[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]

At the sound of her name, Penelo glanced up and smiled. Cecil was such a kind man, and she still hadn't found a way to adequately thank him for the chicobo he'd gifted her with, much less the hospitality extended to her when she'd brought Edward back to Troia. Extending her hand with the shell in it, she answered him. "A shell, but I've never seen anything like it. It reminds me a little of the semclam shells along the banks of the Nebra River."

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

With some unique looking rocks and a shell of his own in hand, Cecil rose and moved to where she was. He crouched back down and held out what he'd found, a few of the rocks almost transparent and in colors of pink and olive-green. "I was only able to find these."

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Leaning over to investigate the rocks, Penelo smiled, and then plucked the pink one out of Cecil's hand. Holding it up into the sunlight, her head tilted curiously as the light filtered through the stone. "So pretty. It's almost like it's a gemstone." She gently replaced the rock into his hand. "I wonder what they are, and if they're native to this world or another." A concept she still found herself amazed by, that any number of wonders to be encountered might not even be native in the least.

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

Cecil tucked the stone into the pocket of his shorts. He would give it to Rosa. Or maybe have it fashioned into a necklace of sorts for her, or even a ring. Something. If he was lucky he could find more and make a small collection for her.

"I'm not all that sure. But I know Rosa will enjoy them. If you happen to chance upon any other pink stones, please let me know? Or we can search together.

[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]

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

[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]

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?"

[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?"

[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.