rubycity_ooc | August Test Drive!

Entry tags:

August Test Drive!

Thinking of apping a character but not sure they'll fit in the city walls?

Have no fear, a meme for you is here.

Directions:

Post with your character with their name and canon on top!

Choose a location and prompt or wait for someone else to tag.

If you'd like, leave contact info for people to get in contact for plotting and other such shenans.

Tag around! Make friends. Don't be afraid to chat OOC while tagging.

Locations:

1. Train Station: New arrival, or waiting to welcome people? Either way, the train comes in, but you still can't ride it out.

2. Cathedral: Looking for redemption? Just doing a little sight-seeing? Or just getting a little shelter?

3. The Clocktower: You can see the whole city from here!

4. The Black Stallion Saloon: You were told the burgers were great here-- but maybe you just came for the beer.

5. The Library: You came to do a little research, but it looks like all of the information's just out of your reach. Though, you can always find a way to pass the time here.

6. The Coffee Joint: A lovely place to have a chat and a bite to eat.

7. Le Cafe Anglais: A Parisian-British fusion that's as charming as it sounds and serves the best tea around.

Scenarios

1. Just walked in: You intended to get here, and you made your way in; but now someone's caught your eye and you'd like to have a chat.

2. Been here all day: You've been sitting around minding the time. Maybe you didn't notice them at first or maybe you were just working up the courage to talk-- either way, they know you're here and you know it too.

3. Bad weather: You're here because you've gotten rained in. This wasn't your choice, but at least it's dry-- right?

4. Wild card: Got something better in mind? Well screw these prompts, try it out yourself!

Have fun, guys!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Ah-" Yuna's voice shook him out of his thoughts and understood that she had undergone some drastic changes. She was much stronger than he remembered and her confidence was staggering. He was just as shocked at seeing her again as she was of him but this wasn't the time to reminiscence.

He looked at the guns in her hands and reached for his own gun that he had hidden under his knee length coat. He stepped forward and leveled his gun to the dryad.

The initial shot from Yuna caused the creature to pause and jump back in a backward tuck to land gracefully by her tree. Baralai's dark brown eyes narrowed with a renewed strength.

"What are these things?" Baralai asked without taking his gaze off of the dryad.

Yuna holds her shot giving the Dryad the chance to flee. "They are jerks." It wasn't a good or even helpful description but she really didn't like them.

"They live in the forest and temp men..." She couldn't say the rest without turning red so she stopped keeping her eyes on the wooden girl.

"If we leave the woods she will leave us be. To our left is town." Yuna gestured to her left, slightly shifting her footing so that she could move.

"Right." Like Yuna, he shifted his weight just enough to begin moving. "Let's go!" He didn't dare touch Yuna to bring her along with him. He simply made sure to look back to check on her.

"Yuna!" Baralai's desperation seeped through his voice once again. At least now he didn't have to worry about Shuyin possessing him. He could still hear his thoughts if he allowed his emotions to get the best of him, and just then he heard Shuyin. "It'll be over soon."

Baralai shook his head with his eyes closed tight with a soft grunt and slipped the gun back into its holster under his coat. He thought he was rid of the spirit but even the residual effects of the possession remained. He didn't have time to think about it and pressed onward.

He called to her again this time as he turned from the edge of the clearing. "Yuna!"

Yuna couldn't find her voice as she heard him yell her name. She didn't know which Baralai this was and she felt her fears rise to her throat. Lenn was still with her but she wasn't being pulled out like before. She was still in her gunner dressphere but those strange feelings have been something that never really went away.

As she broke free of the forest she fell to her knees to catch her breath. It had been a awkward run since she kept looking back and firing to make sure the Dryad didn't get to close. The forest was its home and it had the advantage. She looked up at Baralai panting slightly from her effort.

Her face flushed and she quickly stood while dismissing her guns with a bright glow. What should she even say?

"Umm... Hi." Her expression remained neutral as she looked Baralai over carefully.

Baralai knelt beside her to check on her but he still refused to touch her and stood when she moved to stand. He knew what he had done even though he wasn't in control. It was odd but the way she spoke to him just then made him chuckle awkwardly.

"Hi." His smile was equally as awkward as the atmosphere. "Uh, so...care to explain what's going on here? This doesn't look like any city on the maps back home."

He thought that if he kept the conversation as neutral as possible that the issue would be forgotten but even he knew better than that.

Edited 2014-08-22 01:06 (UTC)

Yuna's thoughts were along the same lines as his and she was happy with the current direction of the conversation. She took a small step back and gave him an awkward smile. "It isn't. This isn't on Spira. It's another world entirely."

She wasn't usually scared but she was now, of him and her own mixed up feelings left over from Lenn. She knows that it wasn't him or his fault but her body reacted on its own before she gave it thought. Her feelings were still so confused.

"We should head into the city though. I can explain more on the way." Yuna side step around him and started towards town. Maybe if someone else was around it wouldn't feel so strange.

He cleared his throat and felt equally as embarrassed about the situation that caused the rift between them. It was true that he was drawn to power but even worse was that he tried to take on Shuyin alone which was a mistake that culminated into a rather odd series of events that he could never shake. He felt everything that day and it only grew worse from there.

"Oh, of course." At Yuna's prompt and as soon as she moved, he fell into step not far behind to give her space.

"You know where we are? How's that even possible? Did the pyreflies do this?" So many questions and he felt off balance. "Was it...Vegnagun?" The name felt dirty coming from his mouth.

Yuna shook her head before glancing back at Baralai. "It isn't anything from our world. It's some other magic. I don't know the details myself but we are currently stuck in this city."

Being stuck here, together, just made things more awkward and now he knew it too. She has known him for so long and it just made everything worse. She felt her hand move to over her chest as her own worry began to bubble to the surface. She tired to push the feelings away but nothing seemed to work. For the moment she was happy that she was a few steps in front of him and that he couldn't see her face. She has always been an open book.

"There are a few here with different faiths and a church that you might be interested in." Yuna pointed in the direction of the church, which from their current position wasn't very visible. It was a topic that she knew he would like that, once again, steered away from the awkward.

"I see." Baralai tried to sort out what was going on and how he was feeling but it was too much.

He looked up at the sky and for a brief moment he thought to ask her what she could remember from the Farplane incident but it was quashed the instant she mentioned the church. It was what he knew best and he smiled genuinely for the first time. "I'd like that very much. I'll speak with the maestor as soon as possible."

He was grateful for the fact that he could at least continue his practice as praetor. He considered leaving but then he would still be lost and unsettled. He wanted nothing more than to put the matter behind him and he felt better to focus on something else than what Shuyin had done.

Maybe it was better for them both that they had gone their separate ways and being caught up in the same city only made the matter seem more surreal and visceral than something that could simply be ignored. Not a word was spoken about it and it was better that it never will for both their sakes.

"Gippal sends his regards to Rikku." Baralai said quietly. Everyone had someone and for Baralai he was married to his work as a praetor. "But, he never had the chance to tell her since she bounded off to the Celsius." Baralai chuckled with his hands behind his back.

Yuna smiled a little at the mention of Rikku. "I miss her a lot, you know." She hasn't realized how long she had actually been here now. It feels like so long ago when she first woke up in this strange city. "That might have been my fault. I was tired of speeches..." She lightly scratched the side of her cheek, which was a habit she got from Rikku, and then rolled her head to the side. Yuna loved her freedom and she finally had it again back home.

"There isn't a maestor here but your going to want to talk to our keepers. They are dangerous though so be warned...Baralai." She stopped and looked at the sky. After a slow deep breath she turned and looked Baralai in the eyes.

Her comfort aside this was something serious and she didn't want him to get hurt. "The people keeping us here aren't nice... you shouldn't make deals with them... they can take more than you can imagine." Yuna had seen it with her friends and didn't want it to happen to Baralai as well. Once she spoke she turned and released the breath that she only then realized she had been holding. Her heart ached and she wished more than anything that she could fix things here.

He stopped when she had and the turn she made to look at him square in the eyes was a shock to him. He reeled back slightly and recoiled within himself with his eyes wide. He didn't think that matters were as bad as she claimed but taking the risk was hard enough as it was. His mouth parted slightly as if he were about to speak, he could see that protective side of Yuna's reach fully through and it gripped him tight.

"Touche. I learned my lesson the first time." Baralai seemed almost hurt that he was accused but she had her rights to believe that he would yet he remained calm. "Besides, I have better things to do than sell my soul. I've done it once and it wasn't pleasant the first time."

It was the only admission he ever gave for his reasons to allow Shuyin to take him over. It was too much to think about and it cost him and Yuna both in more ways than one. He wanted to apologize to her then and there but the time was wrong. Everything was wrong.

He pulled his gaze away and looked over his shoulder with a quick, but heavy sigh. "Are matters that rough here?" He asked quietly.

"It's not that." She hadn't meant for the topic to turn but she couldn't say nothing. "They do favors for people who give them something in return. It's just... the price is steep." Yuna wanted to kick herself. Why was it so hard to explain? "I just don't want you to get hurt."

Her eyes returned to the skyline and she changed her path so they could swing by the church on there way. "It can be rough here and it can be nice. Either way we are far from home." Without their friends... Yuna's mind raced as she talked, filling in blanks with her own disjointed musings.

"There is a place for new arrivals to stay above the coffee shop. It's also where I hang out a lot." She wasn't going to say work because it was usually empty. Her head began to spin as her mind tumbled it's thoughts around. Hopefully her attempts to change the subject would work.

"Oh." He gave himself some time during their walk for his mind to digest what Yuna had said. It made sense to him now that she simplified it a little more. Thankfully, he wasn't in the mindset to ask for anything just yet. If he could do things on his own, while challenging, then he would feel more accomplished and better about himself.

He knew he led a sheltered life in the libraries of Bevelle and among the temple keepers. It was time he made his own way and he was a bit off center. He thought about what to ask and where to begin and his thoughts soon became overwhelmed with no direction other than to the church.

"If it means anything to you, I'm grateful that you're here to guide me."

"I'm glad to see someone from home... I've been here for so long it seems." Her own thoughts raced and she enjoyed the small talk. After awhile the church came into view so Yuna pointed over to it to indicate that is where they were heading.

He knows everything about Vegnagun because he mention how Rikku and them left, it was a clue but it just made things worse. If only this was still the boy she knew from childhood all those years ago. The one who hasn't been hurt yet.

It's been so long, being here, alone in the city. Now she was reminded of home and the pain that went along with it. Her eyes stayed on the church as it's large doors came into view.

His innocence was stripped away the moment he had seen the world for what it really was and all of its dirty secrets. From his time as a Crimson Squad member to the point where he was possessed by Shuyin to learning about Vegnagun, he couldn't turn back the clock to fix anything that had happened even though he tried so hard to avoid it all. He could only look away for a moment and then his eyes lit up the moment he saw the church.

The majesty of the building was glorious even thought it looked nothing like the temple in Bevelle. It was still a wondrous sight to him and he hopped forward with a new spring in his step.

"Yuna! This is amazing!" His voice once heavy from the pain of those harsh realities returned to the youthful vigor of a time he recalled when he saw an aeon summomed for the first time. He appeared happy and he laughed. "Let's go!"

Yuna found herself smiling along side him. Her troubles and fears forgotten in his smile. "Okay!" She looked over at Baralai with a wide grin before taking off in a run to get closer. It was an easy run because they weren't that far away but she felt like running, like she needed too. Every since two years ago she has been running everywhere.

As she reached the large doors she glanced back at Baralai. It has been awhile since she has been inside this church. She usually tried to avoid it if she could. She doesn't mind faith but her own experience still haunted her dreams. If she thought of home she wanted to think of the good things. The people she missed and the places she wanted to see again.

Yuna stood for a moment letting Baralai get in front of her so that he could see the church without her in the way.

For just a moment, he felt like he was himself again. He wanted to hold on to this feeling as long as he could and his hands pressed flat against the heavy doors to open them. Inside wasn't quite what he imagined but his eyes still widened with a new found joy that this place could feel like home again.

With a few steps inside, his footfalls echoed against the stone and his gaze looked from left upward and then to the right with a sigh of awe. His voice dropped and he stood with his eyes closed with his smile still present as he deeply inhaled. "It's magnificent."

The heady scent of wood varnish and old stone didn't deter him. These were familiar scents and that was what he counted on. The stained glass windows scattered the light in many shades of color along the stone. His eyes slowly opened and he continues to step forward. "I think...I'll like it here."

Yuna followed behind him, letting the door stay open. Her own foots steps were soft as she walked behind him. Her fingertips lightly brushing against the pews as she past them. The last time she was here she was talking to Dante about the sending. It was so long ago.

She always wondered about the church but she hasn't given those thoughts much attention. Her eyes focused on the splash of colors painted by the light reflecting through the window. It was playful in the way that they colored whatever was in reach. "It is Beautiful." Her own voice was breathless.

Yuna wasn't sure how long he would like it here but she was glad that he had something to hold onto until they could find away back home. After everything, Baralai has never lost sight of his faith.

His faith was always one of his strongest factors that drove him in every part of his life. He was sure that no matter where he was, he would always have his faith even if the rest of the world was falling apart. It was something that him and Yuna still had in common.

He turned around as she spoke and nodded. "Yuna? Do you think there might be people interested in Yevon?"

It was a serious question and he looked hopeful for the moment. He knew that there was more to do but that question stood out in his mind the most. He glanced at her fingers and he wanted to hold her had just then but refrained. So many what if's ran through his mind just then and he looked up and smiled.

"But, if they don't, I still have my faith."

Yuna cringed trying to think of the best way to phrase it. Even after everything they have been through she still sees Baralai as the quiet boy she met on the playground. She rolled her head to the side and leaned against the nearest pew. Her eyes searched the ceiling of the church as she thought through her words.

"I think everyone here has their own faiths. Maybe find a way that everyone can practice what they believe but still have it bring us together." It was a suggestion that she hoped he would like. She didn't want to see anyone being forced to believe in something that they didn't. Talking about religion wasn't hard for Yuna but she felt awkward after everything that has happened she knows that baralai would greet her back into Yevon with open arms and not just because she was high summoner.

It was true that he felt that comfort in his faith and wouldn't turn anyone away. He smiled softly even if the memory hurt that he wasn't exactly the same as he was before. It was a kind way for Yuna to say what she had and he nodded in response.

"True. I can't speak for everyone, but having a little bit of hope does go a long way." He felt that it was true at least which brought him this far even after the Farplane incident and his dealings with possession.

He looked to Yuna and looked up to her in a lot of ways which helped. "It's a choice and it should always be a choice."

"Thats right." Yuna looked back down at Baralai with a happy smile. "I think we need hope but not lies."

She took a few steps forwards swinging her arms back and forth. She turned on her heel facing the way she had walked. "I think you're perfect for the job."

He smiled and nodded once. "I'll do it."

One thing was true about the quiet Baralai, he wasn't afraid to take up the challenge to help others even if others didn't see his methods that way. He was looking for some stability and Yuna's support made his decision that much better.

"If I can help them, I will and..." He motioned with his arms to the side with his left foot stepped back, he bowed at the waist and brought his arms to his chest as if he was holding a sphere. "...thank you."

Perhaps his reason for being here was to bring hope to the city, but it was now up to him to bring that hope.

Yuna nodded and turned back towards the door. "Why don't you stay here a little longer, take a look around?"

She won't say she wasn't trying to run away, she was but Yuna didn't know if she could handle facing Baralai. This city seemed so small to avoid each other forever.

He lifted himself up to stand straight once again, he could tell that she was avoiding something just as he was. It was odd to him that something that he had spent a long time trying to forget came to the forefront of his mind in a flash.

With a sharp inhale, he stepped forward as Yuna turned away. "Yuna." His voice was soft but held so much emotion. "I... please don't go."

Hi there!

:D

Oh boy, the tension mounts.

oh no now its the talking part!!

Oh god...*thuds*

Im laughing so hard >.<

Oh, this is horrible on an emotional level. Gotta love possessions. :P

I DO!

SAME! XD Let's just hope that they can keep it under wraps for a while.

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Oh god...thuds