songbird_on_the_run [Curious Coeurlian RP Repository]

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===== 07/19/21 - Songbird on the Run =====

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

The sun had begun to rise over Limsa Lominsa, a city vibrant and active already. Men and women bustled amongst the markets, saw off ships, and performed their daily work much as ever. However, there was one in Hawker's Alley out of place - a young girl in a lightly dirtied dress. Her normally well-maintained side-tail of hair had come undone and was now tangled and unkempt, and her quietness was unusual for her. She was simply sat against one of the walls in the Alley, her Carbuncle curled up at her feet as she sat in thought.

A loop on repeat of the words she had so cruelly slung her way. Betrayal from a most unlikely source. She now felt unsafe and insecure, alone in the world once more. Folks left her alone, unseeing of her or uncaring.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo yawned as they walked along the bridges and terraces of Limsa Lominsa. The red-haired Lalafell usually didn't have much reason to be over in Vylbrand, let alone this early, but an awkward chat with a certain stoic knightess left them worried. They tried not to worry much about it, as they knew it wasn't the first time Lucatiel had run off. But the evasiveness kept gnawing at their mind, and they decided to put their promise to 'keep an eye out' in action.

The healer headed into the market alley, gaze sweeping from side to side. If they didn't manage to spot their student here, they at least might be able to buy a snack to keep going.

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

Given her colors and size, one would be forgiven for missing the girl curled up half-asleep against the stone wall. She didn't even notice her prior professor in the crowd, not really focused amidst the daze.

However her dimly glowing companion would be quite noticeable, glimmering aether as ever.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

The healer was eyeing the stalls and crowds best they could at their height. Vinalo was never one to make much of being of the shortest of the races around Eorzea, but it did make searching a crowd harder. They'd just about decided to move on to the next alley when they caught a glimpse of cyan light between the legs of the various tallfolk. Dodging some unobservant would-be patrons, they made their way to the stone wall where the familiar pair was situated.

While the glowing carbuncle looked same as ever, Lucatiel's disheveled state made their heart sink. Something must've really happened. Vinalo stepped forward slowly and spoke softly.

"...Lucatiel? Is that you? It's me, Vinalo."

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

The girl lifts her head, her eyes fluttering sleepily.

"Oh! Vinaaaalo!" Seeing the Lalafell seemed to rouse her, some energy returning to her affect. "Hiii! Umm, what are you doing here?"

The Carbuncle too raises it's head somewhat, but it seems to be mostly in mimicry rather than curiousity.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"Looking for you," they say with a small smile, stepping a bit to the side to avoid being in the way of any passerbys. "Heard something happened at home, and... well, you know how I worry."

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

"What!? Did Luna tell you!?" She looks terrified suddenly, almost withdrawing somewhat. "I'm fine! See!? I'm just here and I'm fine!"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo took a tiny step back as Lucatiel recoiled. This certainly did not assuage their fears.

"No, no no. She didn't tell me much of anything. Just said there was an argument," they responded, holding their hands up a bit, as if they were trying to look less threatening. "That's all I know, and won't ask any more about it if you don't want to. But... I'd like to help if I can."

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

The girl's face breaks, her eyes watering quickly. "She was really mean to me! She said I was just trying to attract men with how I act and then she started telling me I was stupid for breaking up with Edwin! And she.. she..." Her lip quivers, even the thought of repeating the words making her hesitant.

"She accused me of giving him my purity!  She's never been this man before!"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo's eyes widened as the young woman suddenly burst into tears, their hands dropping from their position.

"She... what!? That's terrible! Why would she...?"

A second of hesitation. The Lalafell closed their eyes and inhaled sharply through their nose. Their fingers flexed a few times. When their eyes opened, Vinalo's expression seemed to be a mix of sympathy and... faint anger? They glanced over their shoulder at the growing marketplace crowd for a moment before looking back to Lucatiel.

"Let's... let's go somewhere else. Somewhere quieter," they said, reaching out slowly with an open hand. "Are you hungry? We can get some food, too."

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

Lucatiel nods at Vinalo's incredulity. "I don't know why she did! It was like she hated me or something suddenly!"

At the mention of moving and of food, she would nod again, taking the hand and slowly coming to a stand. "Okay. Umm... Yea, I am. If that's okay with you Vinalo. I left most of my money back at Luna's house..."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"Don't worry about it, Lucatiel. Markets haven't been open long, so we should be able to get some fresh bread or such. Maybe some fruit, too," they said as Lucatiel stood up. The height difference limited how well Vinalo could support her standing, but they supported nonetheless. "We'll find a nice quiet spot to sit and eat, okay?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

"Ohh... That sounds really good..." Like a child she'd pat her stomach at the mention of food. "I haven't really eaten anything since I left the house. Some guys offered me dinner last night but it felt kinda weird so I didn't do it. That sounds really nice!" She nods a bit faintly, allowing the Lalafell to lead.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo paused for a moment when Lucatiel described what probably would've been a bad encounter, but simply shook it off.

"That's no good at all. Just a few stops, and we'll make sure you'll have some food in your gut right soon!" they said with a fuller smile, the tiny bit of anger seemingly faded for now.

The healer would lead the young woman to various stalls selling bread, fruits, and various portable edibles. Though they certainly weren't overflowing with gil, Vinalo would have enough on hand to sate her hunger (hopefully). Vinalo made sure Lucatiel was close by as they walked along.

"There's a quiet spot just up and across from the aetheryte. Good place to sit. Sound good to you?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

"Thank you!" Her cheeriness was somewhat returning, dampened slightly by her condition. But she happily walked the market with Vinalo, seeming almost as if it were any other day.

The girl wasn't greedy, and simply got some bread and fruit, saying multiple times how she'd pay them back when she got her coinpurse.

"Oh! That sounds really good!" She lifts up the bag holding their purchases, looking off in the direction Vinalo had mentioned. Once they arrived, she would plop herself down on to the seating, taking out some of the fruit and excitedly digging in.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo likewise hopped up on one of the raised walls around the terrace. They pulled out a small bread roll for themself, looking over to Lucatiel.

"You'll feel better once you've ea-" they started, only to be cut off by the sight of her chowing down already. A light chuckle. This could've been just the prelude to another lesson, if things weren't the way they were. Vinalo sighed softly and began to eat their bread roll, gazing across the bay.

"We can sit here long as you'd like, Lucatiel. No rush."

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

She pauses after popping the last bit of fruit iinto her mouth, looking over at Vinalo. "Whuh?"

After swallowing it, she leans back in the seat, sighing and putting her hands on her stomach appreciatively. "Thank you sooo much Vinalo, again! As soon as I get money again! Yeah, that sounds... nice..."

She sighs, her air going a bit more somber. "I wonder if she's even looking for me."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"I'd... like to think she is. Seemed certain you'd come back on your own, and I agreed, but that was before... well, before today when you told me what really happened."

Vinalo fiddles with the half roll in their hands. They audibly exhale after a few seconds.

"Luna didn't want to tell me what she... did. Wouldn't look right at me. Tried to move on. So I had a feeling something more happened. It's why I came back to Limsa today. Reckoned you wouldn't have gone very far."

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

Luca looks at Vinalo for a moment. "I.. I wanna go back. But I don't want her to be really mean again."

She looks down at her arm, rubbing the wrist.

"Really? O-oh! Maybe she's sorry and wants to apologize!" The girl sits fully upright suddenly before pausing. "But... She grabbed my arm and it felt like she was crushing it. After I slapped her..."

She sighs, looking down at lap. "I guess I didn't get very far, did I..."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo snaps back to looking right at Lucatiel, expression of clear surprise.

"Wait. She hurt you? Luna insulted you and accused you of things, and then she hurt you, too!?" they asked, the sliver of anger returning. "Even if you slapped her, she's... there's no excuse. None at all! She's supposed to protect you."

They glanced down at the ground, shaking their head. Idle fiddling with the roll.

"Gods, what's gotten into her?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

"No no no no! It just felt like she... hurt me... She just held my arm but she's so strong that it... it felt like it was being crushed!" She's quick to defend the woman, though clearly not entirely convinced herself.

She sighs and pauses. "I dunno. Lately she's been staying in her room all day sometimes. She keeps the lights in there off and she just... sits in bed. I usually make her food and bring her tea when she's like that, sometimes it cheers her up but this time she just got angry..."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"She should know her own strength. And she shouldn't have done it at all, Lucatiel."

The healer takes a bite out of their bread roll, though they don't seem to be enjoying it all that much now. They let out a long sigh after hearing Luca's explanation.

"So. It... it sounds like she's not been able to deal with her problems. At least, not as much as she needs. And she shouldn't be taking it out on you," Vinalo says quietly, looking back to her. "I've known she's been fighting with it ever since... early last year, when I offered to try and help. Wasn't able to do much past clearing her mind. She saw someone else too, but... they weren't able to help much either."

"Really hoped she'd made more progress than this, for her own sake. And now yours."

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

After a few quiet moments, the girl speaks. "She should! I'm mad at her! And a little scared of her... I guess whatever is making her so sad and upset is just too much."

She pauses. "Oh yeah! That's why you know her! I never heard about the other healer though. I thought she had been doing good! She seemed to be happy and so was I and so were we! For a long time! She'd still get sad sometimes, but I could cheer her up! I guess not this time..."

Another pause. "She's been worrying a lot about... taking over the house? I don't get it, it's her house already isn't it?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"The house? She's always said it's her house to anyone who's asked about it."

Vinalo sort of tilted their head to the side in thought, clearly trying to make sense of things. They took another bite of their bread roll, humming in the process.

"...Don't temple knights usually belong to some sort of... house... family thing? Don't know much about Ishgard structure or such, but when Misha and I went there for..." They paused, looking annoyed for just a moment. "...a meeting, almost all the knights had fancy crests on them. Maybe... that's what she's talking about?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

She nods at Vinalo's statement, and then again for their next one. "Oh! Maybe that's what she meant! When she would talk about taking over the house, she did say she'd have to go see her dad, or umm adoptive dad! But umm... Is that a bad thing? I know she doesn't like him but I don't know why! Whenever I ask, she won't tell me!"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"Well, she'd not be the first or second or... third... of any of us that don't get along with our fathers. And, well, if she doesn't want to talk about it, she probably has her reasons. Terrible memories or somesuch. Twelve know there's memories I don't care to think about." They hum thoughtfully again. "Though... keeping something completely bottled up can hurt, sometimes."

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

"Yeah! It just eats at you until you wanna just scream! But you can't, because then your neighbors get mad!"

She lets out another long melodramatic sigh. "I think... I wanna go see Xavier in a bit. Maybe he'll let me stay with him and Ezzie until Luna feels better. Or until she... finds me..." She idly kicks her feet, staring down at them.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo let out a quiet chuckle at the neighbor comment, before looking back with a soft smile.

"I'd reckon they would. Both seem like nice people whenever I've been at the Twin Otters. And... if you need another place to stay for a bit, our apartment's always open. Misha and I don't have much extra room, but the couch is comfortable enough to sleep on if you need to!"

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

Luca makes a motion as if about to hug Vinalo but stops herself as she remembers. "Oh, right! Thank you Vinalo! If I need to, I might do that but... Xavier's let me stay with him before so I think that'll work. I... Do you have some gil for the airship? I hate to ask, I promise I'll pay you back as soon as I can!"

Once more, she is lightning quick to promise compensation, the thought of using someone else's money sticking hard with her.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Perhaps unexpectedly, especially given their history, Vinalo responds by standing up on the seat and pulling Lucatiel into a hug themself.

"Of course I do, Lucatiel. No trouble at all, truly."

The Lalafell pulls back and smiles warmly as they pull out enough gil to pay the airship fare.

"We're friends, and I'll not walk away from helping best I can."

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

Faintly audible would be the girl making an excited little "Eeeeee" sound as Vinalo themselves initiated the hug. She would happily wrap her arms around the Lalafell in kind for a few moments before letting go.

"Thaaank yoou! I promise, as SOON as I get back into the house or get some money I'm gonna pay you back! And thensome! Thank you so much!" She cautiously accepts the gil once offered, counting it out just to be certain.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"Don't worry about it, Lucatiel," they say, hopping down to the ground. "We can walk to the dock together if you'd like, see you off and such."

<fc #35adb5>''[Lucatiel]''</fc>

Luca nods, coming to a stand as well. "Mm! That sounds good, thank you! Hopefully I can go home soon..."

She would start the walk towards the airship dock, making sure Vinalo was in tow.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"We'll just have to hope, Lucatiel. Reckon it's the best we can do," they said, beginning to follow her. "Let's go."

Vinalo would accompany Lucatiel closely on their way to the dock, never straying too far in the morning hustle and bustle of the city. Their expression would be one of optimistic concern, as they knew well enough that there'd be much more to deal with later. But for now, the healer would simply support their friend and student the best they could.

----

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