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towerofanimus2013-02-06 03:24 pm
lethechained) wrote in towerofanimus2013-02-06 03:24 pm
Entry tags:
[.o1o] A Long Day
Characters: Naminé [OU] and OPEN.
Format: Either.
Summary: Today seems to be a day of discoveries.
Warnings: Memories/consideration of past abuse/kidnapping etc.
[Floor 100]
[It's bittersweet, seeing Destiny Islands 'in person' for the first time. It isn't a memory, this time, but it's not real, either. Standing in what passes for sand on the small island with the bent tree looking out over the water, she cannot help but frown. She'd wanted to see this place for such a long time, but... not like this.]
[Floor 80]
[Blinking in the bright lights, Naminé is at first quite disoriented by this floor. It's very bright and colorful and perhaps in any other place she'd be thrilled by that, except this is the Tower, after all, and thus she is immediately on her guard. But that diminishes slowly over time as she lingers, having a long look around with more than a little interest. It's only her caution that keeps her from straying too close to anyone, including the clowns, but one can't always keep an eye on everyone, now can they?]
[Floor 78]
[The newly opened package hits the ground, the contents bouncing out and landing with a clatter. Naminé looks down at it for only a moment before reflexively stooping to put the tiny bird cage back in its place, her fingers leaving it as quickly as possible and then pushing the package back against the doors of the boxes nearest the floor, a hand moving to press over her mouth. She'd been startled enough to have received a package so suddenly in the first place. She'd just had to open it, hadn't she? Perhaps holding it so delicately, caution still present, had been what made her lose her grip of it in her surprise at the contents. Either way, now she frowns down at it, hesitating as though she's uncertain what to do with this development - because she is.]
[Floor 51]
[There's a blonde young lady leaning over one of the sewing machines, peering at it curiously. She inspects it thoroughly, at first only by sight but slowly moving on to messing with the buttons and, after a while, the pedal - which seems to startle her at first, but she soldiers through it. It's obvious that she hasn't the faintest idea how to use such a thing, but she seems to have taken an interest in it nevertheless.]
Format: Either.
Summary: Today seems to be a day of discoveries.
Warnings: Memories/consideration of past abuse/kidnapping etc.
[Floor 100]
[It's bittersweet, seeing Destiny Islands 'in person' for the first time. It isn't a memory, this time, but it's not real, either. Standing in what passes for sand on the small island with the bent tree looking out over the water, she cannot help but frown. She'd wanted to see this place for such a long time, but... not like this.]
[Floor 80]
[Blinking in the bright lights, Naminé is at first quite disoriented by this floor. It's very bright and colorful and perhaps in any other place she'd be thrilled by that, except this is the Tower, after all, and thus she is immediately on her guard. But that diminishes slowly over time as she lingers, having a long look around with more than a little interest. It's only her caution that keeps her from straying too close to anyone, including the clowns, but one can't always keep an eye on everyone, now can they?]
[Floor 78]
[The newly opened package hits the ground, the contents bouncing out and landing with a clatter. Naminé looks down at it for only a moment before reflexively stooping to put the tiny bird cage back in its place, her fingers leaving it as quickly as possible and then pushing the package back against the doors of the boxes nearest the floor, a hand moving to press over her mouth. She'd been startled enough to have received a package so suddenly in the first place. She'd just had to open it, hadn't she? Perhaps holding it so delicately, caution still present, had been what made her lose her grip of it in her surprise at the contents. Either way, now she frowns down at it, hesitating as though she's uncertain what to do with this development - because she is.]
[Floor 51]
[There's a blonde young lady leaning over one of the sewing machines, peering at it curiously. She inspects it thoroughly, at first only by sight but slowly moving on to messing with the buttons and, after a while, the pedal - which seems to startle her at first, but she soldiers through it. It's obvious that she hasn't the faintest idea how to use such a thing, but she seems to have taken an interest in it nevertheless.]
no subject
[But see, that's not so strange in a place like this - they're all from different worlds. (It's not the same thing and she knows it, but it's still at least some comfort that there are others from so many different sorts of universes that there's not much that's too strange about that kind of thing.) She doesn't seem inclined to volunteer much more on the subject than that, though.]
Another world like the tower, or another world like this one? [She raises a hand from her side and lets it fall, gesturing loosely toward the illusionary world around them on that particular floor.
Not cutting him any slack on those questions, are you, Naminé?]no subject
Like the Tower. [ Maybe he could have been a bit clearer, sure. ] A cruel world designed to test us.
no subject
... No. I'd never been to a world quite like this before coming to the tower. [Or heard of such a thing... save the data version of Castle Oblivion, maybe, but that wasn't truly the same sort of thing - or at least, so she liked to think. At the very least it was never designed for unnecessary cruelty. Perhaps more likely,] ... Had you?
no subject
Not exactly like this, no. [ But fairly close. ] There are things in this world that could conceivably be used to save my own universe.
[ Some of those things were harmless and beneficial. Other things... not so much. The only question now was which one would work. ]
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[She blinks, brow scrunching subtly.] What sorts of things?
[There's plenty the tower likely has to offer when it comes to powerful changes effected in people and worlds, no doubt - but so much of it is in the form of changes or things that the positive value of are dubious at best.]
no subject
I need time for the opportunity to present itself. [ He says quietly, obviously avoiding her question. ] There are instances in which the most useful thing one can find is not the presence of something, but rather, the absence of it. After all, is it not preferable for a threat to have never existed, rather than to destroy if it did?
[ He takes a moment to look over the island. It certainly looked peaceful, but of course, with the way Naminé appeared, it was also emotionally upsetting. And if it was only 'one' of her homes... ]
I said once that this world was a blessing in disguise. After all, no great achievement comes without sacrifice. And no dawn can rise if there is no night.
no subject
....
[Whether he's looking for an answer or just asking rhetorically, he doesn't get one at first. (She figures it's the latter anyway.) She considers his words, watching his back - literally - as she does. Then, carefully,]
What dawn is it that you're hoping for? [Or rather, the dawn of what. Because from what she's heard and the sound of what he's saying now, she's not so sure it's the kind she'd be fond of, herself.]
no subject
What I do know now is that I am in a position to remove the greatest threat to my universe, even from here. I am certain he will understand.
[ It sounds ominous, sure. But it's intentional, even if he doesn't intend any harm whatsoever to come to him even if this plan is successful. After all... they share a strong mutual respect, even if they are on complete opposite sides of how they feel they can best protect humanity, even if that means protecting humanity from itself. ]
no subject
[Ominous indeed. She pauses, lips pressing together, then,] It sounds like an interesting situation. [And relationship.] I suppose I see what you mean about this place being a blessing. [It's actually not too foreign a concept, considering the opportunities the place has presented to her and to certain others.]
no subject
I never expected saving my universe to come without loss, or without sacrifice. Pain and death are simply a part of life. But in this case, I expect neither to happen to him. I believe, after all, if given chance, he would gladly submit to this.
[ Wilhelm finally turned back to the young, blonde Nobody. His albinism-stricken eyes stared into her sapphire eyes, though his expression still hasn't changed once. ]
Have you disagreed with that sentiment before?
no subject
Nevermind that she can play that role herself when need be.]... I can't say you're wrong. [She knows more than enough about such things, herself. She knows of death for the sake of another's life and she knows the nuances of hurt - well enough to construct a world meant to teach how to overcome it.] That... does sound like a better alternative. [For whoever 'he' is, anyway. That way of doing things certainly does appeal to a girl as gentle as she, although of course she does not listen without the addition of a grain of salt, so to speak.]
[The girl looks back, her own expression difficult to read save for its intentness and curiosity. In between the lines, in a manner of speaking, is caution.]
....
This place has given some of us opportunities we never would have had in our own worlds. Chances to make friends, or learn new things, or even to live lives that are - in some ways, better. [Or longer ones, anyway - that last one is decidedly less common.] ... But even so, being here has hurt so many people, too, almost certainly more than it's helped. [She pauses, eyes turning away.] So I guess, at least to me, it would be better to say it's both a blessing and a curse. Which one is greater... varies from person to person. Everyone's story is different. [So whether one could say it is a blessing for them is sort of complicated.]
no subject
[ That was definitely true. Naminé suddenly turning evil would be a very scary thing. But, thankfully... that likely won't ever happen. He was of course referring to Yeshua, but that isn't something Wilhelm will admit out loud unless Naminé were to figure that out herself. ]
It is refreshing to meet someone who acknowledges that truth. [ Respect earned, Naminé! ]
Tell me. Why does this world bring you such pain?
[ And he's not talking about the Tower. ]
no subject
[It most definitely would. (Even without an alignment shift, she fears her own weakness.) She's got no frame of reference for anyone by that name, so he's likely safe on that front.]
[There's a belated hint of a nod, though she's not sure she's quite so glad about agreeing with him. Then again, she never has been one to fix people into categories.]
I.... [It's not 'pain', per se, but she's not about to tell him that. Her eyes avert, toward the sea.] ... I always wanted to visit this place, before. It's... not getting my wish, but it's close enough to be cruel.
no subject
[ Everything about her confirmed that it was indeed painful. But she has so far proven herself to be stronger than she appeared. That alone was worthy of some modicum of respect from Wilhelm, but whether or not she was useful, or would prove to be useful, remained to be seen. ]
no subject
... This isn't the worst thing that's ever happened to me. Something like this-- it doesn't mean anything. I may not like it... but it's not going to stop me. [There's not much that can, in truth; she's been in the tower a year and a half and the year she lived before that was no picnic, either. She made a promise to herself a long time ago that she wasn't going to give up, and nothing like this is going to even so much as slow her down.]
no subject
[ Wilhelm's eyes narrow for a brief moment. That caught his attention. ]
They are reminding you of that which you cannot have anymore. That which you have been denied. What could possibly be worse than that?
[ It isn't a rhetorical question. He's honestly curious. ]
no subject
[His words make her pause, then cause a small, wry smile to sneak on to her lips. She shakes her head.]
There are many, many things worse than that. [For someone who cares more for the suffering of others than their own, anyway. The thing is... she spent her whole life being denied literally almost everything that was not essential to staying alive. In the life she lead before the tower, she never had parents, never had friends, never had a 'real' life or even existence. She never had freedom, or the chance to grow up - or even the right to desire those things. Compared to all of that, this is nothing. Those things may not all be obvious to the naked eye, but there's a hint of it when she says,] But maybe it's not fair for me to say that. I never had it in the first place. [Not truly, so thus she could not lose it.] Besides... no one gets what they want all the time. If I hadn't learned that by now--... [with all the experience she's had on the subject,] ... I'd have to call myself a fool.
no subject
I can see why Tohko seems fond of you.
[ He knew? Of course. He's Wilhelm. ]
You are surprisingly well-adjusted. [ His way of saying he's impressed. ] Perhaps she could even learn something from you.
no subject
That's very kind of her.
[She'd prefer not to think about what Tohko may - or perhaps more troubling, may not have - said and why. But,]
... Thank you. [She's quick to move on; it's a bit easier to focus on something else rather than accepting such a compliment. (She neglects to mention that it may only be because she's not capable of not dealing with such things, lacking the heart required to be upset by them as she (thinks) she does.] Is that what you want for her?
no subject
[ For now, anyway. He might just change his mind the way this conversation is going. ]
no subject
[She pauses, managing to maintain a fairly steady expression. Then,] Maybe not, but shouldn't I want to know what happens to her? If she's fond of me, like you say. [Whether that's because it's mutual or because it's an obligation - well, that he'll have to figure out himself.]
no subject
[ Sorry, Naminé... he doesn't show his hand too early. ]
no subject
I understand. [Even if it encourages the slightest of frowns.] I suppose I didn't really expect anything else. [She pauses, then shakes her head, apparently deciding against further comment upon one subject or another. Whatever it is... she hopes that he is good to Tohko, insofar as that can be managed in such a situation. He at the very least seemed to appreciate a less... messy solution with that other person he'd mentioned before, so there was that, anyway. Pardon her if she's studying him quietly, her own expression not giving much if anything away.]