[Vacation! Open thread]

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

Characters: Rinoa, OPEN
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: It's time to hit the beach! Get out your bikinis and swimming trunks, girls and boys. Yes, even you, Squall. Party style! Feel free to threadhop, start your own threads etc.
Location: Costa Faguita
Date: May, 1804
Warnings: None

This was the life. Rinoa relaxed on a sun lounger, soaking up the rays. Behind her sunglasses, her eyes were closed. She could hear the waves lapping gently against the beach in the background. It was as though the dragon invasion had never happened.

A group of holidaymakers passed by, laughing and joking as they headed for the sea. Rinoa sat up to take a look around. Hmm. Maybe it was time she went for a swim. But first she needed to reapply her sun cream. She smoothed back her hair and picked up her bottle of sun lotion. Now was there anyone around who might want to help? 

Comments

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

"We can search together. I'd be happy to help you find something for Rosa." It was such a small thing, but if helping could repay the debt of gratitude she owed him and Rosa both, Penelo was quite happy to assist. She turned her eyes to the shore, scanning for more of the same. "She's such a fine lady. I really admire her."

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

As small as it was, Cecil gladly welcomed the assistance. He smiled at Penelo's open admiration. "Some days I believe she deserves better," he murmured quietly between them, eyes lowered to the rocks at his feet.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

She nodded, more to confirm it for herself than anything else. It committed her to that stance. One that was far overdue to make peace with. "I do. Thank you." Penelo looked up and smiled, with another small nod. "Thank you for reminding me."

She refused to look in Gabranth's direction anymore, not out of a desire to avoid him, nor even the dread and fear he used to strike into her when he was around. Simply put, she had no right to pry any further into his personal life by playing the voyeur. Instead, she offered an explanation, since clearly Kain looked doubtful, which she still felt to some degree. "He's the one... who killed Reks. And murdered our king. He imprisoned his own twin for the crimes he committed against my country." Penelo drew a deep breath, trying to calm herself and forget that this very issue had prompted a heinous fight with Larsa. "But even he deserves a second chance. It won't change the past, but everyone deserves to redeem themselves." Even Gabranth.

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

"I see. I hope I have not pried overmuch, but you spoke to me of Rosa in times past. Garnet's impending nuptials reminded me of this." Mjrn smiled a little. This was certainly the season for weddings.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

That statement very much puzzled Penelo who tucked her hands behind her back and shot him a questioning look. "Why would you think that?"

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

"Very well." Kain wasn't about to deny him that. He would actually feel guilty pushing Cecil away too much, after all... "At least it seems that we've been given a reprieve from any further disasters... for now."

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

"This world works in strange ways. I would not be surprised should there be another attack to follow what we've dealt with in the past."

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

"It is the truth, that's all." He looked over at her. "That is how I feel. But she appears content which in turn makes me content."

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

"Is it common for men to be so hard on themselves where you're from?" Penelo asked in a teasing tone, but there certainly was something to be said for the fact that all the men she knew from Cecil's world were very self-effacing, except Edge. Edward not so bad as... "Kain seems so sad and overly critical of himself. I wish I knew what I could do to help him, but..."

She took a deep breath and smiled at Cecil. "You're a good man. You're kind and generous and I owe you so much for what you've done. I almost envy Rosa her good fortune. But I think she deserves what she's found, and she's happy, so I can't. I am jealous a little of that happiness though."

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

"Not at all. If you have any other inquiries, I would not mind responding." He gave her a reassuring smile and crouched back down to the water, a hand disappearing into it and digging into the rocks to pull out a handful.

"Would you like to join us? On the day of our wedding, Mjrn?"

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

"Even someone like that? And even someone who would... betray their own people, their friends...? I wonder what it must really take to earn that redemption." Since there was no Mount Ordeals to ascend here, it struck Kain as a less certain prospect. He'd always figured he would simply know when he was rid of the darkness, as Cecil had done. Not so, if he had to achieve it in a less sure way.

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

Cecil watched her while she spoke, letting her words sink in. "You will find your happiness soon enough, Lady Penelo. As for Kain... he and I have been friends long since. I'm unsure when he started acting the way he has been for all these years but I, too, wish to help him."

He paused to look at the selection of rocks around them in the shallow water.

"Kind, a good man. Generous. Are those not the traits of a ruler?"

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

Kain nodded. "I wonder how long we'll have until that happens... and whether we'll be prepared to deal with what might come."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn peered at the rocks, though any interest in them was quickly diverted by Cecil's question. At that, she brightened. "Me? I...yes, I would!"

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

Rinoa followed her, breathing in the fresh air with relish as she made it to the beach. She was happy to let Mjrn lead the way to whatever refreshments she desired.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

"Not all rulers."

Penelo spotted one of the coveted pink stones in the water and pulled it out, extending her hand to Cecil. "But they are traits that can make a good ruler." She hummed thoughtfully and tilted her head. "I know it's not really my place, but is something troubling you?"

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

"Yes, even someone like that." Penelo was far from oblivious and knew exactly who Kain was referencing. So with a light hand laid on his arm, she looked up at him seriously. "Even you. I haven't forgotten that I promised to help you find your way."

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

His expression turned thoughtful. "You still don't need to feel obligated..." But he somehow had a feeling that he couldn't entirely talk her out of it.

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

Cecil nodded, pleased with her response. "Good. I would have it no other way, as we were friends before I left this world only to return without any recollection of that friendship. Rosa will be pleased to see you there on such a day." He paused, brows knitting in thought. "Although... I cannot say which day. She has yet to pick."

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

Thanking her for the stone, Cecil shook his head and slipped it into his pocket. He said nothing for the longest time, eyes downcast and searching the stones beneath the water. "It's nothing, Lady Penelo. But I thank you for your concern."

A lie but that was alright.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Of course he couldn't, as evidenced by her shaking her head at him. "I offered." More and more, it was becoming a personal goal of hers to attempt to coax something resembling genuine happiness, maybe even a smile out of Kain. There had to be something she could do to ease his heart, even a little. "And I know I don't have to. I want to."

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps." Cecil frowned and looked up at the sky and clouds. "We were far from prepared for the dragons. As well as the epitaphs I had heard."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn looked uncertain, wishing she knew enough to give advice on such matters. "I admit, I know little of Hume traditions and what might be considered appropriate. Even so, I am certain it will be a wonderful time whatever date is chosen."

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

Kain couldn't tell her what she did or didn't want, so there was no way to argue against that. "Then I won't try to stop you. Just know that it may well be an impossible task you've given yourself."

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

Kain frowned darkly, upon recalling the Epitaph disaster. Not only for the fact of having to fight many what looked like allies, but the one who he just... hadn't been able to fight... and what had happened as a result. "How true. None of us could have anticipated either of those events, or how they'd affect us."