The town continued to grow at a steady pace, it seemed everyday new people arrived in one way or another. Though still many appeared lost and disorientated. Radiant Garden seemed to have become the new and much better defended, Traverse Town. The community as a whole tried to look after these folks and give them new life. Leon did his part in his own silent ways, he over saw still much of the construction plans of Radiant Garden. He also put in hours of labour toward those plans.
Leon was known to be a man who got up as the sun rose and stop when the sunset, wither that was 11pm or not. He worked to hard many said, and he stayed distant. Not an un-polite man, but a man who would not let others close. He rarely took time for himself and the Restoration Committee wondered if he really ever saw the entire of his home except when he was falling into bed from exhaustion.
But that was exactly how Leon wanted it. He would not change the habits he had made sense coming back, they suited him. Hard labour, planning, eating and sleeping. Little changes to the same schedule now that things were far more settled down, as with Sora's help the heartless were far less in number now. Leon was able to live and to not remember, or to dream. No memories, no nightmares.
There was still things the growing town was missing, and for the fighters of the world it was; someone who knew how to treat or repair a weapon that needed it. Though Leon was borderline anal when it came to LionHeart he still was not beyond the maintenance he could give to the blade, able to make certain, it suffered no damage that was un-reversible. It was the one of it's kind he was certain, just like it had been one of so few on his own home-world. But still, there were dings in the blade from wear and tear that bothered him. A warrior is only as good as his weapon and if his weapon was in need of repair then he did not want to have travel worlds to do it.
-- Edited by LionHeart on Monday 20th of July 2009 11:23:56 AM
Ivory was perfectly happy. She had finally saved up enough money to move from the dark dank, dangerous town that had been her home since she fell into shadow through the connections she hadn't even known she existed to Traverse Town. Despite its ingrained darkness, the endless black and the violent culture it seemed to perpetuate Ivory had actually liked it. Although it was a maze which was frustrating because it made her much needed shop very difficult to find, she had always thought of it as home. She never had been that fussy.
Now she had moved to Radiant Garden. She had been there long enough to get all her equipment set up, all her resources together as well as a back private room for herself. She sighed satisfied. This shop was much bigger and more open than her own so her private area could finally stay that way. She never had been comfortable allowing strangers to venture there except Zack, who had been more than a gentleman. It was a shame he had to leave so suddenly.
It was also good that Radiant Garden was a growing community. The influx of people ensured that she'd get some business at least, since more than a few had to be warriors. At least, Ivory hoped so. There even could be first time buyers who now wanted to defend themselves against the entities out there that would do them harm.
Ivory had the flyers all ready so she closed the store while she was away (perhaps in time she'd get an assist) and went out into the world to post them. She'd have to save some more for a computer though - technology had taken a bit of a bashing recently.
Ivory posted the flyers in the houses and stuck them up on walls.
Leon exited Merlins, still using it as a base of sorts where everyone could meet up and speak and plan togther. Even usually they all ate there, and it made it so Leon did not have to cook. He could, but he did not like the hassle involved, with cooking, and then cleaning everything that had taken to make the meal in the first place. It was the only way that he knew, Aerith could get the reluctant Cloud to be in the house. The man hardly spoke but it seemed to make her happier knowing he was at least on world and had eaten recently.
Shifting his hair back so it did not get his eyes as it was becoming a length that was going to be troublesome, Leon moved through the marketplace. A leisurely patrol of sorts, just making certain nothing was going on before he grabbed a coffee from the cafe and headed toward the castle. Lionheart as always was strapped to his hip. His eyes wandered and after a few minutes found one of the flyers. A brow raising he stepped closer to the wall to read it.
Well this looked interesting, and he knew at least now he could get LionHeart repaired. Though part of him hated the idea of handing over the blade to anyone. But he knew that it needed repairs and he had common sense enough to know he could not ever do it himself. So he would have to get help in doing so.
Stepping back from the wall he saw ahead of him, someone who seemed to be posting the flyers in which he had been taking a look at. Might as well see if this was the the one. Steady but un-hurried steps.
Ivory took her time. It was a nice day out and she saw no reason to hurry back to her shop despite it being bright and airy. It had been such a long time, it seemed, since she had enjoyed the sun. Traverse Town was a perpetual dark, no matter what time of day, so it was highly refreshing to feel the warmth on her skin. Ivory wondered, for a moment, if the world looked as nice as it felt.
Ivory had just decided to wanted to say hello to Huey and his brothers when she heard regular footsteps. Although this world was safer one couldn't be sure of where the dangers lurked and crept. Luckily her weapons were, as always, close at hand.
Radiant Garden was almost a sleepy world at times so Ivory was positive this stranger had a purpose to be out. Carefully she posted each flyer and noticed she was running low.
"Nice day, isn't it?" Ivory asked as she continued her business. Polite conversation was good for making acquaintances.
Leon closer to her took in her apperance a second before speaking, answering her. He usually just nodded to those that spoke to him that he did not personally know, as many town's folk knew him by apperance now. But he spoke as she continued her business back turned. He was a few feet behind her but stayed there, not drawing to close. He was not one for chit chat but, "It is," he spoke truthfully.
The day was not to hot, yet it was still clear in the skies, a slight breeze. The workers would not over heat today while they worked, Aerith did not need any more cases of Heatstroke. It was a nice and average day in Radiant Garden in the beginning of summer.
"Are you the owner of the shop the flyers speak of?" he asks after a moment, he was curious, not disbelieving. Just curious to know. It was not like he thought women could not fight, SeeD were men and women alike, and Aerith though she was a healer first could concuss if you gave her a rod to beat someone with. Gender made no difference to him when it came to matters of combat, weapons or any such as that. He respected the strengths of the person, not the gender.
The breeze was cool and refreshing against her bare skin. It really was a beautiful day - to Ivory at least. She had only seen the sun when she had saved enough to go off world, to explore other places in the universe. She had long since decided this one was the best to stay in. It wasn't odd, weird, strange and not nearly as dangerous as it used to be. For all intents and purposes it was perfect. And she could destroy the stray Hearltess or too.
The stranger had a nice voice. "Yes, that would be me. I used to stay in Traverse Town but I was difficult to find. I finally saved enough to make the leap," Ivory explained as she turned to face him.
"Envisioned Expeditions," She said. "Not the best title," She added glumly. For a perfectionist it had been horrible for her, that that was the only name she could think of. In the end she supposed it suited its purpose. Those who arrive in Radiant Garden don't neccessarily stay and would require weapons maintainence too.
Ivory had a pleasant expression. It was a good defence since she couldn't see his. The man was curious, she knew, not overly so but enough to warrant interest and perhaps even a conversation. Though Ivory had a sneaking suspicion he didn't have much to say from his short reply - of course, perhaps he just had nothing to say about the weather. It wasn't exactly a fulfulling topic of discussion.
Leon nods a hand always on Lionheart's handle, it did not matter in town with the defence system or not. It was to engrained now. "Traverse town never makes anything easy," he seconded, he had not enjoyed the time there at all. His mood had been far worse while in that place where it was always dark, gloomy and heartless infested. Not a moments peace on that world.
His lips twitched, the tiniest when she spoke the name of her shop and how she did not like it, "It works," he murmured with a shrug. No Leon was not a conversationalist, though he was not quite as rude as he was in his teen years. He brushed people aside callously in his younger days. He did not as much now but things became to much he would introvert and become the teen was before. Pushing people away and brooding, inner monologue his problems either to answer or to death.
Her pink eyes were unexpected, quite different, Leon had never seen an albino before, but they were more interesting then anything. The fact she was so pale and with pink eyes.
"Then would you be able to look at a weapon later?" she was still though, low on flyers, putting them out and he wouldn't disturb her from that. He also had to check up on the progress with the new program to regulate the electrical grid in the city on the computer in the castle. He really hated computer work but he could not rely on Cid to do it all the time. And there was that he was the only other one trained on them who actually was willing to wrestle with the damn things to get them to work right without smashing keys. Finesse, no one seemed to have it.
-- Edited by LionHeart on Monday 20th of July 2009 01:52:22 PM
Ivory caught the tone. "You don't like it there then?" She asked. "I never minded it myself. It is an intruiging place - lots of hidden alcoves. I grew fond of those puppies," She commented. she had happened upon hte hotel by accident and was suddenly overrun by several excited spotted puppies. She hadn't recognised them at first, they were so small but she had grinned in delight at their happy barking. She used to play with them whenever she got the chance. Their parents could be as young as their children sometimes - espeically their father.
"You really think so?" Ivory asked surprised. "I guess it suits its purpose. I still think I could come up with something better," She frowned a little as she thought about it. Nothing came to mind.
Ivory smiled happy to be so fortunate to find someone interested already. "Of course!" she agreed excitedly. "I'm nearly done here. Do you want to bring it by later or leave it with me?"
Of course, the young female knew leaving it with her would probably turn his expression into a horrified one. People became attatched to their weapons, loved them even, and didn't trust a soul with them. Others simply werent that bothered. Ivy thought it a shame, a waste even. Something as pretty and as useful as a weapon should be cared for and respected.
"So did Sora," Leon spoke about the puppies, the keyblader used to gush on about how he was finding more and more of them to bring back. The teen's heart was to big, he cared alot for anyone he met who did not mean him or others harm.
A brow raised and he shrugged, "It does," the name worked. Though she wished to come up with another then she could all she wanted, he was not exactly someone to come to about naming things.
The leaving it did not make him defensive or horror-ified, but his brow it seemed could raise higher then he previously thought. But he shook his head, "I do not know when you close, but I have to do work on the electrical grid which will probably last till early evening. If your not closed, I could come before dinner."
It just meant he would be working a little faster at the computer today and hoping it did not fudge up as much as it usually did. He knew if he missed dinner Aerith would send Yuffie after to retrieve him, and that threat alone, of the annoying girl having her sole attention on him in retrieving him was threat enough to get Leon there for dinner. So he would not miss dinner somehow. Though he wished to see how she handled the blade before he left. Leon was one of those warriors who knew his weapon was his life's blood, and he was protective of it.
-- Edited by LionHeart on Monday 20th of July 2009 02:14:36 PM
The Dalmation puppies really were cute little things. They yapped quite happily and were more than delighted with a casual stroke or two. They were very friendly little creatures which had pleased Ivory. They were more than content to let you chatter on as long as you paid them some attention.
Ivory could hear the horror lacing the other's voice. It was clear to her now he cherished his weapon as one should. His weapon, therefore, was probably in need of some repair, although it was unlikey that his weapon was too damaged. Ivory had seen quite a few weapons in extreme disrepair and their owners became increasingly distraught and one occasion violent. She had thanked her famillies insistance and her own persistance to learn Martial Arts as it did deter him. However she had suffered a broken wrist and had to close for 4 weeks for it to heal and strengthen. The potions only did so much.
"Of course. That's fine. If you wish to stay while I repair it, that is fine too," Ivory told him. "You do not need to worry on my account,"
She planned after this to hunt some Heartless. They weren't so powerful and she was sure she could handle them.
(I said it did NOT make him horror-ified. But anyways...)
"I will see how you do with it but I will end up most likely having to go," Leon reasoned as he knew he would have to go to dinner at Aerith's. But he would see how she handled the blade and repairs before he left to go to dinner. He could be 'late' but he had to show up. It was one of many reasons why he hated getting close to people, they demanded so much of his time! He had things to do, he wanted to see this reconstruction done some day and more people were moving here. So more houses and buildings needed to be built. The electrical and water grids needed updating, the defence system had to always be monitored.
"Alright then I will come by around 5:30. I have some things I have to get done before then. Excuse me." A nod of his head to Ivory before he stepped around her, he had to get that computer work done this afternoon.
It was quarter to five when Ivory got back to her shop. She had spent the day trawling through Radiant Garden looking for some Heartless to pray upon. It had been fun. Long ago she fought often with her twin bladed weapons, moving swiftly, spinning, swiping, cutting, slashing. Those days fell away to diligent work and pretending not to hear conversations and looking for monsters in her spare time when she got enough leave to travel for a day or three. When Geostigma struck she was one of the unusual adults to contract the disease which left her crippled and dying. Who knew rain could be a blessing?
The Heartless had made for a good change. She had disposed of many before encountering a snag, but it was said snag she was training to work out. The easiest, lowest level shadow Heartless could be an issue when they slunk into the ground and travelled beneath her feet. All she could see were dark plodges and of course it had started to rain so the ground was patchy. She battled onwards determined to rule the day but suffered a severely scratched left calf.
Ivory was loath to try and heal it. She had yet to master this new form of magic and so far had only managed a small weak aero which didn't really do anything but blow sheets of paper about the place and cause an utter mess. It had left her kind of breathless too. It seemed her body was trying to use its own air for the spell despite the fact she wasn't using Mako. It would take time to get used to it. Ivy didn't want to use the liquid materia in her system, as she liked to call it. It woud probably leave her in too much pain or too weak to tend to - oh dear, she didn't get his name - the man's weapon. She had also spend most of her money on clothes, food bringing her equipment over and renting the flat upstairs. She didn't want to use the few potions she had managed to scrounge for something that would heal perfectly fine on its own. She wondered if it would scar.
Soaking a rag in hot water she cleansed the wounds as best she could and wrapped it up in a bandage. She was going to look incompetant. In the few short hours they had been doing their separate things she had managed to get herself injured. Was she careless? Reckless? Clumsy?
Ivory shook her head. No use thinking about it now. She had to get ready for his arrival.
-- Edited by Public Enemies on Sunday 26th of July 2009 09:12:40 PM
