route_1065 | Catching Up

Entry tags:

Catching Up

Who: Hope Estheim (

eagletalons), Lightning Farron (

soggypastry), Oerba Dia Vanille(

hipstermark)
Where: Pewter City, Kanto.
When: August 26, late. (backdated)
Summary: A long overdue talk between siblings.
Rating: PG.
Log:

[The problem with determined runners? They put some major distance between themselves and the ones chasing them. Lightning knows this. It doesn't stop her frustration from being visible as she and Hope finally ride into Pewter after Vanille, and they've all had better weeks at this point. Enough was enough. She wasn't getting away again, if they had to tear apart the whole city to find her. Or, now that they had slowed, they could just release and follow the Arcanine. They at least would know where they were going.]

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[Vanille was planning on leaving tonight. She'd gotten her Mamoswine all rested up, it should be fine going towards the forest...

But, on the other hand? She was tired. She was tired of running - of hiding. She couldn't run forever - at home, or here.

That's why she hasn't left yet - she's still outside the Pokemon Center, giving a bit of a rubdown to Fang.]

[Oh, they could just release the dogs, which Hope is already doing, snapping his fingers at Villiers to get his attention.] Go track down a Mamoswine-- you remember what Dust smells like, right?

But don't venture out of the city, or you would get lost.

[Hope has a pensive look though, running through possibilities in his head as he turns to Lightning as he tugs lightly on Sleipnir's ear to keep him from moving around too much.] Lucky?

[For his part, Odin is just pawing at the ground while Lightning looks around for that telltale flash of melon-colored hair. When Hope speaks to her, however, she nods. Releasing the hounds is their best option, and so she reaches for her belt to grab at Lucky's ball. But she's got another plan of her own, so alongside her own firedog, who charges after Villiers because two noses on the same trail are better than one, Zan hits the ground and "mrowr?"s up at Lightning.]

Find Vanille. [He's not a tracker and if he could speak he'd tell Trainer that in words she actually understood rather than just the lashing of his tail as he trots on ahead with gleaming eyes. Lightning, however, turns back to Hope.]

We should check the Center or the Mart. She'd have had to restock after a Gym battle. Maybe someone saw her recently.

Edited 2013-08-30 05:08 (UTC)

[But all this noise? Vanille herself hasn't heard the two have arrived, but one of her Pokemon has. Her brand-new-revived Cranidos, Ram, was going for a bit of a run around before getting deposited as Vanille made her way to the next city, but.

Hey.

Hey. Isn't that Lightning? And White Hair, too? Don't mind the Cranidos (with a few ribbons around his arm, in that Vanille way of telling which Pokemon are hers) running into the scene - excited! Oh, this is going to be fun, the family is back! (Even if Vanille doesn't want it.)]

[Sleipnir throws his head back at the stranger going towards them, because he does not know this particular Cranidos at all. The movement startles Hope, and one hand flies to his belt for another Pokéball.

The ribbons around the Pokémon's arm tell him that this Cranidos has an owner, but he doesn't know who yet and its trainer doesn't seem to be around yet, and it may be the beginnings of a trainer battle, which they really don't need right now.]

[Odin sidesteps away from the Cranidos, as startled as Sleipnir. Lightning doesn't startle quite as badly, but having raised herself up to look around she nearly loses her seat anyway. Her mount snorts at the little rock dinosaur at their feet, but without a trainer in sight...Lightning shakes her head as she regains her balance. They don't have time for this.]

Just ignore it, Hope. It can't do much.

[Doesn't look like it can do much, at least. Odin snorts again, but then steps ahead at Lightning's urging. They really don't have time.]

[It gives a bit of a grunt, though - why are you here? Trainer said they wouldn't be here for another day, when they'd be gone.

It should go back to trainer and let her know the good news! The Cranidos let out a grunt, as it ran off, towards the Center.]

Hmmm. [That's all he has to say in reply to Lightning, watching the Cranidos.

In the distance, he can see the tell-tale roof of a Pokémon Center, in the same direction the Pokémon is headed towards. It's quite simple to put two and two together.]

If we follow it, it will likely get it to the closest route to the Pokémon Center.

[With a soft 'hmm' of her own, Lightning shifts and sends Odin off at a trot after the little dino. It's faster than it looks, but nothing a pair of fire horses can't keep up with.

When the Center doors are within visual range, however, Lightning frowns. There she is. Finally. If they move too quickly, however, they risk sending Vanille running again. They can catch up, sure, but...]

Ride around to the side and flank her. I'll cut her off from the front.

[Why take that chance? Why take the chance this'll turn into a sprint at all?]

[Luckily - Vanille has finished brushing her Mamoswine, but... she's still there, now resting, holding Fang close. Her Yamask has noticed the running Cranidos, though, and lets out a small eep.

Before hiding behind Vanille. Some sort of distraction? Well, yes and no. Ram is just biting at the timid Yamask, though, and Vanille is trying to stop them from it.

It's almost too easy.]

Understood.

[Hope is still not a fan of ghosts, and with Villiers not around right now, he's very pointedly not going to get off Sleipnir any time soon just for the stealth.

So he directs his horse around the long and slow way with just simple walking, far enough that they wouldn't be heard, but close enough that Hope can keep an eye on everyone. He waits around the back corner of the Center, looking like a loitering tourist instead of someone on the lookout.]

[Almost too easy, but after all this running? Lightning's not wasting a chance. As soon as Hope's in position, she moves, Odin lifting his hooves at a brisk clip to get there before Vanille can realize what's going on and turning sideways to become a wall of horse at Lightning's direction. Should buy them some time, but the former soldier stays mounted up as well. It's just faster that way...but it doesn't keep her from speaking.]

Vanille.

[The anger and frustation from that audio call earlier is still there, a little. Someone's in for a lecture when all is said and done.]

[That voice cuts though the air, and Vanille suddenly stops. Suddenly, she looks around... both of them.

She can't run anymore, can she? Both of them are here... with a slight slump, Vanille looks to Lightning.]
Yes?
[Her voice sounds defeated, mixed with the slightest bit of fear. What's going to happen now?]

[Well, he's not going anywhere near a ghost, so he stays put. Dismounts from Sleipnir, yes, but doesn't go near.

So instead he places two fingers into his mouth and whistles for both Villiers and Lucky-- hopefully they hear him and get the hint. After all, he has his own whistle.

For now, Lightning can deal with Vanille.]

[She can and will deal with Vanille, quickly dismounting and letting Odin take his nervous few steps away from Fang and Ram--he does not want to be within range if either charges thank you--while forfor their part, Lucky comes ambling in at a lazy trot with Zan not far behind shortly after the whistle--they did learn that one back at the house and know it's best to listen--though while Lucky parks herself by Hope, Zan pads on over to Vanille. Scritches?

..well. At least someone's happy to see her. For her part, Lightning crosses her arms over her chest and takes a couple steps closer. No more running.]

You mind telling me why you ran away like that?

[In the middle of the night and without warning. Etro, the things that might have happened...]

[--Woah hi Zan. Vanille's expression has turned to sadness, though - she can't tell them, can she? She was scared. It was another birthday, and she missed home. She didn't want this to happen, she wanted to hide from her own past. She does place a hand on the Luxray, though - and lets out a bit of a sigh.]
I wanted to take on a gym. [This isn't a lie - but, then, why Pewter? She isn't saying more - but, she does take a step backwards. That look in her eyes - she can't run, but she wants to.
What are they both going to do? What's going to happen next?]

[Lucky does get scratched behind the ears for her trouble. Meanwhile, Villiers is just a few paces behind Lucky, and parks himself at Hope's feet-- literally on top of his feet. But even with the two dogs and his horse, he refuses to go near the ghost.

He does however speak loud enough to let his voice carry.]

You could have told us that you had planned to challenge a gym. [And the tone in his voice says he thinks that excuse is utter Bouffalantshit.]

There's also a Gym in Vermillion. If that's the reason, you didn't have to run off in the middle of the night. [Her tone isn't much different than Hope's, and Lightning frowns. If Vanille's about to bolt again...she holds her ground.]

What's the real reason you left without telling anyone?

[Without so much as a note or word or warning. Something's going on here. Even Lightning can tell. They just need to know what.]

[A tense moment passes, before Vanille replies. But in that moment, Lucy puts a hand to Vanilles' thigh - to where, under her skirt, her frozen brand lies...
And Vanille nods, biting her lip. Neither of them believed her, huh? Of course they wouldn't. They... well, they'd both been to Pulse, at the very least. With her? Without her? She has no idea.
But... when she speaks again, her voice is quiet - but it carries well, at least.]
I... I didn't want to stay with you.
[Because she doesn't know what they know. Because she's scared of what they might know. Her hands are trembling, she does look like she does not like this. But she isn't running.]

Is that so.

[Now Hope's voice is flat. He doesn't believe all of that, but it doesn't mean he thinks it's completely false. After all, she'd run away, so there's something he doesn't want them to see or know.]

[Well. That stings. That stings a bit, and while Lightning's tone doesn't go flat, her face does. Something is most definitely wrong here.]

And why is that?

[Half-answers. Half-truths. She's had enough and it shows in her eyes, in how her knuckles have turned white where they grip her arms. Enough is enough. If she doesn't get the truth now, she's going to start yelling. Probably.]

[The words come straight out.]
Because I should be dead.
[A few tears have appeared - Vanille isn't quite ready for this, but - she'd never be ready. She still hadn't had time to understand why Sazh saved her - she didn't have time, she was too busy absorbing herself into this world - to be honest, she was trying to push what happened before she arrived her out of her head. She could... she could start a new life.]
I was captured, and I should have died.
[But fate had a different plan for her. There's no lies in here - this is what she believes, truly. She's still got a hand on Zan - but her other one has gone to Fang. She wishes the real Fang was here, she really does.
But these two are here now, and they're going to get their answers. She tried to hide it. But she can't run forever.]

[Now that's where Hope raises an eyebrow, because what in the world is she talking about. He looks over her head at Lightning, tilting his head a little to the side and mouthing 'Palamecia?']

You mean you were captured and taken into the airship.

[Lightning nods faintly in response. Palamecia is the only thing that makes sense; it had been the only time any of their own had been actually captured. It also answers a lot of questions as to why Vanille had been so damned stubborn about not answering the proverbial "when". That had...been a rough time all around.]

Taken from Nautilus with Sazh, right? To be executed aboard that airship?

[Or at least, that's how things had seemed to be going.]

[There's no need for words now, is there? Vanille can feel those tears returning - as she lets go of Zan, just gripping to Fang. For her part, the Mamoswine is just standing there, letting this happen.]
Mhm...
[She lets out that small noise, with a nod. Of course they knew about when she was from... they were from the future, right? That's what it seemed like. But Vanille was scared of what might have happened in the future.]

[Well, that's one mystery down.]

You didn't die. While you were imprisoned, we were in another airship with Fang and planning on rescuing you. Or even already in the Palamecia, making our way to free you.

[Zan 'mrowr?'s up at Vanille, wondering why her hands have left his fur, but Lightning just sighs and lets her grip on her arms relax. That explains so much.]

I told you, didn't I? We all survive. [She puts emphasis on "all" this time, taking a slow step closer to Vanille. Hope won't get closer--she knows why and doesn't blame him--but someone has to.] You and Sazh do, too. They don't get a chance to go through with that execution.

[They make in time. Fang and Vanille are reunited. They make it to Pulse. Things were okay. She has to know that.]

[They all survive... she was told that before. But in the back of her mind, Vanille still didn't know.
She still didn't know if she should believe it - but, the way the two talk about it... why would they lie? She looks up from the brown fur, towards Lightning... giving a slight glance to Hope, as well.
But, Vanille just looks... a little doubtful. Another shake of her head, a slight grunt.]
You all-- Fang was with you? [That's not the most important thing, Vanille.] How could you break in like that? [That ship... the Palamecia... it seemed impossible to get out of, to Vanille - from what she'd seen of it, before waking up with 'mother'.]

Fang had a plan-- or rather, the division she'd collaborated with had a plan.

[How to explain Raines to her... though it probably doesn't matter right now.] After you had gotten separated, Fang began to work with the Cavalry in order to find you. In return, they had her find us, to stop what the Sanctum wanted to do with us and to overthrow the government.

They allowed us to infiltrate the Palamecia by transporting us in a gunship, pretending to be PSICOM soldiers.

They knew we were there from the minute we landed, but we weren't going to let that stop us. Fang wasn't going to let that stop her. [And they got dragged in her wake, mostly. It had certainly been something, that charge through the ship.]

By the time we caught up, you two had already broken yourselves out. After that...[she shrugs.] We took the fight to the Primarch, who was really a fal'Cie pulling the Sanctum's strings from the inside. Everything that had happened to us was because of him.

[Serah...maybe even the Vestige itself. Even almost three years later, that thought still makes her blood boil and she clenches her fists.]

We ended up in an Ark somewhere in Cocoon after we got off the Palamecia. Didn't take long to get to Pulse from there.

[It took a little for Vanille to even react - all these things being said to her. It didn't make sense yet - but, she knows these two. Even if it's not as much as they trust her, she... trusts them.
And, so, the first thing she does?]
Lucy - I think it's time for you to get some sleep, okay? [...She withdraws her Yamask, putting the Pokeball away, giving it a smile. To be honest, she didn't feel safe discussing this out here. But - she then looks between the two of them, hands still buried in the (confused) Mamoswine.
There's still so much to process, though - and Vanille doesn't want to claim to know it all. Because she doesn't.] So - we all went to Pulse, something happened... and then we, well, survived? [Which she doesn't get. As she speaks, though - she's clearly trying to look a little stronger, stand a little taller.]

I'm here, just like this. It should be enough, shouldn't it?

[Waves a hand at himself. All of himself.]

We survived Gran Pulse. [And he emphasizes the locals' name for it, to let her know that yes, he really does know all about the world than what typical Cocoon citizens do.] Then we returned to Cocoon.

[In Lightning's eyes, Hope being here and so much older is all the proof anyone would need that things ended well enough. But even she can tell Vanille's not totally convinced, and so she nods.]

We went back to Cocoon and took out Orphan, the fal'Cie keeping it running. After that...[Over Vanille's head, she glances at Hope. They should tell her the truth. That she and Fang sacrificed themselves to save their Cocoon family and Cocoon itself. But she can't. Not now. She shrugs, trying to act casual.] We were back on Pulse, making a new life for ourselves. That's the last thing I can remember before I was brought here.

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Catching Up

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I am so sorry this reply is so late. I really am.

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