And then I woke up with a better focus, my goal clear in the midst of the fog

[provenworth]

Characters: Elena and you!
Setting: Various! See prompts below.
Format: Either/Or
Summary: After spending a few weeks on her dead planet, Elena has finally returned to Tower. Clearly she needs to find out what has happened during her absence, as well as let those close to her know she’s returned, and start looking into a few things that were mentioned to her before her leave.
Warnings: None to speak of at this point.


[Notes slipped under recipient doors]
R,
Floor 100 at 0700h. Will be here until you arrive.
~E

S,
Just checking in; just got back. Meeting with Reno first, but then I’ll be on the 4th floor. Should be there around 11h. Come by when you’re free after this time – I’d like to get an update on the going on’s. Bring Xion if you can.
~E

X,
Just got back to the Tower after a short absence and would like to check in with you. I’m meeting with Reno first, but then I’ll be on the 4th floor around 11h. Would like a debrief from you and Shion on any recent incidents.
~E


[Prompt A – Floor 100 | Early Morning]

[Returns to the Tower always start the same way – with that uncomfortable paralysis that forced you to stare up at the ceiling above you, leaving you bored if you didn’t panic. Which Elena didn’t do, given the numerous times she’d been through the process. Once able to move, she checks on the time before writing several short notes, slipping them under the door of the recipients, then moving onwards to nearly the topmost part of the Tower.

It doesn’t take Elena long to get to the floor, though the trip was only partially paid attention to, her mind slipping back to the weeks on her dead planet. It’s what drove her to this floor. To remember what Gaia had been like before its destruction. And Elena is not left wanting when she steps onto the floor.

Walls change and shift, molding into the familiar setting of Healin Lodge. The wall of windows that overlooked the drive up to the building, properly shaded to allow just the right amount of sunlight. The couch that stretched beneath the large, framed ShinRa logo. The small coffee table with a pair of half-filled mugs. Despite herself, Elena bends over, reaching out to pick up the cup, only to watch the image flicker with her hand in the middle. Which, in turn, earned a very disappointed, if not heartbroken, expression.]


[Prompt B – Floor 4 | Mid-Morning to Early Afternoon]

[With the temperature in the Tower getting to uncomfortable levels of cold, Elena opts to not engage in too much activity that would cause her to lose body head. And seeing that coffee wasn't an option, she’s at the lounge, curled up under pile of pillows, a physics book she borrowed from the library on her way back down atop the mass in her lap. That’s what would explain the confused and perplexed look on her face as she slowly works her way through the very difficult read.]


[Prompt C – Floor 19 | Mid-Afternoon to Early Evening]

[So that physics book she got was way beyond her understanding on the subject, but Elena is determined to grasp the concept. There had been comments made to her before her little absence that had made her curious and, instead of going to the source first, she wanted to brush up her understandings first.

So she’s in the 19th floor library, a couple of books tucked under her arm: Introduction to Organic Chemistry, Introduction to Biochemistry, and Introduction to Analytical Chemistry. And she’s still searching for even more books.]


[Prompt D - Floor 77 | Late Evening - Closed to Reno]

[She had told Reno to come to the sauna floor later that evening after she took care of several other items that she needed to address. Like starting her collection of educational materials that would help her get a better grasp of the situation in the Tower. Maybe find a way to help put together the bits and pieces of information she had picked up and try to make sense of it all. And given the headache that she felt coming on near the end of the day, it was going to take some time.

Elena doesn't bother with the gender specific rooms, checking the unisex room to see if there was anybody already there before slipping into the unusually large room. Even wrapped in a towel - though really she had to question whether the towel was <i>meant</i> to be barely larger than a washcloth - she felt exposed. Vulnerable. The locker with her name on it was a nice bonus, locking up her clothes and firearm from possible theft. But that meant any potential danger would have to be fought hand-to-hand and she very much did not like the idea of having to do so half naked.

Sitting back on one of the benches along the wall, she poured water over the burning hot rocks, increasing the steam in the room, and waited. When Reno finally does show up, he might hear a soft, almost reverent tune being hummed in the room.]

Comments

[midgarhorizon]

[As early as he got up every day, somehow Elena managed to get up even earlier. He grabbed the note and headed out immediately, skipping most of his early morning routine.

Running down the stairs, he pauses just before stepping off, catching sight of her. There she is, whole and safe. It's sort of hard to describe the kind of thumps his heart made, panicking that she might be some sort of hologram herself.

That's silly.]

Elena.

[Walking to the middle of the floor, he glances around, expecting to see the golds of Junon but- where the hell is this?]

You all right?

[provenworth]

[At some point she had lowered herself down to table level, knees pressed together in a rather uncomfortable squatting position, but she wanted to get as close as she could to the mugs. To look at the chip around the rim of one and the barely visible crack in the other. If she didn't know any better, there was a bubblegum pink lip gloss stain on one. And she could almost smell the day old coffee that sat untouched.

At the sound of her name, her head snaps towards the doorway, not too surprised to find Reno there. She had, after all, invited him up to the floor when he woke up, didn't she? Hands pressed against the tops of her knees, helping push her into an upright, standing position.]

Reno.

[She doesn't bother to hide the hints of sadness in her voice. She hadn't realized how much seeing it all would really upset her. Moving around the table, she stops just within arm's reach and looks around. A sound behind her earns the turning of her head to the doorway that led to Rufus' room, staring the door down out of the corner of her eye. But there's nothing there and she moves a step closer, hand reaching out to find his.]

...Yeah, I'm okay. [After a moment more, her attention moves back to him, giving a weak smile.] I didn't think it was going to show me this place...

[midgarhorizon]

Yeah, 'bout that...

[He's looking around in confusion. The place seems familiar, but not in a way that was pinging any particular memory.

From what she says though, he got the sense it was a place special to her. Should he even-]

This is... that mountain lodge retreat for employees, right?

[The memory came up unbidden. A long time ago, they had used it during one of his rare vacations. It hadn't been a bad place to relax, but his tastes ran more to places like Wutai or Costa.

The affect it has on her, though, worries him enough that he starts to grow really concerned for her.]

Why is it showing you this place?

[His hand is warm, at least, rubbing a small circle against hers with his thumb, a reflex to comfort the hurt and pain she wore as plain as the view around them. That smile doesn't belong on her face, so he brought his free hand up to poke her nose.]

You miss it here?

[provenworth]

[It makes sense that the setting doesn't appear familiar to him. This was still a ways in his future - what would have been his future had he'd been given the ability to live it out. Not have his home destroyed.]

Mmmm. [Its an affirmative noise, eyes moving back to the couch.] Healin Lodge. It didn't see much action during Midgar's heyday, but after Meteorfall we made this place temporary headquarters. We took care of Rufus here when he got sick with the 'stigma.

[The feeling of his hand in hers keeps her stable, keeps the emotions in check. This place meant a great deal to her. More than she would say aloud, though anybody who knew where to look could see it. In the way she looked at the large ShinRa poster. In the small, sad ghost of a smile. When he pokes her nose, its a wake-up call, earning a little noise of surprise, eyes going cross-eyed for that brief moment.]

...Uh-huh. This place was home for a long time. It was tight and cramped and we were tripping over each other all the time. There were only three rooms, one of which was Rufus' and the other two was given a set of twin beds in each. Though, to be honest, we slept on this couch together more times than I can count.

floor 19

[fionnuisce]

[With one of the cloaks Enoch had made draped over his shoulders, the ponytail-wearing lecturer had to admit he felt a little ridiculous. But considering the alternative was freezing to death far more easily, Waver couldn't really complain.]

[Other than the weather it was business as usual, which meant one of the few breaks the magus took to venture out of the laboratory found him here. He was flipping through some higher-level chemistry texts when he noticed Elena and her own selection out of the corner of his eye.]

...Looking to take some science lessons? [The tone was casual with a flat edge to it, as though he wouldn't have cared much should she have declined to answer.]

[provenworth]

[She's not feeling very successful in her search, which is only amplified in the fact she's not entirely sure where to start her search. Which meant she ran the risk of picking up every book that might look helpful that actually wouldn't be.

The sudden voice nearby earns a little startled noise, arms moving to protectively press the books to her chest.]

...Just doing some light reading. Unless you just happen to be a professor in the field, in which case lessons might be helpful.

[fionnuisce]

Close, but not exactly.

[With a dismissive shrug, Waver looked back to the open book in his hands.]

I specialize in alchemy; it's not entirely the same thing.

[provenworth]

....Close is better than not at all.

[Especially given his particular choice of reading. She takes a side-step closer, lowering her arms to show off the books she's found so far.]

I'm looking for anything that helps me better understand the work that is being done with the collar fluids. And to better understand Ruana's work with people souls, or at least the physical embodiment of them if they truly are souls. Any recommendations?

[savedbyasong]

Elena! [Shion is a little early. He looks worried though, he hadn't been able to find Xion, though he hoped it was because she was off doing something, rather than she had disappeared just as they had gotten Elena back.] Are you okay?

[provenworth]

Shion!

[Early was actually rather good, seeing that she'd been there for a short while and was just starting to get warm. Not that warmth pulled rank over seeing her adopted son. She's up and out of her seat, giving him a warm, welcoming hug.]

I'm fine, I'm fine. Wanted to see you and make sure you were doing all right. You been keeping an eye on Xion and Reno while I was away?

[savedbyasong]

[Shion blushed and looked down as he was hugged, hugging her back tightly] I was away as well, for most the time...

[provenworth]

You were? [Sorry for the embarrassment, Shion, but being gone on a dead planet made a person yearn for physical contact. But she's kind enough to not make him suffer a prolonged hug, letting him go and sitting back into her nest of pillows.] How long have you been back, then?

Floor 4

[bashfulshifter]

[The lounge is always a nice place to be, especially with the air growing uncomfortably chilly and the couches being so snug and pleasant. In any case, going about his business is still kind of awkward with his new worker unit following him close, even if his collar is chipped and is supposedly very helpful. It's just so weird trying to get stuff done when the guy is looming over his shoulder...at least when he naps, he doesn't have to see him staring.]

[But today there is a distraction! Rick approaches Elena with surprising enthusiasm.]

Uh--h-hi, Elena! [The smile on his face is warm but hesitant, hands are tucked in his pockets and he rocks anxiously on his heels.] Are, um...a-a-are you b-b-busy?

[provenworth]

[She's really struggling with the details in her book, lines forming in her forehead and eyes giving the book such a deadly glare it was a surprise it didn't burst into flames. Which made Rick's appearance a very much welcomed change. Perhaps a break in her studies would help her get a clear head and allow her a chance to decompress.]

Hello, Rick. Long time no see. [The fact that he's smiling at her was a good thing. She had a bit of a nasty habit of freaking the poor guy out.] No, not necessarily. What's up?

[bashfulshifter]

[Ah, yes--the same expression she was giving that sewing machine when they first met. Rick knows it well. Perhaps he can help with this, too?]

Oh, uh...j-just m-making sure y-you're d-d-doing o-okay. [A genuine concern! Elena had been really shaken up about Reno the last time they talked; hopefully their discussion hadn't caused any unnecessary strife between them. Reno seemed to be doing well enough, anyways, but he's kind of hard to read.] ...Can I a-ask...what's the b-b-book a-about?

[provenworth]

[Elena's got many faces for many reasons. Many being used for various situations. But that face was reserved for only when she was really feeling frustrated. It was actually a bit of a shame Rick didn't catch her on her more positive and energetic days.]

I'm fine, really. Just getting re-oriented to the Tower after an unexpected absence. [In every sense of the word. Last time the Tower wasn't quite as cold, her mind not as filled with curiosity on numerous subjects well past her pay-grade. Motioning for him to sit near her, at whatever distance he was comfortable with, she closed the book and turned it towards him. The cover read: Chemistry for Dummies.]

Trying to refresh my schooling before I hit the bigger concepts.

floor 4

[glassceiling]

[Assassin herself has no need for cloaks. As a Servant, she can withstand the cold, even though it's a little uncomfortable. However, she's seen so many people huddled under Enoch's cloaks that, frankly, it's a little strange to see someone who does not have one.]

You.

[She whispers, stepping in front of Elena's little pillow fort.]

Do you...lack for winter garments?

[provenworth]

.....Eh?

[Just...where had this female come from? Elena hadn't heard her approach. Granted, she had also been so focused on her book that a Bagnadrana could have stomped up to her and she wouldn't have noticed. Lowering her book to rest atop her pillows, Elena pauses to take the girl in, giving a slow nod.]

...I do. [For now, but that wasn't necessary to bring up at this moment.] What about yourself? Don't you feel the chill in the air?

[glassceiling]

I am fine.

[It was colder than her home, and colder than Fuyuki, but she can stand it.]

For you, however, I hear there is a man passing out cloaks. You would do well to find him.

[midgarhorizon]

[Work has been hard on the Turks lately, and Reno's usually exhausted by this time, but Elena is here and she wanted more time with him. It took him a moment or two to realize he is on the wrong floor before going up one more and stepping into the sauna floor.

His locker is stuffed with things taken off of dead monsters, but there's still room enough to hold his clothes and weapon. His towel wrapped around his waist neatly, and he walks into the baths by mistake. It takes him a moment or two to realize he was in the wrong area, and finally finds the sauna she sits in.]

Thought you might have gone into the hot springs.

[He sounds slightly grumpy when he plops down next to her.]

[provenworth]

[Though the mist of steam and heat, Elena just makes out the figure of Reno before he's beside her. The force of his fall into the seat beside her nearly makes her bounce on the wooden bench. Hands hold the top of her towel, arms pressing the cloth closely to her figure with unnecessary shyness.]

Ah, sorry. I came in here for a quick warm-up first. Its pretty cold in the Tower, after all, and going from freezing to hot water wouldn't do well for my sore joints. Or yours, for that matter. [Leaning over, she gives his arm a nudge with her shoulder.] Shall we head over now?

[midgarhorizon]

Don't mind my bad knees, El. I've been livin' with 'em for years. [He nudges her back, but gets up and lopes over to the other door, the exit to the hot springs.

Reno steps right into the water, complete with towel and everything. Slipping into the water is like slipping into heaven. Leaning back, he sighs in contentment, face going flush from the steam rising off the water.]

Hot baths like this... only time I ever stop aching.

Floor 19

[sunflowerfairy]

[Enoch had told Yotsuba that the libraries held books, which were like beaches that held sparkly gems, so the five-year-old had taken to browsing both libraries and looking for interesting books, even if she didn't understand everything. However, when she saw Elena with a few books, she quickly rushed up to the woman and tried to hug her legs.]

Elena! How are you?! Are you okay? And what gems do you have?! Are they nice?!

YOTSUBA!!

[provenworth]

[Really, there were too many books and not enough brain capacity. Or time, considering the Tower's countdown. But she was going to try. She's peering as a book on psychology when she feels a pair of arms around her bare legs, earning a little noise of surprise. But at least she didn't drop any of the books on the little bitty's head!]

Ah! Yotsuba, its you. You startled me. [oh, but how could she stay mad at such a precious little thing. Elena is all grins looking down at the girl.] I'm doing all right, how about you? Keeping us adults safe still?

...Gems? [And she looks at her books, assuming.] I...think so? We'll see if they're as useful as they sound.

Took awhile, but she's here!~

[sunflowerfairy]

[For better or worse, Yotsuba didn't know about any of that, but she did keep on smiling up at Elena. And no, she wasn't planning on letting go anytime soon.]

Yup! I'm still being a support like Luci and cheering up everyone! Yotsuba's much better than before! But what are they gonna be useful for?!