open

[cyja]

A

[ Outside and near wherever your character is staying, a variety of machina, both whole and taken apart, are strewn across a canvas that Rikku is using as a mat. She's happily tinkering away until she notices your character leave the house or open the window. ]

Oh, morning, sleepyhead! Took you a while to get out. Look at all the stuff I've done! You should go to bed earlier. ...or get a better alarm.

[ An alarm clock in front of her rings. She hits the button on it to stop it and—wait, isn't that clock yours? No, it must be your imagination. Probably. ]

B

[ For one reason or another, your character and Rikku must absolutely go outside in the middle of a thunderstorm. Before your character can leave their shelter, Rikku frowns and runs after them. ]

Wait, stop! We're going out now?

[ A loud boom of thunder startles Rikku into curling up into a ball. ]

Comments

B.

[draping]

[ Lulu glides across moistened ground, vague imprints following her footsteps and the tug of her heavy skirt as she turns from the entrance of the makeshift hovel back to the comforting corners that they've found momentary solace in. ]

It will never end. [ Her voice level and soft, almost protective but not quite. There's always the harsh bite of reality to her. ] We can wait but it will not cease. You will never be more prepared than in this moment.

[ She settles beside the girl, belts and hair ornaments jingling softly in a strangely comforting tune while she reaches for her. Lulu presses a hand to the side of her face, to her head. Never mocking, just cautiously kind. Like she might be fearful of getting to close but her desire to offer aid is that much stronger. ]

[cyja]

[ Lulu's touch and tone helps calm the girl down, but it proves most effective in getting Rikku to rise. Lulu always had it together. Was there anything she wasn't afraid of? Rikku remembers what Kimahri said before when she expressed desire to become like the woman: Only those who try will become. If she doesn't move now, she never will. Her boots dig into the soil as she stands. ]

Ooh... Just—give me a minute. [ She turns her back to Lulu and rushes back inside their shelter, arms close to her sides and hands balled into fists. ] It's alright, Rikku, you can do this. A little lightning won't hurt you, yeah? Pretend... pretend you're a lightning rod. Strong and tall even if a million bolts from the sky hit you again and again until you wear—okay, not a lightning rod.

[ This is when she takes her time to think of a better role model. It isn't coming to her easily. ]