2017-07-26: The Weight on Her Shoulders
- Log: The Weight on Her Shoulders
- Cast: Lunata Croze, Jacqueline Barber
- Where: Lacour - Arms Coliseum
- Date: 07-26-2017
- Summary: With the Finals of the Tournament of Arms steadily approaching, Jacqueline helps talk Lunata through some problems that have been steadily eating away at her.
=========================<* Lacour - Arms Coliseum *>=========================
Situated immediately adjacent to Lacour Castle, the Arms Coliseum is a temple to the pursuit of perfection in physical prowess. Built more than three centuries ago by King Etienne I, the Coliseum is laid over with ancient Symbols that blunt weapons and protect combatants on the brink of death, allowing competitors to fight to the best of their ability without fear of killing their opponents.
The Coliseum is the site of the annual Lacour Tournament of Arms, a competition that fuels the spirit of martial artists and weapons merchants both. The Tournament is a spectacle that draws visitors and competitors from across Filgaia, and is the major event on the continent while it is running. A series of smaller tournaments are organized throughout the year; entering as a combatant is free of charge, but spectators pay a nominal fee that nonetheless provides a significant boost to Lacour's coffers.
BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s8YkgEYlvY
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
In the wake of the finals soon dawning upon them, Lunata's...
...
... actually gotten a little antsy and a little shier than usual, mostly visible around Aunt Hilda's stall and doing what she does best -- being a waitress for the stand so that she can serve the customers who're eager and interested in trying Aunt Hilda's food. Still, Jay knows her well enough that she's kinda doing this to put off something troubling from her mind as she's often wont to do, setting plates down with that customary warm smile on her face.
"Thank you, please enjoy!"
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline felt that Lunata could probably use a bit of support. These were difficult times for her - with the finals of the Tournament coming up, she'd probably be pressed harder than she'd ever had before.
Because of that, she decided to stop by the stall to see how she was doing. Knowing Lunata, that was the place she'd be most likely to be. The two of them were fairly similar in that they tended to immerse themselves in their respective jobs to distract themselves from whatever might be troubling them.
And, it would seem that her belief wasn't off the mark.
"Lunata, Aunt Hilda. Good to see you both." Jacqueline greets with a wave and a smile, strolling up to the stall. (Certain editions of Dream Chasers might accidentally display Jacqueline in her DLC pirate costume during this scene, but it's only a graphical error."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata chews at her lip as she rubs at her forehead, dressed in her not-DLC waitressing costume that probably comes default (The smile is free, too!). "Oh..." she smiles very quietly as she heads back to the stall, lowering her head. "Jay, good morning. I'm just helping Aunt Hilda through breakfast service."
Aunt Hilda nods patiently as she tosses quickbreads, saying, "I told her that she didn't have to, but she insisted."
"Just-- getting some things off my mind, okay?" Lunata pouts gently. "How's business today, Jay?"
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline observes Lunata carefully. Yes, something was definitely bothering her. She doesn't bring it up right away, though, instead returning her smile.
She chuckles at Aunt Hilda's comment, nodding in understanding.
"Well, that's Lunata for you." She replies warmly, before returning her attention to the girl in question.
"Oh, business is going well. I've been able to sell some things here and there. I've also heard that the Carakin should be ready in about a week or so." She explains. She's quiet for a moment, before continuing.
"But, you know...if there's something troubling you, Lunata, I'm always here to listen." She offers.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata jolts just a little, shyly as she holds onto the tray that she's serving out of. Aunt Hilda gestures subtly with her head, and Lunata turns towards one side with a quiet nod and an embarrassed little chuckle. "Y-you know me so well, Jay..."
She bites her lip. "Do you think... do you think the Guard is going to put a bounty on me?"
She looks towards the cube, hesitantly. "I hadn't even really thought about it before, but to a lot of people -- like that Mister Garan, or maybe Miss Alisha... they're all focused on stomping out dark and evil-looking things, right? It's possible they think Ge Ramda is some kind of Hellion or Malevolent thing...?"
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
They'd known each other for a while, after all, and perceptiveness was an important part of Jacqueline's job. She makes her way to a chair, somewhat seperate from the rest of the patrons, then gestures for Lunata to take a seat.
She folds her hands in front of her for a moment, eyes shut as she thinks of the best thing to say.
...Honestly, she's had similar concerns as well, pressing on the back of her mind ever since she'd witnessed Lunata fight in the Tournament.
"...You're not Malevolent, Lunata. I can promise you that. If you, or Ge Ramda, were afflicted with Malevolence, they could sense it...and so could we." Jacqueline explains. She hesitates for a moment before contining.
"I'm sure there are people out there concerned about the power you and Ge Ramda have. I...can't promise one of them won't someday put a bounty on you. But...if that day comes, I promise that we'll look after you. Just like we're looking after Kourin." She says. After all, the former Guard had a bounty on her head, as well.
"Myself...Shalune...everyone in the Kinship...everyone on the Yggdrasill, I imagine, as well. You've got a lot of people who'd be willing to stand in the way of anyone who'd be looking to collect on that bounty."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata sits down, and rather kindly of Aunt Hilda, there's a cup of tea and Jacqueline's usual mixture of drink served before too long. They're kind of shutting their eyes at this point and digesting the somewhat awkward -- but still largely too real -- silence.
"I know I'm not Malevolent... but... it might not stop other people from thinking that..." Lunata comments, hesitantly. "... I know. I know you'll all look after me, but... it just concerns me that it'll draw -- unwanted attention, you know? I want CaraKin... and your business... and our food stall to be a fun, happy place. Not a place where we have to sometimes look out for bullets coming our way..."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline stares down at the table quietly for a moment. Lunata's concerns were legitimate. Jacqueline had expressed the same desire herself in the past, after all.
"Where we're heading, Lunata...it's not really a...good place. Big Shal, and Matilda's Gear...they might help ward off some trouble, but even without a bounty on you that's still a very real possibility." Jacqueline explains.
...Come to think of it, had she told everyone that Matilda was joining them? They'd probably heard one way or the other by now...
Well, that was a concern for some other time!
"Sure...your bounty might attract attention...but I want you with us, Lunata. It's not a guarantee at this point that you'll even get one." She says. "Trust me. Whatever happens...I'll take care of it."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata can't -- can't help but blush at that, biting her lip as she places her hands to her knees. "... I--I know."
She-- she smiles warmly at Jacqueline as she says, "W-we'll work through it together, right? Just like we always do, Jay and the Lunies and-- everyone else now! Even if the Badlands isn't a good place... you know, I can't help but wanna think we'll bring some cheer where there's only frowns."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"Like we always do." Jacqueline agrees with a nod.
"Everyone's been working hard. I imagine they'll continue to do so, as well. With everyone together...things will be fine, I think. Whatever happens." She says, taking a sip of her drink. "Why, when we get through with them...I imagine people will be calling them the Goodlands from then on."
...She lets that sit a moment before chuckling sheepishly.
"...I'm sorry, I know that one was kind of...cheesy."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata-- cups her mouth before giggling to say, "Goodlands! I--I like it! You know, it's not like I imagine we can change it overnight, but... u-um, even if we can make a few people smile, get a few people a nice meal and some meds for their sick parents or something-- that's good enough for me."
There's a snicker and a snort from Aunt Hilda, but it's not derisive, she seems to approve of it.
"Oh, you should meet Dean -- Lunie and I met this boy who's really into Golems the other day, and we rode Big Shal around!" Which... might explain the sudden little uproar from the other day about Big Shal once again stomping around Lacour. People with townhouses and first-story windows are concerned, okay! "I think he's travelling with some other buddies, but..."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline smiles and nods. Lunata had the right idea. The Caravan Kinship...they could do some real good in the world.
"I agree, Lunata. The money's nice...but in the end, it's about making a difference. Slowly but surely." She agrees.
She takes another sip as Lunata mentions the boy she and Shalune had met. They'd gone for a ride with Big Shal, huh...?
...Honestly, Jacqueline was surprised there hadn't been a bigger fuss raised about her so far. It probably helped that she wasn't as massive as, say, a Gear, but still...
"Oh, did Big Shal make a new friend?" Jacqueline asks. "I certainly should meet him at some point, then."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
"I don't know what November City is like, but I heard Little Twister was... kinda seedy... but-- but Gwen's from there, and I think Gwen's a really nice person!" Lunata perks up with her hands laced together just for a moment, sipping at her tea.
"H-hey, we made friends with him too, you know!" Lunata pouts. A pause. "I hope. He's so into Golems I think he might be more into them than Lunie is, hehe..."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
You didn't really hear much good about Little Twister, it was true. Jacqueline'd never been there herself, because of all the rumors she'd heard about it. It was enough to make one nervous.
"Gwen might be a special case...but she's a good person, yeah." Jacqueline agrees with a nod, a smile...then a chuckle, as Lunata pouts.
"I know, I know." She says. The idea that someone could be more into golems than Shalune, though...?
"That's...kind of impressive, actually." Jacqueline comments. She could only imagine what it had been like to have the two of them in the same room.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata lets out a chuckle and says, "It's fun to hear the both of them just -- just natter on for a while," she sips at her tea again. "I wonder where he might've been from that he's around Golems so much? He didn't seem to be from Elru like how Shalune travelled across the ocean..."
A pause. "I still can't believe she raced across it on Little Dipper..." She sags her head.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"That's a good question...I don't really know much about Golems myself, admittedly. I couldn't begin to tell you where they'd be common enough..." Jacqueline replies. "...Though, maybe the lack of them is what makes him so excited about them?"
It was a thought.
"...I can believe it." Jacqueline replies, shaking her head. "You know how she is when she gets an idea in her head..."
It was an admirable trait, even if it worried her sometimes. Lunata seemed to think the same way.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata and Jay are more of the same mind, really, but she has probably fancied ideas that Shalune's going to cause a miracle that's going to pull them out of what seems like a completely defeated, impossible situation with... weird science. Mysterious science.
"Hmm... yeah..."
She takes another deep breath, then reaches over as she pets the cube gently. "One more match. I'm-- hehe, I nearly forgot to advertise last time... I'll do my best this time to do so!" She pumps her hands together.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline glances over toward the cube as Lunata pets it. They seemed to be getting along fairly well lately...there hadn't been any incidents since the last one...
Maybe it was a good sign?
One more match...what would happen, Jacqueline wonders?
"Well, I certainly can't blame you for forgetting in the heat of the moment, Lunata. Don't worry about it too much." Jacqueline replies with a chuckle and a smile. "Just do your best. We all believe in you!"
...Of course, an advertisement during the final would definitely be a big help for the business. Jacqueline wasn't going to put that worry on her shoulders, though!
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
"I--I know, I know, but I really should try regardless!" Lunata responds. A pause. "It'll be kinda embarrassing if I lose, though... but here's hoping for the best outcome, right?"
There's a pause... then she gets up and-- somewhat shyly, she quietly reaches over to go hug Jay around her shoulders.
"... thanks, Jay. I think I would've fallen apart in the last few weeks if it weren't for you, and Lunie... t-thanks, okay?" She's starting to sniffle just a bit, but it, at least, sounds happy. "Thanks so much..."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"Oh, Lunata...it won't be embarrassing at all. You've made it to the Finals, of the Lacour Tournament of Arms! Win or lose, that in itself is something to be proud of!" Jacqueline replies. Not everyone could make it that far.
There's a brief pause and Jacqueline's about to reach for her drink when she sees Lunata making her way over to her. With a warm smile Jacqueline accepts this hug, throwing an arm around Lunata's shoulders as well.
"Of course, Lunata. I'm always glad to help...and she is too, of course." She replies gently.