(no subject)

[shroudofgray]

Characters: Yorda and You!
Date: Throughout March
Location: Various places in Keeliai and on the turtle
Situation: March Catch-all!
Warnings/Rating: None for the time being.



A - Sing Nonomori

Yorda had fallen in love with music. She had never known anything quite so wonderful in her life (though granted, you could fill an entire library of things normal teenage girls knew that Yorda had zero concept of), and every time there was a performer in the streets, she'd listen to their songs utterly enraptured.

1-She had soon learned that giving these performers money or food was customary, and she'd taken that to heart. She didn't need to eat. There had been no food in the castle - and certainly nothing as wonderful as pastries or bread or the strange wriggly things the food vendors sold (sea prunes had become her favourite dish). It made sense to Yorda that the performers would want something in return for their work, and so she set about trying to find as much money as she could.

The thing was, Yorda had a knack for finding things. She was better than a bloodhound in some respects - once she set her mind to something, there wasn't much use dissuading her. She could be found around the city, rummaging in drains, bins or various other locales for lost coins. More often than not, she was in the way. But she'd also acquired quite a tidy sum.


2-Yorda had grown so enamoured with music that she had wanted to try singing for herself. She found herself an empty alleyway that she could have all to herself to whittle away the hours practicing. She had a reedy, thin voice. It was the kind of voice that had never shouted or made any sound more impassioned than a small exclamation of surprise. As she tried to sound out the words, her voice cracked and broke like spun glass hitting concrete. Eventually she clamped her jaws shut, her brow knit in frustration.

She was doing something wrong, she knew. But what? How did the street singers make such melodious sounds when all Yorda could manage was something somewhat less awful than a cat sliding down a chalkboard?

B- The Root of all Evil

Yorda never had money before. She didn't even know what it was until she came to Keeliai.

Now she had a jingling bag of coins, and for the first time in her life, she was faced with a real conflict of interest.

The dress was a pale yellow and had a tasteful and subtle pattern of birds and flowers embroidered along the skirt and sleeves. Yorda's face was pressed against the glass. She knew the right thing to do was to give the money to the musicians. But she also wondered if she shouldn't save some of it for herself to buy something other than the thin white dress she'd arrived in.

It wasn't like she needed it, nor could she afford it at this second - but for the first time in her life, she wanted a possession to call her very own.

Eventually the store owner had to shoo her off, though she looked back longingly at the display, hugging her bag of juulan just a little tighter.

Comments

B

[purrns]

Adrien's still finding his feet on the turtle. It's strange, getting used to the complete freedom he has here, to not be followed by photographers or reporters. It's nice. He'd been enjoying a walk when he comes across Yorda staring at the display. He smiles, walking over to her.

"Hey, Yorda. Everything okay?"

Re: B

[shroudofgray]

"Hello Adrien," Yorda said, pausing in mid-stride and turning. She didn't seem too troubled about the whole matter - she was getting used to shop owners shooing her away from the displays after staring too long.

"Everything is well. Were you looking at the clothes as well?"

[purrns]

Adrien glances over at the aforementioned clothing, before giving a good-natured shrug. He's not given it much thought, honestly. He's always had access to his father's entire portfolio, now... now he doesn't need to worry about what he wears.

"Not really," a smile. "Did you see anything you liked?"

[shroudofgray]

"Yes, the dress is very beautiful," she said, barely keeping the excitement out of her tone. "It has birds on it!"

Because that was the most important feature about an outfit. It could have been the tackiest thing in the world and if it had a bird on it, you can bet Yorda would be in love with it.

[purrns]

It's nice to see her light up about it, really. Adrien glances between her and the shop.

"It is pretty beautiful. Are you going to buy it?"

[shroudofgray]

Yorda considered this question for a long time. She looked at the dress. She looked up at the roof. Then the sky. Then she followed the flight of a flock of birds with her gaze until they vanished behind a building.

Finally, she spoke.

"Maybe."

Scintillating.

"Do you like the clothing here, Adrien?"

[purrns]

Adrien spent that entire time shifting awkwardly, not sure if she was going to actually reply or not. At least he's used to this kind of thing, Marinette tends to do this to him all the time. Girls.

"Then you should get it. Treat yourself," he gives a shrug in response. "It's okay, I guess. I never really though too much about any sort of clothing."

Though that's more rebelling against his father than anything else. Whatever dad, you can't make him care about clothes.

[shroudofgray]

It took her a minute to work out what he meant by 'treat yourself'.

"Maybe some day, yes. I will keep some of the coins I find." So Adrien didn't think about clothes.

"What sort of things do you think about?" She didn't realize how blunt of a question that could sound like. Yorda was usually straightforward where she could be.

[purrns]

"I wish I had some extra to give you towards it. Most of my work goes towards my room and board."

He's honest about that, at least. He likes helping people, making a difference in the world. That's what he lives for, even if he does it with a mask.

...The answer to that question would be "Ladybug" but that would sound weird and stalkerish so he picks something else.

"I don't know. Stuff."

So eloquent.

[shroudofgray]

"You are human, and humans need the things you trade money for," Yorda tried to reassure. "It is kind of you to say so, though. Thank you."

His vague reply didn't seem to trouble her much. She of all people could understand only being able to answer broad questions with equally broad answers.

"I think about stuff too. Like the ocean."

[purrns]

"Yeah that's one of those unfortunate things about being human I guess."

He's only just really learning the value of money, turns out when you grow up with it, you fall short when it comes to managing it well when you have very little of it.

"Yeah? Is the ocean near where you live? Back home, I mean."

[shroudofgray]

"No, it is a good thing. You are alive and it helps you to live well," she explained. Whatever that meant.

And then she nodded.

"Yes. The Castle in the Mist was surrounded by it. Even in the Tower of Winds, I could hear its ebb and flow." She looked up at the clear blue sky, her pale eyes bright. "I wondered many times what it would be like to dream in its depths."

[purrns]

"Well, I can't argue with that."

That sounds like something straight out of a fantasy story. He has to admit, it sounds...nice. Calming, even.

"Is that where you're from? The Castle in the Mist?"

Was it actually in the mist? Was it a FLOATING castle? He has so many questions.

[shroudofgray]

Let's just say being the princess in another castle sucks a lot.

"Yes. I like it better here. Even if I cannot always hear the ocean, I can walk there when I like."

Her smile grew brighter. "...I can walk anywhere I like. Or even run. ...Except the buildings. They do not let you go in all of them."

[purrns]

His heart goes out to her. He understands something of a desire for freedom, though. The turtle provides people with freedom they may not get otherwise. The chance to go wherever they wish, do whatever they want.

"That is nice, isn't it? Being able to go just about anywhere. I like that, too," a brief smile. "Even if we can't go in all the buildings."

[shroudofgray]

"Yes. Some are empty though. Old and forgotten. I go in those sometimes, when the sounds are very strong."

She still wasn't used to city living and certainly not its special kind of cacophony. Not with those big ears of hers.

"Do you come from a place with so many people? A city?"

[purrns]

"Find yourself a little peace, huh?"

He can understand that. If someone's not used to the noise of a place, it can be a little...daunting. He smiles, nodding, always happy to talk about his home.

"I do. It's called Paris, it's the capital city of France; the country I'm from. It's full of a lot of people, but it's a very beautiful place to live."

[shroudofgray]

She considered this. A few moments passed as she worked this out. It was hard to tell just what was going on in Yorda's head; her expression always seemed to have some degree of bewilderment to it.

"Yes," she finally agreed. "Peace."

The description of Paris was of much more interest to her.

"Is Paris like Keeliai? Do they look similar?"

[purrns]

That's...an interesting expression. It's hard to get a good read off her, so he'll just have to wing it.

"They look very different, to be honest," a pause. "But honestly, I'm enjoying the adventure with seeing something different than what I'm used to."

[shroudofgray]

"I see. I hope I am one day able to see this Paris in France," she said quietly.

"I like Keeliai very much, but I would like to put myself back inside me and not a stone so I can go to other places."

[purrns]

"Maybe one day, you will."

He looks down at his own soul-gem. He hadn't give it much thought. After keeping guard on his Miraculous, another magical gem he couldn't remove from his person was nothing new. Still, she's right.

"I'm sure we'll figure it out sometime. Find a way to free us all."

[shroudofgray]

"One day," she agreed with a small nod. "For now, it is good to have the freedom I do."

She hesitated. She knew enough of people that what she asked next would probably be a personal question, but it's one that came up often.

"If you could return home now, would you?"

[purrns]

"Freedom is always a great thing to have."

He would sure love more of it. Ah, but this is the important question, and his smile turns a little sad.

"It's pretty neat here, don't get me wrong, but I belong back there. My friends are there, my father," Ladybug. "I miss them."

[shroudofgray]

"You miss the people who were left behind. I understand," she said, head bowing a little. "It is my hope that Ico will be brought here. And then we will both be free."

And no one would hurt them. No one would know what they were- they would look a bit strange, but all foreigners were odd to the Kedan. They could live out their lives in peace.

She did seem perplexed by what Adrien said though.

"What is having a father like?"

[purrns]

"I hope so, too. It's important to have people you care about with you. Especially if it means you'll both be safe."

Ah. That was..quite the question, and Adrien's pleasant, polite smile fades for a moment. He understands what having a father is supposed to be like, but that's not what he has. He doesn't have someone to sit and talk to, to feel close to, to bond with. He can't remember the last time he and his father even sat down for a meal together.

Still, he hopes...no, he knows deep down, his father still loves him. He's just not dealing with the absence of his wife. He just doesn't know how to reach out. How to reconnect again. Adrien's sure it's just that, and if he's patient, his father will come around. He just has to wait.

"It's like knowing there's always someone there to take care of you, no matter what."

It's a lie, and it comes out hollow. It's what he wants it to be, rather than what it actually is.