[.o1o] A Long Day

[lethechained]

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.]

Comments

[terreifying]

A little. But me and my friends watched each other's backs, so we got out okay.

[lethechained]

I see. So you had good friends, then?

[terreifying]

The best ones.

[lethechained]

[That's definitely a smile, there.]

That's wonderful. I'm very glad...! [But she'll not point out that they're (most likely) separated now.]

[terreifying]

[Rei's own smile gets bigger, showing her teeth which seem to be too many in number.]

What about you? Were you close to your friends?

[lethechained]

[Well, that's... not comforting. Still,]

I... it was complicated. ... I never really had the chance to make close friends. [Or at lest no chance she could take.]

[terreifying]

Oh...

[Her expression falls a little.]

What about right here? You can make friends right here.

[lethechained]

... Mm. [She raises a small smile.]

This is the best chance I've ever had. [Despite not having a heart to open to them, of course, but that statement still stands.] Even for all the trouble this place causes us, it's given some of us so many opportunities that we never would have had in our own worlds.

[terreifying]

I'm glad. Hey, if you want, we could be friends too!

[lethechained]

...!

[Head tilt.] You're sure...?

[terreifying]

Yep!

[lethechained]

... Well... then, I think I'd like that. [Or at least to try, anyway; she doesn't have the heart (ha, ha) to turn her down.]

[terreifying]

[She stops in her steps and the neatly pivots around, this time without falling.]

Then, I'm Rei!

[She offers Namine her hand, expecting a handshake.]

[lethechained]

[-- Oh. Naminé blinks up at her, momentarily startled, then-- she reaches out to take the offered hand.]

... My name is Naminé.

[terreifying]

[She gives Namine's hand a firm shake.]

That's a pretty name.

[lethechained]

[Naminé is perhaps less firm about it, but she does shake back.]

-- Thank you...! [She metaphorically fumbles for a moment; even now, she's not used to compliments.] So is Rei.

[terreifying]

Thanks! It's a really common name in my world, though.

[lethechained]

That doesn't mean it isn't nice. [Smile.] If anything, doesn't that mean a lot people think so?

[terreifying]

If you put it that way, then yeah!

[lethechained]

Hee...! [Yes good, successful communication. That's always a plus!]

So-- congratulations on having a name so many people like.

[terreifying]

You too. Congratulations on having a special name.

[Just two happy, friendly girls...which might be a rare sight considering the Tower.]

[lethechained]

Haha...! Thank you very much. That's very kind of you.

['Special', huh?]

[terreifying]

You're welcome.

[Rei stops since they seem to have climbed into the next floor over. She turns to see if Namine has been affected by the sudden chill from being surrounded by water.]

[lethechained]

[Naminé comes to a stop as well, mostly because Rei has - though the blonde's eyes do drift around, observing the still-new floor. The chill does seem to have effected her indeed, if they way she folds her arms loosely across her middle is any indication. She's definitely not dress for any kind of cold.]

What is it?

[terreifying]

I just wanted to see if you were a little cold.

[She scratches her head, wondering how to resolve this since she brought no extra clothes.]

Hey, I know! What if I piggy-backed you? That way we could share body heat.

[A perfectly good idea, right?]