2019-04-22: You're Super to Me
- Log: You're Super To Me
- Cast: Riesenlied, Noeline, Lydia Seren
- Where: Luca
- Date: 22nd April 2019
- Summary: Lydia and Dorca visit Riesenlied and Noeline in the middle of the Feresthe's efforts to help Kilika.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
"Keep going... up, up... careful... yes, that's it...!"
Riesenlied has been putting all of her efforts into helping with the restorations of Kilika in the past several weeks. Working with the Guard has been an experience, but she seems terribly happy as she oversees and calls out an Azadian, a Lucan Ronso, a Tainted Hyadean (Mister Accordion Arms and Legs, even) and an Ellurian lifting a large support beam up the ramp onto the Fereshte as they resupply to acquire more construction materials in Luca.
There's a very heartening feeling that cheers Riesenlied to see so many disparate members of the world working together, after all. The very picture of the Outreach.
She hasn't been out to Digs or anything more strenuous, owing to her physique not particularly improving such; but she's rather happy to be doing this anyway.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline has been at Riesenlied's side as of late, of course, though right at this moment 'at her side' is currently more figurative than it is literal. There's lifting to be done, and Noeline's still strong enough that she's not about to sit back and let others deal with it when she could lend a hand herself. She might not exactly have been one for physical labour in the past, but she's spent a lot of time learning how to pitch in properly.
The fact she's maybe two-thirds the size of the Ronso and the Accordian Tainted doesn't really matter to her, not when she can reposition herself by hopping up and bracing herself against the ship's railing, pushing upwards with her feet and a noise of effort as she gives the beam enough height to clear the rest of the way. "--t-- there," she puffs with satisfaction, letting out a sigh as she clears the rest of the way.
She's looking different to when Lydie last saw her; less overblown and less flamboyant. Her hair is let down, and she's apparently wearing a darker version of Riesenlied's shamanic robes - though with a thick padded jacket over her shoulders to ensure the lighter garment doesn't get damaged hauling things around. She's obviously still a little vain the way she picks at herself the moment the job's done, but in general she looks a lot more comfortable in her own skin.
"Were there any more?" she calls down to her partner, balancing in place as she squints across the dock.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Someone has come to watch Riesenlied and Noeline and friends work while their own parents are helping with reconstruction elsewhere.
It's Dorca! The little boy Riesenlied saved with Elly and Marivel's help! That's right, he's the new main character played by Lydia. She's old news! It's Dorca now all the time.
He has actually been coming by to watch with some frequency, clearly curious and a bit fascinated by the cool gal who helped save his life. And now he--
--is having a knuckle grounded into his head out of the blue (gently) by Lydia Seren! Guess she's back Dorca, sorry about that.
"Hey kid," Lydia says. "Whatcha starin' at?"
"Mnnphh...nothin'." Dorca says, pulling out from underneath her hand, cheeks puffed out because he was TREATED LIKE A KID WOW.
"Weelll alright, I'm gonna check on the family see how they're doing."
Not freak out maybe because she hasn't seen them in like a month and has only now just found them again.
She waltzes on up, waving a hand. "Ahoy there! I hear the best family a gal could ask for is scurryin' about up there!" She spots Noeline. "Oy wow! Nice look, Noeline! Think it suits you, girl!"
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied certainly looks happy to see Noeline explore various outfit choices, though privately there might be a joking pout about how short-lived the chevalier look wound up being; that said, there might be room in her imagination for an eventual Spiran chevalier look...
"That should be it. We have a commission order for another fresh set of fasteners, but they won't be making the trip to Kilika this round," Riesenlied expresses towards Noeline and the other workers with a big smile. "But--"
Her eyes widen softly as she expresses, "Oh, Dorca...!" with a faint, fond smile as-- she yelps and sees Lydia. "And Lydia! Oh goodness--"
She laughs very softly as she reaches out for her for a hug. "Lydia, I haven't seen you since-- well-- since--" Her eyes gloss over a bit as she decides to not remind herself of the Fallen Sanctuary. "Filgaia. I want a hug..."
Lydia comments on Noeline's fashion too, and she smiles as she says, "We've been spending some time designing new looks... I want to try a change too, but haven't gotten around to it..."
She looks to Dorca as well. "Are you doing all right? Are your parents doing okay?"
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline certainly hasn't left her chevalier look aside, especially given the way she's gained a newfound enjoyment in teasing Riesenlied over it. (Never mind that she's exactly the same way, and possibly even more huffy about it.) It's just a hot day that involves a lot of lifting, and with her commitment to being more involved with the Outreach's daily activities the Crimson Notble has gained a certain degree of practicality.
Nodding at Riesenlied's comment, Noeline puffs out a breath, glancing at the other workers for a moment. "Well, then. Thank you all for your help - if you'd like a ride to Kilika to assist on that end, I'm reasonably sure we can make space," she adds with a laugh as she dusts off her hands and puffs her cheeks out. Rolling one shoulder, she starts to make her way down to her partner, but pauses - first at the realization they have an audience, then at the sight of the audience's identity.
Noeline's crimson eyes are at least unmistakable, especially when they glitter with amusement at the sight of Lydia. "--exactly who are you calling 'girl'?" she shoots back with a toothy sort of grin, clearing the rest of the ramp in time to reach Riesenlied's wheelchair.
Already aware that the other Hyadean is likely to reach so far forward she'll tip herself out of her seat, the first priority is to get Riesenlied to hug distance, maneuvering the chair across the dock with a little more speed than she'd normally allow herself to handle Riese with.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Lydia hasn't even met this supposed Crimson Noble lady so don't worry Noeline, you're the only noble she is going to believe in. Lydia doesn't generally but she makes an exception for Noeline. "Oh! You know this guy! Okay. I thought he was bein' a creeper!"
"I'm not whatever that is!" Dorca protests, cheeks red. "She saved me from a fiend. She can turn into fiends." Pause. "A good fiend."
"You mean friend?" Lydia asks with a squint of her eyes.
"...You're weird, lady." He looks to Riesenlied. "My parents are working, I'm okay. They said I could visit you but I can't go out and play."
Lydia gives Riesenlied an over the top hug and lifts her up into the air a bit before setting her back down. "I've really missed you too. I couldn't find ya! Though I guess I was kinda taking in the sights for a bit because wow this place is out of this world."
Pause. "Literally but you get what I mean. Sorry it took a bit, but I'm glad to be back! Hope you didn't worry too much!" She lowers her voice. "It's ok to have worried a little though."
She then smiles over to Noeline and adds, "If you're workin' it that sharp, what else am I gonna call it huh? But nah, I mean, you look good. You both look...great."
She smiles sheepishly. "Guess you're already fixing up a community. Always can find where folks need help huh?"
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied lets out a tender little laugh as she tilts her head and smiles towards Noeline as she comes closer, handing her a towel and a small bottle of water. She even reaches out to dab at a cheek, before expressing a bit warmer, "Good job today," as she gives her a genteel hug.
Several of the workers give a wave -- the Ronso grunts to say, "Thank you for the offer... let's hope this is enough to keep more families in Kilika going," in response as Accordion Tubing Man gives a thumbs up and shrinks to like, half his 'working' size because that's the benefit of being made out of accordion tubes. "I'll go back to the Fereshte and clean up! You three enjoy the rest of the evening -- hey Lyds!"
As previously established, he even has Accordion Tubing Boy now... a family united.
Riesenlied looks a bit shyly as she might misunderstand who Dorca is calling weird. "I--I am a bit weird... you'll forgive me for that, hopefully?" she smiles warmer as she looks up to Noeline and introduces her. "This is Noeline. We're both Lydia's mothers... thank you for coming out to visit us."
She gets hugs from both Noeline and Lydia! It rather makes her more animated and happier. "I was really scared... but it's okay now. You must have a lot of stories... hehe, tell me later," she smiles even wider by the end.
"And yes... when we heard of what happened to Kilika, we knew we couldn't sit by. The Azadians amongst us are really fired up... I'm really glad to see."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
"Aah," Noeline sounds out, and you can just spot the point where her brain catches up to realize that there's someone who she hasn't met yet present; she stands a little taller, flicking out her hair with a light grin as she tries to look a little more impressive. "You would be Dorca, then? I heard about the altercation - if I'd known about it, I can assure you I would have been on hand as well. Still, I'm glad you're up and about."
It works better when she's not tired out from work, which is half the reason she puffs out her cheeks at Lydia, doing her best to try to tell if the girl is joking. "We are-- as well as could be expected," she admits to their daughter with a light chuckle. It's difficult to say if Riesenlied is ever doing 'good' what with her deterioration, but in Noeline's eyes a lot of lazing around on a sunny beach and doing less dangerous relief work has certainly gone a long way in counting towards that.
"And honestly, it's a relief to know that we haven't been separated from the rest of the Outreach this time. If we'd somehow managed to come without the Fereshte... well, I don't really want to imagine how much worse that would be to get around," she puffs out a breath as she returns Lydia's hug, then rests her hand on Riesenlied's shoulder in support as she leans in to get her cheek dabbed.
The pause gives her time to think, and then tilt her head with a quiet chuckle. "'Needing help' appears to be a bit of a Spiran default state - but it's one that they respond to well. Everyone's been pulling together, and they've accepted our help just like that. I suppose with Sin around, the people are just that much more used to working together."
Riesenlied mentions stories - and that makes something catch in Noeline's thoughts, her eyebrows raising. "--I hope you saw the blitzball," she adds suddenly. "It is a /ridiculous/ sport. I instantly thought of you," she adds, and breaks into a grin. "But I wasn't sure if you'd love it or hate it."
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
"I saw the blitzball. It was a great day until I got depressed and started pushing away the people who care about me." Lydia says. "Though I guess to be fair, that was after the giant army of fiends attacked the place and started murdering people which was kind of a downer," Lydia says. "I have no idea how you can enjoy a game of blitzball when at any moment, monsters can start eating people or whatever with basically no real protection! We pretty much had to fend for ourselves! It sucked! I don't want my life to be moving to and fro from one ridiculous crisis to the next, I've got my own dreams too!"
She exhales sharply. "Sorry, I guess I'm still not really entirely over everything. Speakin' of Azado, Captain Jack Harken (no relation) from the Kinship Alliance? He wants to go fight Sin and we were just about to convince him not to when an assassin attacked us! Great times here so far in Spira. Starting to see why Prissa's first reaction upon comin' back was to complain about it."
She exhales again. "Sorry, sorry. I'm trying...to be positive. Bluggh. Well. I mean. It IS positive that you're here. So like, that's good. Also good that you saved some kid. Yeah that's cool too. Um...yeah.... Yeah,"
She kicks her foot across the floor for am oment looking to the Ronso for a moment. "Daang, beastmen here are jacked."
She sees ACcordian Tubing Man and says, "Heey dude! Say hey to Accordian Tubing Kid for me okay?" She fingerguns at him.
"Man, being here without the Fereshte would be weird huh..." She says in a deadpan before cracking a grin. "But I'm not entirely sure what we're supposed to do about Sin. Haven't run into a Guardian Lord yet to ask 'em about it."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
"It all happened very suddenly... I'm glad Elly and Marivel were around," Riesenlied bashfully says to Noeline as she clings and reaches up to give her a soft peck on the cheek too, after dabbing it. She hesitates for a moment whether she should be showing such p-public displays of affection in front of children...!! But neediness wins out in the end.
"Oh, Blitzball... it's so violent...!" Riesenlied softly gasps as her horns deflate. "But everyone looked to be really spirited. We watched a game, when everything went down here in Luca." She smiles wider as she nods and says, "I do agree, though, it reminds me of the-- the-- sacca...? That you and Janey and the other children used to play back in Wayside."
Riesenlied it's soccer...
Lydia explains, though, and her expression sinks quite a bit. "Oh, Lydia..." she clings onto her hand gently. She sucks in a breath as she digests that honest expression, giving her a hug first.
"I was really scared too. The pyreflies, those glowing lights... they were very difficult for me, I could feel so much pain and anger within them..." Riesenlied admits. "But..."
She looks towards Accordion Tubing Man again as he leaves and she expresses. "I think I appreciate seeing it because I sensed a familiar spirit from the Gutter. Where even when there was the risk of Alhazred dropping his latest failed experiment on everyone, we still managed to have morning markets and communal pot lunches and other things we'd laugh and smile and joke about...?"
She bobs her head. "I know it's not much help. But seeing such a strong sense of life from these people... it inspires me. Much like the Tainted did. I know it's scary... but it's okay to be scared, right?"
She doesn't quite answer about Sin yuet. Sin is a topic that reminds her of Azado and a near-deafening explosion of emotion that were like the pyreflies, only tenfold.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Puffing out a breath, Noeline slowly nods. She's not as good at times like this as Riesenlied, but knows well enough to rest a hand on Lydia's shoulder as she works through her complaints. "... I understand how you feel. As people who have come from a very different world, it will naturally take us time to accept the situation here. We are looking in from outside, and from that point of view Sin's attacks have taught people here to live in the moment - but that means we can just as easily see how much their whole lives revolve around such attacks."
She winces, aware that's rather cold comfort, and does her best to soften her tone. "I can understand being scared and worried, but that's exactly why people band together. Whether it's the Kinship, or the Outreach, we and Spira both have learnt to stick together into groups that can support each other. Which is for the best," she adds with a light smirk. "I wonder how I would have fared in Spira a few decades ago. I bet I would have walked straight into the Temples to look around and accidentally commit a heresy or something."
She looks to Riesenlied, reaching for her for a second as she frowns. "It isn't wrong to call it a world apart. So much about Spira seems to work in completely different ways to everywhere else. Even the ebb of Malevolence is gone, and instead we have pyreflies."
It's as much a means to judge Riesenlied's expression as it is to offer her some support; Noeline can spot the way the other Hyadean shies away from that topic, so she draws in a breath to try to treat it as lightly as it can. "For our part... we are going to continue assisting here. We are certainly not well-equipped to fight, and have many Azadians on board as well - it would not be very fair for us to drag them into that." She remembers Duras Drum's scream - but it's not the time to mention it.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Lydia doesn't remember that. She didn't hear the Guardians at all that day. She tries not to think about that.
"Soccer?" Lydia says. "Yeah it's basically underwater soccer with more tackling and hitting people with the ball, though I guess that IS legal in soccer too so but I've never played a game that did that quite as much."
Darco doesn't really seem to mind displays of affection, there isn't much of a reaction at all, he just kind of watches and holds his blitzball in his hands and periodically bounces it against the floor.
Lydia has nothing to say about Marivel MYSTERIOUSLY but she does say, "Elly's really nice. I haven't seen her in a while but like, I was feeling really down and she...is really good at empathizing with people. Even without superpowers. It was ... nice."
She then asks, "Pyreflies?"
She turns her focus to Noeline aftewards and adds, "YEah, yeah, I know. I was hoping it'd be...more Prissas, I guess, less ludditism making life completely horrible. Maybe you can convince the guy to not commit suicide by Sin? I thin kthat would be nice. It's not like we're going to punch out a whale that big." Pause. "....R..right?"
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied smiles as Noeline gives her own two cents, hopefully more able to express it. She knows Noeline's had her own way of coping with the fact that the world may want them dead at any time... 'even if the world turns against us', after all, were some of the key phrases that kept them together.
"... I have faith in you," is all Riesenlied chuckles back in turn as Noeline speaks about heresy. "And we aren't about to claim to be Summoners or anything... I would not want to offend in that way."
She clings onto Noeline's hand tighter as she closes her eyes for a moment, sensing Noeline glancing and giving her some support. She spends some time watching Dorca play with his blitzball...
"Elly's an inspiration to me... hehe. Honestly, even with an empathic sense, the important part is having the heart for it," Riesenlied expresses earnestly.
She tilts her head as she murmurs, "I suppose we could try... I imagine Prissa might have the best viewpoint out of all of us, though. I can't fault anyone for wanting to try to make a difference, but um--"
The topic does go back to Sin again in the end. "... ... I suppose there was a time when I thought that Mother was unassailable, and look how that turned out in the end. But I think it is important to also understand that it is as much Spira's problem, and judging from the way the Crusaders are mobilising..."
She lowers her head. "I cannot fault them for having the desire to make a difference."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
"... Riese isn't /superpowered/," Noeline puffs up protectively, and then immediately furrows her brow and picks at her hair as she manages to trap herself between 'proclaiming Riese's empathy powers aren't cheating' and 'wanting to compliment Riese'. "What I mean is, I don't believe that empathy is some mysterious thing it takes a mountain trip and secret teachings to learn. Time, certainly, but anyone can get there eventually."
She draws in a quiet breath, looking back to Riesenlied for a moment as the two of them hold hands - as the two of them share a feeling over their link, and as her partner confesses having faith in her decisions and choices. That still makes Noeline quirk a tiny grin, because it's probably more faith than she would have ever had in herself a decade ago... but it's also part and parcel of how they're here now, together and free of the secrets they've had to harbour.
"There is still a lot to like about the place. Luddite, I will certainly grant you - but there's an optimistic and an upbeat air that's sorely missing from some areas of Filgaia. Take it little by little - it must still seem overwhelming, and if your only experience so far has been Luca I can see why you would be overwhelmed. Perhaps come along with us to one of the smaller islands?" she suggests earnestly.
She squeezes Riesenlied's hand gently, and draws in a breath. "... we can try to talk to them, perhaps. But we are new in this world, and they have been dealing with Sin for many, many generations." Noeline does her best to sound gentle about it. "I am sure the Crusaders are aware of what they fight, and why they fight it. How much we can add to that, I am unsure."
There's a pause, and Noeline has the grace to clear her throat. "I have made a solemn promise not to attempt to punch Sin again," she admits, not meeting anyone's gaze.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied doesn't meet Noeline's gaze either, but the loud whine as she clings onto Noeline's elbow is very telling.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
"Okay, Saviors of Filgaia," Lydia says. "And your people. And of like four or five towns I lost count. You aren't super but you're still super to me, okay? I'm not gonna... apologize for that. For thinking you two are just...the super best awesome people. I'm not putting you on a pedastal or anything, it's what I believe okay. You're super to me. To a lot of people."
But she does nod and gesture vaguely iwth her hand again, "But I don't disagree. It's not JUST about the powers and such, you have good hearts too, and you put 'em too use. I mean, I bet Elly sees you as an inspiration. I do." She exhales sharply and adds, "And...well, I guess I don't figure I've lived up to it. But I'm trying. I guess."
Her cheeks silver faintly. "...And ... yeah I mean, I guess we did beat Mother, but Mother wasn't like...this big. It's, like, SO BIG Riese. I don't know." Riese says she can't fault them for wanting to make a difference.
"If he fights..they'll die. I'm sure of it. Even Jay says there's other way to helps."
Her cheeks puff out faintly. She probably figures that 'luddite' is a far bigger concern to her than it might be for Noeline. "Good promise," She admits.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied's cheeks flush further as she bashfully says and nods, remarking, "You're super to me too," as if feeling the need to blurt that out to her daughter in turn! Aww. She smiles wider as she reaches forward and holds her daughter's hand, squeezing it gently. She probably privately still doesn't consider herself a saviour of Filgaia, in part because of the usual humbleness but also because she had to be rescued from being a threat to Filgaia.
But negative thoughts aren't for time with daughter. Even if Noeline might be able to scan some of that, since it's not a new thought.
"I... I don't know what it is. It's like Noeline says. Spira has dealt with Sin for a very long time and it persists. It's part of... of their ecosystem, their lives. The pyreflies--"
Lydia asked about pyreflies earlier.
"Those shining, wisp-like lights that emerge out of Fiends... it holds a lot of emotion, like that of a... a departed soul? But not quite. I do not understand them fully... they made me feel extremely ill from how crowded their thoughts were."
She furrows her brow. "I want to learn... so I can better help the people of Spira. That's one way I think I'll strive to help here..."
She slumps and her horns flatten into dog-ears. "The Summoners... the Summoners defeat Sin, right? That is Spira's hope. Lord Braska was celebrated such for his efforts. Perhaps the Captain can meet a Summoner and understand how the Spirans do it."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
With a quiet smort, Noeline pats at their daughter's shoulder again, and even goes so far as to rub Lydia's arm briefly. She's still a little awkward when it comes to parenting, but getting there slowly. "You have thrown yourself into danger for others more than enough times that I think you're doing a very good job of living up to Riesenlied's image," she points out, which comes out a little more impish than she intended, but is still obviously meant as a genuine compliment as well.
"We're proud of you," she adds with a quiet nod afterwards, the joking tone bleeding out of her voice as she allows herself that much. "But more than that - we don't want you to live up to us. We are not immune to being foolish or wrong. We've had moments where even the two of us have fought. We spent a century or two just dancing around each other. So we would much rather you live up to yourself," she stresses with a wry smile. "It seems to be working out."
She looks back to Riesenlied for a moment; the Crimson Notble looks rather uncertain, but puffs out her cheeks for a moment. "Perhaps, while we are in Kilika, we can send a letter or two to try to arrange such a meeting - perhaps point Lulu and the Guardians in his direction. It may not be very much, but we can at least try to help open some lines of communication. That is where your forte lies," she adds with a warmer smile.
And then ruins it with a huff of air. "But you are /kidding/ me! Jack /Harken/? I am frankly stunned he hasn't had a couple of extremely angry Fast Draws slice his boat in half," she grouses.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Lydia says is sure feeling very loved right about now. It honestly makes her embarrassed at feeling overwhelmed by her problems as it is. They manage to handle it--and they've got far bigger problems than she does. Riesenlied still needs a chair and Noeline is probably having some mid life crisis right now or whatever that's like for Hyadeans she doesn't know! They need her help, not the other way around!
Yessss, so how is she going to be super to these super people super super.
"Oh is that what they are? Man." She shakes her head. Sure maybe the Captain can just become a summoner. It's not like it's impossible. It's definitely better than him ramming the boat they need for Prissa's debts into it. "Well if the Summoners can do it I guess we can focus on saving lives and let them worry about saving the day. Man, that's actually kind of refreshing!"
She leans into Noeline's pat and gives her a one armed hug.
"Thanks." She tells her, then to Riesenlied. "And... /Thanks/. It's hard to really feel bad about myself around you two, haha. I should hang around more and stop being a downer. Blitzball's cool and all but it ain't that cool."
WHO IS LULU THAT SOUNDS LIKE A FAKE NAME.
Lydia sweats faintly.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied smiles just a little wider, paradoxically thinking that it's not that bad to need a chair when her daughter is genuinely struggling with such issues like being thrust upon a new culture that fights day to day with life and death and not feeling like she's cutting it to a level of accomplishment which she often feels herself and they go in circles don't they.
"Mm-- hehe... yes, we really are-- in our own way, children, as Noeline once said," Riesenlied expresses. "Still trying to understand how to live our lives, and live in each other's space... and. You know that I'm proud of you. The Kinship Alliance couldn't have started without you, after all, right?"
She takes the moment to nuzzle against Noeline again after that moment. "Hmm..." Can the Captain become a Summoner? She doesn't know, she definitely thinks there's a similarity to Baskar shamans in that one dedicates their entire lives to the cause and in some ways that's why she doesn't use the term 'shaman' herself necessarily out of a feeling of making light of the sacrifices actual Baskar shamans do. "I think it would be worth asking for a Temple's perspective, at the very least. They are important stops along a Summoner's pilgrimage to defeat Sin... they must have a rich history and culture of it."
She looks to Noeline and-- lowers her head. "Harken..." She pauses as she stops herself from feeling too bad about thinking of Lady Harken, though, and how she hasn't seen her since. She shakes her head to snap out of it, horns puffing up again.
"Should we go inside? I think a bath and rest would do us all some good..."