OOC: Memory Crystal (Hearing, Touch, Smell)
The scent of flowers and light perfume filled the air. Cara stood, feeling both awkward in this place with the lush carpet beneath her sturdy boots, and yet... not. There was a rustle of skirts "Oh..." said the man's voice, faltering a second before exploding. "Sh--she's gorgeous! Yowza! She really is!"
Cara felt herself grin slyly as she walked over. "Bartz, I think you're blushing!" she said, holding her hand to her chin in a pose of careful inspection of the face she couldn't see. She heard him step back, stammering that he wasn't.
Music filled the air, a lighthearted waltz. Cara stood next to her friend and must have been watching the dance, which was probably lovely... but... something felt wrong. Peaceful and happy as this occasion was she felt her heartbeat quicken and the hairs on the back of her neck prickle, as though something was going to happen. Maybe they weren't in immediate danger, but they couldn't linger here. But--
--It was impossible to think, with the dance and the music and the everything else. She turned and quickly walked away, pushing open a door and stepping out into cool evening air. She sighed and leaned on a stone railing as the scent of trees and springtime filled her nose. Yes, this was better. Now she could think.
They had to go. Now. She could feel it. Almost as though he was at her back, trying to push her forward.
"Grandpa..."
Footsteps behind her, and then a hand settled on her shoulder. The man, Bartz, said her name softly, but somehow she couldn't hear it. "How're you holding up?"
"All right..." she said. "It's not so painful anymore, but... I guess I just feel anxious. It's like Grandpa is fussing at us to hurry." How was she going to explain it? That she just had a feeling?
"Mm, I think I get it. Let's go check it out."
"Huh? What?" That was it?
"We're back in my world. There's gotta be a reason for that, right? Let's find out what it is."
A smile. "...Okay!" They started back inside to leave, but Cara paused and turned her head to look back. "What about the girls?"
There was a pause, then, "No way they can slip away, so..." Bartz's footsteps moved away, though Cara lingered and looked back one more time before they went outside. But... hopefully they'd be able to come back and get them, once they had found out what was going on.
Someone in armor nearly bowled them over once they were outside, stammering apologies and news about a bridge being complete. "Boko might still be over in that cave to the west..." Bartz said thoughtfully.
"Boko?"
"He's my prized chocobo--and my best friend."
Cara couldn't help the teasing smile. "Oh, really?"
"What, you don't believe me?"
"Well, you're so poor at riding wind drakes..."
"Hey! You little--" A shove that was slightly harder than it needed to be--oh, was that how he wanted to do it?
"Ow! Take this!" she shouted, and hurled herself at him--with sudden force, more than someone her size should have been able to deliver. Oops. Both of them thudded to the ground.
"Geez, I can't win against this kid," she heard him mutter as they got up and started on their way. She smiled again and gave him a quick poke.