order's sanctuary,

[fayth]

( it was a familiar place, but at the same time, so alien. being in order's sanctuary again, yuna felt almost like an intruder in what was once a great safe haven. she shouldn't be here... she was supposed to be gone from this place.

but... if it was to be so, that the cycle would begin anew -- then surely there would be other warriors what would come to this place. familiar faces, perhaps even the two that she remembered most...

walking through the misty haze the surroundings provided made it difficult at first to discen any figures in the distance. but she was certain -- someone had to be there... )

Comments

[risme]

In the distance, a pinpoint of vibrant colors pierces the soft mists. A familiar figure comes to focus with a shock of blonde. A few moments pass as the Al Bhed looks around, stumbling with the hesitancy of disorientation. [Where am I? Is this a dream? Oh no! Ec drec fryd dra vynbmyha?!]

She freezes, tensing in defense as she notes another's presence. When recognition dawns, relief hits. A quick sense of shame follows, if her fears are true and Yuna's here...

Sprinting into motion, Rikku dashes to her cousin, grasping to the woman's sleeve. Her eyes are wide with fear and confusion, "Yunie! Where the heck are we?"

[fayth]

( it happened in a blur of orange and blonde -- ending with a sudden tug at her sleeve. but this was a familiar flurry of colours, and even if yuna didn't fully realize at first, she felt it before she could even react -- )

R... Rikku. ( her smile was one of relief, the happiness brightening her eyes as it reached them ) You're all right...

( of course she was all right. who was more adaptable then her cousin? but the question posed drew her back into the seriousness of the moment... her attention was drawn towards the large scale monument in the distance ) This -- is Sanctuary. This is where the warriors of Cosmos gather, when the cycle of war begins anew.

[risme]

(the thief blinked at her name. Shaking her head in an attempt to dispel the strange haze. Right, that was her name. How could she forget? She must have hit her head or something, remembering Yunie but not her own. Raising a gloved hand, she rubbed at her head, as though checking for a lump)

Huh? Should I not be? (Biting at her lip, the younger girl pauses as she meets her cousin's gaze in seeking direction. She's startled, not by their mismatching colors - that seemed right, but. Yuna's pupils...they were cousin's right? Frowning in open confusion, she uncharacteristically manages to hold back the question. Something about it felt like it would upset her cousin and close friend.)

Sanctuary? (The grip on Yuna's sleeve only tightens as she breaks her glance from her cousin's unusual pupils to the forms in the distance.) ...War?! Another one?

[fayth]

( it's a slow nod, a reluctant one. there was always a battle to be fought it seemed... right? yes. that was right. there were always odds to overcome, always something to fight for... )

This one is... different. It's not just our world that's affected anymore. ( their world... what was that again? ) People, warriors from all over will be here soon. And then... we'll have to seek the opposing warriors. The ones that follow the will of Chaos...

( she lowers her head at this, apparently saddened... )

[risme]

(What was her cousin going on about? Not just their world? What other world's were there? Maybe they both hit their heads.)

Hey it's ok, (releasing the death grip on Yuna's sleeve at the sadness that rose during the explanation, Rikku shook off her fear. Fear never helped when someone was sad.)

If other warriors are coming then they...(they who? Who was she thinking of? - forget it, she'd figure it out later. The shorter girl crouched down, until she could meet her cousin's downcast gaze, beaming up a goofy, reassuring smile.)

Whatever is going on, we'll fight it. And we'll win. There's always a way. People won't always be fighting - we are more than that. You'll see.

[fayth]

( there's a blink of surprise at the upside down visage in her line of sight -- but she can't help but quirk a small smile of her own at the sight. it was difficult to stay blue with so many rays of sunlight in your presence.

it was familiar. reassuring.

yuna lifted her head, and nodded )

You're right. We'll find a way to get back. And... maybe we'll be able to help everyone else in the process too!

[risme]

(Mission accomplished, she bounces to her feet. Striking off determinedly towards the unfamiliar structure in the distance, glancing back to make sure Yuna follows suit.)

Alright! Sure we will! (and peek in a few pockets too - hehe) Let's do this.

[fayth]

Right. ( another nod, this time with conviction ) Then... we should look around to see if we can find anyone else, first. ( a quick sweep left, then right. nope, no one so far... )

You didn't... run into anyone on the way here, did you?

[risme]

(The young thief clenched her fists, first in her lethal hand and then her shielded arm. She glanced about, a hint of disorientation apparent in her unusual eyes.)

No? (Her conviction sounded more question than statement, as she moved protectively in front of her cousin, her eyes scanning the horizon.)

[fayth]

Me neither... ( she confessed, frowning a little in the process ) Which is strange, usually we all gather here first to speak with Cosmos...

Maybe we should venture out.

[risme]

(The young Al Bhed does not follow her cousin's words, but reaches a hand out to grasp the High Summoner's hand in hers.)

(Rikku gives a slight reassuring squeeze. Nothing is makes sense, but it doesn't matter. She's certain answers will unfold in time. The girl knows who she trusts, an she does so with all her heart.)

Where ever you go, I'm with you.

[fayth]

Why don't... ( she knew this wasn't going to sound like the best idea. but how often did they employ the wrong decisions in this war? maybe it was just another chip in the pile... ) why don't we split up.

Ah -- temporarily I mean. I'll keep heading east from here -- ( she look outwards in the direction she'd picked for herself... ) we'll meet back in a short while, but this way... we might be able to cover a little more ground.

[risme]

(Rikku's face fell at the suggestion, and settled in a frown. The last thing she wanted to do was leave Yuna's side. Especially since...because of...something or other. It just felt like it was against some cardinal rule.)

...Alright. (Shifting her weight from one foot to the other restlessly, Rikku gave a hesitant nod.) I guess it wouldn't hurt to scout things out. I'll head opposite you and double back North. Just, be careful.

[fayth]

( yuna nodded, tightening the grip on her staff ) Be back by sun down. And... I will be, too. ( she spun on her heel, ready to take off into a sprint. but before she did -- ) Be careful.

[risme]

(A hesitant nod, an attempt at a smile which dies before it meets her eyes.)

Don't you get hurt Yunie, or I'll be so mad! (She dashes away before she can think on it, the practiced thief moving soundlessly until her figure disappears in the swirling mists.)

[fayth]

( the more that she ran into the mists, the thicker they seemed to get. she wasn't sure exactly how much time had passed, and when she looked over her shoulder, the way she had come from was unfamiliar.

her run slowed into a walk the deeper the haze thickened -- not just around her, but within her as well. why had she been heading in this direction in the first place? what was it that she had been looking for...? )

[risme]

(Where was she? What was this strange, empty place? It seemed like she'd been running in circles for ages, with its mists so thick you cut them.

She could not remember how she came to be in this place - but she knew well the type of people who were always out to harm her, and was not surprised when she spotted one. The thief approached the Yevonite from behind on ghost quiet feet, but fell short of her initial instinct to fall in range where she could press her blades in a threat against the woman's neck - who knew what kind of trap this might be.)

Stop.

(The voice was predatory, razor sharp. It was so much easier to be angry than to be afraid.)

[fayth]

( oh no! she'd let her guard down... hadn't been paying enough attention! the call to return to cosmos was strong -- about the only thing she could ascertain at the moment -- and she knew just who would be trying to stop her from getting there...

minions of chaos.

she stopped, whipping herself around and assuming a defensive stance, trying her best to repress the heavy breathing that her shoulders lifted with.

she needed to keep her cool... )

Who's there?!

[risme]

(Crouched in a predatory pose, Rikku stood at guard, the colors of her garb a vibrant contrast to the muted surroundings.

The blades of her Godhand were aimed in open threat, her shield arm at the ready. Noting that she had caught the Priestess off guard, she berated herself for taking the cautious approach. She kept light on her toes, ready to strike or dodge- though she had no intention of allowing the woman to cast a spell if she could help it.

Machina Damned Mages never showed all their cards---then again, what thief did?)

You're asking me?! What kind of sick game are you playing?! (Narrowing her eyes, Rikku repressed the urge to attack her likely captor by clenching her fists. The woman playing dumb just made everything all the worse.)