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

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."

Yuna stopped at the sound of her name but she didn't turn around. His tone said enough, his thoughts must have been along the lines of her own. Her shoulders tensed as she stood replaying the events over in her mind like she has a thousand times before... What was worse about this whole mess was that she had felt Lenn's feelings and enjoyed it.

She wasn't ready to face it. Yuna didn't say anything for some time, she stared at the doors to the church wishing something would come through so she could run. Even if she tried her legs felt like they were glued to the floor. "Baralai... I..." What could she even say, after everything that has happened.

The way they were facing was a mirror image of what happened that day on the Farplane. He wanted to reach out and step toward her and at the last moment he stopped himself and lowered his head with his eyes closed. "It's just like that day."

He remembered it all even though he couldn't stop what had taken place. It hurt at the same time he enjoyed what he felt but the bitterness got in the way that was Shuyin. "I know..."

There was nothing left to say. It was both painful to think about and hard to ignore. Yuna had become a part of his life in a way that no other could. So many memories and none of them were by his actions even if someone else was in control.

Yuna couldn't turn to face him, her head lowered as she listen to his words. She remembered that day, she remembered everything and even now it haunted her. It was one thing she wasn't able to face.

She felt the tears as they ran down her cheeks. She didn't want to wipe them away, she didn't want Baralai to know her pains. After everything, Yuna knew how he must have felt and she didn't want to make things worse.

Her voice was a whisper as she turned her head so that he could hear her. "It will be okay." She still didn't let him see her face and turned back to face the church door. Yuna knew, one day, everything would be alright and maybe their relationship would heal. If things had gone differently...

Baralai didn't press the issue and gave Yuna the chance to leave if she wanted to. He wouldn't hold her back and he wouldn't force her to stay. His head turned to face the stained glass windows of a dove in flight with a deep inhale to fight his own tears.

"You're not alone." Her whisper was like a knife that cut deep into his heart and he had thought she was feeling the same thing. They spent the first ten years of their lives together in Bevelle and another eight years apart. They needed time to heal, but now wasn't the time.

He remembered the coffee shop that she mentioned and thought to go there but something held him back. "Lady Yuna... we'll stand strong."

The truth was, he was hurting too.

She wanted to leave but she knew what it would mean. She would be running. Her legs stayed in place as she continued to let her tears fall freely. Yuna wasn't alone but neither was he and she could at least show him that.

She turned to face him, her eyes meet his with a soft smile on her lips. Her tears have stopped and now the dried streaks marked her face. She stopped a few steps away, holding up a brave face. "I know... you're not alone too."

It would take time but Yuna was done running. They were friends and no matter what, she knew that together they could face it and defeat it.

He turned to face Yuna with an equally soft smile. He could tell that she was crying and lifted his hand tentatively toward her cheeks to wipe them away. "You saved the world twice now. Let me save you, just as you had saved me."

It was bold on his part and he knew it, but they had to take small steps in order to heal. All the small hurts were bandaged but the gaping wounds were still bleeding from what had happened between them. "I believe in you. I always have."

Starting out as friends was never a bad thing. In fact, it made their bonds stronger. He knew that he had a lot to atone for and he thought to start now.

It was a bold statement but she was happy to hear those words. She has spent so much time being strong for others and she was tired of it. She didn't want people to depend on her anymore. Even after everything she did trust Baralai. Yuna didn't move to stop him from brushing away the tears. It was a small gesture but it was a start to rebuilding their relationship.

Her lips curled into a warm smile. "Thank you." Her voice was soft but filled with so much feeling that it said it all. She trusted him and wanted someone to be strong when she felt she couldn't. Everyone had times of weakness and for the last two years she hasn't felt like she has been able to show her own weakness; Spira looked up to her.

He knew the pressures from having his own as praetor. He was the youngest to take the role and he was elected simply because he was convinced that others could look up to him. It wasn't until Shuyin's possession that he realized just how much people looked to him for answers. It hurt more than he was willing to admit.

He returned the smile with a solemn nod. "You're welcome."

His hand slowly moved away as to not over stay the contact and to keep them both from falling in the same trap again. He never saw her tears as a weakness, but rather a means to convey a strength of heart that many had lacked due to apathy.

She was stronger than any person he had ever known and he was grateful to her for all that she had done. He shifted his weight slightly from one side to the other. They needed to rebuild and now was as good a time as any.

"Didn't you say you wanted coffee?" It was more of a question to ease their troubles at least for a little while.

Yuna's smile grew. "Yes and I can show you the apartments for new arrivals. They are right above the shop." She was happy that they were able to talk about it, if only a little but she was also grateful for the change in subject. It would take time but here they had that time.

"Did you want to head there now?" She didn't want to cut his tour of the church short but she knew that he would be coming back here.

"I think it's time I did something else for a change for today. Besides, learning new things is all a part of changing, isn't it?" He was feeling a great deal better than he had before now that the heaviness in the air between them was lifting up and moving away for now.

He knew they would get caught in the fog again but for now it was better to take that step forward. "New Yevon's motto is One thing at a time." He turned toward the front of the church and bowed as he performed his gestures for the prayer for his departure.

With a smile and a sweep of his arm toward the door, he faced Yuna again. "Let's go. I want to try this coffee."

August Test Drive!

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T_T

Ouch.

So many tears!!!

Oh heavens, yes.

I so want to hug them both right now!!!

Me too! Man, the tension between them.

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