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

[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?

From:

symp3thy

Now that I couldn't tell you. [ she smiles though with her shrug ] I'm pretty sure all the main buildings here? [ gestures ] These I'm pretty sure were here all along. It's just that certain persons moved into them and changed the insides to suit whatever their purpose was. Shiki-chan's clothing store, for example. The houses are like this too. Speaking of which, we need to find you a place to stay...

From:

anxiousgrace

That's really creative. I hope nobody minds that the old buildings were changed. The houses are all unique, too...

A place to live? Hmm... [She's used to living with family, but doesn't want to intrude on someone else.] Maybe... an apartment? Is that available? [She'd been thinking about getting one back home, so it seems like it would be good practice.]

From:

symp3thy

Oh totally. [ Though she still can't keep her eyes off the buildings and can't keep from marveling at the display human ingenuity and resourcefulness around them. It's mind-blowing. It really is. And she feels a swell of pride inside her to know her faith in people, the reason for her sacrifice, for her being here, wasn't unfounded. It puts her in a much better mood to know all these people are - more than surviving - living despite their circumstances. It makes her feel like...like there's definitely hope for humanity back in her world. ]

There's community housing! That's a bit like an apartment without the overbearing flatmates. More of a dorm, really, but I think you'd like it.

From:

anxiousgrace

[Humanity survives. It copes. But the ability to create a civilization from all but the ground up, to be able to enjoy life in any circumstance, is what is really impressive about Luceti.]

I lived in a dorm back in college. It was always fun, and I'm glad that's an option.

From:

symp3thy

Impressive! I suspected you were older than me; you seem pretty mature. [ eyebrow waggle ] I almost wouldn't mind living in the CH myself, but my brother would probably throw a fit. [ This is a flat out lie - mostly. She wonders if Minato wouldn't follow through with his own version of fit-throwing... It seems plausible.

But soon they've reached the clothing shop and she's gesturing for the other girl to go ahead. ] Here we are. After you, of course!