[Voice/Action]

[thenightmarebegins]

It's been a trying time for us all. These events are far beyond my expertise to handle, although I've done all that I could. [A small sigh about that. This version still has his angst about the monsters, but he also has a way of distracting himself.]

In the meantime, while we have something of a respite... for any ladies who are lonely for companionship, I would be honored to provide that. To those I'm not acquainted with, I'm your resident Valentine. Vincent Valentine.

[Be afraid. Be very afraid. Vincent has actually combed his hair and has tied it back into a ponytail. He's also looking very... gentlemanly and polished overall, and has even set aside his old tattered cape for one that's in much better condition. He's in a mood to wander around town, so you can expect to run into him most anywhere today.]

[...and if you're a woman expect to be randomly given a single red rose if he should so much as glance at you.]

Comments

[chaotic-dirge.livejournal.com]

[Vincent shakes his head and smiles.]

No, sweetie, it's for you. I saw you here all alone, and I just couldn't pass by without helping.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Oh....

[Normally, Rydia would have a quick comeback for an obvious flirt, but at the moment, she's still too dispirited to rise to that occasion. Staring down at the rose, she turns it around slowly before glancing back up to him. Her eyes are just a bit red-rimmed.]

I'm not sure how much anyone can help, really. But...thank you.

[chaotic-dirge.livejournal.com]

[Vincent inches even closer, and puts an arm around her shoulders. To... comfort her, yes that's it.]

I'm more than willing to try... and I can tell that you have a lot on your mind. Shall we start with an introduction? I'm Vincent Valentine.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

I'm Rydia--

[Wait, what? Even in Rydia's upset haze, Vincent's arm around her shoulder doesn't go unnoticed. She stiffens and stares at it in surprise, wondering how he was quick enough for her not to prevent this. So of course her next thought is that she should just move away and tell him to go find a girl who isn't taken....]

[chaotic-dirge.livejournal.com]

[And Vincent just keeps that arm around her, comfortable and content to be like this.]

Rydia, it's a delight to meet you. Perhaps if we talk a little, you'll feel better... and then we can stroll by the lake, perhaps enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch before retiring to my...

[Hold on, someone in dark armor is approaching! Vincent looks up...]

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain looks FURIOUS at finding a stranger with his Rydia. This is worse than that stupid Edge hitting on her. He stomps angrily to the bench, and then grabs Vincent to haul him to his feet... and punch him right in the face!]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Kain!

[At once relieved and alarmed, she gets to her feet. The rose falls to the ground, unnoticed.]

Let's go. We don't need to be here.

[chaotic-dirge.livejournal.com]

[Owww that gave him a black eye. :( Vincent is sad about that, before the thought occurs that it would possibly earn him some pity and therefore comfort and lovin' from some women.]

[He's not too thrilled by another man cutting in like that though. That and the sudden violent punch stirred up that unwanted side of him. So Vincent gets up and by instinct lashes out at Kain with his clawed hand. There's a terrible screech as it tears into armor.]

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain makes another expression of rage as the claws strike his armor, and he makes a quick thrust toward Vincent with his spear. The other man moves fast- unnaturally so- and in a swirl of his cape, Vincent is standing a short distance away with his gun in hand.]

[Kain glares at Vincent, but points to Rydia and then to himself, mouthing 'MINE' to be sure he gets the hint. Then he looks to Rydia, as if to ask 'can I stay and fight him to teach him a lesson? No one comes between him and Rydia. NO ONE.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Sigh. No, Rydia really doesn't want to endorse this stupidity.]

You already got your point across, Kain. And you...leave him alone, or I'll Mini you and then you won't be able to hit on anyone else.

[A frown is directed at Vincent. She doesn't hate him -he didn't know, after all- but she's not about to have him harm Kain, either.]

[chaotic-dirge.livejournal.com]

[Vincent isn't going to attack if he can help it, but... that's if he can help it. Something about Kain's very presence just puts him on edge, and throws all the monsters into a quiet rage.]

...He attacked me.

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Yet ANOTHER gesture between Rydia and himself. Get it through your thick head, weird caped flirty man. NO ONE TOUCHES RYDIA.]

[There's another tense moment and Kain finally looks to Rydia with a sigh.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

I don't care who started it.

[Why does it sound like she's talking to two children now? Probably because the maturity level dropped severely in the last moment or so. She sighs and stands moves away from the bench, taking hold of her love's arm.]

Let's go, Kain.

[chaotic-dirge.livejournal.com]

[Because they're men arguing about a woman, and that's an instant drop to zero maturity!]

[Vincent frowns at Kain, but he'll hold back because he doesn't want to accidentally injure the lady.]

I'm sorry we must part on such terms, darling.

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain waves his sword threateningly at Vincent.]

[...but Rydia inevitably wins out. Were she not here, it would have gotten far worse. Kain is still a little enraged at Vincent and his nerve to try such things, but then he's never liked people who act like... like EDGE, so he's going to make a mental note and remember Vincent as an irredeemable enemy.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia just shakes her head and leads Kain away from the big bad flirt. She would have been prepared to roll her eyes and move on, if he hadn't joined them, but of course Kain had to take the most dramatic route possible. Still, now that they're moving away from the scene, it gets a small smile out of her, and given her red-rimmed eyes, she probably needed it. Leaning up, she kisses him on the cheek.]

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain looks over his shoulder and GLARES at Vincent, who is actually blowing them a kiss as they walk away. That causes a moment of fury to rise in Kain, but it's dispelled once he looks to Rydia. She looks calmer than she must have been moments before that... interruption.]

['Are you all right?' He looks concerned.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia doesn't respond for a moment, not sure what to say that wouldn't make him go tearing after someone else. Considering she just calmed him down from going after Vincent, she doesn't want that.]

I....

[But she isn't very good at denying things.]

It's the Malnosso's fault, making people different from what we remember. I hate it....

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain doesn't like it either, this week has been exceedingly weird and annoying. Bad enough he has to deal with the usual angst from the past without all the strangeness here...]

[He looks at Rydia sympathetically and takes her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. Things will be back to normal after the week ends if it's like other things they've gone through...]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia gives a return squeeze. She's not a mind reader, but at the same time can guess what that look means.]

I know, it won't last. We just need to wait until everything's back to normal.

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain nods. Then they can carry on as they always have, trying to move beyond the shadow of their past. He makes a less annoyed expression, calming down more, the further they get from the creep back there.]