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 Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2010 7:35 pm
Serah was sitting on a small bench inside the mall, a shopping bag next to her. She cupped a drink in both of her hands, sipping it quietly through the straw. Brown eyes watched the crowd passing by, lifting her head to look up at the Christmas decorations hanging in Destiny City's mall.
Even more so than other years, the wide array of extravagance that Destiny city selected, was absolutely stunning. It would have even been more impressive in the evening light but instead, cloudy skies had yet to darken. The weather was getting progressively colder with harsh winds and heavier blizzards. Serah determined, if she headed home soon, she could avoid the next incoming blizzard.
Of course, she could just avoid it if she simply teleported.
Unfolding her posture to exit the mall, something-- or rather, somebody caught her eye. They looked different.. but that figure was vaguely familiar from a faraway memory. Serah had rarely met the girl herself, the vast difference between their ranks gave Serah only rare sightings of the person in question. She ran forward to catch the tan arm, her shopping bag draped noisily on her other arm.
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 8:10 am
Window shopping wasn't anything new to Alairi. She'd always enjoyed going to the mall to see what the latest fashions for the year were and then turning around and going home to sew her own versions.
This time was different. She'd left her sewing machine behind when she'd run away. Now, she needed to buy clothes that didn't look like her. She'd already taken care of her hair a couple of days ago. And even as she fingered the fabric of a cute tunic dress, her free hand reached up to play with the short, spiky mess. She'd felt some of the odd looks that had been directed her way today. Maybe the demented peacock look was a little too standout. But if was different from her normal rainbow stripes. That had to count for something, right?
Alairi became lost in wistful thought as she considered whether or not she wanted the tunic. It wasn't until she felt a hand at her elbow that she stiffened and turned, hand already swinging to catch whomever it was upside the head. She couldn't get found by her family! Not right now. Except it wasn't her family. It was a co-worker. With lightning rapidity, she managed to turn what would have been a fight-starting slap into a one armed bear hug. Granted, she and the other girl weren't what you could call close, but it was the first friendly face that Alairi had run into who wasn't likely to try and ship her back to her family. Hugs were only a natural reaction as far as Alairi was concerned.
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 12:53 pm
Serah grabbed the young girl's arm, realizing there might have been a less abrupt way to do so but caught up in emotion, Serah hadn't thought that a battle-experienced civilian might react in a hostile manner. But she must have mistaken it, since what seemed like it might have been hostile quickly changed to an amiable meeting. Serah definitely hadn't been expecting a hug from the previously-rainbow streaked lieutenant. But nevertheless, her arms wrapped around Alairi in an affable embrace, her voice laced with concern.
"I wasn't mistaken after all. You look different, but I'm just being Ms. Obvious by stating you have a haircut. But it looks nicely different on you!" Serah took a step back to examine the girl's new look, remembering her with her long twin tailed hair. She paused and gave her a soft smile, tipping her head in a brief sentence that portrayed all of their relationship. Comrades but brief acquaintances. Like most of their dark allies, there were a few close relationships and more distanced ones.
"It's been quite some time, hasn't it?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 4:44 pm
"Just a bit," Alairi responded drily, a genuine smile forming on her face. "Your ankle healed up fine, no? Looks like those landing lessons worked out for you."
For what felt like the first time in ages, Alairi laughed, recalling the first time she'd met Serah. Sure, she'd seen the other girl at meetings and such, but they hadn't really spent much time together outside of those few days where Alairi had helped the other girl learn how to land so she wouldn't hurt herself.
Definitely quite some time.
"It.. was time for a change," she replied with a small edge to her voice. She definitely did not want to share details. Especially not with someone who outranked her. "And thank you, I'll probably end up liking it eventually. It's the first time I ever cut it myself."
Putting a hand to her head, she smoothed down some of the spikes self-consciously before smiling again, this time with a hint of chagrin.
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 8:44 pm
"Of course. I had an excellent teacher!" Serah gave her a thumbs up, looking over the girl's new look. After several minutes, it grew on you actually. Catching the negative emotion in the other's gesture, Serah took her hand abruptly, shaking her head furiously.
"Don't do that Alairi! It may not have grown on you yet but it will. You cut it so be proud!" Serah encouraged, leaving the girl no room to argue. Regardless of rank, it seemed Serah was just like usual. Did rank matter to her? Most decidedly not.
"So what are you doing on this fine and freezing winter day?" Serah inquired, looking around at the bustling mall. Bags hung off her hand, some with clothes and some with trinkets. They shook, items shuffling when Serah moved but form the careless way she was treating them, they must not have been too fragile.
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Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:18 am
Be proud of cutting her own hair? Well, maybe. Most likely she would have been bursting with pride had the circumstances of her decision to chop been different.
She shook her head a tiny bit to dispel some of her gloom and tilted her head slightly to one side as she considered Serah's question.
"Trying to blend in, I suppose," she sighed. "I was hoping to find some clothes that didn't resemble my style too closely, but do you have any idea how hard it is to try and completely change the things that make you you?"
Her last word sounded more like a choked sob that an actual word. Now that she had someone she could talk to, all the frustration and worry of the last few days was leaking out from the facade of almost perfect calm that she normally wore. Alairi missed her family, she missed her hair and most of all, she missed being able to be herself.
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Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:29 pm
When it seemed that Alairi's wall started chipping away in front of the pink-haired girl, Serah repeated what Alairi had done previously, pulling the girl into a one-armed hug. It would be fair to say that Serah had no clue as to what Alairi was referring to when the girl replied to Serah's question. But she might be able to guess if one considered the most recent circumstances.
It seemed, along with their abilities, they were given hardship that should have been given much later in life. Such choices shouldn't have been made so early but forced upon them, it didn't matter if they could or couldn't deal with it. They simply had to. Most regrettably, some had to deal with more than others. Alairi was one of them.
"You're on the way there." Serah whispered, unable to give the standard comforting words such as: 'Oh, you dont have to change' or 'You'll still be you.' That type of comfort was shallow, given only by people who didn't completely understand the situation and merely passed out words like cards on a poker table.
Serah looked around the bustling mall, shaking her head. She turned her attention back to the female in front of her, her hand raising, one finger up ina gesture, she had an idea! "If it's clothes you want, why don't you come over to my place? If you don't mind the "cute" style over your sophisticated one." She gestured to her own attire, which was.. well, different.
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Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:14 am
Still clinging to the tunic, which she'd decided she wanted after all, Alairi gave a nod. Granted, she was no stranger to cute fashions, but she was more quirky cute. Serah skipped the quirky entirely and went right for cute's throat.
"We are close to the same size, I would guess," Alairi murmured, some of her gloom lifting at the thought of playing dress up for a little while. "And my afternoon is wide open as far as time goes. So, sure. Just let me pay for this first?"
This time she hugged Serah hard, crushing the tunic between them, but she didn't care. Someone understood and wouldn't be trying to placate her with stupid, meaningless cliches. It was amazing how much that helped. With a slightly hesitant smile, she darted towards the cash register to pay for the tunic as well as some leggings and a pair of boots she'd asked the cashier to hold for her. Once she'd handed over the money and collected her bags, she looked expectantly at Serah.
"Okay, I think I'm ready. Just help me remember that I need to go back to my hotel before it gets too late? The front desk guy tends to think that I'm out selling drugs or whoring if I go back to my room late at night. 'S annoying."
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Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:03 pm
Friendship was quickly developing between the two (possibly, shortest?) girls in the negaverse. Whether that would fade as quickly as it was made or would last, this long-term result was unpredictable. Serah easily relaxed into Alairi's hug, her heart lightened by the fact she hadn't made a completely failing effort to raise the other's spirits. Above all else, the negaverse was simply human. She watched the girl run off to the cashier, waiting outside the busy store until Aliairi soon rejoined her.
Serah frowned immediately as Alairi spoke next, her frown deepening. "Your hotel? That's not going to do. You pay extra for service that isn't even worth your money!" Serah shook her head, flipping open her cell phone, scrolling down her contacts list to call for a ride. She spoke as she looked down at her phone, her fingers pressing a series of buttons that indicated a text message.
"Why don't you crash at my place? I can't guarantee the privacy a hotel provides but we've got a decent cook and room on hand. The only downside is my brother's living there too but one quick hit--" One hand did a chopping motion to indicate her point, "-- gets him out quick enough. But honestly, it's difficult enough to rouse him out of slumber."
.. She deliberately paused, brown eyes peering up at Alairi's ones. "Besides.. a hotel.. is pretty easy to track. Even if you were to pay in cash .." Serah knew nothing of Alairi's circumstances except for the implication that she might not want to be found.
A hotel only increased those chances.
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Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:20 am
For a moment, Alairi was completely and utterly flabbergasted. She hadn't really thought of trying to stay at anyone else's place. In part because she didn't want to be an imposition and in part because she hadn't wanted to put any of her schoolmates into harm's way by simple association. But Serah knew about Alairi's double life and shared in it to some degree. Why had she not thought of somethign like this before?
"I... I don't know what to say," she began in a soft, slightly quivery voice that was brimming over with sincere gratitude. "Except thank you, Serah. I accept. Is it okay if we stop over at the hotel though so I can get my stuff? It's.. kind of seedy and there are some things I would rather didn't get stolen."
Seedy was an understatement. She was pretty certain that Serah would have a fit once she saw the neighborhood. Still, beggars couldn't be choosers and the place had served its purpose. And Serah's reminder that even cash could be tracked if someone looked hard enough had hit home. She knew her parents wouldn't let a lack of paper trail stop them. No, it was better to go with Serah and simply lie low.
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Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 9:44 pm
"Naturally. I'll ash him to drop by on the way. Speak of the devil.." A blond man stood by the entrance of the mall, his brown eyes concentrated on his phone. He looked up, around, his eyes searching the crowds. Serah took Alairi's arm gently but firmly, leading her towards the male. Now that the female had accepted, there was no going back. She sprung the news before he could speak, tugging on his shirt sleeve excitedly.
"Thanks for coming to pick me up. I was thinking.." At this point, she tugged Alairi forward to meet the older resident of their house. ".. we should brighten your place up. A kitten or a puppy really wasn't our style but a damsel in need is just up our alley!"
"In other words, she just moved here and housing's been pretty scarce with all the new incoming college or graduating students. So I've made the unanimous decision to house her indefinitely. We've got the food and space, definitely!" She clapped her hands, waiting on his answer.
There still was a chance of refusal. But fortunately, it never came.
"Don't stuff her with sweets. I seem to recall, that's the reason for the departure of your last few acquaintances." He shook his head, turning to address Alairi.
"I'm her unfortunate brother, Senel. It's nice to have you join the household-- I'm afraid you'll have to put up with her diabetic-worthy habits and insane amount of stuffed animals. But if you can put that aside, she's not the worst roommate you could ask for."
He motioned for them to follow and walk to the car placed somewhere in the parking lot, lifting his keys to unlock the vehicle for both the girls and their shopping bags.
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 7:41 am
Head spinning at the speed and ease Serah lied, Alairi couldn't do much more than stand there looking bemusedly between the brother and sister. Deep down inside, she was laughing like hell though. Well, Alairi thought, I guess Serah's giving me that chance to start over.
Never one to look too closely into the mouth of a gift horse, Alairi did her best to smile brightly as she held out her hand.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Senel. I can't thank you both enough for your hospitality right now. And," she added with a soft chuckle, "I think I can survive Serah's diabetic worthy habits. I'm afraid I've a bit of a sweet tooth myself."
She followed the pair out to the car and put her bags inside before climbing in herself. She had to use any quiet time she had to concoct a believeable out of towner persona while she had the chance. It wouldn't do to not have a ready answer should Senel decide to ask her about where she'd come from, after all.
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 1:41 am
"Oh god. What misfortune I'm stuck with." Senel joked, shaking his head, raising an eyebrow at Serah. Few paper shared such sugary habits and at this rate, both of them would end up with a row cavities before twenty five. "No problem. You're the one putting up with her, not me." Senel warned, although in truth, all three occupants knew that Senel and Serah weren't as vexed as they both seemed at each other.
"Where's the hotel located at?" Senel asked Alairi, seating himself in the front seat as Serah seated herself on the other side, both of them reaching for the seat belts to pull across their chest.
((Did you want to timeskip them being @ serah/senel's house?))
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