Oerba Yun Fang ~ Pact of Ruin - FFXIII (pactofruin) wrote in thedisplaced, @ 2017-10-18 20:24:00 |
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Eyes had narrowed upon the exit of their containment units and everything from the way the people around them moved - they were soldiers - to which ways keys turned, and what paths would be taken to direct them to and fro had been examined, observed and remembered as best she could. This wouldn’t be their first rodeo running wild amongst foreign lands and somehow the hunter doubted it would be their last. Of course, Fang had her own set of motives upon release: Check to make sure Vanille was okay, check to make sure Vanille’s brand hadn’t progressed too far, check to figure out if they were on Gran Pulse or Cocoon, check to see if she could recall any new focus they might need to be aware of, and…. Well, none of those questions seemed entirely right. Though, the knowledge that came from the observations wasn’t completely useless either. Sure it might not tell her what the Fal’cie were up to next, might not tell her about what steps were best, or who she needed to be deeply wary of, but the answer for now was everyone until proven wrong. At least everyone had been friendly, and due to that, so far she had been too. No fist fights, no growling, no whipping out her lance and trying to spear someone into the ground. It was better if it stayed that way, but she’d be lying if she tried to say a little part of her didn’t kind of wish for a fight. There was a reason that slasher smile crept up, a drive behind those enthralled and deeply amused laughs of Fang’s that echoed across the battlefield. There was a fire, a passion in those moments, a battle lust that the hunter had managed to strike a fine balance between sacrificing her better judgement to and not enjoying it at all. Here? Now? They’d been give a little guidance about where they were and how things worked. One of the many along the way had directed them towards housing, and without a thought the two had moved to take up residence together. Fang and Vanille had grown up in the same orphanage back in Oerba all those many years ago. Even once out of the orphanage they’d still remained deeply close and often weren’t away from each other more than either ever had to be. It may have been obvious to anyone around them what their behaviors meant, but somehow both had turned a blind eye to each other for all these years. This place though? How it was set up? It reminded Fang of the viper nest that - supposedly - was Cocoon. It reminded her vaguely of Hope’s fathers house. It reminded her of… The trip had been relatively easy, and walking through the door of the partially furnished apartment had caused Fang to fall silent once they were through the doors as eyes and mind kicked into overdrive examining the place around them. Every bit of old hunter's instinct kicking in once again. “Not bad.” Eyes still roamed their new living space as a very casual meander through it had begun. It was a simple set up, two bedrooms, one bath, rest of the place shared, but it still felt odd. Everything in Oerba had always been so communal that having walls between them now felt….. Well…. Queer. “What do you think, eh?” At this point the slow stroll through the place stopped as Fang casually crossed her arms and leaned back against the armrest of the couch. “Think it’ll do?” It better do, they had sort of already agreed to it for sake of ease. Though… If Fang didn’t wake up at some point and find Vanille in her bed - with reasoning of a bad dream, or being too cold, or something she’d honestly be amazed. Waking up from stasis took some getting used to, as did waking up in a foreign place. Vanille was a mixture of confusion, worry, and excitement. There was something exciting about being in a new place, a place she had never heard of and wouldn't have been able to pinpoint on a map back home. Because it wasn't on one. The one thing that made her okay with being there was having Fang there as well. It wouldn't have been the same, no matter where she was, if Fang wasn't present. That's what gave her the all clear to chat up anyone she talked to. When she was finally released from quarantine she was happy to see she had some of her healing salves tucked away. That would be helpful, probably sooner than she would like. She only had changes of clothes and an ID apart from her salves. She supposed that's all she really needed, so she offered the guard a bright smiled upon exiting her room. Her only question so far was, “Where's Fang?” Then she headed in the appropriate direction with a cheerful thank you! to the guard. She was probably one of the nicest of the arrivals. She had seen some of the others’ reactions over the network. Not everyone was happy to be there. Well, Vanille liked to find the good in any situation. This was no different. After finding Fang and having her brand checked, she agreed about finding housing. They needed a place to stay and better to do that now. Upon arrival at their chosen accommodations, she entered eagerly behind Fang. Her eyes scanned the first room, looking a little puzzled, “Looks like everything's connected,” she commented. Her tone didn't suggest disappointment, but rather curiosity. She wandered off to look through the rest of the apartment. It took her several minutes to look thoroughly enough to her specifications. When she finally reemerged she waved a hand at the place in general, “It'll do. It's not very colorful, though. I'm going to have to fix that,” she said thoughtfully. “Can’t disagree.” Was offered back to Vanille’s first bit of feedback. The place was simple, two bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen and a living room. Nothing complex, but they didn’t really need anything complex either. Considering the clear and obvious technology difference between where they were now, where they’d been, and what they’d dealt with on Cocoon…. Honestly, Fang had to wonder if she could hunt in this world. If she couldn’t there would need to be some other outlet found for those… Tendencies of hers. The hunter pull herself out of her lean, and would casually meader as the other woman explored. Fang would be taking in her own observations on the space, and the other part still a bit wary of potential hidden threats. Yet, Fang’s attention would only last about half as long as her counterpart’s before turning away and seeming to try to get a feel on anything else that may be going on around them. While Vanille would want to organize and decorate, the hunter would provide the muscle and height needed to accomplish such things. “What do you think it needs?” The question was warm, a soft smile playing at her lips as eyes fell back on Vanille and an arm came to rest over the shorter womans shoulders. “Glitter and rainbows, eh?” There was a clear tease there, playing at Vanille’s overly colorful and bright preferences even if the tank knew the other woman was much better at decorating than that. There was something almost eerie about the calm of this place, of Tumbleweed in general. Vanille’s time in quarantine had been uneventful, and now outside of it she felt no sense of impending doom. At least this time around she could honestly say she didn't know what their Focus was. She wondered if it was the same, or if it had changed. This wasn't Cocoon. Surely it wasn't to destroy this new world instead. In truth, Vanille didn't want to find out. She just wanted to explore and be there… with Fang. Vanille had left her bag in one of the rooms. They looked the same, so it didn't matter to her which one she chose. She probably wouldn't even stay in there all night anyway. While on the base she had slept entirely alone, and she had hated that feeling. She didn't understand why two people from the same place couldn't share a room, but she wasn't about to question it. They were out and she was with Fang again. Before Vanille could answer, Fang had continued her question and she gave the other woman the side-eye. “That's exactly what this place needs,” she said matter-of-factly. She put her finger to her mouth as she walked around considering the place in general. “Yeah, lots of pink and orange and glitter all over your room is what I'm thinking.You're gonna love it,” she teased. “Just don’t get it on my lance and we’ll be fine.” Fang bantered back with the amused smirk still locked on her face. Like Vanille she didn’t feel a driving sense of urgency. Which was…. Terribly odd. It was almost enough of a disconnect to cause problems all on its own. Back on Cocoon, or even before in Gran Pulse their brands had pushed, had driven her at least to action. In each instance they had some sense of something needing to be done, and right now? Well, she felt like she should be doing something, but that seemed more her own internal drives than actual immediate danger for their own safety and well being. There was nothing pushing on the brands, nothing that felt like it needed to be done, nothing…. Well, just nothing. Other than getting themselves set up here in this place and ironing out what was going on here. Maybe that was their focus though? Hell if she knew anymore. “Going to be alternating pink and orange? Or you just splashing them all over the walls?” There was no displeasure or discomfort in the question at all, not even any doubt. The hunter would play along wonderfully before detaching her lance from the back of her belt, leaning it against the wall, and then dropping down onto the couch. Eyes scrolled over the apartment as if trying to picture what Vanille might do if left to her own devices. Vanille just smiled happily. “I'll do my best,” she promised. Of course she wouldn't get anything on Fang’s Lance, but the back and forth teasing was fun. It made her feel more at home. Maybe they were finally finished. Maybe they could finally stop fighting and just… be Fang and Vanille. No strings. Just the two of them. Maybe this was the end of their brands and they wouldn't have another Focus. Vanille knew it was wishful thinking, but she still liked to pretend this had to be the end result and they were finally finished. She imagined the two of them finally having some peace. She imagined finally having escaped. “I'm thinking I'll just throw some paint at the walls and see how it turns out,” she said seriously. She walked over and sat next to Fang. She leaned against Fang then, putting her head against the other woman's shoulder.. “This place is so strange,” she admitted. Vanille would always find hope in any situation, this one included, but it still felt very odd there. So far everyone she had spoken with had been friendly and she had no reason to think any of them would harm her or Fang. She had to believe they were safe. “Expecting to start soon?” Eyes turned towards Vanille on the question. They didn’t have any paint yet, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t get some soon. Paint should be easy to get around here, right? As Vanille took up residence next to her on the couch Fang shifted, moving to slide an arm around the smaller woman’s shoulders so that they could both sit relatively comfortably. There was a deep breath sucked in and a long, heavy exhale given after mention of how weird this place was. There wa a sense of relief in the action, and the smirk softened to a slight smile. “It is.” The confirmation was easy because it felt more like an echo of what the hunter was already feeling than a different thought altogether. “Least everyone seems nice so far.” Which was some sort of blessing. The last time they’d woken up in a new place… Well, it hadn’t worked out quite so well. Hostile territory was no one’s friend. Another deep, slow inhale was taken as eyes finally find their way back to Vanille. “What do you want to do now? Should we start looking for shades of pink?” “Maybe tomorrow,” she said thoughtfully. “I’d like to see what’s in town first.” There was also the matter of needing jobs. Vanille hadn’t put much thought into it, but she could think of a few things she would enjoy doing. She had been told all of her papers would allow her to find employment and whatever else she needed while she was there. Most of all she wanted to help others, but she needed to find out what was available for her. She would ask around soon and find out what was available for someone like her. Vanille wasn’t sure if she liked she separate quarters or if they were more of an obstacle. On the one hand it did provide them both with a little more privacy. Certain… thoughts crept up as she sat thinking about that particular difference. Her cheeks flushed just a little as those ideas resurfaced. Being in such close proximity to Fang didn’t help, but this was also her most comfortable place to be. Sinking into the couch next to Fang and just sitting with her like this. It was where she felt most at home. She preferred this over all the fighting and running and hiding. Vanille was very tired of fighting. And on the other hand she would have to go through a few doors to crawl into bed with Fang when she needed that closeness. When she didn’t want to be alone. “Yeah. They’ve all been really friendly,” she said with a nod. “I’m glad they are. I don’t want to have to fight people anymore,” she admitted. Or have to fight for hers or Fang’s lives. She hoped these people were genuinely nice, because it would be such a blow to Vanille’s positivity if they turned on them. She put so much faith and hope in others that anytime she was let down it physically hurt. Vanille’s stomach growled then. “I think we should get something to eat,” she laughed. “Then we can find a place that sells paint.” Surely there was a place that had everything she would need to make this place look more inviting. “Mm.” Fang would confirm wouldn’t much thought about how the shades of pink could wait until tomorrow. Fingers would passively stroke over whatever spot they’d come to rest against. This was such a strange place, nothing like Gran Pulse or Cocoon, but a weird mix between the two all at the same time. They’d need to figure out all the details of this world, and probably sooner than later. At least the hunter had a few ideas of things to look into already, things that Vanille would likely be interested in. Anything she’d like? Fang could deal with. Then as far as the things the hunter would be interested in? Well, those could be worked out later. The smaller woman’s sentiment regarding people being nice was one that was welcome. Vanille tended to be too trusting really, always wanting to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but if they both felt that way…. Even if Fang would was still a bit paranoid for the moment, maybe she could let it go a little more. The growling of Vanille’s stomach caused a light chuckle to emerge from Fang. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.” A soft smile remained across her lips as a pat was given to Vanille’s shoulder in order to urge the other woman to move. “Let’s go find something to eat, and then paint.” As much as Vanille wanted to make this place feel like home, there was a time and place for such things. She could be patient and right now she wanted to familiarize herself with her surroundings before delving too deeply into decorating and painting. Plus sitting there and listening to the slow, rhythmic sounds of Fang’s breathing made her feel more at home than anything had so far. Her friend was the only familiar thing in this place and she clung to that. Goosebumps spread across her skin as she felt Fang’s gentle touch. Instinct told her to outwardly vocalize how nice that felt, but her brain told her to quiet those thoughts. Forty-eight hours without human contact, of course it felt amazing to be touched by someone else. Especially F- She thanked the heavens for Fang’s insistence on finding food. She hopped up without hesitation, glad to be pulled out of her own fantasies, “Yeah!” It was easy for her to cover up her thoughts, because she never told another living soul about them. “Where to?” she asked enthusiastically. “Hell if I know.” Fang couldn’t help the grin as she unfolded herself from the couch to full standing height. A slow roll of shoulders was given as a hand reached for her lance once more to hook to the back of her belt. “You see anything you wanted to try on the way here?” A pause of consideration was given for a moment. “Could always check if there’s anything left over in the fridge.” If there was, it would probably be a terrible life choice to eat it. However, it wouldn’t be the first time she’d jumped at a terrible life choice either. “Could always try to find something to hunt.” Though the rules for hunting around here might be a lot different than back on Gran Pulse. Vanille smirked at that, “That's not very helpful.” She wanted Fang’s opinion and got just that, but it was still a little frustrating to not get a real answer. She thought about all the places they had seen on the way there. Before she could answer Fang suggested the fridge. Vanille made a face, “I don't know if I'd wanted to eat anything left in there.” She considered the hunting option. “It might be a good idea to find out what we can and can't hunt here,” she said thoughtfully, not entirely dismissing the idea. She didn't mind whatever Fang brought home, but she'd hate to break any rules and immediately make enemies. “How about that pizza place we saw?” she suggested finally. They wouldn't have to worry about making anything at least for tonight. “Never said I was going to be helpful.” The banter was amusing, relaxed in its own way, and quite enjoyable which only caused Fang’s faint smirk to widen. This was part of what she’d missed about being alive… Not that they weren’t alive while they were crystals, but… They weren’t really alive at the exact same time. It was a mess of a situation, but it was what it was. She’d never figured out a good way to explain it because, well… There wasn’t a good way to explain it. A soft chuckle slipped out at Vanille voicing her own thoughts regarding avoiding anything left over in the freeze or fridge. It was a good life choice for them both. There was a faint huff at the finding approval for hunting. It wasn’t exactly Fang’s idea of a good time, but the other woman had a point. They ought to try to abide by the rules as much as possible where they could. “Pizza it is.” Was offered back to the suggestion even if Fang wasn’t entirely sure what pizza was. Though, the joint had smelled good enough when they’d walked by it so she’d be willing to give it a chance. Regardless, she’d make her way towards the door, pulling it open and waiting for Vanille to come along. “Yeah, well it would make decision making a lot easier,” she pointed out. Not that she thought she was making all the decisions, because she definitely was not. But Fang giving her opinion would be nice. Of course, Vanille suspected Fang might just say let's go hunting and run off to kill some endangered animal they knew nothing about. Vanille smiled happily as she strolled over to the door after Fang. She liked trying new things, and she sincerely hoped pizza was as good as it smelled. If it wasn't she probably wouldn't knock it, but she'd likely not eat it again. She gave Fang an amused smile as she walked out the door. |