[Action]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[On her way back from the meeting at Figaro, Rydia takes that promised detour to Dali. News of Laguna's departure unsettles her, for Raine's sake, and she wants to see how her friend is doing. She guides the Lunar Whale to descend, landing near the small town. Upon exiting, the summoner heads toward Raine's house.]

Comments

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[Raine comes to the door, far calmer and in control of her emotions than she had been right in the wake of Laguna's vanishing. She smiles warmly and moves to the side.]

Rydia! It's so good to see you again.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia steps inside with a smile.]

It's good to see you again, too. How are you doing?

[Not an idle question, though her tone doesn't become too serious unless Raine takes the conversation in that direction.]

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

I'm fine. So frustrated though. I decided I don't like where the couch is and...

[There's no Laguna to move it and grouch at her while he does.]

It'll just have to do.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia glances over to the couch.]

Hm....I don't know about moving the couch, but if there's something else I can help with, I will gladly. I don't need to be back in Alfitaria right away.

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Now that dead animals stopped showing up in the yard, almost everything else has been done. Aerith helped me get the bulbs up for the winter. Oh! That's why I called the other day and I clean forgot. Did you want some to take back with you?

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia starts at that, but nods eagerly.]

Of course! I would love that, Raine. Thank you. I could take some for Rosa, too. Perhaps she'll want to start a garden of her own while she's here.

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

I'll pack you up some then. Oh, listen to me! Rattling on and being a poor hostess. Are you hungry or thirsty?

[Staying busy keeps her from going insane with fretting.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Suspecting that, Rydia nods.]

I am, a bit. If you need an extra pair of hands, let me know.

[But she isn't going to complain if Raine wants to do everything herself.]

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[That's the cue to put the kettle on for tea, so into the kitchen which is ridiculously clean. It wouldn't be a stretch to imagine the counters have been scrubbed more times than needed in the last few days.]

I can manage. I ran a pub at home too, right up until I had Squall.

[She lifts up the dome over the cake holder, which has a bright yellow cake with a slice or two cut out of it.]

Do you like lemon?

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia shakes her head in slight amazement at the state of cleanliness all around her, but then realizes that Raine might mistake her and changes that to a nod, quickly.]

Oh, yes! That looks delicious, Raine.

[She smiles and leans in a little.]

I admit, I'm a little in awe. I don't think I could ever managed to be this organized.

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[Two more slices coming out of the cake then. Raine even breaks out the good china and silver.]

Oh this? I just can't stand messes. And it's easier without Laguna making messes faster than I can clean them.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[She nods a little at that.]

He sounds a bit like Edge, there.

How's the baby doing?

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

Active and in the middle of the night of all times. Already like its father.

[She runs her hand along her stomach and sighs.]

I don't want him to miss this one too.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia nods, unable to hide her concern.]

I hope he won't. At least there's a chance that he'll return.

...have you thought of names, or are you keeping that secret?

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[There is that chance, and there's also the chance that he won't remember a thing and it kills her. Talking about the baby helps alleviate that worry and is a pleasant distraction.]

We were thinking Beck if it's a boy or Brooke if it's a girl.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia smiles, trying to encourage that though she would drop it in a moment if Raine needed to talk about less pleasant things, too.]

Friends from home? Or did you just like the sound of them?

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

We liked the sound of them. Laguna suggested River for both but that seems such a strange name.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

River....

[Rydia tilts her head, testing it.]

It has a nice sound, too.

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

Maybe. But I'll stick with the names we picked out together.

[That's the least she can do.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[She nods.]

I can understand that. Will you need or want help when the time comes, or do you have that set up already?

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

Aerith's coming to stay when I'm close, but...

This place is so fickle. If something happens I'd appreciate a backup plan. Especially with the other considerations.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Well, I can't say I have any experience as a midwife, but if you need other help, I would be glad to visit again.

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

I have no idea. It's strange, my son's an adult but I don't know the first thing about caring for a baby.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about that, Raine. No one knows, at first. But you'll have plenty of help, and you'll learn what to do. The baby will be lucky to have you as a mother, I'm sure.

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[A faint smile tugs at Raine's lips.]

learn from experience. Well I'm not one to back down from a challenge, and if I can survive Laguna, I can handle child rearing.