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Post by laguna on Feb 2, 2012 19:53:44 GMT -5
Back in Deling City, after all this time. The last time he was here, Laguna was with his pals, Ward and Kiros and they were making fun of him for wussing out on talking to Julia, a famous singer. He missed those days, but he was glad to be back and not just because this world was back and intact, no less. He was even at the same hotel where Julia sang and played the piano all those years ago. However, he was also friendless at the moment. He couldn't find anything about whether Ward or Kiros were still alive. But then again, Esther's Isolation Laws were unsurmountable and if those two were still in Esther, it would stand to reason that he'd heard nothing about them. God, he hated those laws. All the times he wanted to go back and see Raine, only to be told it was forbidden.
He guessed he'd have to make a trip back to that town again. Maybe drag Leon out there as well. In the meantime, however, Laguna was enjoying a little R&R at the Hotel. His search for Sora had come up a whole lot of nothing. One could only imagine the kind of trouble the kid was getting himself into. Then again, Laguna thought, if he's as strong as Leon said he was, I probably don't have to worry too much. Still, the ex-Galbadian soldier figured time was of the essence and while he seemed to be dodging the worst of the villains in the worlds, that luck probably wouldn't hold.
Laguna sipped the wine he had been given as he sat in the restaurant, waiting for his food. Good thing his munny was accepted here. A lovely lady was singing and playing a tune on the piano, but she was definitely no Julia. I wonder whatever happened to her... Laguna tapped his trademark machine gun idly with his foot. It was at the ready, just in case. As soon as he stepped foot on this world, reports of strange black creatures that could only be Heartless had surfaced and Laguna was taking no chances. Of course... if someone's using the Heartless on this world, I'll need to contact Leon immediately. He'll definitely want to know if anything bad's happening here. While he pondered and mulled over current events and how to find a spiky-haired kid wielding a key-shaped sword, he sat back in his chair, closed his eyes and relaxed.
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Post by stellanoxfleuret on Feb 2, 2012 20:36:35 GMT -5
Now she was on a city named ‘Deling’. She knew that much due to the information boards and publicity spread around. It was way different from Traverse Town and felt somewhat like home. Nostalgic feelings took over her heart. Stella wondered how her city was. If those things have destroyed it or not. If her father and mother were safe. She couldn’t help thinking about it, and with that, she started to get home sick. She missed the days were she would wake up and dance in her room like a fourteen year old, visit the art galleries… even the boring duties as the Fleuret heir didn’t look so bad now. All she wanted was to go back to her world, to her home, and feel safe.
But there was no time like the present. Stella decided that she would find a way to return to her world and forget that this adventure or whatever you like to call it, existed. She walked around Deling, with her blonde hair being caressed by the breeze, wondering where she would get a place to stay. She could try an hotel… she didn’t know if her munny was accepted there but it would well worth the shot. She couldn’t just sleep on a park bench in the middle of a town square of a world that she knew nothing about. With the latest events, Sephiroth could just pop out of nowhere and kill her on the spot. That was a no-no. She was brave enough once to fight him, but she had assistance. In a one on one battle, she knew that she wouldn’t stand a chance.
Stella walked around for about half an hour, till finding an hotel where her munny was accepted. “Thank the Goddess for that.”[/i] She couldn’t help but praying to Etro. Stella was in no mood of sleeping outdoors. All she really wanted now, was a drink, then go to her new room, take a long bubbly bath and crash into a comfortable bed, hopping that everything that happened was just a bad dream. And then she would awake back on Tenebrae, next to her mom and dad, and hopefully, closer to Noctis. A girl could dream right? It was the only thing that kept her going. The wish of seeing her family again. Her world. And go back to her normal boring routine. She wouldn’t even complain about it, as long as she was back. When she reached the bar –an elegant and apparently rich bar- she felt the music around her. At least they had music there. No bad. She could use some music to help her forget her latest problems. Stella needed the break. Smiling to the bartender, she took a sit on the counter, crossing her legs and throwing her hair behind her back. That movement seemed to attract more attention then she wanted, since several guys looked in her direction, probably wondering who that girl was. “Oh for the love of….”[/i] Stella thought to herself, ordering her drink to the bartender “Just listen to the music, finish your drink, and get the hell out of here to go to your room.”[/i][/size] |
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Post by laguna on Feb 2, 2012 21:39:29 GMT -5
As Stella walked in, there were many a man who gawked at her. Laguna was one of them, but only took a brief glance before bashfully looking away. Unfortunately for him, he was rather obvious about his subterfuge, since it looked like he was taking a sudden interest in the floor. It didn't help matters when his leg started cramping up on him. "Stupid leg," Laguna muttered, drawing a few glances from the people nearest to him, "Always happens at the worst moments. First Tifa, now this."
"Sir?"
"It wasn't me! It's Ward's fault!"
After that bit of awkwardness, Laguna realized it was a waitress carrying a tray with what could only be his food. "I said your food's here, sir." The waitress apparently repeated, with a look that rivaled Laguna's in the surprise department. Laguna scratched the back of his head and chuckled nervously. "O-Oh sorry... my mind's elsewhere at the moment." Laguna accepted the food and paid the waitress. The girl exchanged a glance at the Man with the Machine Gun, then shrugged, satisfied that she was paid and walked off. Laguna then turned and glanced at Stella again, who just finished glaring at the other gawkers and turned to enjoy her drink. Judging from the way she was dressed, she could've been a local, but Laguna had the feeling that wasn't the case. He couldn't pinpoint why he felt that way. Maybe it was that ol' reporter's instinct cropping up.
Laguna shrugged and went back to his food, his leg easing up on the cramps. The food would distract him for the moment, at least, but his mind still wanted to know why that woman was here in Deling City. However, every time Laguna thought about going up to talk to her, he just couldn't get the nerve. Then again, she seemed to not want company at the moment and Laguna knew better than to approach a woman who didn't want to be approached. Then again, it could've been because Laguna was being a big coward, but Laguna decided it was the former. He liked his pride undamaged.
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Post by stellanoxfleuret on Feb 12, 2012 15:48:47 GMT -5
Suddenly, something, or better someone, caught her attention. The man that was sitting not far from her seemed to be having some… “complications” with something. The sudden outburst from his part made Stella giggle. At last! Someone that made her laugh and forget her problems. Stella turned around, trying to catch a better glimpse of the guy. Long brown hair, a handsome face without any signs of beard and mysterious green eyes that immediately caught her attention. He was cute. “This isn’t the time to flirt around Stella!” She thought to herself. But still, curiosity took the best of her, and the princess of Tenebrae rose from her seat.
“Are you okay?” She asked in a shy manner to the handsome and yet funny man that had the most… explosive outburst a couple of seconds ago. “Do you need anything? Shall I call someone?” Stella wasn’t laughing or anything. For all she knew, he could have some kind of condition or something. If her father could see her right now. Talking to a stranger. Stella could almost hear her father’s voice in her head, in his harsh tone: “Young lady you are grounded!” Thank the Goddess her father wasn’t there and Stella wasn’t exactly flirting with anyone. She was just… curious? |
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Post by laguna on Feb 12, 2012 21:02:34 GMT -5
Laguna looked up to see who was concerned for him and swallowed his food as he saw that it was the woman who arrived earlier. Well... this was interesting. Laguna chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his head. The woman was even prettier up close and he noted that she seemed a lot kinder than he originally thought. "O-Oh! I'm fine, thanks! My leg just tends to cramp up every now and then." Laguna smiled up at Stella and decided it was now or never. Well, he didn't so much decide that as his journalism instinct kicked in at that moment and his mouth didn't exactly stop when his brain told it to.
"You're not from around here, are ya? I mean, from this world, that is. A lot of people have been travelling the worlds so it's always good to meet any new people." Laguna drank some water and then remembered where his manners. "Oh! I'm sorry, I completely forgot! My name's Laguna Loire, what's yours?" He then gave the woman his best friendly smile and offered his hand. Laguna loved making new friends, which made protecting them a bit more stressful than it needed to be. Good thing his friends could take care of themselves in a pinch.
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Post by stellanoxfleuret on Feb 13, 2012 6:04:01 GMT -5
“I’m Stella. Stella Nox Fleuret. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She shook Laguna’s hand and giggled. “You must be a very observant person, Mr. Loire.” The Fleuret heir took a sit next to Laguna, crossing her legs and leaning in, trying to make the conversation more private, away for curious ears. “So I see I’m not the only lost in these worlds. That is kind of a relieve to me.” She took a deep breath. Maybe… just maybe Noctis was also in those strange worlds. She hoped so. Thinking about being in such strange places without Noctis made her feel lonely. But at least now, she had Laguna to talk to. Maybe he could help her understand some stuff out.
“So…Mr. Loire.” Stella continued, putting a blond tress in the back of her ear “Do you know why I got here? I mean, the reason why people for other worlds are ending up in different places. All I remember was some shadow creatures attacking my home, and the other I was… someplace else.” Stella decided not to let him know the name of her home world. Laguna seemed to be trustworthy but for now, Stella decided to play safe. |
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Post by laguna on Feb 16, 2012 23:19:05 GMT -5
Laguna smiled. "Stella Nox Fleuret? That's a lovely name!" Laguna then instantly blushed and looked away a bit, but somehow didn't completely descend into babbling. If Stella knew how rare of an occasion this was, she'd have savored it. Laguna cleared his throat and turned back to the lovely woman, after he heard her compliment. "Well, I used to be a journalist, so I was always interviewing people. Eventually, I developed a knack for observing people." He then heard Stella's next statement and looked kinda surprised, until he realized he never specified that THIS was his homeworld. "Oh, right. Well, this is my homeworld. Although, it's been awhile since I've been back here. I've been on other worlds, helping out where I can. To be fair, though, I was pretty lost before I found people in need."
Laguna listened to Stella's question and it filled him with both concern and dread. He did not like what he had to say. He took a drink of water before he started to speak. "Well... from what my friends have told me and from my own experience, your world was attacked by those shadow monsters, which are called Heartless. They're monsters born from the Darkness in people's Hearts and they seek to devour every Heart they come across. I... I think they might have taken your world's Heart, destroying it." Laguna looked down and the look on his face said it all. He hated having to tell this woman her home was destroyed, that everything and everyone she knew was gone... or worse. But what else could he do? Besides, it was better him than someone like Sephiroth or Kefka gloating about it to her. And how could he lie to her?
Laguna clenched his fist and looked into Stella's eyes."Stella, you can't give up hope, though. This very world was once destroyed by the Heartless, too! But there're these guys out there called 'Keybladers' and they wield the Keyblade, which is the only way to put a permanent to the Heartless and they've restored worlds to their rightful state. So don't give up hope, Stella, your home will be back, good as new. If you find a Keyblader out there, help him or her as much as you can! Although... now I'm wondering if there's any evil Keybladers... huh. I hope not." Laguna sighed and tried to give Stella his best reassuring smile. "And I'll help ya as best as I can, if ya need a bodyguard... wow, that sounded like a bad pick-up line." Laguna gave a nervous chuckle at this. He really was bad around women.
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Post by stellanoxfleuret on Feb 19, 2012 15:59:50 GMT -5
Laguna kept going, telling her that the world she was in was his own home world, and as such, he knew the place fairly well. That was a relieve. Stella was afraid to get lost or end up somewhere filled with lunatics and homicidal maniacs like Sephiroth. Luck was on her side though, when she met Laguna. It was true, he talked a bit too much, but he was way better company then anyone else in that hotel. Laguna seemed friendly, charismatic and trustworthy. A breath of fresh air from all the turmoil that Stella was in.
Laguna finally mentioned the name of those creatures that attacked her Kingdom. Their name was ‘Heartless’. So she was right… they were creatures from a different world, and according to what Laguna was saying, they were created by the Darkness inside people’s hearts. Stella seemed serious while she listened to Laguna. Her Kingdom… her family… Were they safe? Was there any hope? According to Laguna Loire… barely.
“But how… How did those things get into my world?” Stella was visually worried about her Kingdom “I didn’t fight against the one person I care the most to end up having my Kingdom attacked by those Heartless!” When Stella realized that she talked too much it was too late. The Fleuret heir mentioned the fight against Noctis and the fact that she had a Kingdom due to being nervous. That wasn’t supposed to come out like that… So she tried to change the subject as quickly as she could, hoping that Laguna didn’t notice anything.
“And those… Keybladers. Why are they the ones that can vanquish those Heartless? And where am I supposed to find one, Laguna? And even if I find one, how am I supposed to go back to my world?” Tears were starting to form in her eyes. The pain and suffering were starting to get Stella. She was worried about her family. She was worried about her country. What if… there wasn’t any hope for them? |
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Post by laguna on Feb 24, 2012 22:38:06 GMT -5
Laguna frowned as he saw Stella get more and more stressed. Of course, who wouldn't become distressed at hearing that their home was probably destroyed or would be? Laguna moved himself closer to Stella, not to hit on her but because it looked like she needed a friend and considering her surroundings, Laguna was probably the only friend she had around at the moment. "How did Leon explain this..." Laguna responded to Stella's first question, wracking his brain for the answer. He did notice her mentioning a kingdom, but didn't press it. "Heartless use these "Corridors of Darkness" to travel to other worlds. Other creatures can use them, too. It apparently circumvents the physical distance needed to travel them, which is why the Heartless get around so easily and quickly." Laguna nodded to himself, sure that he got it right.
Laguna listened to Stella's other questions, noting her increasing distress. "As for the Keybladers, their Keyblade is the only thing that releases the Hearts consumed by the Heartless and puts a permanent end to the buggers. As for where to find one, I'm a bit lost on the answer to that one, myself. But I've been tasked with searching for one called Sora and protecting him. Hopefully, if I can, I'll see what we can do about restoring your world and getting you home." The ex-reporter then gave Stella a gentle pat on the back. "Listen... believe it or not, before the Heartless hit this world, I was President of a city called Esther here. It's a long story, believe me, but the point is that I kinda know what you're feeling. You're worried about your people, your family and your friends. I was and, really, I still am. But the best thing you can do is be strong for them and don't give up hope, ok? After all, they're waiting for you back home and you don't wanna make them worry by moping about them all the time, eh?" Laguna gave Stella his best friendly smile and poured a glass of water for Stella from the pitcher. He put the glass next to her. Sure, it was no wine, but Laguna wasn't a big drinker.
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Post by stellanoxfleuret on Feb 25, 2012 5:53:00 GMT -5
As the ex-reporter continued, Stella smiled. Laguna was a decent guy. He barely even knew her and he was trying to give his all to calm her down. It was something that Noctis could have done as well. Thinking on the Prince made her heart ache. They still had unfinished business but for now… that had to wait. The Tenebrae Princess listened while Laguna reassured her that her world would be okay, that she didn’t need to worry about because… if she had faith, they would be alright. Stella wished he was right. If something happened to her family due to those Heartless creatures… She had no idea of what to do.
Then Laguna mentioned that he was looking for a Keyblader named Sora and how he was looking for him to protect the boy. Maybe if Stella joined Laguna in his search, things would be easier. Maybe if they found Sora and she explained what happened, the Keyblader would come with her to save her world. Stella would be forever in his debt but she didn’t care. Her family was the most important thing in the world. With a gentle smile, she thanked Laguna for the glass of water, taking a small sip. So many things happening at once. Heartless, leaving her world, villains with power to destroy worlds, the fact that she did not know where Noctis was… At least getting to know Laguna was the best thing that happened to her ever since she got lost between worlds.
“Thank you…Laguna.” Stella smiled back to the man, trying to suppress her tears “You are really a gentleman. You were the only person that really cared about how I fell.”Stella taped his knee “Thank you… really.” The Fleuret heir had a new resolve now. After what Laguna said to her, there was only one thing she could do right now. “Laguna… do you mind if I tag along to search for that Keyblader named Sora? It would be my way of thanking you for this.” |
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Post by laguna on Feb 26, 2012 22:51:29 GMT -5
Laguna nodded and smiled. He liked Stella and hoped her home could be restored to its original form and that this war she and another person they had would cease. Laguna thought so, considering what the world was going through. Then again, he was a hopeless optimist, even on a bad day. Then Stella thanked and complimented Laguna and all of his cool, friendly exterior was immediately taken over by awkwardness. Luckily, his knee didn't decide to cramp up on him this time, but the ex-reporter did blush a nice, dark red as he scratched the back of his head. "Eheheh, you're too nice, Stella." he said, still smiling his friendly smile. Then when she asked him if he could join, he nodded a bit more enthusiastically than he intended. "Of course! The more, the merrier and I'm sure Sora wouldn't mind the extra friend to tag along! And who knows, maybe will find your world safe and sound!" Laguna said that last bit in a way that conveyed that it was not merely a ham-handed way to comfort Stella, but that he truly believed it.
Laguna finished the last of his dinner and his drink, thinking to himself. There was a world nearby this one called, "Castle of Dreams", or at least that's what the onboard computer on his gummy ship told him. Perhaps that was the next place to go. Laguna told Stella this and about his gummy ship, so that there was no confusion. Then again, Laguna himself was a little lost on what the gummies were, but the others of the Restoration Committee didn't exactly seem to know either. Finally, after Laguna paid for his meal, he smiled at Stella and said, "Well, unless there's any more questions, I'm ready to go when you are!"
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