route_1065 | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who:

angelicdelights
Where: Violet
When: BACKDATED LIKE WHOA to Friday, March 4th, evening.
Summary: Leon meets Rinoa, with Quistis for ~~background commentary~~ ~~shenanigans~~ ~~extra badassery~~ backup. Headcanon ahoy.
Rating: ...T? Possible language, I guess.
Log:
The sun dipped low on the horizon, spreading an orange stain like ink in water. It was quiet in town; Leon was making his slow way back to the inn from the pokemart, following an uneventful day of waiting for Yuffie to arrive. Violet was beyond familiar now, with the Sprout Tower in the distance, stark against the darkening sky. With the pokemon center and the adjacent inn both well in sight, he was looking forward to dropping off his extra things and dedicating the evening to training. He felt restless with Aerith gone and the other Yuffie in Goldenrod, so he was eager to get back on the road; he had an odd, niggling feeling that bad things were on their way.

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[ Quistis strolls leisurely in the fading daylight with Rinoa. The two of them have just come from dinner at the restaurant, and they're meandering back to the inn, neither of them in any hurry. The evenings are finally getting warmer. ]

— so I was fighting this Malboro, and suddenly it starts shrinking, right? And turning blue. It turned into a Tangela. ... And now I want a Tangela.

[ Quistis laughs as she wraps up what sounds like a bizarre little anecdote, and hopefully, a dream. ]

[ The younger girl is listening calmly to Quistis's little tale, smiling and taking the time to relax. It was really nice, to just be able to hang out like this, no world-changing duties hanging over their heads. ]

A Tangela? I think they might be too cute to be malboros! [ Rinoa gives a chuckle of her own. ] I guess I can see some resemblance, though...

[ She is doing her best to mentally compare the two, silly story or not. ]

[ He comes to an abrupt stop as he hears--then sees--them coming up the path, throat and stomach suddenly in knots. He glances behind him--the mart--and ahead--the girls, the center--wondering if he should just turn tail. He doesn't want to deal with this right now. Sadly, his fraction of hesitation is a split second too long, because he's become quite visible. Fortunately, his deer-in-headlights feeling is mostly internal. ]

[ Quistis is about to make a case for traveling far enough north to capture a Tangela when she catches sight of a familiar face and brightens slightly. ]

Leon! [ She catches Rinoa, linking their arms together, and tugs her along to approach him. ]

[ Rinoa doesn't notice Leon until Quistis calls his name, and by then, she figures it's best to just give in and go with the flow. She's not the most confident about approaching him—after all, she gets the feeling that he doesn't like her very much, and she's not sure what she thinks about him—but that's a challenge to her, and she's willing to take it.

So, she sums up her energy and gives him a cheery smile. ] Hello again!

[ He's considerably tense by the time the pair arrive, gaze locked on Rinoa. He tries to keep a calm facade, but he's inwardly drowning. Leon has always made a point of being competent--and right now he has no idea what to do. ]

...Hello, Quistis. [ A brief pause, where he contemplates saying something, but he just nods in the other one's direction by way of greeting. He attempts to smooth over the tightness in his face, but he still looks stiff. ]

[ At Leon's lack of proper greeting for Rinoa, Quistis hesitates just slightly. She never did find out exactly what Leon's problem was, but she'd rather thought he'd gotten over it, at least to a functional point. Now seems like the telling moment. ]

... How's Violet treating you? I imagine it must be boring, after Goldenrod and beyond.

[ It takes everything within Rinoa not to snap and call out his behavior—in any other situation she would, but Quistis was here and was Leon's friend and was trying to have a conversation, so she figured she could wait until a less inconvenient moment.

...Even though she really wanted to know what the hell was up with him. Seriously, he couldn't even spare a hello? Mrr. Well, she'll hold her tongue for now and let Quistis finish talking, even if her facial features may give off some of that irritation. ]

[ It's obvious that he's making them upset, which is only feeding into his discomfort, which only makes him want to get away more. But he tries to quell it--he's had time to think about this, and really, it's unfair to heap his insecurities and failings on a young woman who isn't even...isn't even...

Quistis asked him a question. He should answer. ]

It's--it's okay. It's familiar, obviously, but I wouldn't call it boring. [ It's actually a relief, to be talking, since it allows him to focus on something that isn't the elephant in the room. ]

It's a relaxing little town, don't you find?

[ The last question is aimed at the both of them; this is Leon, making an effort. ]

[ Quistis can feel the metaphorical ice cracking under their feet. But, hey, Leon looked like he was talking to both of them, there. That's... something, right? Honestly, she'd like to think she's just imagining the tension, that Leon's lack of greeting to Rinoa wasn't intentional or awkward, but she can't just make herself socially blind.

And if this is going to blow up, it's going to blow up even if they're tiptoeing. Quistis decides not to bother. ]

Well, you've had a break from it. [ She means to laugh, but it doesn't quite happen. ] Rinoa and I have been here for... two months, now? And I was here for another five weeks before that.

[ She smiles over at Rinoa. ] I think it's time to move on, don't you?

[ Rinoa opens her mouth, letting the withheld air come out in a rush. She's still Not Happy, but...well, she can make an effort, too. For now, anyway. She turns towards Quistis slightly with a smile. ]

Yeah....I'm ready to go see what else there is here! [ Turning back, still smiling. ] There's only so much to do in one town.

[ Okay, okay, he can do this. Talking about towns. This is easy. He's...not relaxed, still far from it, but he's relaxing, which is a step in the right direction. ]

That's right--neither of you has seen Goldenrod yet. [ A brief nod. Plenty to do, there. Should keep the both of them occupied. ] Going through the passage up north, or down through Azalea?

South.

[ Quistis' answer is decisive, but not too quick. She's not in a hurry to put the conversational ball back in Leon's court, since he seems to be struggling slightly. ]

We can't pass the other direction yet; we've never been to Azalea, either. But there's a gym down there that I expect no trouble with. Bug-type, right?

We were....going to go through that one cave, weren't we?

[ Because Rinoa remembers picturing them camping out in a cave, all huddled around a fire. ]

Oh, are you going to go for your next badge, Quisty? I bet it'll be another great battle!

[ He gives Quistis a--slightly approving--nod. ]

You shouldn't have too much trouble against Bugsy. Just watch out for that Scizor.

[ It's weak to fire, but she should remember that since she saw his battle--there was a lot of enthusiastic Skarmory screeching after that fight, he recalls.

At Rinoa's comment, he looks over, and his eyes catch on the soft curve of her jaw, her cheek. His mouth is dry for a split second. He gives up on telling her it's called Union Cave, instead turning his attention back to Quistis. Now that he's had a moment to compose himself, his face is a mask of politeness and interest. He's a bit angry at himself for letting this much tension show--he's never been one for displays--but being so close to her is unnerving in ways he can't quite express. ]

Edited 2011-03-20 16:37 (UTC)

Union Cave. [ Quistis confirms it, instead, but her eyes are on Leon. He's obviously trying, but the results are less than perfect. This is frustrating, and not just for him. ]

I have a Dusclops that knows Will O' Wisp. He's... also level 83. [ She makes a little face. ] It feels a little cheap, but — catching and training a fire-type would take a lot more time, and I don't plan to stay in Azalea long, unless Rinoa takes a liking to it.

Yeah, that's right! I knew it was something like that... [ Rinoa nods, absentmindedly lifting a hand to rub at her cheek after having noticed Leon's gaze. Did she have something on her face?

She....really doesn't have much to add to this discussion of gym battles, though, except for responding to Quistis's last comment. ]

If you want to move on quickly afterwards, I don't mind. I'm eager to see what's in Goldenrod!

[ He'd answer that Will-o-Wisp only inflicts a burn rather than deal actual fire damage, but he's sensing a lull in the conversation he can use. At Rinoa's comment, he gives the two girls a polite nod, moving to break away. ]

I hope you have a safe trip.

[ For what it's worth, he's sincere. ] ...I should go.

[ So close to freedom-- ]

[ Quistis eyes Leon briefly, but she's already nodding. Keeping him here any longer just invites trouble, she's sure. Rinoa's likely already offended, and Quistis is a little surprised the conversation has gone on this long, especially civilly. ]

Travel safely, yourself, Leon.

[ Okay, Rinoa can manage a goodbye, even as awkward as this all was. There'll be plenty of time to confront him later, surely. ]

Enjoy your trip! [ Because you really need to lighten up, gosh. ]

[ --and he's out. Most tense and awkward ten minutes of his life, and that's saying something because it's Leon. He pauses, giving Rinoa a last glance. ]

Thanks.

[ And just like that, he turns away from them, heading down the road. Visible now, embroidered on the back of his jacket, are two red wings in a very familiar design. It's not an exact replica, but then again, he was never very good at sewing--he still isn't. ]

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