anxiousgrace | First Reality

[A soft sob... Coming from behind the clinic in town. There, a young, dark haired woman is curled in a ball, releasing more pent-up emotion than she has in quite a while. She's freaking out, and no surprise, all things considered. After all, she just woke up in a strange place, in clothing she's never seen, with wings.

It doesn't help that to her, this is just a sign that her schizophrenia is getting worse. It also doesn't help that the dress is vaguely reminiscent of the clothes patients wear at mental hospitals; she half believes she's in one.

Even though it's spring, it's a little nippy, and she's shivering in her thin cotton dress. She hasn't noticed the journal sitting by her feet, but she has at least stopped crying, though her breathing is still rapid.]

I don't know if I want this to be real or not...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

anxiousgrace

[~~STRANGER DANGER~~ but no, she can handle herself.]

It's nice to meet you too, Ms.....? [Her grandmother sometimes used honorifics. She doesn't mind, really.]

So, is Luceti the name of this place?

From:

symp3thy

Minako and yes - in that order. But Minako by itself is fine for me. [ another laugh ~~TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS GURL~~ ]

Luceti is... hm. It's a bit hard to explain in relative terms. But I'm...sorry to say that wherever you were before this you aren't any longer. This town is a literally world of its own. [ again the reassuring smile ] You aren't alone, however. People are brought here from everywhere imaginable like you were.

From:

anxiousgrace

[~~Well, in that case... FLEES IN TERROR.~~ Minako seems nice, but forgive Cayla if she's still nervous.]

That's... [strange, bizarre, amazing, comforting, worrying, etc.] ...good to know. I hope there are more people I can understand.

From:

symp3thy

[ The contradiction of emotion is something she understands as well, even if the depth of it is something she can't be sure of; it doesn't take a genius to draw conclusions. ]

Everyone's pretty much on a level playing field here... Do you remember where you were before you woke up any?

From:

anxiousgrace

[Cayla just sort of stares into space as she ponders that last comment. She jumps a little at the question.]

Oh, yeah. I was walking to the library where I work. I stopped to look at an ad, and then... nothing. Then I woke up here. [After her short speech, she tucks her head and looks at her hands, curled between her legs. Her whole body posture just asks, why?]

From:

symp3thy

[ Similarly Minako's body language speaks of her understanding; there's a surprising part of her that almost wants to share just how frightened she'd been too, though it isn't a feeling she's as of yet accepted.

Instead what she does is set a single on of her hands atop Cayla's, a gesture not of pity (she's never cared at all for that) but - something to reassure without words, which can be clumsy and shallow on their own. ]

The important thing to remember is that you aren't alone, Reed-chan. Countless others are exactly where you're at now. Furthermore: you've already got a friend, hm? [ she smiles again ] Not knowing why we're really here or how long we'll each stay doesn't seem to have stopped the residents from making a home of this place. It's troubling, I'll admit. But my brother's been here for several years already and if he can do it, I know you can.

From:

anxiousgrace

[Minako's words and actions are gentle and calming. As Cayla listens, her breathing slows to a more normal rate, and she leans back her head. She is still tense, but she has calmed down enough to accept her situation.]

Thank you, Minako-chan. For both your words... and your friendship. I... feel better for having them. I'll try to make the most out of my stay here, however long or short it may be,

From:

symp3thy

[ Pleased to see that she's relaxed somewhat, Minako feels free to giggle and make a quick, two-finger salute to show her approval. ]

That's the spirit! You'll get into the rhythm of things in no time at all I'm sure of it. We can even start with finding you some proper clothes if you like. The dresses can be a tiny bit chilly.

From:

anxiousgrace

[Minako's energy is extremely contagious. Cayla finds herself smiling back at her, almost without noticing.]

Yeah, it's a little cold. What kind of clothes do they have here? [Cayla stands, slightly unsteady but rapidly regaining her balance.]

From:

symp3thy

I think the better question is "what do you like?"! [ she compensates for the instability with her own momentum ] A friend of my brother's apparently owns a clothing store but I haven't yet been. What sort of things do you usually wear?

From:

anxiousgrace

[She has just been thrown for a bit of a loop.] Umm... Clothes that are easy to move around in, I guess. And really deep colors. [She's just being dragged along at this point, which is fine as she has no clue yet where everything is.]

From:

symp3thy

Practical things, you mean. [ a nod ] Very smart. Especially as you're going to be doing quite a bit of walking here! Deep colors would look great on you for sure. You're definitely the mysterious beauty type.

From:

anxiousgrace

Thanks, I guess. I just like the comfort and ease of movement of simple clothing. [She blushes slightly at the compliments.]

So, what kind of things do you do here, besides walking a lot?

From:

symp3thy

You mean walking isn't your idea of a good time? [ she laughs then taps a cheek with her finger ] But well you can go to the beach, visit the gardens, shop, spar -- Honestly? The best thing about Luceti is the people. Everyone is - is interesting.

From:

anxiousgrace

Walking's fine. I just like a little of everything, I guess... [Cayla listens to the list. There really is a lot to do; there'd have to be, if they could stay for years. Luceti, despite first impressions, may be a decent place. She's going to have to find a dancing studio of some sort, though.] So far, the people do seem pretty... interesting.

From:

symp3thy

[ another laugh ] That sounds promising. Who've you met so far?

From:

anxiousgrace

Just you. [Though there are a lot of unusual and interesting seeming people in the village square they're walking through.]

From:

symp3thy

E-Eh? Really? [ huh! ] I'm honored!

From:

anxiousgrace

[Honored to be "interesting," huh?]

Well, hopefully everyone else holds up in comparison, yes?

From:

symp3thy

Well I doubt it~ [ kidding, of course ] But we can hope!

From:

anxiousgrace

Indeed. So, your brother's friend runs a clothing store?

From:

symp3thy

All Passions. I've yet to visit however... [ And since apparently they're getting near the store, Minako takes the liberty of pointing out some of the other places around the plaza. ] There's a lot more than I'd expected when I arrived. It's certainly convenient though!

From:

anxiousgrace

[Cayla looks around the plaza, following Minako's gestures. There certainly is a lot to see.]

Everything is run by residents? There must be a lot of talented people here...

From:

symp3thy

Residents or resident Filial. The natives. [ Her voice goes solemn, though, as her eyes wander and she takes in the city. ] Luceti has... it's been here a long time. The people have been through a great deal, so it's a strong place.

From:

anxiousgrace

I guess it would have to be, to stand so long. [There is so much to take in. It's a little overwhelming.]

Do you know how much of this was built by residents, and how much was already here?