A casual encounter

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Characters: Seifer and Penelo
Progress: Complete
Summary: Seifer is attempting to learn the lay of the land in Alexandria and Penelo is finishing preparations for her trip.
Location: Alexandria in the square
Date: Jan 23, early morning
Warnings: Seifer is cranky and might cuss?

Aside from her clothing not looking anything like the natives, Penelo could have passed for any other citizen or tourist of Alexandria. One glance at her attire though gave her away as someone from a far warmer climate than where she was. Regardless, the shopkeepers had no difficulties taking her very little gil, newcomer or no. Having worked at Migelo's, she knew a thing or two about the game of selling and buying and negotiated herself fair prices.

Satisfied that she was as prepared as she was going to be, she walked through the square, pausing to look to the skyline and catch a glimpse of the castle before she departed. It truly was pretty here, and she wouldn't have minded settling down and finding some work and a home. However, Fran was waiting for her in Lindblum, or would be soon. One of these days, it'd happen. She'd have a peaceful life again.

An airship flew overhead, and she followed its path with her eyes, leaving her standing in the square gawking. It seemed that the only real air travel in this area was cargo transport or nobility transport only. Oh well, her own two feet served just as well.

Comments

[disciplinary.livejournal.com]

Seifer still remembered the [talking] moogle's words when he woke up. Something about coming from the sky and how strange he looked and... all that. The pamphlet it had given him was still rolled up in his pocket, unread because Seifer? He didn't have time to sit around and read it. Well, you know, technically he did, but being Seifer and all, no. No, he had to find his posse. If he got answers along the way, then that would do.

He'd been conversing with Squall and the Messenger Girl (or Selphie, as she insisted her name was) with the communication device also given to him by the moogle, and through Squall had learned that this was an entirely different world. Didn't make a goddamn bit of sense, really, but eh. Better than nothing for now, right? Once he found Fujin and Raijin, that's when he'd try to piece everything else together. They had to be here, after all. If he was with them, last he remembered, and Squall and Selphie — not to mention Galbadia Garden and Dollet, what the hell? — were here, they had to be too.

But where, exactly, he didn't know.

The best place to start, he'd decided, was here in this "Alexandria" place. Its most prominent feature was a grandiose castle that kind of reminded him of old fairy tales from his youth. He liked those when he was little, when Matron would read to him (and the others). If he didn't know any better, he'd almost swear he was having a dream right now. But the sounds of kids playing on the stone streets and adults whispering amongst each other about "the strange clothing that tall young man is wearing" were far too real for a dream.

Besides, he had nightmares about sorceresses. Not dreams of places that looked admittedly majestic.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Penelo turned around, taking her eyes off of the sky. She was reaching for her little device to double check her directions, but found herself half a foot away from a tall blonde watching the castle as well. "It's pretty isn't it?" she asked of him. "Different from Ashe's palace."

She'd still only seen the palace from a distance. After all, Ashe was the queen now, and they each had their lives to lead. Even though she'd fought with them, everything was different.

[disciplinary.livejournal.com]

Seifer didn't even see the girl who'd spoken to him as he exited the alley, at least not in passing. But now that she'd said something, yeah... he turned his head in that direction.

"Sure," he replied distractedly. "Whatever 'Ashe's palace' is."

Some other castle in this other world, maybe? Hell if he knew. Hell if he particularly cared. The name "Ashe" sounded familiar, though. Ah, yes. A heroine in one of the stories Matron read to him back during his childhood. But he couldn't remember it specifically. Oh well.

He didn't think much of this girl who had spoken to him, either. Figured, hey, it's just some random compliment and now he could move on. So he started to do just that. There was a sort of arch not far from where he stood now, and since it was the opposite way of the castle, he guessed it led out of this place. That's where he headed.

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"She's my..." Well that was a tough one. What was Ashe to her now? A friend? A comrade? "...our queen." That much was true, and the finality of the situation.

Seeing the tall one do an about face and start walking surprised Penelo a touch. She got a good look at his clothing, and the determined expression on his face and quickly concluded that he was no more from here than herself. Following behind him, she asked, "You're not from around here are you?" It was more convenience than tailing him. He was walking to the exit, and she was leaving the city.

[disciplinary.livejournal.com]

What the hell? Was she following him? Really? He sure hoped she wasn't a thief about to try and mug him for what little gil he had in his pockets.

"No," he answered. He kept his hand on the handle of his gunblade, just in case he had to fight. Sure, she looked harmless enough, but like he was about to take a chance. Nope, not here. "What about you?" He wasn't so much curious about her life story or anything as he was wondering if maybe she was from here and could possibly help him.

Y'know, once he was assured she wouldn't rob him blind or something.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Seifer was more likely to find himself robbed by a rock (or Vaan) than Penelo. He sure is touchy, she mused to herself, watching him put a hand on his weapon followed by his short reply to her answer.

She laced her hands behind her back, taking exaggerated steps towards the gate. "Do I look like I'm from around here?" she asked, with an amused tone. She smiled at him then added, "I've only been here a few days, but I'm supposed to meet a friend in Lindblum." Not that she minded knowing her plans, even if he was a ruffian. She was a sky pirate by association and knew she could handle her own.

Her curiosity got the better of her caution though and she leaned in closer, peeking at the weapon. It was unlike anything she'd ever seen before. "That's unusual. Where did you get that?" Did she miss something of that variety in the shops?

[disciplinary.livejournal.com]

Lindblum, huh? Some other place that didn't sound familiar to him. Still didn't make sense to him how this could be some whole different world with unfamiliar places, yet Dollet and Galbadia Garden were here. Had Ultimecia done something after all? Last he remembered, things were looking normal, back when he'd been fishing with his posse. Maybe she managed to fuck with one little ripple in time and it screwed everything up?

Hell if he knew. That stuff was over his head. All he knew was he'd simply been a pawn in the minor parts of the overall scheme.

Anyway.

She was asking him about Hyperion, was she? Well, if there was anything that he didn't mind bragging talking about with people &mdash anybody, really, it really didn't matter — it was certainly that. "This? I got it back where I came from. Limited edition gunblade model. Hyperion." He displayed it with pride similar to that of a father showing off his firstborn child.

Of course, he had to issue a warning: "Don't touch it."

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

"A gun...blade?" she repeated, as she looked it over in bona fide interest. In the back of her mind, she found herself wondering if Vaan or Balthier would be likely to take a shine to it, if for no other reason than it was unusual. If it had been Vaan, he'd already be touching it, and most likely trying to think of a way to steal it. She was happy just to examine it and respect the young man's wishes that she not touch it.

"It's very nice," she concluded with a smile. She could tell he was proud of it. "A gift from your parents?"

[disciplinary.livejournal.com]

Parents? lol "No, I paid for it myself." Although, technically, it was somewhat a gift from Cid. Sure, Cid wasn't a parent, but he was the Balamb Garden headmaster and the husband of Edea, who had raised him and all... and the money was part of a biweekly allowance of sorts given to students in order to purchase supplies should they be out and about. Seifer remembered saving like mad to buy the Hyperion upgrade, having hated the original Revolver model (which Squall still used, hahaha).

Well, anyway, he was pleased to see someone showing genuine interest in his most prized possession. At least someone appreciated the sleekness of fine craftsmanship. Someone who didn't even know what the hell a gunblade was, even!

Leonhart was probably just stupid after all.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Penelo was more impressed by his ingenuity to pay for something so nice for himself, than the actual possession. For all she knew, he could have been wealthy and its purchase was no more than a whimsical buy, but she doubted it with the amount of pride he bestowed upon it. She could respect someone working for something they wanted. After all, she did it on a daily basis.

She lifted her eyes from the weapon to smile at Seifer. "You paid for it yourself? I'm impressed!" Clearly it was a weapon and he knew how to use it, but she couldn't resist asking, "What do you use it for?"

[disciplinary.livejournal.com]

Mentally, he asked the rhetoric question of, What else would I use it for? "...Battles," he stated, drawing it out a little bit in an "isn't it obvious?" manner. What, was his world the only one who had monsters and people who engaged in combat?

He left out the part about being a former wannabe-mercenary student because... well, he didn't like talking to strangers. Granted, he'd more or less given this one a break because she'd shown interest in Hyperion, but she was still someone he didn't know, nor did he particularly care for.

Regardless of anything, however, he had a road to get on. So he put away his gunblade and turned toward the gates that led out of the city. "Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna be goin' now." Nice chatting with you, he decided to leave out, because... well, it really hadn't been that great. Would've come out noncommittal, anyway.

He started taking steps toward the gate.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Penelo shot him a look that clearly said, 'Duh, that's obvious.' Her tone confirmed it. "Not what I meant." She'd been curious to know if he was a soldier or a collector, or maybe a pirate himself.

He was taking his leave and Penelo continued walking to the gates herself. She'd taken longer to get ready than she'd planned on, but that couldn't be helped. She waved a little and cautioned, "Stay out of trouble. They said there are monsters in the Mist. Hope you're prepared." Sure it was her protective, naggy side coming out, but she couldn't help it since it seemed like the guy was going off half cocked.

If it looked like she was still following him, it was pure coincidence.

[disciplinary.livejournal.com]

What was it with people and underestimating him? As far as he was concerned, all he needed was Hyperion and his skills. He scoffed. "I'm as prepared as I need to be, thanks."

But... "The Mist"? He supposed that was explained in the pamphlet the talking moogle had given to him. ...Which he had neglected to read. Oh well. If he was headed out, there would probably be plenty of nights to read, because he'd have to stop and rest at some point or another. Seifer was more of a hands-on kind of guy; he could learn better through experience instead of reading a bunch of words on paper and following directions.

As he crossed the threshold into the long stone street that led to the gates (which he could now see more clearly), he heard footsteps and initially thought it was just townspeople passing by. But when he looked back to check (because, well, it could be a thief, you know), he was met with the blond hair and youthful face of... that girl.

"Are you following me?" He never stopped walking as he asked this, though.

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"If you say so..." she shot back in response. She wasn't all that convinced, but it was his business. Or so she thought, until he accused her of following him.

She put her hands on her hips, giving him one of her classic annoyed expressions. "No, I'm not. I told you, I'm going to Lindblum. This is the way out of the city." She narrowed her eyes a touch and quipped, "Do you even know where you're going?" He was reminding her more of Vaan by the minute, and the last thing she needed was to go keeping another reckless boy out of trouble.

[disciplinary.livejournal.com]

He recalled her mentioning she was going to Lindblum, yeah, but... well, nope, he didn't know where he was going. For all he knew, Lindblum was at some other gate. Or, uh, something.

But at least he didn't need to admit that he didn't know where he was going. "Well, I cut our 'conversation' short, and for all I know, you're one of those types who has to have the last word. You could've been followin' me because you thought I was rude or something."

Then he realized maybe he could use this girl to his advantage. If she knew where she was going (which he'd ask), then he could follow her out. He wasn't too thrilled with the prospect of working together with someone, but... his options were kind of limited, now that he thought about it. Unfamiliar continent and very few gil to spend on supplies... well, regardless of his high confidence, it might be a tough trip. And he decided he would like to get to his posse in one piece, wherever they may be.

"Why? Do you know where you're goin'?"

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"At least you know you were being rude then," she retorted with an eyeroll. She wasn't precisely sure what came over her, because normally she wasn't this stern with complete strangers. Usually she saved it for the gang in Lowtown. "Actually, I do know where I'm going. I've been planning this trip for days."

Taking a deep breath, she suggested, "Let's try this again. I'm Penelo. If you need anything, just ask." Honey always caught more steelings than vinegar anyway. She skipped her way around him, continuing on to the gate, but playfully placing herself in the lead.