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[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[Now that her welcome wagon via land and sky have delivered Penelo to Troia, she's taking the time to look around and stock up on supplies. She's happily discovered her gil is accepted currency and determined to be ready for whatever lies ahead. Oddly, faced with the prospect of being on her own and not having to chase after Vaan, she's not entirely sure what to do with herself, aside from begin the process of finding her friends.

Thus, she's browsing the shops, buying only the bare minimum necessary, and pausing to chat with some of the locals.]

Comments

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Kain stares thoughtfully... but it's not the first time he's ever seen a person mysteriously return older from somewhere.]

You've returned...

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[For a split second, something feels familiar, and then just as quickly, the sensation vanishes.]

That's what I've been told, but I don't remember it. [Have another smile just to soften that.] I'm really sorry.

[Penelo's been spending a lot of her time apologizing lately for not remembering being here before. It makes her feel bad for all these wonderful people she's meeting.]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

That happens, when people leave and return.

[Look at Cecil, after all. As for Kain, he wouldn't have even approached her were it not for meeting in the past, so it's a good thing he at least remembers.]

I'm Kain Highwind.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

It's nice to meet you, although I suppose it sounds like it's again.

Do you live here?

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[To that, Kain shrugs.]

This town is from my world, and a few others I know have taken residence here... but I don't consider it my home. So no. I'm only staying here for a short while.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[To that she nods in understanding. Even though she'd be entirely fine going back to Dalmasca, she recognizes a wandering spirit when she sees it in someone.]

I suppose that makes sense. For me, home is wherever Vaan feels like staying for a while.

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

...and the only place I consider home is one I don't deserve to return to. Even if I could.

[So it's not like he's a wanderer by choice, but the way things are it's going to be a very long time before he can settle.]

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

What do you mean, 'don't deserve to return to'?

[Yes, Penelo's diving right into his business, but that just sounds like bad news.]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

That's... complicated.

[Kain sighs.]

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

I don't have anywhere else to be. No partner to chase after and no orphans to run down.

[She tilts her head a touch and smiles warmly at Kain.]

Walk with me?

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Considers it for a moment...]

Very well.

[He moves to join her in walking around.]

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[No need to hurry, as the town isn't all that large, at least compared to some of the sprawling cities of Ivalice, but it reminds her very much of Fluorgis somehow.

And lest Kain think he's off the hook, Penelo turns the topic back to him.]

Complicated how?

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[As he should have known. Kain looks down as he walks along.]

...I did some terrible things in the past.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Everyone does at some time or another. Do you regret them?

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[Nods slowly, looking pensive.]

More than anything.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[She catches that pensive expression and now feels guilty for prying. She offers up an apologetic smile before trying to smooth it over.]

Someone I once knew told me that 'the past can bind a man as surely as irons.' And I guess in a way he was right. You can't change the past, no matter how hard you try.

But, you know, in a way, he was wrong too. You can change the present and the future. I think if we leave the past behind and move on, it can't bind us.

[She glances to the side.] I'm sorry. Maybe it wasn't my place to say anything.

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

You're entitled to your opinion as much as anyone...

[He sighs.]

When I said it was complicated, I meant that. I can't simply walk away from the past so easily. It remains part of me in an all too tangible way.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

It remains a part of us all. I can't forget my parents or my brothers, or even Velis.

[She rests a hand on his arm and looks up with an encouraging smile.]

But just because the past shapes who you are and who you were, doesn't mean you can't move forward too. Don't walk away from it, but don't let it chain you either. Life's too short and too precious to always spend it looking backwards.

I don't know what you did, but you said you regret it, and I can tell you do. Make your amends, but don't punish yourself unnecessarily.

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

He comes close to telling her everything, about his Dark Side and how very REAL it is. But he's also wary of sounding slightly crazy. He has yet to hear about such a problem occurring anywhere else, after all.]

...No punishment is unnecessary.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

[She would have listened without judging and been sympathetic and at the same time encouraging. Instead, she opts to do that with what little he does tell her, although she gives him one of her signature looks she typically uses on Vaan or one of the children.]

That can be taken one of two ways. Which one is it?

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

What do you mean?

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

It's nothing. I'm sorry for prying. I'm so used to grilling Vaan that I forget sometimes who I'm talking to.

But if there's anything I can do to help, I'm more than willing.

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

That's fine... [He pauses and figures out what he should say.] But thank you, anyway. Perhaps someday.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

I'll hold you to that.

So, where will you be going next?

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

I'm uncertain... I only know that it's for the best that I don't remain here too long.