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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:37:54 GMT -5
- Celes -
Celes woke from a troubled sleep and entered into a cold, panicked sweat. She tasted bile in the back of her throat and swallowed hard as she threw the sheets off and sat up in bed. It was nightfall, and as she forced herself to slow her breathing, Celes stared hard out the window. The stars shimmered softly in the distance, and she tried to sort her thoughts as she watched the night sky.
Her dream, what had startled her so? It had been a pleasant enough memory. Her first time in the role of Maria, and there Locke was, foolhardily playing Draco, ever the gallant rogue. She gathered the tresses of her nightgown, for it had tangled under her during her fit. Celes rose, and with bare feet padded up the wooden stairway that led from her bedroom, past the rafters where the stage crew often lurked, and onto the upper level balcony of the Treno Opera Theatre.
No, it hadn't been fond memories of Locke that awoke her, Celes thought as she shivered despite the humid night air. She leaned against the edge of the balcony and shuddered. Kefka, God in his mind and almost by right, had disrupted her thoughts at the very end of blissful sleep. Long dead now, she supposed, but one never knew with monsters. She thought over the dream and frowned. Well, she wasn't about to let thoughts of him continue to ruin her night. Celes gave a deep sigh. Would the past never stay past?
“Miss Cole?” Celes grinned. Well, there were certain things from the past she wouldn't mind seeing again.
“Miss Cole, is there something wrong? You're performing tomorrow; shouldn't you be resting?” Celes turned to the voice and was met with a woman not much younger than herself. Was she one of the chorus singers? Celes wished she was better with faces.
“Chere, please. 'Miss Cole' seems too formal; you're a live-in here too, aren't you?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Chorus?”
“Yes. But, I've been studying. One day, I'd like to star in an opera here.”
“A Treno diva? I'm sure you'll outshine us all.” Celes turned to stargaze once more, and the girl faded back towards the lit stairway in silence.
Not for the first time did Celes have a mental chuckle at name she'd chosen to give when she'd stumbled into Treno. She'd been in a haze at the time; she wondered now if it hadn't been a magitek disruption with the merging of worlds. It wouldn't be the first time something odd had happened. Well, nothing had occurred since then. Probably nothing. Celes wriggled up onto the ledge of the balcony and dangled her legs as sat, humming softly in the dark.
((If there's an argument against an opera house in Treno, I lay full blame on Inai. <3 She said there could be one there~))
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:38:14 GMT -5
OOC: Note that yes, I'm adding Nyna into this thread, but if you want Nyna staying out of Celes' part, just lemme know. ^^
(Nyna)
The young Al Bhed girl wandered the dark alleys of Treno, watching the rich, proud members of the upper class wandering about late at night, going to clubs, sitting outside at famous restaurants, doing whatever they wanted due to the fact they had the money for it.
As the girl's violet eyes scanned over the passing shadows of the few wandering nobles, she listened to her stomach grumbling, looking down into her empty pockets. "No money, no food..."
Giving a sigh she walked out of the alleyway and made her way in front of the large opera house. Looking at the front door, she gave a small, childish grin as she looked at one of the signs. "I'll have a good feast after the opera." She giggled happily as she tried to find a good hiding place until the next show.
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:38:32 GMT -5
((S'perfectly fine.  )) - Celes - Celes stared hard into the bright lights being cast down upon the stage where she stood, attired in the signature flowing white gown of her character. When would cast her in another opera? It wasn't that she was growing tired of the play, but really now, couldn't her vocal talents be hired for something else? She sighed and disappeared behind the false pillars that held a false balcony. Narration continued as she took quick, light steps up the wooden stairs behind the stage. "The West was defeated, and Maria's castle came under control of the Eastern Empire..." It was an older man's voice; was it the understudy of the Narrator? When did that happen? She reappeared to the audience moments later at a higher elevation and began the verses now embedded into her mind. Perhaps she was growing tired of the act. "Oh, my hero, my beloved..." Choreographed dancing, and more singing, and then the fight between the boys and a purple squi - Celes bit back a laugh as she composed herself to look appropriately frightened at the thought of Draco's death at the hands of Ralse. And more singing, and one last dance. Applause. Roses. None the color she hoped for, and none from the man she desired. She exited the stage, swept past the suitors and callers for the diva Cole, and debated retiring to her bedroom for the rest of the night, hell to the costume, make-up, and hair. Celes decided against it, and took the pins out of her hair as she flocked to the dressing room. She slipped out of the dress, into the more casual attire of loose-legged pants and a wrapped shirt, and wiped the make-up off of her face. Okay. Now to dart from the house mother and walk the streets. Celes wove her way around the large crowds clamoring for their star and banked towards the wide, arched entrance of the theatre. She prayed she wouldn't be noticed before she could actually leave - even if she enjoyed singing, she hated dealing with the press. |
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:38:47 GMT -5
OOC: As stated before, if I put Nyna in in a way you don't like, just lemme know. (Nyna) Nyna grinned as she had managed to sneak into the opera and watched the show the entire time. Though unlike the nobles, she was busy throughout its entirety, sliding her hands into a woman's purse, or snatching a man's wallet as they were distracted. Still, when the fight scene came up, even Nyna became distracted, watching happily. Right at the end of the show she slid her hand into an older man's pocket, carefully removing his wallet and flipping through it to see what was in it. As she was focused on the contents of the wallet, she didn't notice the man stand as the crowd applauded. He looked down as he nearly tripped over her, quickly noticing the wallet in her hands. "Thief! Give me back my wallet!" Her purple eyes widened as she looked up at the man. She saw his hands coming to grasp her as she quickly turned and dashed off. Twisting through the crowds she made her way out of the opera house and into the streets. Looking back she noticed the man was still following her, but he was falling further behind her with every step. Though looking back, she didn't notice the woman standing in front of her as she ran right into her, falling to the ground on her butt. "oof!" OOC2: Just stopping it here. You can have it Celes if ya want. If not I'll make it an NPC or whatever. ^^ |
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:39:08 GMT -5
- Celes -
Celes held one slender hand to her head and rubbed her temples. With the little sleep she'd received the night before, the opera had drained her. She grimaced at the headache forming. She paused in her walking and stood outside the opera house, trying to will the dull ache away.
Ah, but... Well, clearly she wasn't thinking tonight, now was she? She'd only recently began grasping the handle on curative magic once more, but surely she was adept enough to heal a simple pain. Celes closed her eyes and concentrated. Faded blue light danced from her fingertips and around her temples. Soon, the headache lifted.
However, no joy comes without expense. If she'd thought she was tired before, Celes decided that now she'd entered a new realm of fatigue. She lowered her hand, took another minute to rest herself and prayed there wouldn't be any more trouble the rest of the night.
And then, she heard a gutteral, “Oof!”
Oof? What kind of sound was oof?
Oof! Celes crashed to the ground as soon as she began her wonderment. Frowning, she picked herself up and dusted her backside off. Celes looked for what had caused her tumble. Oh, a young woman. With... a man's... wallet. And now commotion coming from within the theatre.
Celes laughed and extended a hand to the girl. So much for that prayer!
“Come on, get up,” Celes smiled as she spoke, “Leave the wallet, take the money, and we'll talk about the why I'm helping you later. Up up, now. I'd hate to be caught along with you. Whoever you nicked that from seems more than a little angry.”
((Wherever they go is up to you. :3))
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:39:25 GMT -5
(Nyna)
The young Al Bhed girl blushed a little as she looked up at the woman she had run into. She was a little surprised to see her helping her and not just helping the man catch her. Still, she quickly glanced back at the crowd the man was pushing through before looking back up at the woman as she took hold of her hand and stood up.
She took some of the money out of the wallet and quickly pocketed it before dropping the wallet on the ground. Her purple eyes scanned who was helping her before giving a small nod. "O-okay."
Still holding Celes' hand, Nyna began to quickly make her way to one of the nearby alleys. She was very thankful for her good memory, as it helped her to get around own and to her hiding spots much easier.
After a few twists and turns down different alleys, Nyna finally slowed down, breathing a little fast from the excitement. She looked back up to Celes as her face turned slightly red once more. "Sorry for running into you. I'll...uhm.." as she spoke it seemed she was having a little trouble finding some words. "..uhm...re...repay you. For helping me, I mean?"
As she spoke she lead Celes over to a small abandoned building which didn't look to have been used in a good couple of years.
OOC: Hope this works alright for you. ^^
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:39:46 GMT -5
- Celes -
Celes had to admit, after a year in the theatre she'd lost the athleticism she'd once had as a soldier. By the time the pair had finished sprinting and darting throughout the city, the woman was a little out of breath, and the muscles in her calves burned slightly from the spontaneous use. When they'd finally stopped at what looked like barely more than a shack to Celes' perspective, the blonde leaned carefully against an interior wall.
“No need to apologize, and no need to pay me – I make more than some of those patrons, on a good night. No, if you're at the point that you have to steal, then who better to take from than someone who won't really miss it? I should mention now, I've yet to meet a thief I didn't like. I've met many a theatre patron that I'd rather not meet again. By definition, I was more apt to aid you than him.” Celes grinned at the young woman, and noticed the strange swirl of her eyes for the first time. She put a hand to her mouth, her expression of sheer curiosity. “How on earth did you get such beautiful eyes?”
((Sorry this one's so short. D: My connection keeps shorting out. x-x))
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:40:03 GMT -5
(Nyna) Nyna smiled happily as she found the woman to be quite kind to her. Her smile grew a little at the nice comment about her eyes. "Oh, my eyes? You never saw an Al Bhed before?" She tilted her head, a little curious. She walked over to a dusty couch and plopped down on it, pulling out some of the items she had picked out of the nobles pockets. "My eyes look like this 'cause of who I am." She smiled back at Celes, moving to the side some so she could sit on the couch with her. She laid out a pocket watch, some gil, and a few other odds and ends. She began mumbling to herself, counting up the gil. Even though it didn't add up to much more than 100 gil, which was very little especially in a place like Treno, the young girl grinned happily. "Mmm...so long since I had this much." OOC: Np. It happens. |
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:40:23 GMT -5
- Celes -
Celes blinked, then remarked, “Al Bhed? Ah, no. I've never met one before. Truth be told, I've been a little shut in since I joined the Treno Theatre. I guess I just became used to the comfort of it all. Glitz and glamor, I suppose would be the most accurate term for what caught me.” She sat down beside the girl and looked over the night's haul.
“Honestly, all I ever hear of Al Bhed are through the mouths of the opera house patrons. They can be... unkind at the best of times.” Celes frowned. A little more than one hundred gil, and the girl was pleased? Just how hard was this girl living? Though the woman could remember a time when even fifty gil could go a way in feeding the Returners, now days, especially in Treno, a sparse hundred would go maybe as far as a child's meal in an inn. Maybe.
“I'll have to complete your night then. Let me take you out for a meal. It's been some time since I've been out at night in the city, and longer since I've had the pleasure of good company. Ah... I suppose I should at least give you my name, hm?” The blonde bit her lip. Which name? Treno knew her as her stage name alone, but... Well, there wasn't much to hide; the only reason she gave that false name to begin with was because she doubted any theatre would take in a soldier as a singer, let alone anything in Treno. Hell to it. “Celes Chere, at your service.”
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:40:43 GMT -5
~Nyna~
Nyna smiled up at Celes as she sat down next to her. Her smile fell for a moment at hearing what people thought of the Al Bhed. Not all of them were bad, just some, in her opinion. Her mind raced back to her older brother and the few memories she had of him, but it only lasted a moment as the girl perked up as she heard the word 'meal.'
"!! A meal? Really? But...uhm.." She looked down a little for a moment at the gil on the table. "Nyna can't really go to any of the places. They all ryda(Hate) Nyna." Her purple eyes grew slightly as she caught herself speaking in her native tongue once again. "Nyna means they all hate her." It wasn't that she minded, she actually understood rather well. After all, who would like a thief, someone who constantly stole from them and made them all angry.
Still, at the same time, she didn't want to pass up the chance of a free meal or lose someone so nice so quickly. She thought for a moment, having a little trouble pronouncing the woman's name at first. "Uhm, I-I mean dryhg oui(thank you) Celes, I just don't want to get in any body's way."
OOC: sorry if this post seems crappy. I can't quite tell. ^^;
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:41:10 GMT -5
- Celes -
((No worries. I'm still getting used to writing for Celes, so I'm betting most of my posts have been bleeeehhh.))
Celes cocked her head slightly to the right as random foreign words slipped from Nyna's tongue. She was reminded of Gau's odd way of talking, and her smile broadened.
“If anyone complains, they can take it up with me. I feel like a decent meal, and emotions aren't going to stop me – or you – from getting one.” The woman rose, dusted her backside off, then looked to Nyna.
“I was thinking steak, good music, low lighting... There's a place not far off from the auction house, they import the beef straight from Kalm. What do you say? I promise, I won't allow anyone to harass you.”
((Ugggh. So short and crappy.))
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:41:32 GMT -5
OOC: Nah. It was fine. ^^
~Nyna~
At the word steak Nyna's eyes widened and her mouth opened sightly as she remembered the last time she had steak. It was so long ago, the meat was so tasty, cooked to perfection, and she had loved it. "..Cdayg(Steak).."
Realizing her mouth was watering and she was drooling slightly, her face turned beet red as she quickly wiped her mouth with her arm. "Uhm, Nyna would like steak bunches, but that sounds like a fancy place."
Standing up Nyna turned slightly in her old, dirty outfit. Her blue jeans had a good amount of stains covering them, the ends of the legs tattered and a small tear starting at the knees. Her red shirt was also stained with dirt and dust as well as being a little too small, showing her rather flat stomach. "...Nyna doesn't look good to go to a fancy place and doesn't have anything else." The young girl's purple spirals looked down at the floor as her cheeks still remained a light pink as she was starting to feel ashamed, realizing how lovely Celes' outfit was.
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:41:48 GMT -5
- Celes -
Celes looked the girl over, realizing how right she was in regards to the wardrobe. She took a few moments to gauge the girl's size, the color of her eyes and how specific colors could dull or enlighten the look of them... She laughed softly, surprising herself.
“I really should get out more often. Everything tonight seems to remind me of the past. There are a few things I've got from a time when... well, when I needed appearance changes. The things one hides from the world, hm... Well, regardless, I'll need to make a quick trip back to the theatre; I won't be long – wait here~!” The woman rushed off quickly, and felt much the child for the abrupt departure. However, Nyna couldn't be seen as she was back at the opera house, not so soon after that scene earlier.
Once back inside her bedroom, she all but dove into the old chests that held the clothes of her former life. She noted the small collection of blades underneath the gaggle of clothes and grinned. If the chorus girls only knew that their diva had such an arsenal!
Back to work. Celes snatched up a pair of slick, laced boots and slung them over one shoulder. She took up an unadorned red blouse and a pair of thin black slacks, and shoved them into a small satchel. Keeping the boots slung over the shoulder, she slipped back out through the guest doors and quietly locked up before making her way back to the little abandoned hovel.
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:42:11 GMT -5
~Nyna~
Nyna cocked her head to the side slightly as she listened to Celes talk about her clothes back at the theater. She looked down a little, thinking back about the commotion she caused and gave a small nod, showing she'd wait there for the diva.
As she waited patiently, Nyna went over to an old, busted dresser and tugged at the top drawer until it finally popped open. Reaching into it, she rummaged through some of the gil she had stashed away before hand. "Where is it?"
Finally, the young Al she had been looking for and pulled out an old crumpled piece of paper. Unfolding it, she smiled happily as she looked at the picture of her brother. "Pnudran(Brother)...I found a vneaht(friend)." Smiling happily, she didn't notice the footsteps of her new friend returning as she stared at the old, torn picture.
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Post by Griever on Mar 17, 2010 2:42:36 GMT -5
- Celes -
Celes unceremoniously dropped the bag of clothing onto the little couch and slid the boots off of her shoulder.
"You know," she said as she sat gingerly on the armrest of the seating, "the theatre really needs to one up its security. I'd hate to think what would happen if someone with sneaky talent actually tried to get in. It would be comical if I didn't actually live there." She ran a hand through her hair before pulling it back into a loose tail. Didn't really help the waves, though. Ah well.
"I hope the clothes are to your liking; I didn't have too much to work with, and most of the clothes in the chests were too large for your frame." She looked up and noticed Nyna holding something. Small, worn... Ah. She smiled softly, though she knew it didn't reach her eyes. She'd looked much like Nyna when she ventured to look at old pictures of long-gone friends.
"Were they precious to you, whoever is in that photo?"
((If you'd like, in your next post they can already scoot off to the restaurant. There's a certain knave who's waiting to join us~ <3 ))
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