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Composing himself, he listened to the young girls reply to Rinoa. The bad men hurt Gaia? How old was this girl and, more importantly, was she really mature enough to out on her own? He'd seen how she'd handled herself in battle and he had to admit that at least in that respect she could take care of herself. Still, now they new her name he thought he may as well introduce himself too.
"Good to meet you, Eshira. Noel Kreiss", he informed her whilst gesturing to himself. There were a lot of things that he wanted to ask her, specifically clarification on what she meant by 'stopping mother gaia from crying'. He also couldn't help but wonder how far away the Cetra continent was from here, but now was not the time nor place. Perhaps later he would enquire with both of them as to the answers to the questions that were currently plaguing him, but first they would need to find a way to Esthar, or indeed wherever the young Cetran wished to journey too.
Smiling a little as Angelo ran from Rinoa and began sniffing at Eshira, he noticed that there was an airship that had begun boarding. Perhaps that was theirs? Then again, why would passenger ships be running as usual when there was a pile of corpses in the middle of the area. There would be guards of some kind here soon and he hoped that they didn't put two and two together. Although it wasn't outright murder, to him it may as well have been.
Sighing, he turned to the other two as Rinoa asked Eshira about the airship. He was all for accompanying her wherever she needed to be, but he hoped that it didn't set back his intended journey too much. He needed to know how he had gotten here to begin with and the answer was most likely in Esthar.
[atrb=colspan,2][style=margin-left: 25px; border-left: 3px solid #555555; margin-top: -10px; padding: 20 2 40 12; text-align: justify; font-size: 11px; font-family: helvetica; line-height: 14px; color: #a09891; text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #111111;] Out of the corner of her eye and from Angelo nipping at her leg she could see the authorities of Lindblum were alerted to the fight that had just happened, if they were caught by the bodies it wouldn't bode well for them. Rinoa looked from side to side as her long dark hair bounced off her neck and shoulders, she was growing more concerned as time pressed on. Her heart began to beat just as fast as when she was battling to keep Noel and Eshira alive. Angelo whined at her lowly. It was most definately time to move.
"Well we are going to Esthar so tag along if you want to."
Rinoa didn't really keep any eye contact with Eshira as she moved back to grab Noel's wrist once again to drag him to the airship, only this time she didn't feel a flutter in her stomach...there was too much going on to think about her teenage girly feelings. Angelo ran on ahead, he knew exactly where he was going. The airship was just starting to board as Rinoa dragged Noel up the wooden stairs, she flashed a piece of paper at the attendant who let them all right on. It was quite a big airship with rooms included as there would be a few over night stays. Rinoa kept looking back and forth until she found a suitable room. Her hand slipped around the golden handle and she quickly opened it.
"...I'm sorry...I didn't mean for all of that to happen.."
[/size], Noel cried out as Rinoa grabbed his wrist again and proceeded to drag him toward the airship. Sure, he'd been injured slightly in that unfortunate encounter back there, but he was still more than capable of walking himself. Was it that obvious that he really had no idea where he was and what he was supposed to be doing? Then again, at least upon meeting Rinoa he had some kind of purpose to adhere to for now, but how long would that last? What if he could get nowhere near this Laguna guy or he just simply didn't know the answers he sought?
Deciding to put his arguably trivial concerns to the back of his mind for now, he followed Rinoa onto the airship that had just begun boarding. Well, as if he'd had a choice regarding the latter action, but then he wasn't thinking all that clearly still. Only once they were safely on board and in their own room could he find some semblance of relaxation. The airship was far bigger inside than it had looked from the outside, but then again he hadn't paid all that much attention.
Assuming that Eshira had followed them, he slumped into a seat next to Rinoa and Angelo, but kept his head down until take off. He still felt a little shaken up. Once airborne though, he lifted his head upon Rinoa's apology and flashed her a weak smile.
"It's okay, just a little shaken up. It's just that where I come from..."Hang on, how could he tell her that life was so precious to him and that he was the last of humankind when there were thousands all around them? He still didn't know what was going on, essentially, so it just be crazy talk, right? He sighed as he lifted his whole body so that he was now leaning on the back of the seat."Forget it. Who were those people anyway? They were after you right?"
[atrb=colspan,2][style=margin-left: 25px; border-left: 3px solid #555555; margin-top: -10px; padding: 20 2 40 12; text-align: justify; font-size: 11px; font-family: helvetica; line-height: 14px; color: #a09891; text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #111111;] Thread:Out of place, out of time Theme: Remorse
Rinoa jumped into the seat inside the private room and quickly fastened her belt before she whistled for Angelo to come and sit by her, she hooked two of her fingers under his collar to try and keep a tight grip during take off. It didn't really affect Angelo that much he was a good companion regardless of of the mode of transportation. Unless he got distracted! Once the airship was up in the air and at a stable level, Rinoa unfastened her belt and walked over to the porthole. She couldn't really bring herself to look at Noel right now. Rinoa always tried to have a happy expression on her face and a positive outlook but just like most people, certain things got to her.
"Yeah...they were after me. Shin-ra don't really like people asking questions and when you go sniffing arou...sorry Angelo no offence. When you go sniffing around their property they send out SOLDIER to take care of things."
Rinoa leant into the porthole and crossed her arms over the small shelving area just in front of it, her eyes scanned the clouds looking for different formations or at least letting her mind decide what the formations looked like. She let her eyes look down as she noticed Noel divert the conversation from where he was from. He hadn't really been that forthcoming about his home town but then again did it even really matter. The young diplomat turned around and leant her back against the shelf in front of the porthole. She dropped arms to her side letting them hang there loosely.
"I'm sorry you got caught up in this but....I shouldn't really tell you but what I know will affect everyone on Gaia. It will all be revealed soon....everyone is starting to fight against each other."
Seeing Rinoa sit down and fasten her seat belt, prompted Noel to do the same. The reason soon became apparent, as the whole ship seemed to shake upon take off. Although his heart felt heavy, once in the air he couldn't help but feel a little better. Being in the air really was an incredible feeling, a one that in his point of view humanity hadn't experienced in may years. Indeed, airships and any form of travel other than walking had been a part of the ancient history his grandmother had once bestowed up on him. The remains of such things could be found from time to time, but the means and perhaps even the knowledge to get these things working had been long since lost. All of this still felt kind of surreal to him and he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps he was imagining the whole thing. One last dream before being taken from the embrace of the mortal world, passing into the night and taking with him the human race. That, or maybe the whole thing was some kind of crazy dream? That Caius and Yeul were still here, just waiting for him to wake up.
He was shaken from these thoughts as Rinoa answered his question. Who was Shin-Ra and what did she mean by sniffing around their property anyway? Who was she and what was she up to? He hadn't liked the way that she had been the first to attack those soldiers earlier, but then if they were specifically looking for her then there was probably no escaping by that point. Perhaps then they would have followed them onto the airship where many more could be injured or worse...
Upon her next statement, something seemed to click inside him. What if whatever was going to happen was the catalyst that led to the world he grew up in? A one where the worlds most dominant race had fallen in number so dramatically that he had been the only left? He was pretty sure that humans were the only things left by that point anyway, as again he had only heard of these other races through his grandmothers stories. This theory seemed likely as in all those years, his clan had been traveling and not one person had seen or found evidence of anyone else at all, never mind other races. He wanted to know more, but it was obvious that she wasn't willing to share. Sighing, he looked up toward the ceiling as he gave his reply.
[/size]
"Affect everyone on Gaia huh? Must be something pretty big. Those guys know about it?" The answer seemed rather obvious and he suddenly felt a little foolish for asking. Then again, how was he to know the ins and outs of this alien world. He didn't understand why they would be fighting each other anyway, but then humanity had learned that lesson the hard way, he surmised. [/size]
[atrb=colspan,2][style=margin-left: 25px; border-left: 3px solid #555555; margin-top: -10px; padding: 20 2 40 12; text-align: justify; font-size: 11px; font-family: helvetica; line-height: 14px; color: #a09891; text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #111111;] Angelo slowly walked over to one of the single beds in the cabin and sniffed it before he jumped up onto the soft white sheets. He circled around a few times and then laid down content for now. Rinoa glanced over to him and smiled. Her mind filled with the memories of first getting him as a puppy and then onto more serious times they had faced together. She leant her head back and sighed deeply.
"It is big....and they are one of the main causes. I don't even know why I thought I could handle this, it's getting way out of control."
Suddenly Rinoa pushed herself away from the porthole and clapped her hands together. She smiled brightly and then began to twirl around in a circle for several moments. Her mood had changed from sad to happy in the space of a few seconds, even she wasn't sure why. Well, she didn't want Noel to worry or be upset. It was her fault he had gotten caught up in this mess and she had to lead him back out of danger. Unless he wanted to stay that is....No, he wouldn't willingly put himself in danger for someone he had just met. He would have his own agenda surely...
"Anyway nothing we...I mean I can except stay positive. I can't wait to see Laguna again I'm sure he will know something to help." credit `` columba of on the edge[/style]
Perhaps this was the opening Noel needed to maybe ask for a little more detail. It seemed as though whatever was going wasn't exactly common knowledge and that she was somehow carrying this burden on her own. Needless to say, it was a lot for a young girl around his age to handle. He didn't know he long she had been carrying this responsibility, but the cracks were beginning to show. He wanted to say something, anything, but he was completely stumped. He wasn't much for talking anyway, never mind small talk. What needed to be said was said, it was the way of things, but this left him with a sad inability to cheer people up or move the topic along in any kind of fashion. Not that he wanted to just yet, he wanted to know what was going on.
Opening his mouth to ask what he wanted to ask, Rinoa suddenly jumped from her seat and the opportunity was lost. It was almost as if someone had turned on a switch that changed her emotions from one mood to the next in the blink of an eye. It was a front of some kind though, he was sure of it, but he didn't want to disturb her newly found positivity. Instead, he smiled as he raised his arm to speak. He did that a lot, spoke in gestures, but it wasn't something he particularly noticed. Still, at least the awkwardness had dissipated for now
"So you must know this Laguna guy pretty well huh"
[/size], he asked as she continued to keep up the morale. It was perhaps a lame attempt at conversation, but then he rather struggled in that department. It was easier when there was some kind of topic, especially if it was straight to the point of what they were currently doing.[/size]
[atrb=colspan,2][style=margin-left: 25px; border-left: 3px solid #555555; margin-top: -10px; padding: 20 2 40 12; text-align: justify; font-size: 11px; font-family: helvetica; line-height: 14px; color: #a09891; text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #111111;] Phew it seemed like Noel had started to relax as well. Rinoa turned to face Noel and smiled brightly to him. She stopped twirling and stood still for a few moments so the room would stop spinning. Her shoulder length black hair rested neatly against her shoulders and back after she had stopped spinning. The Diplomat for Galbadia strethed her arms up towards the ceiling letting out a small squeak before dropping them back down. She let her eyes wander over Noel again which she mentally cursed herself for it's not like he wouldn't notice stop being so obvious! She shook her head as she walked past her new companion.
"Well...yeah I suppose you can say I do."
With an over exagerated sigh Rinoa dropped down onto the bed next to Angelo who lifted his head to watch Rinoa before dropping it back down again to sleep. Rinoa laid her arms above her head with her body half on the bed and half off, her knees were bent with her feet firmly planted on the carpeted floor. She closed her eyes for a moment to try and actually remember where she was going in the first place before she had met Noel. Ah yes...Balamb. Well Cid would understand if she was a few days late....still it was probably best to get a message to him from Esthar.
"He is a...colleague I suppose to my father. He has his finger in as many pies as possible, I suppose you need to if you are the General of the Galbadian army."
Whoa that was a bit too much information wasn't it? Well it's not like her father's status was a secret but still. Rinoa opened her eyes slowly and took a few deep breaths in as she realised she didn't know anything about Noel. He could be a serial killer! Though he did ask about time travel when they first met....weird then and it was still a wierd request now.
"So Noel....where do you come from?" credit `` columba of on the edge[/style]
A colleague of her fathers? He must have a rather high standing in this society then, he reasoned, and he wondered if Rinoa was working for him in some fashion. Then again, it could be that he was in a completely different field. He tried to remember some of the higher level occupations that once existed, or currently exist as the case certainly seemed to be. Noel could swear that he felt a headache coming on as he contemplated this point further before his thoughts returned to the original topic. He couldn't actually remember his own father, but apparently he had been a skilled hunter too. He wondered what he was like, did he take after his father or was he more like his mother? People always said that he looked more like his mother, but he hadn't been sure how to take that.
Frowning to himself, he watched as Rinoa seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. It seemed as though she regretted sharing that information about her father. Perhaps she thought she'd endangered herself somehow, after all there was no telling who could be listening. He just hoped that in exchange for the little secret, she didn't ask him too much about his own past.
Unfortunately, the next thing to come from her mouth was just that. It was inevitable, he supposed, but he must have looked like a goldfish out of water as he opened his mouth and closed it tightly again, looking a little uncomfortable. What exactly was he supposed to tell her, that he was possibly from the future and that he was the last human left alive? Oh yeah, that would go down well, but he had to answer the question somehow. Preferably without Rinoa acting like the people of Lindblum when he had tried to find out where he was.
Sighing, he Rose again from his seat, moving back over to the window so that he had his back to Rinoa and Angelo. He sighed before finally coming up with a way of answering the question without actually lying to her. She didn't deserve that, but at the same time, maybe he could trust her with the truth. He certainly hoped so as right now he just needed someone to talk to. Taking a deep breath, he turned around to face the dark haired girl on the bed. He didn't know what had happened to the other who had been with them, but she couldn't have gone too far.
[/size]
"To be honest, I'm not really sure", he informed her with a wide armed gesture reminiscent of a shrug. "That's kind of why I need to talk to this Laguna guy." Noel turned away with a pained expression and stared into the clouds as they gracefully parted to allow the ships passage. "Where I come from I...I was the last child to be born before humanities end." There, he said it! He'd started he may as well carry on now, Noel then turned to face his remaining companions again, his face now painted with a rather puzzled expression as he continued. "Next thing I know I'm here and the world is suddenly full of people of all kinds and the technology they once used. It's just like the stories by grandmother used to tell me...which is why I really need to talk to someone in the know about these kind of things! I need to know whats going on here, this...isn't my time."
So Rinoa probably thought that he was a little nuts by now, after all there was no way she would actually believe him, but he at least felt better for telling someone. That had to count for something, he thought as he turned back toward the porthole. How long before they reached this Esthar anyway, he pondered.[/div]
[atrb=colspan,2][style=margin-left: 25px; border-left: 3px solid #555555; margin-top: -10px; padding: 20 2 40 12; text-align: justify; font-size: 11px; font-family: helvetica; line-height: 14px; color: #a09891; text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #111111;] Rinoa held her breath as Noel began to recount why he was here on Gaia and where he had come from. Usually the young Diplomat could bounce back, smile and try to carry on as normal in tense situations but this was something very different. Angelo was now fast asleep on the bed and didn't stir as Rinoa sat up straight on the edge of the bed. She kept her eyes on Noel and watched him for a few minutes before slowly pushing herself up from the soft bed.
"If you were born at humanities end...then maybe this time is a better place for you."
Rinoa mentally cursed herself for saying that out loud. That could be taken either way really but Gaia now had to be a better place compared to where Noel was claiming to be from. Rinoa could only imagine what a desolate place 'Humanties End' could look like. To have such a macarbe name for his home, it spoke volumes on what it was like.
Her hand found its way onto Noel's shoudler and she gently squeezed it in an act of reassurance, she knew it may not do much but what she was thinking of saying may help. Or not.
"I know you're telling the truth, I mean why would you lie? I have heard of a legend about time compression although I don't know the details I know that time travel could be possible. Maybe you were sent back here to save us...maybe you are our only hope against the oncoming storm. Gaia is in such great danger because of all the magic that is being used and sapped away from her, perhaps you hold the key to saving us."
{OOC: Shall we end it after your next post or this one so we can get our exp and gil rewards so we can be more uber powerful ?}
A better place for him? Perhaps Rinoa was right, after all he wouldn't have to be alone here. The despair of realising that he was perhaps the last survivor of the worlds once numerous races would have perhaps killed him by now otherwise. He still felt the pain deep down inside but somehow it seemed a little redundant now. Only Etro knew what had happened to Caius after their battle and there was probably a Yeul existing in this time period somewhere. No, she was definitely alive in some capacity, just as the seeress had always been since perhaps the dawn of Gaia's creation. Either way, he yearned for them both and this was perhaps why the pain still felt so raw.
It was then that he felt a gentle squeeze on his shoulder and almost jumped from his skin. He hadn't realised that Rinoa had arisen from the bed, never mind come up behind him. So she believed him, just like that? He was rather surprised by this notion and he wondered what exactly this theory of time compression was and how it had sprouted. Hopefully the answers to that question, and many others, lay in Esthar.
As Rinoa back off, he looked a little dumbfounded at her next statement. Save everyone? Could that really be the reason he had been sent back to this time? Perhaps it was Etro's will, although he was he to presume such things? Still, changing the future and saving humanity were rather appealing ideas though. How could he possibly hold the key to such a thing though? He barely remembered the old stories, although after what Rinoa had said...
"Yeah, there has to be a reason that I was sent back to this point in time. I don't about being the key, but I want to do everything in my power to save everyone. Maybe then she'll be happy..."
He trailed off as once more his thoughts turned to the seeress. She'd had one more vision before her death, which surely wouldn't have been possible if there was no future of any kind to see. A future where everyone lived...perhaps that is what she had seen and what he somehow had to make happen. But he was only one man...
[/style][style=font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; color: #010101; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-top: -85px; margin-left: 55px; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 200!important;]Be my knight..[/style][style=font-family: helvetica; font-size: 40px; color: #cccccc; letter-spacing: -3px; line-height: 20px; text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #000000; margin-left: 25px; border-left: 3px solid #555555; margin-top: -17px; padding-top: 40px; padding-left: 10px; padding-bottom: 20px;]Rinoa
"Yeah...they were after me. Shin-ra don't really like people asking questions and when you go sniffing arou...sorry Angelo no offence. When you go sniffing around their property they send out SOLDIER to take care of things."
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