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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Sept 25, 2012 0:45:19 GMT -5
It had been awhile since Noctis had left Urbadelphia on an errand for Izaya after the incident with Hojo and Ifrit. As he now walked down the darkened streets of Urbadelphia he had to wonder what had changed. It was only 6 months but things could change a great deal even in that short amount of time. He had been paying his rent anonymously from where he'd been so he knew that he at least still had his apartment. He was less sure about his job. Yes, he'd made Tifa aware of his extended absence but 6 months was quite a long time and he hadn't even taken along his personal cellphone. Just the one Izaya gave him so that he could receive instructions.
Noctis thought about dropping in on Aya and quickly dismissed it with a shake of his head. She had left town shortly before he had and if she came back at all then she would likely have gone to Lea. If that was the case then there was no way he was barging in on that little love-fest. He already had more than enough mental scarring to last one lifetime, he didn't need to add to it.
As he turned into the Labyrinth and began to weave his way through the myriad of backstreets and alleyways he looked up towards the rough looking apartment building that was still a few blocks away. A small smile flitted across his face. Out of all the places he had been to in the year between his escape from Hojo and his initial arrival in Urbadelphia he had never though that this would be the place he'd eventually call home.
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Post by Namine Joy LeBeau on Sept 25, 2012 23:19:53 GMT -5
[Darla]
I don't even know why I'm walking around and wandering. Maybe its because I secretly hope I'll run into someone, maybe its because I'm lonely. Sighing I continue to pace, not looking where I'm going until I almost walk into someone.
Looking up I vaguely recognize them, having seen them once before. I can't recall their name, but know I've seen them before. Weakly I give them a smile, six... seven... longer?... months alone will give you a reason to drop your tough girl act long enough to want to talk with someone... To want to be nice, "Hey... I think we've met before... You... You haven't been around in a while?" Not like I know, this is a first time in a long time I've wandered this far out and about. Normally... I can't stand people... Let alone people I content to my cousin, but this connection is so weak, they barely know each other... This one I'll deal with...
"... Its Darla... I case you, erm... Forgot..." Thinking back now I do remember his face from when Namine first showed me around here. Since then I hadn't seen much of any of those guys. "Ah-heh-heh."
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Sept 26, 2012 9:20:27 GMT -5
Noctis, usually more alert of his surroundings, had been so lost in his memories of the previous six months that he had barely noticed that Darla was there until she spoke. His head whirled around to look at her, his muscles tensing briefly due to being startled out of his thoughts but they quickly relaxed as he recognized her. He nodded to confirm that they had met, reaching up to shift the strap of his backpack higher up onto his shoulder. "Yeah, I had to leave town to take care of a few things. It took a little longer than expected."
He could still remember when he had initially met the girl. He certainly remembered that she was a relative of Namine's but had forgotten how so. Not that forgetting such things was entirely out of the ordinary, he barely knew Namine and had only ever seen Darla twice. "Anyway it's nice to see you again, Darla. I'm Noctis." He replied to her, adding in his name for the exact same reason she'd reintroduced herself to him. "What have you been up to?" It was a nice, neutral and safe question. He doubted that she would have appreciated if he'd asked anything that strayed too close to sensitive or secretive territory and he hardly knew her well enough to know where that line was. If there was one thing that the citizens of Urbadelphia were experts in, it was secrets.
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Post by Namine Joy LeBeau on Sept 26, 2012 9:48:08 GMT -5
Darla watches as he pretty much jumps out of his skin, her old self would laughed at that. But this is the Darla that had to hear the screams of her cousin and stand there doing nothing, this is the Darla that had lived with a suicidal Angel and had barely been able to taunt and jeer at him, this is the same Darla that has been alone again for so long. Her heart hardly has a bit of cold left in it that she can offer, she just wants to...
Feel alive. That's all she ever wanted.
So she gives him a sheepish expression, the first time since she was really little, nods to him as he speaks. Darla listens to him so closely as if to not miss a thing he said, but then again, it could just be that she's been with out human contact, well, friendly human contact for so long she just lacks the ability to do anything, but cling to his every word.
"Noctis," She whispers his name, vocalizing it so as to not forget it again before hearing his question. She doesn't really have much to say. Tell him about her lonely existence? No, Darla isn't one for pity, not even this lost. So she stands a little straighter and crosses her arms over her stomach, not defensive, just holding herself together. "Not much actually, especially since the Princessa moved in her boy toy, Neku." Her shoulders shrug as she looks down to her feet a moment.
"But that happened long before six months..." She pauses before snapping her vision back up. Its got its usual fire in it, but... its missing that light in it. She then asks a return question, "How about you? If I may ask... What have you been up to?" Its an innocent question, she assumes he was away with family or something simple like that... But then again she knows nothing of him...
[*facepalms* sorry for switching POVs on you ^^' I, er, have troubles writing her in first person and depressed... Heh-heh...]
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Sept 26, 2012 10:16:26 GMT -5
Noctis was, admittedly, a little surprised that she hadn't really reacted to his startled actions. As little as he knew her, the last time they'd met she had given off the impression of someone who would be amused at such a thing. Maybe she acted differently due to Namine's presence during both of those events? It seemed likely if the way she referred to Namine was any indication but he'd been wrong before. When she mentioned the time frame of Namine's move being long before he'd left, Noctis chuckled quietly. "Yes, I suppose so. I admit I don't really keep up with that sort of thing." He replied before she looked up, it felt odd but it was almost unsettling. As if something was missing that had been there in their previous encounters but he just couldn't put his finger on it.
Her question, however, certainly threw him through a loop and he visibly hesitated. Even so much as glancing away for a moment as he tried to think of how to answer. Izaya had been the one who'd sent him on the job after all, and there was no telling how she would react to that considering how infamous the info broker was. Noctis figured that a version of the truth would be the most believable thing. After all, he didn't need to give details and so he looked back to her as he gave her his answer. "It's mostly just been travelling and errands for an employer. Though I'll admit it's been interesting trying to pay bills in the meantime." He smiled with vague amusement as he said this as if to alleviate any suspicion as to what he had to do.
He glanced briefly back towards the apartment building that he lived in, becoming all too aware of how his bag of extra clothing and supplies was weighing down on his back. "Would you mind if we talked on the way back to my apartment? I'd really like to drop this bag off." He requested as he gestured to the nearby building while shifting his backpack once again so that it rest more comfortably.
(lol. It's perfectly fine. I used to do that all the time and sometimes I still do. Especially with Zack)
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Post by Namine Joy LeBeau on Sept 26, 2012 10:58:59 GMT -5
She sighs in relief, not realizing she had been worried, that she had wanted to be accepted by this man. Something in her burns brightly a moment and then she nods at him when he explains where he's been. It makes perfect sense, honestly, all he had to say was work she would have understood, "Ah... Jobs seem to do that to you." She should know, its been her job bestowed upon her to watch over her cousin... Not that she does that job terribly well...
"Your... Oh, you're just getting home," She laughs softly at her herself before nodding to him again. "Yes, that is perfectly fine." Even if its walking in silence she would be fine with that, her crave for humanity being satisfied by just being near another person.
"So... What do you plan to do now that you're back," Its curious and she knows she's shoving her nose into places that could get prickly, but its the best thing she has to use as communication as they begin to walk together.
[Heh. Alright and thanks]
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Sept 26, 2012 11:16:56 GMT -5
He nodded in answer to her comment about jobs, a spark of amusement in his dark eyes. "They certainly do, especially when the employer is quite demanding." He replied as he thought back to the information that Izaya had asked him to retrieve in the months that he was gone. Even he had been amazed at how quickly he'd gone through his migraine medication from the overuse of his abilities. When she gave her consent to follow him to his apartment he immediately began to make his way towards the run down building. "Yeah, I only got back into town about twenty minutes ago." Noctis was a little surprised to find himself less guarded than he used to be. Granted, this was nothing for him to have his guard up over but even he was aware of his paranoid tendencies. He mostly contributed this to the fact that Hojo was very likely dead even if he didn't put it past the bugger to have somehow made it out of the collapse at the complex.
"Plans? I can't say I really have any at the moment. Unless something pops up I don't normally have a lot going on aside from work. Well, that and one of my neighbours occasionally mistaking my apartment for hers." It didn't take long to reach the apartment building and he politely held the door open for her before walking up the stairs to his fourth floor apartment.
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Post by Namine Joy LeBeau on Sept 26, 2012 11:52:32 GMT -5
"Hmmm... So you don't really do anything for fun?" This strikes her as odd, thinking she was the only reclusive one. But then again, he could just not like being around people which is perfectly fine according to her. And as they mount the stairs she realizes what she had just said and clears her throat. "Erm, I mean... Yeah... There really isn't a nice way to cover that, heh... Sorry if that was rude."
Darla apologizing... Now that's rare...
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Sept 26, 2012 18:47:21 GMT -5
He glanced towards her at her words, smiling once more as she quickly backpedalled to cover up the bluntness of her statement. "It's perfectly alright. No, I don't really do anything for fun. You could call me a bit of a recluse." He said as he continued to lead her towards his apartment, pulling the key from his pocket and opening the door once they had reached it. "What about you? What do you do for fun?" He asked her as he stepped back to allow her through first, ladies first and all that.
At first he was vaguely worried about the state his apartment was in, even though it could hardly be helped due to the area and the building he was living in. It wasn't messy, just run down. However, he had never been able to completely remove the scorch mark from his ceiling that had been the result of some drama between Lea, Aya and himself.
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Post by Namine Joy LeBeau on Sept 26, 2012 18:53:34 GMT -5
She gives a weak smile and steps inside, not minding nor commenting on any state of the apartment. Well almost everything, her eyes widen at the scorch mark on the ceiling, "Cooking troubles?" Her words are out before she can stop them and then she shakes her head a couple times. "... Wow."
After a moment or two she clears her throat, "Right... What do I do?" Her shoulders roll and her flips her braid over her shoulder so it swings behind her properly. "Usually I look for a crossing and do some hacking, don't really like most people ya know, they annoy me." Her arms come up over her chest a moment before she relaxes.
"But, er..." She isn't used to being this polite, but she manages. "... Thanks for inviting me in, though."
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Sept 26, 2012 19:24:55 GMT -5
He followed her eyes to the scorch mark on the ceiling and quietly laughed as he closed the door to his apartment. "You could say that." he replied to her while setting his backpack down by the door, rolling the shoulder it had been weighing down as if glad to be rid of the weight. Noctis listened to her all the while as he walked around the apartment to make sure that things were in order and that no one had been there while he'd been gone. "I know what you mean. I have some...paranoid tendencies so I don't socialize much." He explained as he rubbed at the back of his neck a tad sheepishly before she thanked him for inviting her in.
"You're welcome. Feel free to make yourself at home while I go change." He told her as he went to his room to change out of his travelling clothes, closing the door behind him for privacy's sake. "When did you find out about the Network?" He asked, his voice muffled by his bedroom door. The last time he'd met Darla as far as he knew she hadn't been aware of Crossings or the Network. Personally he was surprised that he was relaxed enough around her that he was being this talkative. Normally the only people he felt that comfortable around were Lea and Aya.
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Post by Namine Joy LeBeau on Sept 26, 2012 19:30:03 GMT -5
"Sometime around the time Nam had wanted to throw a winter ball last year," She replies as she walks around tentatively, unsure if she's been allowed to sit or what not... This place may not be home, but she was raised to follow strict rules when not around her family. "But I never joined... Don't enjoy the whole idea of it, sounds way too far fetched for me, Others can hardly take care of themselves, let alone one another."
She frowns to herself, remembering her past, how her family never really cared she was there... Always an outcast.
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Sept 26, 2012 19:46:00 GMT -5
At last the door opened and Noctis stepped out as he straightened the hem of his shirt. "I know what you mean. I don't know a lot about the others but there's so much going on you'd think they wouldn't have time to worry about others." He said as he motioned towards the couch to show her that she was welcome to sit down if she wanted to. "Originally I only joined so that I could keep track of someone. It's easier with the resources they have." The look in his eyes darkened slightly at the mention of this, though it was clear that the expression wasn't directed at Darla.
After a moment he shook his head to brush off the memory. Dwelling on those kinds of things usually didn't go well when he had company, as rare as that was. Granted, Darla seemed like she would understand but that still didn't mean that she would want to spend time around someone who was sullen and moody.
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Post by Namine Joy LeBeau on Sept 26, 2012 19:58:25 GMT -5
After a moment she takes a seat, relaxing a bit more as she does, not perching like her cousin would, but not a lazy slump like she usually does at home either. Just normal. And she listens closely to what Noctis says, watching his expression.
She pauses and weighs her options.
The first time she had asked someone if they wanted to talk about her past she ended up with a boyfriend... months later he turned out gay and dumped her.
But she is curious.
She gives into her curiosity, "Do... Do you want to talk about it? I won't mind." Just like her cousin she has a knack for wanting to help people, especially when it comes to their pasts, understanding that everyone has a tragedy... Everyone has a turning point at some time in their lives. "... You don't have to... But... If you need to." She watches him closely, hoping she hasn't stepped onto something too sensitive.
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Sept 26, 2012 20:13:39 GMT -5
Noctis planted his gaze firmly on her as she offered to listen to what he had to say. He was honestly surprised. Not because of the fact that it was her but in the fact that no one had ever made such an offer before. Granted he was still a paranoid recluse so there wasn't much of an opportunity for people to do so. He took the opportunity to sit down as well in the armchair that was present in the small living area, running his hand through his dark hair as he struggled with how to begin. "You're probably going to think this is crazy but... Do you remember the compound south of the city? The one that the Network raided awhile ago?" He wasn't sure if was aware of that incident but it wasn't like he could point it out on a map. Hojo had gone to great pains to hide it. "Anyway, I was held there for quite awhile and used as a bit of a guinea pig."
He watched her carefully for her reaction, he'd been vague out of sheer trepidation. He didn't know if she'd believe him or think that he was making up a completely ridiculous story. As a result he was wringing his hands a bit nervously.
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