight as the weather begins to warm up. It's still chilly enough one might want to put on a coat, but not so cold a jacket is necessary for wandering around without freezing off one's fingers. We hope you enjoy your stay. ⏵ heroes return ⏴ As the Quantum Rail train glides to a halt, returning passengers step out onto familiar ground - the train station, right where they had initially begun their mission. When exiting the station, their earpieces vibrate, indicating the automatic download of a detailed map which highlights key locations, transit paths, and notable landmarks. As Aurora promised, she had been working on a few renovations around Etraya! A sleek trolley system now winds through Etraya, following clearly marked pathways through the city bubble to make travel across the city smoother. However, the trolley only moves one way, eternally following the loop Aurora has set it on. And because of this, it takes six hours to complete it's loop all the way around. Don't miss your stop! Pets and animals have been returned to their usual preferred areas, some awaiting the arrival of their owners, and others keeping to themselves in the forested areas throughout Etraya. Beyond the small upgrades, things seem relatively unchanged - until one familiar sign catches the eye. One marked by four vertical lines, methodically crossed out one by one: the final slash has now been drawn through. The tally is complete. What it indicates has yet to be made clear, but it has to mean something, right? No one would go through the effort of making an ominous-sounding sign without following through. ⏵ love in the air ⏴ This Valentines Day, Aurora and the companion bots have opted to try something a little different: they have scattered mystery valentines across the city. Hidden within mailboxes, tucked into cafe menus, slipped under doors, on the outside of high windows for those wall-crawlers to spot. There are countless of these little slips of papers, strewn throughout the city. And within each valentine, is a challenge or gesture to complete. Please feel free to make these up yourselves as long as they fit in with the theme! Some examples include: Deliver a flower to a stranger. Write a heartfelt poem for someone. Share a box of chocolates! Confess your feelings for another. Play matchmaker for two people - this can be platonic, or romantic! Gift a friend with a stuffed animal. Give five different people a genuine compliment. While not mandatory, completing five tasks will earn an individual an additional ten points to use towards anything they would like! Each little Valentine is signed "Your Secret Admirer. ♡", and some of them may even be addressed to specific individuals. Don't be surprised, Eddie, if you see one or two that are specifically addressed to you lurking around your collection of chicken friends! And while most of these are harmless, some of the valentines cards come with effects for those who come into contact with the paper. Perhaps they thought it was a piece of garbage, or were just kicking it out of the way rather than intending on taking part. It doesn't matter! They get to join in on the fun, too. Heart Eyes - your pupils literally turn into hearts for a few hours, making it hard to focus on anything other than things (or people) you find attractive. Love-Struck Stammer - You can only speak in poetic compliments or romantic declarations, regardless of whom you're speaking to. Chocolate Bliss - Everything feels good. Simple. Easy. As if there's nothing in the world to concern yourself with. You feel happy, without any concerns or worry. Rose-Tinted Vision - everything looks soft and romantic, as if you're in a romance novel. You know the ones. Magnetic Attraction - regardless of what you had been doing, you suddenly find yourself unable to leave the side of the person closest to you. Had you been eating chocolates while walking down the street? Well, have fun getting stuck to the guy who'd been out for a jog! Serenade Syndrome - you find it impossible to resist the urge to sing your words, turning all conversations into love ballads. Heartstrings - A thread appears, connecting you to someone close by who you share many similarities too. Perhaps you had never met this person before, but the threads tied around your pinky fingers that refuse to let go until you allow yourself to open up to them clearly means you should be a little more familiar with them. Love is in the air—or maybe just a bit of well-intended chaos! 💕 ⏵ NOTES ⏴ Welcome back from the mission, and welcome to Etraya for our newcomers! We've tried to keep this log simple for an easy introduction, as well as some downtime for our mission-goers who worked hard to solve the Quantum Rail mystery. There is something else going on, but. . . well, no one seems to know what! The computer that had been on the lower floor of the hospital is now missing, and Aurora may seem a little flustered as she flits around Etraya, in search of something. For all questions relating to this log, please refer to the mod queries comment. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ. ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

Gaia | Final Fantasy XIV (CRAU)

[hammerbearer]

A Note About Clothes

[ ooc: Gaia will arrive wearing clothes that look out of a rustic, medieval type setting: a chemise, a skirt of heavier fabric, a rabbit fur shawl. They will seem to be gathered up as best she could and somewhat oversized (she had been changing into a dragon person when she got pulled here!). After her visit to Roxx, she'll have clothes more in line with her usual aesthetic. ]

i. A Teenager Drawn To Food (Alexandrea's Wake, Hospital Lobby)

When all's said and done, Gaia had taken her sudden awakening in the hospital, the confusion, alarm and the explanation that followed better than most people probably did. First, because she's still shaking off the last dregs of the lethargy she awakened with.

Second, she's becoming frustratingly used to getting hauled from one multiversal summoning to the next. Okay it's been twice so far. But really isn't that more than most should have to suffer?

Her time in the previous world of Kamurkia had her nearing if not completing the transformation into a dragon thanks to the soul she'd been bonded to. In this new place, Etraya? All of that had been utterly wiped away. Her mind is silent, there's no scales, no wings. No 'growing pains'.

...Honestly it was kind of annoying having to go through all of that only to have it completely undone. So this is a mixed blessing. Once she's gotten all she can out of Echo, she gets up, dons her clothes and gathers the items- no sending stone but now this earpiece? A bit like a linkshell maybe but... Ugh, she'll figure it out later. Leaving the room, she finally makes her way down to the lobby.

The baked goods and beverages are eyed for a split second before she shrugs and makes her way over to them. Thank goodness there doesn't seem to be any signs of the Fae this time because honestly? She's famished. People will find her picking up a selection of food, choosing tea over coffee or hot chocolate, and then trailing over to find a seat and eye the world outside of any windows that are available.


ii. Hitching a Ride (Various, possibly. Starting in Alexandrea's Wake )

It's time to explore get supplies. The problem is that as she asks around for places to find what she needs, Gaia discovers that shops are spread across the islands. And while the new trolley system seems fortuitously timed with her arrival to Etraya, the schedule leaves a lot to be desired for a girl on a mission.

So at various points around the islands she might be found trying to hitch a ride. Got a vehicle? Motorbike? Something vaguely horse or chocobo in shape? Honestly she'd probably take a bicycle at some point if it meant not having to wait up to six hours for the trolley to loop around again. What is with that schedule anyway?

Those with some form of transportation will either see a teenaged girl trying to flag them down- her clothes depending on whether she's been to Roxx's yet- or approaching with a determined expression and a mind for conversation.


iii. Finally, Proper Clothes (Quiverfields, Roxx)

Gaia can be found lost among the clothing selection of Roxx. 'Lost' is probably a misleading; she prowls the racks, meticulously sliding hanger upon hanger to the side and fixing a critical eye upon certain articles. It is not unlike a predator in the bushes, sizing up a potential prey and deciding if it's worth her time and energy to strike.

Over one arm are a few choices that have made the cut. There is definitely a prevailing theme of 'black', maybe a hint of lace and belt, and a glimpse of corset-like support.

The teen is on a mission; the clothes she's currently wearing are a far cry from what she's selected. What can only be deemed rough, she sports a long sleeved chemise and a simple brown skirt of a heavier fabric; straight out of the bare minimum of dressing up for a ren faire, though with a more authentic feel. These clothes were meant to be worn daily. Around her shoulders is a shawl, stitched together rabbit furs to protect against the chill that lingers in the air outside.

...Pragmatic though that is, she is absolutely keeping an eye out for a proper coat.

A handbasket next to her feet- that she picks up as she moves to the next rack- has a burden of various cosmetics and hygiene products as might be found. While they might not be top tier, she will at this time take what she can get.


iv. Tasks on Paper (Charronway, The Diner)

"Not this again," Gaia mutters with a groan on reading the paper and a task assigned to it. She had sat down in a cafe, finally wearing something more in her style, bags of purchases ensconced in the booth seat beside her and ordered some food. While she didn't recognize everything on the menu and she'd come to be a fairly okay cook, it was nice to be able to just sit down, relax and have someone else make the meal for a change.

The roast beef wrap, salad and french fries had arrived with a small note covered in hearts. 'Deliver a flower to a stranger.'. She'd been doing her best to avoid these notes; not because of any willful distrust but largely because she was trying to get things sorted for the latest in her string of summoning upheavals.

Was there really no choice here?


v. Wildcard

[ If something doesn't fit the above, or more tasks other than the prompt? HMU! ]

ii. Hitching a Ride! pre-Roxx

[nimbuster]

It's not that unusual for Cloud to get asked to ferry someone somewhere, but usually the request is from someone he knows, or at least has seen around and exchanged mutual nods of stoic acknowledgment with. This time, it's someone who at first, for a jarring split second while he's zooming toward her, he thinks might be Tifa - it's the long, black hair, that's really it.

But he only has to get a little closer to see that it's obviously someone else. He slows just enough to pull his usual parking stunt, drifting with a screech of rubber into a turn that deposits him into a perfect halt right beside where she's standing. Judging from her clothes, she's probably from one of those worlds with very little technology, so hopefully she won't bolt or freak out over the bike.

"Need a lift?"

Re: ii. Hitching a Ride! pre-Roxx

[hammerbearer]

She doesn't bolt. But Gaia does take a hop back with how close the stranger gets on his vehicle. She's not familiar with the appearance of a motorcycle, but she has some notion of what mechanical vehicles are.

The teenager barely manages to suppress a dour look in time. She might be annoyed but it's quickly realized this guy is stopping to give her a ride. And you don't bite the head off of a friendly chocobo.

....Ahem.

"Ah, um, yes. Actually. There's a clothing store somewhere in that direction, right? Roxx? I need to go there but the trolley's impossible!"

Now she's getting a chance to look the rider over. Something's familiar about his appearance. Blue eyes narrow and she peers carefully. It seems impossible. She literally just arrived. But given she is here...

"Wait, aren't you that... person," idiot "that wandered into the Fae's Forest during the festival?" She hadn't caught the name then. It really wasn't wise to hand out names willy nilly at the time after all. Her eyes widen. "Did you get drawn here too?"

[nimbuster]

"Nope, and nope." Cloud shrugs. "Sorry, must've been somebody else. Roxx is that way, along with the apartments and a bunch of other stuff. New here, I take it?"

He gestures behind him with a thumb. "Hop on."

[hammerbearer]

Gaia has her doubts. Her memory is not that bad most of the time and she's almost certain now that he's spoken more than a couple of words that this is the same guy. Sort of.

Wait, didn't Byleth mention something about being different but getting memories from another version of himself? Ugh!

The thing is that it boils down to a couple of options. Gaia could sit here, arguing with someone who is perfectly willing to give her a lift and feels 'familiar'-coded enough to be a helpful individual who would accept all the fetch quests rather than someone with nefarious plans. Until they give up and go away.

Or she can get on the damned bike and save herself the pain of waiting for the trolley.

"Oh, yes. I'm new. If that's what waking up in that Spagy-- hospital means," the word is fumbled a bit. "Then yes. I'm new."

Gaia is wearing a long skirt which is not conducive to riding a bike astride. Therefore after she eyes what passes for the passenger seat behind Cloud dubiously for a moment, she finally braces against his near shoulder and takes a position side-saddle.

This last about two seconds.

"Oh for the love of..." comes the mutter from behind, followed by her swinging astride and doing her best to arrange the skirts so they do not try to fly up once everything's in motion.

"Just so you know I've never ridden... whatever this is before." Dwarves. This has to be dwarf made even if it does lack any suspicous, frog-like elements in its design. If there's dwarves here.

DINER.

[miniroth]

Sephiroth is just passing through. Really. His trolley won't be back for hours yet and there's a lot in this area to look at, so that's what he's doing! Back in his favored dark, sturdy and serviceable clothes, too. No more peasant hand me downs and feeble attempts at leatherworking.

The diner is passed with only the most casual of glances through its large windows. He'll stop later and have a meal maybe, before the trolley returned and he headed for the next destination--

It hadn't been that long, really, since he'd seen Gaia last. Not as most people reckoned such things. Two months isn't a lot of time to most. And when he'd seen her last it was scaled, clawed, horned, and crippled by the changes in her feet and hips. When he'd last seen her, the snow had been heavy and thick, the winter bitterly cold, and he ... hadn't wanted to return home. 'Home'. Such as it was.

He hadn't returned home. He'd found himself here instead, and he'd learned quickly that just because someone looked familiar didn't mean they were.

So he doesn't approach. It looked like the girl he knew. But it probably wasn't.

It doesn't occur to him that standing on a sidewalk staring at the only patron in a diner is probably not a good look.

Re: DINER.

[hammerbearer]

Her actions and reactions are painfully familiar to watch. Those expression, that put together way of her outfit and makeup. Just like how she arrived in Kamurkia and started complaining about the Fae that one autumnal day.

There isn't so much as a scale in sight. No wings, no horns. No held-back pain. ...Well, unless you count that grimace as she reads over the pastel slip of paper that got delivered with her food. But she wasn't holding back there, she was downright annoyed.

Eventually she looks up. Whether it's because of the figure that's been hanging around outside when she's the only patron inside- whatever ride got her to this stage having attended to other business for now and may or may not be back- or because she's searching for someone that might help her get the task over with doesn't matter.

She freezes, blue eyes widening and mouth starting to open in shock. She recognizes him. Or is it? Is she just frightened because some person with a sinister, fox-like features is staring at her like a crazed stalker?

Gaia has also had an encounter of recognizing someone who didn't, in fact, come here from the same world as she just did. And then there had been the circumstances of Byleth whose life had been turned upside down by memories of another him. She's aware and yet...

Her expression shifts to one of so deeply shocked, deeply hopeful that there's no mistaking that, as she shoves herself out of the booth and abandons both food and merchandise, she is making a beeline for the door, bursting out on the street.

"Hey! You!"

[miniroth]

Sephiroth hasn't moved. It's an ongoing struggle whether or not he should say anything, do anything. Setting himself up for disappointment, treating a stranger as if he knew them would be a terrible idea, confusing her and upsetting himself.

But it looks right. Everything she does seems familiar, even without the dragonish additions.

He's like a deer in the headlights when she finally looks up and realizes she's being watched, but that's not fury as she scrambles for the door, nothing he'd register as an impending attack, and as Gaia erupts onto the street with a shout, the teen remains ... right where he is, torn between impulses. She wouldn't do that if she didn't recognize him, right?

Or is he misreading, and that's disguised fury at being watched?

He's learned the hard way not to waste time with hope. He's had too much he's wanted unceremoniously ripped from him to wish that this time, this time it might not be bitter disappointment.

"...Do you ..." Dozens of conversations before a fire or out in the forest. Something like comfortable familiarity in another's presence. Not friendships, surely not, he would never allow that again, but..

But he'd missed it. He'd missed it so sharply it makes his throat tight and uncomfortable. "..Know who I am?"

[hammerbearer]

'Do you know who I am'. There's a way that could be interpreted; does she know him because they were the same people that met before? Or... And it's quick to occur to her because it's what she's experienced in the past. The loss of memories. What if when Sephiroth went back, those Portals of his, had somehow wiped clean the experiences of their time in Kamurkia? And then he was brought here. Just because she ended up being pulled directly, would that be the same experience for him?

It's actually almost enough to cause tears. Angry ones. Frustrating ones, but Gaia is also a fighter. And someone that's learned it's okay to hope. She blinks a few times as if to try and keep the suspicious damp from escaping and puts on what can only be called a game face. Now's hardly the time to cry.

That can be later, if this is all in vain.

"I met someone very like you. In another world. And he was stubborn and prideful. You could know the bell of the day by what he was up to. He was one of the first people I met on Kamurkia. And you could tell he cared, even if he said it was his duty or purpose."

At the end of everything, Gaia knows she's bracing herself for disappointment. Being asked whether she knows him... that could have only been a question asked of anyone who looks shocked then runs out to confront a 'stranger'. And it might not be fair to push her grieving and memory on this person just because he may be 'another him'.

But surely this much is okay, right? Just.... to explain things. She'll respect any refusal.

"His name was Sephiroth. And he was my friend. Though he hated that word."

Maybe hate was a strong, even incorrect word. But the Sephiroth she knew denied it with most of his being.

ii

[odinpusrex]

Barnabas is decidedly without his usual steed, and even then the one he has with him is barely that: it is a young colt of many legs (six to be exact) with a coat of black and a mane of deep blue. Aether pulses across its body in patterns that resemble arcs of lightning, light blue in color where the aether concentrates, then darker blue where it fades. It is a few months old, and nowhere near ready to be ridden. Even by a young girl like Gaia, alas. However, seeing her in the otherwise empty lands of Purple Windy, save for the imposing fortress that rests above the water's edge only connected to the land via bridge, the young equine gallops in her direction.

His guardian sure to follow. He is a man of immodest build, though dressed finely in his black and blue ensemble, which only emphasizes the presence and form of him. His shirt--which ties closed in the front--hangs low enough that it reveals a scar over his chest, a jagged line hanging over his heart, tapering to its end at his sternum. In contrast to his finely dressed presentation is the wild nature of his shaggy black hair and unshave face, his stare is piercing and sharp, like that of a blade.

She isn't spared its intensity as he approaches, the young colt trotting around her now in interest and intrigue, while Barnabas himself gives nothing short of feelings of imposing threat, though he does little to immediately justify this in his actions. He slows his gait to a halt, standing a polite distance from Gaia. He looks her over before his gaze wanders to the young horse which has stopped in his playful trotting to inspect her (new?) clothes with his mouth. Then he flicks his gaze to her once more.

"Need you of something?" As he speaks it is with an accent not entirely unlike those of the Ronso or the Viis of the First, though his voice is low and measured, soft in its delivery.

Re: ii

[hammerbearer]

Gaia has only some limited experience with the concept of horses or equine shaped beings. That being said she recognizes one as a foal. And while she looks sharply around for the parent- if this is a wild horse there might be a problem from the herd- she isn't completely alarmed and remains still.

By this time she's managed to sort out her clothing situation. Dressed in dark clothing and for now wearing pants against the chill, a warm jacket, hat and scarf, she does appear to be a strange sight in the middle of nowhere.

But she had gotten off at the trolley stop out of interest with the view, clearly forgetting that it wouldn't wrap around again for another six hours. Maybe she can call that nice blond man with the motorcycle up if she gets stuck longer than she wants to explore. Otherwise someone else will surely be by or she can just walk along. Easy.

The young steed might have been greeted with a bemused smile at his endearing behavior- she's fairly sure she can avoid its enthusiastic approach if he can't stop in time- but this is not shared with the encroaching presence of who turns up in the foal's wake.

Her expression grows cautious, eyes narrowing a touch with cautious regard of this stranger and his imposing aura of threat. Danger and even if she looks better on the streets of a city and not a worry in her head about the real dangers of life or battle, that isn't reflected in Gaia's manner.

"Just looking around. Am I trespassing somehow? I can move on my way." The caution is in her tone as well, though the words recognize she may be in the wrong of sorts; new to the region and a stranger to Barnabas, it would make sense that if she had stepped into someone's property, they might not be too keen for her continued presence.

...The foal then tugs on the end of her scarf, wondering if the fringe is some form of hay. It is most certainly not and she scowls a bit though her hands are gently raised as she sternly addresses the creature.

"I don't have any treats for you and that's mine, thank you very much." She'll move to try and gently rescue her clothing from curious foal teeth.

[odinpusrex]

Barnabas watches her and the young foal first, not replying to her as one might expect, allowing her inquiry and offer to hang unattended in the air. It almost seems the man is ignoring her to diligently observe how she handles herself with the intruding animal. However, as the foal's eyes meet with Barnabas' own, it lets out a snort and releases the scarf, kicking at the cold ground before prancing around them both with its tail lifted.

Without blinking, Barnabas lets his eyes slide their focus back to Gaia, Grani being momentarily dealt with.

"I should imagine you will be hardpressed to find ought of interest here." He doesn't address whether or not she is trespassing. In truth, she isn't, but he'd rather her believe otherwise, even if he doesn't speak the fiction himself.

As he regards her more, his expression shifts but only slightly. It softens in a way it might not otherwise, slight though it is. His eyes scan over her features, her dark hair and pale skin. There's a likeness she holds that gives his otherwise stoic and aloof exterior...pause.

"Besides, little are you adorned as an explorer should be. All that resides is Stonhyrr to the north."

The trolley will be gone for some time, he is aware. Which leaves the options rather limited as to what to do with her.

[hammerbearer]

It looks like she's been around animals before in a practical setting at least. Gaia shows no signs of impatience or that this foal is something more than just a baby. Firm and gentle. But unbeknownst to her, she's freed by a meeting of the eyes.

Another matter to her credit is that she shows no real signs of discomfort tucking the now slightly drooled on ends of her scarf under her jacket and zipping things up further. Oh yes. And her hair gets tucked under. Let's not leave that out as a tempting target.

"I got off the trolley because I was interested in the scenery," Gaia responds firmly. There might be a trace of barbs to her phrasing, though it's mild and showing signs of an effort to keep her attitude contained. "Though I did forget there seems to be only one per line."

Her admittance is accompanied by a slight scowl at her own follow and a glance toward the direction the vehicle had gone.

"Well, I don't mind walking for a time if it comes to that. And I can follow the rails themselves." She can also transport herself short distances back the way she came from but she's hardly going to admit such an ability to a stranger.

In truth she can go far further but isn't totally aware she's had her abilities restored to near their full potential.

Once more she turns to face the taller man. It isn't defiance, but she does challenge this perception that there's nothing to see.

"I won't say my outfit isn't the best for exploring, no. But I can manage." At least the boots she's chosen aren't full on heels. And besides, her prior outfit was worse. Currently, she seems to be carrying little other than clothes on her back and a small side-slung satchel which is likely meant for foraging; blessedly not a purse. No sign of weapons.

"I take it by Stonhyrr, you mean that massive fort in the distance? I can certainly stay away from it, if that's your meaning." Inasmuch as 'following the tracks' might lead her if she chooses to follow the trolley's direction itself rather than go back.

i

[thecodexabides]

Sorry for blocking out most of the light from that window, but Gadriel's been standing here for a few minutes, staring out of it, watching a place that has a lot less war than he's used to. He's used to cities in flames, the sound of small arms fire, the screams of the dying.

This was quiet. One might even say, too quiet.

He heard her approaching, and at least has the manners...kind of...to step out of the way. "Sorry." Even he knows no one wants their main view to be his ass.

Re: i

[hammerbearer]

That is quite a wall that's established itself in front of the window but Gaia has at least some experience with the ronso- roegadyn as those of Eorzea would have called them. You learn to adjust.

"You're fine," she answers before taking a seat without much fuss. She's of a very slight frame and looks nowhere near fighting fit; she's wrapped in cloth and a fur shawl. Depending on what Gadriel was hanging on to when he ended up here, well...

Honestly if you've seen the fashion back home, she's probably not too surprised even if he does have his armor. Curious maybe.

"...Did you just arrive as well? I don't see many others here. Other than those companion bots. And that woman." Echo. She probably means Echo.

Despite her passive attitude there is a keen look in her eyes as if she's quietly assessing the man near her. Unsurprised is one thing. Uncautious is quite another.

Re: i

[thecodexabides]

Gadriel is dressed as he normally is: in the power armor they take off...very rarely, and fully armed. They even sleep like this most nights. It gets funky in there after a while.

"I arrived an hour ago." By his chrono, about that much. He's otherwise confused. This does not look like the Imperium. There's not a single Imperial eagle insignia in sight. "Everyone here is a...mortal." It's strange. He's never spent any time around them, much less this close. This may be the first time he's ever talked to one.

Re: i

[hammerbearer]

Mortals. Right. Not the first time she's been called that. Is it true? ...Close enough sure. The important thing is that someone casually dropping the word like they're not isn't outside the realm of experience.

"I couldn't say. I just got here myself." Everyone here mortal? Doubtful. Even considering whatever that means in Gadriel's worldview. She takes a bite of a croissant, very neat and tidy.

"My name is Gaia. What should I call you?" For all the world the girl looks like she's bracing for something longwinded and overblown all while trying to look polite about it.

ii

[snapp_crackle]

Even if she might no longer need a ride at this point, Gaia might have reason to wave down the familiar young man flying overhead. Popp looks down at her casually and then does a full on double take... And then crashes into the side of the Daily Planet building because he didn't remember to stop flying. Extremely Popp-like behavior, if she had any doubts as to his identity.

She's seen him get hit by a hammer; he's fine. Rubbing his head and grumbling under his breath once he's on the ground, but fine.

[hammerbearer]

Hitchhiking is better than the trolley. But there's always going to be Other Days where she might take advantage... er ask for the help of a passerby.

The Daily Planet is not in itself a place she needed to go and get supplies. But by this time? Curiosity is fueling a more adventurous spirit. Say what you will about her style but she's back in it or at least something close enough to be much like those fancy black clothes she took out and wore from time to time before the draconic transformations began.

Someone flying isn't alarming precisely but it does draw her attention. She looks up, just in time to see the mage completely fail to overcome a tall building in a single bound. While Gaia isn't one to engage in coarse swearing aloud, it's possible at least one 'Wicked White' might have crossed her mind in alarm. She rapidly closes the distance to the victim of folly. That poor building.

"Are you alright?!"

It's about this point that she starts to process something. That's a familiar shock of hair. A familiar headband. The fact he just plowed into the side of a building and sort of bounced back up.

"Popp?!" It doesn't even occur to her for the moment that this could be just another reality's edition of the person she'd known back on Kamurkia. While Gaia didn't shriek- seriously she refuses to entertain the notion she would- her voice is definitely pitched a bit higher than its standard tone.

[snapp_crackle]

If he sees someone who looks exactly like someone he knows, Popp's going to assume that this is that person. One disappointment isn't enough to break this assumption, unless she does something incredibly unexpected. Shrieking Speaking loudly in a higher pitched voice than normal is unprecedented but not that shocking.

He does not entertain the possibility of a concussion or hallucination; he gets hit harder than this all the time and his head is perfectly normal. He's scuffed up a bit, but ~the power of friendship~ has cured him or at least hit him with enough surprise that he has forgotten about any bruises.

"Gaia?!" Popp is also speaking loudly in a higher pitched voice than normal and the narration can call it what it likes. "You're here too?!"

As far as he knows, he saw her this very week. While he doesn't miss her, he's glad enough to see someone he knows and likes that he dashes over and grabs her hands. He's just... like this. If he doesn't touch people he will wither away like an unwatered plant.

[hammerbearer]

It was not a shriek! ...So clearly Popp didn't either.

"I just got here!" She's honestly so surprised that she won't protest having her hands grabbed at all.

Well, the teen did grow on her, even if their beginnings were a bit rocky. And look how much he's grown since then! They've sparred! She's hit him with a hammer! He's tossed weird sounding fire magic spells at her! Not even a hesitation to grab her hands despite her being all girl germs and stuff.

"What is going on? Is this place just pulling everyone from Kamurkia? Have you seen anyone else?" Gaia hasn't let go of his hands just yet, but suddenly she's reminded of an extremely important fact. Something Popp will be dying to hear.

"Sephiroth is here Popp! He didn't go back home. He's been here a while!" About as long as he was gone from Kamurkia in fact, nearly two months since his fateful disappearance at the beginning of December.

This fact is the most vital, most important one and he'll hear it in her tone; the gladness and relief.

iii

[maximumlegend]

Fabian pretty often comes to the clothing section. Sure, he technically already has enough clothes here to fill up a pretty big wardrobe, but he did just get an even bigger wardrobe, so he might as well fill it up with more clothes. If he's going to be stuck in a place like this, he might as well look good at the same time, he figures.

And it shows. Even as Fabian is idly browsing the racks of clothing here, he very much does look like a modern teenager - and a very fashionable one on top of it. But it's not just the clothes that catch his attention. He does notice Gaia. Well, Gaia, and her clothes. Which obviously are not like most of the clothes one might find here at Roxx.

For a few moments he watches her gather clothes in silence, but then Fabian seems to make up his mind, making his way over towards her.

"Are you looking for anything in particular?" She does seem to have gathered a lot already thus far..

Hello! Sorry I got a bit behind!

[hammerbearer]

Fabian, you are going to get the very teenage young lady equivalent of the side eye, up and down scan assessment of someone attempting to determine if the question is coming from a place of informed interest or potential nuisance. But clearly his fit seems to pass muster. Gaia's expression eases a little.

"Yes. I take it you're familiar with this store? And perhaps others?" She speaks with a confident, cultured tone. She's clearly on a mission and if there's other places, she won't limit herself to one stop.

Of course, the young lady is painfully aware of what her current look seems to convey.

"Before I wound up here, I was in a situation where I had to make do with what was available. But now there are proper tailors..." There's a pause, a glance at the varied racks. "...Well, something closer to what I'm accustomed to, I'm hoping to find enough to tide me over."

If Fabian does indicate he'd like to see what she already chose, she'll be more than willing to commandeer the nearest rack to lay the selections she's made out so he can see what she's aiming for.

No boots yet, though. Shoes will be a whole other focus. After the clothes are sorted.

same goes for me, so no worries at all! <3

[maximumlegend]

Fabian does ask to see what she's got, and.. he looks a little surprised when she lays it all out like that. Not that he thinks the clothes are weird or bad - he definitely likes some of the pieces quite a bit - but he didn't exactly expect to see this cohesive of a theme. She sure knows what she likes, apparently. Kind of a goth type, huh?

"I see," he first notes, still staring at the clothes and nodding as he takes it all in. "So-- One important thing to know first."

He finally looks up from the clothes, turning to look over at Gaia instead.

"Is this you settling for something you only like a little bit, or is this a style you would actively like to go for?" Considering there is still a gap between what she's wearing and what's being laid out here. Maybe she'd prefer to stick to what she knows?

After a second, he does add: "Though I do have to say I think you could definitely pull off a more cool contemporary look with these clothes. You've got the looks for it!"

[hammerbearer]

Gaia doesn't really blame the guy for the look of surprise. But she doesn't seek to excuse herself further as if needing to prove anything either. It'll be obvious soon enough that she knows what she's doing once everything is properly tested, coordinated and arranged.

Though her eyes do narrow with speculation as she waits for Fabian's important question. This eases a bit, though Gaia remains mindful of how he reacts to her answer.

"This is definitely what I prefer to wear." No hesitation there. "I've only just arrived, so I planned to select a few things while taking care of necessities."

Thus it was definitely a good idea to aim for things she's used to over spending hours more in the realm of exploration. But Fabian's suggestion of guidance in dabbling a little deeper is not going to be dismissed entirely. Gaia crosses her arms. It's not that she isn't flattered by his comment about her looks. But she isn't going to necessarily be swayed by it either.

"And what, precisely, does cool contemporary mean to you?"

A 'modern day fashion' is often styled on one's society and time period after all.