Who:  David (Diablos), Rydia of Mist, Number 076, Art Gostol, Molly Tausend, Elmyra (the puppet).
Where: The slums of Midgar, Aerith's house.
Why:  The Esper in disguise, Diablos, and Rydia have arrived in Midgar to start their exploring.
Date of Log:  July 31st, 2000.



The ever interesting second day after arrival for David and Rydia. /He/ suggested spending a quiet night in the church, rather than 'bother' the Sector Residents with a new set of faces so late at night. So. David steps out of the church now and stops at the doorstep to look around with a casual air. Pretty much the same thing, mm? Ah well. The man doesn't seem at all phased. Indeed, he grins, shoving his hands into his pockets and turns around to look for Rydia's presence.

The church seemed safe enough, so Rydia actually managed to spend a decent night in there. It was almost tragically beautiful inside, and she wondered occasionally what it might have looked like in its heyday, before being left to sit in ruin. Ah well, tis a new day right? Right. She bounces out just after David does, tying the sash around her hair to keep it out of her face. Still green, it's impossible to hide unless she dyes it or wears a wig.

Number 076 stands in the street, back to the church, helmet tucked under his left arm.  A torn newspaper flutters past him as a stray dog digs through garbage in the background.  He turns his head to the side slightly, as though listening to a distant sound, but otherwise stands motionless.

Well, that's the breaks of it. Besides, along with electric pink, purple, blue, and other primary colors among the slum's hair colors... what's to say that Rydia's hair isn't dyed as well? Such is something that Dave here relied on. Raising a hand to shove tendrils of dark locks away from his eyes, the man flashes a grin at the emerging girl. "I was thinking Sector Seven today for fun." Yeah. At least he didn't suggest Wall Market in Sector Six, hmm? Though Rydia is allowed to suggest another number on her own, David turns to begin walking. He does glance at the silent statue of 076 for a moment, then looking back toward the path ahead. Interesting guy, but aren't there a buncha weird folk in the slums? What's one more?

Not knowing one iota about Midgar, Rydia eagerly strides forward to catch up and keep up with roguish David. As she arrives at his side, she clasps her hands in front of her, trying not to walk with her childlike gait, slumping her shoulders slightly in an attempt to mimic the wistful people she sees living in these slums. Still, she can't quite help but look around her with wide eyes, taking in the sights. Sigh. She's still obviously not a Midgarian.
      
Interestingly enough, such is the precise calculation going through Number 076's systems at the moment.  Something about one of the two must catch his attention, though-- he turns around stiffly to face them, considering them with feet together, shoulders back, jaw set, eye forward.  His shoulder cannon angles downward slightly.

Shoulder canon lowered a little? Well, as Diablos is facing away from 076 at the moment, he doesn't notice this. Just going blissfully along his way. He lifts a hand idly to point toward the Sector Five Square which is just coming into his and Rydia's line of sight. Bunch of people, milling around in their walled in residencies of scrap, trailers, and actual houses. He pauses, "Wait. Actually, this looks pretty interesting." he comments, glancing questioningly at Rydia. That 'wanna go in' look.

"Ok," the Caller chirps, having no real idea what's in there, or where this Sector 7 is, or any thing else in Midgar. Why not begin at the beginning? Sounds logical and sound to her. Craning her neck to look up at David, she nods, smiling with that childlike, blissful innocence she always seems to maintain on her countenance. The outfit is not becoming to it.
      
Number 076 begins to walk, maintaining his distance, boots clomping heavily upon the pavement.  . o [ Searching identity database.... Male: not found.  Female: ... ... possible match.  Continuing observation. ]

David leaves the path without further ado, stepping into the sector square. Indeed, first thing's first and as they come along. Few people glance up as the duo enter, though those that do look away after making sure there's going to be no immediate trouble from 'outsiders'. There's work to be done, scraping together enough stuff to make money for the household and all that. A large screen at the far corner of the square broadcasts random tidbits of news and information about the goings on in ShinRa, in the fashion of a giant video-billboard than an actual television broadcast. Diablos rubs a hand over his nose for a moment, his gaze darting to various points and considering. Doesn't seem to be any actual 'Official Bar Type Place' here... You see, Dave has a few odd concepts about where humans go to spew information out in big chunks. But that's another story.

Rydia tags along like a puppy-dog at David's heels. She tilts her head and tries to smile at the strangers, then quickly realizes these people are beaten, their spirits so low they look at her as a possible threat, not a new face. Her mood shifts, perplexed, saddened. Poor souls. The huge screen attracts her attention next, staring at it like someone who's never seen that sort of technology before, which she hasn't in the slightest. She has no idea what David is looking for, she's just trying to keep up with him, occasionally quickening her pace to keep up with him as he gets slightly ahead of her.

Number 076 stands back in the shadows, silently observing.  Could this be the half-Esper mercenary the general warned him about?  They tried to assassinate him once.... Number 076 will not likely let it happen a second time.

"Hey, Ryds." New nickname. He's been trying to call her that for at least half the trip by now. Better than 'kid' at least. "See anything you like here?" Well, Rydia might be cheered up a bit, as a woman passing by looks up, offering a short smile. One of the more friendly folk. But, it's only short, and only in passing... never can be /too/ careful toward strangers. Even when you're friendly and they should have no quarrel. There's another dog scruffing around in piles of scrap, looking for its own food and water for the afternoon's meal. A kid, idly kicking his feet, sits on an old barrel outside a trailer and under a sign marked 'Weapons and Materia'. At the northeast corner, a patch of sunlight indicates an area nearer to the wall surrounding Midgar itself.

Ryds? Ok, better then kid, yes. Rydia suddenly hmms, perking up to look at David as he asks. Glancing around after the question, she wrinkles her nose. No, there isn't much here she really likes, well except the lady that smiles at her. Wow, someone smiled! Rydia beams back, even as the encounter ends as quickly as it began. Back to the roguish David she shrugs, "Is this Sector 7 or... well, where are we exactly?" Confusion central.

David shakes his head, "Nah, I don't think it is." he shrugs slightly. "The sectors have got to be pretty big, and I don't think we've travelled far enough." Sides, there's no signs. "We came in to Sector 5. I suppose we're still in it." The rogue that he is, David definately grins. Of course, he's not going to admit he's pretty much feeling his way around. That's what exploring is all /about/ anyway!

Oh, Rydia wouldn't mind anyway, she likes exploring. So, if David has no real purpose, or specific destinatio, the Caller chooses one. "Hey, what's over there?" She points to a little corner off to the side, an alleyway maybe, but there's some sort of light glowing. Maybe just someone else's makeshift hovel, or maybe something interesting! Oh this is an adventure all right!

David and Rydia are crossing over the area, heading with a casual ease toward the sunlight patch to the north east side of the small square. There's not much to be said on Dave's part. He fits the mold of sardonic slum punk quite nicely. Rydia? Well, that's her story to tell.

Clearly -not- Midgarian, though the outfit does try to say something to the contrary but fails miserably, Rydia is far too eager and childlike and -alive- compared to the broken souls that inhabit the slums of the lower areas. She tags alongside David with far too spritely a gait, and a definately innocence and curiousity stamped on her features like a beacon.
      
Art leans against a lamp, with a spear slung over his shoulder, and is obviously out of place; I mean, how many residents of the Sector, or Midgar for that matter, wear heavy dragoon armor? He looks over to David and Rydia's arrival, and nods, grinning slightly to himself. "Hey."

Number 076 moves quietly... ~relatively~ speaking, that is, given his weight... through the back alleys, keeping a silent watch over the green-haired girl and her companion.  He does not take special precautions to go unseen-- he is not programmed in advanced arts of stealth, after all, and doubts he has anything to fear even if he is seen.  From one shadow, through multicolored neon light, into another, still keeping his distance.
      
Dragoon armor. Dave flashes Art a grin that couldn't be pleasant even if the man were making a visible effort to change it. It's not his fault that he doesn't get practice with being /nice/ a whole lot. Okay, so it is. But anyway, he limits himself to that mode of greeting in return, with a short, "Yo." to follow. Yup, yo. Of course, Dave has to keep up with Rydia, seeing that he doesn't wish her to get into any trouble. So, with that in mind, he watches the young lady, to see if she stops or continues on. Being followed? Well, if he notices, he gives no indication. As long as there is no /direct/ trouble coming from it, he's content to letting the 'mortals' play their games. But then again, he might not have noticed. A simple little irony in life, that either theory provides the same outcome

The Caller is totally oblivious to being followed. Yep, that's right, Rydia's not really dumb, but she's not mondo perceptive when it comes to this sort of thing. No one's bugged her about her hair so far, so she's started to get a false confidence, David musta been right about it. However, what's this... Dragoon armor! Hey... "Hi!" she beams at Art, pausing to get a good look at him. What's a Dragoon doing in Midgar anyway?
      
Number 076 moves up in front of a shadowed display of antique suits of armor and purple clown wigs in a costume shop.  The perfect camoflage.
      
Art grins and waves at Rydia. "Anything I can help you with?" He taps his foot unconsciously, and folds his arms, still grinning.
      
David stops then. He had half a hunch that Rydia would stop. Shoving his hands deep into his pockets, the man swivels to face Art for a moment, pausing midstride and taking a few steps back to be at Rydia's side for the moment.

Rydia shakes her head at Art. See, she knows she's supposed to be in-cog-nee-to, so she's not about to just tell Art what she and David are doing in Midgar. She smiles at him though and shrugs her shoulders and asks -him- "So, what's going on here?" It's safe to ask him, righ? He's a -Dragoon- for crying out loud.

Art shrugs neutrally, arms still folded. "Nothing that I can see. I'm Arturo Gostol; I'm with King Edgar of Figaro on a diplomatic visit, and I'm looking around." And he's also here with King Edgar of Figaro on a visit to bust Cloud and Aerith from prison in case they might help the Returners, but that's not the sort of thing you go blurting out to everyone.

Number 076 lowers his head, detecting no Esper readings in the area... perhaps this female is not the mercenary he is after, after all.  He steps out into the light and moves toward the dragon knight, aborting his observation of the two strangers for now.

Art peers over at 076, and nods without emotion. He did, of course, help Relm nearly total the cyborg, but he's unusually friendly with Oh Seven Six for someone who views him as a threat. He turns back to Rydia, and awaits a response, arms still folded, with a slight grin.
      
David hrmphs. Not Rydia's response, but one that is given to Art's information. He does add, "Ryds is my half sister." he reaches out then, intending to ruffle the 'younger' girl's hair in the appropiate 'brotherly' fashion as dictated by one of the books he read. No, Rydia, he didn't mention he was going to call you his sister. But nevertheless, he plunges on, hoping that the line is picked up on, "She wanted to see Midgar, so... I brought her over for a little visit." he's again speaking to Art, supplying what is meant to be a response to the unspoken.

Clomp. Clomp. Clomp.  Number 076 files the new identifier 'Ryds' to memory, then nods stiffly in greeting.  His shoulder cannon tilts back up.

Art grins and nods. "I don't see why anyone would want to see Midgar, but to each their own..." He looks over at Number 076. "Don't mind him... he's a military robot ordered to stand down from battle..." He frowns, and he lets four (five?) word indicate the source of his disapproval. "Magi-Tek and Kefka..." Of course, this is under his breath, but it can still be heard just clearly enough to make out what he's saying.

Beaming up at David, cause Rydia really does find the assumption that she's his sister funny, the Caller beams, covering her mouth to attempt not to giggle. Her hair is thusly ruffled, though she reaches up with smaller hands to protest. She just put her hair up in a ponytail! Back to Art, she nods, just playing along. See, she's supposed to be here in disguise. So, she decides not to mention David's name at all. Better that way.
      
Number 076's eyebrow lowers slightly.  "General Kefka?"  He glances left and right.  "He is here?"
Art looks over at Number, eyes narrowed but not in a hostile expression, more of a tired, resigned, cynical shade. "No, no he isn't." He remains in the same position: arms folded, leaning against lamppost.

David looks up again... Oh, it's that cyborg-guy from the path outside. A brow is raised, but no comment is offered, though his attention falls on Art as the dragoon continues, "What was that?" he asks, outwardly at ease, appearing not to have understood the mutter. A glance at 076, "Nice to meet ya." he adds as an afterthought.

Number 076 extends a gloved (?) hand as is the human custom of greeting.  "I am the unit designate Number 076, in the service of the Gastolian Empire.  I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mister....?"

Whoa... Rydia's eyes widen slightly as she notices the scary looking Number 076. Taking an involuntary step closer to David, she wonders what might actually take down that thing... and what's Magitek anyway. She does here the name of Kefka, but it barely registers. Good too, actually, or it might look suspicious on her. However... it seems friendly enough, even greeting David normally. Huh.
      
Art looks over at Dave, grin briefly disappearing. "Magi-Tek, that's what the cyborg is powered by... Magi-Tek is a system in which beings called Espers are drained of magic, resulting in their drawn-out deaths... though any attempts to tell him that by anyone less than an Imperial General or the Emporer himself will be bluntly ignored. As for Kefka, well... 'General' Kefka isn't the kind of clown who you would want at a kid's birthday party." He blanches at the mere mention of Kefka.

David, while keeping half his attention on Art, studies the big lug of a 'borg before him before reaching to clasp the offered hand. "David." he answers, before nodding over toward Rydia, "She's Ryds. 76, huh? I'll have to remember that." Flashing a grin at the cyborg, David's gaze finally returns to Art, "Really? Sounds pretty nasty. These espers do anything to deserve it though?" Hey, all part of the act. Act like he's a human that doesn't know much about these weird archaic kingdoms... or the strange oft-mentioned, rarely seen esper race. Eh...heh.

[ Verbal identifier 'David' stored. ]  "David, then," Number 076 nods.  In response to the question, he offers, "Espers are unintelligent creatures, incapable of speech yet rich in magical energy.  They are nonetheless treated humanely during extraction procedures."

Art again shrugs. "I doubt it... espers sieged the city of Vector and the town of Thamasa, but that was well after the creation of Magi-Tek, and at least in Thamasa I know they had a valid reason... that's when Kefka killed General Leo and got ahold of magicite, the natural way for espers to transmit their powers. They were heading straight for Kefka then... as for Vector, I'm not sure, but I've heard that it was only a loss of control due to the change of environment from the Esper world to Aeolus." He turns his head, then turns back to Dave and adds, for no apparent reason, "Kefka ruled the world with an iron fist when he got the chance. Killed General Leo, killed Emporer Gestahl, killed all the adults of the town of Mobliz and left them in the care of Terra Bradford and two teenagers. Raving lunatic, and now he's the Weapons Director of Shin-Ra."

Ooooh, talk of Espers and draining and... Art's story of what happened, ack! Rydia swallows and really tries hard -not- to look obvious about her discomfort. Must... act... cool. Yes. She latches onto David's arm, looking up at him with a semi-glossed over worry in her eyes. This is bad bad bad. "David..." She's not scared, no, just feeling sick to think about magicite.
      
"Or so goes the Returner propaganda," contends Number 076, with a barely perceptible curl of the lip.

Art glares at Number 076 sidelong, but doesn't try to argue with him. He's tried before, it's pointless.

Must... not... snigger. David keeps a straight face. Espers have no intelligence. That's the best one he's heard yet. He watches Art and 076 throw explanation and counter explanation in the same near rapt fascination one gives a tennis match. That is, 'til he's aware of Rydia's fear of the scary words. Well heck, if anyone with an innocent view of the world was told a story so... well, graphically, it'd probably still be a scary story. One needs not be a caller or esper to show horror about that. So, David, turning his attention on to Rydia again, drops his hand with intent of a comforting pat to the girl's shoulder, "Don't worry Ryds." he says in a casual tone of voice. "I promise they won't hurt you. They're only after the big, bad espers." Awww, what a good big bro he is, comforting his kid sis.

Art looks over at Dave, somewhat jaded. "They? I have no intention of harming an Esper unless provoked, and if 'they' includes Kefka, he'd be all too glad to burn the city to the ground if he could find a way to do it without being set upon." He pauses, and looks at Rydia. "But I'm sorry if I disturbed you; as long as you stay out of the way of this sort of thing, you'll be perfectly fine. I'm just trying to convey the facts is all." Art gives the most comforting smile he can give.

Stay out of the way! Gah! Of course, Art has no idea that Rydia is a Caller, and with that thought, and David's ironic soothing, she manages to calm herself down enough to think. With thinking comes the ability to cope. And thusly, the worry on her face slowly wanes. Acceptence. She smiles slightly at David, it's forced, but she's being a good girl. "Oh, sure. I guess we're ok then."

Number 076 looks between the three humans (or so he assumes).  "I see.  Perhaps you would like to tour the new MagiTek research facility once it is constructed."

Art simply scowls at the mention of the New Magi-Tek Research Facility, and continues to lean against a lamppost, arms folded. Won't be much of a chance for that if the Returners manage to disable the Facility... or better yet, prevent it altogether.
      
David chuckles quietly, "Nah, I prefer to stay out of politics like that." Not /quite/ a truth. "Do you really think it's a good idea to be offering something like that to this guy though?" he jerks a thumb casually toward Art. "He's pretty outspoken against it. Though I can imagine that proof is nine tenths the basis of facts." That same hand rises to rub his own nose again. Then, David glances at Rydia. "'Less you want to see it, Ryds. Then we might just have to see if your offer's good at a future date." That last, to 076 with a flicker of attention to mark its direction to the cyborg.

Number 076 tilts his head.  "I will be personally overseeing security functions at the facility."

"Oh sure, I'd love to see it," Rydia chirps, putting on that beaming face of hers again. Maybe they'll just assume she was afraid at the mention of Espers. She'd really just love to blow it to smithereens! But... that's Selphie's line, so intead, she'd just really just love to somehow break it so it can't drain anymore of her Esper friends.
      
Art peers over at Rydia, but doesn't say anything. Seems to be a staple of his interactions by now.
      
Number 076 nods stiffly.  "It will be the cutting edge of technology... sterile tubes to protect the subjects from disease, as well as new weapons to keep the peace..."

Art buries his face in his hand... 'subjects,' Espers are looked at as nothing more than guinea pigs by the Empire... and new weapons. He doesn't know what Midgar needs, but with the Sister Ray and all their ridiculous tech PLUS magic, it certainly isn't 'new weapons.'

David reaches to ruffle Rydia's hair again. That's the spirit? "Great. So, where do we go if we're to find you again to get a tour?" he asks, looking at 076 again.

Ooooooooh. Rydia's really pissed now. Subjects? Sterile -tubes-? These are not magikal constructs! They are alive, they have personalities, they live and love as anyone in this world. Oh how much control it takes for Rydia to keep her temper in check and not just start chucking ice and fire spells at Number 076. That -cinches- it. She is going to go to this factory, and she is going to destroy it.

Number 076 nods.  "For security reasons, I cannot reveal the proposed site just yet, but I am currently kept in secure storage at the ShinRa building... shall I petition to have you placed on the visitor list?"  He gives a moment's reflection, then, "If you are so interested in the new MagiTek facility, perhaps General Kefka will like to meet you personally.  MagiTek is an exciting field of study indeed, and he is... quite enthusiastic about it."

David raises a hand, as if showing denial that he'd meant he wanted knowledge of the facility's proposed whereabouts. "Nah, nah. Just wanted to know where to look you up when it was time." David corrects, canting his head to the side for a moment as his features show consideration of the offer, "Well, we're just two visitors to Midgar. I don't think we'd be high on that list at all." he glances toward Rydia again, "But sure, there's nothing wrong with trying." he adds, waving a hand casually. "The family's in transit of moving currently... Maybe to Kalm in the next few weeks." his features smooth once more as he adds, "Will that be a problem if you need to locate us? I can't garauntee where we'll be." Kefka? David flashes that grin again, and shrugs, "Nah, I'm sure he has more important things to do. Personal meetings with the likes of us?" He says it as if he can't quite believe it.

-Bad- idea. Very bad. See the green hair on this girl's head? Bad bad bad idea. Rydia looks up at David suddenly, and just kinda lets him do the talking. He's better at this sort of thing. The Caller's far too naive to know how to handle this effectively. She's somewhat in awe of David, listening to him fast talk his way through this. Wow. That's something she's gotta learn.
      
Number 076 lowers his head. "The general was indeed not one to go forth and mingle with the Empire's loyal citizens often, when I was first in the Empire's service.  Perhaps that will change, someday."

Lots of practice. And fiction books. "Maybe it will." David responds, "Anyway, about finding us... We'll be in the city a while, then maybe back to Kalm to meet up with the family. Would it be better to just check back on the waiting list when we hear information about the facility?" his hair-ruffling stops, arm dropping down to be placed on Rydia's shoulders, should she allow it. That arm's meant to be a comfort oddly enough. Don't worry kid, he'll teach ya the tricks. Or he'll show Rydia how he learned. Which... will be interesting.

Rydia is, indeed, comforted by the hand on her shoulder. She beams up at David again, back to playing 'little miss innocent' instead of being shocked and outraged at the idea of Espers being put in sterile tubes. She leans against him slightly, aw, the cute little sister so happy to be protected and soothed by her older brother.
      
Number 076 nods stiffly.  "May I have your full names for the visitor list?  You will have to have a security escort while in the building, of course, but I am certain there should be no problem if I accompany you instead."

Molly comes out of the cramped little three-bed room that passes for an inn, limping slightly and looking achy and rather... hungover is the appropriate term. Although really, it's hard to tell if she has rings under her eyes. Her shapeless grey pullover is kind of torn-looking, since she had to do emergency field repairs on its side; it does, however, have minimal bloodstains! Thus far, anyway.

"Tyler. David Tyler." he indicates Rydia with a tilt of his head. "And she's Ryds." Apparently they share the same last name. Ryds has another name? Huh? Apparently not. As his attention is on 076, he doesn't see Molly's emergence, otherwise recognition would be at hand. As it is, he's concentrating on the situation before him. For all his lighthearted attitude, it /is/ a serious little game he's playing here.

See? David does all the answering for her. Of course, Rydia doesn't -have- a last name. She's just 'Rydia of Mist', her name lost with her village when everything went up in flames. So, Ryds Tyler sounds fine to the little Caller beside the roguish esper-in-disguise. She smiles up at the cyborg creature with her best innocent smiles, which is convincing. The only convincing act she has.
      
Number 076 turns his head toward the young female, but soon his eye drifts somewhere to the distance-- another woman who has earned herself a special spot in his potential-threat database.  "Very well, Mr. and Miss Tyler," he responds, eye still focused over their shoulders.

Unfortunately - or fortunately - for David, the dark, shadowy, flickery lighting of Midgar doesn't cause Molly more than a teeny bit of trouble. She has those nifty super-lenses, after all. She takes a deep breath, lets it out, and then another; it's so chilly here, and the air tastes -flat-. After this, she strides towards David, not noting '76er of yet.

David isn't at all unhappy. Or should he be? Curiously, he glances over his shoulder to look for what's attracted the cyborg's attention. Ah! A grin fit to stretch his features beyond their standard, metaphorically speaking. What a coinkydink, mmm? He looks back, "Well, me and Ryds are gonna continue looking around for a while. We'll look forward to the tour." Really they will. Eh-heh.

Following everyone else's gaze, Rydia notices Molly too, though there's no recognition there. She's never met her. She smiles at Number 076 as David says his good-byes, waving to him briefly. Oh boy she'll be glad to get away from him and that dirty thought of poor Espers in test tubes.

Number 076's human eye narrows slightly as he watches the woman's approach with extreme caution.  If he heard the good-bye, he isn't acknowledging it.

Molly grins back at David, walking in that rather slow and cautious way towards him - and his young friend. Oh ho ho. '76 gets glanced at, her lips thin, and then... well, she cheerfully ignores him. If he wants to think she's a Shinra employee, hey, it's not like she's gonna disabuse him of this notion.
      
Number 076 says "I see you are back on your feet... heckled any more musician-ninjas today?"
      
"Hey Molly." David casually greets, stepping a little bit to the side now and attempting to guide Rydia with him. Ya know, so he's not blocking 076's line of sight to Molly... and vice versa. He speaks with obvious familiarity, pausing for a moment and looking over his shoulder at 076 again. A shrug follows, "Heh. Come on, Ryds. You wanted to see the sunlight again, didn't you? We might wanna leave these two alone to work out... whatever." He means over there, in the little corner of Sector Five that leads to a certain flower girl's home.

"Ok, David," Rydia chirps. She smiles at Molly with all her innocence. Hey, stick with whatever works, see? So far it's worked. Besides, otherwise she just -doesn't- fit in here, no matter what kind of overly revealing clothing she dons. Sunlight sounds awful good, having seen little of it in this dismal place.

Number 076 looks after the two departing visitors.  "Take care," he nods to them, sophisticated goodbyes not an integral part of his core programming. His attention returns to his... special friend from yesterday.

Molly actually gives Rydia a relatively 'normal' smile, waving at her rather casually. "Don't drink anything he gives ya, he doesn't know shit about liquor." Then, she looks over at her fellow mutilated-and-mechanized person. Sigh.

Number 076 ... blinks.  More used to the precise and candid terminology of the military than the precise and candid terminology of the streets. "Interesting," he observes coolly.  "I did not expect you to be the type to get to know a man without introducing him to your claws first."

"Way to a woman's heart is a good bottle of bad scotch!" David throws over his shoulder in parting comment, as he ushers Rydia onward. He'll explain later, honest. Well, at least to his Caller charge.

Blinking at Molly somewhat in confusion, Rydia stares at her dumbfoundedly. Liquor, do espers drink liquor? She's never actually had any herself, but that's not the point. Looking up at David again in askance, she -does- expect some sorta explaination for that.
      
Molly makes a gesture at David that's probably mildly obscene but is meant in good humor. Then, she regards the other person for along moment, folding her hands behind her back. "Talk like a person, won't you?" Her eyebrows lower slightly, as if she's squinting slightly through the smooth mirrored surfaces.
      
Number 076 shakes his head slightly.  "Appearances aside, I would not wish to give the wrong impression.  Not everyone has the benefit of natural speech algorithms."

David ushers Rydia on into this little haven of goodness and cheer. And sunlight and... is that /water/? /Flowers/? A little corner of heaven right here in Midgar. Flowers like the ones found in the church that David had suggested they stay in last night, on the first night of their arrival to the city. David, and his 'sister' Ryds. "Well, that was amusing." he says as he's out of earshot of the cyborg. "It'll be interesting to see what comes of this 'Magitek'." There's almost a sinisterly expectant... desire? For a moment, David seems every bit of the 'demon' his esper form represents. Such things are just not meant to be seen on the features of a human however. Luckily, it doesn't last long.

Tagging along by David like some sort of kid sister 'waaaaaaait for meeeeee', Rydia looks decidedly out of place in Midgar. Unlike many of the downtrodded, broken spirited inhabitants of the slums, she is far too -alive- to be a Midgarian. The green hair is unusual too, well, sorta, fits in with the latest fads of hair coloration amongst rebellious teens. She hasn't forgotten the subject of alcohol, but hey, there's something more interesting here. Flowers! She doesn't respond to his comments about Magitek. Instead she rushes forward, "David, look!"

Elmyra is sweeping the front stoop, looking somewhat more old and downtrodden herself... her lovely little daughter having vanished, and not even told her what was happening. At least her boyfriend of the day wasn't a SOLDIER... although really, she has to wonder where she finds them. 9_9 At people's arrival, she looks up and says, a bit sharply, "D' you need help?" -.o

And Rydia utterly misses the comments. But hey, Diablos is happy that Ryds is getting a treat outta all this. Likewise, that she's not thinking too heavily about the poor espers. Something he feels at least as keenly, way deep down inside. Following more sedately, he starts to cross the small yard and moves toward the flowers. Pause. Swivel. "Hi." he greets the woman on the doorstep, offering her one of his typical pleasant-sinister grins, "Well, depends. Ryds noticed your flowers, and wanted a closer look. You mind?" It's pretty obvious he's telling the truth. Even if he's being rather casual about asking after the fact of trespass. His attention focuses, lending cool assessment to his attentions on Elmyra.

Uh oh, Rydia suddenly looks up, green eyes wide as saucers as she realizes Elmyra is standing there. Sheepish soon after, she clasps her hands in front of herself and looks rather apologetic. Adding to what David asked, she says, "There's so few flowers here... I was only looking."
      
Elmyra 's rather cold and stoic heart - the usual slum_dweller demeanor - melts at the sight of Rydia. Aww. She's... she's a young little woman... like.. like her daughter... sniff, sniff. She smiles warmly. "Go on ahead, then, just don't pick too many of 'em. There's some vegetables too, if you're interested," not that any sane young person would be. She looks at David with a more neutral expression, nodding a bit. "Your daughter, sir?" If it's something else, well, that's what her broom's for.

"Half sister." David answers. He's going to get whipped for /that/?! No fair! Sure, it's a lie, but the truth is that he's not.... 'something else' in respect of what that broom might be used against. "She wanted to see Midgar, since we're going to be moving so close to it soon...." he shrugs slightly and finishes, "So I brought her here." it's his cover story, and he's sticking with it. "Nice place you've got here." he adds, trying to be chit chatty. You /know/ if Elmyra takes that broom to him, he's going to laugh way too much after he's out of the formidable woman's earshot. It's one of those given things.

Pick them? Oh no, Rydia couldn't do -that-, this place is so dreary, it could use all the flowers it can get! This little corner seems so magickally special, however and briefly the Caller wonders how it's done. However, since she's been given permission, she does lean down to breathe in the heady scent of the blooms. It so reminds her of Baron for a moment. She doesn't add to David's story, he made it up, he can stick to it. Besides, she's already been fitting into the role rather nicely.

Elmyra nods briskly - she can see a vague sort of resemblance, or at least it's not a blatant lie. But then, she met Marlene's apparent father... they looked NOTHING alike. The flowers are actually rather plain - their main niceness is in their rather unusual presence in here at all. The entire region is fairly warm, like a spring day instead of the late-fall gloom of most of the city. "Visiting?" she says to David, a little wryly. Not many visitors to THIS part of the slums.

David nods shortly, "Yeah, we're just wandering around the slums and exploring a bit." You know... there's something wrong with that idea. Really there is. But wonder how many people will catch on to the oddity of the plan? So far, it's O-fer. "Wouldn't happen to know a good place to stay? And a good bar, would you?" Not that he's going to let Rydia drink, even if she wanted to. But! He's got his mission that he's not supposed to be forgetting.

Rydia is busy with the flowers right now. Plain or no, they are so very welcome after the desolation she's seen. It makes her almost homesick for Baron but no, no no. She steels herself and pushes those thoughts aside. She's a big girl, and she's here for a reason, right?

Elmyra-- The one with the drinking, after all. "Well," Elmyra says, a little sadly, "I have a couple rooms here... I can give you both a good supper and let you stay the night if you don't mind chippin' in." Prices might not be strictly at-cost, but, well. She wouldn't offer at all if it wasn't for that cute girl with the weird hair. "As for the bar, there's a couple in Sector Six and one in Sector Seven... you poke around, you probably could find a few others."

David hrms, "Well, I gotta ask Ryds about the rooms... How much are you asking for?" The man only seems to have a token concern for the situation. "We've got some money. And if you want work in exchange..." shrugs, "I'm willing to hear what you want done at least." he pauses, turning to his 'sis'. "Hey, Ryds!" he calls over. "Come here a second. We've gotta talk about possibly staying here tonight." He figures Rydia would like nothing better than staying near those flowers in Midgar...

Perking up at the offer, Rydia smiles at Elmyra, aw, that's so sweet. The older woman is familiar to the Caller... oh, then it hits her suddenly, sadly. She seems so motherly, so much like her own mother before that fateful day of Cecil's arrival in Mist. She bounces to her feet and scampers over toward David, dusting the silvery pants off. "That's so nice of you," she says to Elmyra as she halts at her 'half-brother's' side.
      
Elmyra taps her chin thoughtfully, and then says, "I'd have to say... let's see, twenty gil for you, sir, and as for you.." She smiles, in a rather wrinkled and maternal way, at 'Ryds'. "My daughter's away, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind you stayin' in her room for a night." She reaches behind herself to rub her poor, sore back a little, and then adds, "Hope you won't mind eatin' some stew for dinner... it's about all we can get regularly around here." At least she has fresh veggies.

David nods, "That I can cover." Twenty gil isn't much of a problem. Though Rydia is given a glance and a flash of a grin in amusement for the 'mothering' she receives. Hey, it's all good. And it proves to be an experience. That's what he's here for after all. Experience.

"Oh thank you," Rydia beams again, clasping her hands in front of her. At the mention of food, her stomach rumbles on cue and she puts a hand over her tummy with a bit of embarassment. When was the last time they ate anyway? She doesn't remember, so excited about the trip and exploration of the city that she'd literally forgotten about food.
      
Elmyra reaches out to pat Rydia on the head once. n.n Lightly. More as a sign of spontaneous affection than anything else - besides, is that REAL hair? Yes, it seems to be. o.o She turns and walks into the house, holding the door open for her newfound paying guests. "Excuse me a moment, I need to check something..." Namely, is a certain layabout boyfriend of a certain person occupying either of the rooms? 9_9

David steps in after Elmyra, just far enough to hold the door for /Rydia/ to step in before he does. After which, of course, he'll be entering. Yay! Room for the night. And food to boot! Life can't get much better.

Rydia bounces as David holds the door, more then eager for some food and a place that's got pretty flowers to stay in. Oh indeed. Of course, she's gonna have to find a way to thank Miss Elmyra for her hospitality, somehow, indeed.