2021-10-08: The Rainbow Connection
- Log: The Rainbow Connection
- Cast: Xantia, Seraph Clarine
- Where: Shemeber Plains
- Date: October 08, 2021
- Summary: Xantia enthusiasticly shares Cool Light Tricks with Clarine. Then, an unknown yet familiar song pops up again, hinting at a certain connection...
============================<* Shemeber Plains *>============================= The Shemeber Plains lie in the east of Zoara, just out of the rain shadow of the Numeira Mountains. Compared to the rest of Zoara, they seem positively Edenic--the soil is rich, and the water is free of chemical runoff. Thick, lush grass covers the Plains, making them prime territory for ranchers as well as farmers. Homesteads and farming villages dot the plains, and some of the larger settlements even have railroad stations. This agricultural network exports food, wool, and other essential goods to Guild Galad, and the handful of settlements in northern Zoara. While the Shemeber settlements have no formal military, they have long been protectorates of the nearby Saint Heim Papal State. In exchange for a small yearly tithe, they receive the protection of the Church's martial orders, and the right to sell their goods in Saint Halim's markets. Given that many of Shemeber's citizens are devout followers of Granas, the tithe is seen as a sacred duty. BGM: Grandia 2 - Village of Carbo ~ Pious Adepts
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
It doesn't happen too often that Xantia sends out a Memory Cube message asking for a meeting. It's more like her to do things spontaneously, based on whatever happens to be on her path. It can be inferred that if she does do so, there's something specific that she has in mind for which the location is important. Unfortunately, that's about all that be easily inferred from the message that Xantia sent to Clarine some time ago, since her messages tend to be notoriously lacking in detail.
"Hey Clarine! If you have time, could you come over to the very north-west part of the Saint Heim area? You know, the spot where the plains end in mountains on one side and the sea on the other? I wanna show you something that I think you'll really like, but I need to be in the right place for it, so... I hope you can drop by! No problem if you can't, it's not really super important or anything, just, you know, a neat thing!"
And that's all there is to go on, aside from the date and time and she was going to be around there. Is this meant to be a surprise? Could she not figure out the right words to say what this is about? Or did she simply think that seeing it would be better than reading about it? Who knows, it could be anything. It could even be all three.
Whatever the case may be, it doesn't take meeting up with Xantia to already see this thing she was talking about. Approaching from the Saint Heim side, a waterfall can be seen flowing down from the mountainside into the sea. Today, something very peculiar is happening at that waterfall. Strong winds are scattering the water droplets as light is reflected off of them, causing a rainbow to form with a very unique shape. By all appearances, it's as if a rainbow-colored flame is rising up from the sea, dancing across the waterfall. While this might be possible under normal circumstances, at the current moment in time, the sunlight isn't coming from an angle where it could land onto the waterfall and cause this to happen.
Xantia almost certainly has something to do with this, as she's calmly seated cross-legged on a stone outcropping near the top of the waterfall. Brushing against the flowing water, her hands glow a pale white - unmistakably, she's tapping into her Light magic to manipulate the circumstances, creating this flame-like rainbow where it could normally not exist.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Clarine has posed.
Clarine has a lot of time on her hands lately. It's been a while since Odessa has made any big moves, meaning that ARMS has only had minor incidents to deal with that don't always require all hands ready to move out. So naturally, she is both free and eager to accept Xantia's invitation when it is offered.
The place where the plains, mountains, and the sea intersect... it's a beautiful place, though Clarine can't help but wonder what it was Xantia wanted to show her. She said it was a 'neat thing'...
...And as Clarine finds out, it certainly is neat. As she approaches she finds herself with an excellent view of the waterfall and the phenomena that is currently taking place there - the rainbow-colored flame rising from the sea. The sight of it leaves her stunned for a good few moments. As a being of light herself, Clarine has a fondness for such light displays... and enough knowledge to realise that someone must be responsible. This is proven as she approaches Xantia at the top of the waterfall, looking from the glow of her hands to the phenomena below.
"Xantia... it is good to see you." Clarine greets politely with a smile. "That prismatic flame... is that what you wished to show me? It is quite lovely... and very remarkable. It is no small display of talent..."
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia, usually such a ball of energy, would normally greet Clarine with great enthusiasm. But she seems more subdued today, notably calmer than she usually is. That much was evident already from a distance. For Xantia to keep her focus on a task that requires her to just... sit still for an extended period of time, that's a rare sight. The fact that she doesn't immediately jump up but remains seated there doesn't come entirely out of nowhere, at least. She does smile when she hears Clarine's voice, but takes a moment before slowly lifting her hands from the water, and turning her head towards the Seraph.
"Hello, Clarine. Glad you could make it." She rises to her feet, then proceeds to hop across a section of uneven rocks before reaching a more solid surface. By the time she lands, she already seems a bit more like her usual self, glowing with pride at the praise she receives for her efforts.
"Heh heh heh. Pretty cool, right? I was just playing around with Light near water and discovered it made a rainbow happen. Total accident, and I had to practice a bit before I figured out how I could make it happen every time, but yeah, you saw it, it's incredible! I couldn't help but think I should show you, after all, it's all because of you that I can do this now."
She raises her right hand and opens it, a small pool of Light flowing out of her palm. She observes it while continuing to speak, during the course of which she forms the Light into several different shapes: from a pillar, to an orb, and finally a cube.
"You know, I don't usually do this sort of thing when I'm training. To me, Ether's always been about fighting. It has to be useful in combat, otherwise there's no point. That's how I used to feel... until I learned how to do Light." She stares into the cube she made for a moment, then it starts to revolve in her palm, spinning on one of its points.
"There's just... something about it. When I use Lightning, or Fire, I don't really feel anything. It's just, you know, something I use. A tool, same as any other tool. You swing a hammer to break stuff, you use Fire to set something on fire. You're glad you have it to do a job with, but when you don't need it, you don't think about it. But Light is different. I just feel that... I like Light." Finally, she closes her hand, dispersing the cube, and looking back to Clarine.
"It's calming. Comforting. And I can't help but think that the reason I feel that way... well, it's probably because of you."
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Clarine has posed.
A rare sight, indeed... but it's nice to see. Clarine doesn't mind the enthusiastic greetings, but the more subdued Xantia speaks volumes as well.
"And I am glad, as well." Clarine replies. She watches Xantia hop across the rocks just in case she slips but, thankfully, she doesn't. Clarine can't help but smile a little herself as Xantia approaches, glowing with pride.
"Quite!" Clarine agrees with a nod, then listens with interest as Xantia explains how she figured out how to make it work - while at the same time, observing the way she creates and plays with a pool of light. She nods to herself.
"It is remarkable, is it not...? The interplay of light and water, how even the slightest adjustment can create such a beautiful sight..." She starts... and then pauses, realising she may be gushing a little. "I am glad you thought to show me... and I am thankful for the opportunity to see it. I am impressed with how far you have come in your use of light..."
Clarine pauses, though, as Xantia continues, as she explains how light feels different - how it's calming, and comforting, likely because of her. Clarine is a little surprised by that... but she smiles, pleased.
"Because of me... Well, I am happy to hear that I have helped you find some measure of peace... It is something that I, too, am fond of... so I am pleased that you feel similarly." Clarine replies.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia chuckles a bit when Clarine catches herself going on about how much she enjoys the particulars of what Light can do, and does so again when the Seraph states her fondness for the calm found in the element. It's just reaffirming things that she's known for a while now, as she soon clarifies.
"I could tell. It probably makes sense for Seraphs to feel good about their own element, but it stood out to me how much you enjoy yours. Or, maybe that's just because I've seen you more than any of the others." She scratches her cheek. "And I guess maybe I'm cheating a little. I feel like I understand the way you look at things pretty well after that whole fusion thing happened."
She's still unsure how much of the way she feels in regards to Clarine and the element of Light is because of lingering side-effects after that event. It's not really a worry so much as just more thing that she finds it difficult to say anything with certainty about. Given her memory issues, that's not exactly uncommon for her. But, in the end, she shakes her head.
"It doesn't really matter though, does it? I'm just... glad there's something I can do to calm myself. It's difficult sometimes, with everything that's been happening. Never thought I could feel better just by standing around in the sun, but..."
She turns towards the direction the sunlight is coming from, closes her eyes and spreads her arms, just standing there for a moment. "...Yeah. Just this makes me feel better now. It didn't used to. But ever since that happened, this is just... nice."
It's apparently nice enough for Xantia to start humming a tune to herself, like she commonly does when she feels happy. There's something unusual about this one, however. It doesn't sound quite as happy as the random tunes she typically comes up with. There's a certain melancholy present in it. And it doesn't feel entirely random.
That's because Clarine has heard it before. It's the same song that Xenia was singing when the Seraph happened upon Xantia's twin, in this very same mountain range.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Clarine has posed.
"Some of us are closer to our element than others, in truth. To some of us it is at the core of our being, and to others it is simply but an aspect of their self." Clarine explains. Xantia mentions the fusion incident and Clarine nods and smiles a little. She remembers it quite well... but even she can't say anything of it for certain. Still, there is one thing she does know, or at least believe. "'Cheating'... Perhaps that is one way to look at it, but it would not have happened had our feelings not been aligned in that moment... at least, that is what I believe. I can hardly view that as a 'cheat'..."
She nods, though, as Xantia decides it doesn't really matter.
Everything that's been happening... It sounds like things may have been rough for Xantia. Clarine nods quietly.
"It has a remarkable effect, does it not? There's just something simply wonderful about sitting back, allowing yourself to soak in the sun and absorb the nature around you..." Clarine says.
And then, Clarine listens with interest as Xantia begins to hum. It's not unusual... but it is interesting, due to the tune she hums. A familiar tune - the same one she remembers Xenia singing. It isn't too surprising, but to hear it here in this same place...
"That is a lovely tune... Does it have a name?" Clarine asks, curious.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
That's a nice way of looking at it, Xantia thinks, and amends her words. "Okay, maybe not 'cheating' then, that does sound a little negative. I guess... hm. I'm not sure if another word fits for the reason why I understand you so much better than before." As she soon decides that the reason doesn't matter so much, she doesn't dwell on it.
Not wanting to dwell on things too much is certainly a big reason why she appreciates this effect Light has on her now. It doesn't help to get lost in thought about what's been happening, and what it might mean for herself and those she cares about. She might be a bundle of nerves right now if she hadn't figured out a way to relax, something that had always been difficult for her to do.
"You're right," she readily agrees with Clarine. "It really is remarkable, I never would've thought this would be something you could enjoy. Before, it would've just felt like a waste of time to do this. Maybe now I'm... closer to the element, as you said."
Soon, she starts to hum. She doesn't consciously realize when she's doing that, it tends to just sort of happen. It takes Clarine pointing out that she's doing it to make her aware, which causes her to stop abruptly. She turns back to the Seraph, chuckling sheepishly.
"Oh, nah... I just sort of make stuff up. Not sure what makes me do that." So she says, but it doesn't take long for her brow to furrow, and she crosses her arms.
"No, wait... I was thinking of the word 'rainbow'. Yeah... the word 'rainbow' is in that song, isn't it? But then... is this a real song...?" She looks up at Clarine, visibly puzzled. "Did it sound like a real song, not just random sounds?"
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Clarine has posed.
Clarine nods. It's just another mystery, she supposes... but at least, unlike most mysteries this world seems to present before them these days, it's a happier one. She can be grateful for that much, at least - and it seems as if it's the same for Xantia.
"Perhaps so." Clarine agrees with a nod. "I would perhaps recommend inviting someone to join you sometime... I find the experience is much better with good friends by your side, and I am certain there are some who could use it..."
Xantia says that she just makes stuff up... and then corrects herself. It seems that it brings words to mind... If Clarine hadn't heard Xenia sing it before it may have been more difficult to make the connection, but she elects not to mention that.
"'Rainbow'..." Clarine repeats, curious. It's significant, and can hardly be a coincidence.
"There was a... solemnity to it. And structure, that differed from your usual hums..." Clarine explains. "It seemed as if there was significance to it."
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
"Oh really?" Xantia questions to inviting others along. She wouldn't have thought of that, but now that Clarine has suggested it... "I'll have to try that sometime."
Undoubtedly, she'll manage to drag the least fitting person along on such a relaxventure. That's just how these things tend to go. But that's for later worry.
Right now, Xantia is wracking her brain on where this song suddenly popped into her mind from. If this is something she's heard before, she can't remember it, but that only makes her want to figure it out even more. She's long since discovered that the smallest details can turn out to be an unexpectedly significant clue to her past.
"A solemnity..." she repeats, mulling that part of Clarine's words over in her head for a moment. Then she shakes her head. "That's weird... it didn't feel like that. I feel like... it's a happy song. A hopeful song. A song about... about..."
For a time, it doesn't seem as if she's going to manage to get any further than that, either unable to recall further or unable to put what she's thinking into words. Then she suddenly blurts out, "Coloring this grey world like a rainbow towards tomorrow's light."
She appears very confused by this, and in the end can only shrug. "That sounds like a silly thing to say, but... I think that's how it goes...?"
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Clarine has posed.
There's a smile as Xantia says she'll try it sometime, but her focus then turns to the topic of the song. She watches Xantia as she appears deep in thought... but at this point, there isn't much she can do to help. Right now, interjecting might do more harm than good.
But then, Xantia blurts out something that sounds like lyrics. Clarine pauses, rolling them over in her head... and then smiles.
"I do not think that is silly at all, but... I may perhaps be a bit biased in that regard." Clarine replies with a good-natured chuckle. "It is a wonderful sentiment, I think... It would be nice to hear the full song someday..."
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
"Well... I guess," Xantia concedes. "The sentiment itself isn't bad at all, it's just, you know. Nobody actually talks like that, right?" She really doesn't talk like that. Even to herself, it sounds alien coming from her mouth. Not that she can really tell if this is more or less so than usual. She shrugs once more.
"Guess that's why I just hum, I don't really understand most songs. It feels weird to say things when I don't know what they mean. Maybe that's missing the point of a song, but..."
Either way, she certainly agrees that where it comes to this particular song, it would be nice to hear all of it. She wishes she could hear the full song right now. There's no telling what else she might remember if this really is a fragment of a memory. But, try as she might...
"...I lost it. I thought I was just humming something random, so I wasn't really paying attention... I can't get the melody back."
Vexing, to put it mildly. It prompts her to ask of Clarine, "If you ever do hear it somewhere else, please let me know. This could be really important."
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Clarine has posed.
"Well, that is the way of songs... their wording tends to be a bit more... flowery, than one would speak in a normal conversation... But in a way, it is a reflection of the lyricist... There can be as much significance in the way it is worded as there is in the words themselves..." Clarine explains. She nods, though. Songs can be difficult to understand!
She can sympathise with Xantia's frustration at not being able to get the melody back.
"I will be sure to listen for it..." Clarine replies with a nod. ...It hurts a little to say that. She's not the type to keep secrets, but she doesn't think telling Xantia she heard it from Xenia to be for the best for now.