☼ six; video.

[recalls]

[Vanille's sitting on a low branch of a tree, bouncing her heels against the trunk. It is immediately apparent that she does so halfheartedly, without her usual overenthusiasm and energy. She lets her head fall back, lets it bump against the bark with a dull thud, and peers up at the sun through a canopy of brilliant autumn leaves. The Queen has

Comments

[body_horrible]

My gang mostly. Oh and sex.

[recalls]

Your... gang? [Vanille blushes and looks away at that second part. She's not a prude in the least, but she doesn't know this woman at all, and she doesn't know what to say.] Oh.

[body_horrible]

The people I hang out with. Their a bunch of weirdos and losers but I love em anyway.

[recalls]

[That earns a subdued sort of chuckle.] What are they like?

[yakuza_otaku]

There's ... a lot of people I miss.

...

And not being able to get the newest video games...

[recalls]

[She nods, definitely understanding. But she is confused by that second part, and tilts her head, brows knitting together.] Video games?

[yakuza_otaku]

Ah... have you been to the Arcade yet?

[recalls]

Oh, ah, only the outside. I haven't gone in. Are there video games there?

[is_a_good_girl]

I haven't been here long... but I already really miss Kanako-sama.

[recalls]

Is that a friend of yours? [She stretches her arms above her head, an attempt to relax.] You're new? I'm sorry, I haven't been... [She sighs, then manages a small smile.] My name's Vanille. It's nice to meet you.

[is_a_good_girl]

Sanae Kochiya. It's nice to meet you as well.

Kanako-sama... she's one of my patron goddesses.

[recalls]

[Oh. She doesn't quite understand how one misses a goddess. Her understanding of religion and spirituality is a bit different.

She crosses her pinkies in the familiar, comforting gesture of her people.] I think that, no matter where you go, you'll carry her with you.

[orderlybento]

... I miss my sisters and my friends. And my father.

... And PenPen.

[recalls]

How many sisters do you have? [It's good, Vanille finds, to ask questions. It takes her mind off her own hurt, a little, to focus on getting to know the other residents of the Garden, and help them if she can.] What's PenPen?

[And then, a tilt of her head.] Ah, we don't know each other, huh? I'm Vanille.

[orderlybento]

Two. I'm the middle child in my family. PenPen's a hot-spring penguin that a class mate's guardian gave us to look after. I'm really fond of him.

It's nice to meet you, Vanille-san. My name's Hikari.

[recalls]

That sounds nice. [She means it, too. Vanille's the kind of person who was always meant to have a big family full of people she can fuss over.

But the whole... penguin thing. She doesn't get that. There are no penguins where she's from.] What's a penguin?

It's nice to meet you, too!

[middaysdream]

... Nee-san and Shiki-sama. May I ask what you miss or would that be rude of me?

[recalls]

Who are they? [Vanille shakes her head.] It's only fair, since I asked.

[She pauses for long moments, considering. When she speaks, her voice is soft and calm.] I miss my family. Sazh and Hope, and Snow and Lightning. I miss the steppe, and the trees, and the lakes. And the chocobos.

[middaysdream]

Shiki-sama is the head of the Tohno family, the family I've served all of my life. He is also very important to me. Nee-san is Nee-san... *Whoops, she doesn't get that people won't understand that Nee-san means Sister.*

The Gardens also have trees and lakes. May I ask if they are somehow different from the ones at your home?

[recalls]

[She tilts her head. Vanille is definitely not from a place with maids.] Served? What do you mean?

[She looks around, tries to think of how to explain.] The Gardens are really pretty, but... Gran Pulse is wild, and open. You'd never be able to see all of it, even if you spent your whole life travelling. There's something about it that feels... free.